MichaelC[AP Moderator]
18907
Yesterday, I drove in a Beast. A real one.
Sep 10, 2021,15:22 PM
I posted about this car over 2 years ago, when I last saw it. I am part of a small business group that hosts a few select events per year for people in our industry. The coolest one is a day at a local drag track called Bandimere. Really a cool venue at the base of the mountains.
The person who owns this car is a real enthusiast as you can imagine. It is his passion. Yesterday, he only made a few runs with it as he has a big event coming up for the car. We made small talk when I arrived, and I mentioned how I would love to get a ride if he takes anyone.
After he made a solo few runs, he came up and asked if I was ready.... booyah! I did not have a helmet, and there are rules about speed at this track if you don't have one. So he used his computer and tuned the car down before our run. A dear colleague's dad came to the event in his S8. Now no question about it, that car was incredibly impressive. He was running 1/4s at 12.2 - 12.3. All traction off the line for that Audi. A stock 4 door sedan running at that speed... wow. Took down a C7 Vette with ease, albeit the Vette had a lot of wheelspin. He wanted a crack at the Fairlane.
So to the line we went, me with my friend Bill in the old Ford, and my colleague riding with her Dad in the Audi. I told my guy, I know we are "tuned down" but please make sure we cross first. He smirked a bit and said no problem. Well, the lights go green and bam, we about stall. WTF! In a split second, the Audi was 1/3 of the way down the track. Well, I think my guy forgot the helmet rule and "running easy". We passed the Audi just ahead of the finish line and crossed at 141MPH. The acceleration I felt in that run is unlike anything I had ever experienced.
After the lap, I asked if it was my 150 LBs that caused the near stall ;-) Bill laughed, and told me the car is harder for him to drive when he tries to take it easy. His top 1/4 is now an 8.74 at the same strip. Considering we how slow we started, to cross at 12.05 - it was amazing.
Wish I grabbed a wrist shot. I went with my ceramic Tudor to keep weight down...