NEQ’s new sponsor Stable Energies has done a brisk business in helmets and other track goodies. Supply’s are reduced now, don’t wait too long if you hope to get a particular helmet. If your helmet says 2000 on it, it is not valid for NEQ track days. NEQ has gone to the 2005/2010 standard. There is a lot more helmet info HERE.

An “M” rated helmet is currently not acceptable; it's actually a motorcycle helmet. An “SA” rated helmet is preferred. They are designed for very different impact criteria and only the SA is fire rated. Open faced helmets are not legal at New Jersey Motorsports Park. This is New Jersey state law. Read up HERE. It’s your head.

Your seat belts, if aftermarket, have expiration dates and so does the HAN’s device tether. Take a look. Discuss it with your favorite shop.

Having trouble hearing or hate the “lollipop” style earpiece you put up inside your helmet? You can have your helmet wired up for stereo speakers and a mic very easy. It is not that expensive either. Almost everyone out there is using a “Chatterbox” intercom. THIS UNIT probably looks very familiar. The Chatterbox intercoms have an NI-MH nickel battery. Old technology, cheap replacements though. These batteries have a memory. Do not give them a quick boost charge. They last best if left on until they are dead and then charged for eight hours. Let’s just say a quick charge hurts and so does a 24 hour charge. Run them way down and give them a big charge. The Chatterbox battery normally lasts in excess of eight full hours. Long time you instructors.

NEQ has new tech inspectors and our trusted long term shops are still here to help. Look at the right side column of the web site and the bottom right side for the tech inspectors. See these shops early to be ready for the season. Get their opinion, make timely appointments, avoid surprises. Your Audi dealer can also perform inspections of course. The form for inspections is HERE.

Audi Certified Pre-Owned is the main financial sponsor of NEQ. Please see their ad on the web site in the left margin. Audi does a lot for NEQ, take the time to take a peek at their site.

Speaking of sponsors, the Chapter is very pleased to be a Tire Rack Affiliate. Anyone, NEQ member or not, who clicks on the Tire Rack logo on our right side margin and goes to the Tire Rack site will have 6% of their purchase go directly into the NEQ bank account. How great is that? Same price to you, money to defray club costs.

Do you have a trailer? Lugs tight? How many Ft/lb’s did that manual say to torque them too? Brakes work? Bearings lubed? Brake lights function? Surge brakes? When was the fluid changed last? Electric brakes? When was the all important battery for the emergency brakes tested? Got a spare? Got a jack to put the spare on with? How are those tie down belts holding up?

Lime Rock Park has new noise limits. 86db’s. That is a reduction. Depending on what you read, a large reduction. They intend to cut noise in 2011. Along with that is a promise from them that they will be out testing and if you exceed the limit you are done. That is a new rule too. “One and done”. Think about it before you bolt on those shiny new cat or muffler bypass pipes. Actually, ANYTHING not stock may cause issues and some very high HP cars may have issues bone stock. Pay attention here. New rule.

Do you own a torque wrench? Ever had it tested? Never use it to REMOVE fasteners. Only to install them. Get a cheap breaker bar to remove lugs etc. Unwind the wrench to 20% or so of it’s max for storage. Don’t leave it at 95lb’s, nor at zero.

Remember, NEQ is YOUR Club. You have elected new Directors (see here). You have a voice, make your opinions heard. See you at one of our great events….or all of them! All the events will be posted on NEQ’s MotorsportReg.com page with plenty of notice by email.

Think Audi, Think NEQ.