SA VW Driving Experience Mallala 24/8/2011

[GTi Crow]

Is anyone else going to this event?
If so - did you get the right documents.

I signed up as soon as the invitation arrived and yes VW took my money and provided me with a receipt. The email acknowledging my registration told me I was booked for Adelaide International Raceway on the receipt. But the directions they gave me said I had registered for Melbourne - Phillip Island!! The website shows me registered for Adelaide.

Well that was on the 12/5/2011 so I immediately emailed them and asked them to send correct documentation and update what is being sent out on registration. Guess what - a further 6 phone calls, receiving 6 promises that it will be addressed and I would be contacted - still nothing. Bear in mind that the direction sheet appears to be your ticket to get in.

In the meantime it appears the day has changed from Adelaide International Raceway to Mallala - have I been informed of the change - NO.


So my question is if anyone else is going - have you got the right documentation stating time, directions, requirements etc?

[phaeton]

I'm going and I to sent an email to VW Australia with no response but they've corrected the website since so Malalla it is

[sa-r32]

Lucky buggers, if you hear of any spare tickets I'd be interested.

Paul

[GTi Crow]

Finally, have a copy of the correct brochure and an apology from VWA. Only took 2 months. Now I might roll up at the right place on the right day.

Looking forward to it.

[Mk1_Citi_Golf]

Tell us more! What is the day all about? Open track?

[GTi Crow]

Sorry for the delay, haven't had time to visit lately.

The day is two different segments:
1. For new drivers, or those less experienced, this is the ideal course to give you greater confidence on the road, helping you improve your skill set and teaching you the fundamentals of safe motoring.

Cars featured: Polo, Golf, Golf Wagon, Tiguan

2. The perfect course for drivers looking to have some fun on a racetrack while learning vital lessons about driving at higher speeds. Improve your racing line and learn to judge the dynamics of the car.

Cars featured: Tiguan, Polo GTI, Passat CC, Golf, Golf Wagon, Golf R, Golf GTD

I am doing option 2. There is a cost to this $220 & $275 respectively if you did not get a discount invitation which could save up to $100. Not sure if it is booked out or not. All I know is that it starts at 8:00 am at Mallala and I will be there. No idea how long it takes, but I have taken the day off so who cares. I am really looking forward to it.

[phaeton]

[phaeton]

[phaeton]

[phaeton]

[phaeton]

A great day, beautiful weather and fast cars what more could you ask for?
I met with GTi Crow and followed him to Malalla, we were the first drivers there and took photos of the cars on the warm-up laps.

We did the slalom, cornering and braking exercises and a couple of laps around the track, We also learnt correct driving position and heavy braking procedure - my instructor was touring car veteran Dean Canto and former open wheeler driver Ian Dyk.

I drove the Golf GTI and Golf R the only other car was a Golf GTD but I was not in that group.
The Polo GTI made an appearance for the lap only for those that requested it.

A few of us also jumped in a Passat V6 Highline Wagon for a demo of the Park Assist - great feature for those that can't park.

All drivers were given a cap, lanyard and USB stick with a video of a lap - unfortunatelty I can only access two of the three videos on my USB and one is my lap and one is of another driver at night time???

Great day would do it again.

[GTi Crow]

I agree with phaeton - great day. Also great photos phaeton. I will eventually get around to converting mine to jpeg and might post, but you have covered most of areas I took them and I did not have camera when doing training - well done.

The training was very informative and very professional. Did training in the R and a Golf GTI, but did the laps in the R and a Polo GTI - unfortunately Polo not decked out to record but was definitely worth the change (already drive a Golf GTI). Really impressed with both, but I was actually quicker with the Polo - as far as top speed anyway, which was probably due to being my second ride.

Initially my lap video did not work, but after downloading the software on the USB called viv.1.1.9-win32.exe and played the video through the vlc media player that it created it actually repairs the .avi file it and you could see the whole video. I then saved as a .webm file (takes a while and should be about 220 meg - you have to leave it for a while even though it looks like it has finished as it does not tell you it has completed) and you can then play as a vlc media player no problems. The software is in the following directory on the USB:

PROGRESSION DRIVING EXPERIENCE\VIDEO CODEC PLAYERS\PC PLAYER

Have to say would do the day again without hesitation, but I am hoping that the promise of full day including track timing happens in Adelaide sometime in the foreseeable future. First time on Mallala racetrack and thought it a testing and enjoyable layout. What a great day.

[GTi Crow]

All drivers were given a cap, lanyard and USB stick with a video of a lap - unfortunatelty I can only access two of the three videos on my USB and one is my lap and one is of another driver at night time???

Great day would do it again.

Phaeton,

Did you ever get your second lap video running. I have now fixed a video off of the USB for another guy who attended the day and it now works perfectly. Quite happy to have a go at fixing yours. Did not use the programs I mentioned in previous comments. You have my number if you want to discuss.

Regards, Ray

[phaeton]

Thanks Ray sent a PM