IAHAWK Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 Hey All, Once of the things I have always wanted to do is go to a driving school and learn how to really drive/race. Now that I have some money I can actually think of doing this. A while back someone recommended the Bondurant racing school to me, but i have no idea if that is a good one or not. I am looking for a multi day school that will start at a beginner level and go up. Anyone have any experience with these schools and have any recommendations?? Thanks in advance for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 It depends on where you are located (mostly like Mid-Ohio Raceway and possibly Indianapolis infield section) and what racing/high performance driving schools are near you. http://www.motorsport.com/directory/list.asp?C=/Road_Racing http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/clubs-and-links/ You can also join a car club that actually rents out the tracks and they have very well qualified club instructors to teach you for your first time. Most of the high level you-drive-their-cars schools are $$$$$, like Skip Barber and Bondurant.. They are great schools, but it's up to you as the student and it's your job to get the best out of it. if you want to do something like a 2-day event or something closer to even just a one-day track event (and it's a lot cheaper as well), you can and there are such companies and clubs that do just that. Most of these clubs are for you to bring your own car that can pass the technical safety inspection (making sure the car doesnt leak things or blow up while driving and all safety and mechanical parts function properly). I typically run with http://www.bsr-inc.com here in Maryland. I am also part of http://www.nasaproracing.com as well. I am also part of the Audi Club of North America (and no, you dont need to own their car to be part of these clubs to run with them on the track, unless they specify it in the membership form). You can also goto your local race track to get more information on "High Performance Driving Classes" and they will point you in the right direction. Here are some of the tracks near you: http://www.blackhawkfarms.com/ http://www.gingermanraceway.com/ http://www.milwaukeemile.com/ http://www.autobahncountryclub.net/ http://www.grattanraceway.com/ http://www.midohio.com/ Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted November 25, 2005 Share Posted November 25, 2005 moved to Motorsports Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAHAWK Posted November 25, 2005 Author Share Posted November 25, 2005 Wow.... Thanks Keefe!!! This will give me a great starting point. You make a great point with the you-drive-their-cars schools being expensive. I about had a heart attack when I saw the prices. All I really need/want is a beginner school, so i can learn how to be a better driver and maybe get a start into hobby racing. Thanks again!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripod Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Bondurant is one of the best. But you're in IA and it's in AZ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xenonk Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Wow.... Thanks Keefe!!! This will give me a great starting point. You make a great point with the you-drive-their-cars schools being expensive. I about had a heart attack when I saw the prices. All I really need/want is a beginner school, so i can learn how to be a better driver and maybe get a start into hobby racing. Thanks again!!!!! There's way more YOU-DRIVE-YOUR-OWN-CAR schools around.. you just have to look up some car clubs that are around you and go from there.. if you plan on doing this a lot, I suggest do what I did: buy a cheaper used car that is for the track. Currently, I bought a 1989 BMW 325is for the track use. I got a great deal on the car that came with a half roll cage, 2 sets of EXTRA track tires, 2nd set of rims, and upgraded seats, steering wheel, suspension, and all spare parts that I can't keep track of cuz the guy is still bringing stuff to my house all for $1500. Just becareful when you use your own car. If you do get into an accident, your insurance company will not like it and will kick you out. A lot of motorsports do not go well with insurance companies. Just think ahead about those. If you want something easier, you might want to start out with autocrossing (or Solo2 racing, aka time trials that doesn't require a racing license) with a school or two that deals with lower speeds (below 60 mph) and it's usually runs a closed-off parking lot or airport.. Goto http://www.scca.org for that info.. that's how I got started with competitive yet fun and a lot of experience to gain from that. There's such autox schools like Evolution Driving Schools that cater to just that sport. Keefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kster Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Another suggestion for a race school is to take a local karting course. In northern California, Russell Racing hosts introduction to karting classes at Sears Point; you use their karts and the prices are much lower than a race school with open wheel cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucktoo Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 I am in Phoenix now doing a Bondurant 3 day advanced racing school. The SVT Mustangs are very different than the Barber formula Dodges I did before. The Formula Dodges just go where you want them . They have great brakes and you can threshold brake them as deep as you want and not worry about them. The Mustangs really do have to coaxed through corners - they really teach you how to use brakes to aid steering. Really foul handling cars but great for learning. Using light braking to improve steering was not obvious till you try it. The Bondurant 1 on 1 instruction claim is not what really happens . You do get a lot of seat time almost 5 hours of actual track time today. We will see what I say after two more full days on the track. This is expensive but if you want to learn quickly it is a good way to go. A couple of guys in the class did Russell and said it taught them bad braking habits. You really do need to learn trail braking not just threshold braking. Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfd425 Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 The car club schools can be a very cost-effective way of getting good high-performance driving instruction in your own car. I went to a bunch of Audi Club schools a few years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed them. One thing I would say about the Audi Club is that the quality of the instructors can vary quite a bit, because they try to have a one-to-one instructor/student ratio as much as possible. There are some outstanding instructors in the club, but there are some novice instructors as well, and obviously you will get a lot more out of it if you have one of the really good instructors. Either way, you'll get your $250-300 worth. I've heard that the BMW Club has more stringent requirements for their instructors, and that they are very good. I think they can afford that luxury because they are a considerably bigger club. On the other hand, in the Audi Club, you can be assured that your instructor will be familiar with all-wheel drive. Generally, they will try to pair you with an instructor who drives a similar car or is familiar with cars such as yours. For example, if you drive an LGT, they might try to pair you with an instructor who drives a Subaru, or at least one who has a similar AWD car. The karting school is a great idea, by the way. I never thought of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkkwan Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 There are very significant differences between a racing school (Barber, Bondurant) and drive-your-own clubs (or so-called HPDE for high-performance driver's ed). The purposes are different, and what you learn from them are different. [Of course, cost as well.] So, the first thing is to decide what you're trying to achieve. If you're planning to race eventually, and most likely not in your Legacy, then you need to go to a racing school. You learn how to drive fast, how to brake, how to pass; and you don't beat up your own car. If you just want to improve your driving, have some fun, and learn about the characteristicis and ability of your Legacy, then you should do a HPDE. I've gone with BMW CCA, the Audi Club, as well as the privately-run TracQuest at various events. Most instructors there won't be pushing you too hard, and the emphasis are mostly smoothness and to drive the right line. They will not push you to brake later and harder, and you don't learn anything about passing in a race situation. [All passing in novice groups are on straights only, with a point-by given by the car being passed.] But you get to learn about your car, in addition to driving. Which you won't at Barber or Bondurant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfd425 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 ^^^^very good summary:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.