An Unforgettable Day at the Audi Driving Experience

The day started off just like any other – you know, with me signing my life away. Well, maybe not quite like any other, but that’s what it felt like as I scrawled my name on the indemnity form at the Audi Driving Experience check-in counter. You’d think I was about to jump out of a plane instead of behind the wheel of a finely-tuned piece of German engineering. But, hey, what’s a little waiver between friends, right?

As soon as I got over that little formality, I was handed a straw. “Well, that’s thoughtful,” I mused. I had been thinking about coffee all morning, so naturally, I assumed this was the precursor to some artisanal cappuccino. Spoiler alert: it was not. Instead, it was for the breathalyzer! Audi, I must commend you on this and I believe this is a MUST!

Sadly, a couple of “media personalities” who apparently didn’t get the memo (or used common sense for that matter) about not showing up to a high-performance driving course with alcohol still in their system, or recently added didn’t fare quite as well. Lesson of the day: when you’re going to drive a car that can do 0-100 km/h faster than you can say “RS”, it’s probably best to avoid having a drink beforehand. No?

Influencers & Audi: A Perfect (Selfie) Match?

And then, of course, there were the influencers. These guys were everywhere, buzzing around the fleet of Audi RS models with their light stands, cameras and poses like bees around a very shiny, very Instagrammable flower. I couldn’t help but wonder how much influence is actually converted into sales, especially when most of the focus seemed to be on perfecting their outfit and posing for the ‘Gram. But I digress – Sure some of them do actually know a thing or two about cars, though the RS’s horsepower seemed to take a back seat to capturing that perfect “CarGoals” moment.

Side note: I spotted a few people proudly sporting opposition-brand caps. I mean, come on, – really? That’s like showing up to a Springbok game in a All Black shirt. I’m no branding expert, but if Audi’s giving you an experience worth over 16,000 hard earned Rands, maybe save the rival merch for another day.

School Is in Session: A Masterclass on the Track

Now, let’s get to the reason we were all there – the driving! Partnered with Harry Fisher, a fellow industry heavyweight, I knew I was in for a good day. And boy, did the day fly by – quite literally. As we raced around the legendary Kyalami circuit, I quickly realized that no matter how confident you are behind the wheel, there’s always someone faster, better, and with a lot more knowledge. Enter Gavin Cronje. If you don’t know who he is, do yourself a favor and Google him. The guy is a racing wizard. One nugget of advice from Gavin, and it was like a lightbulb went off in my head – the kind that makes you wonder how you’ve been doing things wrong for so long.

But it wasn’t all serious business – Harry and I had more than a few laughs throughout the day. Being on the same page with your driving partner makes the experience even better (and significantly less terrifying). We swapped seat, stories, tips, and a little friendly banter as we tackled the track.

The Stars of the Show: RS3, RS4, and RS5 (RS6 was hiding in Reception)

Now let’s talk cars. We had the pleasure of putting these RS’s through their paces, and let me tell you, each one brought something unique to the table. But – and I never thought I’d say this – the RS4 Avant was the star of the day for me. Yes, the “wagon”. The one you don’t expect to steal your heart, but somehow does. I’ll have more detailed reviews coming soon (stay tuned!), but for now, let’s just say if you’re in the market for something fast, practical, and outrageously fun, the RS4 might just surprise you.

Lunch and Driving Stories

After all that adrenaline, Audi treated us to a delicious three-course meal. And while the food was excellent, it was the company that really made the experience. There’s something about spending a day on the track that loosens tongues, and the stories shared over lunch were just as thrilling as the cars we’d driven.

Hats Off to Audi (and Off-Brand Hats Back On the Shelf)

I’ve got to give credit where it’s due – Terence and the entire Audi team put on an experience that was long overdue and absolutely incredible. From the moment we arrived until the final lap around the track, every detail was executed with precision and care. Whether you’re a seasoned driver or just someone looking for an adrenaline rush, the Audi Driving Experience is something you’ll never forget.

So, if you’re considering signing up for the course, I highly recommend it – breathalyzer and all. Trust me, it’s worth it. For more information, click here and prepare yourself for an unforgettable day.

Until next time – hopefully behind the wheel of another RS of sorts!