Piloti Joins Champion Racing / Audi Sport North America

Westlake Village, CA - July 10, 2006 - Piloti Inc., premier racing and performance driving shoe manufacturer, announces its designation as the Official Footwear Supplier to Champion Racing in 2006 as they campaign as a factory team for Audi Sport North America.

Piloti has built its reputation on designing high-performance, biomechanically advanced driving shoes that give professional racing drivers a competitive edge, yet are comfortable enough for the driving enthusiast to wear every day. Authenticity in design, testing, and performance is the cornerstone of Piloti's success. Champion Racing, one of the most successful race teams in the world, has proven itself to be as authentic as they come.

Founded in 1994, Champion Racing hit its stride with the launch of the Audi R8 LMP-900 program in 2001 and its entrance in the American Le Mans Series. Over the next two years, the new ALMS team brought home 16 top-five finishes.

In 2003, Champion Racing added to their winning record by placing third overall at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, becoming the first American team in nineteen years to earn an overall podium finish in the French classic.

Building on their history making triumph, Champion racing returned to Le Mans with a vengeance, capturing a podium spot in 2004 and winning the coveted 24 Hours of Le Mans Trophy in 2005, the first time in 38 years for an American team.

For Champion Racing, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2005 was the culmination of an incredible year. In one season, Champion Racing catapulted to the top by winning the three most prestigious sports car races in the world: the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans. In addition, Champion Racing won all three 2005 American Le Mans Series Championship titles - Team, Driver, and Manufacturer.

After the 2005 season, Champion Racing was proud to announce their designation as an official Audi factory works team and began the new year as Audi Sport North America Team Champion.

Forging ahead in 2006, Team Audi Sport North America continues their record of fierce competition in the American Le Mans Series, leading the LM P1 class in Drivers', Manufacturers' and Teams' Championship points after four consecutive LMP1 wins at Sebring, Houston, Mid-Ohio, and Lime Rock.

Don Skuta, Champion Vice President, says "Piloti understands that every piece of crew equipment must add to a team's performance and competitive edge. From their understanding of what it takes for a driving shoe to be comfortable and durable on the track to their high standard of excellence, Piloti is a great fit with Audi Sport North America Team Champion. We're proud to have them on board as our Official Footwear Supplier."

About Champion Racing:
Champion Racing has established itself as one of the top privateer motor racing teams in the world. Founded in 1994, six years after Champion Racing President Dave Maraj started his Champion Audi and Champion Porsche dealerships in Pompano Beach, Florida, the 40-strong team has proven its mettle against some of the best teams and manufacturers in racing. To learn more, visit http://www.championracing.net

About Piloti:
Piloti is the leader in automotive footwear technology with its patented spherical Roll Control heel construction, reinforced sides, and unique bio-mechanical technology that gives the driver precise pedal feel and enhanced car control. Piloti designs motorsports athletic footwear, apparel and accessories that are distributed to specialty footwear retailers worldwide. To learn more about Piloti, visit http://www.piloti.com. To inquire about becoming a Piloti retailer, please contact sales@piloti.com

Sales Contact
sales@piloti.com

Media Contact
Kelly Burg
Media Director
805-908-1006
E-mail: pr@piloti.com

December downSHIFT now online

The December issue of the Audi Car Club Chicagoland Chapter's Newsletter, downSHIFT is now available

Chicago Chapter

This issue includes coverage of the Fall Drive, one members visit to the Petit Le Mans race, and the final standings of the season's Autox series.



Check out the December Issue of downSHIFT!

Chapter Update

Marko Mladenovich

The Audi Car Club Chicagoland Chapter wishes to thank all of its 2003 sponsors. We appreciate the support from Continental Audi of Naperville, Supreme Power Parts, Eurostone Motor Sports, and Tire Rack. We look forward to continuing these successful partnerships in 2004.

Forty Chicagoland members gathered for a fall drive in October through the beautiful Kettle Moraine area of Wisconsin. The participants of this timed scenic drive tried to keep their time to distance and mileage close to the ideal benchmark. The winner, Rich Lytle, was treated to a $100 gift certificate from Eurostone Motor Sports. The day finished with lunch at Millie?s restaurant. Thank you to Pete Herren for organizing this wonderful event.

