Track Days and Drivers Ed.

[Randall C. Gras]

Greetings all,

I own a 1987 911 coupe highly modified with brakes, suspension, exhaust, chip, etc. to be a terrific DE car. The previous owner was a DE instructor who used it extensively at Road Atlanta and other midwestern venues. After an exhausting weekend at Motorsport Ranch, a private "gentleman's racetrack" south of Ft. Worth, Texas. I came away having had a terrific time, having learned more than I could have ever thought (though I was an experienced autocrosser and time trial participant) , but realizing my own inadequacies as a driverand my vast need for improvement to be truly fast and smooth. I also realized just how diabolical the 911 is in the wet and how easily upset it is unless the inputs are darn near perfect. Any interesting 911 stories out there?

All that is to say this: all the discussion on this site about modifying the Elise is well and good, but when mine arrives in mid-October (best guess) I plan to devote considerable seat time to learn what the experts at Hethel have designed into the LSS as-is. When I reach my limits in the LSS-optioned car as set up by the factory, and when I progress at least one group level in DE after driving the car, then I will worry about other modifications (brake pads being the only exception, possibly).

I am most interested in finding quality instruction to help me get the most out of the car rather than making the car "better." For my part, I think that I will try to find some PCA (Porsche Club of America) Boxster or 914 experts to help me sort out this mid-engined rocket ship. Soon enough, I suppose, the Lotus Club will reach that level, but until then this seems like a practical alternative. Anyone know of similar drivers ed programs for the Elise? Meanwhile, it is nice to dream of 300-hp Elises on rails.

Happy driving.

Randy
1987 911
#25 at Overseas Motors, Dallas.

[commasense]

Randy,

I agree completely that it makes much more sense to work on yourself as a driver than to spend a lot of time, money, and sweat bolting things onto the car. I suppose if modding the car is your hobby, that's fine. But lots of people I know seem to believe that adding a few more horses to their car makes them a better driver (or even a better person).

I think all that's a distraction. I own a Nissan 350Z (I've put my money down on an Elise) that, except for upgraded brake pads, stainless steel brake lines, and 6-pt harnesses, is bone stock.

I've run more than 36 HPDE track days in the last four years (18 of them since getting the Z a year and a half ago!), and my main focus is "tightening the nut behind the wheel."

If you'd like to see a list of East Coast HPDE events in 2004, click here. It's a spreadsheet with all of the HPDEs I could find that are within about 600 miles of my home in Maryland. Sorry if that's not much help for you, Randy, but maybe others looking in here will find it useful.

[krypton]

Has anyone had any experiance with the Panoz driving schools? There are classes offered in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the prices are not too exorbitant.

#69 at Overseas Motors, Dallas.

[commasense]

I can't comment on the Panoz school (except that I bet it would be a real blast to drive a Panoz!), but I can highly recommend the Skip Barber Racing School. I took their 3-day school at Mid-Ohio a couple of years ago, and it was great: very well organized, good instructors, good techniques, and driving the Barber Dodge open-wheel cars is just fantastic.

It's not cheap: about $900 per day, but you can often get some kind of price break on the beginning classes. They conduct them at tracks all across the country, so you can pick one that's close to you, or go for one at a track (like Mid-Ohio, Laguna Seca, or Road America) that you've always wanted to drive. I guarantee you'll have a great time.

[Randall C. Gras]

These commercial schools are well and good, but they are a business after all. It appears to me that a DE event with a quality group like the Porsche Club or BMW Club is the best value. I recently spent 200 minutes of one-on-one instructed drive time with an excellent instructor over a weekend for just $195. I appreciate the fact that I got good feedback and it made me eager to attend future events to progress up the ladder of run groups. Most of these groups are open to other cars joining in, so I plan to remain a PCA member after I get the Elise. Unfortunately the Porsche has to go.

On a brighter note, my sales rep at Overseas Motors called me today to confirm my order. Looks like September delivery. I gave in and optioned for the hard top. So I am looking at Ardent Red, SPorts Package and hardtop.

Randy

87 911
2005 Elise (#26 at Overseas)

[mason]

It’s al practice, practice, practice…

IMHO the most important thing you can do is just get out in the car in a safe environment (track day, autocross, drivers school) and begin to push the car and yourself. Throw in some driving books or an experienced friend to mentor and your skill can grow dramatically.

If you can afford it schools are a good way to improve your skill even faster. Most of the big name schools have a proven curriculum and instructors who understand how to teach.

You can’t go wrong with either method as far as gaining skill and enjoyment. One thing that you may risk however is your wallet, as you get better you’re going to want to attend more and more driving events.

I’d suggest attending a local Solo2/autocross event first. Solo2 is one of the most inexpensive, low risk kinds of motor sport but really rewards driver skill.

More info about Solo2 / autocross can be found here:
Autocrossing the Elise