Whats the deal with Driving Schools??

[nolaws4evr]

Ok, I got a question about this driving school business... How much do they generally cost and when/where are some in the SE? cmon you ATL guys, I know you know whats up with this stuff. I keep seeing alot of people say to go to one of these and I would really like to, but I havent a clue where they are. I already am actively participating in my local autox club, and it really helps alot, but a school would be alot better Id think. Thanks for any help, Josh.

[TurboKA37]

prices vary depending on how long the coarse is and what type it is. ive checked out a bmw driving school where they have a really nice test center down in NC and the coarses there can go up to the thousands for a 3 day coarse. but then there are other coarses that are only one day and dont cost nearly as much. im sure there are some driving schools on some of the race tracks near u. ull just have to contact the track and find out

[Bubba1]

Much depends on what you want to do and how far you want to take it and if you want to use your own car.Professional schools like Skip Barber, Panoz, Derek Daley, Bertil Roos are all excellent, comprehensive, but are not cheap. You also use their cars, which is good. I've done virtually everything at Skip Barber, and I can tell you 1st hand it's awesome. Their prices range anywhere from $800 to $5000, depends how many days and what you want to do, whether it be performance driving/car control or racing.

Car Clubs like Audi, Porsche, Corvette, etc... cost considerably less, plus you use your own car. A typical 2 day Audi school at a major track is maybe $300, plus a $40 annual membership. The price includes a banquet and event shirt. That's pretty dang cheap. The instruction is not as intense as a formal school like Barber or Panoz. No special specs are needed for your car, just needs to be in decent enough shape to pass a technical inspection. (which is not difficult if you take good care of your car) You learn quite a bit about car control and understand more what your car can actually do.

I'm active with Audi so if you're interested I'll pass the link along.Owning an Audi is not required. I regularly attend Audi schools in my stock Nissan. I also used my stock 89 240sx many times to these schools. You'd be amazed would great cars they are. Great fun, great people, a huge variety of cars, ranging from stock Sentras to full race-prepared Ferrari's, and a few Audi's

If you're serious about wanting to improve your skills, and have the money, Skip Barber is great. If you're not sure about it, or are on a more limited budget, Audi gives a terrific bang for the buck.

[nolaws4evr]

yeah, Id definately appreciate the link for audi. also, where are the skip barber courses located? would I have to fly out there or what? If I could only do one or two different events, which would you suggest is the best one for the money besides audi? Right now I am just an 18yr old looking to improve my driving skills, while I think Im good, I really know Im not at all so I want someone to teach me. Maybe in a couple years I could think about racing but not for now. Is there any place I could learn to drift correctly besides my local empty parking lots? thanks for all the input guys.

Josh

[Mayhem_J30]

I've used http://www.MORPCA.com to participate in the http://www.putnampark.com event. Good price for what you get. It's very similar to what Bubba1 mentioned.

[Bubba1]

http://www.audicarclubna.org. I'm with the Potomac chapter.Skip Barber is at most of the major tracks. They schedule different days and different types of classes at different tracks. If you want Road Atlanta, for example, they may have 2-3 sets of classes a month to choose from. Barber actually owns 2 tracks: Lime Rock (Conn.) and Barber Motorsports (in AL or MS, I forget which), so they'll hold schools at those tracks more often than say Watkins Glen.

As far as getting to one, you can drive or fly. It's at your expense. But while at school, you train in their cars.

I'm biased as I've been with Audi several years. But there are plenty of good clubs that teach the same thing. I did Skip Barber and it was awesome, but it was expensive. I do Audi much more now because it costs so little and the Potomac folks are a fun group.

I think a car club like Audi is a great way to develop the skills without a big investment, plus it's a hoot driving your own car on a track.

As far as drifting goes, If you do Barbers Car Control clinic, you spend a good bit of time on their skid pad, which is essentially the fundamentals of drifting.

Enjoy

[nametakennow]

Sweet... they have a Panoz thing at Road Atlanta here in ATL, but its like 800$ for two days, which is insane... my dad said he'd be willing to send me one if the cost is justifiable... and I'd rather use my own car anyway... I wish there was something lower scale down here... or like an SCCA thing for young/inexperienced drivers that allowed them to work on skills and then run around a track for time a coupla times...

the good driver mod kicks a55

[Bubba1]

Well, Barber and Panoz' racing schools actually prepare you for SCCA. I think Barber has a one day new drivers course. If they still offer it, it'll be on their website http://[email protected].

the next Audi event I'm attending is at Summit Point Raceway (about 90 minutes from Baltimore) Fun track.

[nolaws4evr]

hey thanks for all the information guys. Im looking into skips stuff, and I think there is a track down is Taladega spdway that I will give a call.