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I talked to Phil Wicks yesterday morning about possibly having an event up here in the tundra. We're thinking sometime in '05, maybe in the spring?
But first I need to gauge some interest and I'd like to hear from you.
Have you attended Phil Wicks' MINI Drving Academy before?
What did you think?
If there was a two-day event in MN, would you think about coming?
I would like to know if we would have enough interest to pull this off!
I was able to get prices for two tracks that are "close" to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Does anyone have a preference? Have you been on either of these tracks?
Brainerd International Raceway, Brainered, MN @ ~3hrs according to Mapquest
Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI @ ~6hrs according to Mapquest
I'll break down the info per track:
BIR:
Less expensive than Road America
Closer than Road America
2005 weekends are all booked
Ambulance fees extra
3.1 miles
Road America:
More expensive than BIR - more than twice
Dates in April and October available, weekends in October
Ambulance, wrecker fees included
4.048 miles
Basically, how far would you be willing to drive for an all day track event? Is the spring more appealing to you so you can get driving right away? Or is the MN weather too risky? Are you all tired out from racing/autoxing by the time fall rolls around? Or would you like to cruise the track with the fall colors as a back-drop?
A local group called AARRF does event at Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount (just south of the Cities).
DCTC is the sweetest little track I've ever driven, although it's much smaller than BIR or Road America. In my Cooper, I'm never out of 2nd and 3rd at DCTC, but for learning, a little bit lower speed is fine. DCTC is a nice "safe" feeling track, with sufficient run-off room if you're driving a Mini. A 500HP vette might feel cramped, but you know. However, DCTC doesn't have the amenities that a place like BIR would.
I don't know how Phil Wicks would feel about running his school at a little place like DCTC, but it's literally within 15 minutes of the Cities, and has something like 20 turns with a lot of elevation changes in probably less than 2 miles, so it is just a riot. And I'm sure that DCTC is only a fraction of the cost of BIR, and is probably available for many weekends in '05.
Stealing a picture from http://www.aarrf.com <--- check out their DCTC events in the spring of '05 :D
Phil Wicks Driving Academy is the greatest. I participated recently at the Nashville Superspeedway road course. The tri-oval is 1.3 miles at Nashville and is partially incorporated in the 1.8 mile road course. A really fun course to drive with just enough straight away to hit 110 mph, and some really nice turns to leave the "vettes" far behind.
Small tracks are great for learning and driving, and they keep you really busy and focused. This is a learning experience and the payoff is how much better driver you are when you finish. For all you great MINIsotans please take full advantage of any Phil Wicks event you can attend no matter which track may host the event.
Can you talke about what things you went over in the class? Is it the "standard" driving stuff? Heel and toe downshifting, quick lane changes, trail braking (can you do that in a MINI??), etc?
I will try to answer the question about classes and track sessions I am sure you have. At the Nashville event there were not only MINI's, but Corvettes, Porsches, Volvos, Saabs, a Ferrari, a Viper, a couple of older prepared Mustangs, an MGB, an Impala, a Thunderbird Supercoupe, FWD Audiis and I am sure I missed something or someone. Ages ranged from 17 to over 60. There were men and women driving.
First of all, Phil Wicks (and his lovely wife Norree) is a wonderful personality who has rubbed elbows with the most famous racers and actors you would ever want to meet. He has poise and a great sense of humor. At the same time he runs a tight ship and maintains discipline among all the students/drivers/Instructors. There were two black flags thrown in the two day sessions. Black flags are expensive because you paid for that session and you don't get your money refunded for breaking the rules. One was for improper passing and the other for eratic driving, i.e., driving over your head.
As a novice, classes start with basic driving and track rules and communications using the various flags. You learn the "rules of the road" or track in this case, how to use your eyes and your head to go where you want to go, and how to look out for others less experienced that you. Safety is a primary concern, and that theme is harped on all during the day.
The first Novice session on the track is either with an instructor riding with you, or you are following an instructor. You begin to learn the track line and the vernacular and progressively and you naturally get better as you repeat lap after lap. About the time you think you are getting good, you will likely screw up just enough to realize you are Novice for a reason.
