Newsletter for June 2013 – The Longest Day

Newsletter for June 2013
Reeves Import Motorcars and LeMans, Becoming a Tradition

Back by popular demand on June 22, Reeves in conjunction with Jeff, manager of their Motorsports by Reeves division, and their boys from Ingolstadt, Zuffenhausen, and München will be holding their second annual “Drop the Flag” for the start of the 24 Hours of LeMans. What a great way to spend the morning of one of the longest days of the year.

The folks at Reeves always put on a class event and this one will be no exception as Kim with her team will be at it again. We of course are looking forward to a big turn out for the Four Rings, as we park under the trees amongst the Roundels and Stag Horns.

Additional information, details and RSVP instructions to follow.

Table of Contents

Up the Road
Event Listing
ACNA & Chapter News
Other Items in the News
Classifieds and Audi Tradition 
 …but then there’s more

June 22, the Gulf Coast Region will be gathering at Reeves to continue the tradition of LeMans viewing. This time we will be under the trees at their Motorsports facility for some light snacks and indoor/outdoor viewing of the race.

July 13, Breakfasting at the Barrel in Clearwater on Ulmerton, as we plan additional events for the fall

Raffle sales continue so 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 almost daily comments one receives on your good taste for choosing what a great looking car.

If for no other reason, one of the best financial reasons to be an ACNA member

Spend $50 to save $3,000 on a $50,000 MSRP Audi

Photo by Michael Klamm

S8 Driving the Rockies in the winter
Sit back, relax, grab some popcorn and your favorite beverage, adult or otherwise, and enjoy the next 19 minutes. S8 in the Rockies

S7 vs Spock
This one is fun, in case you have not finished the popcorn from the above video, here is a second chance.Spock S7 and an MB

For Armed Forces Veterans
Here is a link to some very interesting information and opportunities should you be a veteran and have a desire to become an Audi Brand Technician.
Vets to Technician Program

Review of the RS 5 Coupe

Because you can, here would be one very nice acquisition.
A Bruit in a Suit

For those who would like to peruse through three 1939 Auto Union new car sales brochures, here is a site and links to the Audi, DKW and Wandered catalogs.
Auto Union 1939

1937 Wanderer

I believe that I drove behind this car last summer at the Donau Classic in Ingolstadt, tracked straight, accelerated well and no blue smoke during gear changes.
1937 Wanderer W52C

So why do we choose the cars that we drive? Prior to making some sophomoric attempt to explain, let us narrow the discussion variables and limit it to those who have been purchasing Audis for some time, are clearly hooked, and would probably need to check into the Betty Ford Clinic to break their Four Ringed addictions. If you are new to the brand, your second and third Audis attest to your desire to become one of the choir as you pony up to pay some of those expensive service bills if you are out of warranty. Besides the fact that we drive what we can or better put generally afford, there are numerous other reasons, which overlay that decision. Of course, there is all this left-brain right-brain Sturm und Drang (tension) and the weighing of the pros and cons. The cars we drive reflect not just our need for transportation from point A to B, but also how we wish to have others see us in that process. Driving many of the models presently available often garners compliments or thumbs up from those surrounding us, clearly reaffirming that our purchasing decision was 100% correct, even if we do not know these folks and in some cases would not even think of asking them for their advice on anything. Obviously, we smile and as we should, graciously thank them for their comments.

The Audi cognoscenti among us sometimes are smitten with those iterations of the brand, which were milestones in the past such as Ur models including the Ur RS4 Avant or the SWB Ur quattro. Unfortunately, it would appear that now that the Avant except for an allroad trim model has also rolled off into the sunset. Those with perhaps the more continentally inclined taste and desire for the Avant models have been surgically cut out of the loop. If money were no object one of those older Audis, though certainly not as safe, fast or comfortable as many of today’s models, would be my choice. The other would be federalizing the new RS4 or RS6 Avant or in deference to the “greens” something a bit more eco friendly, an A6 Avant with the 313 HP TDI engine. At my age and not wishing to arrive too quickly, that TDI with a 0-100Km/h of 5.3 sec would certainly be fast enough to drive off into the sunset.

Therefore, within the limits of what is both available and affordable, we do the best we can. I for one and as mentioned to me by the AoA Southern Region manager “settled” for an A7. Not to sound spoiled, but who the hell settles for an A7 or for that matter any Audi. In the scheme of things and compared to a lot of what is available out there, they are not inexpensive. For about the same entry fee, an RS5, Q7 or for another fist full of dollars an S7 or A8 could have been purchased. Nevertheless, an A7 comes closest to the A6 Avant in serviceability and being a bit svelter than a Q7, which is too big for the two of us and does not fit our “life style.” Almost everything in life is a trade off one way or the other. The A7 is now over a year old and the only time the back seat has been up is when one of my cousins from Germany visited us during Christmas. She loved the A7 and even asked my wife if I let her drive it on occasion. Perhaps there is some driving pecking order in German families; I thought it wise not ask. As with many of my cousins, they own a wagon, theirs is an E Class diesel wagon for their frequent trips from Hagen to their thatched roof cottage in Darß on the Baltic. Too bad an E Class diesel wagon is not available here; I could save myself the trouble of checking into the Betty Ford Clinic, to end a 34-year addiction.

Here is looking forward to having you join us at one of our upcoming events and should you have any questions, or comments, please give a shout. Cheers and Safe Motoring, Bob Greving President Audi Club of Florida, Chapter ACNA