Performance Driving School

A

Aebous

Elite
 Okinawa
Hi all, this one is short an sweet....

Promise...

I'm wanting to attend this event. I was wondering though, one day or two? What are the advantages going for two days? More Practice or do they teach other techniques?


If this info is on the site and I missed it, sorry in advance. Thanks in advance too :D


Oh and any recommendations on helmets would be nice.


***for the full story complete with pic's go here
 
If you have never done something like this before two days will give you more time to ingest what all they have to offer.

More practice or technique? Yes.

By all means do 2 days if you can take the time to do it. There is almost nothing you will ever do driving on the streets that will teach you what you can learn out on the track. Almost everything you learn out on the track will help you back out on the streets.

This is the best mod you can ever do for your car - improve the loose nut behind the wheel :D
 
y'all saying I'm a loose nut?




I can't really argue the truth.....
I am so don't feel bad.
I'll try for two days but money might hold me back
 
Hey so I'm getting ready to register for this event but I must ask....

What is a checkout ride?


I reckon I'll go buy a helmet since I will be trying to do this stuff in the future, I figure I'll go with one of those full mask ones with a visor as I read a blurp that said convertibles must have some form of eye protection/goggles. I'll probably go for the cheapest which on one of the places here they say will run me $140.



Also I figure since I've never been on a track (well unless the desert run counts :P) with other cars I'll throw myself in the "yellow" category and ask for an instructor. Though I'm going to /wrists if they other yellow's are total noobs and i'm falling asleep behind them.
 
A checkout ride is where an instructor does an evaluation of your driving - this is most often done for novice drivers who are looking to move up the food chain and go out as an intermediate without an instructor in the car.

Brain bucket - how much is your brain worth to you? That's how much to spend on a helmet. The main rule for one is make sure it fits - not too loose and not too tight. My own preference is for a full face one - I am uninterested in reshaping my facial features on someone's dashboard.

If you wind up in the wrong run group your instructor will know it and will likely get you moved into the right one. Being a fast driver in a slow group is no fun for either of you and the inverse is equally true - it's a drag to have to tell your student to point everyone by every time you get to a passing zone because they aren't keeping up. Making dynamic adjustments like that is part of running a smooth event.
 
Sweet tanks for the info. I'll be putting my money down an going to get my ride inspected soon

Committed now, just paid the money for saturday. Now just gotta go get a helmet and get the car inspected.
 
I would recommend that you borrow a helmet. If you do not like the atmosphere, or just can't find the time, it will save you a few 12-packs, till you are sure on what you would like to do later on. I did a 3 month stint with a borrowed helmet for the drag strip, and realized later, that I was not going to put my car (okay tires) through that again for a full season. :wink:
 
If there is any way you can borrow a good helmet for your track sessions, I'd definitely go that route first, and put the money toward the second day. You will be amazed at the difference between your day 1 and day 2 experience. Day 1 is alway full of new things to learn and remember. Day 2 you will loosen up a bit, and it will feel much more natural. You will enjoy day 1, but you will LOVE day 2. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
 
Good suggestion, Mike. Also he might want to make sure the helmet he borrows meets the current standard they call for.
 
Naturally :D
On their flyer it states: Approved Helmet (Snell 2000 or later)** Motocycle Helmets are NOT Acceptable **
A Snell 2000 should not be that hard to find. But a lot of the ones you find will be motorcycle rated ("M" for motorcycle), not AUTO rated ("SA", for special application), so be aware of the distinction.

Motorcycle helmets are tested to meet the highest safety standards in the industry from the Snell Foundation and are labeled with a sticker inside each helmet with a "Mxxxx" rating which refers to Motorcycle and the year the Snell Foundation update the standard.

Auto Racing helmets carry the Snell Foundation "SAxxxx" ratings which refers to the SA, Special Applications and the year the Snell Foundation updated the standard.

Snell updates its standards every 5 years. You may still see a '95 in the market place but most likely M2000 or SA 2000's. The newest helmets on the market carry the 2005 which is the latest update.

In order to get the Snell rating, both types of helmets must pass a series of vigorous and identical impact tests. In addition to these tests the SA standard must comply with 3 additional variances or tests.

1) The SA helmets must have a Nomex fabric liner and are therefore more fire resistant for auto racing.

2) The SA standard allows a minimum eyeport size that is smaller than the minimum allowed for the M standard

3) The SA helmets must pass a test designed to simulate impact with a rollbar.

Some manufacturers include aerodynamic features on their SA helmets auto racing car helmets that would not make sense to put on the M helmets for motorcycling and many SA helmets are available with provisions for forced air cooling or emergency air supplies that are inappropriate or unnecessary for M helmets. Manufacturing costs being what they are... most manufacturers build their SA and M helmets identically with the exception of the inner liner.
 
I did notice the SA vs SM notice. In my shop it narrows it down to two guys, one (our shope chief) who actually does some drag racing, and the other who races those legend series cars. I don't know them that well though so i'm a bit nervous for asking to borrow a helmet :oops:
 
Aebous said:
I did notice the SA vs SM notice. In my shop it narrows it down to two guys, one (our shope chief) who actually does some drag racing, and the other who races those legend series cars. I don't know them that well though so i'm a bit nervous for asking to borrow a helmet :oops:
Click to expand...

Helmets are not "one size fits all". So even if they say yes, it would be better to try it on before borrowing it.

NB: If your Z4 has bluetoothe, don't do what I did and put your phone in your pocket. I was embarrassed while actually on the track when my phone rang. This is a distraction you don't need and you don't want to piss off your instructor either. Just make sure you leave it off track to avoid a serious distraction. :oops:
 
Yeah, I don't think I'd be able to fit in the shop chiefs helmet. He's got a big head. On that note alone I may just go purchase one, at least I'd know it fits without having to rely on someone else (I hate having to do that).

Yeah I was thinking of using the dynometer app for the Iphone, but being I don't have a mount I'd have to put it under the brake handle, which I'm sure is not allowed.
 
You are correct about not locating your phone under the brake handle. It's pretty easy to underestimate the forces that your car will be subjected to relative to what happens out on the street. I have gotten used to finding small ketchup containers suddenly underfoot half way through a run session in students cars with tales of how long it's been since the drive though experience that left them under seats. If it isn't bolted down it will be flying around by the end of your sessions.
 
LOL awesome. No ketchup packets in my car! Can I leave my ipod in the passenger cargo net? Hell on that note, can i leave my 3 way power port in the glove box an my stuff in the center console?
 
A lot of tech inspections will require you to remove all of the above as well as the floor mats. If it can move you don't want it in the car and floor mats can move under your feet to impede pedal access.
 
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