About this event
The Tourist Trophy of America (TTOA) 2018 is the run-up to the National Event for Audi Club North America. This isn't your great-grandfather's Oregon Trail ride. We'll "Gateway" from St. Louis MO on Saturday the 4th of August 2018. We'll travel cross-country via a quick-paced but scenic route through middle America, the mountains and badlands, a run through the Columbia River Gorge, and a final push to Tacoma WA. Names like Carhenge and Route 66 will figure in the run. Other Mannschaft (teams) will run from the southwest and west, with a goal of linking not later than the exit from the Columbia River Gorge near Vancouver OR. We'll highlight local Chapters and dealerships to draw attention to the Audi brand and the Audi.
Day 0- Assemble in St. Louis MO (Friday 3 August: be there, or be a BMW!)
Day 1- BBQ from St. Louis to KC!
Day 2- Carhenge and the MON (middle of nowhere)
Day 3- SLC and the Bonneville Salt Flats (the need for speed)
Day 4- The Maryhill Loops and Hood River
Day 5- The Run to Rainier
History-
While not every good idea begins on the back of a cocktail napkin, sometimes the best do…the idea of the Tourist Trophy of America (TTOA) has one such origin. Taking form while sitting at breakfast under the Georgia sun at the Audi Club 2016 National Event, the idea of an organized drive as a lead-in to this year’s National Event was first discussed.
Originally envisioned as a full transcontinental drive from east to west, it evolved when the 2017 location of New York City meant most initially involved would be sticking loosely to the I-95 corridor if not I-95 itself. Some agile planning to pull this long distance wheels-in-motion event off included the designation of a primary route and scheduled stops as well the procurement of decals and shirts to commemorate the event for the participants.
In the end, four cars initially took part, converging on Audi of America headquarters in Herndon, VA, where a linkup with our Audi sponsors driving a new TT RS and RS 3 was accomplished. Following a bit of show and shine of our own cars and facetime with the latest model offerings in the Audi Forum on site, the newly formed caravan departed for our next stop – Wilmington, DE.
Along the route, we met up with a sixth car being piloted by members of the Audi Club of Georgia. Lunch at the Iron Hill Brewery in Wilmington proved a treat. A troublesome window regulator 700 miles from home forced one car to temporarily drop out of the caravan while repairs were accomplished most helpfully by Chris Oakes, Service Client Advisor at Audi Wilmington.
The main body of the caravan negotiated its way from Wilmington to New York City and ultimately arrived at Tarrytown by 6 PM, just in time to enjoy the welcoming cocktail party that marked the beginning of the 33rd National Event.
All in all, a good time was had by all…regardless of whether we were driving the open roads and highways, or even the concrete canyons of Manhattan. And while the cars truly brought us together for the 2017 TTOA, the friendship and camaraderie that developed over the course of the drive and at the 33rd National Event have helped fuel planning for this year’s cross-country run to the Audi Club Northwest.
Join us!
And see the registration for the Audi Club National HERE!
Event requirements
- Audi Club North America membership is Required: you need not own an Audi: Associate Members are, simply, MEMBERS!
JOIN or RENEW here if you need to catch up!
- This is the prelude/run-in for the Audi Club North America 34th annual celebration in Tacoma known as the "Audi Club Nationals 2018- The Pacific Northwest Experience". See our ACNA website for details on that Event!
- You needn't be at the origination point in St. Louis. Join us during a Sortie (a segment), escort the big push and be our little friends, or merge with us anywhere and continue along for the final run-in to Tacoma WA!
- This will be a long trip. Get a good tech inspection at your Audi dealer!
- Bring good clear fluids to keep you energized. Our planning basis is 8.5 hours of driving per day, with over 14 hours of sunlight.
- We will have standard waiver forms. You must sign them before rolling, so make the drivers' meeting every day. If you join enroute, even as an escort, let's get you protected by our Event Insurance!
- HOONIGANS need not apply- this is not the Camaro Team or Lapchik the Mad Hungarian on the Gumball rally. We will conform to local driving regulations and norms! Check your egos, and bring your hard-leather Conestoga skills. Remember who we represent!
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#TTOA2018
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