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Driving School


supermac

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Hey guys and gals

 

My awesome wife got me the Boundurant 4 day school for christmas. I am really stoked but I have heard a couple of negative thing about it. I was curious if anybody here had tried it or has a better idea for our kind of racing.

 

BTW- I am complete car racing noob, local pro motocross (got too old and busted up) but no car racing. 2007 RMR CMC Rookie.

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Supermac, that is a very cool gift! You have an awesome wife!!! Don't sweat it about the driving school. The outcome of it depends on you. Folks that complain about driving schools usually don't have the right mind-set for them. If you show up rested and ready to listen, you'll do fine. Sometimes the chemistry between a student and instructor does not work out, if it is not working for you, then request another. No one's feelings will get hurt and

this is best for all concerned.

 

A few tips:

Let the instructor/staff know what your goals are so they will be better able to meet your requirements. If you scare yourself then talk about it with your instructor. No-one can learn while they are scared sh*tless, so come in and take five if necessary to regroup. If you scare your instructor you know you need to take it down a notch or two! Set realistic goals for the first day with your instructor; do not attempt to bite off more than you can chew. Be aware of yourself tensing up on track and try to stay relaxed and focused. Be safe and have fun!!!

 

It would be great if you could post about your experience with Bondurant here.

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Bondurant has a book, I would suggest reading it might put you ahead of the class. There are other good reads as well. This type of self preparation may put you in the right mind set to get the most out of the experience.....you lucky bastard !

 

Have fun and by all means let us know about it.

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I did the four day Bondurant school several years ago and enjoyed it for what it was. I will recommend that you pay the extra $300 or so for their insurance - yes, I saw a car totaled and it wasn't me but a guy in my group. Driver was fine but was late, then late, then off into the the infield kart track. Then came the lecture from Bob himself about paying attention to instructors. I have video of the car rolling out of the dust cloud and our instructor pulling off to check on him.

 

If you have confidence in your driving but know, or suspect, of areas you need to work on let them know. I.e. you tend to turn in too early, brake too late, etc. If you are fairly competent in the car, you may have to "speak up" some to get the appropriate attention. Besides, you paid a fair price, you deserve as much instruction as the rookies. Instructors are always relieved to have a capable driver behind the wheel and will let you run on your own - if you want help with something speak up.

 

I found the cars generally reliable even though I had a seat bolster fair, the telescoping go out in the column and ran a Formula Ford out of gas. Walking back to the garage to get another car the mechanic made a comment about really being on it... exactly! Take a pair of gloves or the Formula Ford shell will take skin off.

 

The only issue I had was the wide spread of ability in the overall group - but I don't know how they police that and still sell the program. At the far end of the spectrum was the very nice woman who couldn't get up to speed and actually took herself out of the open wheel day to not slow the rest of the group down. Otherwise the group was fairly even and the pit lane drive through gets you back into open track.

 

Would I do it again? On somebody else's nickel, no question. If I had to spend my money on a school I would probably try something different and see a different course, car and instructor set.

 

What I found really cool was being able to meet and learn from one of the great drivers in history, Bob Bondurant.

 

Have Fun!

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