Evolution Performance Driving School
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Evolution Performance Driving School
Has anyone here gone through this driving school? I am doing all three days this weekend and am curious of experiences with it. I am expecting it to be a ton of fun either way, since I am getting to run all weekend. 
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
If you can help it, don't work the slalom...
It's worth the money.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 57
Disclaimer; I used to instruct for them, and may even still be on their list... but have not done it in a long time so I don't consider myself biased.
if you want to autocross, you WILL learn a ton and have a good time doing it. If you are new to autocross, or even intermediate, it is the best money you can spend.
many advanced autocrossers i know continue to repeat the EVO courses every now and then as good refreshers.
most if not all of the instructors are former SCCA national champions, and they are very good. they tell you new things, and then they show you; then they watch you do it, and that is how you really learn.
if you want to track or road race, the school will help you as well. for one thing, in my opinion, you SHOULD be a good autocrosser first anyway. but even if autocrossing is not your thing, it is worth the money.
i made my daughter take it when she was 16 and it helped her daily safety tremendously.
so bottom line, DO IT.
if you want to autocross, you WILL learn a ton and have a good time doing it. If you are new to autocross, or even intermediate, it is the best money you can spend.
many advanced autocrossers i know continue to repeat the EVO courses every now and then as good refreshers.
most if not all of the instructors are former SCCA national champions, and they are very good. they tell you new things, and then they show you; then they watch you do it, and that is how you really learn.
if you want to track or road race, the school will help you as well. for one thing, in my opinion, you SHOULD be a good autocrosser first anyway. but even if autocrossing is not your thing, it is worth the money.
i made my daughter take it when she was 16 and it helped her daily safety tremendously.
so bottom line, DO IT.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,864
Likes: 198
From: Southern CA
I took a couple of levels years ago, very good school. Very good instructors.
Regional autox novice schools if your region has them are a good option also and better "bang for the buck" also not just for novice.
But you don't get the "star quality" of having a nat champ in your passenger seat.
Amazing what those guys can make a car do. I remember Jr. driving my LT4 with one hand while he pointed out where I should be looking with his other hand and being so fast & smooth I just was amazed.
Sigh.
Regional autox novice schools if your region has them are a good option also and better "bang for the buck" also not just for novice.
But you don't get the "star quality" of having a nat champ in your passenger seat.
Amazing what those guys can make a car do. I remember Jr. driving my LT4 with one hand while he pointed out where I should be looking with his other hand and being so fast & smooth I just was amazed.
Sigh.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Disclaimer; I used to instruct for them, and may even still be on their list... but have not done it in a long time so I don't consider myself biased.
if you want to autocross, you WILL learn a ton and have a good time doing it. If you are new to autocross, or even intermediate, it is the best money you can spend.
many advanced autocrossers i know continue to repeat the EVO courses every now and then as good refreshers.
most if not all of the instructors are former SCCA national champions, and they are very good. they tell you new things, and then they show you; then they watch you do it, and that is how you really learn.
if you want to track or road race, the school will help you as well. for one thing, in my opinion, you SHOULD be a good autocrosser first anyway. but even if autocrossing is not your thing, it is worth the money.
i made my daughter take it when she was 16 and it helped her daily safety tremendously.
so bottom line, DO IT.
if you want to autocross, you WILL learn a ton and have a good time doing it. If you are new to autocross, or even intermediate, it is the best money you can spend.
many advanced autocrossers i know continue to repeat the EVO courses every now and then as good refreshers.
most if not all of the instructors are former SCCA national champions, and they are very good. they tell you new things, and then they show you; then they watch you do it, and that is how you really learn.
if you want to track or road race, the school will help you as well. for one thing, in my opinion, you SHOULD be a good autocrosser first anyway. but even if autocrossing is not your thing, it is worth the money.
i made my daughter take it when she was 16 and it helped her daily safety tremendously.
so bottom line, DO IT.
I took a couple of levels years ago, very good school. Very good instructors.
Regional autox novice schools if your region has them are a good option also and better "bang for the buck" also not just for novice.
But you don't get the "star quality" of having a nat champ in your passenger seat.
Amazing what those guys can make a car do. I remember Jr. driving my LT4 with one hand while he pointed out where I should be looking with his other hand and being so fast & smooth I just was amazed.
Sigh.
Regional autox novice schools if your region has them are a good option also and better "bang for the buck" also not just for novice.
But you don't get the "star quality" of having a nat champ in your passenger seat.
Amazing what those guys can make a car do. I remember Jr. driving my LT4 with one hand while he pointed out where I should be looking with his other hand and being so fast & smooth I just was amazed.
Sigh.
Thanks for all the input guys. this eases hat very miniscule amount of doubt I had in the back of my mind. 75+ runs over the next 3 days should be a blast to do.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 431
Likes: 13
From: Sherman Oaks CA
Was going to take an SCCA starting line class at Fontana this weekend, but have two cars down. I've heard nothing but good things about these schools.
Maybe I'll ask Froggy Steve to give me some personal instruction?
Maybe I'll ask Froggy Steve to give me some personal instruction?
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Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Winnipeg Manitoba
I have done Phase 1, best money I have ever spent on autox. I still go back to the video and notes before every season. Definitely have a camera in your car so you can hear what the instructors say and watch what they do.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 251
From: Brookville PA
I'm one of the most senior instructors. Do it. Back when it was McKamey School, it really turned my lightbulb on.
