Audi Driving Experience Sportscar: an unforgettable experience

Audi Driving Experience is a series of driving courses offered by the brand, both for customers (who enjoy a reduced price), and for anyone who is interested.

The Audi Driving Experience is divided into several courses: Dynamic, Progressive, Sportscar, Off Road, Winter Baqueira and Winter Sierra Nevada. The Sportscar is the one we were able to enjoy.

The first three courses or experiences are more oriented towards sporty driving, safety, braking and, in short, the tarmac, while the last three focus on Off Road driving, giving prominence to the Q series and, surely too, incredibly fun.

The Sportscar is the manufacturer’s most advanced sporty driving course, which is only accessible after completing the Dynamic and Progressive first. However, we were lucky enough to enjoy directly the crown jewel at the incredible, beautiful and legendary Jerez circuit, at the wheel of the most they can offer us, Audi, the new 2019 R8 Performance.

This year the event took place at the legendary and prestigious Jerez Circuit (Cádiz). The event is organised to perfection. Every small detail counts, and Audi knows it. From the wonderful details they have for customers (gifts, food, catering, cars, monitors, briefing…), to the experience itself, they undoubtedly justify their price, which stands at 690 euros for those who are not brand customers, and 545 for those who own a Audi.

Of course it is important to highlight that this is the manufacturer’s most exclusive course, so its preparation, location and limited availability determine its price.

But, what exactly is the Sportscar course offered by Audi Driving Experience like?

If I had to sum it up in one word I would simply say spectacular, but since you are interested, I will tell you what it is about, what you will learn and, in short, what awaits you on this course.

As we mentioned before, the event takes place at the legendary Jerez Circuit, mainly known for major competition motorcycle events.

As soon as you arrive they introduce you directly to the beauties you will have the pleasure of enjoying: a wide collection of new Audi R8 Performance in red and yellow, as well as an equally impressive Audi RS5.

The first contact between these beasts and you is thrilling, since you know that in no time you will be driving them on a proper circuit like Jerez.

But amid all this excitement, several Audi engineers give a preliminary briefing to present each activity, aided by images and videos in one of the pit garages of the circuit, in pure Racing style.

After this, the next step is to split into groups (depending on how many of you are doing the course) to do several reconnaissance laps, as a first contact with the circuit and the R8, and to learn emergency braking with an Audi RS5, all of them in pairs.

Through a walkie-talkie located inside each vehicle, we follow the instructions of the instructor leading the way on the circuit, and it is here that we get the first chance to enjoy the monstrous 625 hp R8 Performance V10, almost nothing…

Lap after lap the instructor gradually increases the pace so you get used to the car, the circuit and the optimal line. And believe us when we tell you that right from the start, in these early laps, you’ll be giving the R8 quite a bit of “beans”.

Once this warm-up is over, it’s time for the emergency braking test, done with a magnificent Audi RS5, also in pairs.

Also following the instructions of an instructor, you will learn to brake the car hard and avoid an obstacle by using a line of cones after a strong acceleration.

I would like to highlight how surprising the RS5’s brakes are and the great quality they possess when put to the test in this kind of manoeuvre, simply incredible.

Once these two fun tests as a first contact are over, we head back to the pits, where we rest for a while accompanied by all kinds of snacks, drinks and a good atmosphere.

With our thirst quenched and our stomachs settled, it is time for another reconnaissance lap with the R8, once more to prepare for the final test, where each person will have one of these sports cars and can test themselves in a more “extreme” way.

After this last reconnaissance lap, the final briefing takes place. This is where the engineers and instructors of Audi give the last instructions and tips, as well as rules, for carrying out the final test. In short, the main point is the importance of listening to the instructor leading the test at all times.

Once again we divide into groups, but this time based on each participant’s preferences, making it easier to go in groups that want to go very fast and get the most out of the car or others who prefer to go more calmly and with less experience.

We were fortunate enough to go in the “crazy” group, those of us who like to make the most of everything the engineers of Audi let us do, and wow, did they let us…

This last test is based on the famous game “La Liebre” (The Hare), where participants follow the instructor at all times and try to catch up. Of course, following the distance rules, and the instructor also adapting to each person’s level.

The best part, however, is that each time a full lap of the circuit is completed, the participant who is behind the instructor drops to the very back to make way for the next one, so you can squeeze a lot out of the vehicle at your own pace, to which the instructor will adapt as long as we do things sensibly.

We will do this test twice, with a break in between, since, as many of you will know, when you go flat out on a circuit in a particularly powerful car, you get tired, you sweat, and that bottle of water is always welcome.

These laps are the best thing the Sportscar part of the course offers, and they are worth every cent of the total price of the experience. Driving the new R8 Performance is a unique and special opportunity that we don’t get every day.

The sensations, the power, the throttle response, the instant gearchanges of its paddles or its fine lines, as well as driving on the tarmac of one of Spain’s best circuits, will fulfil the dreams of many people who have always wanted to drive a proper supercar “flat out”.

On top of that, once the laps of the circuit are over and after a farewell with both the Audi team and the cars, you are given a USB stick with a compiled video of footage recorded from inside the cabin of your R8, so that among other things you can crack up watching your reactions and observing your lap.

To finish, a wonderful meal provided by an excellent caterer from Audi, practically at the side of the track, closes out a wonderful day for any motoring enthusiast.

In short, the Audi Driving Experience Sportscar is a unique opportunity, a perfect way to fulfil the dream of so many people who would love to have a car of the calibre of an R8 and test it almost to the limit of its capabilities.

We will soon publish an article about the new impressions the R8 Performance has given us, but until then, I would like you to take away the message that this course is worth it and that you will have a fantastic time driving an impressive R8 Performance at maximum revs. 100% recommended.