I've been to Bondurant, and it is a great experience. I think Bondurant
is the granddaddy of them all. I can't say if it is the "best" because
it is the only one I've attended.
Advantages:
They own their own road course, which can be set up in many ways.
They are well-equipped, with Mustang Cobras and Formula Fords. No
problem getting one of their helmets or racing suits to fit, or being
sidelined with a broken car.
They have the pick of the best instructors (in my opinion). These are
not some local pimply-faced kids, they are typically professional drivers
that happen to be between "rides." My former instructor is now racing in
a stock car series.
Great reputation, Bondurant is hands-on and makes sure the quality of
instruction is high.
Phoenix means little chance for rain to spoil your fun (or make things
more interesting?).
Disadvantages
You have to go to Phoenix, which can be a bitch in the summer. Good news
is that the Mustangs are airconditioned and the school starts early in
the morning and ends at 3:00 pm in the summer.
More expensive than most.
I've heard reports that some instructors are becoming jaded due to high
volumes of students. Not my experience, but a cautionary tale.
I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the well-known schools.
Virtually every local racetrack has a school, and I would be really
careful about spending money at one. There is one at Texas Motor
Speedway, for example, which I've heard is overpriced and of poor
quality.
Was it worth it? Hell, yes! I learned the basics of racing (I had never
raced before) and some of the finer points as well. I only took a
two-day course, but I learned an enormous amount. Two years later I
fielded my Midget in vintage racing and was able to finish first and
third in my Spec class on only my second race weekend. I would have been
floundering around for a long time if it weren't for the Bondurant
experience.
Was it worth the money? Umm, harder for me to answer. I haven't tried
any of the others, and I didn't pay anything for this one (corporate
outing, be jealous, be very jealous).
Good luck!
David Littlefield
'62 MGA MkII
'51 MGTD
'74 MG Midget vintage racer
'88 Jaguar XJ-S
On Sat, 26 May 2001 15:54:45 -0700 "Thom Kuby" <thomkuby@iwvisp.com>
writes:
> Greetings All,
> As I get closer and closer to seeing my vintage race Porsche 912
> become
> reality...I'm faced with another reality: Driver Training.
>
> I'm quite serious and determined to get some initial, proper
> training up
> front, sometime before my car is ready for its' initial shakedown
> period.
>
> So, I'm soliciting your wisdom & input regarding these different
> driving
> schools that are out there. I was thinking of one of these
> "established"
> schools like Bondurant, Skip Barber, Russell, Daly, etc, etc.
> However, I'm
> open to any and all possibilities...except schools in Europe; my
> budget
> dictates I stay in the States.
>
> What I'm looking for are:
> - recommendations (based on experience please)
> - actual experience ("what did you get out of it"; did you feel it
> was worth
> the time and expense?)
> - any other factors that might effect a decision.(e.g. the fact I'm
> in an
> EP-spec 912, live on the west coast etc)
>
> Some basic background on me:
> - I'm a current and active member of VARA, and have attended one
> full VARA
> University session (track time and classroom, conducted by Danny
> McKeever)
> and have since "crashed" a few more classroom sessions...
> - I'd like to join up with HSR West, POC, and possibly some of the
> guys up
> North (NASA and HSMA)
> - 90 percent of my racing will happen in northern & southern Ca, the
> rest
> being Las Vegas, Phoenix, and possibly the Northwest
> - I live about an hour north of Willow Springs Ca.This is where
> McKeever has
> his school. So, while I'm willing to consider going anywhere
> (except
> Europe) to school - I'd rather stay fairly close to home.
> - Speaking of McKeever, does anyone have any input regarding his
> chool?( Fast Lane) Do they present any sort of certificate for
> licensing
> after completion of the course? If I can get everything I'm looking
> for out
> of the School in my backyard, that would be great (read cheap and
> easy for
> me...)
>
> So there you have it...I'm looking forward to your input. While
> sharing
> this sort of knowledge certainly benefits the list audience, please
> copy me
> offline when sending a response - this way I'll DEFINITELY receive
> it.
>
> Thanks for the help and advice - I sincerely appreciate your time.
>
> Cheers
> Thom Kuby
> '68 EP 912 - "gittin close"
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