Date/Time :
Jan302021 - Jan312021
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
If you’re reading this, you probably live someplace where it snows in the winter. You also probably drive an Audi (no you do not have to have one to participate in this event), quite possibly with the fabled Quattro all-wheel-drive system. While you may drive one of the most snow- and ice-capable vehicles in the world, how would you like to increase your confidence behind the steering wheel and really learn how to drive it in the snow?
As one of our most popular events, NAAC is proceeding with plans to hold the 2021 Winter Driving Schools, albeit with modifications to accommodate coronavirus restrictions. These Winter Driving Schools will be great opportunities for intermediate-to-advanced drivers to hone their New England winter adverse-condition driving skills. Held at a safe and isolated facility, this is the perfect place to practice car control skills under the eyes of qualified instructors, making you a safer driver under all conditions and potentially reducing lap times on the track or autocross course. Check out this VIDEO!
- The skid pad teaches the difference between understeer and oversteer (and is a lot of fun!), while
- The slalom teaches the importance of looking ahead, weight transfer, and the proper amount of steering input.
- Combining the two into a challenging road course puts everything together and includes a variety of turns and a “lane toss” where a devious instructor directs the student to switch into one of two lanes and stop the car, all in distances that look difficult if not impossible (but believe us, with practice it is possible).
The school wraps up with a fun ‘time trial’ that connects the skidpad and exercise areas where the goal is consistency through several runs.
The COVID-19 pandemic and related precautions and restrictions necessitate several format changes for the 2021 NAAC Winter Driving Schools:
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As directed by Audi Club North America, there will be no in-car instruction; instead instructors will provide out-of-car feedback via radios and post-run comments. Therefore the schools are limited to experienced drivers only. We cannot accommodate novice/inexperienced drivers in 2021.
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Upon registering, your performance driving background will be evaluated to make certain you meet minimum qualifications. These might include: attending prior WDS events or other driving schools; equivalent experience such as several seasons of track or autocross; or an “instructor” designation.
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There will be no club-sponsored social events, and no club-based arrangements for meals. There will be water available but no food; we recommend that each individual bring their own munchies and bag lunches.
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For 2021, the schools will be stand-alone one-day events, with two back-to-back events over the week-ends if warranted by sufficient interest and registrations.
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We are limiting the number of cars to 15 per day, which should give plenty of seat time for all. Our fee this year is on a per-car basis, so, for example, two individuals driving the same car would pay one registration fee. However, course time is allocated on a per-car basis, so two drivers would each receive only half as much track time.
Because you all will be experienced drivers, we will be focusing on some finer points of winter driving such as:
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Left foot braking
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Handbrake turns (for those who still have a handbrake)
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Pendulum turns.
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Connecting turns
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Higher speed slaloms
Along with basic attention to:
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Smoothness
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Looking ahead
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Hand and seat position
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Situational awareness
Non-driving family/”pod” members may attend and ride with the driver as long as they have signed the waivers. They need not pre-register. However, we appreciate non-driver assistance running the event, so please consider registering to be a helper.
Note that all New Hampshire and ACNA Coronavirus rules and guidelines in force at the time of the driving schools apply. Please always wear a mask and maintain social distancing from all those not part of your “pod.”
Unlike events held on a race track, there are no restrictions on the type of vehicle allowed – convertibles, trucks, and front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive vehicles of all kinds are welcome (they don’t even have to be Audis!) Front- and rear-wheel drive vehicles are required to have snow tires on the driven wheels. Snow tires will have the three-peak and snowflake icon on the tire sidewall. All-season tires are acceptable on all-wheel-drive vehicles, although snow tires are highly recommended for any participating vehicle.
Schedule
Schools are planned for January 30 and 31 and February 27 and 28, 2021.
There will be no in-classroom instruction. Instead we will meet at Team O’Neil’s north or south course (depending on the conditions). Saturday sessions will begin at 9 AM for check-in and a short drivers meeting (all you tall drivers need not attend. -Ed.) and end at 4 PM. Sunday sessions will start at 8 AM and end at 3 PM.
Accommodations
The Hampton Inn 580 Meadow Street, Littleton, NH 03561 is our event hotel for lodging. We have negotiated a special rate of $139 per night (call the hotel directly for this discount – (603) 444-0025). When registering, mention “North Atlantic Audi Club”. Discounts end 30 days before each event, after which the standard rates may apply, so ensure you book prior to then.
Fees:
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ACNA/PCA/BMW Members . . . . . . . . . . . $150 per day
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All others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $165 per day
Register:
This event is very much at your own pace, and everyone from inexperienced to very experienced drivers will learn a great deal and have a blast. For drivers who have enjoyed our high performance driver education events on racetracks, the Winter Driving School is an excellent opportunity to hone car control skills that then apply to all sorts of driving, improving safety even on the track.
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