Audi Club Florida Newsletter October 2020

Photo Credit:  Barbra Lohff
Here is the lunch gang -the day after Gov. DeSantis raised the level to Phase 3!

This past month sparks of life started happening to mark a return to attending some hosted events and kicking off the relaunch of the Platinum Coast. The requirement for the masks was rescinded, under the Florida Phase 3 Reopening Plan. With that said, many regions remain restrictive on what can take place but that is relaxing slowly but surely. Our priority is keeping you safe when participating in events representing or promoting the club.

Audi Club Florida is not willing to put anyone at risk. The chapter leadership is conducting conference calls to discuss our intentions as a group. The Emerald Coast is recovering from some damage but is still planning to participate in events. The First Coast Region, along with JaxRings, has been invited to Yalaha Bakery with the Central Florida Audi Group. Lastly, the Gulf Coast Regions Cars and Coffee resumes at Reeves Motorsports in Tampa.

See the regional sections for further details.

The Platinum Coast Audi Club celebrated their inaugural Cars and Coffee at the Audi Ft. Myers dealership at 10050 Daniels Interstate Ct.; Ft. Myers, FL 33913 on Saturday, September 26th. If you are in the Sarasota to Naples area, there are upcoming events at those dealerships planned. See the Platinum Coast Region of this newsletter for details. The Gulf Coast region cruised in to join in and helped celebrate the kickoff.

In the meantime, feel free to organize activities with your Audi owning friends and enjoy your wheels, have some social interaction, following the state and local guidelines when in public, and as well in private. Protect yourself.

Oktoberfest in Gainesville – Cancelled.

FixxFest in November: Hosted by UroTuning – Cancelled. That gives you more time to build the perfect car to win the show.

ACFL is recommending obeying the most up to date guidelines and orders issued by the regions and governor concerning events. ACFL still suggests using an antibacterial wipe, a disposable protective glove, a plastic t-shirt bag, or dog poop bag as a barrier while using the fuel pumps to avoid potential exposure and dispose of it after fueling. Be careful out there and protect your health until we can start meeting up again. #FlattenTheCurve

Audi Club North America Board of Directors Candidates:

Each year, three of the nine National Board of Director positions are up for election. Directors serve a 3-year term and are eligible to run for a second 3-year term. For the 2018-2020 term, ending in December, director seats for Troy Sicotte, Gordon Varney, and Melisa Wilcox are expiring.

This year there is a change to the voting rules. Now family members are eligible to vote as well as  club member. This year, I would like you to take the time to vote when the time comes. I also want to point out that our very own highly qualified 2019 Audi Club of Florida Member of the Year, Melisa Wilcox, is running for election and would love to have your support. With your support getting her elected, she can be a voice of reason and make a positive impact for Audi Club North America, like she has with Audi Club Florida. She is not leaving us but taking our ideas nationally for the benefit of all chapters.

We are trying to expand regional coverage but need your help!

Audi Club Florida has the most active regions of any chapter in Audi Club North America. We were asked by ACNA leadership for information on how we orchestrate and manage the club with so many regions. We are going to work with ACNA and the Carolinas Chapter to help provide information to help grow the other chapters.  In case you move one day from Florida, you can get involved with another active chapter in another state.

As we continue this year, we are currently looking for leadership in the following area:

Gator Region – Gainesville Area

Thomas Brinkmann, the General Manager, is ready to work with a representative to establish the region. If you are up to the challenge, let me know.

Many people have emailed me personally and through the national office wondering why there is not something in their area. I tell them assistance is required to help get things going locally. We desire to unite the state and have events within an hour’s drive of your location, at least quarterly. We are looking for some people who have the ambition to lead and desire to start something long term, helping arrange places to meet for lunch, activities, attend local car shows and coffee events, and other social activities.

