I'm thinking about signing up for the Phil Wicks Driving Academy on Nov 4th at Virginia Intl. Looking for opinions from people that have done this.

I really want to use my own car, get to know it better.

A little background about myself...I'm definitely a novice, first time MINI owner with zero track experience.

I think this could be informative with respect to everyday driving and lots of fun to boot.

 

I did this years ago at what is now Pittburgh International. The instructors were ralleye drivers from Europe and very helpful. The day was fun and having the chance to go full bore on a race track was great. Phil was interesting to talk with, and our day was offered at a discounted price. Win, Win.

 

Do it It's probably the most fun you'll ever have with your shoes on.

Seriously, Phil is a great guy, and his instructors are excellent. After the initial classroom intro, you'll be guided by an in-car instructor at whatever level of help you need to increase your confidence and capabilities, and you might just surprise yourself at how much fun you'll have (after the initial adjustment to being on a track with no speed limits).

I took two of his schools at VIR, and had a terrific time. The only unusual wear and tear on the car was tires and brakes. You'll want to do a complete fluid service before and after, and be sure your brake pads and tires are good before the event.

Oh yeah... imagine how much fun it is to drive as fast as you can without worrying about LEOs, potholes, other traffic and pedestrians getting in your way. They only let a few cars on the track at a time, and space them out at intervals so you're not close to other cars and worrying about trading paint in the corners. Passing is limited, and might even be prohibited, except in a very few spots, like the straightaway.

 

DO IT!! I've done the Phil Wicks course 4 times, 3 at VIR. It's a lot of fun, you'll get to know your car better and this time I believe he's doing the full course at VIR! Usually it's just the south course.

 

Did this type of thing around 50 years ago down at Sebring. It will make you a much better daily driver. Also, a few hours of flying instruction will further implant the importance for keeping your head in the 'cockpit' and your mind a minute or two ahead of your current position. You will become seriously fearful of the idiots on the road with their heads in their iPods, newspapers and coffee cups. The outcome will be your ability to avoid 'trading paint' as you enjoy your progress into the Zen of MINI motoring.

 

I attended the Phil Wicks Driving Academy the one and only time he came to Joliet Autobahn (outside of Chicago). Had a great time and learned a lot about being a better driver. The ride-along instructors are very helpful. Just make sure that your tires and brakes are in good shape before you go; you're going to need them. Tremendous amount of fun.

 

Also, you are probably going to need a helmet.

 

My god Ed, you are still alive!!!!

 

I did Phil Wicks school at Laguna Seca. His schools are great for track day first timers. There were too many people for the amount of instructors so the people with previous track day experience did not get much track time instruction but did get classroom instruction. The instructors concentrated on driving with the novice drivers which was great for first timers. Since the event is all Minis it is also good for first timers because the cars on track are all similar. At the Phil Wicks event that I attended there were Minis of all types and performance levels so again a good event for a first timer because you will be placed in a group with similar cars and driver experience.

 

Yep... still alive and kicking! Not as MINI-active as I once was due to work requirements, but in another 5 years and 5 weeks I'll retire an then will get back into cars with both feet. I really miss being able to hang out with the DCMM old timers, but I suspect that there are fewer and fewer as the years pass by. How are the newbies? Oh yeah, how are you?