Many people on A4.org seem to be interested in racing (myself included), but many of the courses only offer track cars that are dissimilar to the A4. I won't mention driver's school names, but bright orange Mustangs and Probe GT's aren't in the right power range, don't have similar feel to their transmissions, aren't four-wheel-drive, etc... nor silver Impalas... nor a big blue Viper named 'Skippy'.<p>I heard, some time ago (maybe three years back) about a Porsche C4 driving school in Germany for Swiss, German, Italian, and Austrian Porsche 993C4 owners who drove in the snow or through the alps on a regular basis. It concentrated on track time, how to use four wheel drive at high speed, during cornering, etc. Is there anything (other than Q-club events) that trains A4Q owners on a conventional road track (like RA) and focuses on cars in the 200hp to 250hp power range with four wheel drive? Seems this would be particularly useful, as many driving schools offer cars that, though they are great track cars, are not particularly comparable to the A4 in power, handling characteristics, etc.<p>Thanks!<p>Cameron

No, I'm not joking...he is.<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

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Visit TAPs site...or call Ivor in Florida for more details<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

They have a winter driving school in Austria in A4s and a road version on the Nurburgring.<ul><li><a href="http://www.quattroclubusa.org/ring.htm">The ring</a></li></ul>

First, no school is going to make one a race driver overnight. However, I highly recommend the Bondurant School, their teaching is excellent and driving techniques are taught and practiced. Yes, you do drive a different car, ie: Mustang, Formula Ford but you learn a TON. Further, every car is different and it helps to practice in your car. I'd recommend learning the REAL basics from a pro then participating in local autocross events and the Audi Quattro Club puts on some excellent events, throughout North America, and they have some excellent instructors. Additionally, you can drive your own car at these events or rent a car.<br>I also understand that there is a winter driving school in Steamboat Springs, Colo. to learn and practice winter/snow/ice driving skills.<br>Hope it helps, Gary.

Don't know if anybody has taken the course there, but it sounded good at the NorCal event that was held there.

The class was taught by Russell Racing. One day....your own car...some classroom time...some skidcar....some lane-toss....some heal-toe stuff....some circular autox type stuff...and then onto the upper part of the track....THEN, drive the racetrack backwards...."hey, were do I apex this puppy?"<p>Cost: $550-675 (depending on who you know)<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM<p>P.S. I took pictures of them....drooling all the time...swearing at myself for not participating

Sorry about the late response, but I've been in Florida, screwing around, for the last week. Saturday and Sunday was at Sebring, instructing at with the "Track Time" school - Will they ever stop changing the track at Sebring ? I've never been there twice when the track was the same. Now they've replaced the "Hairpin" with the "Safety-Pin", and changed Turn 16 from a 90-100 mph sweeper onto the runways into a 65-70 mph corner. And the old right-left jog (now called the Fangio Curves) is just a straightaway that requires a little steering ! AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T FIXED ALL THE DAMN BUMPS AT 17 UNDER THE BRIDGE !!!!! Oh, well, back to to frozen tundra of the Great Lakes...<p>Back to the subject at hand - <p>First question: Do you want to drive your own car ?<p>If you do, there are lots of non-denominational schools that run at nearly every track (yes, Road America, Blackhawk, Grattan, Gingerman, etc.). The BMW Club schools usually are open to anything with 4 wheels, and are very good in that the BMW clubs are very picky about their instructors (Don't get me started on this issue, Steve S. has just heard a litany of sins about bad instructors from me). Track Time Schools, Car Guys Schools and few others are equally picky. <p>Second question: Do you want to drive somebody else's car ?<p>If you do, the price just went up, dramatically. If you don't have 3-4 days of track experience yet, DO NOT get hung up on the RWD/FWD/AWD issue. It is, in my<br>opinion, bull$#!+. If you don't already have several days experience getting comfortable in the racetrack "environment", which end of the car does the pulling is really irrelevant. Listen to me: There ain't no difference in the fast line between RWD, AWD and FWD when you're just starting. Anybody who tells you otherwise is just blowing it out their @$$. Reactions to problems are different, but you need to learn them all anyway. Biggest difference - RWD car gets loose? - feather the throttle and catch the car<br> FWD/AWD car gets loose? - stand on the gas and catch the car.<br>It's really pretty simple !<p>Don't be afraid to go to a school with FWD cars, or Formula Fords, or Skoda ex-taxicabs.<br>If their instruction is up to par, you'll learn as much as you would in your own car, and you don't have to worry about stuffin' it into a wall. The pro schools do all have great instructors, so you'll develop skills the right skills no matter what you're driving.<p>The moral of the story ?<p>Learn to DRIVE first. Don't get hung up on the hardware. A good DRIVER can make anything go fast, safely.<p>John/Trained Seals Racing<p>

Mainly asked out of curiousity, but I'm slowly getting track experience. Went to the AutumnRun event at Blackhawk awhile ago with the A4... turned out it's *still* Autumn here in Chicagoan December a good while later. Let Tom Skilling figure that one out. Anyway, I'm signed up for Bondurant during frozen-Chicago time this winter, and I'll see how it goes from there. Finished finals this week, so now I can concentrate even more on learning car stuff. Yay.<p>Always looking to learn more,<br>Cameron