How many people here have actually gone to racing school

Jim Russell in the UK way back in '77. Silverstone (club circuit) and Snetterton. Roberto Guerrero was attending at the same time. My claim to fame is that I finished 2nd and 3rd to him in the two races we were in together...

 

Few 3 days with Skip Barber at Lime Rock. Also a bunch of single days at Bertil Roos

 

Mario Andretti gave us a pep talk, swapped a few tips, patted us on the helment and said "Go get 'em!".....

All the rest I learned in four full seasons of events, kart racing.....

I'm not saying I'm that good but I DID beat all those other guys.....not once, but several times!

I'd like to go to school sometime, when my schedule slows down a little.....

 

I went to Winfield in Paul Ricard, France several years ago. Had raced karts for 7 years before and later did some open wheel and stock car racing....

As others have said going to a driving school is certainly not the start of a racing career but IMO the correct step when switching to open wheel / other formulae. There's a lot to be gained from getting the right instruction at the right time. And it's a lot of fun too.

 

Derek Daly at Las Vegas and Skip Barber at Road America. Ran a season of Formula Mazda and developed a tremendous amount respect for the amateur ranks.

 

3 day Skippy School at Mid Ohio to get my license and after that it is history. I did BMWCCA, PCA, NASA, and just about any DE event out there and still do instructing at the ones local when I am home. This season I am racing in World Challenge with BimmerWorld Racing and in Grand Am Koni Challenge with Fountain Motorsports. I also do coaching at some of these events. All and all I do just about anything to get myself in a racecar and out of the armchair.

 

Pete,

JV had never driven a racing car before he did Russell. Danny Sullivan had also never sat in a racing car till he did Russell, and he was 21 years old by then. Everyone starts in a different way, people's learning processes are different. Starting at a racing school has actually worked for some people. Different strokes i guess.

Regards,
Luis

 

Same thing with Damon Hill. He raced motorcycles for a few years, but since his mom felt that was too dangerous, she bought him a 3 day school at Jim Russell, and the rest is history.

 

I may have the most distant driver's school experience so far....Jim Russell(BSMR/Couture) Ontario '79...still in the arm chair, still have the T-shirt.

 

4 times at Kieth Code motorcycles, Richard Petty Experience, and Bertil Roos at Beaver Run. Fastest at Mid-Ohio with Kieth Code twice, which means I won practice against a bunch of amateurs.

 

That was a great track wasn't it? Because of the usual smog back then it wasn't until I entered my fifth race there that I realized there was a great view of big mountains with snow on top!

 

Is this the Seth Thomas?

 

Depends on which the Seth Thomas you are talking about.

 

You know...this Seth Thomas:

http://theracesite.com/index.cfm?template=magazine&mag_id=12796
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Busted! That is me.

 

And a gentleman you are.

 

OMG...is your dad Brent?

Ken

 

Well I'll hoot for you at both of those events at Mid-Ohio!

 

Thanks for the compliment.

Now that you know my name who are you?

 

No, my dad is Bobby.

Thanks man. Stop by our transporter at the event and introduce yourself. It would be awesome put a face with names from here.

 

You have a PM.

 

Skippy 3 day @ Daytona, plus a formula ford course at Castle Coombe in the UK (plus a period racing karts). Just getting my SCCA license right now in fact to finally change from DE-tastic to race-time.

 

me.

 

3 Day Skippy Race at Summit Point for grins and 2 Day Porsche Driving Experience which was great for street driving. 30 years ago when I was on the Pro Circuit (flat track) almost everyone graduated from the school of hard knocks. Now is much better for potential racers as well as geezers like me who like to go sorta fast

 

Flat track bikes?