High Performance Driving School
12-12-2002, 08:56 PM
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High Performance Driving School
I am 16, and will have my licens by the summer, but am not getting a 944 right away ($$$), just a $300.00 beater. I would like to go somewhere to learn how to drive well. I have seen adds for a Panoz driving school, but need some thing in the Vermont area (something around boston) Also, for now they will have to provide the car, because I would rather do it sooner than later and I plan to get my 944 in the fall. Does anybody know anything about these schools, or something like them? Any websights would be helpfull, Thanks alot, Ty.
12-12-2002, 09:10 PM
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Cheapest way to do this is to go Autocrossing, never more than $25 - $30 for the day. Drive your own car to start learning, switch to 944 once you buy it. Plenty of weekends in the calendar, check out the SCCA or even PCA websites (though some regions you have to be a PCA member to run and I do not know the age reqs.). BTW the AX location for Boston area (Ft. Devens in Ayer, MA.) is a great piece of realestate, courses there are always fun.
HTH,
HTH,
12-12-2002, 11:20 PM
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In the Atlanta area, but check out Xtreme Measures
at <a href="http://www.xtrememeasures.com." target="_blank">http://www.xtrememeasures.com.</a> This will be a good introduction to car control. Alternatively, autox would be a good approach, but you really have to do a lot of events to get much time behind the wheel.
I have to tell you, for a 16 year old to be out looking for this kind of training, you definitely have your head on straight. The streets are dangerous and you need all the preparation you can get.
at <a href="http://www.xtrememeasures.com." target="_blank">http://www.xtrememeasures.com.</a> This will be a good introduction to car control. Alternatively, autox would be a good approach, but you really have to do a lot of events to get much time behind the wheel.
I have to tell you, for a 16 year old to be out looking for this kind of training, you definitely have your head on straight. The streets are dangerous and you need all the preparation you can get.
12-12-2002, 11:43 PM
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Experience is important. But if you want the best book on the subject, buy a copy of Going Faster! It's full of great insights and techniques for high-performance driving, put together by the Skip Barber instructors. The most useful part is a segment-by-segment analysis of how an instructor and student compare on their teaching circuit, using data acquisition. Very, very useful and insightful!!!
Auto-x is a blast, but as pointed out, it takes a while to get seat time.
If I were you, I'd find a big, empty, safe, iced-over parking lot and learn a lot about car control and smoothness in a short time. Just watch for cops and other people!
Auto-x is a blast, but as pointed out, it takes a while to get seat time.
If I were you, I'd find a big, empty, safe, iced-over parking lot and learn a lot about car control and smoothness in a short time. Just watch for cops and other people!
12-13-2002, 01:46 AM
#6
Race Director
[quote]Originally posted by TYebolive:
<strong>I am 16, and will have my licens by the summer, but am not getting a 944 right away ($$$), just a $300.00 beater. I would like to go somewhere to learn how to drive well. I have seen adds for a Panoz driving school, but need some thing in the Vermont area (something around boston) Also, for now they will have to provide the car, because I would rather do it sooner than later and I plan to get my 944 in the fall. Does anybody know anything about these schools, or something like them? Any websights would be helpfull, Thanks alot, Ty.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The Skip Barber school is based at Lime Rock Park in western CT. The Bridgestone school (they have F2000s and used to have tin tops as well) is based at either Mt. Tremblant or Mosport (can remember which) in easter Ontario.
<strong>I am 16, and will have my licens by the summer, but am not getting a 944 right away ($$$), just a $300.00 beater. I would like to go somewhere to learn how to drive well. I have seen adds for a Panoz driving school, but need some thing in the Vermont area (something around boston) Also, for now they will have to provide the car, because I would rather do it sooner than later and I plan to get my 944 in the fall. Does anybody know anything about these schools, or something like them? Any websights would be helpfull, Thanks alot, Ty.</strong><hr></blockquote>
The Skip Barber school is based at Lime Rock Park in western CT. The Bridgestone school (they have F2000s and used to have tin tops as well) is based at either Mt. Tremblant or Mosport (can remember which) in easter Ontario.
