All-Wheel Driven Podcast

What does it take to turn a track-day enthusiast into a licensed competition driver? For Dawn Brazier, the journey meant four days of intensive instruction, pushing her 2017 Audi R8 Spyder beyond her comfort zone, and learning that earning a racing license is only the beginning.On this episode of All Wheel Driven, Dawn joins us to share the story behind earning her SCCA Full Competition Road Racing License and bringing her R8 to the grid for its debut in the Legion SBK Superbike Series at High Plains Raceway.Dawn’s journey began after experiencing the Legion SBK series in 2024. Ready to return as a competitor, she enrolled in a program with Michael Pettiford of Go4It Racing School. Rather than renting a dedicated race car, Dawn chose to complete the program in her own Audi R8 Spyder, a car she knew well on the road but had yet to fully explore on the track.What followed was an intensive learning experience covering racing lines, braking points, weight transfer, throttle control, and driver discipline. With four straight days of one-on-one instruction, Dawn had nowhere to hide—and every lap brought another opportunity to improve.One of the biggest turning points came on the back straight at High Plains Raceway, where she approached the braking zone at approximately 136 mph. Learning to trust the R8, commit to the throttle, and recognize the car’s capabilities helped her improve her lap time from around 2:26 to 2:13.44.But the road to the grid wasn't without challenges. Worn rear tires and heat-damaged brake rotors revealed the physical demands of pushing a street-based performance car in competition. With limited time to make repairs before the Legion SBK event, Dawn and her team had to improvise to get the R8 back on track.Despite those setbacks, Dawn earned her competition license and made it to the starting grid the following weekend. The experience taught her an important lesson: a racing license isn't the finish line. It's the beginning of a longer journey built on experience, humility, and learning to trust both yourself and your machine.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Breaking Down the Episode00:45 Welcome to All Wheel Driven01:03 From Zero Experience to Superbike Safety Car03:58 How Dawn Found Her R8 Spider05:19 The Next Addition to the Audi Family05:34 Autocross & Revoking the Boyfriend's License06:41 PPIR, Pueblo & Chasing Superbikes08:33 No Run Groups: Learning on the Job11:34 Why the Track Tamed Her Street Speed14:41 High Plains Raceway: The Ultimate Test16:36 Mods, Tires & Learning in a Slower Car19:03 The "Aha" Moment: Finding Full Throttle21:05 Riding Shotgun in Her Own R822:41 A Word from Continental Tire23:10 Discovering the Car's True Limits26:03 SCCA Race School in a Street-Spec R827:18 Would She Race the R8 Again?28:10 The Biggest Challenge of Getting Licensed29:57 One-on-One Coaching & the Only Woman in Class31:15 Newly Licensed, Still Learning33:46 What's Next: Racing, Rentals & Burned-Through Brakes38:12 Picking a Race Car: Audi, TT RS or Miata?39:29 Advice for Women Getting into Motorsports40:57 Does Dawn Follow Pro Racing?41:30 Founding Audi Women Colorado & Proving It's Never Too Late44:12 The Long Way to the Grid==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehiclesAward-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiencesA network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: https://audiclubna.org

After more than a decade and 13 starts at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, David Hackl knows what it takes to race a mountain. But in 2026, he faced a completely different challenge when he brought his 1983 Audi quattro to the historic Climb to the Clouds at Mt. Washington for the first time.In this episode of All Wheel Driven, David takes us behind the wheel of one of Audi’s most iconic hill-climb cars and explains what makes Mt. Washington so different from Pikes Peak. While Pikes Peak offers a longer, faster course and extreme elevation, Mt. Washington presented a narrow, steep and unforgiving road that David had barely had an opportunity to learn before race day.Then came the weather. Fog, rain and dramatically reduced visibility made an already unfamiliar mountain even more challenging. With limited practice and no years of experience memorizing the course, David knew the goal wasn't simply to unleash the car's approximately 750 horsepower—it was to make it safely to the finish.David also tells the story of the 1983 Audi quattro that started life as his daily driver before being transformed into a competition car. After spending roughly 2,500 hours building the car for its 2012 Pikes Peak debut, he has continued developing it for more than a decade. Now, with plans to eventually push toward 900 horsepower, the quattro still has plenty of life left.From learning a new mountain and managing unpredictable weather to mentoring fellow Audi competitors and reflecting on more than a decade of hill-climb racing, David offers a fascinating look at what it takes to compete at the edge—and why he keeps coming back.EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Breaking Down The Episode00:53 Introducing David Hackl01:3406:53 Why Doesn't Mt. Washington Run Every Year?10:27 The Drive To Mount Washington18:22 First Impressions Compared to Pikes Peak24:04 How Was This Year's Weather?29:23 Word From Our Sponsor: Continental29:50 David Tells Us The Details On His Audi Quattro Race Car39:00 Tell Us About Your Audi Journey44:00 What's Next for the Race Car Build?49:52 Mentoring the Newer Pike's Peak Racers53:01 Any More Hill Climb Races on the Bucket List?56:06 Final Thoughts & Farewell==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehiclesAward-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiencesA network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: https://audiclubna.org

