words: Adam Blender, photos: Mike Tsao Photo
Editor’s note: This article originally ran in the q4_2019 issue of quattro Magazine. If you would like to subscribe to quattro Magazine, join Audi Club here.
Now in its 19th year running, Tacoma Washington’s own Audi Expo event has firmly established itself as one of the largest exclusively Audi brand enthusiast shows in the country. Held again at the Griot’s Garage flagship retail facility, it offered an amazing array of four-ring automobiles for all to enjoy.
The Audi car culture is strong on the west coast, especially in the Pacific Northwest where tastes keep enthusiasts dialed in to the latest Audi models, and a lack of salt on the roads preserve the earlier examples from a fate of rust and decay. These are, in fact, the perfect conditions for a thriving Audi enthusiast scene.
The caliber of cars found throughout the show is truly impressive. To see Audi models from the 80s in mint condition, to the latest and most impressive Audi models sitting right alongside, is an impressive thing to behold.
A highlight of Audi Expo is the crowd-determined awarding of the best cars. In this case, the winner was the repeat presence of Peter Cha and his best-of-show blacked-out 2018 Audi R8 V10 plus. The car features a full carbon fiber Vorsteiner body kit, Suntek ultra satin black wrap with ceramic coating, a Capristo exhaust and tinted windows.
Further evidence that the Pacific Northwest Audi scene and Audi Expo, in particular, are on a roll is a large list of generous sponsors who help make the event happen. These included Audi Tacoma, Audi Bellingham, Audi Club North America, Griot’s Garage, Audi Club Northwest, Addict Motorsport Design, Sameday Auto Scratch and Dent Repair, AVANTS, NW Crafted Interiors, Common Fibers, German AutoHaus, 034 Motorsport, Blue Star Auto Salon, Right Away Tire, WA Bounce House, Red 27 Engraving, Alex Ng (DJ Nug), Willie’s Addictive BBQ and S&P Designs.
Stay tuned for next year’s Audi Expo. In 2020, the event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, and no doubt has some very special things in store. See you then.
