Last week in Austin, Texas, Audi Club North America celebrated its 30thanniversary the only way you can in Texas: Big. Audi enthusiasts descended on Texas’ capitol for a five-day celebration Wednesday, September 17 through Sunday, September 21. Hosted by Audi Club Lone Star, the event was jam packed full of activities and offered many opportunities to interact with both fellow club members and members of Audi of America and Audi Sport. For motorsports fans and “trackers” there were plenty of opportunities to hone their skills, compete, and cheer on the pros. For those seeking a more relaxing, vacation-like experience, there were opportunities to explore the city and countryside of central Texas. In short, there was something for everyone, and the 30th Anniversary National Event did not disappoint.
The week kicked off with friendly competition in the form of the Silvercar ACNA Karting Grand Prix. Drivers put their skills to the test first as individuals and then as a team. This mini-endurance race required both skill on the track and in the pits as teams engaged in driver changes as they contested for the top spot on the podium. The day ended with a Motorsports reception at Audi South Austin’s beautiful dealership and featured none other than Mr. Le Mans himself, Tom Kristensen, as well as driver Benoit Treluyer, and Head of LMP, Chris Reinke for Audi Sport Team Joest to discuss the R18 e-tron quattro. This all-star line-up was followed by an R8 LMS discussion with Paul Miller Racing’s Bryce Miller, and Christopher Haase along with Audi Sport Customer Racing’s Brad Kettler.
Thursday was all about the open road featuring the marque club event, the Texas Hill Country drive. Nearly 70 Audis departed the hotel and made their way through the picturesque Hill Country towards the unincorporated town of Lukenbach, Texas for the Pirelli Show N’ Shine event. This was followed by an authentic Texas barbecue lunch before weaving through more central Texas signature roads and making their way to Fredericksburg for dinner and live music at Grammy winner Johnny Nicholas’ Hill Top Café.
The smell of lightly toasted brake pads filled the air on Friday as some club members made their way to Driveway Austin Motorsports Track for a track day on their Grand Prix course with pit support by APR. Others took in similar sights and smells at the Circuit of the Americas as the TUDOR Championship and WEC practice and qualifying sessions began.
For those seeking a quieter, more scenic day, ACNA offered an excursion to San Antonio’s River Walk featuring a tour of the Alamo and lunch provided by Cavender Audi. No matter what your interest, there was something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
The evening ended with the ACNA 30th Anniversary Banquet, highlighted by an interactive discussion between Audi of America’s president, Scott Keogh, three-time Le Mans winner, Allan McNish, and the voice of radio Le Mans, John Hindhaugh. As the night came to a close, the live auction provided some spirited competition as club members vied for Audi accessories, specialty items, and one-of-a-kind motorsports memorabilia.
Saturday was race day as most club members made their way to the Audi Motorsports Experience paddock suite to rally on the Audi Sport Customer Racing teams and the R18 e-tron quattros of Audi Sport Team Joest. With two separate racing series to spectate, it was a full day into night affair and an exhilarating day of motorsports with several opportunities to interact with Audi Sport drivers, engineers, and other Audi VIPs. Some members even had the opportunity to watch a pit stop in the garage, tour the Audi paddock, and take a hot lap in an Audi R8 LMS racecar.
The WEC’s Lone Star Le Mans started under overcast skies with the threat of rain looming, and as dusk set over Austin, so did a swath of heavy rain showers causing anything without four rings to slide off the track, prompting a red flag. Through the turmoil, Audi took the lead. Once the rain subsided and the race restarted, with Audi up front. When the checkered flag flew, Audi had secured the first and second spots on the podium…the perfect ending to a great day of Audi motorsports.
All good things must end, and what better way to conclude ACNA’s 30thAnniversary than with an Audi-only parade lap around the Circuit of the Americas. Early in the morning, Audi club members converged on the track one last time for a photo shoot and a few laps around the iconic track. A parade of Audis of nearly every make and model made their way through the debris of spent tires and over the skid marks of Saturday’s hard fought battle to victory.
Whether a fan of motorsports, spirited drives through country roads, music, food, camaraderie, or simply Audis, the 30th anniversary of the Audi Club North America was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share with fellow Audi fans.
Many thanks to all of our sponsors, supporters, and organizers that made this a successful event.