Subarussian

Hi there

Has anyone on here done it or has 'insider' info about it?

I've got the brochure and a 'sales pitch' on the phone -- sounds very impressive but is it worth the time and money?

Thanks for the info!

Subarussian

Anyone?

what would scooby do

Took my race licence test there - one of the better circuits to do it on, not sure aboot the intensives though

eclipse

How much is it?

jwallis

Sounds interesting. Where can I get info on this?

Got a contact No?

Would a group booking be cheaper?

Subarussian

It's £2,300 if you do it in 1600cc Formula First and £3,100 in F Ford.

Five full days (9 to 5) with a 'graduation race' on the 5th day.

At the end you get a National B license with 2 signatures (you need 6 to get a Nat A license) plus your own race suit, boots and gloves.

Not cheap, to say the least! But I've not seen any other programme as comprehensive as that. I've been also told that they've got the most experienced instructors teaching there.

jwallis

Not cheap, and I don't think I'd use the racing suit when I pop down to the pub.

A day or two would do me - do they do short courses as well?

Subarussian

Yes, they also do 1-hour and 1-day tuition.

Don't know about the suit, but apparently racing boots are the latest fashion on Covern Garden now. A guy from work spotted some in a window of some trendy shop

Anyway, back to my original question


Has anyone done this course?

Krade

I know the ones you mean they are made by Adidas and cost about £80
I bought a pair thinking about track days and stuff but took em back as I couldnt justify the cost for an occasional shoe and they are more of an imitation thing.

Subarussian

Hi Krade. How's it going, mate?

Please let's not turn this thread into a footwear fashion debate , at least not until I've got some feedback about the Silverstone race course.

Cheers!

Subarussian

Spoke with the 'Ring race school. They run a 2-day course at the GP circuit for Euro 1,800. Better price but one day is all classroom training (yawn!) and on completion they give an International C license Is it any use in the UK?

Also called Brands, Thruxton and Rockingham -- but they only run corporate jollies. Thruxton do the ARDS test but no training.

So Silverstone sounds like the best (and only?) option...

Anyway, hoping to find someone on here who'd done it and have a chat.

Cheers,

Andrei

Subarussian

??? ???

Subarussian

No one has any info?

Jeff Wiltshire

Probable the best place for information about starting racing is

MSA

Subarussian

Thanks Jeff! I've already done quite a bit of research on the net. Just want to get some personal feedback now from people with first-hand experience...

Jeff Wiltshire

I've done a number of 1 day 'Driving Schools' at various tracks but they where all pretty much 'corporate' days out. The expection was the advanced day at Ian Taylor Race School at Thruxton which was 1 instructor too 3 students and a Group N BMW M3. Great Fun and I learn't a lot.

Do actually want a race license ?

Subarussian

Yep, exactly my findings -- lots of so called "racing schools" running corporate jollies with "certificates" at the end. In most cases the actual driving time is measured in MINUTES and the emphasis is on fun rather than learning.

Yes, do want to get the license. But also some professional in-depth tuition to build on my self-taught foundation

Subarussian

Well, looks like I'll be the first one to provide a detailed report on it here. So watch this space...

Subarussian

I'VE DONE IT AND AM NOW OFFICIALLY A RACING DRIVER!!!

Had my first two races at Silverstone's Stowe circuit last Saturday. (You can see a few photos in the Members Gallery posted by SU3ARU -- thanks Peter!).

I am still buzzing and hope to race again soon.

Fantastic course! If you want to learn to race this is the course to take. Not cheap but worth every penny and more. Top instructurs (I had Danny Watts and Barry Williams just to name a few). Hundreds of laps in the car (including a morning on the GP circuit)...

If you want more info e-mail me and I'll be more than happy to tell you all about it (don't want to write an essay on here in case nobody's interested ).

Cheers,

Andrei

Edcase

write the damn essay!

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Seconded just write it

Tony

Eagle7

write it!

