Well, where to begin?

I have owned various Audi’s in my past (87 GT Coupe, 93 100S, 95 90 and other VW’s) before I took delivery of my 08 Audi TT. It was such a different little car that I knew I needed some time on a track to get some of my YaYa’s out and decided that at this time of my life (over 50), with teenage kids and an understanding wife, I could afford the time to do that. So I told Susan, my wife that I wanted to just check out a track with the Audi Club I had just joined and that it wasn’t racing, it was about safety. She wasn’t overly thrilled when my helmet showed up at the front door and less thrilled when I left our upstate home to drive 1.5 hours to Watkins Glen, for the MSI (Mike Scanlan Invitational) in August.

I was nervous as I approached the Seneca Lodge to check-in, knowing tomorrow was the big day. What I found was happy, friendly people as I checked into the NEQ trailer and received a complete package of where’s and when’s. I took my car over to Tech. Inspection for a once over and again found everyone friendly, extremely competent and helpful, so I started to relax. Then I saw the Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini out my hotel door – and got nervous again. At the evening drivers meeting I found out the most important information which was “what way to the track?”, and slept none too well, up early and out to the track.

The gate person checked me in and gave me directions to the paddock. Once there, I just kept to myself roaming around to steal a look at the other cars, said hello to everyone I could while professing my total newness at any chance. That didn’t seem to faze anyone and at the first green group meeting I met many like myself who were there for the first time. Then I got to meet my driving instructor, Charlie Day who has to be one of the best instructors a rookie could get (Apologies to all the instructors who, I’m sure, are very good themselves). On to the course driving at normal highway speeds to learn the course and receive instruction on where to be, where to look and what to do. After that a fun-filled time in an open parking lot to thrash the vehicle and see what it could do. Everything was good now, great weather, great instructors and that Audi friendliness I could not believe. Then time again for the track, this time at higher speeds. My instructor was teaching me something new each time we went out as I listened and learned. As I progressed so did my instruction and by the end of the first day I was hooked ladies and gentlemen. How about when all the club members were applauding for us “greenies” at the end of the first day? What class these people have. Then back to the hotel and off to the NEQ dinner where I and some other rookies recounted the day. I didn’t stay too late, I was whupped. Time for bed, and hopefully, better sleep.

The next day came and I felt like I at least knew where the bathrooms were. My wife and kids were coming over to see me at the track and while I was in a class session they walked around and experienced the same unusual amount of friendliness (Audi R8 guy – “Come on over sit in the car, you really have to get down low behind it to appreciate the lines, you sure you don’t want to get in?”). Susan was also checking out my well being by grilling everyone about the sanity of doing such a thing, but everyone was taught safety was first and foremost and repeated that every time (Thanks Everyone!).

I was lucky enough to be able to solo and Charlie had everyone in my family stand in the picture as he affixed the sticker on my windshield. Then of course Susan says “Is he safe?”, to which Charlie replies “He wouldn’t go out there if I didn’t think so”. Yahoo. Now out on the track alone my mind is racing while I try to remember everything I was taught and it came in handy when the first corner appeared and I was carrying more speed with 200 lbs less in the car. Obviously it all worked as I am writing this now for you.

I cannot wait for this year to do this again. For other new members of the club who might be thinking about the track sessions, but haven’t committed – you have to attend. You will learn more about your car and the club people than you ever thought possible. Bring along some items like a folding chair, good air gage and window cleaner. Each day I went through a tank of gas, make sure it’s full when you get to the track. Be ready for fun and remember its High Speed Driving Instruction, not racing. Enjoy the great people, great organization (Barb Scanlan, you know who you are) and meet some new friends, while having the time of your life. Caution though – May be Habit Forming!

Bob Johnson