bobtme

Has anyone attended a PCA sponsored Drivers Ed program at your local track?

If so I'd like to get you feedback on the pros and cons of the event.

Bottom line, was it worthwhile - were street driving skills acquired ???

Thanks

Lawrence_P

(12 pages.)

Yes. All pros, no cons. Worthwhile. Street driving skills were acquired.

Try "taste of the track" first, if you like, to get your feet wet.

J richard

(30 pages...)

You just cracked a six pack at an AA meeting....

the answer to your questions:

yes
all pros
yes
yes

M758

Yes worth it!!!!


DO IT!



The only con of the event is that should you make big mistake the car could get damaged. These days most insurace will not cover it any more. However keep your head and listen to your instructor and the risks are low. It is rare to see a car damaged in first timer DE events.

skytrooper

I have been to several, all at Watkins Glen. I find them to be very well run, you will learn much about your car and about yourself. If you are looking to get into racing...it is an excellent tool to see if it really what you had in mind. You will learn concepts that you can apply to your street driving.

IMO...it can't be beat

Gasser

I think Im on the first page of 27.

Yes, worth every penny. Makes you much more aware of what your car is doing. You will retrain how you react to situations.

Beware, I started over 10 years ago to learn how to handle my street car better. Now Im a club racer. If you get the bug, skip all the years of making your street car faster and just buy a track car. You will be years ahead....

bobtme

OK OK I'm going !!!!

Thanks All,

Apperciate the help...

sbelles

(18) pages

Yes, local tracks, regional tracks, tracks half way across the country.

It's all good and yes you will aquire street driving skills. Foremost is situational awareness.

For the most bang for your buck, look for a High Performance Driving Clinic (HPDC) for your first time.

931guru

Yep, been doing PCA driver ed for the last two decades. Great fun.

That said, if you can't afford to write off your car as a total, you shouldn't be on the track at all (nor should you be doing high speed driving on the street).

My over under is 18 pages... it's been talked to death before.

DanR

yes yes and yes, only con is it WILL take you down a dangerous road called addiction!

JackOlsen

Different PCA regions will run DE events differently. My first DE was PCA, and the first day was all classroom (at a different location than the track), and much of the second day was spent walking the track and discussing each corner. It was frustrating for all of us in the group not to be able to just 'get out and drive,' but in retrospect I think it was the best DE I've ever attended.

Since then, I've been to dozens of DEs. Some are better, some are worse -- but I really don't think there's such a thing as a bad day at the track.

Veloce Raptor

PCA? Who's that? The Portland Cement Association? Presbyterian Church of America?


11 pages.







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

J richard

Procrastinators Club of America...

...I was going to join but didn't get around to it....

you might be right 11 pages or less, bob caved way too easily...

NaroEscape

Agree 1000%. Take your first year or so and just learn what you have. don't modify it, don't change it, just learn it. Then if you are as addicted as just about everyone on this board got at some point, go out and buy a track dedicated car. It will save you the TENS OF THOUSANDS of dollars you will spend.

Nadine and I started in 1994 with a fully stock 914. 16 years and tons of $$$$$$$$ later....we have a really nice club racer worth 1/10 what we put into it. Way back then, someone offered their perfectly sorted 914 racer for $12k....should have bought it!!

Anyway, go out and have fun. It's a blast!! This is what these cars are built for.

BostonDMD

Bob, next week myself and a PCA instructor are getting together for dinner in the Boston area to talk discuss the upcoming DE season.

If interested PM me, I am sure the instructor can probably answer most of your questions as I am only an advanced beginner.....

Good luck on your endeavors.......