I'm so excited! For Christmas my honey got me a certificate to attend the Phil Wicks driving course. I can't wait. Here's my question: how many of you completed one of Phil Wicks' courses and what did you think of it? Do you feel it improved your abilities? Any suggestions as to what i should consider doing/purchasing in advance? 2009 MC, stock suspension, no mods YET but planned in near future to purchase/install either an H-Sport or Alta rear sway bar, maybe upgrade to Bilstein shocks (not coilovers, do not plan lowering); POSSIBLY a strut brace; hadn't really planned any other mods; do not have any "motoring" gear. Thanks in advance!

 

You are using your car? I used his race car which was awesume. You will leard a bunch from Phil. Great guy and a total bargin in my book. Use the car for the course and Phil will get you set up with what will help you. He has contacts that you can get his discounts on the products too. Highly recommend the seatbelt harness he sells for MINI's. It is used with the regular belts so not buzzers or chimes. They mount under the seat using existing bolts. The rears clip into the rear seat back hooks with the rear seat down. You are totally locked in and not going anywhere. If Phil was coming rest I would be in again.

What track are you doing?

 

Phil does a great job and you'll be amazed at the skills and confidence you gain going through his course. Phil has a "prep" sheet on what to do prior to the event that will help you. Good brakes and track tires are the key. If you need some cheap track tires and wheels, I am clearing out a lot of stuff from our showroom stock race car. PM me if you are interested.

 

I completed the course some years ago, and it was informative and fun. We used our own cars, and each driver had an instructor in the car with them. Most of them were rally drivers over from Europe, and they were clear and helpful as skills improved. I didn't have Phil in my car for any of the sessions, but he was in several other cars. We had class time as well as on course time. Overall it was a worhwhile experience, and since I think it was partly underwritten by MINI of Pittsburgh, quite a bargain as well. Phil was great to talk with, and his wife did a great job with the little diploma, too!

 

I’ve attended two Phil Wicks’ courses; one at Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (my wife also attended this one) and Carolina Motorsports Park. Both courses were well presented with excellent instructors and safety is not only stressed but practiced. I would attend another course without any hesitation.



Not only will it approve your abilities, but you will also learn what your car can do and its limits.



You can attend in a stock MINI, upgrades aren’t a necessity. If you do upgrade the suspension it will increase your fun, but it is in no way a requirement.



Considering purchasing a helmet. Phil Wicks’ has helmets available. I, however, prefer my own sweaty helmet.

 

It is sure to be fun, no doubt, and as asked earlier, yes i had planned on using Cary at first since he's what i motor in daily... I had planned on perhaps trying one of Phil's toys later for a bit of serious fun. My honey spoke with Phil directly for the gift certificate which includes drive time with him. I have some skills, but unlike so many others, i have no problem admitting i still have A LOT to learn, especially with my dashing Cary - these MCs are a blast and who better to learn how to REALLY motor safely than Phil? I want to better understand the driving dynamics, improve my handling ability and confidence, and definitely from a safety standpoint better understand where Cary's limit is. Great post of yours, thanks!

 

Don't know as he hasn't posted the 2012 schedule yet. I hear VIR is good and relatively safe. That's what i'm hoping for - a good, safe, track that is forgiving for a track newb like me... Never have done this before (driving course), certainly never have been on a track before (in a car). I am paranoid about hurting Cary so want as safe a track as possible. Suggestions from his previous courses?

 

Drive with your head, not over it. Park the male ego and don't worry about what everybdy else is doing and you'll be safe, have fun and learn.

 

^^^ Good advice! Just keep in mind it is very easy to get infected by the track virus. Major symptoms are a much lighter wallet, coupled with a wider smile during cornering.

 

I got infected in the 80s and have had all those symptoms ever since!

 

30 years later and no cure in sight...

 

I did Carolina Motorpark with Phil. I did a 2 day course with him. I was very surprised I had Phil for 2 days. I did this before my 2011 JCW arrived and I started tracking it. Rule #1 is keep it on the track. In the wet with racing slicks I had a couple of good saves. Follwed a 911 way too deep into a corner and got the dragons teeth on the exit. Still on the track.
Phil will limit what he will alllow you to for safety also. Made me stay in 4th coming out of a corner I would have powered out of in 3rd. He is didn't want to be doing 110 through the kink. You will love it. It will make you fast than all the mods you are thinking about.

 

No worries there. Used to race road bikes years ago (not motorcycle) and at high speed, technical mountain descents (60+) abided the rules of racing: rule #1: relax, rule #2: park the ego and ride within your abilities, rule #3: stay acutely aware of your surroundings and race yourself and the road, not the rider. Carried on to driving later and has thus far served me well. I'm already competetive but am not there for that, will simply be there to soak up his knowledge and experience, but fantastic advice of yours nonetheless!

 

Biggest mistake I see people make on the track is not letting the tires warm up. The do a warm up lap then was to drive 9/10 leading to a spin.
Take 2 full warm up laps to heat your tires good before you run hard. 2nd lap should be harder to increase the temps to race temps and traction. Amazed at the number of spins on the warm up lap.