Bear in mind that different people teach different things and in different ways. If you aren't clicking with your instructor (but give him/her a chance first) tell someone so they can change instructors to benefit you the most.
For the love of all that's holy. Have an open mind. If you don't, you are wasting your time and money.
Bear in mind that different people teach different things and in different ways. If you aren't clicking with your instructor (but give him/her a chance first) tell someone so they can change instructors to benefit you the most.
For the love of all that's holy. Have an open mind. If you don't, you are wasting your time and money.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
From: Philly Area PA
I did two clinics a decade or so ago and absolutely loved it -- had two wonderful instructors, Mark Daddio and Pat Salerno, both of whom were a hoot to learn from and great, patient teachers. All of the staff at that time were incredibly professional and friendly.
You'll love it and learn a lot.
You'll love it and learn a lot.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
Just got with Phase 1 and 2, and holy cow is all I can say. The things I have learned and the improvements that the veterans in my region tell me they have seen makes this totally with the money. We have one more day for a test and tune tomorrow with a little bit more work on looking ahead. I can't wait for our next race on the first to see just how much the improvements are actually worth.
If any one has any doubt about this school: Do it!!!! It is completely worth the money for worth you learn.
If any one has any doubt about this school: Do it!!!! It is completely worth the money for worth you learn.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
I did get some video but I need get it uploaded. The only one on the list who is here is Tom Kotzian. There was a change for the others, but things Tom can do with a car are out of this world. I felt amazing being only .4 seconds slower than his best time in my car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
For the love of god do it!!!! The sheer amount of knowledge I got this weekend was incredible. I ended up with 68 total run over the last three days and I still learned something new each time I had an instructor in the car with me. My next event is on the 1st of February and I cannot wait to see what the actual improvements based on the other drivers will be. we ran a track similar to a previous event from this season yesterday for our test and tune, and I saw a 5.5 second difference in my times with added elements. while I know it will not be this drastic, It was still a gauge to see what improvements I made.
The sheer amount of knowledge I got this weekend was incredible. I ended up with 68 total run over the last three days and I still learned something new each time I had an instructor in the car with me. My next event is on the 1st of February and I cannot wait to see what the actual improvements based on the other drivers will be. we ran a track similar to a previous event from this season yesterday for our test and tune, and I saw a 5.5 second difference in my times with added elements. while I know it will not be this drastic, It was still a gauge to see what improvements I made.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 48
From: CT
For the love of god do it!!!! The sheer amount of knowledge I got this weekend was incredible. I ended up with 68 total run over the last three days and I still learned something new each time I had an instructor in the car with me. My next event is on the 1st of February and I cannot wait to see what the actual improvements based on the other drivers will be. we ran a track similar to a previous event from this season yesterday for our test and tune, and I saw a 5.5 second difference in my times with added elements. while I know it will not be this drastic, It was still a gauge to see what improvements I made.
The sheer amount of knowledge I got this weekend was incredible. I ended up with 68 total run over the last three days and I still learned something new each time I had an instructor in the car with me. My next event is on the 1st of February and I cannot wait to see what the actual improvements based on the other drivers will be. we ran a track similar to a previous event from this season yesterday for our test and tune, and I saw a 5.5 second difference in my times with added elements. while I know it will not be this drastic, It was still a gauge to see what improvements I made.Now if I can convince my wife I need to do the 2 day
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 769
Likes: 2
From: Kapolei Hi
I have about 10 months of experience. I made more runs this weekend than I have since I started combined. I personally feel that both days should be done to get the most out of it, as day 2 really hammers home the things they teach on day 1.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 330
Likes: 18
From: Milford MI
I took Phase 2 in Detroit and had 2 instructors split up by the lunch break. It was great to hear from 2 nationally competitive instructors. I had very discernible results from taking the course. They teach good habits which build a great foundation for competitive driving. Every national champ has a good foundation.
I also recommend it for someone new to autocross or even new to a car because I had something like 20 runs and it was the second autocross I ever had my C5 at. And to give you an idea of results, the event I had prior to Evo School, my STU C5 and I were behind STX cars on raw time and fell somewhere around 40th-50th on pax of ~180 cars. The event on the day after the Evo School, I was top 10 PAX of ~180 cars and beat all the same STX cars that beat me previously. I even out-PAX'd the legendary John Heinricy (some luck involved there too).
I'm not a nationally competitive autocrosser, but I've been doing competitive driving as a hobby for several years and saw a good benefit to the Evo School. Spend the money, show up with an open mind willing to learn, and make lots of runs. There's no way to lose imo.
I also recommend it for someone new to autocross or even new to a car because I had something like 20 runs and it was the second autocross I ever had my C5 at. And to give you an idea of results, the event I had prior to Evo School, my STU C5 and I were behind STX cars on raw time and fell somewhere around 40th-50th on pax of ~180 cars. The event on the day after the Evo School, I was top 10 PAX of ~180 cars and beat all the same STX cars that beat me previously. I even out-PAX'd the legendary John Heinricy (some luck involved there too).
I'm not a nationally competitive autocrosser, but I've been doing competitive driving as a hobby for several years and saw a good benefit to the Evo School. Spend the money, show up with an open mind willing to learn, and make lots of runs. There's no way to lose imo.