This episode of the All Wheel Driven podcast features an in-depth interview with race car driver and vehicle development expert Randy Pobst. The conversation explores Pobst’s path into professional motorsports, from his early involvement in club racing to a career filled with championships, record-setting laps, and endurance racing success. The discussion highlights how his experiences behind the wheel helped shape his reputation not only as a competitive driver but also as a respected voice in the automotive and racing community.The episode also focuses on Pobst’s long relationship with Audi and the broader performance philosophy behind the brand’s vehicles. Topics include his work as a development and test driver, how feedback from professional drivers helps refine production cars, and the role of technologies like quattro in both racing and road cars. The conversation expands into driving technique, mental preparation, and advice for aspiring racers, while also touching on Pobst’s coaching and involvement with Audi Club North America track events, emphasizing how enthusiast communities help keep motorsports accessible and engaging for drivers of all skill levels.==========================EPIDSODE CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Introduction00:02:04 Joe's Racing Background00:02:59 Randy's Background00:07:49 What Were Randy's Steps in His Pro Racing Career?00:15:21 What Has Randy's Audi Relationship Looked Like?00:22:30 How Many Audi Cars Has Randy Pobst Raced With?00:27:06 How Much Audi Racing DNA Seeps Into Their Consumer Cars?00:31:10 How To Approach Driving New Fast Cars the First Time00:36:25 Street Cars VS Race Cars00:41:14 Is Randy obst a Fan Of Electric & Hybrid Cars?00:48:52 Randy's Driving & Instructional Work00:52:18 One of Randy's BIGGEST Driving Lessons00:55:13 Should Racers Start With Slower Cars?01:03:40 The Track is The Place to Relax01:06:12 The Biggest Trick To Watkins Glen International01:13:05 Cars Are Getting Too Powerful01:18:07 What Is Randy's Dream Audi Race Car?01:20:56 Outro & Goodbye==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehiclesAward-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiencesA network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: https://audiclubna.org

This episode of *All Wheel Driven* focuses on “quattro season” and why winter driving is where Audi’s legendary all-wheel-drive system truly proves itself—while also highlighting that technology can never replace skill. Hosted by Joe Kucinski, the conversation brings together leaders from the Northeast quattro chapter to discuss their winter car control clinics at Lime Rock Park and the broader driver education program. The panel explores common AWD myths, the limits of quattro, and why winter conditions expose both the strengths and weaknesses of any vehicle. Central to the discussion is the idea that while quattro is an exceptional system, tires are the true connection to the road, and proper preparation and technique are what ultimately build driver confidence.Through instructor insights and participant perspectives, the episode emphasizes car control fundamentals such as vision, smooth throttle and brake inputs, and managing weight transfer in slippery conditions. The group covers vehicle readiness, the importance of winter tires, and practical strategies for handling real-world scenarios like hills, intersections, and highway driving. Reinforcing Audi Club’s commitment to safety and education, the episode underscores that AWD does not mean invincibility—education and controlled practice are key. Listeners are encouraged to get involved with Northeast quattro events, whether as drivers or volunteers, and to consider joining the Audi Club community to further develop their skills and confidence behind the wheel.==========================EPISODE CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction To All-Wheel Driven00:18 Our Podcast Hosts For Today01:16 Quick Intro About David Klock01:51 What Drives David's Winter Program Passion?02:17 First Memories: Driving in the Snow02:56 What Does Quattro Season Mean?04:12 The Car Control Clinics07:01 Where Are the Events Held at?07:34 What Does a Standard Clinic Structure Look Like?09:37 Are There Instructors in the Car?10:31 What are the Car Requirements?11:18 All-Season Tires VS Snow Tires12:45 When To Switch To Dedicated Winter Tires?13:22 Are Snow Tires OK When the Sun Comes Out?14:24 Other Winter Driving Tips15:52 Quattro Can Really Only Do So Much19:28 Do The Clinics Cover Different Scenarios?21:11 What is Usually the Biggest Takeaway?22:43 How Many Returning Student do They Get?23:30 Street Survival Classes24:58 What is David's Winter Daily Driver?25:42 Additional Winter Driving Tips: Part 226:36 How Does Quattro REALLY Stack Up?27:57 Being Smooth: Is It Important?29:03 The MOST IMPORTANT Winter Driving Habit29:41 What Else Does the Northeast Quattro Club Have Going On?31:19 Volunteer Opportunities?32:30 Final Pieces of Wisdom33:42 Car Mods VS "Driver Mods"34:57 Thank You to David36:10 Winter Events Don't Get Snowed Out36:38 Outro==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehiclesAward-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiencesA network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: https://audiclubna.org

