Hey all, I've been wanting to do the Skip Barber program for a while now, and finally decided to take the plunge. I'll be doing the 1 day Racing School (Formula and MX-5 racer) at Lime Rock in a few weeks. Does anybody have any advice as to what I should do to prepare myself? I've been trying to get Windows installed on my Mac so that I can download iRacing, but so far it hasn't worked out... I've been watching videos on Youtube of lapping to try and learn the lines (as well as crashes to learn what not to do). Any books I should look into reading or exercises I should do to prepare myself? Thanks a lot!
I would focus on keeping an open mind and relax, in preparation for having a great day! Where are you headed? The only reading I would recommend for you right now is "Going Faster" by Carl Lopez. It matches the curricula and is a reflection (in much greater detail) of all you will do at your school. Have fun! (I'm an SBRS instructor, too)
fluids (water,pedialyte) starting a coupla days before and remember the worst day at the track is better than the best day at work.
Ditto to what has been said so far. But, if you can, check into signing up for more than one day. Skippy believes in taking everything one step at a time, and rightly so. I dunno how much seat time you'll get trying to do the formula cars and Miatas in one day. In fact, I'm recommend going with one or the other. In fact two, if you haven't had any time in a formula car, you may wish to just do the Miata. Don't get me wrong, formula cars are great! But if this is your first time on the track, you may want to stick to a production car. And definitely get the insurance. Best deal going. Have fun! Dale PS If you are going to do the formula cars, it wouldn't hurt to practice your heel and toe skills, in a safe environment, of course.
I wanted to do the 3 day, but with insurance and hotel (I live 2 hours away) it came out to over $5,000, which is more than I can spend at the moment. I drive a 6-speed RX-8, so I've got plenty of practice heel-toeing.
Too bad you can't get iRacing going. That would be a great head start on just the track layout and some basic drills. Hell, even Skippy uses iRacing now. Although, their Lime Rock model is pre repaving. Are you trying to install via bootcamp?
My school installed Parallels and Windows on my computer, but I lost the partition when my hard drive when belly up a few months back. I've been trying various ways to get ahold of another copy of Windows without spending a ton of money, but to no avail thus far...
Hmm... I'm not a Mac expert, But I believe that bootcamp on an Intel based mac is the best way to go. Windows 7 Home is pretty cheap: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116983
Forget everything you think you know and try to start with a clean slate. Don't worry about learning the track ahead of time. They will have all the turn in and apex points clearly marked, and will drive you around to show you the line. Just listen and watch carefully, and take good notes. Soak up everything you see and hear, and review it all after you get home. They'll do a great job of showing you how to "do it". Enjoy!
In a similar position a couple years ago, I got the best advice ever: Don't try to drive "fast." Just relax, listen to the instructors and work for smooth/consistent. Speed will come naturally. Drink plenty of water. If your pee ain't clear, you're not drinking enough.
Alright, I finally got a copy of Windows 7 installed using Boot Camp (yep, legal through my school and everything!) and installed iRacing. It's an awesome game, and I've used it to learn the track a little and get whatever feel I can for the car (running a Logitech G27). Skippy formula car seems to have a good amount of throttle-off oversteer, and the Miata seems very stable. I raced in my first real race last night and managed to stay in the same position that I started in, which was an accomplishment (started 6, not last...). Seems like a lot of fun, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to pay the price they're asking for more than this month. We shall see.
I know. I hate that bloody Skippy for just that reason. We had a bunch of Skippy instructors in our simulators for a function we did for Mazda at Laguna Seca last year and they remarked how true to life it was. I couldn't believe that that car would be so bad. They said it was because those cars were basterdized so many times along the years to accommodate a variety of different motors. The Mazda MX5 is fun to drive though. Very well behaved and a great beginner car. You should race with us next week! We have a Ferrari Chat league that meets every Thursday to race a different car and track: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315492 It's great fun and a fantastic learning experience.
Thanks Chris! on one hand it's nice to know that the practice I'm getting will truly prepare me for the car. On the other hand, it's disappointing to know how badly the car really handles haha. I wish that I could get some practice in on one of your simulators, as that would definitely be the best way to prepare, for sure. I'll definitely look into the Fchat league, though I'm not sure I'm quite ready to hang with you guys... Dr Who, please, no, I don't have enough free time for another addiction to motorsport.... I can definitely see the draw though,compared to the racing on consoles, this is a whole nother level!
Oh don't worry, it's a really low key meetup. I invite people who've never even driven iRacing to race with us all the time. All skill levels will do well there.
Just have fun and do your thing. The biggest thing I have seen a lot of guys try to do when they go to racing schools is to be faster than they really are. They want to impress the Skippy Pros. So have fun and soak up everything they tell you.
I done the SB school at RA in the early 80's and the only suggestion I have is to try and do the 3-day. IMHO the best teacher is track time and one day and even three days are not enough. What I feel the coarse does is give the confidence to go club racing with the bare minimum of track time. I'm sure you will enjoy it! Lost
