About 70 people had to share two mainland-built A6 2.4s until more A6s and A8s arrived, at 4pm, on the first day of the Quattro event.
My six brothers and I were luckier, starting the second day with an emergency braking test in both the A6 2.4 and the A4 2.0FSi Avant, learning to lean on the anti-lock braking system and steer out of trouble while the brakes were jammed on full.
We moved on to the slalom, pushing the limits of the A8 W12's Quattro system (especially when we careered right across the grass - commemorating Quattro's rallying success). The buffet lunch was a pit stop for the adrenalin pumping in our veins and a welcome splash-and-dash after a morning in the baking sun.
The emergency lane change with the A6 4.2 Quattro was the most realistic real-life situation, emulating a surprise, near-unavoidable obstacle on a highway - the ESP in the A6 allowed lightning-quick lane changes in total control with computers stabilising all four wheels independently with Nasa levels of processing power.
The last of the exercises was the high-speed slalom in the A6 4.2 Quattro. Not only did it prove lighter on its feet - a good couple of hundred kilograms lighter than the A8 - but, after receiving some expert tuition all-day, the whole group shone in this test, with the highest levels of car control and least casualties (of squashed traffic cones).
Finally, the track was open for a lap. First we were taken on tour by the instructor who also amazed us with his smoothness and fluidity at the controls. Then we were to drive ourselves, following his pace - but with him leading us in a A6 2.4, tailing him in our A8 6.0 was easy and confidence-boosting, to say the least.