We work our way around the track sector by sector. In fact we begin to realise that the weather is actually something of a gift after all. After all, there is surely no more compelling reason to practice a sensitive, well-balanced driving style. You learn to feel with increasing accuracy just how much steering movement is possible based on the position of the accelerator pedal. If you want too much, DSC takes effect and reins you in. The new steering of the BMW M4 Coupé provides excellent feedback, helping you assess the current friction coefficient. The latter varies considerably - not just because of the differing amounts of water.
Also because the 21-kilometre track is covered with highly varied asphalt. At one spot you may be able to reach incredibly high cornering speeds, while two metres further on it's so slippery you can hardly get out of the car without falling over. We work on the points for initial braking, steering and acceleration, interrupted by a short lunch break. Hands-on physics - with the addition of a superb fun factor.
The day ends with a number of guided laps. If anyone wasn't addicted before, they certainly are now. You feel you are at one with the car, feeling the road and moving carefully but already reaching a considerable speed. The BMW M4 Coupé makes things easy - its balanced qualities mean it's a reliable partner. When we come off the track in the evening we are thoroughly exhausted. But there's no doubt about it: we're certainly better drivers - even after just one day.
A look out of the window the next day showed that the cars waiting below were still wet - but wasn't the Austin Yellow a touch more radiant that it had been the day before? Were there bright spots beginning to appear in the sky? Sure enough: the sky clears. The really reckless and optimistic ones among us are saying how they just remembered to pack their sunglasses.
Potential longitudinal and transverse acceleration rates increase. Anyone who doesn't believe it can insert the USB stick provided and take a closer look at the data such as speed and acceleration later on - and you can also examine your own concentrated facial expression as well as the view out onto the track from the car. Incidentally, this is also a great way to work on your familiarity with the track after the event. The video looking out of the moving car supplemented with the recorded comments of the instructor via radio is something we will certainly spend some time watching at home. "Position the car centrally here, set the speed again precisely - and then ...". Go for it, you want to add.