12-13-2002, 06:33 AM
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Anyone know of any Autocrossing type of events here in the UK. I plan on going to Santa Pod in January, but that's just a quarter mile track. Should still be fun though. Some other guys from my shop are going. They have a '92 Pontiac GTA, '98 Camaro Z28 and an '87 Supra. All of which were bought after I purchased my 951. Gotta out do the old guy. Of course loser buys the beer <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> .
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12-13-2002, 10:57 AM
#8
Race Director
I too, believe that autocrossing is a great way to learn car control. Many people find the waiting time to be rather boring, but being the social butterfly that I am, well, I'm never bored.
My suggestion: AFTER you've done a few autocrosses, get involved with HPDE or DE (Driver'd Ed). Many clubs run DE events at Limerock, including BMW club, PCA, PDA, and NASA. Also: they run DE's at NHIR (New Hampshire In't raceway). The road course there is underrated, from what I've heard.
Unfortunately, clubs like PCA typically don't allow anyone under 18 to drive on the track. But if you check with your region, they may allow you to run with your parent's permission. PCA's DE's typically cost around $200 per weekend. Very inexpensive (compared to other schools), and the instruction is fantastic!
NASA seems to be a little more flexible regarding age. They are more expensive, but they do a good job. Here's their website:
<a href="http://www.nasanortheast.org." target="_blank">www.nasanortheast.org.</a> (Their DE's at Lime Rock are about $200 a DAY).
Note: for any of these venues, you need to make sure your car is cabable of high speed driving, since you "run what you brung." A $300.00 beater probably won't cut it.
Lastly, grab an issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine. Great information on getting started with performance driving.
Hope this helps!
-Zoltan.
My suggestion: AFTER you've done a few autocrosses, get involved with HPDE or DE (Driver'd Ed). Many clubs run DE events at Limerock, including BMW club, PCA, PDA, and NASA. Also: they run DE's at NHIR (New Hampshire In't raceway). The road course there is underrated, from what I've heard.
Unfortunately, clubs like PCA typically don't allow anyone under 18 to drive on the track. But if you check with your region, they may allow you to run with your parent's permission. PCA's DE's typically cost around $200 per weekend. Very inexpensive (compared to other schools), and the instruction is fantastic!
NASA seems to be a little more flexible regarding age. They are more expensive, but they do a good job. Here's their website:
<a href="http://www.nasanortheast.org." target="_blank">www.nasanortheast.org.</a> (Their DE's at Lime Rock are about $200 a DAY).
Note: for any of these venues, you need to make sure your car is cabable of high speed driving, since you "run what you brung." A $300.00 beater probably won't cut it.
Lastly, grab an issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine. Great information on getting started with performance driving.
Hope this helps!
-Zoltan.
12-13-2002, 11:11 AM
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where in vermont are you from? as you know there is nothing in that state 
if you want to get into autocross the SCCV (Sports Car Club of Vermont) is very open and friendly, they have a pretty useless website at <a href="http://www.sccv.org," target="_blank">www.sccv.org,</a> i can get you in touch with a friend of mine who does a lot of their events if you're interested in the details.
i know you have to sign a wavier before they let you drive, might be an issue at 16, but it's not an "old guy's club" in that they won't look down on a younger driver (i'm 19).
if you want to get into autocross the SCCV (Sports Car Club of Vermont) is very open and friendly, they have a pretty useless website at <a href="http://www.sccv.org," target="_blank">www.sccv.org,</a> i can get you in touch with a friend of mine who does a lot of their events if you're interested in the details. i know you have to sign a wavier before they let you drive, might be an issue at 16, but it's not an "old guy's club" in that they won't look down on a younger driver (i'm 19).
