Hey, I'm all signed up for Phil Wicks Driving School at Laguna Seca on Dec 14. Anyone have any favorite places to stay in the area?

 

I'm registered too. When I called I was told they would send an information package, including the hotel where the evening reception will be held on Dec 13.

 

Go for it - The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

Or don't go for it - the usual chains in Salinas.

 

Steve - anymore info on this event? I am definitely very interested... and a trip up north will be very justified for a driving school event.... let us know....

 

Don't go for it even more - The dives in Seaside

 

Check out the link here:

http://www.minidriving.com/classes.htm

Class Description

Get ready to have fun with your MINI! The Ultimate MINI Driving Academy offers instruction in a combination of safety and performance handling techniques which will not only enhance your enjoyment of your favorite car, but will also make your daily drive safer. Please note the Ultimate MINI Driving Academy is not a race instruction class.

Classes are divided into three skill groups: Performance Driving Basic, High Performance Advanced, and Expert. Groups rotate between classroom and track time, with the result that only one skill group is on the track at any one time. Each skill group is further divided into smaller clusters of up to four vehicles which practice together with an instructor in a lead-follow pattern. Instructor-to-student ratio is 1:4.

Select your skill group:

PERFORMANCE DRIVING BASIC: This program is designed for the sports-minded driver with little or no on-track driving experience. Sessions alternate between classroom instruction addressing proper lines and vehicle handling when navigating a racetrack and on-track driving sessions. On-track sessions begin with lead-follow at highway speeds. Each following session addresses more aggressive on-track driving.
HIGH PERFORMANCE ADVANCED: This program is designed for the experienced driver with some on-track driving experience. Additional instruction is available for better driving and track navigation.
EXPERT: This program is designed for licensed racers or very experienced drivers with on-track driving experience.
Safety is Priority One at all Phil Wicks Driving Academies. Track turn workers and emergency personnel are on hand at all classes, and the Academy's insurance will cover damage which may occur to the track facilities. Check with your auto insurance provider regarding coverage for you and your MINI, and emphasize this is a driver's school, not a racing program.

Class hours vary according to venue and time of year. Generally, instruction begins at 8 am and ends at 5 pm, with adjustments for weather, visibility, or 'red flag' conditions. A short lunch break is included. With nearly eight hours of instruction, you can expect to experience at least SIX 15-minute on-track sessions under normal conditions!

Class fees also vary according to the venue, Mini club membership status, and outside sponsorship. Please see the Class Schedule for specific dates and fees.

The ULTIMATE in value, the ULTIMATE in quality ...
sign up today to secure your place in a
Phil Wicks Ultimate MINI Driving Academy event near you!

 

Embassy Suites Hotel at Monterey Bay is the site of the welcome gathering on December 13th and Phil's Golden Jubilee of Racing Celebration after the day at the track on the 14th. Hotel rooms have been blocked for this event.

For anyone who is not into the driving event a Trackside Show and Shine is in the works. There is even going to be a counterfeit MINI class so tell your friends to stick some stripes on their MINI wannabes and come along.

We are currently planning on making the trip from Tennessee.

Edit: I think they are going to do some early tech at the welcome gathering to get us on the track as quickly as possible on the 14th.

 

I've been waiting for the site update, to get the official registration forms, but I'm definitely planning to go! I already emailed them and got confirmation that soft-top MINIs are acceptable on the track, and that either M or SA ratings are okay for the required helmets.


Judy's giving me this for a birthday present!

We're probably driving up on Tuesday, and driving back Thursday, but that's not definite yet. We will try to stay at the event hotel.

I'm surprised more folks aren't jumping on this. I know it's a wednesday, but what a great opportunity to drive the corkscrew!

_Dave_

 

Well, I got a little anxious about missing a spot (I'll be out of touch for a while starting this weekend), so I reserved my spot yesterday by phone. This definitely sounds like a great opportunity. Phil mentioned there will be T-shirts, goodie-bags and prizes for participants, and lunch-time parade laps, followed by a line-up of all minis on the front straight for a mega phot-op!

_Dave_

 

Just checking in as our plans for coming out are made. Anyone else coming? I am looking forward to meeting MINIacs on the west end of the country. Never been out there....just flown over.

 

I'll be there with some pals from SoCalMiniManiacs and the Mininuts! See you there!

Steve

 

you can go to the Nor-Cal Shelby club site. They (we) run there a lot so there lot's of track information, including a turn by turn description so you can prep for you session. This is the link to the handbook pages where there is general track driving philosphy, and track specific guides.

I couldn't find our listing of hotels, as we don't have a run there for a bit. But you can go to the raceways webpage here for more information. I think they have a campground on track (nice spots, some with views of the track up on the bakc side a few turns before the crorkscrew). Don't know if it will be open, and it will get nippy at night.

Matt

 

Checking in to see if anyone new is signed up. I've been doing my homework, watching in car video at Laguna Seca. I can't wait. :impatient

The early registration discount date is coming up soon......Nov 15th.

 

Thank you so much for posting this, I had no idea this was going on. I'm going to try my hardest to go. Being a collage student paying for his own car payments, insurance, gas and collage classes I don't really have any extra money but I try to figure out something . I'm thinking I might be able to drive up in the morning and drive home right after but I don't even know if this is possible(I live in orange county) . Maybe this could be my christmas present instead of springs and a swaybar . Anyways I'll start saving money today and hopefully I'll see all you guys there.

 

I heard that the Embassy Suites are a good place to stay, as it is the staging area for the school. I'm sure it would also be a great place to work on a collage.

 

I'll be there in a borrowed mule .... flying in from Cincy, Ohio to San Fran on the 13th . Staying at the host site- Embassy Suites

Driving down the PCH from San Fran to Monterey, to see the sites in a MINI !!!!

Anyone Caravaning down around NOON on Tuesday Dec 13th? Lets Do IT !!