Driving schools coming up in February and March

It's that time of year again. Time for the Porsche Club driving schools. These 3 schools are the best bang for the buck in this area for anyone wanting to learn how to be a higher performance driver. You'll learn things like how to tell which end of your car is sliding, how to tell if your car is about to spin (feel) and how to recover from that spin. The course includes a ton of seat time in your car. It covers skid-pad, salom, and many other elements of Autocrossing. The February 18 and 19th schools are at Pennington field. Saturday is ladies and teens only, then Sunday is open to anyone. The March 4 and 5th school are at Mineral Wells airpark. If you're already into AX, then you won't get much out of the Pennington school. But the AX/TT school (especially Sunday TT) should still be interesting. You get so much seat time it's unreal. You can enter just the Sat or just the Sun schools at Mineral Wells.

See this email announcing the schools:
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Hello Everybody!

Registration is now open for the MRPCA 2006 Driving schools. The
schools are specifically designed to teach students about the
handling of their car. We especially welcome those who have never
tried an Autocross or Time Trial before. All schools are fully
instructed with safety first, but fun throughout.

Registration and lots more information are available on the MRPCA
web site: http://mav.pca.org/mav/Events/Schools.asp

Saturday 2-18-06 - Ladies/Teens Autocross school at Pennington Field
Sunday 2-19-06 - Autocross 101 school at Pennington Field

Saturday 3-4-06 - Timetrial school at Mineral Wells
Sunday 3-5-05 - Autocross 102 school at Mineral Wells

Each course is $35 as long as you sign up at least 2 weeks in
advance. Sign up for all 4 today!

* Men need not apply for the Ladies Autocross school!

We also need volunteers to help work stations. Please consider
coming out and supporting the club, especially those of you who
have "graduated" from the schools! You will earn the eternal
gratitude of the Driving Schools committee, and a free lunch. Sign
up's are on the web site.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Tom Snodgrass
972-939-7967
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Ok, Mitch again here. There is a url inbedded in the email above that has a description of each school. If interested please read carefully the bullet points about registration. We will have to pay $45 to enter each school, and registration for non-members doesn't open until 2 weeks before the event. HOWEVER, if you want to attend, you need to enter ASAP. Non-members will be put on a waiting list in order of how they registrated. Early entries on the waiting list usually get in.

I am an instructor for these schools and my students always tell me how much they learned and how much they enjoyed the school. I feel strongly that the skill set you can acquire in car control can help you avoid an accident on the open road. You learn just what the limits of your car are and more importantly, what your limits are. The school focuses on improving YOUR limits. It's a well known fact that the greatest improvement in performance driving can be made to the nut behind the steering wheel. ;-) The people at these schools do NOT expect you to be much of a driver to start. This is extremely low pressure, no one will make you do anything you don't want to.

If you have a question after reading the web-site, you can email Tom or perhaps me if you wish at: mitchwil @ peoplepc . com (without the spaces). Feel free to request me for an instructor if you like. I drive a 95 Miata...but I'm not the greatest AXer...I'm better at the TT stuff. This group of Porsche club members that put on this school are NOT snobs, they are really good people. Heck, if they let me run with them, they'll let ANYBODY run with them!! ;-)

Mitch Williams

I will have to see if i can find the money to take the class. Thanks for the info

To anyone else who's got an issue with funding, here is my definition of each school.

The 2/19 school at Pennington is truely the beginning school. The 3/4 school at Mineral Wells is a continuation of it. However, you do NOT have to attend the 2/19 school to get plenty out of the 3/4. Many of the same elements are covered again. So I'm saying if you want to drop a school drop the 2/19 school.

The 3/5 school is really about their Time-Trial events. It assumes you have some car control skills or took the previous schools. This is much higher speed (near 100mph) so I do not recommend just taking the 3/5 school unless you've done some AX and know how your car feels at the limit. The danger factor is much higher in the 3/5 school simply because of the speed. If you lose control at 85mph there may not be enough runoff room before getting to the weeds. Rocks and posts hide in the weeds.

Glad you're interested...hope to see you there.

Mitch

These are great schools! It took 102 two years ago and it really helped me!

Hopefully I'll make it out to at least one of the March schools. Thanks for the heads up!

Definately going to hit a school this season, I need it. ::Flag::

Awesome! I really look forward to attending at least one of these schools. I would love to get in on the TT school too! And by March I should have some time in on TMS/TMSR so I should be well prepared for it. I just need to make sure I have the money for it.

Is it $45 for each day, or $45 for the weekend?

