2009 Audi Sportscar Experience

Sonoma, Calif.– Continuing its successful partnership, Audi of America, Inc. and Emotive Group Ltd. today announced the 2009 Audi Sportscar Experience schedule based at the Audi Forum Sonoma at Infineon Raceway in Northern California. Bringing top performance cars for consumers to experience in 2009, the schedule runs year-round.

Created by Audi and its strategic partner, Emotive, the Audi Sportscar Experience is a hands-on driving experience designed especially for performance car enthusiasts – consumers who love to drive and experience exceptionally engineered vehicles. The 2009 Audi Sportscar Experience programs features the new Audi TTS, Audi S4, Audi S5, Audi S8 sedan and the Audi R8 sportscar.

The Audi Sportscar Experience features five programs, including: the S-Model half-day program that allows drivers to experience the true performance of Audi’s newest “S” models and the R8 one-day program where drivers get behind the wheel of the sporty and progressive R8. Additionally, participants will have access to limited-volume new products from Audi.

In the Fall of 2009, the Audi Sportscar Experience will introduce the brand new Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro® to the R8 programs. Drivers will get behind the wheel and drive the R8 with its mid-mounted V10 engine, 5.2 liter displacement and four-valve FSI® technology. Race-inspired and derived from the Le Mans dominating R8 V10 machine, the new R8 is the ultimate execution of Audi performance and engineering.

“From the success we’ve had in 2008, we are continuing the program for 2009 on the pillars of the Audi brand – sporty and progressive,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “The Audi Sportscar Experience allows participants to test and sharpen their driving skills and push our cars in a controlled environment with exceptional instruction. There is no better way to demonstrate the foundation of this company than behind the wheel and on the track.”

The Audi Sportscar Experience operates year-round from the Audi Forum Sonoma, located trackside at Turn 1 of Infineon Raceway in beautiful Sonoma Valley. Using a variety of vehicles from among the Audi R, RS, and S model lines, the Audi Sportscar Experience takes drivers through a rigorous, behind-the-wheel instructional driving program at one of the most challenging race tracks in North America. With its 160-foot elevation changes, challenging corners and breathtaking scenery, the 2.5-mile Infineon course has been aptly described as a small Nurburgring.

“We’ve created an unmatched experience for avid car enthusiasts and car consumers,” said Chip Pankow, president of Emotive Group. “We’ll help drivers develop the skills necessary to extract optimal performance from these exceptionally engineered vehicles and this is the best way to truly appreciate the vehicle and discern its key differences – all set in the beautiful locale of Sonoma’s world-class wine country.”

The Audi Sportscar Experience includes half-, one- and two-day programs. A complete schedule of events can be found at the Audi Driving Experience web site.
Programs include:

R8 One-Day Program

The amazing Audi R8 sportscar was rated the World Performance Car at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The R8 epitomizes Audi’s quest for perfection and is the industry leader in innovation, technology, design and performance. Drivers will hone their driving skills in the paddock and then take the R8 where it really wants to be – on the 2.52-mile road course at Infineon Raceway. ($1,895)

R8 Two-Day Program

This program builds on the essentials of the one-day program and incorporates more track time in the R8. Progressive sessions in the R8 ensure that drivers will responsibly approach the limits of the R8 at Infineon Raceway. Drivers will enjoy ample seat time and instruction from professional drivers who are experts in their fields. ($3,495)

R8 Advanced Two-Day Program

This is the next step for the advanced R8 driver who has previously taken the one- or two-day R8 course at Infineon Raceway. The R8 Advanced course goes further in depth on advanced car control specific to the extreme handling characteristics of Audi’s fastest production model. Offering the advanced driver numerous sessions of one-on-one coaching from our professional instructors, all in an effort to hone the driver’s abilities in the most dynamic car on the road. ($4,295)

S-Model Half-Day Introductory Program

“S” denotes sport in the world of Audi. In the S-Model Half-Day Introductory Program, drivers will get a taste for the TTS, S4, S5, and the 450-bhp S8. This program covers the fundamentals of driving followed by laps on the speedway. ($695)

S-Model One-Day Program

This course takes the basics taught in the S-Model class and builds on that knowledge base. Not only will the driver get a chance to take to the track for an afternoon of lapping sessions, they will do it in the TTS, S4, S5, S8, and even a short taste R8. ($1,395)
Private and Corporate Events Program

The Audi Forum Sonoma is an ideal venue for private and corporate events. Located in the heart of Wine Country and just 35 minutes north of San Francisco, the Audi Forum Sonoma is a very special setting with full-service facilities for corporate retreats, team building, client entertainment and incentive programs. The events team can create exclusive programs for groups of any size and can work to create the perfect experience for VIP guests.