12-13-2002, 11:19 AM
#10
Three Wheelin'
[quote]Originally posted by TYebolive:
<strong>but am not getting a 944 right away ($$$), just a $300.00 beater. I would like to go somewhere to learn how to drive well.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You are one of the smartest 16 year old people I have ever known.
<strong>but am not getting a 944 right away ($$$), just a $300.00 beater. I would like to go somewhere to learn how to drive well.</strong><hr></blockquote>
You are one of the smartest 16 year old people I have ever known.
12-13-2002, 12:24 PM
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A few years ago when I was staying at Killington I picked up a brochure at one of the hotels or restaurants promoting winter driving schools.
I'm not sure if it was Skip Barber or another school. The classes were near the different resorts, and offered a variety of different classes.
I took the skip barber half day class a few years ago at The Bridge, class was $500 for 1/2 day.
Most fun I ever had in the pouring rain with my clothes on!!
I'm not sure if it was Skip Barber or another school. The classes were near the different resorts, and offered a variety of different classes.
I took the skip barber half day class a few years ago at The Bridge, class was $500 for 1/2 day.
Most fun I ever had in the pouring rain with my clothes on!!
12-14-2002, 03:00 AM
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Wow, thanks for all the replies. I will probably use my brothers 1990 Saab 900 16v to auto cross, unitl I get my 944 (with promises of letting him use my Porsche when I get it). I think I will auto x and then see how I feel after a bit, mabey(sp) persue(sp) a DE course(sp).
12-14-2002, 02:52 PM
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Christmas is coming, perhaps you could hint? <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />
My daughter (just turned 18) has done a couple of TracQuest DE events with me, and for her birthday/Christmas, I found a Bondurant driving school certificate on ebay. I got a real bargain, she's going next weekend.
Bondurant also gives teenagers a $300 discount, maybe some of the other schools do also?
I think you have a really mature attitude, you sound like a really good kid.
Good luck,
Pat <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
My daughter (just turned 18) has done a couple of TracQuest DE events with me, and for her birthday/Christmas, I found a Bondurant driving school certificate on ebay. I got a real bargain, she's going next weekend.
Bondurant also gives teenagers a $300 discount, maybe some of the other schools do also?
I think you have a really mature attitude, you sound like a really good kid.
Good luck,
Pat <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />
12-14-2002, 03:40 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Patricia:
<strong>I think you have a really mature attitude, you sound like a really good kid.</strong><hr></blockquote>I agree (although I am 19 myself...) I have seen many of my friends crack up their cars because of a lack of experience behind the wheel. In fact, I had a humbling experience after being tossed the keys to the 924S to go for a spin. I had grown accustomed to handling characteristics of my mom's VW (FWD = understeer, understeer...) especially when applying the throttle mid-corner. I got a brief lesson of RWD handling when the rear started sliding out... thankfully I was quick enough to feel it coming and countersteered and saved it. It made me realize that I don't have all the tools necessary to drive even a grotesquely underpowered Porsche.
Now that I am actually going to own the 924S, I'm saving up some cash for a two or three day course at Jim Russell Racing School.
I applaud you for improving your skills BEFORE you buy a Porsche. Even a one day course can help tremendously.
<strong>I think you have a really mature attitude, you sound like a really good kid.</strong><hr></blockquote>I agree (although I am 19 myself...) I have seen many of my friends crack up their cars because of a lack of experience behind the wheel. In fact, I had a humbling experience after being tossed the keys to the 924S to go for a spin. I had grown accustomed to handling characteristics of my mom's VW (FWD = understeer, understeer...) especially when applying the throttle mid-corner. I got a brief lesson of RWD handling when the rear started sliding out... thankfully I was quick enough to feel it coming and countersteered and saved it. It made me realize that I don't have all the tools necessary to drive even a grotesquely underpowered Porsche.
Now that I am actually going to own the 924S, I'm saving up some cash for a two or three day course at Jim Russell Racing School.
I applaud you for improving your skills BEFORE you buy a Porsche. Even a one day course can help tremendously.