Intro to Track Driving

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12-15-2009, 01:18 PM
BenRomans04

Intro to Track Driving

Posted up on another forumand thought I'd share it here:

Introduction to Performance Driving

Would you call yourself an enthusiast when it comes to Motorsports? Here is your chance to dip your toe into the sport you may have a passion for but have yet to experience! A chance to gain the basic knowledge to move beyond spectator and into the rarified realm of driver!

Motorsport Ranch has been a leader in the sports car country club industry for over a decade providing a safe and enjoyable facility for the automotive enthusiast to take there dreams to the next level.

We are pleased to be able to now offer a chance for everyone that has ever wished to enjoy their fever for driving exactly that! Come join us for our Introduction to Performance Driving and get a feel for your dreams!

Course schedule: Registration
1st Classroom Session
Lead & Follow
2nd Classroom Session
Lead & Follow
3rd Classroom Session
Group “A” Solo Session
Group “B” Solo Session
Group “A” Solo Session
Group “B” Solo Session

What to bring? A Vehicle
Driver license
Long Pants
Snell Rated Helmet (Rental helmets will be available at an additional fee)
Enthusiasm!

Cost: $95.00 per driver

So why wait? Get a group of 20 friends together and schedule a private class or signup for one of our prescheduled Introduction to Performance Driving classes today! Don’t let the chance pass you by!

First Course will be held January 16, 2010
12-15-2009, 11:37 PM
CosmosMpower

Where do I sign up? Never driven MSR so that should be close enough.
12-16-2009, 12:30 AM
MadMonkey

Heck of a price... looks like I need to get the Miata ready :D
12-16-2009, 06:20 AM
BenRomans04

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmosMpower

Where do I sign up? Never driven MSR so that should be close enough.

I'll get the email address for you later today.
12-16-2009, 06:30 AM
ken o

Apex Driving Academy is a better deal. You get 6 sessions on the track with an instructor coaching you and helping you improve your skills with one-on-one instruction. With lead/follow if you are not behind the instructor you are not getting the true benefit. You also have the benefit of driving the car at your pace not being paced by a group. Plus Apex includes classroom sessions between time on the track.

Check it out http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/
12-16-2009, 07:22 AM
BenRomans04

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken o

Apex Driving Academy is a better deal. You get 6 sessions on the track with an instructor coaching you and helping you improve your skills with one-on-one instruction. With lead/follow if you are not behind the instructor you are not getting the true benefit. You also have the benefit of driving the car at your pace not being paced by a group. Plus Apex includes classroom sessions between time on the track.

Check it out http://www.apexdrivingacademy.com/

Yeah but it looks to be 175 for a day. This is only 95. I agree one on one instruction is worlds better then lead follow, but if your just trying to get your feet wet, I think 95>175
12-16-2009, 07:28 AM
bnordin

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenRomans04

Yeah but it looks to be 175 for a day. This is only 95. I agree one on one instruction is worlds better then lead follow, but if your just trying to get your feet wet, I think 95>175

I agree. I have two Son-in Laws that I introduced to Auto-X this year and will recommend that they give this a go. The price will help and they can drive my car.
12-16-2009, 08:32 AM
ken o

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenRomans04

Yeah but it looks to be 175 for a day. This is only 95. I agree one on one instruction is worlds better then lead follow, but if your just trying to get your feet wet, I think 95>175

This might be good as a sampler. But it is not a replacement to a true driving school.

3 sessions, 2 lead/follow, 1 solo, no instructor in the car.
vs
6 session, classroom, instructor adding value on every lap at every turn.

Either way you are going to spend the day out there. My thought is get the most you can out of the time and money.
12-16-2009, 09:03 AM
CosmosMpower

I think both Ken O and BenRomans04 have valid points. I think the $95 class is more or less to see if you like doing this type of thing without putting out a ton of money. Apex is probably better once you decided you want to try a full on HPDE event. I may do both next year, I had a blast at ECR.
12-16-2009, 09:06 AM
altiain
I'm with Ken on this one. This "Intro to Track Driving" sounds identical to what we used to call a "Focus Day" at MSR. It's a decent way to get your feet wet, but unless you're a total noob you'll find the lead-and-follow sessions more frustrating than educational. I feel you get a lot more for your money at an Apex event:
- Focus Day: $95, 40 minutes (2 sessions) of open track time, no one-on-one instruction
- Apex event: $175-195, 120 minutes (6 sessions) of open track time, one-on-one instruction available in every session, datalogging available in advanced run group.
So for twice the price you get three times the actual track time and a dedicated instructor. Personally I'm not a big fan of lead-and-follow sessions, as I don't think they're a good learning tool.
12-16-2009, 09:54 AM
Nails

That's why it's called Introduction to Performance Driving. I think it's a great idea if it gets more new people on the track and out to HPDE(ducation)s.

