Dämmerung für Sebring
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As the sun set for most likely the last time on the R18 e-tron quattro at Sebring and they quietly pierced on into the night, compared to some of the other fellows on track, an era was being driven, no actually hammered to a close. Audi had just put on one great send off, not by just winning again but bringing a plethora of previous winning drivers who not only recounted riveting anecdotes of their past exploits but also fielded questions from the fans and actually took time to sit and visit with many, sign wine corks, and expand on both their on and off track adventures. Once again, we see one more facet of Audis’ all encompassing Kundenbegeisterung Kb initiative. To top this off, the Turn 1 Club was even free for those with passes. Now we just need a few more of the suits/skirts to press the flesh as both Donald Stephenson former AoA District Manager and Ian Bolin former Area 81 Manager did in past years and as was said by Ian, “sit with the folks who actually pay our salaries”… the Audi customers and fans. These gentlemen knew and practiced the tenets of Kb prior to someone in the land of the Four Rings and Herndon making it the latest flavor. Both correctly and clearly perceived that the Audi fans and customers’ identification was with not only the cars but also the folks who represented the brand.
Andy and his team once again delivered a great venue, cheerful hospitality and a most enjoyable Audi motorsport experience. I am sure Texas will be a continuation of this and personally; I am looking forward to the road trip. It will be a chance to catch some Cajun food on the way and of course a bit of Texas BBQ from Salt Licks in the Hill Country.
Finally check out the ACNA and Chapter News for some important Audi purchasing information.
Bob Greving
Table of Contents
Up the Road
Event Listing
ACNA News
Other Items in the News
Classifieds
One More Thought
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March 30, Wheels Across the Pond in Jupiter, David thought this activity would be a good change of pace and must have known that I also own one of those vehicles whose electrics were designed by Lucas Crown Prince of Darkness.
April 27 now is the day for the first gathering of the Citrus Region at North Orlando Audi. If you live in the region, please plan to participate and RSVP with Patrick Alexander at [email protected]. There will be a tour of the facility and a date will be set for the next meeting. Even if you are not from Orlando, check out this new facility, great inventory and the new leadership team. It is one beautiful dealership.
May 4: if you are in the Tampa Bay area (and not at quattro de Mayo?), join the Audi Club at German Bistro 2 for a private late lunch – we will have the restaurant to ourselves. See the event listings for details.
May 17 through 19 is the planned date for the trip to Savannah. Rough itinerary will have participants meet up in Jacksonville on a Friday evening for supper. Plans are that we gather at the Holiday Inn Express at Mayport Beach (under $80 for the night) and have supper together for those who arrive by 6:30PM. Those who are into Crosby, Stills, and Nash can take in a concert that evening, which starts at 8:00PM. Early Saturday we will head north on US A1A, then pick up Interstate 95, for a while and turn off on to US 17 through Brunswick then north to Savannah arriving around noon with all on their own for an afternoon of exploration and adventure in the setting of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” We will all join for supper at a place yet to be determined. Regarding lodging in Savannah, which can be expensive downtown, all will be on their own. Early Sunday morning we will regroup for a photo, perhaps down by the river prior to the drive home. For those who wish to continue their explorations, perhaps a drive out to Tybee Island and the lighthouse then the drive home. If you would like to help plan this trip, please drop me a line.
For June we are working on a meet for the start of the 24 Hours of LeMans. Last, year’s event at Tampa Audi was a success and we look forward to continuing and expanding that tradition.
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April 6, Cars and Coffee, 7:00 am Gulf Coast Region
[email protected]
Reeves Motorsports facility Tampa, FL
April 6, Cars and Coffee, 8:00 am
Suncoast Audi Sarasota, FL
May 4, German Bistro 2, Largo, FL, 3pm Luncheon
A late, private lunch (or is it brotzeit?) at German Bistro 2 in Largo, FL
RSVP to [email protected] by April 25. We will need at least 15 folks to make this happen
Palm Beach Region
[email protected]
March 30, 2013, Wheels Across the Pond British Car Show, Jupiter
http://www.wheelsacrossthepond.com/
Citrus Region (Orlando)
[email protected]
April 27, Organizational Meet Audi North Orlando 10:00AM
http://www.audinorthorlando.com/dealership/about.htm
Contact Patrick at [email protected] to RSVP
Audi Club of Florida
[email protected]
May 17-19 “True North to Savannah” Fun Run
To RSVP or help plan this trip, contact [email protected]
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I am sure many noticed that beautiful Audi at the header of this section, it actually belongs to one of our members and is campaigned in Belgium where he lives. Soon the Audi Club of Florida Logo will also be gracing this striking livery. Stay tuned in more ways than one.
This one is worth a repeat:
Spend $50 to save $3,000 on a $50,000 MSRP Audi
We have all heard the adage that one must spend a little to save a little, well here is one for the record books. Unless you work for AoA or AG, are a diplomat or some other individual of import and note, the following will be hard to beat. If you have been an ACNA member in good standing for six months, you will be eligible for a 6% discount from MSRP on the purchase of certain Audi models. Yes, a few of the usual suspects have been excluded, the R8, RS5, TTRS, and a few others, but check out the details. If you plan to be in the market for a new Audi, it literally pays and saves to be an active member of the ACNA. Just do the math on the Audi of your dreams.
