Advice for Quattro de Mayo trip

[jzamorski]

Background on my car: I bought my car in December with 18k miles on it. It now has 22k on it. I assume the 18k were on the original tires, but the day I got the car I put Blizzaks on the Peelers. Waiting for my Forgestar CF10's to come in to mount the OEM summer tires on them(from what I remember there was good tread left so I'm unsure on getting the Michelin PSS immediately).

Question: I'm doing the Quattro de Mayo event (May 1-4) and will be driving from PA down to NC for it. Traveling down there is one thing, but once we are there its some fairly aggressive driving on some of the best roads in America(Tail of the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, etc...)

I am still learning about my car everyday, as this is my first German vehicle. I am interested in what you guys think would be some must-haves for a 10 hour drive down/back, plus the aggressive driving down there.

Here is my list so far:

Pre-trip:
Tires: check tread depth on summer tires when the snow melts and I can get into my shed. If too low, buy Michelin PSS.
Brakes: Check Pads and consider replacement(anyone know how long the pads should last?)
Oil Change


Items to bring:
Tire pressure gauge
Emergency kit(flares, first aid kit, jumper cables, flashlight, poncho
Fix-a-flat(unsure on what to buy here as most seem to be for small tires)
Extra quart of oil


Please let me know if you can provide any advice/tips!

[IanCH]

I would say just straight up get the PSS if you are gonna be going to driving in summer conditions and you don't already have summers on there.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Get some good rest the nights before your drives. The dragon is going to wear you the hell out, trust me. Your oem summers are fine. You will be in a pack, and not really be pushing that hard. Might see you there

[jzamorski]

Get some good rest the nights before your drives. The dragon is going to wear you the hell out, trust me. Your oem summers are fine. You will be in a pack, and not really be pushing that hard. Might see you there

Yes I was there Oct 2012 with a Genesis Coupe group, so I'm pretty familiar with the roads. But we had some crazy leaders that basically brought an entire garage, including a guy I drove down with that towed his twin turbo shop car down. Now I'm kind-of on my own, I assume, or I at least want to be prepared. I had brembos with new hawk pads on that car and my brakes were howling by the end of the dragon after doing other roads before.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Yes I was there Oct 2012 with a Genesis Coupe group, so I'm pretty familiar with the roads. But we had some crazy leaders that basically brought an entire garage, including a guy I drove down with that towed his twin turbo shop car down. Now I'm kind-of on my own, I assume, or I at least want to be prepared. I had brembos with new hawk pads on that car and my brakes were howling by the end of the dragon after doing other roads before.

Ha, yea man, that road is nasty. Maybe switch to N20 if you do not have currently, and maybe a 12V compressor.

[TTRU]

You mean I won't have the only B8 S4 at QDM again this year??? Awesome! Don't sweat the drives... even the most spirited aren't "crazy".

Prepare for a great time, lotsa good folks.

[demonmk2]

You'll have a lot of fun.
I used to live in that area....the fastest car "I've" seen on the dragon
Was a twin turbo 911 back in 2005. I was parked on a run off where kill boy
usually takes pics. I can't describe how fast that thing was going/taking corners.

[westwest888]

WTF? This doesn't look like something I would endorse. Just go to VIR where uh nobody dies.

http://tailofthedragon.com/dragon.html

[SwankPeRFection]

This is just a road trip. Change your oil if you need to and make sure you don't do anything stupid. It's more of a cruise than anything else. It's not like you're going 10/10 on country roads and it's not like cops won't be around.

[AKPS4]

this sounds like a lot of fun. I was planning to make it down there when I had my R6 but never had the time. I may be interested in making the trip down for this. Great excuse to go driving and would just hope to have great weather. Also a great opportunity to take some great photos/videos.

A fresh set of brake pads couldn't hurt either unless yours are in decent shape already. Looks like a lot of constant accelerating/braking.

What about gas stations along the way? Would it be a good idea to consider an extra 5 gals of gas just in case?

[jzamorski]

this sounds like a lot of fun. I was planning to make it down there when I had my R6 but never had the time. I may be interested in making the trip down for this. Great excuse to go driving and would just hope to have great weather. Also a great opportunity to take some great photos/videos.

