Steve Verona report

[Dan Simoes <dans>]

Steve used one of the bad words at the beginning of his message :)

| Dan |
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Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 10:06:46 -0700
From: Steve Verona <vrona@infinet.com>
Organization: DB-Net, Inc.
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To: quattro <quattro@coimbra.ans.net>
Subject: OOOOwww-D SCCA Nationals Experience
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Hello everyone,

Sorry this took so long, I have been very busy at work (what an 
inconvenience).  I even had to unsxbscrxbe for a few weeks because I just 
could not keep up with everything.  

For those who do not know, I have been running an 86 4kq in H STock SCCA 
autocross (solo 2) competition for a little over a year.  I owned the car 
before I started racing and have converted it into a semi-race car... at 
least to the limit of the rules.  The car has been very competitive on a 
Regional and Divisional basis, but I had only run two national level 
events where I finished 2nd and 5th... but not ALL of the top drivers 
where at either race.  It was time for the ultimate test.. the National 
Championship in Topeka, KS.  Many people have been telling me the car is 
never going to be competitive and that I am the reason it is fast 
(flattering, but hard to swallow).  All of the SCCA racers have been 
telling me to buy a "real" car since I started and some of the qlisters 
have said just about the same thing.

To sum it up, they were right;-(  I was several seconds behind the 
fastest cars in my class, the Toyota Celica's.  These cars weigh 400#s 
less than the q and have 25 more hp.... unless it rains, I am screwed.  I 
even brought in a very competant road racer and autocrosser to co-drive 
the car with me to make sure the car had every chance to win.  I beat 
this guy buy almost a second on each day until we blew a belt on the 
second run of the second day.

Anyway, it has been fun running this unique car adn I have no regrets 
about trying my best to prove the Audi is a great car.  I do not even 
regret all of the money I have put into the car trying to find out what 
others have said before, "it is a great car, but not a great autocross 
car".

Now on to the good news.  The quattro is going to enjoy the rest of her 
life on the street, where she belongs.  Driven daily instead of once a 
week.  I am looking for suggestions on increasing the acceleration of the 
car now that I do not have to worry about racing rules.  SUpercharger, 
turbo, nitrous, etc?  I do not want to replace the motor since the whole 
top end has been rebuilt and the bottom is in good shape.

What will I be racing?  I bought a sibling German car, a Porsche.  
Actually it is a very rare (1 of 8 made) 1990 944 S2 coupe with the M030 
option group and a limited slip diff.  Basically, the M030 package is a 
race car suspension with coil overs, Koni Sport adjustables, 928 S4 
bakes, heavy springs and sway bars, etc.  I know this car is competitive. 
 I bought it from another racer who took second at he nationals this year 
and last year and his wife won her class both years.  BTW, I beat him in 
the car the first time I drove it;-)


-- 
Sincerely,

Steven Verona, Vice President
DB-Net, Inc.   614-436-6565 ext 15