Lime Rock '97
Lime Rock '97 was an Advanced Driving/Safety Seminar hosted by the good folks of the Northeast Region of the Quattro Club USA (QCUSA) at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut (U.S.A.).
These seminars are held at many tracks across the U.S.A. They give participants the opportunity to explore the capabilities of their vehicle under controlled conditions with experienced instructors. The emphasis is on safety, by learning how the vehicle acts and reacts to driver input at various speeds and in specific situations. It is a wonderful learning experience... one which may save one's life (or those you love) someday.
It is well worth it... and it is a lot of fun. In fact, after it is over, participants are often quoted as saying
"It is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!".
Why would I want to take my own car out on the track?
Well, it is the best way for you to learn how to CONTROL your OWN car.
Isn't that abusive to the car... especially a family sedan... that isn't purpose-built for racing?
Well, Audi automobiles are built VERY WELL. Just how well-built? Well, I drove my car, with 120,000 miles on it, almost 5 hours to get to the track, and ran it for eight 20-minute sessions over the course of two days. Did the car complain? Nope, it loved it! And so did I, as you'll see by the photos below. Sorry, there are no close-up shots of the big grin on my face!!
At the end of the second day, I drove 2 hours up to Boston, and 2 days later, drove 7 hours home to Maryland. Ask yourself... how many "average family sedans" can do this? Is it any wonder why I favor Audis?
Enjoy the pictures... and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me!!
Helmets? Yes... helmets are required. We had to share them this year... we had about 100 participants!!
Yep, that's me... and my Titanium '92 100S... before the start of the second day's events.
Coming out of Turn One... a.k.a. Big Bend.
In the middle of Turn Two... the only left hand turn on the track.
A close-up coming out of Turn Two... heading into Turn Three....
Turning into Turn Four... the second part of the Esses....
Another shot of Turn Two.. but this time with "traffic"!!
Somewhere on the back half of the track...
Coming out of Turn Four... heading out onto the back straight leading to the uphill.
Hitting the brakes hard at the end of the Main Straight... to slow down from 90+ mph....
Turning into Turn One (a.k.a. Big Bend)... right at the end of the Main Straight....
Here is George Baxter's '84 300 HP Ur-Q.
He took me for a VERY WILD ride around the track... AWESOME indeed!!