Driving School Recommendations
09-25-2002, 05:52 PM
#1
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Driving School Recommendations
Hey all!
I've got a friend who is interested in learning how to drive her new WRX and asked me for recommendations. She doesn't want to do the Skippy or Bondurant thing...too expensive. Any ideas?
I'm thinking Track quest. Anyone got a link?
Other suggestions?
TIA
Edward
I've got a friend who is interested in learning how to drive her new WRX and asked me for recommendations. She doesn't want to do the Skippy or Bondurant thing...too expensive. Any ideas?
I'm thinking Track quest. Anyone got a link?
Other suggestions?
TIA
Edward
09-25-2002, 06:34 PM
#3
If she's got a WRX, then she might be interested in these two links:
<a href="http://www.gorally.com/" target="_blank">European Rally School in Florida</a>
<a href="http://www.team-oneil.com/" target="_blank">Tom O'Neil Rally School</a>
These are the only 2 rally schools in the US, afaik. I'd love to go someday......
Jeff
<a href="http://www.gorally.com/" target="_blank">European Rally School in Florida</a>
<a href="http://www.team-oneil.com/" target="_blank">Tom O'Neil Rally School</a>
These are the only 2 rally schools in the US, afaik. I'd love to go someday......
Jeff
09-25-2002, 06:50 PM
#4
Also, I would highly recommend tracquest as a driving school.
The instructors in the past have been pretty good and Todd runs a great track day. Very professional and safe.
However, one of the problems with Tracquest is that there are lots of novices who are first timers who are there without adequate preparation.
For my first few track days, I spent more time in preparation for the event than the actual event itself. And that's the way I think it should be.
I recommend that she get and read a copy of Going Faster by Skip Barber and study that a few months ahead of time.
And about a month before track day, get a detailed track map, similar to the one published by the nor cal shelby club and commit that to memory. She should be able to mentally "drive" the track comfortably before even setting foot on the track. She should already have a general idea about the driving line, braking points, major landmarks, etc. Also playing Gran Turismo, at the particular track that you will be driving at, on playstation helps too..
I think that if all rookies did that ahead of time, they will have a more enjoyable experience and also be much safer on the track.
Jeff
The instructors in the past have been pretty good and Todd runs a great track day. Very professional and safe.
However, one of the problems with Tracquest is that there are lots of novices who are first timers who are there without adequate preparation.
For my first few track days, I spent more time in preparation for the event than the actual event itself. And that's the way I think it should be.
I recommend that she get and read a copy of Going Faster by Skip Barber and study that a few months ahead of time.
And about a month before track day, get a detailed track map, similar to the one published by the nor cal shelby club and commit that to memory. She should be able to mentally "drive" the track comfortably before even setting foot on the track. She should already have a general idea about the driving line, braking points, major landmarks, etc. Also playing Gran Turismo, at the particular track that you will be driving at, on playstation helps too..
I think that if all rookies did that ahead of time, they will have a more enjoyable experience and also be much safer on the track.
Jeff
09-25-2002, 07:25 PM
#5
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Hi Edward
One thing to think about if she is concerned about cost.
If she crashes in Tracquest, don't the repairs come out of her pocket?
If she crashes at Skippy, they help her out of the car and into another. Doesn't cost a dime.
(two out of twenty hooked their skip cars into the tire barrier in my class)
Another option would be PDE, but that's in the same price range.
I do think the professional instruction and classroom work is worth every penny.
One thing to think about if she is concerned about cost.
If she crashes in Tracquest, don't the repairs come out of her pocket?
If she crashes at Skippy, they help her out of the car and into another. Doesn't cost a dime.
(two out of twenty hooked their skip cars into the tire barrier in my class)
Another option would be PDE, but that's in the same price range.
I do think the professional instruction and classroom work is worth every penny.
09-25-2002, 08:04 PM
#7
Lifetime Rennlist Member
This is an area where you tend to get what you pay for. A 3 day Skippy race school is well worth the $, but is probably too intense to the average street driver. Their street car courses are going to be a better fit - they run drills to teach and practice certain skills - working up to higher levels of performance. You pay around $1k per day for this professional training.
TracQuest is a great learning environment - lots of instructors, but the instructors are not pros and it is in the format of open lapping. It will certainly help her develop her skills but it will take more sessions than at Skippy, Bondurant, etc. It is less expensive, so it is a good value vs. pro schools.
Finally, Buttonwillow (I assume she is also in SoCal) runs a performance drving clinic. It is really good for beginners - they do skid pad and other excercises prior to going on track. A great value - I think they get ~$150 for the day.
TracQuest is a great learning environment - lots of instructors, but the instructors are not pros and it is in the format of open lapping. It will certainly help her develop her skills but it will take more sessions than at Skippy, Bondurant, etc. It is less expensive, so it is a good value vs. pro schools.
Finally, Buttonwillow (I assume she is also in SoCal) runs a performance drving clinic. It is really good for beginners - they do skid pad and other excercises prior to going on track. A great value - I think they get ~$150 for the day.
Trending Topics
09-25-2002, 09:21 PM
#8
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
A great benefit for very little money could be to get her to a multiday autocross school. It was the right solution for my wife. She got to learn car control in a fun way and did not have to worry about damaging the car (a real concern if you are learning on a track). We did skid pad work, slaloms, chicanes, and lots of other excercises before runing an autocross course. Sort of a low impact way to get started and get confidence. Not to mention learning how much fun it is to throttle-stear through a sweeper.
For our school we had to read Hank Watts' book (not as good for the track as "Going Faster", but very good for autocross) and did all the sorts of stuff you would get at a 1 or 2 day car control school like skippy school. While our school was PCA sponsored, you did not need to be a member or drive a Porsche to attend. I thnk it was $120.
For our school we had to read Hank Watts' book (not as good for the track as "Going Faster", but very good for autocross) and did all the sorts of stuff you would get at a 1 or 2 day car control school like skippy school. While our school was PCA sponsored, you did not need to be a member or drive a Porsche to attend. I thnk it was $120.
