My new RS4. It had 28 miles on it when I picked it up this morning. It now has 143.
Unfortunately I did have to sign an agreement that prevents me from allowing *anyone* else to drive it. It also says no “competitive events”… so hopefully ACNA track days are okay.
Anyhow, without further delay, the much anticipated pics. I’ll be getting some video tomorrow 
To say I’ve been looking forward today would be a pretty massive understatement. I honestly never thought I’d get a chance to drive an R8, let alone out on the track.
When I was told I’d get to do a driving experience, I just about lost consciousness. Then I lost sleep. Last night was no exception.
We were up early again to be at the track around 8am. They had some breakfast food for us there — croissants, English muffins, toast, yogurt, fruit, etc. which was just enough to give us energy to last until lunch.
After a classroom session they took us out to the parking lot and we picked our cars. We got a white one with silver sideblade, equipped with the R-tronic transmission — recommended by the instructors as being better on the track.
Then we did the same exercises I did in the RS4 yesterday: slalom and a tight curve. I enjoyed taking out cones in the slalom… the car just turns in and bites so much better than the RS4 — or any car I’ve driven — that it took some getting used to.
Following another short classroom session, we had the on-track introduction, which was a pretty low-key lead-follow. Progressively, the speeds increased but we knew we weren’t anywhere near the limit. Then we broke for food.
Lunch was fajitas; a green salad; pasta with chicken, corn, and beans; more fruit; and a large assortment of sweets for dessert.
Once we were full — but not too full — we went back to the classroom for a quick Q&A before heading out on the track again. In the final three sessions, we pushed the cars harder and harder. I don’t feel like I was at my limit or the car’s limit, but there was no denying we were flying. ESP was on permanently and could not be disabled, so there were a few spots where it started to kick in, mainly on off-camber corners or elevation changes where there was a fair amount of throttle and steering input together. That said, it was pretty unobtrusive, allowing the car to drift a bit and providing perfect feedback to throttle steer through the larger bends.
Once our day was done, those of us who wanted were taken for a “hot lap” in the R8 by the instructors. I rode with Ken again, but by that time the tires were cooked and the car was sliding a bit. Regardless, he was a good 10-15% faster than we were when going with the group.
I couldn’t have asked for more with this trip… well, that’s a lie. I really couldn’t get enough of the R8. I had never driven anything like it… something so poised and so communicative. There is a 2-day R8 program that allows the drivers to push the cars even harder, but that’s nearly $4k and not something I can justify at my current income level. Some track days in the RS4 will have to suffice
There was a professional photographer there again today — not for me — but I’m not sure if we’re going to get the pictures he took or not. We will, however, get some live in- and on-car video from Audi in a couple weeks in DVD form. Once I have that ripped and posted — together with the fair amount of video I shot today — I’ll post it up… so check back often!
Tomorrow we’ve got some spa time in the morning and will probably take the Q7 out to some wineries in the afternoon before our late-evening flight back to San Diego. I should pick up the car Thursday, so more pics to come!
The day started early, with us getting out of bed around 5:30am in order to leave for the airport by six.
We arrived at the airport on time, shuttled to the terminal and got to enjoy passing through the security checkpoint as a first-class passenger, cutting our wait time down significantly.
United’s flight was on time, and we made it into SFO without incident. We had a hired driver and 10-person limousine waiting for the two of us.
Timing was perfect, and we made it to the Carneros in around 11am, as scheduled.
;
After check-in, we grabed lunch at The Boon Fly on the grounds here and I enjoyed an incredible bleu cheese Kobe beef burger.
Following the meal, we were greeted with the Q7 for our use during our stay here. It’s the 4.2 with Premium S-Line package, black.
Also included was some free schwag – a bag full of goodies!
After laying down for a quick nap, we headed out to the track, where we were greeted by a team of Audi reps and a photographer. I was presented with a trophy to commemorate my win!
Once the photo-ops were out of the way, I had a one-on-one session with the lead Audi instructor, Ken Dobson, in an RS4. I didn’t get to drive on the big track, but they had a slalom and a late-apex increasing-radius curve course set up in the lot. Since there was a professional photographer documenting all of this, my girlfriend had video camera duty, which I’ll process and upload once I get home.
When I was finished thrashing the car around the lot, I got to take it out on the backroads of Sonoma for a road test.
Finally, I was taken for a hot lap in the RS4 with Ken driving… there were R8s on the track with us, although Ken had no problems passing them when space permitted. Can’t wait to do the R8 Experience tomorrow!
For dinner, it was Bouchon Bistro, which was incredible. After one day, we’ve already burned through $225 of our $500 dining credit
Hopefully I’ll get some good R8 photos tomorrow to share, so check back Tuesday evening!
Well, the wait is nearly over and I am getting some final details about the trip and car delivery.
My girlfriend and I will be in Sonoma March 23-25, an the Carneros Inn, all courtesy of Audi — including round-trip first-class transportation and a Q7 to drive while we’re there.
Monday, the 23rd, we’ll arrive early, check in, get the Q7 and go to Infineon in the afternoon to a private awards ceremony, followed by three hours of private driving instruction in the RS4. What that entails specifically, I don’t know, but I hope it involves track time, or at least closed-course time.
Tuesday, we’ll both get to do the R8 driving experience! I can’t even express how exciting this is and how much I’m looking forward to it. I’ve lusted after the R8 since its release and now I get to flog one around Infineon Raceway. Wow.
