mike cap

I can't think of a better place to ask this question.....

My son is graduating from high school and I was trying to plan a trip with him to California. My daughter lives in LA and I went to UCSB, so it would be easy to show him around.

I was going to schedule a day at Skip Barber at Laguna Seca. There is a one-day High Performance Driving School on July 28th. I will have to get him more proficient on a manual as that is a requirement. Fortunately one of cycling buds has a Subaru with a stick.

The person I spoke to at SB Racing was very helpful and the day sounds like it would be fun. Any opinions from this group on SB?

Logistically We would probably try and fly into San Jose, then go down the coast with maybe an overnight in Santa Barbara.

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks guys.

Greg H.

There is also the Audi R8 experience at Infineon. He wouldn't have to worry about a clutch.

Greg H.

kjr914

Find the nearest PCA AX and get him some parking lot experience before paying the cost of Skip Barber at Laguna Seca. He'll get a lot more out of it if he's had some experience driving quickly and is more comfortable with the stick shift.

Lucky kid.....

mike cap

Greg:
Thanks for the lead on the Audi. Printed out the dates and will call them. The clutch issue is a hang up with SB.

Keith:
Good idea, but don't have that kind of time. He just finished sports and is working.

flatsixforme

Another option a bit further down the coast is the Jim Hall Karting school...you could do a 1 day or 2 day there and the cost would be MUCH less than any big track/big car school. I have done the 2 day school there years ago and assure you it is a good time...especially for a fresh out of high school driver (even if he is a skilled driver). The track is quite fun and you get going plenty fast if you have the skill to keep the momentum up (70 down the back straight but only if you don't lift through the previous two turns). Anyway, whatever you do, have fun! Keith is right...lucky kid!

mike cap

Adam:
Thanks, I'll look at Jim Hall. Cost is not a factor really and I wanted to get him in a sedan though.

I talked to Audi but the age restriction for those programs is 21. I'm sure he has a fake ID but...... They have a Lancer Evo program but the dates don't work. Should have planned this three months ago.

mongrelcat

Highly recommended. I did SB at Laguna a few years ago and it was super fun. I had my g/f's son with me, he was about the same age as your son and he had limited experience with a standard trans as well. He had an absolute blast. Do it!.

pdemar

I did the one day class a couple of years ago and it was fun. Drove 335s, boxster and 997s. Good mix of defensive driving, autocross track and track laps in small groups behind instructor pretty quick.

Not to be confused with racing instruction, but a nice day at a great track.

Enjoy!!

Paul

600RR

You can circulate Laguna with few shifts and have fun. More memorable than Infineon, too.

Greg H.

There is also a great kart track at Infineon. I don't know if its better than Hall, but certainly more scenic. Classes there are a bit sporadic, and their website sucks: you need to call. If they don't have anything I could probably hook you up with a kart and instructor (not me, someone good).

Greg H.

mike cap

Thanks guys - I am going to book the LS one day HP Driving School.

fineito

Mike, I did the SB at Lime Rock HP Driving School 2 years ago but at Lime Rock for my son Frank. I observed all the training. Very professional group at Lime Rock. My kid had a great day and learned to better appreciate a car's performance limits. Also, I had checked SB's safety record at the time (concerm of my wife) and I was satisfied. Yes, 3-pedal skills required, but he need not be super proficient at it - just able to get through the gears with some degree of confidence. Highly recommended.

mike cap

Fineito.....

Thank you very much for the great review. That is a big help.

2Many Cars

Mike, you might want to consider flying into SFO, especially if you're coming from the East. Better and cheaper flights and it only adds about 20 minutes to the drive to Monterey.

mike cap

2Many,

Thanks. Only 20 minutes sounds good. I thought it was further. That is good advice and much appreciated. I am working on flights now. Getting anywhere from Syracuse blows.....