Robert Lewe

Hi fellow listers:

Well, it’s finalized. I’m all signed up for my first Driver’s Ed event! It is the “Viper Days” event at Virginia International Raceway on July 20, 21, and 22. Everyone I’ve talked to says the course is beautiful, and I can’t wait to drive there. I’m also looking forward to finally meeting Todd and hopefully having him drive my car and instruct me some.
After my wife and I get back from the Parade in Milwaukee, I plan to put on a new set of tires (BF Goodrich TA KD), have the oil changed, and bleed the brakes. As a newbie, I would appreciate anyone’s comments/advice on other things I should do prior to this event.

TIA

Robert Lewe
1997 993tt

Mrdi

Your own helmet would be nice. Some chalk to chalk your tires and a pressure guage as well as a way to inflate and deflate your tires. A nice chair to sit in when your in the "pits" and everything your wife needs to hang out for a whole day. Shade tent? Bring your own cooler w/ food and beverages and a camera. Have your wife take your pic while you're waiting to go up.
Have fun.

Bill Gregory

Robert,

Here's a link to our PCA website, and in particular our drivers guide. Of course, ignore that it's geared to Lime Rock, but past that there's some good information in it. VIR's gotten some really good reviews - have a great time!
http://www.cvrpca.org/cvrguide.pdf

Will

Guys, what do you do about insurance at DE events? It seems unlikely that normal street insurance would cover mishaps on the track.

addictionms

There is a great write up on what to do to prepare and what to expect at the link below
http://www.bellmotorsports.com/

follow the "School Tips" link in the list of contents on the left.

sander

Regarding insurance for DE events...

I was under the impression that because they are "Education" they fall into the same category as all driving school courses (like a Safe Driving 101 class you'd send your teenager to) and are therefore covered by insurance. This differentiates them from pure racing events.

Now that I think about it, I don't know where I got this idea. But I do remember reading a post where the driver forwarded the description of the PCA DE to his insurance company and once they'd reviewed the materials, agreed to cover him.

I'm an active AutoXer, but I'd eventually like to do DE events, as well... so I'd love to hear more about the insurance issue from you regular track guys.

SHRKBIT

I'm not a regular track guy, but I have heard third-hand of cars totalled at DE being covered by the driver's insurance company.

On another note, if it's any kind of time- or speed-measured event, auto insurance companies want nothing to do with it. I believe that includes autocross.

Bill Gregory

You need to review your individual policy, as the words in each policy can be different. Specifically, you are looking for any exclusions. If you want to confirm coverage, you should get it in writing from a company underwriter, not from an insurance agent.

Eric in Chicago

I agree that you should check with your insc. company. I have Farmers and had a track mishap to the tune of 18K. The car will be ready next week and insc. paid for everything. I do DE's with the Chicago region PCA and was told at the last event that in the many years of DE's they have never had a member not get their claim paid.
The Chicago region paperwork states that the event is "education" multiple times, this seems to satisify the insc. companys.