Chicago area Audi owners get track time at Autobahn Country Club
German automakers often promote the performance of their products based on their development on the Autobahn where stretches of non-limited roads mean cars need better dynamics, brakes and propulsion systems. But unless you live in remote parts of North America, the opportunity to experience what these machines can offer is limited. For those that live near the southwestern tip of Lake Michigan, Audi dealers in the area have set up a program with the Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, IL.
Audi owners will be able to get high performance driver training from the pros at the club using TT-S and S5 coupes. A closed track is the best place to really push a car to its limits without having to constantly keep an eye open for the constabulary or the errant cyclist, and for those that don't own a car with four rings, the club offers other driver training programs as well. Check the press release after the jump for the details.
PRESS RELEASE
Chicagoland Audi enthusiasts gain a new way to push performance limits
- Chicagoland Audi dealers form new partnership with Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Ill.
- Audi Chicagoland dealers are sponsoring Audi TTS and S5 for 'The Autobahn Experience'
- Program allows track time on private raceway with professional driving instructors
The new program within the club's 'The Autobahn Experience' will feature two performance-oriented Audi models, the Audi TTS Coupe and the Audi S5 Coupe. The Audi TTS Coupe features quattro® all-wheel drive, magnetic ride control suspension, aluminum ASF® construction, 265 hp, and a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds. The Audi S5 features rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive, Audi drive select to customize handling and feel, 354 hp with a V8 engine, and a 0-60 time of 4.9 seconds.
The program consists of track time designed for performance-oriented customers interested in sharpening their skills on a challenging private raceway. Professional driving instructors provide a hands-on approach to the learning experience, combining autocross and track training.
"When looking for an exclusive partner in Chicagoland to provide hands-on customer excitement, Autobahn Country Club was the clear choice," said Scott Zuercher, Area General Manager for Chicago, Audi of America. "The proximity to Chicago, high-quality facilities, and staff expertise all contributed to making the project become a reality. This is a great opportunity for customers to test drive the latest Audi performance models. Our dealer partners in Chicagoland all benefit from the investment of customer enjoyment and familiarization with the Audi brand."
"The typical Audi customer is a perfect match for Autobahn Country Club," said Mark Basso, President and Founder, Autobahn Country Club. "In addition to the highest levels of performance and efficiency, the high safety rankings found with most Audi models fit the precautions that are carried out by our instructors."
The Autobahn Country Club also provides various programs, including 1, 2, and half-day driving schools, teen defensive education program, and Kart Instruction. Autobahn Country Club also provides police training to many departments in and around Chicagoland.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
UCJR 9:07AM (8/12/2009)
Joliet???!!?!?!!11!?!
"We've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
"Hit it!"
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8complex 9:19AM (8/12/2009)
Fortunately for the track, they're WAYYY south of Joilet (locally pronounced the same as toilet).
It's a really nice track, I've been out on it before during an open track day. The fun part is being on the south track during a track day and watching the members on the north track take out their exotics. The grid/pits is right next to the main straight on the north track, so some days you get one hell of a symphony coming from over there.
Nibcrom 9:59AM (8/12/2009)
Yeah, it's basically in farm country. Both tracks are a lot of fun.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:17AM (8/12/2009)
Basically in farm country? Seems like more than basically! I just watched the Porsche GT3 Cup races there on Speed, and there literally are farms and barns in the background. They seemed to line up the cars before the race on a small arm of asphalt in an untended field.
Track looked good mostly, drivers liked the layout (Speed gave no track map). They seemed to say at one point that the track design was one of those "steal corners off other tracks" designs. The infield looked great, unlike that club track in the Northeast that opened last year (2 years ago?) and didn't really have their grass in. The track did have one huge problem, it has some serious bumps in it. They tried to write it off as "challenging", but it seemed to pretty clearly be a screwup. This wasn't a drop off across the whole track like Lime Rock, but a massive unevenness in two areas.
All except one of the buildings at the track appeared to be pole barns, which is a shame, but I guess they can replace them later if the track is a success.
Mike 11:29AM (8/12/2009)
Definately in the middle of nowhere. When they built it, I thought it would be the place I'd be at the most for OT and TT, I live just west of the city and thought it would be about a 30 minute drive. Wrong, it's like 50 minutes+. There's a track near the WI border that doesn't take much longer to get to. But it really is a first class facility and each track is cool in it's own way, if you're a member or are lucky enough to get in with some club that has a track on a Monday, you get to do the combined North/South track which is really a great track, something like 19 turns and about 3.5 miles.
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Thomas 11:00AM (8/12/2009)
Yes, nice track. I was there with the wife for the Hyundai Genesis event last year. It was fun. I think the track we were on was the Karting Circuit. If you want to be a member, their website says the fee is 35 thousand, and then 4 thousand a year.
So, being there for three hours was free. Not too bad.
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