Audi Driving Experience - R8 - 2 Day - April 28th and 29th, 2008

My wife gave me the gift that keeps on giving for my 40th birthday - driving school!

I showed up bright and early on Monday April 28th...and saw this amazing site:

R8 in front of new Audi Center at Infineon Raceway


Another shot


Massive 8 pot calipers in the front w/19" wheels


4 pot in the rear


Row of R8s


Close up


The lounge


We spent a little time in the classroom learning about the proper seating position, cornering and braking theory, car control and more about the R8 itself.

BASE PRICE: $110,000

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 254 cu in, 4163cc
Power (SAE net): 420 bhp @ 7800 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 317 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 104.3 in Length: 174.4 in Width: 74.8 in Height: 49.2 in
Curb weight: 3450 lb

PERFORMANCE:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.0 sec
Top speed (drag limited): 185 mph

Then before we knew it, we were behind the wheel. We started by doing a simple lead/follow on a small autocross course to test our braking and acceleration abilities. Once we felt comfortable, we then moved onto a small slalom. There, we honed our throttle control and car control skills. Then it was off to the track!

The car I flogged. A black w/carbon fiber R8 - 6 speed manual


Another shot


My first driving partner, Jerry


First lap, up the hill


Jerry pushing the car through turn three


Waiting for the next heat


A nicely fried tire!


Video - Short Track


Video - Full Track


After all of the track time (I think I did about 50 laps over the 2 days), I did see my lap times drop, while my cornering and straightaway speeds increased significantly. By the end of the second day we were touching 120 mph at the end of turn 6!

When it was all over I was exhausted...and a whole lot faster!