For all you guys heading out to California. Audi has just set up one of those Audi Sports Car Driving Experience thingys they have in Europe at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.
Prices are steep but (going from memory here):
S8 two day event is about 3600 plus tax
R8 two day event is about the same
RS4 two day event is about 3400 plus tax
But more popular are the ONE DAY events.
S8 or R8 events are about 1850 plus tax
RS4 event is about 1650 plus tax
And even more exciting is the “soon to be offered” HALF DAY event for 595 plus tax !!!
This is the one to go on as it wont break the bank. YOu start out with breakfast in their very nice Audi CAfe (staffed with cute, size 4 and 5 blonds) and then get an hour;s classroom time. Followed by some cone training in RS4 or S5 and then lap times in RS4 or S5 and then lap times in the R8.
YOu get about 12 laps (bout 30minutes) behind the wheel of a RS4 or S5 and then 12 laps of the spectacular R8 !!
I did a (sponsored, and free to me) half day event there recently and thought it was WAY COOL. They separated you into two groups after the classroom for the cone training. And then two groups of 4 cars each on the track. The lead car talks to you via radio in your car . No passing allowed, but you go faster and faster with each lap. And finally by the time you are doing the R8 you are clipping along at uncomfortably fast speeds !!!
They had a great lunch for us too at the Audi CAfe. HIgh quality food. Roast beef, baked turkey and salad and soft drinks, mineral water or coffee.
Heres a coupla links to 15 second (my camera only allows fifteen second non sound clips) short vids.
heres one of the cone exercises, you drive round and round for bout six laps or so, cant remember:
youtube.com/watch?v=MEEst-T8B0o
heres one of a pack of RS4 on the track , follow the leader style. They were just starting out, it does get faster and faster.
youtube.com/watch?v=1wO8HaRmAHE&feature=related
Heres a vid someone else made of one lap in the R8
Exciting stuff
youtube.com/watch?v=rjb17UnMz6k
I actually liked the automatic R8 better as it gave me faster lap times. I did six laps in the stick and six laps in the automatic Lamborghini E gear equipped R8 automatic.
FAbulous cars. and a fabulous driving experience you should do if you get the chance. Infineon is a great track . Visit some wineries AFTER the drive too
some more related clips (by other people)
youtube.com/watch?v=ei0TlV1_tYQ&feature=related
youtube.com/watch?v=UYgb5qlUzz4&feature=related