Silverstone here I come

My dreams of tackling Silverstone in the Audi R8 V10 will finally come true, as it has been added to the Driving Experience at Silverstone. The 2011 version includes plenty of circuit time in the celebrated ten-cylinder, 187mph super car, and also includes the 450PS RS 5 and 340PS TT RS coupes.

The line-up delivers an exceptional combined output of 1,315PS, in the extremely capable hands of race and rally-proven Audi Driving Experience instructors. The instructors will provide an expert insight into the key aspects of safer, more rewarding driving.

On my day-long event, they will train me in every aspect of car control, including managing understeer and oversteer, high speed lane changes and avoidance manoeuvres and general methods for balancing the car to extract the very best from its chassis.

The full-day Audi Driving Experience is costing me £499, which includes breakfast, lunch and break-time refreshments all freshly prepared on site. My wife has decided to tag along with me, which is costing me an extra £79 and to make is worse, she wants us to drive there in our old and used Audi R8.

Director of Audi UK Jeremy Hicks, a firm believer in the benefits of specialist driver training, says: "Power outputs in our range are rising, and thanks to advances in quattro drive and our increasing use of high-tech materials in production our cars are becoming lighter and ever more agile, so they are offering more and more for keen drivers to enjoy. This training is designed not only to ensure that they do exactly that, but also do it as safely as possible. I would encourage everyone - enthusiast or not - to take the time to come and polish their technique."