Audi R8 and a Toyota MR2

"Torque Affair" (torqueaffair) 05/02/2014 at 12:58 • Filed to: audi

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Hello fellow Jalops.

This past weekend I rode along with my friend, Michael in his R8 and MR2. It was a blast. Because Michael has been out to the track a lot, he knew what he was doing.

I chronicled my experience here.

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I can't wait to do more racing myself - but as you guys know it can be pretty expensive to go through tires and brakes and other maintenance!

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Torque Affair 05/02/2014 at 13:09

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The stability of the R8 really is incredible, when I drove three laps in one it was impressive but a little disappointing in a way. There was no way I had the ability or the balls (not my car) to push it anywhere near its limits, which shows what a technological achievement it is but also removes a little of the engagement from the drive. Maybe if I ran one again when my driving has advanced I'd change my tune though.

Torque Affair > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/02/2014 at 13:15

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Yeah you're totally right. With modern day cars, there's so much tech, that the cars are isolating the machine from the driver in a sense.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Torque Affair 05/02/2014 at 13:18

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I think the fact I drove an automatic in full auto mode, since the instructor wanted me to focus on learning the track instead of what gear to be in made the engagement issue a little worse. I'd love to drive a manual one with some time to really learn a track and thrash it. Your friend is a lucky guy to get the car and the track time, must be amazing being that familiar with the track and car so you can really enjoy the drive.

Torque Affair > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/02/2014 at 13:23

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For sure...I've driven on that track before and it really takes a ton of practice to be any good at it. Manual is fun on the track but you really have to get the heel-toe maneuver down to not lose that much speed coming out of a turn.

What track did you drive the R8 on?

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Torque Affair 05/02/2014 at 13:30

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A small track in the north of england called the teeside autodrome.

It's set up for supercar/track car experience days where you rent the cars for a set amount of laps and drive round with an instructor giving you advice as you go. I drove the main car track, 3 laps in the r8, 3 in a ferrari 360 and 3 in an ariel atom. Was a fun day. As for heel toe and other techniques I haven't had enough track time to get any practice for things like that, I'm not the quickest of drivers haha. I just enjoy the tactility of a manual since I'm just out there for a few laps for fun.

Torque Affair > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/02/2014 at 19:55

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Ah, that sounds pretty good. We have something like that here as well - it's pretty expensive though. Must be the same for you guys.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Torque Affair 05/02/2014 at 19:58

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Actually it was pretty reasonably priced, don't remember exactly but it was definitely under £90, that doesn't include insurance though so if you break you buy.

Torque Affair > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/02/2014 at 20:01

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I think ours was around $250...

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Torque Affair 05/02/2014 at 20:04

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Ouch, I suppose it's track dependent though. Teeside is basically a kart track and is pretty outdated so that'll keep costs down. Got my drivers briefing in an old trailer with a leaky roof...

Torque Affair > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 05/02/2014 at 20:05

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Yeah that could be a part of it too. The condition of the track definitely plays a big role in the cost.