DRIVER'S EDUCATION
By definition, a driver's education is an event where a driver uses the controlled environment of an open track to explore the capabilities of the car and more importantly, the driver's ability. It is a day where a driver routinely sees between 2 and 5 hours of drivable track time on an open road-racing circuit throughout the day.
Driver's
Education events utilize your own car for the time you are on the track but unlike
racing, there is NO WINNING,
NO LOSING, and NO TROPHIES at these
events, just all-out driving AROUND a road racing facility with your car.
Drivers are assigned to run groups based on their skill level and unless you are
an experienced road racer or approved instructor, you will ALWAYS have an
instructor in the car with you throughout the day. Sometimes, that instructor is even a famous race
car driver too. This does not mean that you can not open your car up. It only
means that you will be given some pointers on how you can become a smoother and
faster driver. Listen to them because they know how to make you faster.
Each run group takes turns on the track, typically for 20-30 minutes at a time. There are usually 3-4 run groups which means that after you are on the track for 20-30 minutes, you are off the track for about an hour and a half while the other run groups are on the track. If that does not sound like much track time to you, consider that you and your car will be running at close to 100% for those 20-30 minutes. And even if you are not tired from your first session, your car will surely be! The 60-90 minutes of rest between your run groups will enable you and your car to cool off and your instructor to talk to you about some of your faults, and yes, you WILL have some no matter how good you think you are!!
While you are on the track, passing can take place at designated areas,
usually only on the straights. Passing must be completed by a clear signal given
by the driver to the car behind him/her. One lesson that drivers MUST learn is
that if a car is behind you, he IS faster than you, NO MATTER WHAT!! Remember,
there are a lot of turns at a road racing facility and only a few straight
aways. Even if your car is capable of running 10s in the quarter mile, you will
most likely not be able to hold off a car that handles better than you. For
example, if there are 3 straight-aways and 15 turns at your track, and the car
behind you is a second faster than you in each turn, but you are 3 seconds
faster than him/her through all 3 straights, the car behind you will still be
around 6 seconds faster than you around the track. That means that you have a
ways to go until you can make your car handle like the guy/girl behind (in front
of) you. Just let them pass you. No biggie.
Open track and driver’s education events were largely started by the Porsche, BMW, Ferrari and Shelby Cobra clubs who were looking for a safe and legal place to exercise their car’s horsepower and handling capabilities. But don’t think that rubbing is racing at any of these events. You are responsible for any damage to your car as well as any cars that you have damaged. You will also be responsible for any damage done to the track and that is where things can get REALLY expensive! On the other hand, this does not mean that drivers don’t drive aggressively at times. In the faster groups with the more experienced drivers, the pace is full-race and the driving thrills are unmatched in any other venue of racing, PERIOD!
So what do we need to do to our
cars in order to make them REALLY fast? As we all should know, pure speed is NOT what makes a car REALLY
fast. Ultimately, what makes a car REALLY fast is a combination of
driver's skill, brakes and handling. Horsepower will
come when the driver knows how to use it. For now the most important thing for a
car at an open track event are BRAKES!! Remember, you can not go fast until you
can slow down for the turns, especially if you have a modified car. Another
important factor is longevity. What we need to do is make our cars
last the entire day or weekend. What good is having a fast car if you are not
properly prepared, right? To many driver's disappointment, most cars in stock
form are NOT great when it comes to staying out on the track all day. This means
that properly preparing and maintaining your car is absolutely
crucial.
Driving events are designed to teach all skill levels, no matter how fast or slow your sportscar is. There is only one deciding factor....YOU!! YOU have to make the first step and sign up. YOU have to make sure your car is prepared and YOU have to come out to the event. But let us assure you that for those of you who like to make your car handle there is no better way to have a good time in it, PERIOD!!
REQUIRED ITEMS FOR DRIVER'S EDUCATION EVENTS:
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING TO A DRIVER'S EDUCATION:
Below are a few pictures from different Driver's Education events. Notice the BIG smiles! Hope to see you at a Driver's Education soon! In the meantime, click on any of the pictures to get closer to the action!
If you want to learn to how race on a road course, you are going to have to complete quite a few driver's educations. Here are a few car clubs that frequently put on good, safe driver's educations.
This is what happens when you don't listen to your instructor....
