More than 500 hundred Audis and thousands of spectators were on hand for the 2002 Northeast Audi Aftermarket Event, hosted by Ira Porsche/Audi in Danvers, Mass., and promoted by Vijay Gandevia and Dave Low (both of the Northeast Audi Owners Club). In its fourth year, the gathering continues to be one of the premier Audi-exclusive events in the country.
The dealer's spacious grounds were filled to capacity with a colorful display of Audi vehicles. Of the 549 registered entrants, the majority consisted of A4s and A6s, joined by numerous high-performance S4s. A few S6 Avant and allroads were scattered about, but, surprisingly, few TTs were on hand. The most unusual car at the show was a Porsche 914 full-cage race car, stuffed with a turbocharged 2.8-liter Audi engine mated to a Boxster transmission.
Alongside the entrants were a number of Audi tuners showcasing their expertise, selling performance goods and even offering while-you-wait ECU upgrades.
Although it's technically a single-day event, the action for diehard enthusiasts began a day early. On Friday night, bragging rights were fought over at the New England Dragway in nearby Epping, N.H. One of the evening's highlights was a bout between a highly modified S4 (known locally as the "Silver Bullet") and an equally teased Dodge Viper. The Viper finished first, but the S4 gave it a crowd-pleasing run for its money. Following the racing, roughly 100 Audis participated in the annual Cruise to Hampton Beach.
Next year's event may be held at a larger facility to not only accommodate more show car and vendor space but also an autocross track. The annual cruise will most likely take an alternate route through the twisting mountain roads of Vermont and western Massachusetts. For more info, log on to www.neaudi.com