The Circuit

This event is taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, the home of Formula 1 racing. Skills, technologies, teamwork, and physical endurance are battle tested at this very challenging and technical circuit. Winners are born here every year. This circuit has all the challenging features one can expect from any famous international raceways; long and short straight stretches, chicane, switchbacks, decreasing radius turns, sweeping half circle turns, and hairpin turns with elevation changes throughout the circuit.

I am sitting in my silver RS4 waiting in queue in the pit area for my turn to go on the track solo. In front of me there are 9 other RS4´s, 4 in Daytona Gray Pearl Effect , 3 in Missano Red Pearl Effect, and 2 in Avus Silver Pearl Effect. Sepp Haider - first place champion of OSK Rallye Cup, German Rallye, and New Zealand Rallye - is releasing each car every 10 seconds. Finally, it is my turn. Sepp waves the checkered flag for me. I put the car on the first gear and, almost forgetting, I quickly press the S button on the F-1 style steering wheel, before I release the clutch.

The bolster seat closes up to give me more support for the upcoming high G-force turns, the burble of the engine exhaust gets louder as the car releases its inhibition and makes all mighty raw 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque available to me. My body is pressed against the Recaro bucket sport seat as I am accelerating effortlessly the second I leave the pit area to 90 mph in no time. Shifting to second and third gears, I savor every second of this exhilarating launch; the moment I have been waiting eagerly since I arrived in Barcelona two days ago.

Quattro Weather

After two laps pushing the limits of my driving skill, I am able to comfortably follow the suggested best line for this circuit cleanly. I am reaching 140 mph on the longest straight stretch in front of the main podium and pit before it is time to slow down for the chicane. All of the sudden as I am passing the finish line at this high speed, the gray clouds that have been hovering above the circuit on and off through out the day release their omnipotent force dropping giant droplets of water. At first, I am glad that my wish to have the Quattro weather for this last day of the Audi Driving Experience has been granted by the mother nature. But then, the second realization comes to mind. I quickly perform the mental and brain calculation on how much I should slow down to enter the fast approaching and very wet chicane.

As I am doing this, the rain pours harder, pounding the black asphalt. The water gushes down steady and thick from the now black clouds. When I see the giant water droplets pockmarking the sheet of water on the asphalt like pebbles, I know I am way too fast to come into the chicane. The black markings on the guard rails and the walls at the end of this long straight stretch remind me of the near death experiences that have occurred here. Our instructors who monitor us from strategic places along the circuit are telling us to slow the pace through the two-way radios installed on all cars. As a matter of fact, they have been reminding us to slow the pace down and take extra pre-caution since this morning semi-wet lead-and-follow exercises. Now, their words mean a lot more to me than ever!

I apply the 8-piston cross-drilled Brembo brake as smoothly as I can, simultaneously downshifting from 5th to 4th and then to 3rd leveraging as much engine braking as possible, to prevent the car, actually my driving, from getting nervous. The automatic drying function on the Brembo system is definitely a big welcomed help. Even the 19-inch 255/35 Pirelli PZero has its limit when it comes to dealing with a sheet of water at this very high speed. My mind drifts to the memorable dinner scene in which Altfrid Heger - first place champion of 24 hour Nurburgring, Sandown Parc, Alpine Europapokal, DTM, Spa-Francorchamps, Tourenwagen Grand Prix Macau, Porsche Carrera Cup, and Grand Prix Magny-Cuors - and I were having discussion about the importance of smooth braking and steering to maintain the precise line in all conditions.

Chicane

The ABS clicking sound snaps me back from my brief trip in the memory lane. I am now hydroplaning towards the end of the runway. I have to turn now smoothly if I want to not miss the first apex. But I know I am too fast for any smooth turning and I am having images in my head of the car plowing through the gravel zone and scrapping the barrier because of understeer. Then, I remember the lesson from the previous day on how to induce oversteer on a all wheel-drive car. That´s the only safe option I can think of at this adrenaline pumping moment. And I hope that the ESP will help me correcting the oversteer.

I induce the oversteer. The Recaro sport bucket seat communicates the back drift to my spine. The ESP version 8 kicks in immediately and I can hear the clicking sound from four corners of the car at different times. At this time, I am off the accelerator, I press the clutch to prevent any power going to any wheels. I only focus on the steering and the two apexes in front of me.

I miss the first apex by about three tire contact patches, but I am relieved that the images of the car plowing into the gravel zone don´t materialize. Then, it is time for me to change direction to get to the second apex which is only three car length distance from the first apex. I continually hear the clicking of the ESP aiding me to maintain my line. I hit the second apex almost perfectly, and now it is time to accelerate again before I enter the sweeping, large-radius half circle turn.

Since it is very wet, and I am still trying to slow my heartbeat down from the acrobatic act, and I don´t want to come into the next turn too hot again, I apply the accelerator half as much as I would have in dry condition. The 60/40 (rear/front) Quattro silently works its magic behind the scene to put the right amount of power on each wheel. The 4.2 V8 FSI burbles confidently. The sonorous and refined throaty sound announces how much power the engine has effortlessly applied to the wheels and how much more Herculean power I can have whenever I wish it without requiring me to look at the tachometer.

