Steamboat '97

[Dave Lawson <dlawson@digitalglobe.com>]

It was quite an event this year, comfortable weather combined with 
a very slick track make for some great memories.

I blew out of work thursday afternoon and loaded up the ur-q for its
maiden voyage to a qclub event and in doing so christened the body
by leaving a nice ding in the left rear quater panel while loading
my tool box. OUCH that hurt! After regaining composure, my co-driver
( 6.5 yr old son) and I then headed for Steamboat Springs, CO land of
awesome skiing and a 1st class ice track.

Friday was a track lapping day for people who had previously taken the 
winter driving school. The particpant list included 5 or 6 ur-qs, a couple
S4s, a couple AWD talons, a few 4kqs and a number of 5000/200qs.
In the morning we ran laps of the sloped/off camber
skid pad and practiced countersteer slides to set the car up for a nice
4 wheel drift/oversteer slide which allows you a great corner entry. After
playing around and getting a feel for the surface conditions, we ran a few
laps in run groups. In the afternoon, the track turned real slick, the sun 
would appear for 1/2 hour and then cloud over for a bit. This cycle would 
soften up the track and then re-freeze it, making it very slippery. I was
running brand new Gislaved EuroFrost directional snows and I gave it
up to the Blizzaks. The BZs had the advantage on the pure ice, I had to 
walk the car across the ice sections with no throttle or steering inputs
and wait until I could get to some snow on the edges for traction. There
were sections on the track where the friction circle was mighty small.

Even with the very slick conditions everyone was having a good time, even
the 850T owner, he couldn't keep up with the q's, but was having a ball
sliding sideways. Other highlights for the day were a talon which attempted
to create a banked turn out of the outside of turn 1. A number of times he 
ran the car right up on the bank and then would drive back onto the track.

Saturday was formal driving school day, so I headed to the slopes. In the
afternoon, a number of us met up in the parking lot and proceeded to nerd
out on Audi talk. And before you know it, a SunPro 7678 was put to use
checking the duty cycles of a row of 5000TQs, with Mr. Justusson and 
Mr. Ritchey leading the tweaking. Saturday night was a sanctioned SCCA
Solo II ice race and Scotty Davis piloting his >350hp ur-q brought home the 
FTD trophy.

Sunday was back to qclub day with quite a few people showing up. I counted
10 q-listers in attendance. Vehicles inlcuded 7 ur-qs, S4s, 5000/200TQs, 
4kqs, 80qs, an S6 avant with a great looking safari rack, and a rental ford
explorer and a rental expedition. Stott 'mad max' Hare and Chris 'sideways'
Semple represented the NE region by making the longest trek. They we having
a great time in the 4000q 'lightweight'. A fellow qclub member from the NW flew
in and brought out a new ford expedition. I think everyone will remember the sight
of a 3 ton SUV turning the corners by executing perfect 4 wheel drifts, with
country music emanating from the lowered windows.

Sunday was real nice and not quite as slick as friday. I know everyone had a 
great time. My ur-q performed admirably as I was able to hang in there. Kevin L.
who was driving a german speaking euro 84 ur-q, and I had a great time one 
session, I would get out ahead and execute some great turns only to mess 
one up and give the line to back to Kevin. It was fun both leading and following, 
and seeing the different lines people took. I never was able hook up next to
QSHIPQ as we were always spaced 180 degrees apart.

>From the comments I received, it seems I have raised the bar in ur-q preparation.
Basically people thought I was crazy just driving this car, let alone putting the
hammer down on an ice track with crusty snow banks. But I built the car to drive
and I am having a good time driving it. For the most part I stayed clear of the 
banks and only had 1 contact which only 'cleaned' the side of the car. Not even
a scratch on the paint.

This event is by far the most fun driving event you can do. The lessons learned in 
vehicle dynamics are amazing. And it is so much fun driving your car sidways
on a surface you can't even walk on. Come on out next year.

But in the near future, there is a track event coming up this May at
Stapleton in Denver CO. For those interested in a quality, low cost 
driving experience, the cost is $100 which includes 2 days of driving 
school/track time. Make your reservations now.
-
Dave Lawson
83 ur-q, green, MC, w/tweeks and center diff locked