Two questions:

1) I wanted an Audi, I love Audi, but came across a VW 2002 GTI that I couldn't pass-up...young and on a tight budget. :-( Can I still join the club?

2) Assuming that I'm still welcome after the previous question, what do the driver's schools run...I want to learn how to *really* drive.

 

be a member of the Audi Club of North America. IIRC You are allowed to join the club for one year (as a trial membership) without owning an Audi. After that I believe you must own an Audi.

 

You should save up for a trip to bondurant or skip barber (I did bondurant). That way you have a solid foundation on which to build (through driving your own car at audi events with the instructors there). It is well worth the money

 

I think you get more seat time with the Audi schools and it is in your car.

To me, it is better to learn the limits of my car, not a car I'll never drive.

I think the Audi scools are a good intro, if you really like them, then pursue the "Pro" schools. He already mentioned he was tight on funds.

No offence, just my opinion

 

Well run....lots of instruction and extra seat time....

Awesome bang for the buck!!

 

But the way you guys are talking, I am REALLY looking forward to it. I agree on the point about learning in YOUR car. I think that is completely valid. On the other point about seat time, i guess i was spoiled since I was driving the Bondurant Z06 vettes and therefore it was solely myself and an instructor for the entire time (would join activities with the other run groups but i didnt get out of the car from 6 am until mid afternoon....except for lunch...)

Can't wait to try the audi version

 

My bad. You only need to own an Audi to get the 1 "free" family member.

 

That is way more seat time than I got at Skippy. Sounds like a better deal.

 

1. Yes you can attend a driving school and you are most welcome to attend. BUT you must be a member in the Audi Club to participate. Membership info is here: http://www.quattroclubusa.org/

2. While the learning experience at professional schools like Skip Barber is valuable, most people get more out of a driving school when they practice techniques in the car they drive every day. The driving schools are always around $300 and this gives you a weekend of focused learning in a great environment. You will get a few hours of classroom instruction and a few hours of on-track exercises designed to get you in tune with your car's performance at it's limits. You will do a threshold braking exercise followed by a slalom exercise and then a run through our accident avoidance exercise (also called the lane toss). This is followed by one-on-one instruction from an experienced instructor, behind the wheel of your own car on a closed-course track. You will be allowed to work at your own pace and will be in a run group with others with a similar experience level. All told, you will have several hours of on-track time and spend the weekend with a bunch of rabid auto enthusiasts. The dinner on Saturday night is included as well.

All you need to bring is a car in good mechanical condition (it must pass a tech inspection) and a willingness to learn. The next one in our area is one of the best at a fun local track - you can find more info here: http://www.audichicago.org/eventdetail.php?id=118

Sign-up soon before the event fills up!<ul><li><a href="http://www.audichicago.org/eventdetail.php?id=118">Click me, click me, click me!</a></li></ul>

 

^^^^well said^^^^