One Day Audi R8 Experience

[Radius8]

On Friday I participated the one day R8 program held at Infineon raceway in Sonoma, CA. I recall that other members of this forum have also posted on this topic previously (I can't seem to find the treads though) so I am just here going to briefly summarize my own experience.

It was certainly an incredible day, from my point of view since it was my first time behind the wheel of a high power car and my first time even at a race track. My intention was to gain familiarity with the R8 before I get my own and to learn to drive it safely.

There were 10 participants, we were paired up to drive five R8, all V8 R-tronic.
The day consisted of two parts. The morning session, following check in and breakfast, comprised some class room time where the instructor went over safety, some theory of car dynamics (weight shifting etc...). After the first lecture, we did some corning exercises in the R8 and slalom exercises with TT-S (at which time I took the opportunity to run over a few traffic cones .) . This was done in the parking lot.

We then went back inside and the instructor discussed the layout of the track. Infeneon is a very challenging course, not fast but very technical with large elevation changes which result in many of 11 turns to be blind. After getting fitted with helmets we each did a couple "low speed" laps around the race track to familiarize us with the course. We then broke for lunch in the chic Audi Pavillon overlooking the track.

The afternoon session consisted of basically higher speed track time inter dispersed with short beak period. Each participant took turn driving behind the instructors (they were in TT-S) going faster at each turn. It took a while for me to get comfortable since this really involved doing lots of things that are counter intuitive to normal street driving. We were told to go faster, full throttle as much as possible, accelerate don't coast downhill, tailgate the car in front (keep 1-2 car lengths), brake hard going into turns slowly release the brakes and gradually apply throttle as the wheels are straightened. I don't know how fast we were going as I didn't look at the speedometer, all I know is we mainly ran the cars between 5k rpm and redline.

I really salute Audi and a company for offering such a program (how many car companies let total novices drive their flagship sport car around a race track?). Most importantly I gained a very good feel for the R8, and knowledge that the car can handle pretty much any emergency maneuvers that I am likely to encounter in normal driving.

The instructors said that we only experienced less than 40% of what the car could do. They were adamant that what ever we ditched out, we could not have broken loose the R8 (they disabled the ESP button so ESP was always on). I must admit that on my first high speed run, I released the break too soon took a turn too fast and ended running the left side of the car on the grass . Even then, it went right back on track like nothing happened. That car is an incredible feat of engineering.

All in all, I would strongly recommend any one interested in getting an R8 to do the Audi one day R8 experience (and running the Infeneon track is way better than a roller coaster). And for those of you still debating whether get the R-tronic, you own it to yourself to try it out, more than the 5 minute test drive the dealer gave you.

By the way, all our cars were equipped with video cameras. I'd be happy to post the video once Audi sends me the DVD of my runs (someone will have to instruct me on how to post them tough).

[iamaudi]

Awesome to hear you had a great time!

[R8Spyderman]

By all means post the video.

I've considered taking the course but have held back because I drive a 6MT V10 and would rather experience the course in my own car or equivalent, not an R-Tronic V8. I don't mean to sound elitist at all: I just want to experience my car or its equivalent on a road course and wonder if I'll be satisfied with the R8 automatic. Anyone like me who has done the course please let me know if I'll still be astounded and blown away the way I was 20 years ago - the one and only time I've tracked a car - when I was scared sh*tless by a professional driver in my twin-turbo Dodge Stealth as he would brake way later than I felt was safe and poured on the throttle when I was still holding on in the turn for dear life and trying to suppress a girlie scream, and then proceeded to try doing it myself all alone, just me and the car and the track and the cones, and absolutely fell in love with the experience!

So, I'm waiting until they offer a V10 driving experience and hopefully with the old school, gated gearbox for added fun.

[desperado]

Unfortunately, you missed the window. The V10s have come and gone at Infineon. When I took the program they had V8 manuals and R-tronics and you could choose either one. I've heard they only have V8 R-tronics at this time...

[R8Spyderman]

Well, I live a 3-hours'-drive from each: Sebring, Palm Beach International Raceway, & Homestead-Miami Speedway so I guess I can find a performance driving school at one of them in which I can get lessons in their cars as well as my own. If anyone can recommend one, please do.

[XBarbarian]

Great Post! Thanks a bunch for taking the time to share the experience!

I definitely will seek something similar myself. Ive never tracked a car of any kind either, and would really love the experience, and the education.

R8Spyderman, Im in Tampa area.. I wondered if something similar, even if not a Audi event, on Sebring, or such.

Hoping things pop for me soon, to be able to move on getting a R8! Reading these forums has really got me stoked!

[Radius8]

Well, actually, they do have a V10 there and you can request to drive it (though it is still going to be a R-tronic). When I signed up and mentioned that I had one on order, the lady on the phone even offered to arrange for me to drive the V10 instead of the V8 but I figured I would take it one step at a time.

Audi has several classes beyond the one day and I am planing on taking the second day after I get some time behind my own car (hopefully by this fall). They also offer more advanced sessions after you take the 2 day "class", of course that gets expensive but there you get personalized instruction and the opportunity to drive lead (now that is a scary though).

I was also told that there are affiliates driving school at this track that do individual instruction in your own car if you would like. All a question of time and $$$.

Again for me it is about learning how to handle such a fantastic car safely. I can say that I fell much more confident that I can do so after going through this experience.

By the way, for those of you who are still looking for a car, my dealer (Rector Motors in Burlingame, CA) called and offered me a black on black V10 coupe they just received. I declined since I really want a white one and for that kind of money I am willing to wait what ever time it take.

[desperado]

the opportunity to drive lead (now that is a scary though).

I was also told that there are affiliates driving school at this track that do individual instruction in your own car if you would like. All a question of time and $$$.

Again for me it is about learning how to handle such a fantastic car safely. I can say that I fell much more confident that I can do so after going through this experience.

Driving the track without the comfort of the leading instructor car is indeed different, and a lot of fun!

You are very fortunate that the Audi Club in your area has an excellent program of instruction in your own car. There are typically four events each year, the programs are affordable and the environment is family-oriented and very supportive. All include excellent instruction in your own car as well as nice social events.

Other brands of sports cars are welcome to participate, besides the preponderance of Audis we typically see a nice mix of Porsches, BMWs, Corvettes, etc at the events. Norcal tracks they visit include Infineon, Laguna Seca, and Thunderhill. Next track event in your area is early May, 2011, although we are going to the Las Vegas area with the SoCal club in mid-March as well. The club also sponsors scenic drives throughout the year. See www.audiclubgoldengate.org for more information.

[Radius8]

You are very fortunate that the Audi Club in your area has an excellent program of instruction in your own car. There are typically four events each year, the programs are affordable and the environment is family-oriented and very supportive. All include excellent instruction in your own car as well as nice social events.

Thanks for the info desperado. I was actually looking at joining the GoldenGate chapter for some time as I own a B5 A4 but always ending dragging by feet. Getting the R8 should bring me to finally do so. Perhaps I will get then chance to meet up with some of you at the events.

[desperado]

I was actually looking at joining the GoldenGate chapter for some time as I own a B5 A4 but always ending dragging by feet. Getting the R8 should bring me to finally do so.

Come on out, bring your A4. There is a great group of people in the club, and we always have a lot of fun!

Perhaps I will get then chance to meet up with some of you at the events.

Hope to see you soon! (Since I'm from SoCal, my family and I only travel there for the track events...)