:burnrubr:
12-16-2009, 10:30 AM
762

Yeah, I think I am going to wait and just do a full HPDE. The 1 on 1 instruction would be way more beneficial to me then just doing lead and follows.

If someone wanted to go out and instruct me while getting a free joy ride around MSR all day, then I would be signing up for sure. :D
12-16-2009, 12:42 PM
miataspeedracer

It's the same principle as taking a noob to a swimming pool to experience scuba opposed to going to a lake. Perfect for a pure rookie to get a "taste." not ideal for a car guy with some experience who KNOWS he is ready to put himself and his car through the paces...
12-16-2009, 12:53 PM
BenRomans04

Quote:

Originally Posted by miataspeedracer

It's the principle as taking a noob to a swimming pool to experience scuba opposed to going to a lake. Perfect for a pure rookie to get a "taste." not ideal for a car guy with some experience who KNOWS he is ready to put himself and his car through the paces...

Yup, thats why I'm taking Mom and possibly dad here. I'll be particiapting, but will probably be pretty damn board to be honest. Until the open the track. Maybe they will let me run on the 1.7 by myself :burnrubr: hahahaha
12-16-2009, 10:32 PM
smartmx5
Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain

I'm with Ken on this one. This "Intro to Track Driving" sounds identical to what we used to call a "Focus Day" at MSR. It's a decent way to get your feet wet, but unless you're a total noob you'll find the lead-and-follow sessions more frustrating than educational. I feel you get a lot more for your money at an Apex event:

Focus Day: $95, 40 minutes (2 sessions) of open track time, no one-on-one instruction
Apex event: $175-195, 120 minutes (6 sessions) of open track time, one-on-one instruction available in every session, datalogging available in advanced run group.

So for twice the price you get three times the actual track time and a dedicated instructor. Personally I'm not a big fan of lead-and-follow sessions, as I don't think they're a good learning tool.
The problem I see with the lead/follow of the past is that by the third driver in the train, they are COMPLETELY OFF THE LINE. True instruction is always better, especially if you have a Ken-O or Iain as instructors.

If someone wants to attend this kind of Focus Day, I hope that they know this is, as was asserted, the most BASIC type of learning. The participant does not need to get their hopes up that they will become the next Jason Saini over a period of one day. Not even I could have done that!!:punchout:
12-17-2009, 09:26 AM
MINI-P

Speaking of Apex, does anyone know when they will have their 2010 schedule up. I looked on the website and don't see nothin'.
12-17-2009, 12:15 PM
SirHustlerEsq

I'm thinking about running this since recently getting blasted back to square one.
12-17-2009, 02:21 PM
kverges

Apex dates will be up in mid-January. We is on vacation!
12-17-2009, 03:34 PM
altiain

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr brg

I'm thinking about running this since recently getting blasted back to square one.

eh? :scratch:
12-17-2009, 03:42 PM
MINI-P

Quote:

Originally Posted by miataspeedracer

It's the same principle as taking a noob to a swimming pool to experience scuba opposed to going to a lake. Perfect for a pure rookie to get a "taste." not ideal for a car guy with some experience who KNOWS he is ready to put himself and his car through the paces...

I actually prefer diving in my pool over the Texas lakes that I've been in. At least I can watch the Polaris rolling around on the bottom vs. barely being able to see my hand in front of my mask :)
12-17-2009, 05:44 PM
creek

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINI-P

I actually prefer diving in my pool over the Texas lakes that I've been in. At least I can watch the Polaris rolling around on the bottom vs. barely being able to see my hand in front of my mask :)

Pick any of the spring fed lakes in the hill country. You can snorkel on the surface and see the gravel on the bottom in 20 feet of water at Garner state park.
12-17-2009, 06:01 PM
BenRomans04

Dfwscuba.com ftw!!!
12-17-2009, 07:38 PM
juxt3r

<----- Total n00b.

Thanks for posting this!
12-17-2009, 08:46 PM
SirHustlerEsq

My boss may sign up for this in his GT500.