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After a successful event in 2009, Audi are pleased to offer again the Audi ice Experience.
Hidden away in the Cardrona Valley is the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground. The place the world’s car manufacturers go to test their vehicles under the most extreme driving conditions. And for the very first time, Audi is again offering this incredible experience to its customers.
Under the supervision of professional Audi instructors, and with the assistance of groundbreaking technology in the new Audi S5 Sportback, A4 and S4, your winter driving skills will be put to the ultimate test. This truly extraordinary event understandably received its fair share of media attention.Television news reporter Shaun Summerfield of 3 News told viewers that most of what happens high above the Cardrona Valley is “cloak and dagger stuff – top secret cars driven only by professional test drivers – until now. Audi wanted to celebrate its 100th birthday in style, so they flew in $1 million worth of cars and invited 100 customers to try their luck in the snow”.
Karl Ferguson from M2 Magazine left grinning from ear-to ear, especially after going full tilt around the 3.2 kilometre racing circuit. “Imagine a toboggan run built for a car, incredibly narrow in parts and bordered by a hard ice crust, threatening to do some real damage at every turn ... I really let rip”.
Mark Revington from Unlimited Magazine was equally impressed. “Nothing compares to the feeling of getting behind the wheel of a brand new Audi and being taught to drive on snow, and ice, by a group of enthusiastic instructors who want you to drive fast and swing the cars around”.
Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds
Located at 1500 metres above sea level in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, the Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds offer various cold weather testing surfaces and facilities. Established over 15 years ago the grounds have provided automotive companies from all over the world extreme driving conditions for vehicle testing.
With 12 test areas on offer the proving grounds covers 1.9 million m2.
Audi of New Zealand is able to offer full driver training at this facility. Audi ice experience will take place on multiple facility where compacted snow flats allow full testing of the A4, S5 Sportback and S4 on winter tyres. Our team of trained Audi instructors will mark out a course on the flat for the various exercises. The Full lodge facilities provide a cosy setting for lunch and refreshment breaks.
Tim Martin
Tim has led the Audi driving team in New Zealand since 2005, as well as standing on the podium at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with colleague Stu Owers four times, including once in an Audi RS4. Tim recently spent some time with the Audi Driving Experience in Finland to further develop the event to be run in New Zealand.
Stu Owers
Having twice campaigned an Audi RS4 at the world famous 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, Stu adds a huge amount of passion and enthusiasm to the Audi Ice Experience driving team. Originally competing in the USA, Stu has won numerous championships in New Zealand and around the world.
Emma Gilmour
As one of the world’s top female rally drivers, Emma is no stranger to life sideways, on snow, ice and gravel. Currently competing in the New Zealand Rally Championship, Gilmour has also travelled extensively in Asia and Europe with her chosen sport, which has included some time at the wheel of a rally car near the arctic circle.
Ant Pedersen
Ant Pedersen most definitely isn’t your normal university student – combining a business degree with a fledgling motorsport career, firstly on home turf, and now in Australia with the V8 Supercar Development Series. In his first ever V8 race, Pedersen stood on the podium, something he has continued through the season, and returns to the Audi team for another year on the ice.
Jonny Reid
With a stunning international CV that features a string of motor-racing victories in single seat and GT race cars, Jonny Reid brings huge experience to the Audi ice experience team. Currently competing in the Auto GP Championship in Europe, Reid has also raced for New Zealand in A1GP.
Earl Bamber
Wanganui’s Earl Bamber is one of the leading ‘up-and-coming’ talents on New Zealand’s Motorsport scene. Racing for A1 Team New Zealand at the tender age of 18, the current New Zealand Grand Prix champion has won races around the world, and brings his impressive driving skills to the Audi team in the Cardrona Valley.