After these adrenaline pumping maneuvers, I adjust my speed for this very slippery condition so that I can have my best line through the circuit. After two more laps through the long and short straight stretches, chicane, switchbacks, decreasing radius turns, sweeping half circle turns, and hairpin turns with elevation changes I gain more confident driving in this Quattro weather.

Going through switchbacks and hairpins is a very sublime experience. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) expands the outside suspensions and contracts the inside suspensions to keep the car level, tight, and confident in going through the abrupt changes in momentum.

The rain has not let up. I progressively increase my speed and pull back slightly when I stray of my line. I learn from Audi Driving Experience that getting the fastest lap time is not about having the most power or being the most aggressive. It is about Zen, patient, balance, and smoothness. And of course never forgetting the laws of physics as no one on earth can defy them, just yet.

5.2 V10 S8 Rides

Markus Fiechtl-Kerschner, the humorous, cheerful Audi instructor, takes some of us on the new V10 S8 around the track for the ride of a lifetime. He has been an Audi Driving Experience instructor for 12 years. I took an earlier opportunity to ride with Altfrid on the S8 instructor´s car when it was my co-driver´s time to be on the RS4 during the lead-and-follow exercises.

While it was easy to accept the nimbleness, the agility, the precision, and the swiftness of the smaller RS4, my mind had trouble believing the experience I had while Altfrid was piloting the S8 on the circuit as if it were a LeMans LP1 car! The size, the luxurious styling, and the spacious interior deceive you; hiding the true strength and talent of this car. Deep under the pretty and glamorous skin, the true soul of the historical record-breaking LeMans LP1 R8 is alive and kicking!

The 5.2 V10 FSI doesn´t really care about the elevation changes. It makes the cicrcuit as flat as the Arizona dessert. Once Altfrid put the tiptronic in the S mode and catapulted the car as he was reliving his glorious championship days, I forgot about the MMI, the magnetic automatic suspension, the smart dual climate system, the perimeter lighting timer, the continuous tire pressure monitor, the seat memory, the Virgin Atlantic business class leg room, proximity keyless entry system, finger print start/stop button, the automatic sun shades, the Boeing 787 ambient lighting, and all other features that an oil sheik would want.

All of the above went away because the car accelerated like a frictionless magnetic bullet train. It griped the road while cornering like a Cheetah racing and closing in on its prey. Was I hallucinating? But I hadn´t had Coca leaves since I left Cusco, Peru a month ago. I finally buckled and accepted the mind-boggling and extraordinary S8 experience.

The Circuit

This event is taking place at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, the home of Formula 1 racing. Skills, technologies, teamwork, and physical endurance are battle tested at this very challenging and technical circuit. Winners are born here every year. This circuit has all the challenging features one can expect from any famous international raceways; long and short straight stretches, chicane, switchbacks, decreasing radius turns, sweeping half circle turns, and hairpin turns with elevation changes throughout the circuit.

I am sitting in my silver RS4 waiting in queue in the pit area for my turn to go on the track solo. In front of me there are 9 other RS4´s, 4 in Daytona Gray Pearl Effect , 3 in Missano Red Pearl Effect, and 2 in Avus Silver Pearl Effect. Sepp Haider - first place champion of OSK Rallye Cup, German Rallye, and New Zealand Rallye - is releasing each car every 10 seconds. Finally, it is my turn. Sepp waves the checkered flag for me. I put the car on the first gear and, almost forgetting, I quickly press the S button on the F-1 style steering wheel, before I release the clutch.

The bolster seat closes up to give me more support for the upcoming high G-force turns, the burble of the engine exhaust gets louder as the car releases its inhibition and makes all mighty raw 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque available to me. My body is pressed against the Recaro bucket sport seat as I am accelerating effortlessly the second I leave the pit area to 90 mph in no time. Shifting to second and third gears, I savor every second of this exhilarating launch; the moment I have been waiting eagerly since I arrived in Barcelona two days ago.

Quattro Weather

After two laps pushing the limits of my driving skill, I am able to comfortably follow the suggested best line for this circuit cleanly. I am reaching 140 mph on the longest straight stretch in front of the main podium and pit before it is time to slow down for the chicane. All of the sudden as I am passing the finish line at this high speed, the gray clouds that have been hovering above the circuit on and off through out the day release their omnipotent force dropping giant droplets of water. At first, I am glad that my wish to have the Quattro weather for this last day of the Audi Driving Experience has been granted by the mother nature. But then, the second realization comes to mind. I quickly perform the mental and brain calculation on how much I should slow down to enter the fast approaching and very wet chicane.

As I am doing this, the rain pours harder, pounding the black asphalt. The water gushes down steady and thick from the now black clouds. When I see the giant water droplets pockmarking the sheet of water on the asphalt like pebbles, I know I am way too fast to come into the chicane. The black markings on the guard rails and the walls at the end of this long straight stretch remind me of the near death experiences that have occurred here. Our instructors who monitor us from strategic places along the circuit are telling us to slow the pace through the two-way radios installed on all cars. As a matter of fact, they have been reminding us to slow the pace down and take extra pre-caution since this morning semi-wet lead-and-follow exercises. Now, their words mean a lot more to me than ever!

