Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I see several car makers offer their own driving school or partner with an existing established school. The location of these schools means it would amount to a vacation trip. Has anyone here ever tried these schools? How effective was it for you? Do you feel it was worth the expense? And would such schools (including those not tied to car makers) be worth it for the average commuter driver?
I once drove a van for my company vanpool. But before doing so, I was required to be trained by a professional driving instructor (they train truck drivers). I learned a LOT of safe driving tips from that training which I still use today.
I also took drivers education in high school. I learned a LOT there too which has probably saved my life (from doing stupid things when younger).
And I even took an AARP driving class even though I was not a "senior". Anyone can take that class, it is inexpensive, and some insurance companies will give you a discount after taking the class. I learned a LOT there too!
So my advice would be to go to ANY driving school. It will make you a safer driver!
Yes do the schools, BMW, Mustang, Corvette, Porsche all have schools
All my best friends and I have years of experience at performance driving schools. Some of us went on to become instructors and some went on to become winning SCCA/SVRA drivers. We are all better street drivers than those with no school experience, It's not even arguable.
Used to belong to BMWCCA. Every year, we took advantage of their M school offering in Spartansburg - it's basically a hybrid of their 1 and 2 day classes. They also have a teen driver class - that's something my kid will be doing at the appropriate age.
Is it worth it? I guess that's up to the individual. But you do learn some neat driving skills and put yourself in situations that may be useful in your daily driving (e.g. emergency maneuvers). However, like any other skill, the less you use it, the quicker you lose it.
I've heard that some police departments also offer driving courses (usually on their academy grounds). You're not going to be learning down shifting, heel/toe techniques, or tracking laps in performance vehicles. But you will get to drive on skid pads etc.
Getting good behind the wheel take a ton of seat time. Seat time is extremely expensive, so it's best to make the most of it by learning as much as you can before you hit the track.
I think sim racing has a ton to offer someone new to performance driving (unlimited seat time and variety of cars and tracks). Iracing is a fantastic true to life simulator with laser scanned tracks. Amazing physics.
For well under $1K you could get yourself a high quality force feedback wheel and load cell pedal set. Assuming you have a gaming PC already....
This is the best bang for your buck if you're serious about getting good!
Getting good behind the wheel take a ton of seat time. Seat time is extremely expensive, so it's best to make the most of it by learning as much as you can before you hit the track.
I think sim racing has a ton to offer someone new to performance driving (unlimited seat time and variety of cars and tracks). Iracing is a fantastic true to life simulator with laser scanned tracks. Amazing physics.
For well under $1K you could get yourself a high quality force feedback wheel and load cell pedal set. Assuming you have a gaming PC already....
This is the best bang for your buck if you're serious about getting good!
I disagree and I'll tell you why. Performance driving and racing instruction are two entirely different things when it comes to the track.
Performance driving will teach you how to drive at speed on the track with other cars and drivers that are a lot faster then you are. More like driving on the highway, you learn your limits and how to avoid being run over.
Racing schools teach you how to race with other drivers with cars of similar speed capabilities which are harder to pass and to be passed.
I don't know about the simulators because how do you get a feel for the track. I have driven some tracks thousands of laps yet on a computer the same track does not feel the same to me.
This I will agree with, track time is expensive. When I started, track time was $150 per day for a major road course. The last time I checked it was around $4-500 a day
I would go simply to learn to be a better driver and how to control skids, car handling weight transfer. Granted I drive what most sports car drivers consider a pig on wheels that handles as if it was on ice but hey even a pig can lose traction.
I've actually hinted to my wife a few times but in one ear out the other
I see several car makers offer their own driving school or partner with an existing established school. The location of these schools means it would amount to a vacation trip. Has anyone here ever tried these schools? How effective was it for you? Do you feel it was worth the expense? And would such schools (including those not tied to car makers) be worth it for the average commuter driver?
Yes. Spring mountain motorsports near Vegas. GM paid for it. Loved it and learned a ton!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Yes do the schools, BMW, Mustang, Corvette, Porsche all have schools
