About this event
If you're reading this, you probably live someplace where it snows a good deal in the winter. You also probably drive an Audi, 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 really learn how to drive it in the snow?
The school is held at the Team O'Neil Rally School in Dalton, NH. It is a safe, low-speed event with expert instruction and a fun atmosphere. If you would like to learn to control your car in slippery conditions, to handle every type of skid including correcting understeer and oversteer, how to stop most quickly in icy conditions, then these schools are for you.
The schools begin with a classroom session in which we will cover the basic principles of driving on snow and ice -- proper tire pressure, types of skids and how to correct for them, winter car preparation (such as why snow tires are a good idea, even on a modern all-wheel-drive car), and so on. We continue through a day and a half of exercises such as a slalom, a skid pad, and a road course (all under instructors' expert tutelage) in which these principles are put into practice. 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. The road course puts everything together and includes a variety of turns, elevation changes, and a miniature slalom that is changed around periodically by devious instructors who want to see how you react to unexpected obstacles. The school wraps up with a fun 'time trial' where the goal is consistency through several
runs.
This school is a great opportunity for licensed drivers of all ages to learn how to drive in a New England winter. Held at a safe and isolated facility, this is the perfect place to learn car control skills. Unlike events held on a race track, there are no restrictions on the type of vehicle allowed -- convertibles (though you may want the top up!), trucks, SUVs (bring that new Q7!) 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 drive wheels as a minimum. Snow tires will this icon on the tire sidewall: 
.
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.
Event requirements
The clinic is open to drivers of all experience levels, and is especially instructive for inexperienced drivers. Participants must present a valid driver’s license or learners Permit, and sign a liability waiver. A parent must accompany drivers under 18, as well as sign the waiver on their behalf.
Please note that if you are sharing a car, you need to register each driver separately! Each driver needs to be registered with a unique email address. Please contact info@naaclub.org if you have any questions about how to register.
Please join us for the dinner on Saturday evening at the Mountain View Grand which serves as event headquarters. This is a fun time to mingle with your fellow students and instructors. The meal is being provided at a rate that is below the cost we have negotiated.