I’m considering going to driving school. But I’m still trying to mentally justify the cost of the classes. After looking around it seem like Phil Wicks keeps coming up. So I checked out the site and the cost for the next driving event nearest my area is “Laguna Seca Raceway, Dec 13/14”. From what I gather the class is only 1 or 2 days at a cost of $300-$350 for the instruction. Per person. Making it a minimum of $600-$700 dollars if you take someone with you. That’s a lot of money for 1class.

I’m not understanding why the driving classes are so expensive? I’ve been to regular driving school before and it lasted for several days. Cost was more or less the same but for many more hours of instruction. Is there something special about Phil Wicks driving school and these types of driving schools that I’m unaware of? It would be my first time at a track or this type of driving school, so I really like to know.

 

Driving School? More like Track Driving Classes

You pay for the following:

1. AN instructor in your car EVERY time you go out on the track, usually 20 minute sessions, sometimes more or less by 5-10 minutes

2. A Classroom Instructor - One that "teaches" you the safety rules, flags, etiquette, when to pass, how toallow others to pass, how to "shift or transfer" the weight of your car, throttle control, etc.... After evry session on the track, you meet in the classroom ( Beginners )

3. At least 4,likely 5, 20 minute sessions on the track, full speed if you can handle it.

4. Corner workers at the track -if there are 10 turns, maybe 6 or more corner workers to watch and alert you if any problems, wrecks, incidents

5. The track is VERY expensive to rent for a weekend, Phil WIcks sometimes loses money on the better tracks .... No Lie

You will be tired after each of these, they are intense Have FUN

 

Thanks Red_Rage


Sounds great!

 

$300 for any driving school at Laguna Seca is a good price. Laguna is a world class track.

 

The cost for a day of Phil Wicks driving school is only for the person driving. I have been to several in St. Louis. My family almost always comes, in full or part to watch me and their cost is $5.oo a person to get in. Phil Wicks is one of the best and the most reasonibily priced schools you will find anywhere. If you haven't had your Mini on a track, go it is the most fun you can have in a Mini.
Larry

 

[QUOTE=bluezone]I’m considering going to driving school. But I’m still trying to mentally justify the cost of the classes. After looking around it seem like Phil Wicks keeps coming up. So I checked out the site and the cost for the next driving event nearest my area is “Laguna Seca Raceway, Dec 13/14”. From what I gather the class is only 1 or 2 days at a cost of $300-$350 for the instruction. Per person. Making it a minimum of $600-$700 dollars if you take someone with you. That’s a lot of money for 1class.
QUOTE]

The Phil Wicks site mentions tuition is $300 if before 11/15 for the 12/14 class. Actually quite a good price for what is offered.

Note that you can select-
Your skill group:

• PERFORMANCE DRIVING BASIC: This program is designed for the sports-minded driver with little or no on-track driving experience. Sessions alternate between classroom instruction addressing proper lines and vehicle handling when navigating a racetrack and on-track driving sessions. On-track sessions begin with lead-follow at highway speeds. Each following session addresses more aggressive on-track driving.
• HIGH PERFORMANCE ADVANCED: This program is designed for the experienced driver with some on-track driving experience. Additional instruction is available for better driving and track navigation.
• EXPERT: This program is designed for licensed racers or very experienced drivers with on-track driving experience.

http://www.minidriving.com/classes.htm

 

are these phil wicks schools two day or one?

 

You can choose 1 or 2 days at most tracks. You may be able to get a small discount if you run both days. It is worth every penny and in my opinion is the best mod for the MINI.

 

No slam on Phil Wicks, but a 1:4 instructor to student ratio is something that could be improved upon. As an instructor, I think 1:2 offers much more value to the student. When I have to hop out of one car into another and another and another... It's just something to think about.


PWDA events do offer the advantage of drawing a very high percnetage of MINI's, but you may also want to check out a BMW CCA or PCA event. In either case, just make sure you go. There's no better investment in your car than improving the driver.

 

I really like the atmosphere at the Wicks schools, especially for those less experienced. The first on track driver's school (not a Wick's school) I ever went to a while back I was the slowest car there and was asked to push myself beyond what I felt like were my abilities. Not a good feeling. I dont' think that would ever happen at Phil's schools.