In this episode, host Joe Kucinski sits down with Tara and Nishant Pillai—two standout voices in the Audi and Porsche enthusiast world. They share the story behind their meticulously crafted and newly revised Audi RS 6 Avant Tribute Edition and their 1 of 1 Nogaro Blue Porsche 911 GT3 RS. They discuss Tara’s design philosophy, and the build partners who helped bring her vision to life. The conversation continues with a look at their rare Audi RS 2 Avant and how these cars connect across eras.The Pillais also reflect on community, culture, and what’s next for their growing enthusiast garage.Lastly, a very special thanks to the photographers:ChaseDimitri @proddbydimiJames @jammsk03Mia @viewsxmkMikey @mikey_g_photography_Mille @fivo.mp4Rock Lin @rs1.media==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehiclesAward-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiencesA network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: https://audiclubna.org

From the world of autocross to stage rally and legendary hill climbs, Frog Racing has made its mark on motorsport on the East Coast and beyond.In this episode of All-Wheel Driven, host Joe Kucinski sits down with Emmanuel Cecchet and Margaret Sharron, co-founders of Frog Racing, to discuss their journey together, their passion for racing, and their groundbreaking plans for 2026.Emmanuel recently completed a triumphant run at Pikes Peak 2025 in an Audi S1 E2 for Rayteam Motorsport, marking a remarkable comeback after a high-speed crash just a year prior. Margaret, meanwhile, is preparing to lead the first-ever all-women team for both Pikes Peak and Mt. Washington in 2026, racing in a custom-built Audi RS 4 designed for both gravel and paved hill climbs.In this episode, you’ll hear about:- The origin story of Frog Racing — from a cross-continental love story to a motorsport powerhouse- Emmanuel’s incredible comeback at Pikes Peak 2025 and his tribute to rally legend Michèle Mouton- Margaret’s vision for women in motorsport and how she’s assembling the 2026 all-women team- The technical details behind the Audi RS 4 build for hill climb events, including carbon/kevlar underbody components by OCT Composites- The couple’s dynamic as racing partners — sharing victories, challenges, and lessons learned- Frog Racing’s mentorship and educational programs that empower the next generation of drivers- Advice for grassroots racers, young women in motorsport, and anyone looking to build a racing team or carFollow along with Frog Racing and support their 2026 campaign:Website & ApplicationsWhether you’re a fan of hill climbs, Audi performance cars, or motorsport history, this episode offers a unique look into the passion, dedication, and community behind Frog Racing.==========================All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America. Subscribe and connect with @audiclubna for exclusive Audi content.==========================Not yet a member of Audi Club North America? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock benefits including:- Discounts on Audi parts, accessories, and new or leased vehicles- Award-winning quarterly magazine (quattro)- Exclusive driving events, clinics, and track experiences- A network of 32 chapters across North AmericaAnd much more!Learn more and join today: audiclubna.org

