Fast times ahead

The Audi driving experience hits the track again in 2021.

Audi Australia announces dates and program details for the return of the Audi driving experience in early 2021.

24 December, 2020


From February 1, 2021, Audi's celebrated advanced driving program will be back to thrill and inspire anew

In 2021, race tracks around the country will once again come alive to the sweet sound of high-performance vehicles being put through their paces, when the Audi driving experience (ADE) makes a welcome return.

As with so many things this year, the ADE fell prey to COVD-19 and the various resulting restrictions, and while Audi Australia created any number of firsts with a series of virtual online experiences, the hands on, high adrenalin nature of the ADE simply couldn’t be replicated in an online format.

From February 1, 2021, Audi's celebrated advanced driving program will be back to thrill and inspire anew, as Audi Australia’s Chief Driving Instructor, Steve Pizzati and his highly-skilled team of accredited instructors take to the tracks once again.

For those who have taken part in the ADE in the past, many of the programs in the 2021 lineup will be familiar, with new courses added and obvious amendments in place to ensure the ongoing health and safety of all participants. 

“It’s exciting to be getting back out on the track,” says Pizzati who freely admits to having suffered withdrawal symptoms from his forced time away from fast cars, race tracks and the performance driving program he has overseen since the outset.

“We’ve always kept participation numbers as low as possible to ensure the best instructor to participant ratio, so in that respect things haven’t changed a great deal, but we’ve put in place all of the necessary protocols to ensure everyone stays healthy, but is able to enjoy themselves with minimum disruption,” he says.

In addition to the stringent safety procedures that have always been a part of the ADE, additional measures with regards social distancing, participation numbers and the thorough cleaning of vehicles and hygiene protocols have also been put in place.

As well as lower numbers in each course, each participant will also receive a sanitiser pack on arrival and the use of long-lasting disinfectant (which provides protection for up to 30 days after application) means minimum disruption for participants but maximum safety.

As always, the Audi driving experience courses are designed to provide the very highest level of tuition and, as the name suggests, a true ‘experience’ for all who take part. Regardless of whether you have participated in motorsport, attended other ADE programs in the past or are just looking to sharpen up your skills and get a better sense of what the cars can do, you will find an ADE course that suits you.

At time of writing, courses are confirmed in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, but Pizzati hints that additional programs will be added later in the year.

“We’ve streamlined the choices for the new year and obviously had to place the overseas programs on hold for now given the ongoing situation internationally. But we have some exciting pla

As always, the Audi driving experience courses are designed to provide the very highest level of tuition and, as the name suggests, a true ‘experience’ for all who take part

In there motorkhana, participants are pitted against the ultimate opponent – the clock

Those with a taste for the track though are already well catered for, with both the Audi Dynamic driving experiences and Audi Sport Pro driving experience confirmed for Sydney Motorsport Park in New South Wales, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and Sandown Raceway in Victoria and The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia. 

The very popular Audi Women’s driving experience also makes a welcome return in 2021.

“Obviously all of our courses are open to men and women,” says Steve Pizzati, but we do find that some women prefer to participate in an all female environment.”

The actual content of the Women’s driving experience though is the same as the Audi Dynamic driving experience, and includes steering slalom, slide control and oversteer exercises as well as high speed ABS emergency braking with obstacle avoidance just to make things interesting.

There is also plenty of work done on the theory and of course practice of cornering at speed as well as unrestricted track lapping to put everything into practice in the unrivalled driving environment of the race track.

Those who have taken part in ADE programs in the past will also recall the motorkhana component, where, at the end of a day of instruction, practice and pure exhilaration, participants are pitted against the ultimate opponent – the clock.

All of this takes place behind the wheel of the brand’s finest, the new year seeing a brand new fleet of Audi Sport RS models rolled out for the ADE. A veritable smorgasbord of Audi high-performance machinery, participants will be able to experience these awe-inspiring vehicles in what is effectively their ‘natural habitat’ and get a real sense of just what they can do.

For the first time, the Audi RS Q8 – the world’s fastest SUV – joins the ADE fleet. This extraordinary vehicle was released in Australia during 2020 to unbridled enthusiasm from the Australian motoring press and with good reason. 

It joins an impressive array of other Audi Sport machinery in the guise of the latest RS 3 and RS 5 models, along with the incredible RS 6 Avant, TT RS and of course the mighty Audi R8 which takes centre stage in the Audi Sport Pro program.

It’s a winning combination of high-performance vehicles, first class race facilities and the highest standards of performance driver training available that makes the Audi driving experience one of the country’s premiere advanced driver training programs. Add to that the characteristic Audi way of doing things – from the Audi lounge at each venue and fine food and refreshments throughout the day – and you have a truly memorable, rewarding experience.

So while 2020 has been a challenging year for all of the wrong reasons, there is every reason to get ready for 2021 and a very welcome return to much faster and more exciting times.

The new year will also see a brand new fleet of Audi Sport RS models rolled out for the Audi driving experience