I apply the 8-piston cross-drilled Brembo brake as smoothly as I can, simultaneously downshifting from 5th to 4th and then to 3rd leveraging as much engine braking as possible, to prevent the car, actually my driving, from getting nervous. The automatic drying function on the Brembo system is definitely a big welcomed help. Even the 19-inch 255/35 Pirelli PZero has its limit when it comes to dealing with a sheet of water at this very high speed. My mind drifts to the memorable dinner scene in which Altfrid Heger - first place champion of 24 hour Nurburgring, Sandown Parc, Alpine Europapokal, DTM, Spa-Francorchamps, Tourenwagen Grand Prix Macau, Porsche Carrera Cup, and Grand Prix Magny-Cuors - and I were having discussion about the importance of smooth braking and steering to maintain the precise line in all conditions.

Chicane

The ABS clicking sound snaps me back from my brief trip in the memory lane. I am now hydroplaning towards the end of the runway. I have to turn now smoothly if I want to not miss the first apex. But I know I am too fast for any smooth turning and I am having images in my head of the car plowing through the gravel zone and scrapping the barrier because of understeer. Then, I remember the lesson from the previous day on how to induce oversteer on a all wheel-drive car. That´s the only safe option I can think of at this adrenaline pumping moment. And I hope that the ESP will help me correcting the oversteer.

I induce the oversteer. The Recaro sport bucket seat communicates the back drift to my spine. The ESP version 8 kicks in immediately and I can hear the clicking sound from four corners of the car at different times. At this time, I am off the accelerator, I press the clutch to prevent any power going to any wheels. I only focus on the steering and the two apexes in front of me.

I miss the first apex by about three tire contact patches, but I am relieved that the images of the car plowing into the gravel zone don´t materialize. Then, it is time for me to change direction to get to the second apex which is only three car length distance from the first apex. I continually hear the clicking of the ESP aiding me to maintain my line. I hit the second apex almost perfectly, and now it is time to accelerate again before I enter the sweeping, large-radius half circle turn.

Since it is very wet, and I am still trying to slow my heartbeat down from the acrobatic act, and I don´t want to come into the next turn too hot again, I apply the accelerator half as much as I would have in dry condition. The 60/40 (rear/front) Quattro silently works its magic behind the scene to put the right amount of power on each wheel. The 4.2 V8 FSI burbles confidently. The sonorous and refined throaty sound announces how much power the engine has effortlessly applied to the wheels and how much more Herculean power I can have whenever I wish it without requiring me to look at the tachometer.

After these adrenaline pumping maneuvers, I adjust my speed for this very slippery condition so that I can have my best line through the circuit. After two more laps through the long and short straight stretches, chicane, switchbacks, decreasing radius turns, sweeping half circle turns, and hairpin turns with elevation changes I gain more confident driving in this Quattro weather.

Going through switchbacks and hairpins is a very sublime experience. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) expands the outside suspensions and contracts the inside suspensions to keep the car level, tight, and confident in going through the abrupt changes in momentum.

The rain has not let up. I progressively increase my speed and pull back slightly when I stray of my line. I learn from Audi Driving Experience that getting the fastest lap time is not about having the most power or being the most aggressive. It is about Zen, patient, balance, and smoothness. And of course never forgetting the laws of physics as no one on earth can defy them, just yet.

5.2 V10 S8 Rides

Markus Fiechtl-Kerschner, the humorous, cheerful Audi instructor, takes some of us on the new V10 S8 around the track for the ride of a lifetime. He has been an Audi Driving Experience instructor for 12 years. I took an earlier opportunity to ride with Altfrid on the S8 instructor´s car when it was my co-driver´s time to be on the RS4 during the lead-and-follow exercises.

While it was easy to accept the nimbleness, the agility, the precision, and the swiftness of the smaller RS4, my mind had trouble believing the experience I had while Altfrid was piloting the S8 on the circuit as if it were a LeMans LP1 car! The size, the luxurious styling, and the spacious interior deceive you; hiding the true strength and talent of this car. Deep under the pretty and glamorous skin, the true soul of the historical record-breaking LeMans LP1 R8 is alive and kicking!

The 5.2 V10 FSI doesn´t really care about the elevation changes. It makes the cicrcuit as flat as the Arizona dessert. Once Altfrid put the tiptronic in the S mode and catapulted the car as he was reliving his glorious championship days, I forgot about the MMI, the magnetic automatic suspension, the smart dual climate system, the perimeter lighting timer, the continuous tire pressure monitor, the seat memory, the Virgin Atlantic business class leg room, proximity keyless entry system, finger print start/stop button, the automatic sun shades, the Boeing 787 ambient lighting, and all other features that an oil sheik would want.

All of the above went away because the car accelerated like a frictionless magnetic bullet train. It griped the road while cornering like a Cheetah racing and closing in on its prey. Was I hallucinating? But I hadn´t had Coca leaves since I left Cusco, Peru a month ago. I finally buckled and accepted the mind-boggling and extraordinary S8 experience.