Hanley

get writing damn it!!!

Stuart Page

iTrader: (4)

write away please!!

Subarussian

Oh well, if you insist

The course takes place at Silverstone and takes 5 full days. The first 4 days are for training and the 5th day is a real race meeting with School races scheduled amongst other series (in my case we shared the day with the Evo Caterham academy and a couple of Saloon clubs). The training days start at 8 a.m. and finish at 6 / 6:30 p.m. with 30-minute lunch break. The rest of the time is spent learning and practicing. I'll attempt to recreate the sequence of events:

Day 1
- Briefing
- The theory of high speed driving (racing line, vision, etc)
- 1-to-1 instructions in Proton GTi (3x20 minutes)
- Heel & toe practice session in single seaters (30-40 minutes)
- ARDS theory exam

Day 2
- 1-to-1 instructions in Proton
- Skid and car control exercises in single seaters and skid car
- Lapping in single seaters (4x20 minutes), each session is followed by debrief / feedback by instructors who sit and observe you at every corner of the track

Day 3
- Lapping of GP circuit in Proton (with instructor)
- Skid and car control exercises (figure 8, slalom, special track)
- The theory of car dynamics (weight transfer, etc)
- Lapping in single seaters (5x20 minutes) with feedback

Day 4
- ARDS driven exam
- Race practice (mock qualifying, formation lap, race starts)
- The theory of race craft
- Race craft practice in karts

Day 5
- Briefing
- Scruteneering
- Qualifying
- Race

I think this is roughly what happened. The course is really intense physically and mentally. You literally spend hours and hundreds of laps in the car, and you are constantly learning loads through the theory classes and feedback during / after your driving sessions. I couldn't believe it myself but I was going to bed at 9-10 every night because I was so knackered...

Before going on this course I had done a few track days, 5 Palmer Bedford experiences and loads of karting, but I still learnt loads on the course. And of course there is no substitute to the actual in-car practice time. What I found particularly useful is the fact that the learnings stretches over 5 days so you can fully 'immerse' yourself in it and keep the learning momentum going...

You can do the course in Formula First for £2,300 or Formula Ford Zeus (sp?) for £3,100. This price includes one race -- I strongly suggest you book the second optional race for an extra £300. The above price includes (in addition to the above) your MSA Go Racing pack, license fees, and Sparco racing suit, boots and gloves (helmets are provided for the course but not to keep).

In addition to the invaluable learning, I think the benefit of course is also to give you an idea if you REALLY like competitive motor racing (as opposed to fast road driving AND track days) and if you are any good at it.

I loved it!! And although I learnt that I don't have a natural genius of Schumacher, through practice I can get better and better and - really enjoy the process

Please feel free to contact me if you need further info. Or if you do decide to book it - mention my name for 'extra special' treatment

Cheers,

Andrei

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Andrei,
Thanks for that I must have a go unfortunately the Lottery picked some different number to me this Wenesday must ring up and complain LOL

But does seem excelent value for the Money off to check the Wife's bank account.

Tony

Subarussian

Hi Tony

I know what you mean -- it's a lot of money. But it's also once in life time type of thing, like a holiday to Bali or a cruise

When I saw the course info I knew straight away that I wanted and HAD to do this course.

Let me know if you decide to go for it. I'll have a chat with the guys at the school and see if they can offer you a special rate, given that you've been referred by a 'graduate'.

Cheers,

Andrei

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Andrei,
I know what you mean this certainly is the 'Dogs B's' of a course. I'm there at on Trax Sunday so will think of you but just can't afford it I would prefer you to put a good word in with God to fix the lottery for me LOL

I will of course take you up on the offer if my financial situation changes I might have to settle for a 1stlotus or a Palmer Tuition day first. The wife won't miss that much

Tony

Subarussian

Enjoy Trax! Practice makes perfect

AK47

my goodness, for that kind of money I would like to get another car ...but I think I can just afford those nice adidas boots