I am looking into an oportunity to take some classes at Mid-Ohio this spring. Being that it is my first time should I do the two day event or would i be overwhelmed and warn out?

also, I need to get a helmet, but have no idea what to look for. What makes a good helmet good and what if anything justifies the extra cost.

Thanks

 

You should love it. Can't say whether or not you should do more then one day, as it really depends on you personally. I have done some three days and enjoy every day. I might guess that at the end of the day you might feel like that was enough, but by the next morning you'll be sorry if you don't stay. It's quite addicting.
There are others here who can answer the helmet question better then I . Just make sure you get the latest Snell rating, 2000 I believe. Do get a full face helmet with fold down visor. Even though your in a coupe, crap stills flies into the window like bits of rubber and sand.

Things to bring will most likely be on a list that the club you go with will send you. Just make sure you do bring a 5gal jug of gas as a day of tracking will empty your tank. If there is gas at the track, you can bet it will be very expensive.

Have an excellent time! (and go for both days)

 

Thanks for the advice. It was actually your Pcars video that got me thinking about it, then reading about some training. I know that this car is already more capable than i am and I havent changed anything yet. I am amazed at what this can do. I wanted to get some training under my belt before MOTD, much safer on a track. Two days it is, now just to find an affordable helmit.

 

It's great, go for it, do 2 days. You will learn more than you can imagine, and be a better, safer driver for it. As for helmets, I think that the Snell 2005 spec is out now. Get a SA2005, not a M2005. I got a Pyrotech from http://www.extremesupply.com/

 

Track driving is exhausting. Learning how, and doing it right takes a lot of concentration, while the tempation may be to go out with your classmates, limit yourself to one beer (none, if you have the will for it), eat a good dinner, a good breakfast the next day, and get all the rest you can. If you're into it, take an asperin or two before bed, so that the muscles you use won't be sore.

You're starting with the best mod you can for your car. The only bad news I have is you will be hooked, as it's very addictive. I think a coke habit can cost more, but not by much!

Matt

 

Thanks JPalt and others! My husband and I will be at the Phil Wicks class at Gateway this June and were just wondering the same thing. It'll be my first school so I wasn't sure about day 2 but by the sounds of it we'll both go for it!
Jpalt:
Are you doing the Wicks school?

 

Very good advice from the Dr.

 

I agree fully with the above advice. I took my first schools with Phil Wicks last summer and spending both days at each was THE best way to spend my money. I learned sooo much! AND...YES...IT SURE IS ADDICTING, but worth every penny.

 

It's actually the other way around. There's a lot to learn all at once, so the first day can be both confusing and intense for a novice. Trust me, you'll sleep well that night! But it'll all start to come together for you on the second day, so I strongly recommend a 2 day school.

There are 3 basic categories of helmet (not counting bike or kart versions), each available in open and full face construction:
1) DOT spec motorcycle. This is the barest minimum for street legality, and is not accepted for track use by anybody. Fuggedaboudit!
2) Snell M[year of standard], e.g. Snell M2005. The Snell Memorial Foundation is an independent standards and testing body. The M denotes motorcycle applications. New standards come out every 5 years, with the most recent 2005 becoming official late last year. Motorcycle use helmets must have a larger eyeport, do not have fireproof liners, and have a slightly different testing procedure.
3) Snell SA[year of standard], with the SA denoting Special Applications, meaning racing. They must have fireproof (e.g. Nomex) liners, may have smaller eyeports (varies greatly between makes and models), and have a testing procedure that includes simulated impact against a roll bar. Similar SA rated helmets typically cost at least $100 more than M rated.

In my opinion an M rated helmet is just fine for driver schools in street cars. You won't be wearing a fire suit or Nomex underwear, so a flameproof helmet liner hardly matters. Most but not all schools accept M helmets; you'd need to check. That said, I wear an SA.

Helmet standards are typically accepted in schools for 10 years from the date of standard, often plus a 1 year grace period. So in BMW club schools for instance, 2006 is the last year for SA95 or M95 helmets. It would be a really bad move to buy a leftover 2000 standard helmet at this point, since you'd be throwing away half its useful life. (I guess if you paid less than half price for it that would equalize out, but why bother?)

I'd recommend a closed face helmet for all except those who find them too confining. I like my teeth, and bet you like yours too. However make sure you pick one with a larger eyeport, especially if you wear glasses.

Proper fit of your helmet is critical. It should be very snug, but not painful. Basically you want to find the tightest that you can't quite stand, then back off one size. Make sure that with the chin strap buckled the helmet can't be rotated back off your head. Professional help in fitting is good. We all have differently shaped heads, and the brand or model that works for me may not for you.

There's a wide range of price, from maybe $150 for a basic model up to hand laid carbon fibre and the sky's the limit. A lighter helmet is better both for comfort and safety, but lightness costs. A quality helmet is a good investment, but let's keep a sense of proportion: after all, are you going to be tradin' paint at 180 mph?

Neil
Chief Instructor
Hoosier Chapter, BMW CCA

05 MCS
96 M3

 

Wow, thats has alot of good advice. I dont plan(i know, this is how it always starts ) doing alot of track driving, just some classes. I do not have the time or money to have a track car right now, and campain it or race it regularly. That in mind, i do want to know what the limits of the MINI are and I do want to be a safer/better driver. I already have a Wrangler that i lovingly(read Beat) take to the trails one a month is possible. As i am sure this is addicting as you all say it is, i dont see myself going out more than twice a year, and that would be for classes.

 

Sure, nothing wrong with that. We have lots of people who attend one or two schools a year just to sharpen up their driving, enjoy the company, have some fun, find out what it's like - or all of the above.

A reasonable plan might be to find out what's available in your area (BMW CCA, Phil Wicks, etc.), and check that they accept M rated helmets. Assuming a 'yes' to that, then buy a moderately priced Snell M2005 full-face helmet, which will be good for the next 10 years. Some organizers may also have a limited number of loaner helmets (we do).

Neil
05 MCS
96 M3