Hanson Intl. Driving School Review and Promo
02-17-2007, 01:10 PM
#1
Hanson Intl. Driving School Review and Promo
On the 11th of November, I did a HANSON International Advanced Driving School at the Mosport Driver Development Center.
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
Was impressed by the school and decided to do a little write up:
Weather 6-11c. Light rain at times.
Got there at 7:45.
Driving registration and check up took about 15min.
The school is run by the father and son team: Derek and Peter Hanson. Derek is responsible for the in class instructions while Peter takes care of the driving part.
They had about 14 instructors and about 28 students. The students were divided into 3 groups; Advanced, Intermediate and Beginners (me).
Our time was divided between 3 rotating activities: classroom, skid/braking, track. Each activity is about 15min. (Lunch was included and consisted of various subs from (Mr.Sub) soft drinks and snacks, coffee and tee were available at all times.)
Overall all we had about an hour for each activity (except the skid pad which was available for anyone who wanted to do some extra runs).
I will briefly describe some of the activities involved.
The driving school started in the classroom, with about 15 min of basic, overall I was pleased with the direction, Derek wasn’t overwhelming us with info, just telling us to relax and not overanalyze. Some of the stuff covered included: the physics of cornering, correct driving position, vision, setting up the car for a corner and planning for the next one.
Then we proceed to braking exercises. Objective: get a feel for your car during “hard” breaking.
Method: Accelerate to 60km, hold that speed, break as hard as you can once reaching the cones. Each one got about 3 runs in.
Then came the track, helmet on, driving position changed, instructor in the car and off you go, trying to learn the corners. The light right rain and bad tires made powering out of corners tricky but the learning more enjoyable. We were allowed to overtake based on consent so people didn’t get bunched up. We also had an opportunity to go around with our instructors, who were driving their own cars, this was helpful as the right line became more apparent.
There were several exercises on the skid pad, some of the ones I remember were:
Drifting, i.e.: going around the skid pad as “fast” as possible while keeping the car on the same radius.
Skid pad with cones (you take one on the inside the next on the outside), oversteer, throw the car around understeer and so on.
The skid pad was empty for between different sessions so I got some extra practice with some good in car instruction.
The light rain made this exercise really enjoyable and easy on the car. By the end of the day I actually managed to dance around the cones in a more or less proper manner.
Overall I found the whole experience to be very positive. This was my first time on the track and the set up of the school allowed the students to learn their cars while getting some basic skills. Paid 265 taxes in which seems more than reasonable. The school has two events planned for this year, I am going to post the info below.
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
Was impressed by the school and decided to do a little write up:
Weather 6-11c. Light rain at times.
Got there at 7:45.
Driving registration and check up took about 15min.
The school is run by the father and son team: Derek and Peter Hanson. Derek is responsible for the in class instructions while Peter takes care of the driving part.
They had about 14 instructors and about 28 students. The students were divided into 3 groups; Advanced, Intermediate and Beginners (me).
Our time was divided between 3 rotating activities: classroom, skid/braking, track. Each activity is about 15min. (Lunch was included and consisted of various subs from (Mr.Sub) soft drinks and snacks, coffee and tee were available at all times.)
Overall all we had about an hour for each activity (except the skid pad which was available for anyone who wanted to do some extra runs).
I will briefly describe some of the activities involved.
The driving school started in the classroom, with about 15 min of basic, overall I was pleased with the direction, Derek wasn’t overwhelming us with info, just telling us to relax and not overanalyze. Some of the stuff covered included: the physics of cornering, correct driving position, vision, setting up the car for a corner and planning for the next one.
Then we proceed to braking exercises. Objective: get a feel for your car during “hard” breaking.
Method: Accelerate to 60km, hold that speed, break as hard as you can once reaching the cones. Each one got about 3 runs in.
Then came the track, helmet on, driving position changed, instructor in the car and off you go, trying to learn the corners. The light right rain and bad tires made powering out of corners tricky but the learning more enjoyable. We were allowed to overtake based on consent so people didn’t get bunched up. We also had an opportunity to go around with our instructors, who were driving their own cars, this was helpful as the right line became more apparent.
There were several exercises on the skid pad, some of the ones I remember were:
Drifting, i.e.: going around the skid pad as “fast” as possible while keeping the car on the same radius.
Skid pad with cones (you take one on the inside the next on the outside), oversteer, throw the car around understeer and so on.
The skid pad was empty for between different sessions so I got some extra practice with some good in car instruction.
The light rain made this exercise really enjoyable and easy on the car. By the end of the day I actually managed to dance around the cones in a more or less proper manner.
Overall I found the whole experience to be very positive. This was my first time on the track and the set up of the school allowed the students to learn their cars while getting some basic skills. Paid 265 taxes in which seems more than reasonable. The school has two events planned for this year, I am going to post the info below.
Last edited by Chris_Bangle; 02-18-2007 at 12:44 PM.