If you would like to volunteer and help organize a successful regional club, please contact me for details, and we will discuss making it happen.  If you want to get active to help your region with ideas and help assist with and organize events, the regional leadership and I would love to have your help. This club is for you, help us make it work for you.

Gerry Simms

President and BoD Member

[email protected]

Chapter Regional Reports

First Coast Region- Jacksonville

Photo Credit: Audi Jacksonville

https://www.audijacksonville.com

October Audi Sales, Deals, Incentives, at our Prestige Partner!

The 4th Quarter is here! Audi is on fire and out of inventory, so we have an all-time high on ordered vehicles.

If you prefer to shop from home, we are offering free delivery. Shop online then contact us via phone or our website to arrange delivery of the vehicle and paperwork to your home. We also have an online marketplace now so you can buy your car almost entirely online.

Make No Payments for 3 Months: Because we believe in making things better for our customers, we’re deferring payments for the first 90 days on select new Audi vehicles purchased this month.

Need your car serviced? We are waiving our service at your doorstep fee and offering free vehicle pickup and delivery! The minimum service charge will be waived during the Coronavirus epidemic.

2020 Audi – almost all models have 0% financing for up to 36 months (excluding RS cars) 

2021 Arrivals: 

2021 Q3 is here, 2021 Q7 is here, 2021 Q8 is here.

2021 RS 6, RS 7, AND RS Q8 are available for order, and some will be delivered as soon as November!

The remaining stock of the 2020 models is thin; don’t forget there is a Costco program that offers you 10% off if you are a current Costco member and your membership started before June 1, 2020. Almost all models apply, except RS and R8. Only applicable to 2020 models. Audi Club members will receive additional discounts on top, depending on the model.

September Audi Club Special:

50% off – All in stock All-weather Floor Mats

10% Off – in-store coupon for Apparel

First Coast Region

A luncheon with JaxRings is in the works in accordance with local and state guidelines. It will be posted on the JaxRings and Audi Club of Florida Facebook pages, as well as our website.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AudiClubFlorida

https://www.facebook.com/groups/JaxRings

https://audiclubna.org/florida/

No Jacksonville Cars and Coffee at the request of the Avenues Mall until 2021.

First Coast Region (Jacksonville)

Leslie de la Serna First Coast Region Lead

[email protected]

Gulf Coast Region

October Specials at our Prestige Partner, Audi Clearwater

I recently visited with Tom Photopulos, Audi Sales Manager for Audi Clearwater and he mentioned that there are now only two new 2020 R8 with special pricing for ACFL/ACNA members. The Spyder has found a new home. Should you be in the market for an R8, please contact him directly at 727-312-1220 and he will fill you in on the details on these vehicles to obtain some special pricing. If you have seriously been in the market for a new R8, I am sure you have discovered there is seldom any discounting; here is your chance to land one.

Specials on New Audis

The below pricing includes ACNA discount and then some and is available to those who read the ACFL newsletter and go through George. So if you or you know someone who is looking for an Audi at a really good price point, bring them in, the following discounts are available.

19’ e-tron – $14,000 off of MSRP
20’ S3 – $4,800 off of MSRP
20’ S4 – $5,000 off of MSRP
20’ Q7 – $5,000 off of MSRP
20’ Q8 – $7,000 off of MSRP
20’ A8L – $13,000 off of MSRP, there are two

One especially important item is that you can now order for delivery your bespoke iterations of the following exciting new vehicles to be put into the production queue as the plants are now in operation in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm, Hungary, Belgium, and other sites across Europe: RS Q8, SQ8, and SQ7, plus the all-new A6 allroad. These will be 2021 models.

George Rangelov is the ACFL’s Audi Brand Specialist and “go-to” individual to ensure you receive the above specific savings when you purchase your next new Audi. Make sure to contact George directly at 727-906-1101 and he will get you squared away. George is also aware of the ACNA club discount on new Audi models. By going through George, this also helps us in tracking the value of the Prestige Partnership Program (PPP) and how many vehicles the ACFL helps the dealership sell when we try to recruit new dealerships in different geographic regions of the state to the PPP.

