Jessie Knadler
No budget, no speed limit
Blame it on NASCAR.
“Twenty years ago, driving schools—and racing schools in particular—were few and far between,” says Robert Prevost, founder of RacingSchools.com. “But interest in motor sports has increased dramatically in tandem with the popularity of NASCAR.”
John Lindsey concurs. The chief divisional director of the National Auto Sport Association, which organizes and promotes high-performance driving and racing events, estimates an annual growth rate of 30 percent since 2001.
“We’re really in a renaissance right now,” he says. “The fact that you can go out and buy a ‘race’ car for less than $35,000—a Subaru Impreza WRX STI or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution—means that even weekend warriors with money to burn can get a piece of the action.”...
No budget, no speed limit
Blame it on NASCAR.
“Twenty years ago, driving schools—and racing schools in particular—were few and far between,” says Robert Prevost, founder of RacingSchools.com. “But interest in motor sports has increased dramatically in tandem with the popularity of NASCAR.”
John Lindsey concurs. The chief divisional director of the National Auto Sport Association, which organizes and promotes high-performance driving and racing events, estimates an annual growth rate of 30 percent since 2001.
“We’re really in a renaissance right now,” he says. “The fact that you can go out and buy a ‘race’ car for less than $35,000—a Subaru Impreza WRX STI or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution—means that even weekend warriors with money to burn can get a piece of the action.”...
Jessie Knadler No budget, no speed limit Blame it on NASCAR. “Twenty years ago, driving schools—and racing schools in particular—were few and far be... more
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Created 06/20/08
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1
Stunt Driving; Bobby Ore Motorsports High Performance Driver Tra
Sebring, Fla. and Camarillo, Calif.
Active stunt driver Bobby Ore’s two-day, $1,200 course is decidedly no-nonsense and no frills—Ore doesn’t believe in theorizing when students could be doing, so there’s only 90 minutes of classroom time. The school is designed to give up to eight students driving automatic Ford Escort ZX2s the skills to complete a coned-off slalom run, two forward 180s (driving forward then spinning the car around), two box 90s (sliding the car sideways into a space practically the size of a Mazda Miata) and two reverse 180s, all in less than 60 seconds. Sound impossible? Surprisingly, the pass rate is quite high.
2
Luxury Driving - Porsche Sport Driving School
Birmingham, Alabama
This seven-year-old school housed at the $75 million facility at the Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham is the only official Porsche driving school in the United States, which is more convenient than Porsche’s sister driving school in Italy. Guests are encouraged to stay at the luxe Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa, and all the cars—Cayennes, Carreras, Boxters and Caymans—are provided. The one-day, $1,795 Precision course begins at 7 a.m. with a 45-minute classroom lecture, followed by a series of skid pad and driving techniques. It culminates in the Michelin Autocross Challenge, in which students compete one at a time on the track. The two-day, $2,995 Performance course also includes toe/heel downshifting and a session of muddy off-roading in a Cayenne.
3
Formula One; AGS Formule One
Monaco, France
Started as a racing team by mechanic Henri Julien in 1968, AGS (Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives) now focuses exclusively on its single-seater F1 racing school located in the gentle hills of Provence near St. Tropez and Nice. Michael Schumacher-wannabes begin either a one- or two-day course in a somewhat modest 180 hp Opel Formula Vauxhall for roughly 15 laps of the prestigious, F1-sanctioned, 1.37-mile Circuit du Var. Students then have the option of upgrading to the growling, 650-hp single-seater Ford Cosworth for a mere three laps. Cost: $1,730. And yes, the price increases with each additional lap.
4
Luxury Driving; Ascari Race Resort
Carretera de Campillos near Ronda, Spain
This Andalusian resort features a world-class race circuit inspired by owner Klaas Zwart’s favorite tracks, a five-star hotel/spa, a workshop, luxe clubhouse and an upcoming motorsport museum. Members keep their rides here permanently ($162,000 for 30 years, including $6,480 in annual fees), where they are lovingly tended to by a dedicated support team. Non-members can buy a one-time “Experience Day” for 1,980 euros and attack the circuit in a Lotus Elise, BMW or Radical SR3, or upgrade to a Formula Reynard as part of the Single Seater Experience Day (2,750 euros). Bring the kids; hot air balloon rides are available.
