[DonC]

There's no substitute for "seat time" and it becomes all the more important once the driving season starts.
Like any other sport you've got to warm up first if you want to engage without hurting yourself.
Can't remember how many times I've advised people to attend a driver's school or course as soon as possible after acquiring a Cobra or other high performance car. Barring a formal course as least get some autocross time under their belts to help with knowing what the car will feel like just before it lets go.
DonC