Event: Carolinas Treffen 2022

By: Jessica Ewing and Amanda Campo, photos: Amanda Rathbone, Andy Rubaye, Jessica Ewing and Sergio Gonzalez

Late in September, Audi Club Carolinas gathered for a weekend in Little Switzerland, NC for the annual Fall Tour/ Audi Treffen sponsored by Audi Greenville. Ninety nine attended, driving 65 cars and made this the biggest Treffen to date. As this event continues to grow, Audi Club Carolinas has strived to make it more of a family friendly atmosphere. The kickoff drive Friday afternoon had each of eight drive groups stage and head to Mount Mitchell Park, the highest elevation point east of the Mississippi River and located just off the NC Blue Ridge Parkway. Many chose to climb the walking path and enjoy the breathtaking views. After attendees had a chance to look out from a view that stretched for miles, the group decided to see what lay in between the trees, taking on some of the most exciting roads known in the area – Devil’s Whip and Diamondback. Upon returning to Switzerland Inn, guests enjoyed dining together for dinner, with some gathering by the firepits further into the night

After Saturday morning drivers’ meetings, the groups staged and headed their own way for another day of grand touring. Drive groups are color coded and named for familiar Audi paint monikers such as Glacier, Imola, Merlin, Misano, Nardo, Nogaro, Solar and Sonoma. Each were led by a combination of “lead” and “tail” driver escorts. These volunteers help keep the groups organized, on time and on a safe pace for everyone in the group. This year a new twist was added by offering afternoon activity options for Saturday Drive Groups. Options included a morning pre-planned drive route with group lunch stop as well as an afternoon activity. These choices ranged from a visit to Grandfather Mountain National Park, Gem Mining at Emerald Village, Wine Tasting at Linville Winery, a Tech Talk with Brandon Pryor of Rennwerx and free time to plan on your own with some friends. A Beer Swap took place back at the Inn later that afternoon once driving concluded with a couple of hours of down time before another private banquet dinner. During the event, Brandon Pryor of Rennwerx provided a Tech Talk and Q&A session in the parking lot to anyone interested. Stephen Rogers cleaned the group photo car owned by Andrew Everhart after a full day of driving through the mountain’s roads. Attendees rallied around the freshly cleaned Audi R8 for a group photo before gathering for the evening banquet. 

Sunday morning, the group departed for the final drive, with groups heading out on four different routes to Hickory Municipal Airport for a catered lunch by Crosswinds Café and tour of the Hickory Aviation Museum.

Treffen 2022 was a complete success, with Audi Club Carolinas so happy to see so many able to attend. Many only see each other at this event once a year, so it is always great to see familiar faces and new ones coming together around the shared passion for the Audi brand.  And, the event could never have been the success it was without volunteers from the Carolinas Events committee, lead and tail drivers and event sponsors. Treffen 2022 supporting sponsors include Audi Greenville, Audi Charlotte, Audi Greensboro, Extreme Colors Auto Spa, Everything Euro, FiveBy Wheels, GMP Performance, Hbi Auto Detail, JXB Performance, Lifetime Audi Parts and RennWerx. 

Audi Club Carolinas would like to formally announce that we will be the hosting the 2023 Audi Club North America National Event in September 2023 to be held at Fontana Village in Fontana Dam, NC. If you have ever wanted to tame the Tail of the Dragon, now is your chance to do it with a group of like-minded enthusiasts. This will be a multi-day driving style event with options to take local adventures into North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Details and registration will begin in early 2023. 

Thank you again to everyone that volunteered, helped in planning/running and attended this event to make memories and new friends! If you are interested in helping in 2023, please reach out to the Audi Club Carolinas Events Committee or chapter leadership.