Now that I got my 8, I am thinking about high performance driving school. Looked it up and man are they expensive. Most only last 2 days.

Has anyone gone to one of these schools? Are they worth the money you spend? Learn anything in two days?


Thanks,
Magic8

I've never attended, but from what I understand with a good course you can learn a great deal about your limits, your cars limits, and manouvers to increase your performance while driving. I would like to attend a course here locally that is $400 for one day, and I think it will be more than worth it, if it helps me push my 8 harder and safer.

100% worth it. I have taken both the Skip Barber driving and racing courses. You will have an absolute blast. The driving school is good for basics (threshold braking, vehicle dynamics, skid prevention/recovery, etc), but if you already have a grasp of these things you can skip it.

I've attended Jim Russell Racing Drivers School in Sonoma, California. It's kinda pricey...over 2 grand for 3 days. But I had the time of my life! Pushing yourself to the limits and sometimes over it. I spun once....yeah right!...3 times to be exact! LOL! Bottom line is....the experience helped me to be a better driver. I never knew about heel/toe braking until I went to this school. Another great way to improve your driving skills is go karts. Karting is a great stepping stone to becoming a race car driver. Karting is a cheaper alternative than racing school. However, Jim Russell Racing Drivers School does provide karting classes as well.

Thanks for the input.

I think I am going to check out schools nearby


Magic8

Originally posted by Wolverine
I've attended Jim Russell Racing Drivers School in Sonoma, California. It's kinda pricey...over 2 grand for 3 days. But I had the time of my life! Pushing yourself to the limits and sometimes over it. I spun once....yeah right!...3 times to be exact! LOL! Bottom line is....the experience helped me to be a better driver. I never knew about heel/toe braking until I went to this school. Another great way to improve your driving skills is go karts. Karting is a great stepping stone to becoming a race car driver. Karting is a cheaper alternative than racing school. However, Jim Russell Racing Drivers School does provide karting classes as well.

Well, I don't know about the last statement... My kart ran in the neigberhood of 8k, then there's having a way to transport it, all the extra parts you need if you want to go to the weekend long races and not go home early. Depending on what class all the various tuned pipes, boring and rebuilding engines, etc. etc... However if you just want to get any old used kart and maybe not be quite as competitive and just race in Sr. Sportsman rather than 125cc shifter it gets quite a bit cheaper. Overall I would say the cheapest way to do it is get instruction at a local track which is usually much cheaper than Skip Barber or some of the other big name schools. All that being said, my god Karting is a blast, and the investment will provide many hours of fun. The biggest drawback is your car will feel slow and like it handles like a big piece of poo after karting :p I've always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie and little else compares to going 100+ mph in a kart with your butt 1 inch from the ground and all that open air around you.

Ike

These sound pretty good anyone have any persoanal recommendations for some So Cal driving schools?

Originally posted by mmjames
These sound pretty good anyone have any persoanal recommendations for some So Cal driving schools? Danny McKeever's Fast Lane Driving School (http://www.raceschool.com/) is excellent. Danny teaches at Willow Springs International Raceway, in Rosamond, CA.

Best bet is to go along with a group of others: check out this up-to-date schedule (http://track-days.org/) of automotive Track Days and Schools throughout California and Nevada.

Thanks jdl

Danny McKeever's Fast Lane Driving School is excellent. Danny teaches at Willow Springs International Raceway, in Rosamond, CA.


Just what I was looking for Thanks!!
:cool:

Originally posted by IkeWRX


Well, I don't know about the last statement... My kart ran in the neigberhood of 8k, then there's having a way to transport it, all the extra parts you need if you want to go to the weekend long races and not go home early.
Ike My used 125cc Tony Kart shifter kart ran about 6k. As for my statement I meant that there are a lot of used karts out there that cost way cheaper than the ones that you and I bought. Another idea would be autocross events where you can use your own RX-8! There are cheaper alternatives to 3-day 2k schools or full race karts that cost 8k. You just have to look for them.

True, I have an old Dino I could sell if anyone is interested :)