2011 VW Driver Training Course

[AdamD]

The price is actually $275 ($250 + GST)...

There's room in there for a discount (promo code box, and a discount column on the data entry form); if the discount was big enough I'd consider it, maaaybe.

[Highlander]

I posted this elsewhere, but will put it here as well.

Can someone explain to me why everyone expects that they are entitled to attend such an event at VW's expense? Did anyone that went to the free event last year send a thank you to the organisers for putting it on or a bottle of wine as a sign of appreciation?

Apart from it being free last year, why should VW actually put on a free event for you?

For good value for money, you might want to consider MRT Performance driver training days.

I would have been very disappointed if I paid for last years event in Sydney. The skid pan event (with full ESP operational) just demonstrated that you could drive most current VWs through a slalom in the wet and no matter how much of a mug you were, the car would cover up your faults. Not one word of instruction from the "instructor" except "Go for it".

Then 10 or so laps in a GTD or a GTI on the Eastern Creek very short corporate circuit. Apexes all marked with cones and brake markers also there (and somewhat a little conservative). Again not a word from the accompanying instructor. Fun but I didn't learn anything and I know that my driving has lots of room for improvement.

Perhaps the most "instructive" part of the morning was the 4 up Eastern Creek laps in the R with the driver commenting on the lines he was taking, particularly in double apex corners.

To call the day an "Advanced Driving Day" was a very cheeky misnomer. I have to admit that it was a fun morning, nice sandwiches for lunch and a free grab bag of VW goodies.

It was a showcase for VWs latest offerings at the time and I think most people saw it as that. Or maybe it was just coincidental that the R was released on the Saturday before the Sydney event?

If you recall, participants last year were given an evaluation form to complete and the comments I made have been echoed in my comments here. They did ask if participants would be prepared to pay for an advanced driving course and my response was "Yes, if it includes genuine tuition/evaluation".

Before registering for this year I would ask a few questions as to what is being supplied to participants by way of instruction. My thoughts are, with a price attached, much more will be offered. $250 is cheap if something meaningful is offered and you get to drive more than about 5 kilometres for your money. Not sure what the current price is for the BMW Driver Training Day but last time I looked it was $995.

So I hope this explains to you why everyone expects that they are entitled to attend such an event at VW's expense. Key words being "such an event".

[Sharkie]

An event like last years really was a marketing event .... not worth $250 from me.

If I were to pay $250 I would expect better tuition and more time driving ..... not 4 hours of driving, but at least more than the 8-10 laps from last time. This is after all billed as advanced driving training, which last years event was not.

I have attended a few BMW advanced driving days and they were actually much instructional events with lots of driving. Cost a lot more but worth every cent.

If VW charged me $595 and gave me 40+ laps in a R or GTI I'd think its worth it, but not this. We'll have to see how quickly (or not) these book out.

They really should post a detailed itenary of the event so you can judge what will be in it.

EDIT:
Oh, and some driver trainers that are actually fans of VW cars .... last year had a few there that did not know 1 VW from another (the big ticket guy in particular .... you know who) and was not interested in mods to VW at all or what those mods can do .....

[Finance_Analyst]

I have signed up - i figure that it was ok for $275 and I wasn't expecting my dealer to chuck it in given I had already screwed the price down on my GTI!! Hopefully I can drive the GTI or R in a manner I wouldn't dream of in my own car (especially as 18 inch tyres are soooo expensive!)

Any other BrisVegas residents coming along on the 21 June????? Would love to meet some of you for the first time....

my only gripe was that I was not impressed with the site saying you can use Amex but then not accepting it at the last minute

[team_v]

I have signed up - i figure that it was ok for $275 and I wasn't expecting my dealer to chuck it in given I had already screwed the price down on my GTI!! Hopefully I can drive the GTI or R in a manner I wouldn't dream of in my own car (especially as 18 inch tyres are soooo expensive!)

Any other BrisVegas residents coming along on the 21 June????? Would love to meet some of you for the first time....

my only gripe was that I was not impressed with the site saying you can use Amex but then not accepting it at the last minute

I won't be going.
If it is anything lie the last time the track was so short you could barely get the thing over 100km/h even if you tried.
Let us know how it goes though.

You could always meet up with the Brissy crew at the monthly euro event we have.

[HPSOV]

I've signed up for the Sydney one. VW sent me an email with a $100 off coupon so it makes the price more reasonable if it isn't anything too fantastic. Hopefully be a fun day out.

[phaeton]

Signed for the Adelaide one although website is dodgy as it has AIR and Mallala as the Adelaide venue listed ????

[noisuf]

It sounds like last year's event experience really depended on the city. Melbourne last year was at Sandown and was actually pretty good...got it up to 160-170ish in the straight.

[BTJ]

So I was wondering who is heading along to the sydney event?

Im going the AM on the 31st.

hoping to see some vww people!

P.S Hi everyone, long time no post!

[mr23]

Anyone going to Melbourne 7/9 PM session?

Hope to see you guys there