AUDI A3

Our hatch is a perfect partner for two days of performance driving training in Yorkshire

- Sarah Perks [e-mail]

PORSCHE, Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce, Mercedes, Lotus, Audi. These are just a few of the legendary marques that the 'godfather' of high-performance driver training, Paul Ripley, has worked with over the years. His reputation for transforming drivers through a blend of precision, discipline and performance insight is well earned, and something colleagues at both Auto Express and sister brand evo have experienced firsthand.

So, when I had the chance to follow them with our Audi A3 Sportback a couple of weeks ago, I didn't hesitate. This wasn't about a leisurely drive - it was about real, technical driving. Observation. Planning. Hazard perception. Judgement. And ultimately, controlled, confident performance behind the wheel. A great opportunity to try out the A3.

North Yorkshire offers the perfect terrain to test both car and driver: a constantly shifting backdrop of narrow village lanes, unpredictable descents, open moorland straights and tight, winding Broads that demand total concentration. Every corner, every crest, every blind bend was a challenge of strategic decision-making.