I haven't been to one of his schools where there were 4 students for 1 instructor. Most times I had an instructor each trip out, and occaisionally had to share with a 2nd student.
I also feel that driving instruction is the first money you should spend to modify your car's performance.

By the way, the sig picture is me and my classic Celeste at a Wicks school at Talledega Gran Prix.

 

back to my question. are the wicks schools one day or two? is it 300 bucks a day or 300 for the two days.

if it is 300 for the two days have at it. if not that is too much. most porsche, BMW, and audi schools are 300 for two days.

 

For Laguna Seca on the 14th it is $300 for one day.
There is a hospitality gathering on the 13th.

Other venues have been less and there generally is a break for two days. The prices for Wicks schools are comparable to others of this type and are a good value for the time on track.

 

I just noticed you are in the southeast also. Phil will be at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC in November. That is a really fun track to do. I am looking forward to returning there because when I went for a two day school back in July the supercharger bypass valve failed in the first green lap of the first session. Limp home mode is not a good thing on the track. I kicked the hubby out of his MCS a couple of times but for the most part it was a long sad weekend for me.

 

1) Tracks are expensive to rent.

2) From what I've seen, the Phil Wicks schools are a little more expensive in my area than HPDE's put on by most of the other groups. I've yet to hear anything to justify the additional cost.

3) According to their site http://www.wicksdrivingacademy.com/sched_pwda.htm - the $300 for Laguna is for one day only.

 

I want to attend a Phil Wicks event. But I REALY want to attend one at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. That way I can save on travle expenses and lodging!

I can just see Tony George changing the name for one day... Indianapolis Motoring Speedway!

 

one of the reasons the BMW schools are among the cheapest is because the local clubs get sponsors for the school. when you go to one you get a packet full of info, ads and discounts from the sponsors. the t-shirt for the event has 20 differnet companyies plastered on it. this brings the school cost down for each student. all the BMW schools i've done have been sub 300 bucks for two full days of driving and classroom instruction.


if you go to tirerack you will notice that they list only four schools. one is the BMW schools and another is street survival. street survival is a program put on by BMW for people 16-19. it teaches you the stuff drivers ed wouldn't touch like car control and threshold breaking.

as i've said in some previous posts. compared to porsche and audi schools the BMW ones are more concerned about safety. my local chapter makes the classroom attendence mandatory.

 

The BMWCCA offers a great value in driver's schools. Another reason why this is the case is that they are a not-for-profit organization. In my experience, as things stand currently, I'd say it's a better value than Phil Wicks. No matter who you choose, you will have a blast!

 

The Phil Wicks events are on weekends, many club HPDE events are not.

 

please check this link. most schools are on the weekends. some porsche schools overlap so they can do 3 days but for the most part, weekends. people have to work during the week.

http://www.trackschedule.com/sched.html

 

I have done both Putnam Park (Indiana BMW Club) and Mid-Ohio (Buckeye Chapter) this year and highly recomend trying out the BMW events. They put on a very high quality school with both in-car instructors and class room instructors. At each event there were 3-4 Minis. Bang for the buck, except that I shredded my Paradas!

 

one would think you have to include the cost for a new set of tires for something like this...

 

It's part of the deal! I got 4 track days and 10,000 summer miles on them and still could use them again if I rotate them to the rear. I will go to R compounds next summer anyway. But the cost of the BMW schools (2 days) is well worth the $$$.

 

Yep, you're gonna see a lot of wear on your tires and brakes. They're getting a lot of use But the money you spend replacing them is nothing compared to the expenses (monetary and otherwise) of just the first collision you avoid on the street using the skills and instincts you developed at the track.

Plus, it's fun

 

one more advantage to being in the BMWCCA. for most driving schools you have to have you car checked out at an up to par shop before you go out to the track. the BMW dealer charges you about 100 bucks for this. it's an invasive inspection. they are supposed to put it on the lift check lots of stuff. if your a BMWCCA member most shops that advertise in your local chapter newsletter will waive this cost. just another advantage to membership.

 

Driving schools are the best use of your money when it comes to your car. Phil Wicks is cheap IMO. Skip Barber is about $1200 per day per person. Well worth it too considering what you get for the money. Now I can say, "have you ever driven a Formula Dodge car?, I didnt think so...Ha!"