The annual December holiday party was held at Gameworks in Schaumburg, IL. Thanks once again to Joe Hillenburg for putting together the party. The local Audi community gathered to reflect on a fun filled 2003 season. Many members enjoyed the full season of autocrosses held at Joliet Jr. College and Tire Rack. Others chatted about how much they learned at our driving schools at Black Hawk Farms Raceway and Gingerman Raceway. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the 2004 events and the ACCCC board of directors was pleased to announce that all of the autocross and driving school dates have been secured. All of the ACCCC events info will be available at www.audichicago.org.

The ACCCC welcomes Bryan Knight to its board of directors. Bryan was instrumental in organizing the first ACCCC autocross season. He will be using his advanced computer skills and creativity to enhance our web site. Bryan replaces departed director Sean McLane. Sean moved to Colorado in the fall and we wish him the best of luck in his endeavors.

The Audi Car Club Chicagoland Chapter wishes everyone in the Audi community a safe and prosperous new year!

2003 Autox Season

This was printed in the Audi Club NA publication and is being reprinted here

Bryan Knight

Like most Audi Car Club chapters, the Chicago Chapter sponsors track events, rallies, and social events. While social events are a great way to increase involvement, and rallies can be lots of fun, many members thrive on actually driving aggressively in a controlled environment. Track events always have great turnout, but they can be intimidating to new members, expensive to participate in, and can require a time commitment that not everyone's family can handle.

An autocross is basically a mini road course created on an open slab of pavement, often just an unused parking lot outlined with cones. Vehicle classes are used to break down run groups, and each driver usually gets 6 to 9 runs. At the end of the day the class winners are awarded. Courses usually run between 30 seconds to 90 seconds and under 70mph. But 70mph is fast for a parking lot! With costs averaging between $20-$30 per driver and events usually ending before dinner, it is a great way to get enthusiasts involved, having a great time in their cars and learning how to better handle them.

Club member Ken Koppitz has autocrossed with other clubs for many years, but the Chicago Chapter never offered any such events. Ken thought if the BMW club could do it, why couldn't the Audi crowd? He began discussing it with other leaders of the chapter, who eventually threw it back in his lap, saying: "You have more experience with that than any of us. Take the lead and put one together". Unfortunately without cones, timing equipment and nowhere to host an event, it was a challenge to get out of the starting gate.

Having participated with other clubs at the Tire Rack facility in South Bend, Indiana, Ken contacted Luke, a Tire Rack employee who is active with the Chicago Audi community. The Tire Rack was able to provide a venue, cones, and timing equipment. After a few calls to ACNA for insurance, the 2002 Chicagoland Chapter's Autocross season was coming together!

The first autocross was in May of 2002 and saw 34 enthusiasts make the drive from the Chicago area to South Bend, IN. It was cold, raining, and just nasty out, but everyone had a great time. The second event was in August and had a turnout of 25 drivers. With that many people willing to make that kind of drive, the potential for a larger program became clear.

With such a positive response from the short 2002 season, a committee was created and our local chapter was willing to fund the endeavor. Timing equipment, cones, and flags were purchased. Space was rented from a local community college, and events were planned.

The 2003 season consists of 5 events; the first 4 at Joliet Community College, with the final event and awards banquet scheduled to take place at the Tire Rack in South Bend. A classification system was adapted from the Chicago VW Organization that puts values on different modifications, ensuring that an S4 with coilovers is not directly competing against a stock non-sport 1.8T A4. Engraved pint glasses were ordered for prizes, and the first event quickly arrived.

With a club suggested ceiling of 40 cars, it was thrilling to see 39 vehicles, Audi's, VW's, and others, roll into the parking lot bright and early that first Sunday morning. The event went smoothly; each car got 9 runs, with plenty of fun runs at the end of the day. Awards were handed out and everyone was on the road before 5pm.

Our second event was held on a very windy and rainy Mother's Day. Despite the less than optimal circumstances, 24 drivers showed up ready to compete. Although the conditions were harsh, everyone left with smiles on their wind burned faces.

Several vendors in the Audi community have already demonstrated their support through our event sponsorship program. We would like to thank Ronal Wheels, Supreme Power Parts and our National Club for their participation, which will undoubtedly generate greater visibility for them in our community.

There are still remaining events, and those interested are encouraged to visit the Chicago Chapter's web page at audichicago.org to register. The remaining events are July 13th, August 17th, and October 11th.

Overall, response has been great, and many members are enjoying the chance to push their cars and skills without spending the money and time to attend a full track event. It also creates a great environment for those that are intimidated by a racetrack, but are still interested in competing and learning more about their cars and themselves.