If you have seen the famous Pirelli advert, set on the top of a multi-storey building, with the lunatic driving head long towards edge, slamming his brakes on just in time, doing flick turns and reverse spins in between cones and generally putting his life in danger, then you have an idea of what auto testing is.
Auto testing is now a professional sport, and one in which many rally drivers participate and try to hone their skills. It is essentially stunt car driving against the clock and although we generally don't run our events on top of multi-storey buildings, doing it on a surface where you are unlikely to drop to your death on making a mistake is still both truly testing and exhilarating.
A typical event will consist of a couple tests or 'layouts' each run two or three times. The tests are laid out with cones or other markers as well as utilising available roadways, buildings, kerbs etc to make them more interesting. Before the competition starts drivers are allowed to 'walk' the tests to familiarise themselves with the exact route they have to follow as well as deciding where and how they intend to carry out reverse flicks, 360 spins, garage parks and various rally stunt skills to get round the course.