The recent thread about the upcoming race between M7 and the Subaru got me digging around on Willow Springs' website. I have long been interested in doing a driver's training course and they had a phone number for one that operates there. I called and spoke to the owner, Danny McKeever. He said they charge $695 a day if you use their Celica and $475 if you use your own car. He asked what I drive and then told me that he worked with the drivers on The Italian Job. Cool. Now the question is, has anybody used or heard anything about this outfit? Feedback appreciated. Their website is: http://www.raceschool.com

Oh, one more thing, how much of a beating is your car liable to take when you do one of these courses? Are you better off paying the extra and beat their car up? I'd really like to do it in my MCS and I'm sure I will, but as a complete newbie to this what do you guys recommend?

Oh and if anybody knows, will the race day (M7 v Subaru) offer a driver's training course? Mr. McKeever thought that I wouldn't be able to get on the track at that event without some sort of certification. Anybody know?

Thanks,

Ken

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Time Trials are differant than Driver's Coarses.

A driver's education class is more in depth than most driving events.

I'd start with a time trial coarse, this will allow you on the track, alone. No fear of someone passing you on the inside or rubbing.

Good luck to you.

"Spinning around, I see Earth"

- Above Earth

 

I took a course at Willow Springs that was put on by Crevier MINI a while back. Good instructors and I learned a lot. Mainly that I can go a lot faster than I go (the instructor took my car around at the end of the day and "I'll take it easy" and he beat my speed by a lot. Then we went in his BMW WOW.

Crevier had another course there today but I was not able to go.

If you get the time and the money GO it is fun and you will learn a lot.

Earl

 

efcmini,

Sorry missed the part about beating up you car. I took it easier than anyone else as I did not want to slide off in the dirt. The instructor said you won't and then drove my car. No damage what so ever - no scrapes/scratches/or dings.

GO

Earl

 

Hi efcmini...

Give me a call and I help you out if I can.....I can
I do instruct road racing at certain track days and would be happy to help out.

peter horvath
562-712-3270

 

efcmini take peter up on it. I spent a few lapping sessions with him and was able to do things with my car that I never thought possible. He will ride with you or you can let him show you waht your car can do. For a real thrill take a few laps in his car with him. Dysneyland won't cut it for you any more LOL . As for wear and tear on your car the big track at WIllow is quite easy on the brakes for a race course so they won't be a issue. The tires will take most of the beating but you won't really be going extended periods of high speed so they should do fine. All in all it will be a blast . Postany other questions you may have amd we will try to answer them. I don't know what site you found the info about Willow on but if you go to http://www.opentrackracing.com they have a ton of usefull info for you including a corner by corner analysis of the track.

 

Thanks to all four of you for your advice so far. Peter, I will be giving you a call in the next few days, thanks.

I went to Willow Springs a few months ago when I happened upon it by chance. I was visiting a friend in Rosamond, she wasn't home when I first arrived, so I went exploring and found the track. It was a Porsche/BMW/assorted mongrels day and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the goings on. I have read a bit about the various corners of Willow Springs since and am a bit skeptical about taking it on...but I will.

Thanks again,

Ken