APR takes a podium at Watkins Glen

With a somewhat up and down weekend, the APRM team was able to secure a podium finish at the Continental 150 @ Watkins Glen.

The Audi S4 proved to be competent through the test sessions, but fought some overheating issues that forced it to retire for the weekend. With spare parts narely available in the US, we couldn't risk any damage to the engine or car.

However, the trio of the GTI's proved quick once again in race trim. Qualifying results weren't stellar, but the race pace proved to be there. With the MKVI GTI retired after getting caught up in a oil slick during a practice session, the MKV duo had to carry the flag... and that they did. They steadily moved towards the front of the pack, and led 1-2 for a middle section of the race. The 181 driven by Kevin Stadtlander and Josh Hurley let for nearly the entire second half of the race looked poised for a victory, until the GS Motorsports Chevy Cobalt made what seemed to be a deliberate take out move (one that would not be unlike this particular driver) with a couple laps left in the race. The skillful driving of Josh saved the car, but lost two positions in the process. At least the Cobalt took itself out in the process. Guess he got what was coming.

Congrats again to Josh, Kevin and the APRM team.

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APR takes a Podium at VIR

APR Motorsport, supported by the crew at Above All Motorwerks, finished strong at the recent Grand Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge taking a podium in the #181 VW GTI. The GTI was piloted by Josh Hurley and Kevin Stadtlander, and finished with a strong 3rd place finish.

The APRM Audi S4 also had a strong showing, up until a clutch failure near the end of the race that ended the quest for the Audi's first podium.

The APRM team has a month to recover before the next event at Lime Rock Park.

For your OEM & performance VW and Audi needs, Above All Motorwerks cannot be beat. Offering a full line of OEM and aftermarket VW & Audi parts for most all models.

VIR, Here we come!

The AAM team is heading to VIR this week for the 4th round of the Grand Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Our team will be supporting APR Motorsports, in running their 3 VW Driver Gear GTI's, and the new Audi S4.

There will be a VW / Audi Owners Corral on Saturday as well.

Be sure to come and cheer us on to victory!

AAM Visits the Ring!

Well, all I can stay to start things off is WOW! I just got back from 10 days visiting Nurburg Germany, and more importantly - The Nurburgring. I spent 4 days on the Nordschleife, and another on the Grand Prix Circuit.

The trip started out by cheering on AAM Friend - Mark White @ Accumoto run in his first ever VLN race. VLN is an endurance series in Germany run exclusively on the combined Ring, including the famed 24 hours at the Ring. I have been racing in the states now for 10 years, and parts of professional programs for 5 here in the US, but nothing I have ever seen compares to what I was part of there. It is just amazing!
We spent the next day on the Nordschleife, familiarizing myself with the track in our BMW 325d Rental! I think we did 12 laps in all this day.

Unfortunately, our trip plans were changed drastically by two unforeseen events. 1 - The Nurburgring closed the track last minute M-W for private testing, and 2 - We had planned a day on SPA, until a tunnel under the track closed, shutting down the track.So, in an effort to find something to do these days, we were able to talk our way into a BMW Netherlands event on the Grand Prix Circuit. Mark and I were able to get an afternoon on the full GP circuit along with the BMW Club.


On Wed, we did a day visit of the Audi Factory in Neckarsulm, where the A4/S4, S5 etc are made. Pretty cool visit. They take you from the rolls of sheet metal, all the way to the final assembly. Pretty amazing stuff indeed.

Then, finally, what we came for,... days on the Nordschleife. Thurs afternoon we rented a track prepped VW Scirocco, and did 6 laps that afternoon. Was able to also hook up with Ring Queen - Sabine Schmitz - who gave me a ride in the BMW. She is truly an awesome person!
Friday was insane ( Good Friday ). Took 3 hours to get into the track, due to many many many incidents and closures. Once we got on, were were able to have a bit of fun in our Rent-A-Racecar BMW 330i 6 sp. This was an absolute blast, getting about 12 laps in. Near the end of the day, we were able to get some decent laps in. Once you get to know the track, it becomes quite exciting. You can really carry a TON of speed through most of the track. Learning the track was many hours on simulators, and then the biggest help was having friend and Professional Racer - Mark White - providing excellent coaching throughout the trip.