Known affectionately as “the biggest little car show,” L’oe Show has outgrown the nickname—and in all the right ways.Held each September in historic downtown Pottstown, Pennsylvania, L’oe Show is a weekend-long celebration of Volkswagen Group vehicles—Audi, Porsche, VW—and a showcase of car culture at its most creative and inclusive. From museum-caliber builds and concept cars to vendor pop-ups, community meetups, and free entry for spectators, L’oe Show brings thousands of enthusiasts together to take over a town and transform it into a rolling celebration of all things VAG.In this episode of All-Wheel Driven, host Joe Kucinski recaps the 2025 edition of L’oe Show with two guests who played key roles in the action:🔹 Chris Nellenback, Chapter Leader of Audi Club Eastern Pennsylvania, who helped represent Audi Club at the official booth on the main show day🔹 Cameron Purser, Audi enthusiast and founder of the Audi C7 Owners YouTube channel, who organized a special Audi meetup leading into the eventTogether, the three share firsthand impressions from this year’s show, reflect on its growing impact, and offer a glimpse into what makes L’oe such a unique experience—not just for Audi fans, but for car enthusiasts of all backgrounds.🎧 In this episode:• What makes L’oe Show different from other Audi and VAG events• The story behind how this small-town show became a big deal• Highlights from Audi Club’s presence and standout cars at the booth• Why the event draws a younger, more diverse generation of car lovers• Reflections on community, car culture, and what keeps L’oe specialFrom its humble beginnings in an abandoned shopping mall to shutting down Pottstown’s Main Street with thousands of cars and dozens of vendors, L’oe Show is more than a car show—it’s a movement.All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America.===========================================ABOUT L’OE SHOW:Founded by Jamie Orr of Orchid Euro, L’oe Show began as a response to the decline of large VAG-focused events in the U.S. Its mission: celebrate individuality, community, and world-class cars. Ten years later, it’s one of the most respected enthusiast gatherings on the East Coast, featuring:✅ Concept cars & legendary builds✅ Exclusive retail pop-ups in historic storefronts✅ Spectator-friendly atmosphere ✅ Community-organized drives, meetups & parties✅ International reach with a local vibe===========================================ABOUT AUDI CLUB NORTH AMERICA:🚘 Not yet a member? Join Audi Club North America, the largest Audi owner and enthusiast community in the world, and get:• Discounts on parts, service, accessories, and new or leased Audis• A premium quarterly print magazine• Access to exclusive events and clinics• A vibrant network of 32 chapters• And much more!👉 Join today: https://audiclubna.org

Audi is signaling a reset—and it starts with emotion. In Episode 10 of All-Wheel Driven, host Joe Kucinski is joined by Audi Club North America Executive Director Chris May to unpack what CEO Gernot Döllner calls Audi’s need for a “TT Moment 2.0”—a design-led turning point akin to the original TT’s brand-defining impact in the late ’90s.With a bold new concept car set to debut at IAA Mobility Munich in September, designed under new Audi Head of Design Massimo Frascella and rumored to ride on the Porsche-engineered SSP Sport platform, this could be the emotional, performance-forward revival enthusiasts have been waiting for.But that’s just the start.This episode dives into:• The next-generation TT concept and what it means for Audi’s future• How Audi is recalibrating EV rollouts amid slower U.S. adoption• Rumors of U.S. production and the potential for more enthusiast-focused models• The brand’s broader strategic shift: from minimalist design to hybrid investment and global market realignment• What the community’s saying about Audi’s dramatic product refresh—and why it might pay to wait and see📌 Don’t miss this deep dive into Audi’s most pivotal crossroads since the original TT.🎧 Listen now, and subscribe to All-Wheel Driven for exclusive Audi content and community stories.===================================🎙 All-Wheel Driven is presented by XPEL, the official paint protection film of Audi Club North America.📝 Stay up to date on Audi’s evolution at: ⁠https://audiclubna.org/blog⁠👥 Not yet a member? Join the world's largest community of Audi owners and enthusiasts and unlock access to:• Exclusive events, technical education, and clinics• Discounts on parts, services, and new/leased Audis• Award-winning quarterly print magazine• A passionate network across 32 regional chapters🌐 Learn more and join the Club today: https://audiclubna.org