I wanted to take a few minutes and write up my impressions of the Phil Wicks Driving School event that I attended at the Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw SC last weekend. Some of you might be considering attending, and perhaps my thoughts might encourage you.

I stayed in an adequate hotel in Kershaw Saturday night, and woke up early, quite jazzed. Made it out to the Park about 6:30, found one other early bird, Roger from Atlanta. We drank coffee and watched a beautiful sunrise while the other MINI's arrived. Registration is short, simple, and off we went to the paddock.

All the Wicks folks are friendly, helpful, and eager to accomodate. After a technical inspection, we received the general guidelines and track rules. We divided up into Novice, Intermediate, and Expert groups, with the Novices heading to the classroom. Track time on the 2.2 mile track rotates among the 3 groups. Being a Novice, I started out with an instructor, who started helping me learn what in the world I was doing. Braking, apexes, throttle steer, flags, lots of details to try to keep up with.

I was initially a little worried, in that of the 18 or 20 MINI's there, I was the only Cooper. Everyone was very encouraging, however, and after I got over my latent feelings of inadequacy and did 3 or 4 30-minute sessions, I found that while I could never pass an S, I could hang with them in the corners quite well. It was actually good to play the underdog, and the challenge appealed to me.

The instructors, a lot of them from Smoky Mountain MINI's, were great. They provide lots of useful input, suggestions, and hints, and really helped me improve. Great stuff, and thanks, guys.

Phil's instruction is priceless, and I'm still driving around while remembering the stuff he told us. 80%, concentrate, relax your shoulders, etc. A really nice guy, as well.

There were about 8 Cobra's sharing the track, and one decided to toss a rod, delaying things somewhat. Additionally, one unfortunate MINI and another Cobra had a slight misunderstanding as to who was supposed to be on that one specific place on the track, but everyone was ok. (I also discovered that while the Cobra's disappear quickly on the straights, even a lowly Cooper can mess with their heads a little in the twisties.)

In short, this is the best mod you can do. I feel much more confident in my MINI, and much more aware of what it can and can't do. These are great cars. I can't think of a better way to spend your money, and I encourage anyone who hasn't done so, to find a performance driving school and sign up. It's the most fun I've had in 30 years. Three thumbs up!

 

Great write up. I've only made it to one event so far in my 03 but plan more this coming year if time permits. Especially now so I can check out how well the LSD works. I agree with you about the best mod. I always let it be known that the best mod for my MINI is a Phil Wicks event. :smile:

 

From what I heard, the LSD will help out a lot. Lots of S's had trouble with wheelspin coming off the tight corners, but being in a MC, wheelspin was the least of my problems. Phil says for $500 it's a no-brainer. Maybe I'll see you at Kershaw next year.

 

Thanks for the great write-up! Looking forward to the Laguna Seca event in December!

_Dave_

 

Your review just sold me on attending the Class in Vegas in 06

 

Great report, Bullfrog! Never say "only" a Cooper! These little beasts handle better than about anything out there! We rule the twisties!

 

Great writeup - makes me want to go more. I am looking forward to taking a class in 2006. Gift certificates to Phil Wicks are on my bday/chrismazwanzica/engagement/wedding gift lists. There are 2 of us who are itching to go in my house. My other half is already telling some friends we are going to go and a few them are really jealous (non-mini friends).

 

The fabulous weather didn't hurt either. I am so glad you enjoyed your day.

These driving schools make a difference in your abilities. Casper was the MINI that got snake bit and I can tell you my time spent on car control was important in this incidence. Improving your driving ability is the first modification to make. It makes you appreciate and understand the ones you add afterward.

See you at Laguna.


>>>>>>>>>>>searching for a mongoose sticker>>>>>>>>>>

 

I thought that was you. The ghost in the back window gave it away.

So sorry about Caspar. I hope it fixes up ok. I never did hear the whole story.

 

Someone......not me......needs to write 100 times on the chalkboard......there is no passing in the kink. There is no passing in the kink.

'sOK. I learned a lesson or two there myself. A few bandaids on Casper and we'll head to Laguna. I am so glad you enjoyed your day. It is addictive fun.

 

Nice write up on the event. More owners should take advantage of these and the local BMW CCA events in their area. Great to really learn about your car and how you can make it handle.

 

Very nice write up. I instructed for the first time at CMP and had a blast riding with Josh from Charlotte. I know he had fun and hopefully I taught him a thing or two. Even the instructors can learn something out there "teaching", as I know I did. Sorry for Caspers mishap, at least there won't be a chance for any nasty snake bits at Laguna Seca! I also wanted to add that these schools aren't racing schools, but rather driving schools to make you a safer driver by knowing the limits of yourself and the car, and giving you experience for the inevitable. Definetly one of the best mods out there, of course LSD, a little front camber, and better brakes wouldn't hurt either .

 

Nice write up!

I enjoyed talking with you early Sunday am. Sorry I did not get to talk with you later in the day.

CMP is a great track. The only scary section is the "kink" which can be taken almost flat out in the S. Just a little lift before the turn in and then back on the gas. Otherwise, the rest is just pure fun. I even managed to warp my front rotors from the repeated high speed stops.

Phil Wicks put on a great event! I wish he could get a date at Barber or Road Atlanta for next year. I would be there!:smile:

I'm really sorry about Donna's "Snake Bite". From all reports she was not at fault in any way. The Cobra driver was not following the rules!

Roger

 

Great Pics

How many MINI's did you have at the event?

 

I'm not totally sure how many were there, I think they said 30, but I only remember about 20. They were rarely in the same place at the same time.

The kink's great. My instructor kept saying "don't lift", and I kept saying "you're kidding, right?", but sure enough, by the end of the day, I was taking it flat out.

Roger - Hope to see you again down the road.

 

Good point Miniwildcat. No matter where you are piloting your car human errors occur, yours or someone else's. When that error in judgement puts you and another vehicle in the same spot on earth several factors will have an impact on how it turns out. The one you can have the most influence on would be your own skill behind the wheel. Driving schools give you an opportunity to practice those skills in an environment not found in daily street driving.

 

Great write-up and I will link to it on our local site here in PHoenix. There are already a couple of us going up to Laguna Seca and I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to it. The chance to learn what my car can "really" do and not have to worry overly about hurting us or someone else AND it's at Laguna Seca OMG

When you do something for the first time you always have some reservations. This particular thread puts most of the concerns to rest making the wait even harder now.

I'm looking forward to meeting all you other students and getting the chance to learn from the pro's. See you all soon.................

 

I was there for that event also. I was a representative from Hendrick Auto Group driving the Dark SIlver S with race tires. I had a great instructer also. I witnessed the pepper white S spinning at the kink. It looked a bit tore up once it came off the track.

The 2 biggest thing that I learned was: Becareful on the streets.You can spin a MINI out if you lift off the throttle too hard. and For 99% of the drivers out there, a MINI has more power than you know how to use properly. Learn how to drive first. Once you can use the car to its max, then add performance mods.

 

Casper was really not as bad as he first looked. We have replaced the broken plastic and got another Rota wheel. He's ready to go to the last Wicks school for the year at Laguna Seca.

 

You're taking it out to CA? How? You're not driving it are you?

 

We are driving Casper and the red Works car both. Look out corkscrew, here we come!!

I started planning to go when Laguna Seca hit the school schedule last spring. We are doing a bonzai run out and then coming back a bit slower, visiting relatives on the way home. Ya wanna come along with us?

 

I'm glad to hear Casper is ok. Snakebites can be ugly.