I will say you are expected to know how to drive, but not race. Each class deals with progressive driving technique and the instructors will coach you into and out of the turns, and let you know where you can improve. It is ALWAYS you against the track, not against another car.
There will be limited passing areas on the track, more for the Intermetiates than for the Novices. Passing is done with permission by the driver being passed. This isn't a race but a driving school.
I can assure you though that there is plenty of "spirited" driving. The MINIs are about the fastest of the cars I mentioned. The comradary among the drivers of all makes is great. Everyone has a good time and lots of fun.
At the end of the two days I was so exhausted that it took me several days to re-set. By the end of the day a 20 minute session is about all you want, and many driver cut short or set out the last session believe it or not. I believe we got 6 - 20 minute sessions each day.
Another nice thing about a "slower, tighter" track like DCTC is that it's easier on your brakes. Stopping from 65mph produces much less heat than stopping from 85mph.
Right as I was pulling up to the park for our 2nd Annual MMS BBQ/Scavenger Hunt, Phil Wicks called. We talked about the new possibilities of the track and I'm going to send him the info and he'll do some research and see if they will work.
So this morning, I'll be sending him track info about DCTC and St. Cloud. I'll keep you posted.
It looks like we can't post polls? Or am I missing it....
In any case - at the moment we have about 4 tracks which could work for us to have this event at. I still don't have any dates anywhere and we don't know if all 4 of these tracks are willing to host us. While I'm waiting to hear back from Phil, I'd like to hear from you guys about which track you'd like this event to be at and why. Is it close to home? Have you been there before? Is it really kick-ass? Let us know.
Here are your choices:
Road America - Elkhart Lake, WI
BIR - Brainerd, MN
DCTC - Applevalley, MN (I think it's AppleValley)
MHSC - St. Cloud, MN
I was also at Nashville that weekend. Yes slower tracks do have their advantages, but it is not always easier on brakes. One month earlier i had been at Road Atlanta, longer and faster. No problems. Nashville ... after the fourth run on Sat. new front pads and rotors were trash. It ended up on a flat bed. Bummer. New red stuffs and rotors were all used up. I spent the day learning how far into a corner I could go before braking. I had new fluid also SFR. The fluid did its job, The pads were thru to the backing plate, and the rotors were purple. Beware that slower tracks also incourage agressive braking. Racing pads are on order, and I'll never go again without replacement pad and rotors.
Wicks is a great program. I shall return. I rode home with Blakey. Thanks. At the schools take advantage of the instructors, and get one in the car with you as much as possible.
I was just thinking the other day that same thing! I haven't yet. I have to go to a wedding tonight and get some things done this weekend. If I don't hear from him by Monday, I'll check in. I gave him track info for 4 places, so I want to make sure he was time to contact them and wait for a response.
I spoke to Phil yesterday and we talked a little bit more about track
possibilities. I mentioned the DCTC track to him and he asked me to
email him some info. In my research for info I found out that even
though DCTC is close to home, it wouldn't be suitable for what we
would be doing as they have a 50mph speed limit. Granted we won't be
high speed all the time, but there will be times when we need to get
up over 50.
These were suggested in addition to Brainerd and Road America and are
_kinda_ close in drive time to Road America. The nice thing about
using one of these facilities is that they will have the room for us
and the varying terrain and course will allow Phil to use his whole
class schedule on our group.
Phil said that he is going to contact the dealership to discuss their
level of involvement in this, if any. Hopefully at the least, the
dealership would be willing to send out emails/postcards to all MINIs
sold to help raise our number of attendance.
I have emailed Phil the additional track info. After he contacts the
dealer, I am expecting an update from him.
We both agreed that a later date (late summer/early fall) would be
better for us for two reasons: Weather - not as much chance of rain or
snow still around and Planning - A later date is just going to give us
more time to get bigger numbers for attendance (hopefully).
I think that's about it for now. Once I hear back from him after he
calls the dealer, I'll let you know what he says.
