i spun out into some grass yesterday and scared the **** out of myself (even though i was only going 20mph, it was damn scary). i figure ill only get that lucky once, and next time it could be a curb/person/car/guard rail instead.
so i also decided its time for some sort of school to learn how to successfully recover and prevent slides/spins/etc.

anyone know of, or have any suggestions for local places? anyone had similar experiences?

 

I almost died going 60 mph through a snake turn the other night, and that put me in reality check.

I'd be with you on that, but I don't know if there are any schools of the sort.

 

the best school is a empty parking lot during a rain or snow storm

 

My suggestion would be to start attending some autocross events. Also find the website for your local BMW chapter CCA as they will hold driving schools and autocross that will also be open to non-members.

Empty wet parking lots are all well and good, but be prepared have someone call the police on you if you stay too long practicing. Some landlords and neighbors worry about potential liabilities.

Next winter, I plan to attend a Winter Driving School up in NH at the Team O'Neill Driving School.

 

^^^ great idea for the autocross events.

there's a weekly one at FedEx Field near DC - every weekend. there's also a regular(monthly?) event at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen...and i'm fairly certain there's a regular one up at the Beaver.

 

I talked with a guy with a new-ish Civic about the Ripken Stadium, he said it's TONS of fun. I haven't personally been there, but with the details I got, I'd highly reccomend going!

 

the most recent Ripken event was yesterday...ideal weather for it. an aquaintance of mine goes to each event out there, and he really does have a lot of fun...hell, he drives from Frederick for it.

here's a thread from another guy who goes regularly...pics on page 3, and i believe there's a video in there somewhere as well: http://www.racersden.net/forum/showthread.php?t=55938

 

If you have a beater car, come on out to the next Rallycross in VA on Seniorial Day Weekend http://www.dcrally.com You will learn alot about car handling when you're pushing as hard as you can on dirt/clay/sand/mud/grass

Another AutoX club that I run with is www.capitaldrivingclub.com -- a lot more laid back and smaller events than SCCA ones.

 

I agree, depending on the type of person you are this is the best approach. If you have a half a brain and can learn on your own this the way to go because it's a trial and error approach that endangers nothing.

 

Skip Barber driving school is your best bet. (along with any of the other racing schools street driving programs which i grudgingly acknowledge )

 

Thanks!

Autocross events are very newbie friendly. Go early and announce yourself as a rookie. You will get an instructor to ride with you on your first runs. And feel free to ask the experienced autocrossers there for their advice as to how best to tackle the course.

Things NOT to do at autocross would be doing burnouts and trying to drift the course. When driving around the parking lot between runs, go slowly. Safety first! Also please don't leave your litter on the ground afterwards. Autocross groups rent their parking lots and have to leave them clean afterwards.

Autocross events usually only cost $25 for the day. Loaner helmets might be available, ask ahead of time.

Driving schools like Skip Barber or Evolution Schools are great but cost considerably more money to do.

 

another thing you might want to mention:

expect to be slow at first, and expect your first season to suck. remember you're not racing against anyone else but yourself...this is not a matter of speed, but skill.


and don't cone. :P

 

As someone who has been autocrossing since..... 1973, when I was 15, I can not agree more. My parents were both autocrossers, who insisted that I go to autocross schools and learn how to DRIVE the car to their sattisfaction BEFORE they would let me drive on the street. I have loved autocrossing as a hobby for what now.... 33 years.... My mother at age 66 still autocrosses with me, and guess what, she beat me today at the autocross.

Entry fees are about $15-25 for each event. After 6 months of autocrossing, even with no instruction, you will know more about how to crontrol the car than 98% of the people on the road. Problem is, that the experienced autocrossers all typically love to help newbies get better. I guarantee you that others will help you in fun runs and with advice and ride alongs.

If you can find a local autocross school the entry fee will be $20-50 and you will learn more than you thought possible.

Yes, Skip Barber and things like that are good, in fact they are great ways to spend $2000 or so. But if you spend 6 months autocrossing first and maybe a couple of autocross schools before you go to one of the professional schools you will end up being one of the best students in the class, and start out way ahead of the people who have never done anything.

Oh and... BTW, autocrossing you also learn the handling characteristics of your car, not the ones of some school car and hope that your car handles in a similiar manner.

Autocrossing is dollar for dollar the best thing you can do to learn how to drive. There are plenty of autocrosses all around the DC/Baltimore area, I don't know were n MD you are, but if it is a few miles, it is worth the trip.

</opinion>

 

Calvin, your parents autocrossed? I'm so jealous. That is very cool.

 

i like the idea of going autocrossing, ive scared myself to death a few times

the other day i took a corner at 30 mph and my car almost understeered into an audi TT
i was expecting oversteer so you can imagine the look of horror upon my face when i found myself careening towards the other lane

 

Auto-X taught my mom how to drive alot better. She used to uptight, like hugging the wheel, and seemed, I dunno almost scared to drive. After about 3 auto-x shes doing alot better.

But of course I dont need to practice, I am just naturally god on anything with wheels, and some things without.

 

I can't agree more about autocrossing. After the first few events you run, you will get to feel how far your car will go before it gets loose in a corner. Search around to find the clubs that run them in your area, SCCA, Corvette clubs, Miata clubs, Porsche clubs and many more run their own autocrosses and usually don't mind if someone else shows up. From what I hear from other autocrossers the DC area of SCCA, http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/noviceInfo.php is about as good an organization as they come when it involves running an autocross event. Don't be shy when you go to one, autocrossers will go out of their way to help any new guy get started. Just announce that you are new to someone who looks like they are experienced and they will either answer all your questions or point out someone who will.

-Jeff
www.yamscarclub.com

 

they're generally much more welcoming than other groups out there.