Drive $250k Audi R8 Sports Coupe- win an A4 Avant

Do you want to sample the enthralling excitement of driving one of the world's most superb high performance sportscars - a $275,000 fire-breathing Audi R8 sports coupe?

Well, you can if you are sailing at this year's Audi sponsored, 25th anniversary edition of Hamilton Island Race Week.

Alternatively, as a yacht owner, would you like to become the proud owner of a brand new, yet-to-be-released Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI multitronic, worth around $65,000?

Well, you can if you are competing at this year's Audi Hamilton Island Race Week.

As the entry list for this year's regatta climbs towards 200, and with last year's outright record of 216 coming into range, Audi has announced two magnificent enticements for all competing crews - the chance to drive the exhilarating Audi R8; and an opportunity to win the major prize at Race Week, the stylish new-release Audi A4 Avant, which is recognised as being the most successful premium station wagon of its class.

AUDI A4 AVANT - Audi Australia Pty Ltd

At the same time everyone at Race Week - which will be staged from August 23 to 30 - will be able to feast their eyes on an exclusive motor show; a lavish display of the latest Audi motor vehicles, valued at near $3.25 million.

"The display of vehicles will be a visual feast of highly-polished metal sitting alongside some of the fastest and most exciting racing yachts in Australia," said Audi Australia's managing director, Joerg Hofmann,

"Equally appropriate is the fact that the Audi R8 is the company's first foray into the league of high-performance sports coupes. It signals a shift by the brand into a much higher gear in Australia, just as Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is shifting up a gear so that it remains Australia's premier keelboat regatta."

More than just a naming sponsor, Audi is heavily involved in bringing its brand to life for the sailing community. This was reflected in 2007 when the luxury car maker established a new benchmark for Race Week - an on-island Drive Challenge.

This year, to decide the ultimate winner of the major prize at Race Week - the Audi A4 Avant - Audi's motorsport Ambassador, Brad Jones, will be on the island to put the sailors through their paces on a specially-designed course on the airport runway . driving the Audi R8!

To be in the running for the overall prize each yacht must send one competitor to undertake the Audi Drive Challenge. More than just a speed-based competition, the Drive Challenge will demand skill and precision from each driver. And, like a well-oiled team onboard a racing yacht, the Drive Challenge will be all about perfect timing.

The Audi R8 is a multi-award-winning sportscar with a high-revving 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine that burbles on start up and positively roars on take-off. In fact, the Hamilton Island airport runway is probably the most fitting arena for this thoroughbred vehicle. It is recognised for raising automotive technology to a higher level thanks to the mid-engined concept and quattro drive train, features that follow in the footsteps of Audi's highly-successful rally cars and history-making Le Mans Prototype LMP R8 race car.

Final details of the Audi Drive Challenge will be released at the regatta, but all crews should set aside some time on the Lay Day - Tuesday August 26, so they can pilot the Audi R8, and have a chance of winning the A4 Avant.

Visit the website, www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.auto download the Audi Drive Challenge Registration Form, or visit the Audi Village on your arrival at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week to register. You can also get more information on the Audi A4 Avant and the Audi R8 at the website, www.audi.com.au

Audi Hamilton Island Race Week is Australia's most awarded regatta. It has been recognised as Queensland's 'Best Significant Event' at the annual Queensland Tourism Awards on three occasions, and also taken out two Australian Tourism Awards.

All regatta information is available at www.hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au

Regatta Director: Denis Thompson - dthomp@ozemail.com.au

by Rob Mundle