Driving School

Ive heard a lot of good things about Skip Barber. Im saving up my pennies so I can go next year during spring break or something

Also, FX performance (an Fchat sponsor) runs driving courses and depending on which class you take, you get some instruction and track time in a 360 challenge! For the level of instruction and experience you get, their prices are very reasonable!

 

i've also heard good things about Skip Barber... FX Performance sounds like a cool deal, Jordan... Are you going to use them, too...?

 

I dont know if I will...Im not sure if FX has an age requirement. That might be a problem. After what happened at the last track day I was at Im a bit nervous...the poor student spun in a turn and crashed the 360. Not sure if I could handle a 360 challenge just yet, and I know I couldnt afford to fix one! Skip Barber just seems like a better school to start from the beginning with. Then I can move on to doing some real driving with FX

 

The 4 day Grand Prix course at Bondurant is awesome...not as flashy as Skip & Laguna Seca, but you REALLY learn and practice the fundamentals. The first couple days are frustrating, and the last two will be the best of your life.

Jordan - check out Jim Hall cart racing school in Ventura...it's where I started...cheap, a blast, and you learn the basics!

 

Awesome Chris, got any more information for me? A website or a phone number? I need soemthing cheap and basic

 

Let me know Jordan - Maybe we can go together!

 

Sounds like fun to me!

 

In terms of institutional orgs. the skip barber school is the most well known,and the most diverse (geographically). Also, skip can cater to those that have more "racing" in mind than just high performance driving. A lot of people have used the bob bondurant as well as the bragg-smith schools, and have all given back a lot of feedback. The cost will vary between schools, so do your shopping.
Another more "informal" way of getting started is to attend an hpde (high performance driver education) event with your local NASA chapter -- it's a fraction of the cost of a "pro school" and there's classroom time, braking drills, slaloms, etc all allowing you to begin to get more comfortable driving your car at speed, and how to drive it correctly ; i.e., heel/toe, seat position, hand positions, looking through turns, etc etc etc
The you also have the option of signing up with one of the open track organizations (i.e., tracquest.com, speedventures.net, the racerfactory.com, etc) and sign on to have an instructor for the day. That person will coach you throughout the day, and help you progress in a more casual environment. These instructors are usually people who have been tracking/racing for years, have formal training etc.
As you can see there's a spectrum of choices; I suggest you attend a couple events, as a spectator, and see what you think. Talk to the people in the paddock, see what their experiences have been , ect. Everyone is very personable (usually) and more than happy to talk your ear off, er, "advise" you with their "racing history."
For reference, I'll be at laguna seca on the 2nd of january and will be there helping out with some instruction with the speedventures group. If you're in the area, contact me offline and i'll forward you my cell #.

 

What do you think Jordan - Laguna sounds like fun - Could be a good reason for me to take a day off from work!

 

Here you go guys, check it out:

http://www.jhrkartracing.com/

~C

 

I have taken the Skip Barber Advanced Driving course as well as the 3 day Racing school. I highly recommend Skip Barber for any driver/racing school. They are very well organized , courteous, and very professional. The instructors are all former or current racer car drivers.

The Advanced Driving course, I took about 10 years ago. At that time they used 3 series BMW's. It is a good beginner course to learn about vehicle dynamics and how to control the car in different situations. The participants were from various backgrounds who wanted to learn how to drive better.

The Racing School is what I would recommend especially if you have track driving experience. It is taught in open wheel single seater. The racecar had a Dodge Neon 4 cylinder engine but it is plenty quick and has racecar dynamics. You learn about racecar driving with a lot of seat time which I think is the most important. The speed is self governed by the students, even thought the sintructors do tell you the maximum RPM allowed and the top gear that can be used for each exercise.

I would also highly recommend the Skip Barber's book-
Going Faster: Mastering the Art of Race Driving: The Skip Barber Racing School