Do not forget that Todd Emery who manages the operations, service, and parts departments at Audi Clearwater is offering a 15% discount to all readers of this newsletter on Parts and Service for your Audi. You need not have purchased your Audi at Audi Clearwater to receive this discount. Also, if you are traveling to the Sunshine State and are a reader of the ACFL Newsletter you can use this discount should you need service for your Audi while you are on the road.

The above discount cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers but is available and all that is required is that when you are writing up your service order that you mention the ACFL newsletter and the code 1020 for October to your service writer. It is that simple to start saving money on needed parts and service.

Down the Road

Cars and Coffee Reeves Motorsports is back. Yes, after checking with Reeves Motorsports on September 24th, their very popular Cars and Coffee will be up and running again on October 3rd. Since this is the first meet in many months, I am sure it will be drawing a big crowd so I suggest you get there early for a good parking spot. It usually starts around 6:30 and ends at 8:00. Reeves Motorsports is located at 11333 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33612. I am looking forward to meeting up with many of you again. It has been a long time.

Cheers, Safe Motoring, especially Stay Healthy

Bob Greving
[email protected]

Gator Region – Gainesville

No official activity scheduled this month. Looking for leadership in the region.

Emerald Coast Region – Panhandle

Photo Credit: Melisa Wilcox
Participants of the first-ever Autocross event Emerald Coast Speedway

Emerald Coast Region – ACFL was dealt with another hit in 2020 in the form of Hurricane Sally. Parts of our region were not expecting a direct hit, and we now have more challenges in our path with recovery efforts and commuting challenges. Fortunately, we are resilient, and most have been through Hurricanes and know how to put their best foot forward. It will take some time but we will overcome it. If anyone in our region has any needs with recovery, please let me know. I will be happy to help organize efforts to accommodate.

Before the storm, September’s highlight was the first-ever Autocross event in our region hosted by RaceChip and Emerald Coast Motorsports at Emerald Coast Speedway in Holt, Fl. ECR-ACFL was well represented in skill and numbers. Out of the top 15 fastest laps made that day, our group made up 7 of those. Congratulations to Forrest Schroeder and Patrick Bojanowski for winning their classes! Great job everyone! It was an epic day!

Most other events were canceled due to the storm but we still managed a strong showing at Pensacola’s C&C to close out the month. We appreciate everyone who came out. It was great to see everyone and meet new Audi enthusiasts as well.

We will kick off October with a visit to the APR Dinan Haus Party on the 3rd in Opelika, Al. Anyone that is interested in coming please let me know. I haven’t been able to finalize any official cruise plans due to the storm but will make sure you are in the loop if interested. We will continue to attend as many local and regional C&C’s as possible in October. Audi Pensacola is looking to join us again for Pensacola’s C&C on the 24th with some new eye candy. Appreciate their continued support and taking care of our members like family. Also, plans for another photoshoot are in the works. Please continue to check our Facebook page Emerald Coast Region – Audi Club Florida for information and details of all events.

Down the road… The fall drive most likely will be delayed due to the storm. I will need to do recon on the roads and assess possible safety issues with debris and road conditions as the route is all backroads in the areas most affected. Please be patient, I will do my best to make the fall cruise happen for us.

Our @emeraldcoastaudiclub Instagram page keeps going strong! We appreciate Jeremy Chavez’s contributions and help. Again, the storm has had an impact on our posting and content. Appreciate all the other Audi Club Groups that have continued to tag us despite our inactivity. If anyone in our region is interested in becoming a part of ECR’s IG group please reach out to me.

