One of the great things about working with a premium brand such as Akrapovič is that they offer a very high-level of partner support. As OEM suppliers to some of the most respected manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Porsche, Bentley and Aston Martin, their range of titanium and carbon fibre products is unequalled in terms of quality and performance.
So when we suggested running a training event for our UK dealers, they thought it was a great idea. The plan was simple: get everyone together to look at new products, discuss ways to increase sales and reinforce what the brand stands for.
The location for this special event was Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground. Having tested performance cars there for many years, we knew it would provide a fitting atmosphere for Akrapovič products.
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With a purpose built conference centre boasting full audio-visual set-up and high-end catering, just metres from the track, we couldn’t have asked for more.
The key to this event was getting our partners on board and we’re proud to say that the majority of those invited joined us on the day. With the sun blazing, we were all set for a great event.
The day was to be split into two parts: the morning session with presentations and training workshops, run by Primoz and Marco from Akrapovič HQ, backed up by Charlie, Jonny and Davy from PERON.
After lunch we would split into groups – one to battle it out on the outdoor go-kart track, the other to take demo cars onto the high-speed track to experience various Akrapovic systems.
By 8.15am, some of our partners began to arrive and it was quite a sight to behold. Most attended in Akrapovič-equipped vehicles, ready to demonstrate them on the high-speed test track. First was Ricky Elder from RE Performance in an R8 GT.
But not just any R8 – this is a high-end track car with a supercharger, carbon ceramics, active rear wing and Akrapovič system (albeit with stock tailpipes fitted). It looks stunning and as we were to discover later, it’s blisteringly quick on track, too. With the bar set high, the following arrivals were equally impressive, including Ecotune’s Porsche 991.2 Turbo S, Speed Ministry’s Mercedes-AMG C63, Litchfield’s Porsche 991.2 Carrera 3.0T, RS Tuning’s big-power Nissan GT-R and many more – all running Akrapovič systems.
Training workshops
Here the focus was on getting feedback from our partners and looking at the UK market. These performance specialists are well placed to spot trends and give insights into which systems are most popular, as well as potential new applications. Everyone learned a lot and came out freshly motivated, especially having seen the exciting new products that are in development.
Track demonstrations
For many, the highlight of the day was the opportunity to get their own demo cars out on Bruntingthorpe’s high-speed test track. We were using the short course, which includes a couple of testing, high-speed turns, as well as the ‘esses’. The course suits powerful cars and we weren’t short of them. Once the drivers and co-drivers had been briefed, and the vehicles warmed up, they headed out onto the track.
Before each car entered the live test track, the drivers were instructed to do a static rev, so that everyone could hear the Akrapovič sound. With such a wide range of cars, with engines ranging from 4-cylinder 2.0-litre turbos, through to twin-turbo flat-sixes, twin-turbo V8s and even a V10, it was a real treat to experience them all together. Watching the supercharged R8 GT, being chased down by the Porsche 991.2 Turbo S, Mercedes-AMG C63 and BMW M2 was truly epic, with a soundtrack to match. For us, this is what Akrapovič is all about – enhancing the performance and sound of great cars to make them truly incredible.
Thanks to Primoz Asenberger and Marco Magdik for coming over from Akrapovič HQ, Slovenia to run the training sessions. Thanks also to the staff at Bruntingthorpe Events, who delivered a highly professional service with excellent food.
Finally and most importantly, we’d like to say a huge thank you to each and every one of our UK dealers who joined us on the day. It was great to see so many familiar faces and be able to offer this high level of support. They are: Litchfield Motors, JZM Porsche, Awesome GTI, Mulgari Automotive, CLP Automotive, Ecotune, Bramley Motor Cars, Regal Autosport, Revolution Motorstore, RS Tuning, RE Performance, Speed Ministry, ADS Automotive, Prestige Wheel Centre, Rossiters, Coordsport, Evolve Automotive and Richter sport.