| Author |
Message |
    
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 412
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 9:07 am: | 
|
I just thought that I would start a new thread since this is where the BMW thread is going...
I am seriously considering signing both my husband and myself up for Skip Barber's driving school (as an aniversary present). We are both car nuts and we'd love to be given the opportunity to run an obstacle course, get handling tips, learn how to fend off possible abductors, etc!
Has anyone been through the program either in CT or in FL? I know you get a sizeable discount on some car insurances when you "graduate", but I was just wondering if it was just plain fun.
And yes - given the current road conditions - I was wondering if they might give some winter driving tips as well. (Although I have fond memories of "doing doughnuts" in the snows of Iowa, my real driving expereiences were limited to Dallas.) |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 2900
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 9:13 am: |
|
My boss took two of his kids to Skip Barber. They learned how to recover from skids and that kind of stuff. This is the program they did:
ONE DAY DRIVING SCHOOL -- $795
This program features a classroom session on vehicle dynamics, identifying why cars behave the way they do. But the bulk of the day is spent outdoors in cars. Learn and practice slides and recoveries on a skid pad, threshold braking and accident avoidance techniques. Using the V8 Dodge Dakota pickup truck, you'll practice slides and recovery while the nimble Dodge Neon powers you through lane-toss exercises. The highlight of the program tests your newfound skills in an exhilarating autocross session utilizing the V10-powered Dodge Viper SRT-10
http://www.skipbarber.com/drivingschool/default.asp?sel= |
Bobkat
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 7361
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 9:30 am: |
|
Why not go whole hog and go to his racing school, which is conducted in Formula Fords? A friend of mine, who races a Morgan in Vintage SCCA events, took that course a few years ago and claims it also made him a better road driver. 
Both our kids, 18 and 21, view cars the way I view microwaves. In other words as appliances. I am tempted to send the 18 year old to the New Driver course before he gets a car of his own.
|
Earlster
Supporter
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 908
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 9:39 am: |
|
I took a course many years ago in Germany. Even though I felt like I was a good driver before, I learned a lot of new things.
There is nothing like taking a car to it's limits on a closed course, makes your butt more sensitive to the car and the road.
And it was also a lot of fun. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 413
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 10:08 am: |
|
I am actually getting goose-bumps! It sounds like so much fun - and, ahem - educational. (not to mention that a little head to head competition with the spouse is a blast too!)
I grew up in a house with 3 younger brothers in TX. Family of 6 equals six cars of course! We had (still have) a '65 Mustang convertible, '74 Plymouth Road Runner, a Cosworth (I was never ever supposed to call it a Vega), a Fiero, misc. sedans and my own pride and joy my '66 Sunbeam Alpine. (I completely reupholstered it myself and learned, the hard way, about fan belts and clutch and brake fluid lines.) It was great having 6 cars with 5 different shift patterns.....Reverse in the Mustang was First in the Sunbeam etc.
I think it is a much safer way to drive - to be engaged and actually thinking about what gear you are in. Teenagers today think they are driving an air conditioned go-cart. I agree that all my girls will get a lesson or two in vehicle handling in addition to the simple traffic rules and regulations. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 414
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 10:13 am: |
|
Bobkat,
We have a friend who also races vintage up in LimeRock mostly. I have blanked on what he is driving these days.
Did you know that there is an auto "guru" here in Maplewood? He lives across the street from me and once every 2 years or so he holds a sort of pow-wow. I am not absolutley certain what he does but I think it involves putting german brakes in Bonnevilles. Apparently he tried it years ago - it worked and now others are all asking him how to do it. |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 459
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 12:47 pm: |
|
kmk,
Pretty much any advanced driving course, or some time with a performance driving coach, will improve your driving skills. What you learn on wet and dry roads, is easily transferable to snow. (And it is fun).
The most important thing you will learn is to determine the limits of the vehicle, and you own skills, before an "emergency" situation.
Also, WRT to your query on the related thread, before you go to snow chains, consider a set of winter tires. (What tires do you have on the "mom's hot rod" now?)
Good luck and stay safe.