The $45 is for each day. The March events are really two schools, AX102 and TT103...so they cost $45 each. But for $90 you'll really get a lot of seat time and advice on improving your driving abilities.

Anyone who is interested please register NOW!!! I have been told there are already 13 Mini Coopers registered. Bummer!!! I'd much rather help a Miata driver than a Cooper driver! ;-) FYI...I wasn't told which school those Minis registered for...maybe NOT the one you want.

Mitch

Quote:

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

These are great schools! It took 102 two years ago and it really helped me!

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What he said...except I was driving a civic then. I need some schooling in the miata. I plan on attending ax102

I signed up for 102.

My wife and daughter are signed up for the two schools at Pennington and I plan
to help out ( shag cones ). My wife will run her 944 and I'm thinking of letting the young one drive the Miata. I hope to be back in town to attend the schools in Mineral Wells. :drive:

Travis Howard

96 Miata
74 914
86 944
85 911

Quote:

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Originally Posted by THoward914

96 Miata
74 914
86 944
85 911

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Nice little stable of cars you've got going there!

I'm on for 102 as well... looks like there will be a fair amount of us there. I look forward to meeting some of you guys finally.

The Driving schools chair told me last night that there were 3 Miatas entered. So I guess that must be Billy, Travis's Daughter, and Bolix. Glad you guys registered. Please remember you're on the waiting list to get in. They will notify you about 12 days before the event if you made it or not.

Travis, did you enter your daughter in the Ladies AX101 on 2/18? That school rarely fills up so she would have a very good chance of getting in. All the other schools always fill up. Anyway I would bet your wife in the '44 get in and hopefully your daughter also. I wish I'd got my daughter to take one of these schools years ago. ;-) Travis, be sure to find me and say hi.


I hope you guys make it in the schools.
Mitch

My calendar's so full, I can only get into AX102 this year. I took all 3 last year and they definitely rock! Maniac Mitch was my instructor too. :-)

I signed up for the Sunday course at Pennigton.
Hope I get in.
Anyone know the cost of the inspection and must it be done in advance?

Inspections were free last year. I'd expect the same this year. Must be done in advance unless you live out in the sticks.

Mitch,

My daughter is registered for both the Ladies/Teen school and autocross 101.
She is sixteen and very excited about the schools. I think the autocross bug is rubbing off on her. My wife and I started autocrossing about a year and a half ago. They both should be able to get into schools, we are PCA members. I got the Miata last summer to do some SCCA and ER autocrosses, it's also my daily driver. I run the 914 in club event to stay in the points running.

I'll see you at the schools.

Travis

Guys,
Sorry I haven't checked this thread in so long...can't ever remember.

I need to correct some mis-information I gave out. They reversed the order of the March 4 & 5 schools. They used to always be AX102 on Saturday and TT103 on Sunday. Well I guess they decided to swap them because the TT103 is on Saturday and the AX102 is on Sunday. Actually this follows their normal scheduling where the Time Trials are run on Saturday and the AXs are run on Sunday. However, I believe it was the reverse before because TT103 is best if you have had the other schools or some experience.

Anyway sorry if that messed anyone up when I described which schools I'd take....I suggested the AX102 on Sat (wrong day) and the TT103 on Sun (wrong day). I believe if you registered for the wrong school on either of those days you can email Tom Snodgrass (link on the web-site) and tell him I confused you and get it changed.


Travis, Does you daughter realize the Ladies AX and AX101 are the exact same thing? She'll get the exact same course drills on both days. If that's ok with her, then be sure she gets a different instructor for each day. She should get a female instructor on Saturday. Glad to hear she may have the AX bug. I believe that getting a responsible young person to take courses like these will make them a safer driver. They'll know their and the car's limits and won't get in over their head so easy in an emergency. I couldn't even bribe my daughter to take the AX school...even in the car I had bought her. In retrospect, maybe I should have made taking the school a condition of getting the car. ;-)

Maniac Mitch

Ugh! I'm in another time zone for both weekends, looks like. I'll keep the ol' browser peeled for related courses later in the year...
...and for job postings that include little or no travel. :D

Well, Mike Lockas form Maverick Region called me up this evening and shamed me into instructing at the PCA AX102 & TT103 schools this year. So, if you didn't have a good reason to sign up before... err, you probably still dont. :wink:

Seriously, come on out if you're interested in learning how to go fast in a safe and controlled environment. Here's a link to the registration page!

Crap,...and I already sent my money in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

Crap,...and I already sent my money in.

