Racing school suggestions plz

[ndubz]

I am lookin to go to a performance driving program or racing school. My dad is also interested, so the rent would prolly pick up most of the tab. but, what programs are there in the area, i dont mind driving a few hours for this. anyone with experience/knowledge on this plz share. Also I know there is that new track complex down in south Jersey (NJMP) do they have any types of driving schools?

[NOPSTNS]

www.skipbarber.com

they do sessions at lime rock (and a ton others, but lime rock is closest) ranging from teen driving / wet weather defensive driving stuff all the way up to formula cars and mx5 cup cars for asipring race car drivers.

[oneday]

Skip's is spendy. You can do better (price wise and entry level education wise more locally).

Are you looking to drive your own car on the track or drive a dedicated race car (rental)? If your own car you can do an High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) at NJMP or Pocono for about $275 for the day. This gets you about 90 minutes of track time with an instructor plus about 45 minutes of classroom time. There are rental car programs if you don't want to run you own car. I do HPDEs with Performance Drivers Association (https://www.pdadrivingschool.com/index.php)...just did one at NJMP last week and will probably be there in another couple of weeks again. They also run at Watkins Glen (where I did my first day) Pocono (using any of three different configuration) and a couple of other regional tracks.

If you don't want to use your car, or want to have a more racecar driver experience you can look at Bertil Roos at Pocono (I plan on doing one of these in the next year). At about $1100 for 80 minutes of track time, it is not cheap, but you are driving in an open wheel race car, and if you are serious and want to get a comp license it does put you one step closer. Skip Barber schools are similar, and more expensive (but Skips is considered one of the elite schools in the country) and you can take their school at Laguna Seca if you wanted. [url=http://www.bondurant.com/]Bondurant (http://www.racenow.com/home.htm) is another good school, but will require travel to Phoenix AZ.

If you just want to learn better car control and get a sense of what your car can do go to an autocross. SCCA autoxes are only $45 for a day and you can get one-on-one instruction and are very local (see the link in my sig).

[ndubz]

Ya id definately be interested in doing th HPDE at NJMP, u got any more info on that, like how to sign up and the dates of the class? thx

[CHAOS]

HPDE = win. youll love it.

[oneday]

Ya id definately be interested in doing th HPDE at NJMP, u got any more info on that, like how to sign up and the dates of the class? thx

PDA Registration/Schedule (https://www.pdadrivingschool.com/registration.php)

Only one weekend left for NJMP this year (with PDA) on November 8-9.

[Stillen GLE]

this may be something i may be interested in.

[oneday]

The great things about HPDE with PDA is that you get one on one instruction and you can take whatever car you want--there was a Tacoma X-Runner at the last event...I've seen everything from LGT wagons, Jetta wagons, and Camrys to Ford GTs and F430s at events too.

If you have the time and the money, I highly recommend going to one (which will then become as many as you can afford).

[Stillen GLE]

how much does this usually cost.

[alwaysinboost]

HPDE's are a great way to safely explore the limits of your car.

another option you should consider is the evolution performance driving school. their instructors are top notch and they offer a varity of different programs. I'm looking to take one of their classes next year sometime.

[ndubz]

yea im pretty much out for the rest of this year cuz im at college, but i absolutely want to do it this spring or summer. Ive been wanting to do sumthin like this for a Long time. Id prolly not use my car the first time or so, cuz its my DD for now. But what types of cars are there that u can use if u dont use ur own car for this?

[oneday]

another option you should consider is the evolution performance driving school. their instructors are top notch and they offer a varity of different programs. I'm looking to take one of their classes next year sometime.


If yo are coming to the next autox try to remember to ask me about Evo School.

[oneday]

how much does this usually cost.

Do you guys not click on links? :bigeek:
:wiggle:

CLICK ME (https://www.pdadrivingschool.com/registration.php)

Id prolly not use my car the first time or so, cuz its my DD for now. But what types of cars are there that u can use if u dont use ur own car for this?

In The Seat (http://www.itsdrivingexperience.com/) rents cars for the day, but sit down before you click that link. :eek:

[ndubz]

**** that sounds awsome, to learn racing on a +-350hp mustang, i just hope that aint too much car, i was thinkin theyd have like a cup miata or sumthin else relatively less expensive. but Iguess they dont F*ck around.

Ya, and I just called them and registered. so this spring i think me and my dad will deff do that
The evo school looks good, but u have to bring ur own car, and that car has to be a 2 seater, and I have an STi and my dad has a 911 Carrera. plus id rather spend like a G on a race ready car for the day, so i dont risk doing 5Gs of damage to my own car that i need everyday. at least untill I know what im doin a little better.

[oneday]

There's an organization at Summit Point that rents Spec Miata for the day...I can't remember the name of the shop though.

[alwaysinboost]

Justin I prolly won't be going to boeing, I think I'm done for the season, but I'll pick your brain at the next JSC meet in November.

[DPancoast]

I did Bertil Roos' half day school for the Formula 2000 car. It was amazing. Street car school is next though.

[sechsgang]

skip may be expensive, but the amount of graduates that go on to some pretty interesting competition is staggering...bondurant is also a great starting point. Sometimes the dollars translate into value. IMHO, do the barber school at LRP and dont look back..3 days and youll have a blast.

[oneday]

skip may be expensive, but the amount of graduates that go on to some pretty interesting competition is staggering

While a good percentage of SB students go on to some degree a of pro racing career, I do not believe that they are becoming pros because they went to Skip Barber, but rather they are going to be pros so they go to Skip Barber. No what I mean?

I have no delusions that I will ever be a pro racer, so spending the money on Skip's isn't worth it, I can get as much, if not more education for far less expense by going to Bertil Roos. If the BR instructors see something special in my abilities and say, "you should pursue a career in racing!" then I'll do that, but I know that's not going to happen.

If all you want it the experience of having been in a real race car and/or learn how to drive better for amateur racing (24 hours of LeMons/SCCA/Honda Challenge) then the less expensive school is more than adequate.

[Jlb725]

While a good percentage of SB students go on to some degree a of pro racing career, I do not believe that they are becoming pros because they went to Skip Barber, but rather they are going to be pros so they go to Skip Barber. No what I mean?

I have no delusions that I will ever be a pro racer, so spending the money on Skip's isn't worth it, I can get as much, if not more education for far less expense by going to Bertil Roos. If the BR instructors see something special in my abilities and say, "you should pursue a career in racing!" then I'll do that, but I know that's not going to happen.

If all you want it the experience of having been in a real race car and/or learn how to drive better for amateur racing (24 hours of LeMons/SCCA/Honda Challenge) then the less expensive school is more than adequate.

I would go with the Bertil Roos School. I personally did the 5day race school and loved every minute of it. As far as going "pro" it really doesn't matter where you went, some people just have "it". A racing school is not going to change that.

[BMS]

The driver program at Viper days is a great racing school. where you learn how to drive your car, learn defensive driving skills. also they make you drive of the course on purpose to teach you how to re enter the track properly. also you get a certifacate so your insurance company will give a certain amount off your payment.