With more than 400 all-wheel hp on snow - a training with Reini Sampl
BACK TO OVERVIEWAudi TT S and RS3, thanks to tuner MTM, both fuelled by more than 400 hp and each equipped with an all-wheel drive. "Nothing can go wrong here, right?", asks the DOTZ crew. But when you're driving on snow and ice, a lot can go wrong according to racing driver Reini Sampl who has invited us to his driver training: "The fact that cars are becoming increasingly more high-tech and are equipped with many assisting tools, tricks us into believing that we are good drivers. In reality, a car using safety tools only helps us balance out our own mistakes. This, in turn, results in the misjudgement of one's own skills. That's why, driving skills classes are a good opportunity to practice how to handle extreme situations in a safe environment." And this kind of a training is even more fun with plenty of power!
Is a four-wheel drive an advantage in winter?
Our two ultra-fast Audis are four-wheel-driven. This should make our winter training a cake-walk, correct? Reini busts this myth instantly: “Both drive concepts are to be treated equally.
An icy spot doesn’t differentiate between cars, and can become tricky really fast, also for an all-wheel-driven car.” So, there is no advantage. Let’s rather face the first (brake) test.
Braking differently makes all the difference
If you’re thinking that driving 70 km/h instead of 50 km/h cannot have a substantial impact on the braking path, think again and check out this video. You will see that just 20 km/h make a huge difference when, on snow, your car will come to a halt only five times the length of your car later.
Our expert Reini explains: “On snow and ice, you are left with roughly only one tenth of road grip as compared to dry road conditions. This means that you have to adjust the speed. If you drive 20 km/h faster than is allowed this will result in nearly double the braking distance.”
Does lower tyre pressure equal better grip?
Less grip on snow – that makes sense. Then why not simply lower tyre pressure for enhanced ground-contact area? “No way!”, says Reini, explaining: “That may apply for off-road vehicles. The general rule is to closely follow and adhere to the tyre manufacturer’s specifications.
Also, a lower tyre pressure will increase the rolling resistance and hence fuel consumption, resulting in higher CO2 emissions. Low tyre pressure in the long term also places a huge strain on the tyre sidewalls which leads to faster tyre wear and, in the worst case, tyre damage.”
ABS does help though, right?
The anti-lock braking system makes driving on snow easier and helps keep control over the car in almost every situation. We carried out an obstacle avoidance test once at 50 km/h and once at 70 km/h.
You can see the results here. “Even ABS has its limits”, explains driving instructor Reini, adding: “When braking with ABS it’s important to apply even pressure on the brake pedal and to avoid hitting an obstacle using a particular steering manoeuvre.
Simply bear in mind to always reduce speed so as not to get into a situation like this in the first place. An icy road surface can also ‘confuse’ the system, resulting in a significantly longer brake path.”
Driving safely in style
Now you got plenty of tips on driving in the cold season! Are you planning on being as stylish in winter as the Audi TT S and RS3? Then, start with the DOTZ Spa black, the cool eye-catcher with the ten asymmetric spokes and dynamic twist.
And if you prefer your spokes to sparkle in silver, get your hands on the DOTZ Spa dark. In our DOTZ 3D configurator you can try out our entire product range on your own car model. And follow us on Instagram!
About our driving instructor Reini
Reini is from Salzburg’s Lungau region and started his sports career at the tender age of four years by winning his first skiing race. Many years later, skiing was the reason that Reini became a diagnosed paraplegic after a severe skiing accident. As a through-and-through athlete, Reini had learnt and internalized one thing: pushing the envelope. Through tough and rigorous training and enormous willpower, Reini managed a comeback – into life, but for him even more importantly, as a sportsman, amongst other things at the Paralympics.
Then he also entered motorsports, in 2016 even bagging the title of Austrian champion in the M1 Rallye Masters. Moreover, he does circle track racing, having become long-distance champion in the team with Werner Gröbel at the GT4 X-Bow Challenge. Reini also shares the long-distance vice-champion title with Sascha Halek in the Porsche Spring Challenge Europe. Currently, the allrounder drives at the TitansRX Rallycross Europe Series for MIP Racing.
But if that were not enough, Reini is also sharing his knowledge and experience here, giving you the pleasure of top professional tips of what to look out for when riding on snow and ice.
Check out www.winterfahrtraining.at and follow Reini on Instagram.