5
Fantasy Driving; The Lamborghini Academy
Fantasy Driving; The Lamborghini Academy
The day-long “Mach 1” ($4,442) event, slated for July 2 at the Adria International Raceway, one hour from Lamborghini factory headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, features 18 students divided among eight 520-hp Gallardos learning fundamentals such as steering, slalom exercises and emergency braking. The two-day “Mach 3” ($9,692), slated for November 7–8 at the 15-turn, 3.26-mile Mugello Circuit near Florence, is designed for Lamborghini owners and includes laps in the 640-hp Murciélago LP640, which is essentially a fighter jet with wheels. Company representatives also fetch these students directly from the airport and take them out for an introductory cocktail at the luxe Poggio dei Medici resort the night before class begins.
6
Stock Car Racing; Buck Baker Racing School
Charlotte, N.C.
Founded in 1980 by two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Buck Baker, this school’s prestigious alum include NASCAR superstars Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Data acquisition technology is equipped in every authentic NASCAR Cup Ford, Chevy and Dodge race cars so students can track their performance. Classroom time is limited to learning the fundamentals, and lap time is comprised of solo laps and laps with an instructor, plus plenty of “practice sessions” with four to six students on the track (in other words, you get to race). The $1,860, two-day basic package includes up to 110 solo laps; the $2400, three-day basic includes 135. Courses are held at one of five major tracks, including Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina. One major caveat: You have to know how to operate a stick shift before signing up.
7
Off-Roading; Hummer H1 Driving Academy
South Bend, Ind.
Located at Hummer HQ, this $5,250 4-½ day program is a deluxe all-inclusive package only offered to owners of the H1 (the MSRP Open Top starts at $128,374), which includes a stay at the nearby Marriott as well as meals and driving instruction. Expect to learn off-roading at 60 percent grades or 40 percent slide slopes, how to ford 30 inches of water, the ins and outs of night navigation, and map reading using a GPS. Graduates of the program are invited every year to a fantasy reunion trip, this year slated to be held in Moab, Utah.
8
Drag Racing; Frank Hawley Drag Racing School
Gainsville, Fla.
Started 22 years ago by the two-time NHRA World Champion of the same name, Frank Hawley counts many top drag drivers like Gary Scelzi among his alumni. The $1,795 two-day Super Class is open to experienced and new drivers alike; drivers can practice quarter-mile runs in either a rear-engine NHRA-class Super Comp Dragster, or the 1800-lb., 720-hp Supergas Pontiac Firebird (zero to 60 in 1.8 seconds). For those who’ve made a pact with the devil, there’s the three-day, $6,995 Top Alcohol Dragster course (vehicles run on methanol racing fuel), in which students practice in 2,300-hp vehicles. Students who successfully complete the course earn a competition license for NHRA events.
9
Desert Racing; Wide Open Baja
Irvine, CA
Participants get behind the wheel of a bouncy, open-wheel desert racer and follow a seasoned guide across the rugged Baja Peninsula, from San Diego and to Cabo San Lucas (four-day and seven-day tours). But don’t let the dirt and grime fool you—at night, accommodations and meals are first class. Exclusive private tours, which can include anything from fishing and snorkeling to golfing, are also available. Serious racers can apply to compete in the famous 1,000-mile Ultimate Baja Challenge, slated for the fall.
10
Safety Driving; Ricas Safety Training
Ede, Netherlands
Designed by a Dutch security firm in response to Holland’s high percentage of canal accidents, this extremely no-frills course teaches students how to escape from a car that is completely submerged in water. Accompanied by two expert divers, students are placed inside a car which is then promptly dropped into a canal. Advanced level training entails rescuing a panic-stricken fellow passenger. Cost: $100.
[source: https://www.forbestraveler.com/adventure/driving-schools-story.html ]
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