Time to drive the Audi V10 on the racetrack
AFTER EXPERIENCING THE AUDI R8 V10 Spyder on public roads full of speed limits, speed-breakers, potholes and jay walkers, the desire to taste this mean machine on a track without any of the aforementioned playing spoilsport was growing by the minute.
So off I went to our country’s premier race-track, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) at Greater Noida, where a dozen (I’m not kidding) R8 V10s were lined up to be driven to the limit, no questions asked.
This was the launch of the Audi Sportscar Experience (ASE) in India, where prospective buyers and sportscar enthusiasts had an opportunity to receive special training in the Audi R8 V10 on the circuit. The training baton was in the hands of Mark Allison, a veteran in Audi driving, along with the talented race car driver, Aditya Patel, fresh from his 24 hours of Nürburgring victory.
Driving on one of the most exciting racing circuits in the world was thrilling enough, but getting a chance to unleash the 90° V10, 5.2-litre, petrol FSI without any restrictions was an opportunity of a life time! With butterfl ies in my stomach, I got into the very low driver’s seat of the left-hand drive R8. Having quickly become familiar with all the features, I rolled out of the pit-lane, following the instructor who was in another R8 ahead of me. After the initial warm-up lap that helped me get to know the track, I was raring to go.
Flying past the main stand, I could feel the potential of the staggering 525 PS that the R8 could whip out. I really had to slow down for Turn One of the BIC, from the fi fth gear all the way down to the fi rst. Comparatively, Turn Two was easier and the R8 went fl at out with the quattro seamlessly transferring all the power the V10 fed in. Turn Three was a leap of faith. It’s a blind turn and I could not see the inside of the corner, though the circuit did widen up upon exit. On the turns the low-profi le and wide 19-inch tyres clasp the tarmac as if driving on rails. Diving into the much-awaited kilometre-long main straight the sportscar hit the 100 km/h mark in just over four seconds and, still in the fi fth gear, it crossed the 200 km/h mark before I could pronounce ‘Ach mein Gott!’ With cold sweat running down my forehead, the adrenaline rush it offered was simply unbelievable.
Trying hard not to freeze, as the sharp Turn Four came into sight, I slammed the brake, shifting down three gears, using the paddles on the steering wheel. This was a tricky turn as I went downhill searching for the apex on the right. Through the mild Turn Five, I made the car steady before heading into the very quick chicane of Turns Six and Seven. The R8 manoeuvred spontaneously with stoic aplomb, highlighting Audi’s advanced aluminium space frame.
On to the fourth gear now, the R8 headed for the uphill Turns Eight and Nine, changing direction quickly, precisely guided by the very responsive steering. The R8 is a complete track tool that doesn’t disappoint in any corner of the circuit. The multi-apex Turns 10, 11 and 12 were superfast where the benefi ts of the quattro shone again, as the car showed no sign of over- or under-steer. Driving in the forth gear, this agile supercar swerved through the quick chicane of Turns 13 and 14. Turn 15 was another blind one and the R8 remained well behaved even as it went over the crest. By now I was experiencing a heady mix of excitement, nervousness, achievement and even a fair bit of g-force.
Taking the fi nal turn before the chequered fl ag, it dawned upon me that this fascinating piece of machinery needs to be driven on a racetrack to really appreciate its potential. In fact, Audi should offer this experience of driving on a track to every R8 buyer to make them realise what they are paying for.Now I can’t wait for the next ASE session.
Story: Sarmad Kadiri
Photography: Audi India
