All fired up after watching Michael Schumacher win the Grand Prix? Kind of wish that could be YOU? Well, dream on no longer! Get a pencil and paper and jot down these addresses. I’m going to show you how you can learn to race cars like the pros!
There are quite a few ‘racing schools” out there. I’d like to think most of them live up to what they promise: a chance to “learn’ about racing like a professional and an opportunity to get behind the wheel of a sleek, made-for-the-track race car.
Hopefully you’re realistic enough to know that it will take more than a few day’s in a garage and once or twice around a track to make you a pro, but at least you’ll get a feel for what it’s like behind the wheel, and with a little luck you can parlay that experience into more heroic pursuits at your local bar.
This list is by no means exclusive; what impressed me the most was that none of these institutions of higher learning made any false claims of what it could do for a prospective student:
(1) www.incredible-adventures.com (Classes are offered in Florida in New Smyrna Beach). Incredible adventures offers three different programs to suit one’s skill level, interest, and most all – pocket book:
I. Introduction To Short Track Car Racing: ($1395 for instruction that includes 34 laps around the track). For sure, with 34 laps around the track you’ll get a taste of what most people only dream about – the thrill of driving an authentic race car! Students learn the art of controlling the car in addition to basic racing tactics from race school instructors who are champions in their own right. The cars you learn in are NASCAR Winston competition Late Models. Not quite what you want? Then how about the…
II. Competition Driving Course (Two days for $3195 and an estimated 86 laps around the track). Short Track Racing is where virtually every past or current NASCAR, INDY, ARCA, IMCA or ASA driver started. The ratio of students to instructors at the FinishLine Racing School is 3 to 1, giving students the individual attention they need. What’s more, students are in constant Racing Radio communication with their race school instructors; allowing instructors to correct mistakes as they happen, give advice, and offer encouragement at every turn. The goal of this particular course is for each student to get maximum seat time, and obtain faster speeds each time they hit the track. Or how about the…
III. Race To Win/Advanced Course (Three days for $4295 and an estimated 138 laps around the track). A three-day race school course designed to give the first time driver full exposure to short track racing. It also provides the experienced racer who has not yet reached the victory circle a little fine-tuning (excuse the pun).
This school doesn’t pull any punches. It’s not teaching you how to impress girls, it’s placing you behind the wheel of a very expensive, precision-engineered race car. Get a load of this:
“…to properly drive a FinishLine Racing School car it’s also mandatory to drive a race car with two feet, left foot on brake, right foot on throttle. In preparation for your upcoming race school, you need to start practicing in you street vehicle now. Upon arrival if an instructor deems you unsafe in your driving style, you will not be able to participate in certain parts of the FinishLine Racing School program and are subject to lose part of your tuition…
Anyone that makes no qualms about booting a student has got the goods in my book.
(2) Next up: Australia and the Ken Lowe Drag Race School (www.kenlowe.com).You get to drive a fully outfitted racecar that competes in regular event … This is as close as you will get to actually racing. Students get to drive a fully outfitted race car that competes in regular event competition. This race car is equipped with all the best race parts available and has all the power needed to win.
Drag Race School classes are held in the corporate suites at the best racetrack in Australia and one of the best in the world – Willowbank Raceway , just west of Brisbane.
The Drag Race School offers a variety of classes as well:
– Licensing Course $1995.00 (AUD) The Drag Race School Licensing Course is a full two day school held at world famous Willowbank Raceway just west of Brisbane about one hour from the Gold Coast of Australia. The first day is classroom instruction explaining the details of the operation of the racecar. Also covered in detail: class structure of all types of drag racing explaining the differences between each eliminator structure and how to win in each eliminator. Of note: details of organizing yourself to go racing and what to do when you get to the racetrack on race day.
– Supercharged Course $2950.00 (AUD) The Drag Race School Supercharged course is open to all DRS graduates with an ANDRA UDL license. You get to drive a supercharged methanol burning dragster for the ultimate adrenaline rush. Three days at the world famous Willowbank Raceway the Drag Race School supercharged methanol course prepares students to win in a professional category.
(3) And finally: Portland, Oregon and the Pro-Drive driving School (www.prodrive.net/racing_school). Pro-Drive offers a variety of courses from beginner to advanced:
I. Introduction to Racing: (half-day: $499). Have you ever wanted to drive a real racecar around a world famous racetrack? The Introduction to Racing is your chance to get out of the grandstands and experience the thrill of auto racing. This 4-hour adventure will begin with a short classroom and SkidCar session where students learn the proper high performance driving techniques required to drive a racecar. They are then supplied with a racing suit, helmet, and gloves. After a brief orientation of the Spec Racer Ford, students are strapped into their racecar for the most exhilarating drive of their life!
This half-day driving experience includes the Pro Drive Autocross course and two lapping sessions on the nearly two miles of Portland International Raceway. After students take the final checkered flag on the track, they walk away with first-hand experience of the exciting world of auto racing.
II. Road Racing School: (3-Day: $2,799/4-Day: $3,499). Whether you are an aspiring racer, want to experience the thrill of driving a real racecar, or simply want to perfect your driving skills, this course covers all the bases.
The Road Racing School starts day one with a session in the Pro Drive SkidCars. Students will learn the fundamentals of vehicle stability, skid recovery, and precise car control. After this fun and informative session, students will dress in a racing suit and helmet and strap into a Spec Racer Ford for a series of cornering and downshifting exercises.
Day Two begins with a threshold braking exercise that teaches precise shifting and braking with appropriate racing lines through a succession of corners.
Then students will begin lapping Portland International Raceway, first in a lead-and-follow session with an instructor showing you the fast way around the track, then on your own so you can apply the techniques they have learned.
Day Three: the focus is on track time! The school’s premier team of instructors will work on building a student’s consistency and speed throughout the day by observing them from every corner of the track. Students will receive personalized feedback on each of their lapping sessions as the instructors motivate wanna-be’s to drive as fast as they can. Finally, time to grid up: three days of learning culminates as the green flag drops for a student’s first race start! When they take the checkered flag for the final time, they will have experienced one of the most rewarding challenges of their life. At least that’s the plan.
Whew! Who knows, maybe there’s a chance you DO have what it takes to pursue racing full time. And maybe these schools can help you on your way.
