Whether you regard yourself as a keen driver or not, having a unique understanding in how a modern car can behave in extreme situations is often key to developing better driving habits.
The best place for this kind of education is without doubt a racing circuit where drivers can effectively learn to use the safety features of a modern car in a place of relative safety, away from the hustle and bustle of the morning commute or busy stretch of motorway.
It is also a way for manufacturers to showcase the capabilities of their production range and help owners or prospective buyers to have a great understanding of just what their car can do.
Miles Skoda invited me down to Euromarque Motorsport Park Ruapuna just outside Christchurch for their Track Day Showcase to do just that.
It might have been a cold morning, but it wasn’t long before things started to warm up, especially on track. The Skoda range was all on offer. This included the Superb, the Octavia RS, Kodiaq RS, Enyaq EV and the new Elroq EV, all ready to demonstrate their ability.
After a driver briefing from Carl from Driver Safety NZ, we ventured out from the pit building and onto the main straight, ready for our first task. First up was testing the ABS braking system, something which we rarely use to its fullest capability day to day but extremely important to bring things to a stop in an emergency.
The task was simple. With Carl on the walkie-talkie, it was a matter of reaching 50 kph from a standstill and stand on the anchors as hard as possible. We then little by little repeated the exercise at 60kph, then 80kph, then finally 100kph. It was a strong reminder of just how capable a modern ABS braking system is at bringing you to a stop quick smart. You knew you were doing well at the latter speeds when you mashed the brake pedal and the hazard lights were flashing when you stopped!
Our next activity involved evaluating ABS alongside our steering abilities. The aim was to assess how we might react in situations requiring us to swerve and stop suddenly in a safe manner. We were divided into two groups; my group proceeded to the section of track near the Euromarque hairpin, using the Superb Sportline and Enyaq EV. We repeated the test at increasing speeds, with cones arranged to mark where obstacles would appear in our path.
With Carl from Driver Safety on the walkie-talkie, it was a case of brake and turn, making sure to cross our arms over to ensure enough steering was applied to miss those cones. This was also a chance for the Skoda’s traction control system to keep things reigned in and within our control, which it did wonderfully.
Here the Superb Sportline felt more dynamic on the handling front while the Enyaq felt more planted and the addition of regenerative braking from the batteries means you didn’t need to mash the brake pedal into the footwell as hard to achieve a brisk stop.
Following this we took a quick morning tea and coffee break before getting into the final activity for the morning, laps of Ruapuna itself. Sadly, we weren’t able complete the full circuit, but we were able to make full use of the main straight before turning right towards turn 8 and making use of the SIGNBIZ Dipper. From here it was a blast back to The Rock Sweeper and back onto the straight again where we would be met by a set of strategically placed cones for us to slalom through.
Here we were able to experience the different drive modes and really test the handling of the entire new Skoda range, though due to safety reasons, we had to keep it under 100kph, especially as we weren’t kitted out with helmets and racing overalls.
This was no real hardship as we weren’t there to set new lap records but to explore the RS range’s handling and performance capabilities in a place of relative safety.
The trick with any corner is slow in and fast out, using all the track as best you can and only putting your foot on the throttle when you know you don’t have to take it off. It also helps when you look where you want to go and not where you are.
As a result, you can carry smooth momentum through the bends and greater confidence in how you can undergo the next section of track. My favourite section of our test circuit would have to be the dipper towards the sweeper and navigating the slalom, it was a good test of handling, braking and acceleration all in one.
The Octavia RS, Superb Sportline and new-look Enyaq large SUV EV were all mighty impressive, and it was hard to narrow down my favourites. However, it could very well be the Kodiaq RS and new Elroq compact electric EV. The Elroq, thanks to its compact dimensions and solid levels of regenerative braking, not to mention it feeling relatively well balanced in the corners resulted in quite the ‘point-and-shoot’ kind of small SUV. I would certainly look forward giving it a more thorough test off the track on my favourite Canterbury roads.
As for the Kodiaq RS, you may think this seven-seater SUV would find a track setting as not really its thing, but you would be mistaken. The new Kodiaq RS feels so lithe and supple and sports hot hatch levels of responsiveness on the handling and performance front. Believe it or not, it is at its happiest when you push hard, along with that deep artificial bellow from it’s 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine.
As mentioned previous, whether you are a keen driver, or someone who sees driving as purely personal transportation from one location to another, I can wholeheartedly recommend that you jump at the chance of a morning like the Skoda RS Track Showcase. It teaches you so much about car control and how to apply these skills in an emergency on public roads.
A big thank you to Miles Skoda and Driver Safety for putting this together. This scribe is very much looking forward to the next one.
