quattro Magazine Feature: Running of the Rings

[by: Eric Climer]

What do you get when you combine a dealership that prides itself on its relationship with enthusiasts, Audi of America employees fresh from weeks of new car training, and multiple ACNA chapters eager for a major event nearby? The answer: Audi Wichita’s 2025 Running of the Rings.

At first glance, Wichita might seem like an unlikely place for an incredible Audi event. It’s at least 2.5 hours from the nearest major city, and the elevation change between the highest and lowest points is only about 100 feet. So, what makes this event worthy of a feature in quattro?

For the past seven years, Bac Ta and the amazing team at Audi Wichita have been building and refining one of the best Audi enthusiast events in the country. What began in 2017 as a casual fun run with a couple dozen enthusiasts has evolved into a full-fledged Poker Run, now hosting over 70 registered vehicles, the latest Audi models, and a mix of corporate and local employees, totaling nearly 100 Audis. Those are impressive numbers for any Audi-only event—especially one held in the heart of America. But beyond the turnout, what is it about Running of the Rings that draws participants from as far away as Virginia and Minnesota?

Let’s start with the basics: what is a poker run? In poker, each player tries to assemble the best five-card hand. Audi Wichita’s Running of the Rings takes that concept and makes it fun: participants hit five stops spread across nearly 100 miles around the city. At each stop, they pick a card, which is stapled to a card sheet, and receive a QR code with Google Maps directions to the next stop. After the final stop, the group returns to Audi Wichita to turn in their cards and enjoy great food while awaiting the results.

The prizes are equally impressive. In 2024, the top prize was a weeklong cruise. This year, the grand prize was an R8 track experience in Las Vegas, along with a $500 flight voucher. Second and third places also earned prizes, such as Lego sets or large Audi rings. Registration? Completely free. Sign up, show up, grab a goodie bag and a shirt, complete the loop, and you could win a fantastic prize. And even if you don’t win, every participant becomes part of the hundreds of photos and videos Audi Wichita captures throughout the event. Running of the Rings also provides a unique opportunity to meet members from multiple ACNA chapters, including Oklahoma, Kansas City, Des Moines, and more.

2025 was especially exciting because the Audi of America corporate team had just completed new model training. This allowed them to bring over the newest Audi models—some of which hadn’t yet reached showrooms. Participants got to experience and ride in the SQ5, RS3, and S6 e-tron.

Audi Wichita proves that you don’t need a mega city like Los Angeles or New York, curvy mountain roads, or dramatic landscapes to host one of the best Audi events in the country. Mark your calendars for June 28, 2026, for the eighth annual Running of the Rings—you won’t regret it, no matter how far you travel.

On behalf of the Kansas City, Des Moines, and Oklahoma ACNA chapters, a massive thank you to Bac Ta and the entire team at Audi Wichita, who make this event possible—and run it flawlessly—year after year. We’ll be back in 2026!

To see this story and more, click here to access the Q1_2026 digital issue of quattro Magazine.