I’ve managed FSAE teams, covered major races and run through the pylons. Now it was time to attend a real driver school. Do I have what it takes?
Only one way to find out.
I headed to driving school at our official testing spot, the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park. Its High-Performance Driver Education program allows …
Sounds like a great day, and another reminder why the FIRM is so important to us.
Yeah, it's a great learning experience and all, but it also looks like you had a lot of fun. 
Side note: I think I'd like to sign my kiddo up for something similar when she gets to be driving age, but maybe one of the "teen safety" programs.
Colin Wood said:Yeah, it's a great learning experience and all, but it also looks like you had a lot of fun.
Side note: I think I'd like to sign my kiddo up for something similar when she gets to be driving age, but maybe one of the "teen safety" programs.
I required both of my daughters to take the Tire Rack Teen Driving Survival Course. Neither wanted to go to it but I told them if they ever wanted to drive in the car alone they had to take it. Each complained for weeks before the event. Each of them ended up enjoying themselves and thanking me. It was great watching them go through the different exercises and watching them improve with every lap.
By all means get your kids to take the course.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
It was an amazing experience. I have gone to the FIRM with so many different car clubs over the years, so being able to attend the driving school really topped off my love for the FIRM.
In reply to Colin Wood :
Wish my parents did something like this. I just got to learn on the back roads of Ocala, nothing to hit besides maybe a cow or two.
jharry3 said:I required both of my daughters to take the Tire Rack Teen Driving Survival Course. Neither wanted to go to it but I told them if they ever wanted to drive in the car alone they had to take it. Each complained for weeks before the event. Each of them ended up enjoying themselves and thanking me. It was great watching them go through the different exercises and watching them improve with every lap.
By all means get your kids to take the course.
I've taught at those. You see a lot of that. Kids annoyed they are there and by the end of the day they are pretty happy to be zooming around. It is way different than your typical driver school
In reply to theruleslawyer :
Count me in as well; I've taught at the teen schools and they always have a blast.
theruleslawyer said:I've taught at those. You see a lot of that. Kids annoyed they are there and by the end of the day they are pretty happy to be zooming around. It is way different than your typical driver school
That's because they usually arrive thinking they're in for another day of "speed is your enemy, the brake is your friend" nonsense. Once they figure out they're actually encouraged to drive the car rather than to fear it, everything changes. :)
In reply to Colin Wood :
As a BMW HPDE instructor for 24 seasons I feel very strongly about teaching new drivers how to properly handle a car "in extremis". All three of my children were required to attend a one day BSR Accident Avoidance course and a two day BMW HPDE. I train each child myself on the skidpad at Summit Point.
Their first car had to be a RWD with a manual transmission. No car accidents yet. Oldest has been driving for 14 yrs and the youngest for 9.
My oldest learned to drift a full lap around a skidpad in 1 day because new drivers have no bad habits yet and just do what we teach them to.
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