I've been wanting to try a driving school type event for a while and noticed another Audi email in my spam about their driving experience at Infinion. Anyone given this a shot? They have an S program (S4,5,8) and an R8 program.

While it sounds interesting, I was curious how it might stack up to the other options you see in Autoweek. Anyone try Skip Barber, Bonderant, etc..? I guess it depends on what cars you'd like to toy around with.

Anyone try one of those 'drive 5 exotics in a day' (SLR, F430, Gallardo, etc...)?

Oddly enough, I think I'd have the most fun at one of those karting schools like Jim Hall.

Opinions, impressions, thoughts...?

 

I decided to do the R8 half day program last year at Fontana since I was already going down there for the A4 Experience. It was my first track experience and so damn much fun. I've never driven a car of that caliber before and it took a while before I was comfortable pushing the car anywhere near it's limit. Overall, it was way too much fun... lots of seat time in some awesome R8's with some basic instruction that made the experience that much better. I highly recommend it.

 

I did the lexus is-f driving experience in phx and it was a great way to drive that car to the max and not having to worry about replacing tires and brakes. I would love to do it in a r8

 

Audizine has a group event...good value too.

 

I did the driving experience when it came to Dallas. The drivers are very knowledgeable and it was a blast driving around the track. Since the tracks in CA are much more technical, I think that you would truly enjoy it. After all, I enjoyed it so much I bought an Audi.

 

Do you have any info on that Audizine event? I went on their site and could not find any mention of it. In the forums it seems to be only threads about people experiences there.

 

I didnt know the 'Zine had a group buy, I might have to check that out.

 

The Audi Experience is pretty much where Audi compares their cars to the competition. I went to the B8 A4 and the Audi Q5 and S6 (3.0T).

At both events I had a Blast!!!!!!.. More on the Audi A4. We got to Autocross the cars, (Audi A4 to BMW, BENZ, and LEXUS) and then take the S-line Models (A3, A4, A5, A6, and A8). Around the homestead speedway on some HOT Laps.. Not 3, or 4.. I would say close to 10, 12 laps..

I deff recommend this event.. plus... ITS FREE!!! Unless you choose to do the R8, and Ive heard its ALOT of fun.

my 2 cents on the event..

 

Went when I had the opportunity to do it up here. The S models (4,5,6,8) and it was a fantastic time.

It pretty much sold my parents on the S6.

 

I did the one-day R8 Experience at Infineon last year before my car was delivered, and I liked it a lot. You have to share the car with another attendee and trade places throughout the day, and it's a lead-follow all day with a senior instructor. But it's almost $2000 for the day, although prime rib was served at lunch . That's a lot of track days. You do get to do a slalom course and pseudo-autocross course before hitting the main track, so you get some pretty good practice driving the car.

 

I did the the 2-day course and loved it. I would highly recommend it.

 

I can't comment specifically on the Audi event, but highly recommend you do any type of driving event with a high end performance car. I did one in an F3000 and it was the most fun I've ever had.

 

I have done the last two, the A4/R8 and the Q7 the year before. Very good events, well organized. Hope to make it to another this year.

 

Doesn't even compare to Barber, Russel etc. Personally, I think it's better to join the Audi club and take your car on the track. Yes, your risk your car, but you learn to drive your car.

 

I did the 2-day RS4 Infineon course last Oct, great experience, especially if you own the car and want to see what it can do while beatinig up on something than your own! LOL

Ditto for the R8, a must if you own one. I don't think they have the RS4s anymore, so I would not do it unless you do the R8 (not terribly excited to pay through the nose to drive S-models). The 2 day is very much worth it, take a long weekend and in the next couple of days visit the vineyards!

It is certainly not a racing school, so it shouldn't be compared to Jim Russell, Skip Barber or the like.

The AMG Academy looks very interesting, though perrsonally not a huge fan of the brand. It is supposed to be the 'exact' version of the one offered at the Nurburgring. An added bonus - you get to try the soon to be released SLS (the SLR replacement).

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/driving-...=amg&top=intro