First, in case you mistook my intent, I was not criticizing your decision. I was merely stating my position on my decision.

Not that your other concerns have anything to do with this thread but I'll address them anyways so you don't think that I'm dodging you. After reading further, you might just want to join the Audi Club and join us for some fun at the track, where you can safely learn how your car behaves at speed.

I'll start with your concerns of irony. HPDE's are not competitive events and is explicitly stated as such in writing and discussed at EVERY event ad nauseum. I contacted my insurance before the first event that this Avant participated at and they stated that underwriting excludes competitive events. They also stated that I am covered in full for HPDE's. Controlled passing does not make an event competitive. The point of HPDE's and Audi Club Driving Events is to improve your driving skills which is directly applicable to safer more controlled driving on the street. I have owned and developed a number of cars over the past 25 years that I have in fact raced in SCCA, NASA, PCA, POC, and NHRA events and classes.

This Avant is not one of them. In fact aside from my Alfa Romeo Spider, it is the lowest powered car I own or have owned. I bought it for my wife when my son was born since she didn't want my E55 AMG and she ended up refusing to give up her daily driver, an EVO MR, because she feels safer in it. Not because it is an inherently "safer" car but because at 4'11" she feels she has better visibility as well as generally better maneuverability (she's right )

Instead of dumping the Avant, I decided to use it as my daily driver and spare my E55 AMG the extra mileage and potential for door dings. I have had it for 10 years over which it has suffered only ONE door ding and covered 21,000 miles. It only became my daily driver for a few months between various Porsches. The Avant has become a favorite ride of mine for reasons I can't quite put my finger on...but I surely never thought that I would look back at a "grocery-getter" after parking it just to admire the lines. I guess if dad has to drive a wagon... he can be happy it's an Avant... If I had been buying for myself, I probably would have grabbed another AMG, specifically the E63 AMG Estate. But in retrospect, I'm glad that I was shopping for my wife at the time. She loves the look of the Avant. Loves being a passenger but just prefers her Mitsubishi... what can I say. Considering that I am the one that picks up and drops off my son daily, I don't care what she drives as long as she's happy.

With regards to "a prudent person" taking a chance... In 25 years on the track, I have NEVER had an accident. On the street I have had 8 cars totalled by being rear ended and/or T-boned by inattentive/careless drivers. So, if you consider yourself a "prudent" person, where do you think I feel safer driving?...

Come join the AudiClub and learn what your car can do without risking your life or your license. Or just meet friends who share a passion for Audis and get together for scenic drives, gatherings, tours, etc. If you don't enjoy yourself, I'll make it up to you.