Audi Women's Driving Experience

High time

A driver-training program that pushes everyday drivers to new limits with an emphasis on car control and dynamics, this course is arguably of greater importance than any other offered by Audi.

"Fifty per cent of the population are women, so why shouldn't there be that same representation at our programs?" asked Anna Burgdorf, Marketing and Communications Director for Audi Australia.

Yes, but this one is different. For starters, this drive program 'smells' like no other program I’ve experienced, thanks to the aromatic blends used by the masseurs – available for in-chair head and shoulder massages before and after the event. And of course, there's barista-perfect coffee and food – lots of great food.

Pizzati delivers the day's driver briefing in a sincere, warm and plainspoken manner – Dad-style jokes included. His ability to normalise the performance anxiety you never wanted to discuss will make you want to be life-long friends. In this context, he's Valium without the pill. There's an immediate sense of relief. We're not being tested. There's no exam. And there are no talent scouts.

Expert guidance

Behind the wheel of a generous Audi line-up that includes A, Q, TT, Performance S and RS models, participants will be put through their paces with the help of professional race drivers. On our day this included pro race driver Melinda Price, one of just two females on the professional drive instructor team who run Audi's drive programs. Leanne Tander is the other.

Activities include track laps using Audi's latest-generation adaptive cruise control, where you learn to trust the car and its technology in a controlled environment. Straight-line brake testing will have you braking like a boss in no time, while the quattro motorkhana lifts adrenalin to the next level as you weave your way through myriad cones behind the wheel of an Audi RS3.

But before you dismiss this as nothing more than a push for track-time equality, think again.

"The concept behind what we're calling #Driveprogress is around opening up the conversation to audiences who aren't just enthusiasts," said Burgdorf.

"I think the car industry in the past has been really good at talking to people who love cars and who know the details and who know all the acronyms. But there's a much greater audience out there – women as a primary example."

Gender Equality

Pizzati explained to the group that in terms of time behind the wheel, there's no difference between the women-only and regular programs. It's not watered down.

"I've seen women with horns" said Pizzati with a grin, suggesting there's no real difference between women and men where four wheels are concerned.

And as far as motorsport goes… it's an even playing field. Forget gender.

"And we believe that anything we can do to get more females – to have that gender quality on our drive programs – the better," added Pizzati.

"So if that means we need to run days that are all ladies, then so be it."

Focus on fun

Beyond honing skills behind the wheel, there are some important messages Audi hopes participants will take home.

"Aside from a huge sense of fun and a huge sense of achievement, I think what we want to do with women is build this great sense that cars are for everyone," said Burgdorf.

"We want women to know that it's not unusual or uncommon or uncool to love driving and I think anything that takes you outside of your everyday or out of your comfort zone is incredibly important. It builds confidence and it builds, I think, a new sense of joy and purpose, and that's incredibly important to Audi as a brand."

Comments such as 'This was the best day of my life' and 'I can't wait to sign up for another' are testament to the role this event plays as a female-friendly icebreaker to the world of drive programs.

And when the call went out for the opportunity to experience a hot lap with our esteemed instructors at the wheel, selfies were abandoned and women hustled. Even Pizzati was surprised at the 100 per cent uptake.

As the red mist settled on Mount Cotton, it's clear there's a little bit of enthusiast inside us all… you simply need the right environment to unleash it…

For more information visit: www.audidrivingexperience.com.au