Our evenings and all of Wednesday is pretty much free time for us to enjoy our spa and dining credits (also courtesy of Audi), probably followed by some wineries Wednesday afternoon before we head to the airport and back home to San Diego.
I’m told the car will be delivered to Audi Escondido early in the week, so I’m hoping to pick it up Thursday the 26th! Just 8 days away!
On another note, the online enthusiast community played an undeniable part in making this all possible. Specifically, many of the members of AudiWorld voted numerous times for the video. This community has meant a lot to me during my Audi ownership, but a recent business decision by new owners, Internet Brands, has all but destroyed the community that has been built over the last decade. Ignoring the outcry from the community, the switch from the beloved KAWF format to vBulletin not only severely handicapped the ability to communicate and find information, but the migration also truncated and killed off years of important archived data.
I would like to thank the creators of http://forums.quattroworld.com for taking their own time and money to create a site that feels like home to the thousands of disenfranchised AudiWorld members. If you have not done so already, please check out and support this new site… this new home for my friends and myself.
Of course, I wouldn’t forget to mention AZ, Fourtitude, SCE, AF, and WOT when talking about forums that helped me win the car
The next update should contains pictures from Infineon, Sonoma, and of the new RS4!
It looks like they can’t get us into the R8 experience until late March, and I won’t be taking delivery of the car until after that… so it will be at least two more months until the RS4 is in my garage.
Oh well, I guess it gives me some time to get the S4 to 100% before I list it for sale, or before it gets platooned with the RS4… haven’t decided yet.
FIrst, some details on the car…
Audi RS 4 4.2 Sedan 4 door 6 speed manual quattro
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect with black interior
RS4 Premium Package with glove box iPod interface, Titanium Package, Audi Exclusive Package, rear side airbags, front license plate holder and CA emissions
Packages include:
Audi Navigation Plus with 6 CD changer, Homelink, Auto-dimming exterior mirrors, Auto-dimming interior Mirror with Compass, Memory for Driver Side Seat Adjustment and Mirror Positions, Rain and Light sensor with “Coming Home”, Bose premium sound with AudioPilot, Heated Rear Seats, Power Rear and Manual Rear Sunshades, 19” 7-double spoke RS 4 wheels in titanium color, Black styling window trim and front grille, Titanium color RS 4 exterior mirrors and rear oval exhaust tips, Black headliner, Piano black interior trim, Black silk nappa leather seating, Crimson red seating inserts, Crimson red door trim with silver Audi Exclusive Badge, Crimson red piping on seating edge, Floor mats with RS 4 logo, Crimson red contrasting stitching on steering wheel, shift cover and emergency brake. Note these specifications are listed according to published package specifications as of August 1, 2008 and are subject to change.
45k mi allowance… Though not sure if she meant total or yearly. I told her I usually drive 15k/year and she replied with “You’ll be able to do 3x that”. She said I will be able to drive it anywhere and everywhere
Also included…
Trip for 2 to Audi Forum in Sonoma; first-class airfare + first class accommodations.
$500 dining credit
$250 spa credit
We both get to do any driving experience we want (i.e. R8!!!!!)
I’ll be given the keys and everything there but will take delivery of the car at my local dealer.
My god this is freaking amazing. I’m shaking with excitement.
More updates to come as I get them!
Okay, I think I’m back to Earth now.
So, first off, THANK YOU to everyone that voted… all of my friends and family…
Facebook group and Myspace friends…
AudiWorld, Audizine, AudiForums, Vortex/Fourtitude Car Lounge, SoCalEuro, FilthyPoorDubs, along with T0Fs (you know who you are!)
And, of course, all of the general online traffic that found the Record The Rush Challenge and voted for me!
I want to also extend a token of appreciation for all of the other entries, especially the finalists. I know you were agonizing over this thing every bit as much as I was during the week between the end of voting and when they finally announced the winner. If I ever meet any of you, you’re welcome to take the RS4 for a spin, and drinks are on me — after the driving, of course. I really liked some of your other videos and you were definitely good competition!
Some of you have been asking about color combo, options, etc. but I have no answer yet. The phone call I received yesterday was merely to tell me that I had won and that Audi would be contacting me to set up the rest of the details, like when and where I’ll take delivery of the vehicle.
So, another waiting game begins for me! This one is a little more exciting
In the mean time, I thought I’d re-post the video for you all in HD, below.
Keep checking back here for updates on the car, my full review after I bring it home, and details about all the track days, auto-x events, drag race events, and enthusiast meets that I attend in the next two years with this beauty. If things fall into place, there may even be a cross-country trip in store for 2010 before I have to turn her back in.
Visceral Thirst from Tim Bucklin on Vimeo.
Visceral Thirst! I just got the phone call… I’m still in a bit of shock and whatnot, but yeah. This is good
I’ll make a more thorough post later once I’ve come down a bit… but for now — just a huge, monumental, enormous, heart-felt thank you to all of you!
Now the website reads:
“The final day for voting was December 30, 2008. Ten deserving finalists have now been selected by visitors to this website, each one a strong contender for the two-year lease on an Audi RS 4 Sedan that awaits the winner. Return to this site after January 5, to view the winning video – and whether you submitted a video or simply recorded your vote, thank you for your interest in Audi.”
First, it doesn’t even make much sense because the ten finalists were *not* determined by online votes… second, they were supposed to make the announcement *yesterday*. Now it’s just an ambiguous “after January 5.”
If I seem a little irritated, it’s because my stomach is probably lined with ulcers, and my heart has probably lost 10 years of life over this thing.
I am maintaining hope, however!