TomR.
|
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 663
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 1:04 pm: |
|
Will they put an egg on a cone and see who can get closest to the cone without hitting it?
That's true test of nerve.
"I've gotta beat Marsha. I've gotta beat Marsha." |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 415
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 2:36 pm: |
|
Tom R,
Yeah...the ol' Volvo has the Italian equivalent of ballet slippers when I really need snow boots! It seemed like the right thing to do at the time, cool rims and way cool tires that would help handling. They are Pirelli P6. I just went to look at them and they have the nerve to write "Four Seasons" on them - not even close!
I like the snow tires idea. Stupid question - if the car is front wheel drive, how many tires do you need and where do they go (front and/or back)? |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 462
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 3:56 pm: |
|
kmk,
I've never had the opportunity to drive the P6s, but would think that they would be adequate for most typical winter driving. Saturday, late afternoon, was not what I would call typical winter conditions.
From what I understand the "Four Season" designation refers more to the tires' ability to handle normal road conditions in a wide range of temperatures; as opposed to their ability to deal with the varing road conditions that "All Weather" (boo) or M&S (more boo's) tires can.
Consumer Reports had a review in its November '02 issue of winter tires. The M'wood library may still have a copy.
You may also want to look at:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/snows.jsp
for more information.
The two above resources can help you determine which performance range tire you should consider. I found the local tire shops close to useless in getting information about tire selection. (But I am somewhat demanding).
Most of the tires in either the CR review, or the TireRack web site are NOT what we (or maybe just I) would generally consider to be "snow tires" but, we don't live in Maine.
WRT your penultimate question: 4, repeat FOUR, (vier, quatre, quattro) tires, which makes your final question, moot.
When you look at the prices of some of the winter tires available, just keep in mind the Michelin commercial; "Remember what's riding on your tires".
Good luck and ask for more info if you'd like more.
TomR.
Ps. Italian ballet slippers? More like a good pair of ballroom dancing shoes. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist). ;-) |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 416
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 - 4:06 pm: |
|
It is VERY hard for Cinderella to take of her Ballrooom slippers and put on Muk-Luks!
The grace, the beauty, the whole line is ruined....but then she had to walk home in the snow.
(Thanks for the resources.) |
meluga
Citizen
Username: Meluga
Post Number: 21
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 9:05 am: |
|
We have a volvo wagon and routinely add 2 50 lb bags of gravel to the rear tire area before the first snowfall. This allows us to drive in the snow w/no problems. |
Me2
Citizen
Username: Me2
Post Number: 90
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 9:30 am: |
|
Would the Skip Barber course be recommended for one who is not comfortable with highway driving? |
algebra2
Supporter
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 2911
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 10:15 am: |
|
I think Skip Barber wouldn't be appropriate for fear of highway -- which I have (really bad). In all my 35.5 years I have driven on a highway once -- and that was in rural New Hampshire with a driving teacher. My suggestion is to take a lesson from a driving school and tell them you just want highway driving? |
Nick DiPasquale
Citizen
Username: Nickdinan3
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 6:57 pm: |
|
Hey
I have taken the Skip Barber class in Lime Rock-It is a blast. You learn vehicle control, braking, racing lines (in Dodge Vipers). I have also driven stock cars at Nazareth Speedway in PA.
You can visit www.1877canrace.com to learn more about it. That was a real hoot-I have seen NASCAR races there so driving it was like playing in Yankee Stadium for me. The Philadelphia Enquirer was there an actually did an article on it (it is on the website). I am a car nut too. I really recommend both experiences. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 427
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 7:14 pm: |
|
Thanks Nick....I can't wait for the weather to thaw a bit and then I'm setting a date, getting a babysitter and we are off! Vroom, vroom..... |
johnny
Citizen
Username: Johnny
Post Number: 1183
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 11:47 pm: |
|
I think there is a 3-hour class that is cheaper than the all day class. |
Nick DiPasquale
Citizen
Username: Nickdinan3
Post Number: 2
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 - 8:11 am: |
|
The 3 hour class is an intro to open wheel race
cars- KMK-you will have a great time-and they give you a cool goody bag at the end of the day! |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page