Welcome Aboard
Welcome to our new ACNA members. Our membership numbers are once again growing which means additional critical mass in different regions of the state and hopefully more events and participation. Those of you who are new to the ACNA will receive an on boarding note from David Loppert, if you have; any questions feel free to drop either David [email protected] or me [email protected] a line. I also suggest that if you have not had a chance yet check out both the ACNA website, and the Audi Club of Florida website. There is a great deal of good information plus some excellent photos of member’s cars.
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Sales
Audi remains on a roll with significant sales increases compared to last year. This compared to BMW, which continues to struggle. The interesting take away from these numbers is that through February in 2012 there was 2.10 BMW’s sold year to date for each Audi. In 2013 the same comparison yields a decrease in the number of BMW’s sold for each Audi to 1.81 year to date. Those figures are significant and if sustainable Audi continues on the road to parity in sales figures. Profitability is another figure and will probably be reached sooner..
Audi USA: Audi off to strongest U.S. sales start of any year in its…
Incentives
Here is another fascinating look at the auto industry and the cost of doing business.
S5 ACNA Raffle
If you have not purchased your chance to win a 2014 Estoril Blue S5, contact Andreas at[email protected], he will give you all the details. Those who have had an opportunity to drive the 333 Horsepower 3.0 TFSI engined S5 will attest to the sheer pleasure and daily comments one receives on what a great looking car. Therefore, if you are old and want to feel young and if you are young and want to feel cool, this is one hell of an elixir and it only cost $25 a chance to cure all of your ills.
Art, Aggression, or Just Plain Fun
Not sure if these are examples of special edition Audis of the future, a PzKpfw 1 (Panzerkampfwagen 1) to clear the roads of inconsiderate drivers or the Jackson Pollock commemorative edition to be displayed at the MOMA in NYC. Either way or depending on your outlook on life, it is enjoyable to watch even if it could be considered politically incorrect. BTW, the original was scrubbed from YouTube.
http://www.fullremix.net/videos/ihre-auto-audi-s4-vs-audi-s4-paintb…
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Once again, since most of you are holding on to your Audis, no new ads this month so a couple of links to interesting Audis of the past. This listing is for ACNA members only, if you have a special Audi such as one of the S or RS models or a pre 2000 that you would like to sell, we will list it once in the newsletter. I will need the year, model, color over interior color, and your email address. Longer postings can be placed in the website. We will also list DKW and Wanderer motorcycles.
Ur S6 Avant
This example has the 15-inch wheels and all season tires, the much sought after 16-inch six spoke Avus wheels, which actually look more aggressive significantly change the look of the vehicle.
Pre 1940 Audi and Horch photos and information
This is a link to an older Russian site with pre 1940 Audis. There is also a link under Horch to all Horch variants and model production 1930-1942.
http://www.autogallery.org.ru/audi.htm
You can also use the Classifieds Forum on the Audi Club of Florida web site.
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Driving home on that last leg from Sebring early Sunday morning I came across one of those flashing signs used mostly for “Amber Alerts” but this time it was a “Silver Alert” (Lost Seniors) and as the last few miles ticked off I thought how ironic. There it was, Black 2014 Audi, Michigan Plates 2314 last seen heading towards Sebring on US 60. I had been lost in the world of Audidom for the past four-days, no news, world crisis, or other things to interfere with having fun and visiting folks I have corresponded with over the years but only meet annually at the track. Sebring has an uncanny way of bringing folks together. There was the threesome team in a dealer’s A6 loaner who made it from the Carolinas, then the couple who drove down from the cold in Travers City Mi, in one beautiful red Mark I TT. There was the dad who took the Q5 instead of R8 and this time brought his son and not the grandson who had accompanied him on this trek for the last 5 years. One cannot leave out the Sebring and LeMans winner, who was also an instructor for a couple of us at the ice driving school in Seefeld and again recounted the perils of walking into the woods and visiting the memorial for Bernd Rosemeyer near the Darmstadt Kreuz. ACFL and ACNA members from the Panhandle, Jax, and points in between, joined the group in the Turn One Club. Then there was that always-effervescent young lady from the Great Northwest, camera in hand always looking for items to send to “her boys down range in Afghanistan.” Not to be left out, one intrepid ACFL member and his wife from Belgium also came for the second time to Sebring.
Sebring will be different next year, no more LMP1 Audis but perhaps numerous customer Audi R8s will be at it in the GT class. It will be interesting to see how it bakes out but one thing for sure; this old bomber-training field has seen neither its last 12 Hour endurance race nor Audis pounding the tarmac and concrete in their quest for victory. In addition, lest I forget, many of the folks who attended over the years, once again will be making that pilgrimage to central Florida and some sunshine. I for one am looking forward to triggering another “Silver Alert” and seeing all again.
Also, you can check out our images and video from the busy weekend at Sebring:
http://www.audiclubfl.org/profiles/blogs/audi-audi-club-at-twelve-h…
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Cheers and Safe Motoring,
Bob Greving
President
Audi Club of Florida, Chapter ACNA