hey does anyone know of a good speed driving and defensive driving course that involves going out on the track and racing/driving. preferabbly specializing in maximas.

 

www.bmwcca.org

Using Maxima's okay

 

I went to the school at Road Atlanta. This was back in 96 when they used all Nissans. Now they use Subarus.

It was the best thing I've ever done for my driving. You really dont know what you are doing until you've had some instruction by race drivers with years of experience.

 

what types of things do they discuss and teach you behind the wheel? how demanding is it? for example do they teach downshifting techniques?

 

skip barbar racing school something like that, heard that is excelent.

 

I've heard these classes are pretty expensive. Can someone elighten me? I'd love to go beat on other people cars while learning how to drive like a crazy ****!

 

There are schools all over the country. Skip Barber, Bob Bondurant, Derek Daly, Jim Russell etc. You can spend a LOT of money doing this. If you want to experience driving a race car check out http://www.racingschools.com/home.shtml . Some friends of mine went to a Sprint Car racing school! Anyway, figure $500 to almost a grand for a one day course (basic car control techniques), then it just goes up from there. You can spend thousands of dollars for 2 or 3 days. They only let you "race" if you are taking a "racing" course and you have completed a number of prerequisite classes and they are damned sure you aren't a nut and aren't going to kill somebody.

 

i do not think it is worth it, because there are about 20 other kids in these classes and the way it works out for a day, the most driving time you could have would be a little over 20 min. Do not think you are driving the whole time. Morning is class time in a room, then u each have a chance to test it on a car, while the other kids watch and see what u did wrong. that is what it is like for the prerequisite classes, thats what i found out when i called skip barbar atleast. i decided not to do it, although it would be a cool experience, i say for that money just lower my car and buy ps2.

 

Okay, you're in MA so I know this could work for you. If you join the BMWCCA not only can you autocross, but you can attend their driving schools at tracks like Limerock and NHIS. Many cars other than BMW's do this with them. The cost is $125/day and you you get 4 20-25 minute driving sessions. The boston chapters site is http://www.boston-bmwcca.org Look in the calendar section and click on one of the links for the driving school for more info.

Also look into scda1.com They offer something similar but run a little more money, though they are still a great deal.

 

I got plenty of driving time (i went during may and i was in the seat for about 30% of the time). They videotape your driving for instruction and all. Racing school is expensive. I went to a local school for defensive/hazardous weather which were both prerequisites for bondurant's class. Intrestingly enough i have also taken an "evasive" driving course designed for CEO's to loose kidnappers in a car chase. It helps when running from cops!

 

I don't know about schools specializing in Maximas but there are some schools that let you bring your own car. I attended the Russell Racing School in the early '90's when it was at Laguna Seca and I feel that attending a driving school could save your life. If you pay attention and really "get" it and if the school has good instructors.

What I'm saying is just attending one of these schools doesn't make someone a world-class driver overnight. But I feel they can be very beneficial.