KillJoy
10-01-2006, 05:57 PM
Has anyone ever taken any performance driving education other than any LEO required course?
Just wonder if you thought is was worth it :D
KillJoy
jdando
10-01-2006, 06:27 PM
YES!
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=27201
jeremy
shakes_26
10-01-2006, 07:40 PM
Yes and yes, and oh yes.
I went and took the Skip Barber 2 day driving school, sort of whet my appetite. It was good, learned some good street driving stuff, got to beat the ****z outta the Neon, Dakota (skidpad), and the Viper.
I really enjoyed that course fun, lots of seat time, they partner you up (I got the one woman in the group, a very cute and fun young lady). This reinforced some things I knew, some I wanted to practice, and a few limits I didn't think could be reached! Cost $1200 (one day is 800ish), includes LDW :) Score A plus
SVT Owners Association, On Track event. They run these at tracks all over the US and Canada even. Basically you have 4 run groups, novices in group 1. You get ground school talks, then pair up with an instructor in YOUR car. They start easy just learning the line, seeing if you can follow instructions, etc. You get two days of about 3-4 sessions on track each day (20-30mins trust me this is enough) plus the ground school sessions in between. Cost is about $300-350 for the 2 day event. NO LDW, you wreck your hating life. This is what we did back in April at Sebring. Score B+, if only because I know what I know now, and you 'risk' your car somewhat, even though it is run VERY well and VERY safely.
Skip Barber 3 day race school, you in an open wheel race car, if this doesn't get your heart going, your dead. You can go right to this class no prereq's required. But I caution you, you'll do better/learn more if you already have some track time/instruction under your helmet. You will only crave more seat time maybe on the third day, and only because your comfort level has risen soo much that you didn't notice the 80+ miles of laps you ran flat out. I nearly complained, until soemone else pointed out we ran almost 100 miles that day.
This is the Big Kahuna, they teach you a lot, its worth every dime. It is very expensive $2600 or so, check their website. But again it includes the LDW (and we had somone take advantage of that feature, the one we called NASCAR...he lost it three times, all right hand turns...mwahahahaha:D).
They've all been good in different ways. If you can check with the local NASA (North America SPorts auto..) pro group in your area, they put on HPDE (High Performance driving events)all the time, 2 day weekends for about $330 (your car) or one day (280). There are a lot of schools out there, Bondurant, etc, etc. I'd say the cheapest is to start with SVTOA or NASA
A good start, honestly is a book. Yeah I know. Its writen by Carl Lopez, called Going Faster, seat time for the mind. I had so many a-ha! moments after reading this and the track experience. Its good I flip through once a month or so just to keep my brain in the game. ANyway, Amazon has it for like $25 or so shipped. You wont get better bang for your buck, promise you that. Also get as much in car footage as you can, review it, get the Factory Five racing demo CD/DVD its free and there's like 45minutes of in car camera action. I'm a junkie for video.
Anyway the MM is VERY capable for track time. She is also very well balanced car believe or not, and doesn't get sloppy on you, predicatbale and when she did get loose was easy to bring back (PS Jim, Jay, Dennis you cannot go into turn 17 at Sebring carrying anything over 80mph, and certainly not 100, no most definitely not a C-note kind of turn).
Sorry for the long winded post, but its my experiences to date. Future, probably the 2 day advanced Race school with SB, or maybe might even take the 3 day again it was soo much fun.
Regards,
Marc
99SVT
10-01-2006, 11:31 PM
All I've done is the track day with the local SVTOA, and it's well worth it. Had a lot of fun running the Cobra on the track and I learnt a lot too. I'll be taking the Marauder next time just to see how it handles at the limit. The track we use is just a small shifter kart/ motorcycle track, but it's quite technical.
Also when I was on R&R in Cyprus, from Afganistan, we rented some go-karts. I got the crappy one with sloppy steering and a little less top speed, but I lapped everyone I went with and was only able to pass in the corners. That was probably when I realized how much a few hours of track time really makes a difference.
gpfarrell
10-02-2006, 06:48 AM
Yeah, go to school.
It's a bit humbling in the begining when they start with the most basics of basics, but I've always found its best to check my ego in the parking lot at any track event!
I've done schools with Porsche Club of America, OnelapofAmerica, and a variety of less structured events.
Bookwise, I liked one of Bob Bondurant's books. He spends a chapter or so on how to adjust the seat, and it's some of the most worthwhile reading I've ever done.
Check with your local BMWCCA or PCA (Porsche Club of America) chapter. These groups often host driving schools and occasionally would welcome a few extra bodies to fill the classes and help offset the expenses of renting a track. You might have to join the club to meet insurance regs, but membership is less than a tank of premium fuel.
I've typically found the instructors to be very helpful and even gracious. They've pretty much come to realize its not what you drive, its how you drive it and they appreciate that you are there to learn.
Great, safe fun. And experience that will improve the performance of any car you ever drive.
KAILUAZ
10-02-2006, 07:23 AM
Go here BSR (http://www.bsr-inc.com/SDT.HTM) I could tell you about it but then I'd have to kill you.........
Summit Point Raceway is awesome!!
Mikeenh
10-02-2006, 09:30 AM
I did an Audi driving school, a State Police advanced driving school and the Skip Barber 2 day driving school.
The Skip Barber school is by far is the best of them. They let you find your limits in each session. The final afternoon is in a Viper....balls to the wall. There were several people that looped the Viper. You learn quick how far you can go.
I did the Skip Barber at Limerock, Conneticut with two of my brothers. It's fun to have some internal competition.
The instructor told us that most people drive slower when they leave.
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