Who can teach me how to drive this guy?

Dallas56 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010, 05:12 PM

I am a new owner, bought a Superformance from Keith Craft at the end of March, live in Dallas. In poking around on this site and SCOF, several have advised that I get some driver instruction, track time, etc., someone to teach me how to drive this car without ending up in a creek like the Kirkham last weekend. That sounds right to me. Give me some recommendations (I pay) for someone to teach me how to drive my car, DFW preferred, anywhere in Texas next best. Larry Carlson

PaulProe · #2 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Larry
You have one of the best schools in the nation, right in your backyard.

Texas Driving Experience

They've helped each year with Run N' Gun and know Cobras The prices are right too.

Paul

Prof · #3 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010, 06:34 PM

Eagle's Canyon in Sanger (Denton) has a great school operation. www.eaglescanyon.com

I'm headed to Houston this Fall to learn in Factory 5 Challenge cars.
http://racingadventures.com/
(--50th birthday present and I get to choose one day or two...let's see...what will it be?,,, DUH!)

vector1 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010, 07:12 PM

find an indoor or outdoor kart track that has rentals and put some time in there, may seem expensive but in the end is just the opposite. you'll encounter new experiences that will prepare you for a full size vehicle and when you're done you walk away, no attachments. autocross is a good experience also, usually lots of runoff....and spin out a couple times in a safe environment.....and try to catch it.

TXBLU · #5 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulProe

Larry
You have one of the best schools in the nation, right in your backyard.

Texas Driving Experience

They've helped each year with Run N' Gun and know Cobras The prices are right too.

Paul

I've driven that road course with the Richard Petty Driving Experience instructors during the SRT Driving Experience. I basically got to flog all the SRT cars except the Viper and Grand Cherokee on that course. It's not SCARY fast, but it is a lot of fun for a short track. I think I was one of the only people to actually stay on the bumper of the instructor during the lead-follow segment in an SRT Charger, and set the fastest time in the autocross in an SRT Grand Cherokee. (The SRT Crossfire was a dog, by the way) Our team won the autocross competition event, by the way.

I think you'll be able to find out where your skill limit is, if not your car's actual performance limit. Then again, you may have a natural talent for driving and surprise yourself with how well you drive. It's a cool little road course with just a little bit of elevation change and a couple of good, medium/high speed corners, and one really good hard braking point at the end of the main (fairly short) straight, if I remember it correctly. Smoothness and carrying speed are the keys to going really quick around that course. Do a Google Earth search for Texas Motor Speedway, and you'll see the infield road course on the East side of the track.

If you decide to go to TMS, let us know so we can make arrangements to come watch how you do!!! (no pressure, right?)

Eric

Dallas56 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2010, 08:40 AM

Texas Driving Experience looks perfect. Thank you

Madmiles442 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-18-2010, 12:44 PM

I'm quite sure to get an instructor to actually be in the car with you, you'll need passenger rollover protection. 2nd hoop or a single double-wide bar. In years past, I had an instructor with me, but I think they've all stopped that if you only have a single hoop.
You can still do some lead-follow stuff, but nothing was as valuable as having someone in the car with me. I'm pricing a single double-wide bar right now for this exact reason.

TXBLU · #8 (**permalink**) 07-19-2010, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madmiles442

I'm quite sure to get an instructor to actually be in the car with you, you'll need passenger rollover protection. 2nd hoop or a single double-wide bar. In years past, I had an instructor with me, but I think they've all stopped that if you only have a single hoop.
You can still do some lead-follow stuff, but nothing was as valuable as having someone in the car with me. I'm pricing a single double-wide bar right now for this exact reason.

It's for that very reason, plus that fact that my car will spend a lot of time on race tracks, that I am thinking of adding the cutouts for the passenger side roll bar, and then just install it when I need it for an instructor, or for track certification. I figure when it isn't needed, I'll use some nice billet covers over the holes. I'll probably run without the roll bar on the driver's side on the street, so I guess I'll need two sets of covers. I forget who makes those...

Eric

gthompson · #9 (**permalink**) 07-19-2010, 10:49 PM

I have a membership and a couple of garages at Eagles Canyon Raceway if you want to come out there to run your car. I have an intercom system that we can use for driver instruction. Let me know if you want to go sometime.
George

Madmiles442 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-20-2010, 10:09 PM

Careful George, you'll end up with 20 PM's (10 from ME!) if you post offers like that!

gthompson · #11 (**permalink**) 07-21-2010, 09:38 AM

That’s funny.

It's actually a lot more fun out there when it's not 115 degrees!

Dallas56 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-21-2010, 11:10 AM

I signed up for the Texas Driving Experience all day Introduction to Road Racing program. That program has two on-track sessions, one lead follow (shadow), the other open. Neither of those has a professional instructor in your car, so passenger side roll bar (which I don't have) won't be an issue for me now. There are advanced courses that offer professional instruction, but I am still at remedial level, not there yet.