you can't drive! I have been to so many DE and Open track events were these guys pull up in heavily modded sports cars and have absolutely no idea how to drive. If most of these people would spend $5000-$8000 for a driving school before they start adding performance parts they would not be so embarrassed by being passed by a car with half the hp or loosing control of the car so many times that they end up ruining the session for everyone on the track! The worst is when they have the gull to blame the car!! Parts (mods) will not give you skill no matter how much you spend. I use to feel safer at the track than I did on the 405. Not anymore!

Sorry for the vent. I just get sick and tired of people spending so much money on their car versus themselves!

Has anyone had the same experiences during a track event?

 

I voted privately, but for the record my vote was:

Took a driving school (Bondurant,Skip Barber, etc.) first then started mods.

15-20 schools under my belt including California Superbike School for the first time last year.....way fun!

Looking into PDE in 2004 with Loren and Sean.

 

KPV,

Thanks for the input! I hope we have more guys like you on this board. But I am assuming most are not and the majority will probably fall into the last category. I have personally gained more skill every time I have professional instruction, this coming from a guy who has been racing on & off for the past 16 years. Would you say the same?

By the way my brother is looking into the CA superbike school and a few others. Would recommend that school?

 

Ken let me know when you do PDE. I will do it with you!!

 

I'll be at the next PBOC at Moroso. Already signed up!
And lookin forward to it too!
I am an autocross veteran too from way back!
Not great for instruction, But you can really learn about your car at them.

 

L8Apex,
I have never raced. My experience is with schools only. My lessons have been invaluable. It really does carry into real life driving as well. I can recall at least 3 occasions wherein I was in a panic situation and instinctively steered through the situation (with gas in one instance) rather than perform the ubiquitous panic brake reaction.

Taking the MINI for its first thrashing this upcoming weekend at Pocono International Raceway.

Regarding CSS, tell your brother to do it! Very important though, READ "A TWIST OF THE WRIST" first!!! Keith Code wrote it and it is excellent. Between the book and the instruction by Keith himself, it was amazing.
Here is a photo from the school at Watkins Glen:



Duane,
Sounds great!! Sean and Loren (LJH996TT) are planning to do it in early 2004. I was going to join them. As you probably know, Sean and I will be in NC in Dec. Loren has his shoulder operation so he will not be attending. We can talk about it seriously then.

 

Re: the vote.

I wholeheartedly agree with you that, if you want to go faster on a track and/or be a safer driver at speed on the street, then spending money on yourself is more effective. On the other hand, if you have the disposable income, the fun/challenge/satisfaction of modding a car to suit your own individual tastes is also rewarding. I think a mix of both is great if you can afford it and like experimenting with cars.

FWIW, I did Bondurant in 95 before attempting any mods. Then autocrossed a stocker for about six months before modding it to street prepared. Started road racing in 96 and most of my road racing experience was in a relatively stock "Spec RX7". But I've also raced a few more heavily modified cars, including Improved Touring and Prod along the way.

Re: the second question.

Yes! I've lapped 996s, NSXs, and a variety of other cars (with slow drivers) in my 120 HP Spec RX7. The fact that I encountered slow drivers in fast cars didn't bother me that much... The thing that really gets me is the frequent mixing of experienced with inexperienced drivers in the same session. Inevitably, it leads to traffic jams in the corners and unsafe conditions when the inexperienced drivers try to stay in front of the more experienced drivers (and often make big mistakes in the process).

As an aside, I think that there is another reason why some people don't do DEs. They don't want to damage their cars or take risks. The fact of the matter is, DEs do involve risk. Just ask BuddyG.

And they do damage cars. Things like brakes, tires, clutches, and even engines wear more quickly with frequent tracking. Of course, the debris that flies up from cars in front can also wreak havoc on your car.

The risk didn't bother me too much. Maybe I've been hit on the head one too many times. But, the damage to the vehicle thing got to me early on after tracking a few of my earlier street cars. So, my solution was a permanent track car... one that, if I totaled it, I would just say "oh well, no big deal".

 

i have flown by NSXs, 996s, M3s, etc in my S2000. I raced a bit when i was younger but mostly unsprung vehicles. Since then i've been to the track about 30 times in various street cars and competed in a few autocrosses, although my car was unprepared to do so (old crappy tires). I still wouldn't say i'm a great driver but i am definitely better than average.

 

I think it's safe to say that all of us "modders" are compensating for something. Plus it's far less brutal on our unmentionables than the Swedish pump. So the more HP one has with the more mods...

Anyways, my car broke on the dyno which obviously means something.

But I do agree with you, if you're going to go to a track and think that a 750HP TT can whoop on some "measley" Miata, you'll probably end up getting your **** beat by said Miata if you have no skill. I by no means consider myself a great driver. Got a totally clean record (never got a ticket or any moving violation) etc... but I'm talking about the track. Only driven in the two events at Buttonwillow Raceway but I'm still young and intend to learn more. In the mean-time I have a bad modding habbit, which is better than drink/drugs I guess?

 

Yes, I was one of those guys back in 1997. I had just bought
my 97 993 turbo and I signed up for my first DE. I thought I
was a pretty good driver going in to this event without any
prior experience. Let's just say as I was trying to mirror drive
and keep 944's off my butt in the corners I spun about 3 times
out in my first session. Needless to say the Chief instructor and
I got real close. I finally realized I had a lot to learn. Now after many, many track days, and racing in Skip Barber Formula Dodge and Stock Car racing in ASA I feel I am a pretty good driver. However you can always learn more and I continue to try to find
ways to become a better driver.

Driving schools are fun and you will learn a ton. I love Skippy and highly recommend their schools!

 

I mod to make my signature longer - LOL (of course I am just kidding...)

 

Agreed, P-car addiction in all of it's various degree's is much better than drinking/drugs, IMHO. I bought my GT3 as a clean and sober gift for myself. I am seriously considering attending the 2 - Day Porsche High Performance Driving school down in Sweet Home Alabama this winter. Anyone attend one of the sessions at Barber??? Opinions appreciated...

Do Porsche Drugs!!!

 

Skippy School is awesome!! Tons of track time and great feedback from the instructors.

 

Best MOD bang for the buck!!!!!
FIX THE LOOSE NUT BEHIND THE WHEEL!!!!!!!!!

I concur 110% It will save your A@# more than you may care to imagine!!!!!!

 

Karts? Or Ricers with incorrectly cut springs? J/K or course....