Best Racing/Driving School | FerrariChat

Best Racing/Driving School

Discussion in 'Tracking & Driver Education' started by SefacHotRodder, Jun 13, 2008.

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  1. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    #1 SefacHotRodder, Jun 13, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2008
    I've decided that i'm probably going to ask for money for a racing/driving school for my birthday in November. The thing is that there are so many choices. I want a course that will teach me the basics of racing, like the racing line and everything but also performance driving. If the course could count toward my racing license too that would be great but no worries if it doesn't. I was looking at the skip barber three day racing school and it seemed great.


    I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the best school to take and the best courses to take? Remember that i don't really know much about high performace driving, i can't even heel and toe yet although i'm hoping my friend will teach me soon


    I'm in PA/NJ too so it can't be in Arizona or anything. I believe one of the schools is out there. I'd be willing to drive up to about 10 hours away




    Thanks





    Chris
     
  2. Challenge64

    Challenge64 F1 Veteran
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    Arizona screams Bondurant.

    Skippy schools are great too..but they are geared more towards racing. I've taken loads and loads of classes over the years and after my own little bit of research here is how I did it. If I were to do it again..I would choose the exact same route.

    - I started with Skip Barber 2 Day school at Lime Rock. No racing. Lots of basic stuff
    - SCCA 2 day school. Not much info. just easy going track time.
    - Bondurant 4 day school. repeats the first 2 days of skippy..but added 2 more days that included open wheel driving on Firebird.
    - Skip Barber 3 day race followed by 4 day race weekend. Think I got an SCCA regional license there.
    - 1 year Skip Barber race series.
    - Bondurant Expert 2 day class
    - 1 more year Skip Barber race series

    Hope this helps! (I left out all the open track days I had in between classes..there are lots and lots)
     
  3. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
    7,370
    I agree with Ron, Skipb is a good start for beginners, and cost/liability is pretty reasonable.
     
  4. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    #4 SefacHotRodder, Jun 13, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2008
    Thanks guys. Do you mean the 2 day racing school or the 2 day driving school?
     
  5. MontinolaRacing

    MontinolaRacing Karting

    Jun 20, 2006
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    Robbie Montinola
    you have to take the 3-day racing school before you can take the 2-day advanced racing school... we also have a 2-day driving school (regular or high performance). you will get the most seat time in the 3-day school though. check out the schedule for Lime Rock, since that seems to be the closest track to ya...

    www.skipbarber.com

    let me know if you have any questions...

    robbie montinola
    www.montinola.com
     
  6. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    Thank you. Yes, i was planning on going to Lime Rock. Its a beautiful track
     
  7. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    Chris, in your neck of the woods, the Skippy school is a lock. The only thing you need to decide is whether to do the formula or the MX-5 cars.

    Just my two cents.

    Dale
     
  8. mousecatcher

    mousecatcher Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2007
    2,116
    san mateo, ca
    i've been to 4 different schools and skip barber was clearly the best. different instructors on the east coast, but still i would expect great things from them. panoz is supposed to be pretty good too, i haven't been to that one.
     
  9. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
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    Panoz has been purchased by SBRS. Now an even better combination of East Coast instruction and TONS of dates at Road Atlanta.

    Come down to VIR in August or October...

    -Peter
     
  10. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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    So i take it Skip Barber is the one everyone is recommending?
     
  11. Challenge64

    Challenge64 F1 Veteran
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    Think so. Skippy has 2 different types of schools and its up to you to decide what suits you best. If you arent sure how to heal/toe then perhaps the high performance driving is better
     
  12. Ferrari0324

    Ferrari0324 F1 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2004
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    I was looking into schools too and Skip Barber looks like the best. Seems the 3 day school would be the most educational, I was looking at pricing and it appears as one of the tracks is $1k less than the others. I'm assuming b/c it is a brand new track trying to gain some reputation.
     
  13. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Why did I see some shady looking dudes at Mosport today wearing "Montiola Racing" shirts?
     
  14. MontinolaRacing

    MontinolaRacing Karting

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    #14 MontinolaRacing, Jun 15, 2008
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2008
    well there should only be one shady dude in that shirt ;)... that would be me, private coaching a driver in the skippy national series...

    come by and say hi!

    robbie
     
  15. MontinolaRacing

    MontinolaRacing Karting

    Jun 20, 2006
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    prices are seasonal too... here's a tip for those looking to sign up! come to a pro event (ALMS, Grand-AM, etc) at one of the Skippy bases (Laguna Seca, Lime Rock, Road America, Sebring, Road Atlanta) and sign up through the Skippy booth at the event. You get an event special which gives you a 10-20% (cant remember which one) discount for ANY school!!!

    Just trying to help.... If you have any questions, or want to find out what the next event the skippy booth will be at, PM or email me. Thanks!

    Robbie
     
  16. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    3 days Skip Barber for the racing basics

    Then it all depends where you want to go with that:

    - If you want to pursue racing, Skippy offers a nice series. Mazda has also a good one.

    - If you want to sample different race cars and tracks, there are lots of experiences around (my chosen path, let me know if you need more info).
     
  17. b-mak

    b-mak F1 Veteran

    Too late!
     
  18. ProCoach

    ProCoach F1 Veteran
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    Chris,

    For performance driving basics, skills you can apply to everything you continue to do throughout your career, including racing, the SB High Performance School is best.

    The fact that you want it to count towards obtaining a competition license however, means that you need to do the SBRS Three Day Competition course and apply for an SCCA Regional license.

    Good luck.
     
  19. SefacHotRodder

    SefacHotRodder F1 World Champ

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  20. MontinolaRacing

    MontinolaRacing Karting

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    Robbie Montinola
    next time.. we're you racing??

    robbie
     

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