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:clap: :clap: :clap:
I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!

He Shoots :nutkick: He Scores :cheers:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billy Blaze

Crap,...and I already sent my money in.

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I'd call somebody right now and make sure you can pick your instructor. Altiain is good, but you might not benefit from his wisdom.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onething

He Shoots :nutkick: He Scores :cheers:


I'd call somebody right now and make sure you can pick your instructor. Altiain is good, but you might not benefit from his wisdom.

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Based on onething's lap times, he certainly never has. ::Bleh::

Ouch!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by altiain

Based on onething's lap times, he certainly never has. ::Bleh::

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speaking of shooting and scoring.... :nutkick:

Majik made me fast
Altiain made me slow down

I don't get it, but Andy Hollis said put it on the trailer and go home!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by onething

Majik made me fast
Altiain made me slow down

I don't get it, but Andy Hollis said put it on the trailer and go home!

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Altiain sure helped me, but any instruction would help me. I've never been to a school, and the one run he had with me at the end of last year is the only instruction I've ever had.

My on line payment has already cleared. Is that any indication that I made the cut?

I received an e-mail today stating that I was accepted for the Pennington AX101 class!
Way cool.

Whaa, ours hasn't come in yet. That'd be lame if we didn't get in!
haha, registered me with my miata, my stepdad with our caddy CTS, and my friend with his si!

it is more expensive than the PCA schools, but for anyone interested there will be an Evolution School 3 day weekend at Mineral Wells on March 24,25,26

go to the Evolution or ER sites for info
autocross.com/er or /evolution

Blah, I didn't get in, says I'm on a "wait list" oh well, guess I'll just have to learn myself at a full out event then!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheChadVIII

Blah, I didn't get in, says I'm on a "wait list" oh well, guess I'll just have to learn myself at a full out event then!

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Who says you have to learn yourself??? Walk the course with the novice group (SCCA and ER events are good about have a novice walk-through). At the next event you plan on attending, ride along with an experienced driver and have someone ride with you.

I'd keep my options open for this week-end. A lot of people bail-out at the last minute. Did they tell you where you are on the wait-list? I would think anything below 5 will make it in. I think I heard once that they got all the way to 20 one year. Don't give up hope.

Did you enter the TT103 or AX102 schools? The AX102 school on Sunday 3/5 is a continuation of AX101, but would be very beneifical if you can get in it.

Please let us know how it goes.

Manic Mitch

OK, my first time for the AX101 school this Sunday and looking forward to it.
Someone please tell me they run rain or shine.
The limit would just be lower and simulate the artificial flooding of the tracks that the F1 teams do.

RudeDog and others,
In years past they have run the event rain or shine. Yes, the wet does teach you all about "smooth-ness". Look forward to seeing you and the others there. I normally wear a jungle-camo "boonie" cap so look for me and say hi. Be sure to bring warm clothes and an umberalla. Get your tires pumped up before you get to Pennington...tire pressures are generally lower in the wet than dry, but still a little higher than most street pressures. We will supply you with car numbers. Also since it may be wet, bring large plastic bag(s) to put your stuff in from the car so it won't get wet. Bring lunch or money to buy at McDonalds or other places nearby...you wll get a lunch break of maybe 45 minutes.

When you get there, we normally line the students up in the lot closest to the stadium main entrance, along the curb facing the road perpendicular to the stadium. There normally are numbered cones (unless you get there before they get put out) and you will be assigned a student number and asked to park at that numbered cone. This is so your instructor can find you. So, when you first get there, don't park in front of the numbered cones until you're told what your student number is. You should ask where registration is (normally in the lot across the street where the course excercises are located) and check-in. You also are normally asked to fill out a form of what you expect from the school to give to your instructor so he/she can help you meet those expectations. Quite often final instructor assignments aren't made until that morning because there are no-show issues (students and instructors).

If it's really cold that morning, I may be late because I live way out in the country (Wise county) and if my dirveway gets icey, I can't get out. ;-(

Oh and most important, bring an open mind. ;-)

If any others think of any other advice, please chime in.

Maniac Mitch

You'll probably learn a lot more if it is wet. The biggest mistake a novice can make is trying to be fast out of the box - you have to learn the line and how to read a course first, and then the speed will come naturally with practice. All the speed in the world won't help you, if you don't know where to place the car on course.

A wet course will force you to slow down, concentrate on the line, look further ahead, and be smooth on your control inputs... which is exactly what you should be learning to do anyway. :wink:

Thanks for the information and advice guys.
See you Sunday morning.