A fresh set of brake pads couldn't hurt either unless yours are in decent shape already. Looks like a lot of constant accelerating/braking.

What about gas stations along the way? Would it be a good idea to consider an extra 5 gals of gas just in case?

If you are interested I know there is another forum member coming from NY. I've been talking to him quite a bit about caravaning down. Gas isn't really necessary as there's plenty on the way down and everyone fills up with gas each morning.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[AKPS4]

PM'd

[USAFS4]

Have driven the dragon and various other roads in the area at least dozen or more times. Number one suggestion is to bring patience. At that time of year the dragon is loaded with bikers and cops. If you want to push hard and boil your brake fluid like I did recently you have to come up in off season, prior to march 1.

It will still be fun though and there are plenty of other great roads we will drive with less traffic and cops. Besides the dragon is really to tight to throw around a B8, but other roads have longer bends that are more fun especially if you have the sport diff. See ya there.

[jzamorski]

Have driven the dragon and various other roads in the area at least dozen or more times. Number one suggestion is to bring patience. At that time of year the dragon is loaded with bikers and cops. If you want to push hard and boil your brake fluid like I did recently you have to come up in off season, prior to march 1.

It will still be fun though and there are plenty of other great roads we will drive with less traffic and cops. Besides the dragon is really to tight to throw around a B8, but other roads have longer bends that are more fun especially if you have the sport diff. See ya there.

Yeah a cop or non-enthusiast driver or trucker really can screw up the dragon. I stayed in Fontana Village last time, so we were right off Hellbender and easy access to the dragon so we had late night and early runs which was nice, before the masses showed up.

[mjames]

I am going to QDM for the first time this year. Used to go 2x a year with my E46 M3 and a BMW group. Haven't been in my Audi yet and am afraid I'll be disappointed since I have crappy Pirelli all-seasons on there. Also, the extra weight.

TOD is a blast, it's best to go early AM on weekdays or you won't get a clear run. I see too many people cross the yellow line, that is a big no no.

[schirm]

Just booked everything today! Lets get a group together from the NJ PA NY area. Hotel rooms are almost 100% booked.

The OP and I have been planning this for some time now.

[shadowaudi]

Just booked everything today! Lets get a group together from the NJ PA NY area. Hotel rooms are almost 100% booked.

The OP and I have been planning this for some time now.

I am trying to see if I can get off work so I can go. Are you guys bringing anyone or going just the two of you? How did you guys do the room? PM me if possible as we started this conversation on the Audi of Philly Group on FB.

[Black3.2]

I have been on the planning committee for QDM the last two years and this years trip will be even better. Last year we were lucky enough to have an S8, S7 and S6 given to us by AofA, we are hoping for an RS7 this year (not confirmed yet) and maybe the new A3.


nothing special is needed for QDM other than a good attitude, lots of good people will be there.

Oh and there were at least 5 B8 S4's there last year, im sure there will be even more this year. We did lose the S/C RS4 w/ Capristo exhaust though, that car is no longer with us

[mwbunns4]

I actually just got back from a trip to the dragon in February. Definitely is the time to go. Almost no cars on the road. Never got behind anyone. I will also be at QDM, and at the Audi club of GA meet on the 22nd here in Savannah. Can't wait. Here's a little motivation:

[AKPS4]

I am all booked up for the trip. Excited and cant wait. I am down to meet the group in PA and head down from there. Someone PM me the details.

Hopefully the weather is good. I'll have to spend all of wednesday washing/waxing/waxing/waxing/waxing/sealing lol

Thanks

[schirm]

I am all booked up for the trip. Excited and cant wait. I am down to meet the group in PA and head down from there. Someone PM me the details.

Hopefully the weather is good. I'll have to spend all of wednesday washing/waxing/waxing/waxing/waxing/sealing lol

Thanks

Its looking like the OP and I will be leaving Wednesday after work. Headed down to get there early. This trip sounds like it will be a lot of fun, especially because I just ordered my APR SC Pulley today!

[AKPS4]

nice, that'll be a good addition.