I was looking at the What are your shifting techniques? post and that made me think. What's the best way to imporove your driving or find out if it needs improving? I've been driving since 1998 and I don't really think about what I'm doing I just do it...

I've heard the guys on car talk recommending sending kids to driving school so you don't pass on your bad habits.

One of my friends didn't believe I got 30mpg in my 84 Audi because he was getting 20mpg in his 84 Jetta. It was because he drove it like he stole it. He at least pretended to he had no clue.

 

Watch the Stig drive cars.

I dunno, really. Beyond watching racing drivers in regular cars on youtube, find a local club member who is good. Attend an autocross and ride with someone, or get tips.

 

HPDE baby, HPDE.

 

+1 You will learn a lot in a safe environment.

Even professional drivers are always striving to do better & go faster. No replacement for seat time.

 

You can always improve your driving and one of the best ways is to attend one of the recognized driving schools, but it's not a cheap education. If you know someone who is an experienced driver asking them for some instruction would be another way to improve your driving knowledge. I was fortunate in being friends with a guy who drove Porsche's in the 24 Hours at Daytona finishing 2nd and 3rd in a 2 year period, with his help and 2 SCCA drivers schools I learned a lot and then put in a lot of practice time and racing experience and got to where I could drive pretty well. I've carried that training into how I drive on the street and at 72 I'm still a good, quick driver. I don't know that you need to improve your skills, you have 12 years exprerience and if you have a clean driving record, no accidents or continuing near misses, and confidence in what your doing no matter what the road or weather conditions, you are probably a safe driver and if thats the case just keep doing the same thing. If you want to learn how to drive fast then get some help.

 

Amazing, I was feeling very adventurous while your driving.
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Cosmetic Surgery

 

Can't recommend it enough, driving schools/training is priceless with our cars. I've been to numerous instruction courses at different race tracks and nothing compares to having an instructor take you on a hot lap to understand the skill it takes to make your car quick! I'll never be that good but I know I can handle situations on the street better than the average driver. Maximize your technique and really enjoy the capabilities of our cars!

 

In my opinion if you don't question your abilities you're not a good driver.

Having a long spotless driving history doesn't necessarily mean you're a good driver. You could just be very lucky.

I live in CT maybe I should start saving some money to take some classes near by at Lime Rock... I hear Skip Barber's school over there is pretty good.

 

+2, if you're new to it you get a good mix of classroom and in the car instruction with a trained instructor for a whole weekend, you can read it all day long but that doesn't mean you're doing it right. After you've got the instruction you can use autocross as a means to practice, then go back to HPDE for more instruction to make sure what you're implementing is being done correctly. And continually practice the techniques you learn, so the good habits become second nature.

If you search the Driving School portion of road racing you'll find some good information, and links to websites with lots of good dedicated information that I'd recommend reading so you're knowledge base (at least of terminology and how to identify apexes on the track map) at the start of the track day lets you focus on getting to learning about driving, and less about the track world.

Many Autocross groups also offer instruction as well, and are good for low speed maneuvers and testing the limits of the car in a safe environment.

I can also recommend this book for further reading. http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Solo-R.../dp/0962057312