Audi Club NA - Northeast Chapter

Saturday February 11th

Caroga Lake 

 NEQ Winter Driving School #3 2012

Mother Nature has been a fickle mistress this winter but the good news is that AMEC, our event partners, tell us that there is a VERY good chance that we can run on Caroga Lake NY, State Route 10, this weekend, Saturday the 11th of February.

 

What to bring:  You will be outside all day so dress accordingly. Layers and wind blocking outer ware is recommended.  Foot ware is a tough choice.  Shoes or boots need to be warm but also you need to be able to feel and manipulate peddles. If your boots are too bulky you will get tangled in the pedals and perhaps create a situation that ends up in a snow bank.  Consider two pair of boots one warm pair of pack boots and one pair of smaller insulated boots for driving.

Helmets are not required for this event.   

We will have some water and hot drinks but your own thermos and water would be helpful.  High energy snacks would also be handy to help fuel the human engine and keep you warmer.

Your Car:  unlike track events you will be able to leave thinks in the trunk of your car.  Come with a full tank for gas since it is likely that your car will be running most of the day especially if it is very cold.  Be sure your fluids are topped off and your lights and wipers are in good working order. We are on a frozen lake so fluid leaks are not great for the environment. If you have any chronic garage floor staining leaks or drips this may be a good time to take care of those.  You may want to drop your tires down a couple of pounds to increase traction. Of course snow tires are highly recommended but if you don’t have them you will go out and buy a set after this event even if you have all wheel drive.   Snow tends to build up on wheels causing imbalance so an old snow brush or wheel brush to clear out the wheels is a good idea.

Finally:  The snow banks on the side of the track may be very hard so keeping your speeds in check and your car under control will go along way to avoid cracked bumper covers.  The access point to the lake at many of the ice school venues may be a challenge for low clearance cars.  Use caution when entering the lake surface.

These events offer a great opportunity to improve your car control skills at relatively low speeds and to drive on a frozen road course.  This is our fourth year of this type of winter event and we are looking forward to another great time on the ice.  Our partners at Adirondack IMoto Enthusiast Club work hard to provide us with a great venue. Visit their web site http://www.icerace.com/  to see what they do and if you see them during the day thank them for their help in putting this event together.

Stay tuned for more information.  The last email will be sent Thursday evening with any last minute changes. 

Consider staying over for the AMEC races on Sunday.  This event includes high power sprint cars with Menard tires and purpose built ice racers.  A street legal division includes some NEQ  members who have really caught the ice racing bug.

You will: Be amazed at what you can do with a car on the ice; Learn about car control dynamics and  low friction handling techniques; Have more fun that you thought you ever could in a moving car! 

Back seat passengers can ride with the participants but no "back seat drivers" are allowed! Passengers pay $15.00 for the opportunity to ride for the day.  Invite your spouse, teenager or a friend!