Hey. i live in watkins and wanted to know if anyone knew of any schools that were going to be held there. I know nothing about it and would like some info on the goings on. how long, what skills are learned, the best part, how much.. etc. . thanks.

 

Dude the Glen rocks! Lucky you.

I would call the track or check their website to see what is scheduled. Track Time does a school there but you need to check with them for dates.

Length of classes vary from 1-4 days, and are quite expensive (you get what you pay for). If you have never been to a real school, you will improve as a driver more than I can describe, starting with the realization cars will not flip when thrown into a corner. If possible, avoid using your car while at the school... use up someone's equipment while you learn to drive.

Do it and you will never be the same.

 

Best bet is to join BMWCCA. A bunch of their chapters have DEs there throughout the year. I'd bet you could find up to 4 a month all season long.

ALSO.. SCDA has several days there. Excelent group to run with


By the way, that's where the pic in my sig was taken.
Here's a video clip .... ClicK Here

 

The Genesee Valley chapter of the BMW Car Club will be holding three driving schools at Watkins Glen this year. Dates are May 13 /14; Aug 30/31; Sept. 30/Oct 1. There also will be a school at Mosport Canada on July 25/26.

Info is at the Genesee Valley chapter's web site. Look on the left side of the page for the "Driving Schools" link for full details on how to pre register, types of classes, pricing, etc.

 

thanks for all the info guys!! so its really that great? what other things do you learn? i would love nothing more than to go to that.. take someone elses car.. like a rental or a test drive? haha. but i want to go in the mini, seriously.. you guys advise against it?

 

Why not take the MINI?

 

MarkC told me to avoid using my car, should I???

 

Take your car. That's what it's all about.
Rentals, unless race rentals, are usually never allowed on the track. At least with BMWCCA. No one takes a rental. I think Mark may have talking about a race school rather then DEs.
Just take the Mini. You will love this. Beginners are very welcome and you will find that quite a few there will be just like you, nervous and asking yourself what the heck you are doing there.. . Once on the track for the first time behind the wheel, that will all be gone. The feeling is great, the driving is great, and most everyone there will be great.

 

Take the MINI. Its soooo much fun!
One word of caution! Some of us have found the DE experience addicting. I know I did and I now do one a month.

 

Let me clarify my comment above.

I assumed you were interested an a Professional Driving School. A School is a far cry from a DE event, I have done both. If you are talking about going to a School, you would not want to beat your MINI to death while you learn to race. Most schools provide you an option of using their equipment.

If you are interested in a DE event of course you would track your MINI. Like everyone agree's you will have a blast!!

Sorry for any confusion.

 

sorry about this, i dont really know what a DE event is.. whats the difference??

 

DE=Driver Education.

If you do not plan on racing but want to learn some basics, a DE is the place to start. The BMWCCA courses as noted above, are DE's and a good place to start and worth the money spent.

A Race School is very different in the fact that your instructor would be National level experienced race driver. Thus the difference in price and the level of instruction.

 

Do you have to go to a DE school before the race school?

 

No you do not need prior experience to attend a Race School. I suspect though if someone were inclined to attend a race school, they would have some track experience. On the other hand, no experience no bad habbits to break.

 

My previous post was referring to High Performance Driving Events sometimes called HPDE or just DE. They do have classroom instruction and in-car instruction until your skills allow you to drive solo. Even after you solo, you may have advaced technique classroom training.
You are being taught to drive you car, in high performance mode. You are not racing, no lap times and all passing is controlled. That said, you will be driving as fast as your car and your skills allow in a controlled environment with drivers of similar skill.
It's really great.

 

I think they are being referred to as DE course to address the car insurance issue.A DE event is not viewed as racing from an insurance point of view.Check with your own insurance.Our club members bring this issue on a regular basis.

 

I attended a High Performance Driving class at Firebird Raceway a month after I got Swifty. Great way to learn your own car's dynamics that will come in handy when avoiding boneheads on the road. Sure, I had to get new brake pads, and the tires got worn. Do it to it man!