Wow, hope I wasn't the said instructor at Skip Barber Your correct, it would be much more expensive if we didn't get free cars, tires, engines, and parts from our major partners Mazda and BFGoodrich. Our pay as instructors isn't the greatest (we get a lot more private coaching), but generally all of us there love to be there and work with all levels of drivers to help them succeed. Also for tracks like Laguna Seca, the rental rates are still ridiculously high. For club events, the usual track rental cost there is roughly 20k/day. And for my choice for a racing school, come see us at Skip Barber at any of our base locations, preferably Laguna Seca Robbie
No, I don't recall seeing you. I was in the MX5 cars with Randy. That said, racing is a "me" sport (and I was attending the racing school). So, some attitude comes with the territory. It was all friendly and didn't brother me. Frankly, from what I remember Randy had more problems trying to control a few hard headed students who where incapable of learning than instructors. I am fully convinced that Skippy racing is the best deal going. $4k for a weekend may sound like a lot. But for fly and drive at some of the best tracks in the world? Can't be beat. And Laguna is still my favorite. (Yeah, I know Peter likes that skinny old track in hill billy country, but he can't hep it.) To me Laguna is a one long corner that never ends. Dale
My experience was different. I never felt the instructors to be cocky, contrary they were too kind in some instances. Regarding the lost corners; insurance or not there are some very bold young drivers who make decisions a young fearless person would be expected to, most of them on Dad's deep checkbook. They have little incentive to be conservative or worry about YOUR checkbook should their actions also clean off one of your corners. I don't agree with Skip's policy regarding crashes where everyone involved is held responsible, nor the "fully burdened" cost of the repairs. I saw some other people's invoices for those corners and feel this is a nice profit center for the good folks at Skip. They are entitled to earn money but my personal feeling is that it shouldn't be from crashes. "Insurance" was offered at the three day school but beyond that point I just supplied a deposit and credit card number then hoped for the best.
Personally I think the Skip Barber policy is pretty fair for all parties involved. In Pro Racing, you are responsible for your car even if it wasn't your fault at all. So if I get hit because the other driver had a brain fart and just ran into me, then he has more % of fault in the incident (Him = 90% to Me = 10%). Whereas in pro racing, I would have 100% liability no matter what. Just my .02
You just reminded me that I forgot to introduce myself when I did the Mazdaspeed race at Laguna Seca in the fall. I probably was distracted by one of K Collins' rants. I won't forget next time.
Anyone have any input on the Jim Russell school? I'm currently looking towards the Skip Barber MX-5 3-day racing school, but would like to hear about Russell as well.
I'm late to this thread but I completely agree with the above statement. I did the Skip Barber 3-Day at Road America, the Advanced 2-Day at Watkins Glen, and a lapping day (in the wet) at Mont Tremblant. I'm taking Advanced Car Control and doing a lapping day at Lime Rock in June. Being able to fly in with just my shoes and gloves and borrow a car, firesuit, and helmet is very convenient. I thought the instruction at all of my events was top-notch. When you're done with the classes, the instruction doesn't stop. At my lapping day at Mont Tremblant, I got pointers from the instructors posted at the corners. They were also running a 2-Day class at the same time there so I got a little free review. The open-wheel cars don't look like much. At my 3-Day, I was told that they have engines from a Dodge Neon, suspension from a Dodge Stealth, and a Volkswagen gearbox. This was in 2008 so I don't know what the cars have now. I do know the Formula 2000 has a $5k sequential gearbox. I know this because I heard a mechanic yelling it at a gear-grinding student in the stop box at Mont Tremblant. Despite these modest ingredients, they are great track tools. They have great grip and give you lots of feedback. I crashed in the laces of The Boot at Watkins Glen (who hasn't?!?) in my 2-Day. It was a $2100 lesson on the importance of warming up your tires and brakes before putting the hammer down. When the instructors say to use the first lap as a warm-up lap, listen to them! If some hothead wants to pass you on the warm-up lap, point him by. It's not worth it. Anyway, the damage from my crash was a busted front wing, busted rear wing, busted exhaust, and various mounting bits. I was surprised at the price but it was actually cheap compared to similar damage on a Porsche or (gulp) Ferrari. I learned my lesson and was able to drive in the wet at Mont Tremblant with no drama. The price may seem high when you're writing the check but, after the fact, it was actually dirt cheap for the lessons learned. I'm a very satisfied Skip Barber customer. They let me indulge my track jones without the hassle, expense, and risk of providing my own car. That they have a presence at most of the big, world-class circuits in the country is a huge plus. Now that I've completed the basics, I intend to fly around the country to various circuits and do lapping sessions much as other guys play golf. I haven't been to Laguna Seca yet but it's on my list. I hope to see you there some day, Mr. Montinola! (I'm not an employee of Skip Barber nor a paid endorser. Except as a customer, I have no association with them whatsoever.)
One more thing... Age isn't really a problem. There have been lots of older guys at every Skippy event I've been to. They tend to be the ones with the scratch to play this expensive game. Size, however, may be an issue. The open wheel cars are very tight. At my 3-Day, we had a guy who was 6' 4" and well over two bills. They had to remove the body work to get him in the car. As long as you're not too tall or too fat, you'll be fine. If you are, take the MX-5 course.