02-17-2007, 01:16 PM
#2
Here is the promo. There are already at least 3 RX-8s coming for the April 6th event, hoping this number will grow with me posting the info here.
The offical School Promo:
Dear Friends and Motoring Enthusiasts,
Last year was a lot of fun for all and we are doing it again in 2007.
The HANSON International Advanced Driving School puts you on the track with experienced instructors who share your passion for a unique driving experience. Through our in-depth classroom and personal in-car instructions you will learn how to master the skills necessary to handle your car. For those of you that are experienced at these sorts of events, we do offer an advanced group with the provision for solo lapping.
During the day you will learn various driving techniques, vehicle dynamics, as well as discovering the limits of vehicle adhesion.
Although the setting is a race track, the HANSON International Advanced Driving School is not a racing school.
Our 2007 events are: Friday April 6th and Friday August 3rd.
We have other dates on reserve which may be released to us if they become available. I’ll keep you posted.
Students are accepted on a first come first serve basis … space is limited.
For further information please contact me.
Sincerely,
Peter Hanson
c/o HANSON International Advanced Driving School
Tel: (416) 540-2995
Email: hanson_gtr@sympatico.ca
The offical School Promo:
Dear Friends and Motoring Enthusiasts,
Last year was a lot of fun for all and we are doing it again in 2007.
The HANSON International Advanced Driving School puts you on the track with experienced instructors who share your passion for a unique driving experience. Through our in-depth classroom and personal in-car instructions you will learn how to master the skills necessary to handle your car. For those of you that are experienced at these sorts of events, we do offer an advanced group with the provision for solo lapping.
During the day you will learn various driving techniques, vehicle dynamics, as well as discovering the limits of vehicle adhesion.
Although the setting is a race track, the HANSON International Advanced Driving School is not a racing school.
Our 2007 events are: Friday April 6th and Friday August 3rd.
We have other dates on reserve which may be released to us if they become available. I’ll keep you posted.
Students are accepted on a first come first serve basis … space is limited.
For further information please contact me.
Sincerely,
Peter Hanson
c/o HANSON International Advanced Driving School
Tel: (416) 540-2995
Email: hanson_gtr@sympatico.ca
02-18-2007, 08:58 AM
#4
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Have you considered the school through the BMW club of Canada? I plan on doing it April 21-22 (2 days). Apparently it is recognized as a valid learning institution so not only is it tax deductible, but you can actually keep your insurance for the school.
02-18-2007, 09:47 AM
#5
Mosport Driver Development Center at Mosport.
http://www.mosport.com/mddcaerial.htm
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
As for BMW driving schools, I think they are a bit more expensive. Talk to Peter for all the details about tax deductions and insurance.
http://www.mosport.com/mddcaerial.htm
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
As for BMW driving schools, I think they are a bit more expensive. Talk to Peter for all the details about tax deductions and insurance.
Last edited by Chris_Bangle; 02-18-2007 at 01:03 PM.
02-18-2007, 12:46 PM
#8
Originally Posted by BlueEyes
You took cars on the kart track? or do you mean the driver development track (DDT)?
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
03-22-2007, 07:16 PM
#14
Mosport Driver Development Center
http://www.mosport.com/mddcaerial.htm
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
265 Total.
http://www.mosport.com/mddcaerial.htm
http://www.race2000.com/about/mosport
265 Total.
04-06-2007, 05:58 PM
#15
Mother nature played a cruel joke. No snow even as close as 10 km to the DDT the track however was covered.
So I am going for the Aug 3rd school intead, maybe this time we will see some 8s show up.
P.S
Max Bimmer is running a track day at Shannonville on April 19th, for details visit the website and talk to Stalker. Full day, 165$. As far as I know there are still two spots open. Would be nice to see another 8 out there.
So I am going for the Aug 3rd school intead, maybe this time we will see some 8s show up.
P.S
Max Bimmer is running a track day at Shannonville on April 19th, for details visit the website and talk to Stalker. Full day, 165$. As far as I know there are still two spots open. Would be nice to see another 8 out there.
04-06-2007, 07:15 PM
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You just left? Oh chris bangle... Snow just makes the skidpad easier. 
I still say the bmw club school is better. I'm going to it april 21-22. $400, 2 days, mosport big track. Good value.
I still say the bmw club school is better. I'm going to it april 21-22. $400, 2 days, mosport big track. Good value.
04-07-2007, 04:02 PM
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That too bad Chris. The weather is too uncertain in early April. Plus, Shannonville is so damn far.
GTWRE, do have a link to the 2 day mosport long track school on the 21/22? That track is my fav. BTW, don't be fooled into thinking your insurance would apply for any type of track school.
GTWRE, do have a link to the 2 day mosport long track school on the 21/22? That track is my fav. BTW, don't be fooled into thinking your insurance would apply for any type of track school.