10-03-2022, 04:58 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2022 Camaro 2SS 1LE 6M Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 32
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Recommended Performance Driving School?
Looking for your guys' recommendations on what performance driving schools I should take a look at. I've been wanting to participate in track days but many of them require previous track day experience or performance driving school experience. I'm located in Las Vegas, so school recommendations in the Western US would be preferred. So far I've looked at the following:
Cadillac V-Performance Academy (Pahrump, NV - Spring Valley Raceway) BMW M-Performance School (Thermal, CA - Thermal Club) Fast Lane Race School (Rosamond, CA - Willow Springs International Raceway) Have any of you participated in these, and if so, how would you rate your experience? Individuals that have participated in other performance driving schools, how was your experience and would you recommend them? As far as my driving experience goes (not sure if it matters?) I only have a few auto-x's in the 1LE under my belt. In years past I had a lot of driving time in the off-road racing environment (desert racing), but of course not much of those driving techniques transfer to pavement racing aside from car control. Thanks guys! |
10-03-2022, 05:17 PM | #2 | |||
Drives: 2004 BMW 330CI, 2022 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: NC
Posts: 822
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I did the BMW Performance school (2 days) I had fun.
What kind of track days are you trying to go to that require previous track experience? There are plenty of organizations that will allow you to drive without experience. As for the BMW School it was a fun mix of track driving, car control and classroom time. It was pretty fun. Here are some clips from my time there(mine was in the SC location). |
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10-03-2022, 06:12 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: May 2022
Location: Texas
Posts: 24
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Consider the marque clubs too. Porsche Club of America (PCA) and BMW Car Club America (BMWCCA). I don't know what they may have in your area but I've driven with them in TX. They do a good job with beginners and most regions welcome other marque cars. I took my SS1LE to COTA with PCA recently.
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10-03-2022, 07:37 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 860
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I haven't done one of the driving schools you (the OP) mentioned, but the main plus IMHO would be the wet skidpad exercises which is really helpful to learning the basics of car control. The minus however is that you are learning on a car that is not the same as yours and you are getting less track time because you are sharing the car with other students.
If you go the route of doing an HPDE event with a club like BMW or PCA (this is what I'd suggest), you'll get to use your own car which is far more valuable learning as well as have more track time and an instructor in your car who will critique what you are doing and help you learn. The BMW club that does VIR (my track) offers skid pad exercises to boot, which nullifies the main benefit of the schools you were looking at. The HPDE events put students into experience level groups with appropriate instruction for each, so you'll get more customized teaching. |
10-03-2022, 07:53 PM | #5 | |
Drives: 2004 BMW 330CI, 2022 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: NC
Posts: 822
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10-04-2022, 06:54 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2022 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 223
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I did the Ron Fellows Corvette Driving School in April 2018 after I boughgt my C7 Grand Sport. Great experience overall, and a beautiful facility and superb insructors and track(s).
Highly recommend Spring Mountain in Pahrump, Nevada.
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2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 A10 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 2020 Genesis G90 Ultimate 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL450 2017 Corvette Grand Sport A8 2024 Honda Civic Touring 1971 Datsun 240Z |
10-04-2022, 07:42 AM | #7 |
Shadow Gray '19 ZLE M6
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It's not necessary to attend a driving school to get into HPDE. Sure, do it if you'd like, but it's not something you need to dive into the hobby. Most clubs have beginner groups that are instructed. Look into PCA, Chin Track Days, TNIA, Hooked On Driving, BMW CCA, etc. You can find events on motorsportreg.com and filter by "Driver School" to find HPDE events.
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10-06-2022, 01:11 AM | #8 |
Drives: Camaro GT4.R, Cadillac ATS-V Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Woodside, CA
Posts: 6
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I'll second the recommendation for Spring Mountain. I did their V-academy and despite being the most track experienced student in the class, I still learned a ton. Going back in the fall for the Level 2 Corvette school. If you are in Vegas, there's no reason to travel farther away.
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05-26-2023, 03:41 AM | #9 | |
Drives: Ford mustang Join Date: May 2023
Location: USA
Posts: 1
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Quote:
The instructors were top-notch, providing excellent guidance and tips throughout the program. They really knew their stuff and helped me improve my driving skills on the track. The curriculum was well-structured, covering everything from vehicle dynamics to advanced techniques. Last edited by John Brown; 05-31-2023 at 08:13 AM. |
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05-26-2023, 10:09 AM | #10 |
Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: 909
Posts: 9,919
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16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS
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05-26-2023, 10:40 AM | #11 | |
Drives: 17 hyper blue 2SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: NorCal
Posts: 653
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I'm signed up for fast sideways in July, heard some great things about it. |
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05-26-2023, 11:04 AM | #12 | |
Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: 909
Posts: 9,919
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Quote:
yessir i agree nik is a good guy and great driver its just a bit expensive $$$
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16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS
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05-26-2023, 11:27 AM | #13 |
Drives: 17 hyper blue 2SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: NorCal
Posts: 653
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05-28-2023, 10:09 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2008 Audi RS4 Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 38
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I’ve been attending HPDE through various hosts in my area. I’ve had the best instruction through Audi Club PCC region events, but that may just be the individual instructors are really good in my area rather than a global standard. I’ve attended one other region’s events and the instruction was above average but not spectacular.
I’ve been told that it’s better to spend the money on seat time rather than attending a dedicated 1, 2, 3 day school which is cost equivalent to 2 to 6 days HPDEs.
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