Driving Schools?

[catalyst]

Alright.. after getting myself into some pretty dangerous situations in my car, and really just exceeding my abilities (mostly onramps in the rain ) i have come to the conclusion that i need some instruction..

One of these days im not going to be as lucky as i have been and im going to get some snap back or something, and do the typical over correct - over correct into a fucking gaurdrail.. I would like to be at least somewhat prepared for shit like that..

So anyway, are there any courses that are not extremely expensive that i can take? I think my dad would be up for chipping in a little bit, cause he knows how 17 year olds drive...

Anyone have any recommendations?

[komodo]

Unfortunately I can't offer any recommendations... but I commend you on your decision.

[voca]

BMW has a teen advanced driving school at several locations. I think the closest to you would be the performance center in spartanburg county, SC, so it might be quite some drive to get there. I think it's like $400 for one day and $700 for two.

click new drivers

[devinwwu]

do you have a local race track around your house. there have to be track days there...sometimes with instructors. if you go w/ a big school some run $1000+ which is a lot obviously. other than that i donno

[c1apton]

contact "BMW lot attendant" in our midst... He can ask your info to his bosses, BMW uses Road Atlanta for it's training for reps & service personnel and occassionally they have - public training & defensive driving classes.
As a former Rep for SE region BMW of NA, we used to go twice a year for new models and updates and it was a blast... I have a pic somewhere with 4 of us (suits & ties) wearing helmets putting an E36 on 3 wheels in a corner. Then we were all presented white embroidered BMW jackets with "BMW Test Pilot" embroidered on the back.
The event was informative as hell and it prepares you how to handle your car in about every situation without going "over the edge"

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by komodo

Unfortunately I can't offer any recommendations... but I commend you on your decision.

I 2nd that . . . anybody can talk about how good they are, but it takes a real man to analyze himself

[nick_318is]

Contact or find your chapter of the BMWCCA and see if they do drivers schools, it will cost about $300 or so for a weekend, 2 days on the track with an Instructor and you will have a lot of fun and be learning in an environment thats safer then the street. You will need to have your car undergo a tech inspection and be in good operating condition before.

Another thing that the local BMWCCA chapter may have is a saftey school (typically 1 day and $50 or less I think), I know the area that i'm a member of has one every spring in a large parking lot, after I did that i had to do a drivers School because it was a lot of fun.

[catalyst]

Originally Posted by nick_318is

Contact or find your chapter of the BMWCCA and see if they do drivers schools, it will cost about $300 or so for a weekend, 2 days on the track with an Instructor and you will have a lot of fun and be learning in an environment thats safer then the street. You will need to have your car undergo a tech inspection and be in good operating condition before.

Another thing that the local BMWCCA chapter may have is a saftey school (typically 1 day and $50 or less I think), I know the area that i'm a member of has one every spring in a large parking lot, after I did that i had to do a drivers School because it was a lot of fun.

hmm.. i was hoping i wouldnt have to use my car.. haha, i guess im gunna have to man up and shell out some extra dough for more replacement bushings..

Also, i will probably need new brake pads after a 2 day track weekend huh?

I guess im going to have to factor 300-400 in parts ontop of that 300 track fee.

[nick_318is]

Originally Posted by catalyst

hmm.. i was hoping i wouldnt have to use my car.. haha, i guess im gunna have to man up and shell out some extra dough for more replacement bushings..

Also, i will probably need new brake pads after a 2 day track weekend huh?

I guess im going to have to factor 300-400 in parts ontop of that 300 track fee.

Yea the track can get expensive, I hear a lot of poeple can get two weekends out of a set of pads at the track, but My last outting I Killed mine. Its expensive but fun, i'm sure there are some good alternatives to a BMWCCA or other club school, where you can use someone elses car, but I would have to research more.

[cainchapman]

Good choice, however not learning to drive your car reduces the benefits. It is your car you drive every day, so you are best to understand how it handles. No point in learning in a performance car if you don't have one.

We run (BMWCC NZ) a few track days every year, with the aim of people learning basic car control (low speed) and then gradually moving up to 60mph laps and manoeuvres. Then at the end of the day, helmeted laps and unlimited speed.

You have only limited wear and tear on your car and generally don't ruin anything as we want you to be able to drive the car home. It is on these days that you will see the benefit of good tires, good brake components (pads and ss lines) and become a more observant driver.

Either that or get yourself a motorbike licence and drive around cities for a year. You wouldn't believe how good at reading road conditions (& idiot drivers) you become.

We've got a day 14th Jan 06 in Taupo. Show up if you'd like. My car should be free that day.

BMW CCA will have something similar. BMW also run proper driving schools in new cars. I know the one in Queensland, Australia is brilliant, skid pan and the works.

[Spieluhr]

As already suggested, just check out your local BMWCCA chapter's website and they should have links to tracks, schools, and schedules of upcoming events.