I really felt like I had a good grasp of the track by the end of the trip. I could visualize every corner, and what had to be done at each. By the end, I think I had about 34 laps in. I can definitely see myself spending some more time at the the Green Hell!

We ended the trip with some casual laps on Saturday AM before having to head back to Frankfurt for the flight home.

Till Next Time!

For your European car parts needs ( Audi Parts, BMW Parts etc ), be sure to visit us at www.AboveAllMotorwerks.com

VW GTI MK6 Makes its Debut at Barber Motorsports ParK

Well, I am just getting back from a beautiful weekend in Birmingham AL, where AAM friends - APR Motorsport - competed in the Grand Am Continental Tire Challenge.

APRM ran 4 cars this weekend, the two MK5 GTI's from the previous two seasons, debuted a new MK6 GTI, as well as the new Audi S4 in the GS class.

The Audi S4, Crewed by AAM Founder Wade Powell, had a fantastic weekend, qualifying 5th by Jordan Taylor, who quickly made his way to the 2nd position in the field during the race. We proceeded to hold this position, and positioned ourselves beautifully for a one stop strategy that would have most likely secured the Audi's first win, only to have a minor mechanical failure when leaving the pits after the pit stop. This was of course a disappointment, but nonetheless, the car was strong.

The MK5 GTI's continue to be hampered by Grand Am's over zealous throttling back the power of the cars. They will come through the corner with equal or greater cornering speeds only to have cars like the mazdas, minis, and hondas pull them like we were moving backwards. Its really too bad, as the cars have finally come into their own. Hopefully Grand Am will realize how much they have over restricted them, and at least allow them to compete again.

Lastly, the MK6 GTI makes its debut! This car is crewed by AAM's own Andrew Tucker. The car is absolutely beautiful, and ran pretty decent. There is much development to happen still, but we can see the potential.


Look for the next update following VIR in two weeks!

For your Audi and VW Parts needs, please be sure to checkout Above All Motorwerks

Return from Homestead

Well, the APR weekend at Homestead didn't go as planned. First, our brand new S4, went out and threw down a crazy fast 3rd in qualifying, then was sent to the back for a minimum height infraction. Our VW GTI's who are used to running up front, just dont have the pace to keep up anymore with some of the less restricted vehicles in the class, and qualified near the end of the pack.

Luckily, qualifying is not everything. The GTI's slowly moved their way to the front, assisted by two incredibly quick driver change pit stops, with the 181 ending up 5th overall.

Unfortunately, things did not go so well for the S4. Anytime a new car is developed, you inevitably run into some issues. As with many new cars, the Audi S4 is an incredibly sophisticated on the electronics side... so much that they built anti-theft detection into pretty much every component. One failure, and the car is rendered immobile. When the S4 came in after the last practice before the race, the car was shut off, and would not start again. A fault code showed the the Immobilizer was kicking in, but nothing we could do at the track was able to get the car to refire... forcing it to retire before a lap was turned. Thats too bad, the car and the drivers were showing some great pace.

On to Barber.. hopefully the home turf will bring about some good luck.

Wade

Grand Am Daytona Test w/ APR

Well, we just got back from a VERY cold January test at Daytona with APR Motorsport. APR is returning to Grand Am this year with the original two GTI's (with a rumored Mk VI or two coming mid season), along with an all new 2010 Audi S4 Quattro. I have to say, this has me EXCITED. I got the chance to work on the car this weekend, and am thoroughly impressed with what Audi has delivered from the factory (and of course what the genius of APR has improved upon).

The only real problem we had all weekend was battling the track. There was SOOO much debris, that we were constantly taking on rocks to the front end, which resulted in puncturing two radiators. The car ran real well. Its got a long way to go yet, running about 3.5 seconds off the pace of the leaders in the test session, but Grand Am had to start somewhere with the car. We will continue to develop this through the season, and with some luck, will find that elusive podium a few times.