on driving schools

I was wondering if anyone has any opinions on the Dale Jarrett Racing School in Talladega..Was thinking it might be a nice present for the hubby and daughter at some point but would love to get some pointers. Anyone have any experiences, stories--suggestions? Even pros and cons of other schools would be welcome..

TIA

 

I am just going to be nice with this one

 

No on has any input on driving schools for me

 

I'll teach him how to drive

Peace
Chip

 

I guess I can let you teach Wayne but I think I'll stick to the professionals to teach Kat If she is gonna take over my car then she should respect the power and learn how to handle it

So Wayne is alllllllllllllllllllllllll yours Chip

 

Seriously, we should do a group thing

Peace
Chip

 

Lori,

There are a lot of good driving schools. You are just asking the question in the wrong forum!! Should have asked over in the roadracing section.

There is Spring Mountain out in Nevada, Bondurant, Skip Barber, and you could also sign up for an HPDE (High Performance Driver Education). You bring your own car and they have instructors there who teach you how to drive your car fast and some of this Country's best race tracks.

A good book to read on driving is Ross Bentley's Speed Secrets.

Tim

 

Spring Mountain over in Pahrump, NV has a great reputation Lori. All the guys I knew who had spent time there were very complimentary. And its less than an hour outside Vegas.

 

You wouldn't want Kat to drive my car without some professional training now would you

 

Now that sounds like fun. We will have to look into that but the question is where to do it

 

Tim,

I never thought of that section. I'll just have to copy and paste Thanks for the help and say Hi to Tony

 

Thanks Dave. Looks like the consensus from the very few is in that area. Guess we'll have to make a vacation out of it if we have to travel that far

 

Hi Lori, I saw your post over on the AutoX and Road Race section - my normal haunt.

If you're looking to give this to your hubby/daughter as a gift, then you really can't go wrong with Spring Mountain. Normally, I would recommend that the driver(s) do some HPDE events first. I believe Hooked On Driving does some events out your way and they are a first-class operation.

But, if this is their first shot at it and you want them to maximize fun and learning - and are willing to spend the money - then Spring Mountain will be a great option.

Personally, I'd stay away from the NASCAR-oriented schools and stick with the road racing ones - especially the Corvette-based groups like Bondurant and Spring Mountain. But, then again, I am somewhat biased.

 

Mikah,

Bias is good---it means that you had a great experience and that is what I am looking for. I appreciate your input. This will be their first crack at this. Of course my husband is old enough to know how to drive but our daughter is another matter. I want something that will really teach her how to handle the power and respect it..

Thanks for the suggestions


Lori

 

I saw your post in the AutoX/RR section.

I would recommend Spring Mountain. I've been through both the 3 day level one, and the level two course. I can't say enough about how well it prepared me for the track, and street. This school is very well run, buy professionals who know how to teach. There are lots of schools out there, with very fast instructors. If they can't convey to me, what they know, it is of little value. These guys have a program that works.

The three day course will give you the proper tools to be safe in HPDE, help with Autox, and make you a better safer driver on the street.
Extensive time in the skid car and the Corvette gives you a great set of skills in car dynamics and skid control. You gradually work up to faster speeds and learning how to negotiate different sets of turns. Heel and toe, and so much more.

I would encourage a school such as this to get good habits learned before you develop bad ones.

 

Send me and I'll give you a detailed report.

 

If anyone has any questions about our program I am here to answer them for you.

Jordan

 

HPDEs are a good way to get a feel for driving on the track & you will pick up some quick advise & pointers. There are some limitations though. You work with a variety of instructors (as others have mentioned). Most are typically "weekend warriors" simply meaning they have other full time jobs, & are doing events for extra cash, or because they love to do it. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the don't have useful knowledge to pass along, most of them do & are very experienced. Car clubs like PCA also offer some good weekend instruction. The instruction is most often done in your car. Check with your insurance, but, in most cases, insurance will not cover any damage that occurs on the track. With GPS & Onstar they can determine these things.

When your talking about a Corvette School like the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain & the higher cost (compared to HPDEs) you have to remember a few points. We teach the Ron Fellows philosophy of driving over 3 days, & includes approx. 300 miles of track time. Our instructors are professionals who do this everday for a living. This is their job & they truly are world class instructors. The instruction is done in our cars (C6, Z51, Z06, & Callaway Corvette), so you don't have to sweat insurance, or wear & tear on your car. Our track is a 2.2 mile track purpose built for training Corvette drivers. We pay for all of our own cars, maintenance, our instructors, & our facilities so that is where most of the cost goes to.

Most important of all, our class teaches you all aspects of driving the Corvette, including braking, car control, accident avoidance techniques, visual scanning, heel & toe downshifting, & weight distribution/ weight transfer skills. All of these skills are not only usefull on the track & improving your skills, but they do translate into normal day to day driving & can save your life.

 

plenty to choose from good luck on finding one that fits your needs

 

Lori i would do bonderaunt , 1st springmountain 2nd just my .02

oak