On-track driver training programme

It’s every petrol head’s dream to take a supercar for a few laps around a race track and I’ve been fortunate enough to have done it at some of the Middle East’s top circuits. However, there is something awe-inspiring about doing it on a track that just weeks prior was graced by Formula One’s finest, writes Charlie Holding.

I’m not saying I’m in the same league as Sebastian Vettel just yet, but I reckon I could have given him a run for his money last Friday after taking part in Audi’s new driver training programme at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC).

Members of the media were invited to test drive the Audi R8 and Audi TT RS around the full length of the track. The programme is part of the recently launched Audi Driving Experience scheme and is designed to impart skills that make drivers more confident and capable on the kingdom’s roads.

To learn these skills, the scheme places drivers outside their normal comfort zone in a variety of exercises designed to improve their reactions in emergency situations.

After being given the obligatory safety briefing by the qualified instructors and finding a helmet that would fit, all that was left to do was walk over to the cars and enjoy the experience.

The R8 is a BD54,950 gleaming mean machine that is at home on a race track and took to the BIC like a duck to water, even with yours truly behind the wheel. It boasts Audi’s celebrated Quattro all-wheel drive system, which provides optimum traction and means you stick to the track like glue ... a handy feature when you’re travelling at over 200kmph!

The BIC is remarkable, not only because of its challenging turns, but also because of the fantastic straights which allowed me to open up the throttle and bolt from 0-100kmph in 3.9 seconds and reach 230kmph.

The steering was so responsive, ideal for the occasion, and even the tightest turns were met with agility and precision.

After my R8 experience I was reluctant to drive anything else but the TT RS was equally as impressive.

Although it is slightly less powerful at 2.5-litres, this BD25,950 model is definitely not a car to be scoffed at. It handles just the same as the R8 up to about 120kmph but that’s were the subtleties lie. 

The ride was amazing and did a fantastic job around corners, although, truth be told, any problems I encountered were self-inflicted. James, my instructor, told me I tend to brake too late and accelerate too early when it comes to cornering on a race track, but come on, it’s got a 5-cylinder engine, who wants to slow down?

James tried to impart some words of wisdom about racing etiquette, telling me about the braking point, turning point and the apex but all I heard was the roar of the engine and my heart beating so hard I thought it would break my chest.

Both models were impeccable but the design features were as different as chalk and cheese. The TT RS certainly puts its attitude on display with the massive front grille and fixed rear spoiler. Whereas the R8 is a mean-looking motor with aggressive lines and a sleek, sloping bonnet.

However, they both have a refined and comfortable ambience that reminds you of the brand you’re driving.

After the Audi Driving Experience I wasn’t given my fastest lap time, but I believe Vettel has some serious competition next time he rolls into town ... as long as I’m driving and he’s walking.

The Audi Driving Experience offers ‘High Performance Driving’ and will expand to include an Audi owners club to share in the facilities at the BIC. Plans are to include the Audi R8 V10,TT RS,RS5 and later on the new S6,S7 and S8 models.

For more information, call the Audi Centre Bahrain on 17459933.