I just got back from a 2 day driving school in Kershaw SC sponsored by Rick Hendrick's MINI of Charleston. The great group from Charleston, Martha, Brad, Chad, Sam and David invited Phil Wick's to come south for this instruction. Thanks again to MINI of Charleston for keeping the cost down for us as well as sending their techs and racers/instructors.
As for the school, I would recommend Phil Wicks. Not only is he great guy with some even greater stories, but he is surrounded by good people who love Minis and were able to teach us what these cars can really do. We had approximately 50 drivers attending mostly novice and intermediate. One day was devoted to learning to navigate slalom cones, full appreciation of ABS, accident avoidance and high speed turn techniques. The last day was all track time. Both days had instructors in our cars periodically. Some of us even got to take a spin with the experts to see what these great cars can do. My advice... bite the the bullet and sign up when this course is given near you.
For those of you that wonder whether you should get a MINI or should keep the one you have, the answer is a resounding YES. This car is more unbelieveable than I realized. I know it can handle well on the street, but for a stock car to make me look and feel like a racer on a road course is incredible. It is so well designed and balanced that it forgave mistakes that a novice like me made. I really feel I know more about the handling of my car and a greater appreciation for the technology in it.
Thanks again MINI, Mini of Charleston and Phil Wicks' Driving Academy.
:smile:

 

Glad you enjoyed the event, Clay! I know I was exhausted on monday back in the showroom. I think we had a good mix of instructors to gather knowledge from. Each had their own approach to driving the track and instructing, so hopefully you were able to take what worked for you from each and apply it to your own skillz.

I'm definitely ready to go again. I'll be bringing an umbrella girl next time...


David
-v--v-

 

We'll save you a spot under the big shade tree next time. Look forward to getting together again.

 

For those that are interested in attending a Phil Wicks event, here is the website:

Phil Wicks Driving Academy

Phil also has an Ultimate MINI Driving Academy, which will hold an all-MINI day at MINI Meet 2004. Check it out!

Ultimate MINI Driving Academy

I started out taking the noive course last year and have worked my way up to a novice instructor. I can truly say that you haven't really enjoyed your MINI until you have driven it on the track!

One date that may not be posted yet is July 24th at Gateway International in St. Louis. This date was just added this week.

Aaron

 

I've been meaning to say the same good things about the Phil Wicks driving academy ---thanks for posting!

Phil Wicks had his driving academy day for the St. Louis area earlier this month at the Gateway INternational Speedway. I had won a gift certificate from the local MINI club so I got to go for free, but I will surely have no problems paying for the class next year!

There was a Safe Driving group composed mostly of younger folk driving whatever vehicle they would be driving on the street. So there were pickup trucks, SUVs, etc., in that group. They did cone manuevers, skids, braking, etc., in the parking area.

Then there were three groups that were driving on the track: novices, intermediates, and experts. These three groups took turns on th track. I was in the novice group. We had, I think, seven times on the track, with about six(?) laps per session----I wasn't counting---having too much fun! The track consisted of the large oval banked curve, the straightaway, then a twisty section with about half a dozen curves. There were a few MINIs in our group with a variety of other cars--including a Porche Boxster and Volvo wagon! It drizzled during the day which made for some interesting track conditions. On our first time on the track, the BOxster spun out on one of the tricky curves! I could feel my MINI distinctly understeering, which I appreciated having rather than oversteer.

We spent the whole day at the 'academy' and everyone got better and better with each track session. In the novice group, there was no passing allowed except on the banked curve and straightaway and only if given a signal by the forward car. So, there really was no big danger of damaging your car on the track.

I would strongly recommend going to any Phil Wicks driving school in your area---well worth the money. I appreciate my MINI so much more :smile:

 

This sounds very interesting.......and tempting. Does Phil ever bring his academy to the New York-Philadelphia- Washington, D.C. area?

 

Check Redbird's link above. You csan also e-mail Phil and ask. :smile:

 

Hi y'all, hope everything's going well down there in the South-East Region.

A thread was started in of all places, Mid-Atlantic on MINI2, which includes links to videos and photos from this weekend.

http://mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61995

Enjoy!