All details of events will be posted on our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1511332725662555/?ref=share

Stay well, safe and strong ECR

Melisa Wilcox

Emerald Coast Region Lead and ACFL BoD member

[email protected]

Bobby Hopp

Emerald Coast Region Lead and ACFL BoD Member

[email protected]

Platinum Coast Region (Sarasota to Naples)

After months of being stalled in park ferme’, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the Platinum Coast Audi Club has thrown it into 6th gear and had its inaugural event on September 26th. We had a great gathering of like-minded Audi enthusiasts hailing from Sarasota south to Naples at the Ft. Myers dealership. After a social time of coffee and doughnuts, we had a great insider informative talk on the status of Audi’s e-tron development and a peek at one of the newest models (a burgundy SQ7) just released from the port of Jacksonville. Then it was time for our odometer-guided mystery cruise to lunch where we reconvened at Fisherman’s Village in Punta Gorda. We had lots of great input from the attendees for future ideas and destinations.

If you missed our first C&C, we will be meeting again on October 24th in the Ft. Myers dealership where we hope to be joined by our charter group as well as several snowbirds that have already made plans to meet us after they journey south for the winter. Future months will find us at Sarasota (11/21) with a tour of Solomon’s Castle and lunch at the Boat in the Moat; Naples (1/16) C and C with another odometer mystery lunch cruise. Due to our easy proximity to Sebring and Daytona, we will be planning some track cruises soon as well as some themed road rallies. Save us some room on your calendars!!

Since we are in a fledgling phase, we welcome non-ACNA members to come to see what the club has to offer you on a trial basis. Hope to meet you all soon at our upcoming C and C meets. Check out our Facebook page at facebook.com/swflplatinumcoastaudiclub or email us at [email protected]. for more information or questions.Barb and Rudy Lohff Region Leads

[email protected]

Space Coast Region (Titusville to Fort Pierce/St. Lucie)

No official activity scheduled this month.

Matthew Guerra Region Lead

[email protected]

Gold Coast Region (Key West to WPB)

No official activity scheduled this month.

Andreas Regalado Region Lead and BoD Member

[email protected]

UroTuning

https://www.urotuning.com 

Click the link for all the latest specials at our Prestige Partner UroTuning!

https://www.urotuning.com/collections/deals

 

KONIG Wheels Now Available at UroTuning! We are excited to now offer a wide range of flow-form wheels from Konig at UroTuning!

HPA Turbo Sale! – The extremely popular K04 turbo upgrade kit from HPA Motorsport is now on sale EXCLUSIVELY at UroTuning! If you’ve been itching to take your Volkswagen or Audi up a notch with a better, more powerful, more reliable turbo, look no further than the K04 turbo kit from HPA! This turbo is a tried and true upgrade and is on sale only at UroTuning!

Up to 15% off AWE – At UroTuning we are proud to be able to offer tons of parts from AWE at a discount you won’t find anywhere else! Shop exhausts, downpipes, and more today!

10% OFF XFORCE – XFORCE Exhausts are on sale at UroTuning! Varex Mufflers from XFORCE allow you to change the volume and tone of your exhaust with the touch of a button. Click and shop now!

PLUS New Hoodies and Apparel for the Fall Season is available now!

(Starting October 1st) Mint Performance Sale! Another new brand is live on the UroTuning site! Mint Performance creates high performance, hand-made exhaust components for Audi (and many more) vehicles including exhaust components, downpipes, manifolds, turbo components, and more!

Nathan Fugleberg
813-444-7021
www.urotuning.com
9836 Currie Davis Dr
Tampa, FL 33619

ABT

 

https://abamerica.com/tuning/

Our Prestige Partner ABT is offering a 10% discount to Audi Club Florida members.

ABT America
c/o F355 Miami
16560 NW 10th Ave
Miami, FL 33169
[email protected]

Monday to Friday: 9AM – 6PM (EST)
Phone: (305) 974-5958

Lastly, please thank our Prestige Partners below by visiting their places of business or websites and see what they have for you. That does it for now, looking forward to seeing and meeting as many of you as possible.

Gerry Simms President and BoD Member
[email protected]