One of those weekend things. I've wanted to do it forever but can't seem to find any definitve answers/dates.

I live in North Carolina so VIR (Virginia International Roadway) seems like the likely choice but I hear there are tracks all around (Charlotte obviously).

Can anyone steer me toward info about finding a weekend retreat to hone my skills (and hopefully burn up these stock Pontenza tires)??

It doesn't necessarily have to be a Mazda only event. Just some place I can do some classroom time and track time. Any advice is appreciated.............

 

You say "competive Driving School". Do you what to learn how to drive in competition or just to drive a little better when on the track?
If you just want to drive a little better on the track, I would suggest a local NASA event. Sign up for HPPE I and you will get classroom and track time with an instrutor for the weekend or until they promote you to HPPE II.
If you are looking to get into wheel to wheel racing, then get intouch with Skip Barber Racing School. It will cost a lot of money, but you will get a lot of on-track experiance in their car.

 

If you just want to go fast while getting first-class instructions, MazdaDrivers is at VIR a couple of times each year. A great group with a good, solid program and competitive pricing. VIR is incredible! I was there earlier this year when MazdaDrivers was there.

Check out their web site: http://www.mazdadrivers.com/

 

If you live near Raleigh, look up Grover McNair at McNair Performance. Grover's been around Mazdas for over 20 years and got his start in the business with Team Highball the team that took Mazda to the first victory at the Daytona 24 in 1983 in the GTU class.

Tar Heel Sports Car Club has some good info as well.

If you're in Charlotte there are some schools run out of CMS but there is a lot of vertical concrete there as well. Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw SC also has a drivers school and is a lot better track then CMS at least for what you'll want.

If you really want the bang for the buck try a shifter kart school. Driving dynamics are the same and the performance factor is beyond anything that comes out of a factory.

 

many thanx!!

mazdadrivers.com is just the kind of link I was looking for. And I had forgotten about McNair Performance. I'll be looking into it

PS: and yes, I was looking to just improve my skills on a track; not real racing............

 

I've done a number of things over the years including Bob Bondurant School of High Performance driving (Mustang GTs and more road than track), Skip Barber 2-day course racing school (drove Formula Saab cars there), BWM Performance Center driving school, track and autocross course (3 series cars) and several track day schools set up and run by the SCCA in my region including Basic Autocross, Advanced Autocross, Basic Lapping and Advanced Lapping (I'm guessing each region might call it different things).

Might say I'm a driving school junkie.

Of all of them, the SCCA courses were by far the best - the basic and advanced autocross courses were single-day courses that were like $100, "run what you brung", and were just a blast. My autocross times improved tremendously - this was back in 1994 - I was driving an Integra GSR back then.

The SCCA lapping courses were also terrific - a bit more expensive though. Again "run what you brung", about $200 for the instruction plus a track day fee of $225. I did the advanced course last summer - you can pair with someone to split the track day fee, so a buddy of mine and I went in his C6 Corvette. Sadly, I haven't had my -8 on the track due to Mazda "big brother" warranty worries.

Have fun and enjoy! Post up after you go.

 

idiot question????

Am I gonna have to go out and purchase a helmet for a weekend adventure, or does someone rent them??? or do they typically rent them at the track??

I understand the basics of how it works. You gotta have your car inspected (or inspect it yourself), fill out the paperwork and generally arrive on a Friday nite to be okayed at the paddock. Rest up and prepare for Sat. morning classroom time, etc, etc. Then have some fun on the track.............

Precautions include, put new oil in before and after and expect to chew up your tires; thats about it........

I'm really excited about this. I've wanted to do it forever but could never put my Miata on the track cause it didn't have a roll-bar. And, try as I might, I just can't safely sling my 8 around, even on country roads cause the damn car just handles too well. I wanna experience some serious oversteer in the right environment and learn a lot as I go. And like I said in my original post, I have no problems in destroying these stock Potenzas.....they suck anyway....................thanx for all the good advice.............

 

oh, and I live in Raleigh..............gonna see what McNair has to say.................I had forgotten his "status" when it comes to rotaries..........

 

You can rent a helmet at the track usually but I'd go ahead and buy one. I assure you that once you drive one event, you will be back. This is more addicting than crack!

CMP (Carolina Motorsport Park) is an awesome track up your way. I can't wait to go back up there. They have "Turn One" which is a great school with plenty of track time.

NASA is a great organization as well and they participate at many of the tracks. Check with BMWCCA, Mustang, Panoz and other organizations as well.

ZoomZoom

 

Listen to SilverEIGHT..............

It's like peanuts once you start you can't stop.

Beats a speeding ticket or accident any day.

 

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