At the Audi Driving Experience Center in Neuburg on the Danube, ERC Ingolstadt’s professional ice hockey team ran through a variety of training units with different Audi models. In three groups, the ice hockey pros first had to master a driver safety training course on the wet track at the 30,000-square meter vehicle dynamics test area before being treated to a few lighting rounds around the handling course in the high-performance sports cars.
ERC manager Doug Shedden impressed
On the 2.2-kilometer circuit, instructors helped the players try to find the racing line in an Audi e-tron GT or an Audi RS e-tron GT. Manager Doug Shedden was impressed by the electric sports car: “That was a great experience. You trust the car to always do what it should – and at that weight, too. Unbelievable. I am really amazed at how much fun that was. I had never driven an electric car, today was a really great experience.”
Grand emotions driving an Audi R8
The ERC players also had the opportunity to drive a few rounds on the circuit in an Audi R8 Coupé V10 performance. Former DTM pilot Frank Schmickler supervised. Forward Mirko Höfflin summed up the experience: “That was once in a lifetime for me, I’d never been on a race circuit before – and in a car like that, too. The way it holds to the road is just second to none.” Forward Jerome Flaake was also impressed: “It was crazy, really great – I drove on a closed-off track once before, but never in a car like that. I’d take it as a company car any day.” At the same time, another group got an impression of the latest fully electric vehicle from AUDI AG, driving the new Q4 e-tron on the streets of Neuburg.
New company cars for ERC Ingolstadt
After the event, the players officially accepted their new company cars. The high-speed day was then rounded out with a barbecue. ERC will start the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) 2020/2021 season with an away game against the Bietigheim Steelers on September 10, 2021.