Quattro Club Ice Driving Events

[Tyro]

I'm planning on going to the Glacier Lakes Quattro Club's ice driving event (http://www.glacierlakesqclub.org/2008/12/15/ice-driving-events-coming-in-february/) this Sunday the 11th. Looks as though one just shows up with $60, a car and a helmet.

Anyone else going?

[KrazyKarl]

I'd love to try it, but it's of course on a Sunday and I work those days. What's wrong with Saturdays? =)

[MNbiker]

Just make sure to pre-register or check in with the organizers in advance. They accomodate Quattro club members first, and events have filled to capacity, on occasion.

[ada///M]

no way! I wanted to get into ice racing some time this winter but was weary of driving more than an hour to an event in an old audi; but this is less than 10 minutes away! I'm definitely going to try and make it!

[Gspot]

I used to do these when I had my WRX, they were a ton of fun. Great group of guys put it on. Long courses, lots of seat-time, and no shagging cones!

[MustGoFaster]

I wonder how Direzza's would do on ice? HAHAHA. If I had diffrent tires I would, but I'm not willing to take my DD out there.

[ada///M]

I used to do these when I had my WRX, they were a ton of fun. Great group of guys put it on. Long courses, lots of seat-time, and no shagging cones!


is it still going to be as enjoyable with just regular old blizzaks or are studded tires recommended? And is it more of an informative school or a competition-stye event?

[JCN]

Is the ice sturdy enough to hold 4000 lb vehicles? :evil:

[fuya_inc]

All I can think of is when my dad would tell me, while driving across the lake to the fishouse, to drive slowly because speed can create waves under the ice. It makes sense because a vehicle will cause deflection of the ice sheet causing water displacement = wave. I've never seen it but I imagine the ice would give away somewhere?

Since they won't be allowing SUV's, Charles, you'll have to setup your own course. I'd watch you slide around in that giant beautiful machine.

[dmoo]

hmmmm too bad its 60 i was hoping 40 or so...

anyone find out if it is compition or learning based?


might have to do one though

-Dan

[Groo]

hmmmm too bad its 60 i was hoping 40 or so...

anyone find out if it is compition or learning based?


might have to do one though


I attended one last year and it's a mix. I personally paid no attention to the competition aspect but I guess it all depends what you want to get out of it - kind of like at MAC events. Although I'd say these events are less competition-focused than a MAC event.

Just make sure your car heater works well :-)

[Groo]

oh, and expect a little patronizing if you show up with a ford focus lol.

[Gspot]

is it still going to be as enjoyable with just regular old blizzaks or are studded tires recommended? And is it more of an informative school or a competition-stye event?

I had Nokian Hakka Qs unstudded and had plenty of fun. A 2wd car without studs probably wouldn't be much fun.
I couldn't compete with the studded cars' times, but I did pretty well compared to the others with unstudded tires (which was the majority). Salah showed up to one of the events I did and if I recall correctly he was pretty close if not better than some of the studded guys- you beat him didn't you?


It's not really heated competition, it'll teach you a ton about car control. When I did it they had the main course, a skidpad, and a slalom. You spend the entire day in your car, unless you volunteer for something.

[JCN]

All I can think of is when my dad would tell me, while driving across the lake to the fishouse, to drive slowly because speed can create waves under the ice. It makes sense because a vehicle will cause deflection of the ice sheet causing water displacement = wave. I've never seen it but I imagine the ice would give away somewhere?

Since they won't be allowing SUV's, Charles, you'll have to setup your own course. I'd watch you slide around in that giant beautiful machine.

Hahaha. I was thinking of the porker sedan, actually.... :lol:

[SalahK]

Salah showed up to one of the events I did and if I recall correctly he was pretty close if not better than some of the studded guys- you beat him didn't you?
.

I dont think my times have ever come close to times set by cars with studded tires but i have gotten the fastest "non-studded" time on a couple of occasions. For the non-studded cars, the times are heavily dependant on how much one "cheats" by driving off-course into the snow, so i dont put too much faith into it.

Typically, the first event of the season is the best because the freshly plowed snowbanks are still soft and your likelyhood of cracking a bumper are significantly lower.

[SalahK]

Is the ice sturdy enough to hold 4000 lb vehicles? :evil:

4000 is no problem but your 5000 lb Q7 will surely crack the ice dont even think about bringing it...

oh, never mind. its the RS4 your talking about. Speaking of fast audis, the 2010 S4 is taking audi into a new direction in a number of ways. Supposedly, it is lighter weight by a couple hundred pounds, has a significantly better weight distribution (55:45) thanks to rearranging of some mechanical bits, has a much fatter torque curve while maintaining the throttle response of the outgoing S4 thanks to a new supercharged V6, and to top it off it will come in lower in price (in europe, the new S4 is priced 4,500 euros cheaper than the outgoing S4!). Really Cool!
http://www.audiworld.com/news/08/b8-s4-first-drive/
http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publish/Features/article_4431.shtml

Oh and i forgot, it will have Audi's version of my MDX's SH-AWD that can transfer up to 100% of the rear power to the outside wheel!

[Gspot]

Typically, the first event of the season is the best because the freshly plowed snowbanks are still soft and your likelyhood of cracking a bumper are significantly lower.

I totally forgot about that. One of the events I did the snow was strewn with pieces of S4 bumpers.

[JCN]

4000 is no problem but your 5000 lb Q7 will surely crack the ice dont even think about bringing it...

oh, never mind. its the RS4 your talking about. Speaking of fast audis, the 2010 S4 is taking audi into a new direction in a number of ways.

What? FAT Audis? :p

So I can't take the RS4 and three 300-lb passenger friends? :lol:

I'm impressed that Audi had the foresight to have the new S4 model have less horsepower, but more useable torque and much better gas mileage.

It'll really pay off now that the carpocalypse is here. The new A4 is really nice. They keep stepping up the quality of the interiors.

[JCN]

Anyone know how much ground clearance is needed?

[TabulaRasa]

You should pre-register or plan on showing up early to secure a spot on the roster. There is usually a slalom course, an oval, a road course, and a skidpad setup. The driving is mostly self-guided, but you ask, you might be able to grab some one to sit in the passenger seat to give you some tips.


Anyone know how much ground clearance is needed?

There are two "entrances" onto the lake, I'm not sure which one will be used this year. They are pretty steep, but even my S6 with 1.25" lower than stock suspension can manage with only a little bit of scraping.