Hi,

I'm thinking of signing up for a performance driving school here in Northern CA. However the one I looked at (russellracing.com - at sears point) charge me $675 for the lesson. Is this normal? How much you guys pay? Now of any other schools?

-siu lung

 

That's typical for the for-profit schools like Russell and Skip Barber and TrackTime.

The not-for-profit marque clubs (BMW CCA, PCA, etc) cost significantly less than that for their driving schools.

 

Good God, $675?? That's like the price for almost 4 CGI Motorsports events at Gingerman and IMO the CGI coaches were excellent, and you got tons of time to ask questions, etc. I would look around for a non-profit driving school, I think you will be much happier.

 

Maybe he forgot to mention that they supply a formula ford!?


[Modified by zygspeed, 4:45 PM 6/18/2001]

 

And for $300 MORE you can drive your OWN car??!!!

I would like to drive the formula, please!

 

hmmm... no the don't supply you with a car, u will have to bring your own. Any suggestions of non-profit organisation(s) would be great!

-siu lung

 

Just did a quick check of the "test drive", and apparently for $495 you get some time in a FF
http://www.russellracing.com/asp/topic_courses.asp

FWIW -- I've paid a similar amount to do 1 day at the Mid-Ohio school in my CRX.

 

Check out the course that is offered at thunderhills( Located at willow, ca ). heres a link to their site: http://www.thunderhill.com Cost for the course is $175.

 

BMW CCA holds driver schools nationally and doesn’t require that you own or drive a BMW; more info at http://www.bmwcca.org Some outfits (such as CGI Motorsports at GingerMan) are local and only do one or two tracks. A bunch of the Eastern groups are shown at http://www.trackschedule.com/sched.html

Another way of locating schools in your area would be to look up the website of a track near you. Many track websites show a schedule of who has the track which days, and you can contact the groups holding events there to see how to sign up.

If you’re not sure of which tracks are near you, start with the website showing tracks in North America at http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks/roadcrs.html Click on a track near you. Sometimes it will say if the track has its own home page with a link. Sometimes it doesn’t show one but you can play with a URL or look in one of the big search engines.

 

P.S.

Aren't you in Los Angeles? Did L.A. move to Northern California? Was there an earthquake that I didn't hear about?

 

As a thought, before I'd chunk down fat cash on a school where I could drive a formula car, I'd make sure I wasn't a track virgin. Autocrosses and other driving schools can give you that taste at a better price. That'll probably make you enjoy your formula time a little more, as you should be a better driver.

Have fun!

 

The Skip Barber school only gives you a Formula Ford if you go to racing school which costs like 3,000 bucks. So I decided Im going to do the driving school, which teaches you skid control in a Dakota V8, autox technique in an ACR Neon, and then lets you do laps at the end of the day in a Viper. For one day it costs like 500 bucks and for 2 it's like 800.

 

In North Cali try NASA - National Auto Sport Association. Read here for more: http://veloce.nasaproracing.com/typ_...?ObjectID=6098

Or call 510-232-NASA. Ask for Dave Ho or Ali Arsham. Tell him Frank Lin send ya. I don't get anything out of this. BUY their text book, it is only like $20 or so and when you actually sign up for the school if I remember correctly that can be deducted.

If you want to get the MOST out of your 1st school, you will want to read the text book completely. It is VERY good and covers all the info you need to know, include track maps and turn guides as well to Laguna, Sears Point, and Thunderhill. I recommend you start in TH because it has lot of run off room and no walls. I think there is one later this month 6-30.

You might also consider getting a video called "Going Faster". It also covers the basics really well. Also browse on turnfast.com they have some good track guides.

Another good beginning track is Buttonwillow. More runoff room and completely flat, TH has some ditches...

I just did an event there last Sat. See: http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/clinic.htm they have another one coming up in 8/25. I will probably go again because you get a lot of track time. I got about 2 hours on sat.

We ran this config. It has everything, decrease radius, S's, long straights, high speed banked turns...




[Modified by frank@b16a.com, 7:51 PM 6/18/2001]

 

I did the Russel day school at sears point. it was more fun then a learning experience. the formula cars are fun as heck. sweet shifter, absolutely no body roll, quick ratio steering, and great brakes.

but i did not learn on how to control a car in a skid.

thats why next month i have registered for the 2 day skip barber school. its 1295. OUCH!!!

but you get to drive a 450hp 500lb/tq dodge viper around laguna seca. that alone is worth 300-400 bucks.

but the main reason is the skid control, and knowing what to do when my tires have lost traction and im skidding towards oncoming traffic.

i dont like the idea of beating up on my car all day, at a non-profit school.

but if buttonwillow is closer to your house, then that makes a diff.

im me if ya want to know more

 

Something to consider - knowing YOUR car at it's limits is worth a lot. That kind of knowledge can keep you from getting into that "skid" in the first place.

As for beating up your car, well, given that you maintain it correctly, I can't see that it'd get beat up.

 

AutoWeek has a listing of schools on its website (as well as in the June 4 issue). Go to http://www.autoweek.com/ and click on "DRIVING SCHOOLS" on the left.

 

Hmm.... I dunno why it says LA in my profile, but my friend set up the account for me!! I already changed it, I'm in Sacramento. Sorry about the confusion!!

To everyone else that replied: "THANK YOU" and keep em comming

-siu lung

 

from sac town to eh?? Which part? I'm located @ south sacramento. Willow is about 1 hr 30 - 2 hr north of us. Thinking about attending the school sometime this fall. sounds fun. well do keep us updated on whch school u decide on

 

I'm in folsom area, down I-50.

what school are you planning on attending?

-siu lung