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Old 04-13-2005
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Post NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

FAST, FASTER, FASTEST



By KEVIN RAUB

FOR many race fans, a pilgrimage to Indianapolis (May 29)or Daytona (February)on race weekend is the thrill of a lifetime. It seems there's nothing quite like sitting on a crowded bleacher eating nachos and downing watery beers as high-powered machines create a deafening roar. And the wrecks. Let's not forget the wrecks.

For some, life doesn't get any better than this.

For others, it gets a whole lot better - and a whole lot faster.

These are the folks who see no reason to sit back and watch Jeff Gordon or Michael Schumacher have all the fun when they could be having it, too.

Why not learn what they already know: Whether you put yourself at the wheel of a Formula 1 (open-wheeled racers, commonly known as F1), a NASCAR (stock cars), a dragster or a motorcycle, learning to drive like the dickens will make for one of the best vacation you've ever had.

There are over 100 schools and trips to choose from - we've narrowed it down to a few of the best. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.

1 ESPN Russell
Racing School
Sonoma, Calif.

Founded in 1957, this school was the world's first training facility for racing drivers. It offers dozens of racing and driving courses, is located at Infineon Raceway in the gorgeous Sonoma Valley and, as an added bonus, has teamed up with Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa - a quick 15-minute drive from the racetrack - for a sweet his-and-her package deal.

A good beginner's course - which you can take with or without the spa package - is the three-day Techniques of Racing, where you'll master a purpose-built F1 racecar. Catch on quick and your fellow students will be eating asphalt as you learn passing on Day Two.

If you take the package deal, one of you will race around the track and the other will luxuriate in one of the spa's treatments (packages from $3,749, including the course [for one person], three nights' accommodations, two spa treatments, one dinner and a wine- tasting at nearby Gloria Ferrer Vineyards; [800] 733-0345, espnrussellracing.com).

While you're there: Sonoma is crawling with vines, so don't stop with Gloria Ferrer. For info, visit sonomavalley.com.

2 Richard Petty Driving Experience
Nationwide

If F1 is a little too girly for you, you're quite likely a NASCAR fan.

The Richard Petty Driving Experience offers 16 programs where bare-bones stock cars rule, ranging from those that keep you in the passenger seat ("ride-alongs") to those that you let rip around the track yourself. The Advanced Racing Experience, for instance, will get you ready to take the pole position at the Daytona 500 (not really, but why not dream big?).

Most courses take place over one day at any number of the NASCAR-sanctioned tracks around the United States; see the schedule on the Web site for details (from $99; [800] 237-3889, 1800bepetty.com).

While you're there: What else there is to do depends, of course, on where you go. If you chose Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., for instance, there's not much to do at all. Pick Homestead-Miami Speedway, and you're close to The Keys and Miami Beach For Miami info, visit gmcvb.com.

3 Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School
Pomona, Calif. & Gainesville, Fla.

OK - enough hand-holding. If you're feeling crazy, hightail it to Gainesville, or Pomona, Calif., where the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) World Champion Frank Hawley runs, among many other classes, a two-day Alcohol dragster course.

In case you're thinking you'll be handed a Bud Light, you should know that it's the hot rods that run on alcohol, not the drivers. Alcohol cars have explosive power and are difficult to drive, so a strong previous racing history is recommended.

Take this class, and you'll be driving a top Alcohol dragster or Funny Car - though it ain't so funny going from 0 to 215 mph in six seconds.

Other, less scary, classes include a half-day introductory course complete with classroom instruction and two 1/8-mile runs in an Adventure dragster. In addition, Hawley's school also delves into the psychology of the sport.

If you've driven six successful runs without killing yourself, you'll walk with a NHRA competition license (from $4,995 for the Alcohol course; [866] 480-7223, frankhawley.com).

While you're there: In Pomona, check out the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum (museum.nhra.com); and, in Gainesville, take the edge off your rush with a hike through Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (visitgainesville.net).

3 Wildside Adrenaline Sports
Monte Carlo, Monaco; Magny-Cours, France; Barcelona, Spain

Most F1 schools will have you behind the wheel of a purpose-built Formula training car complete with all sorts of added safety measures (and really, who wants those).

Wildside Adrenaline, however, will hand you the keys to a genuine F1 Grand Prix racecar. Though this U.K. company has three sites, the biggest and the baddest is in Monte Carlo.

There you can take the Monaco F1 Drive, which offers participants the opportunity to drive a V10-engined F1 car on a real Grand Prix track. (The four-day jet-setter's excursion includes both F1 and F3 racecar training.)

You won't be able to drive at actual racing speeds, however (trust us; you can't handle it), though you will get to have your heart in your mouth from the passenger seat - the course culminates with you riding shotgun around the track in an F1 two-seater with a retired F1 racer behind the wheel.

Wildside also throws in a helicopter tour of Monte Carlo (from $4,291 for the Monaco F1 Drive; [702] 454-9406, www.adren-a-line.com).

While you're there: Spin a roulette wheel in one of the many casinos, or go celeb-spotting on Monte Carlo's jam-packed (but still pretty) beaches.

For more information, go to visitmonaco.com.

5 Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy
Las Vegas

If race cars aren't your thing but you fancy yourself a modern-day James Bond - i.e., you want to learn how to ditch men in dark glasses and dark cars on dark city streets - head to Las Vegas.

At Derek Daly Academy, which offers a range of racing and driving courses, you can take the two-day GT Performance School program, where you'll perfect heel-toe downshifting, trail braking, cornering skills and other evasive actions in a BMW Z3 roadster.

Sure, you can take one of its F1 courses, but that won't help you the next time you need to outrun the authorities on your next televised car chase on the freeways of Los Angeles (from $2,000 for the GT program; [888] 463-3735, derekdaly.com).

While you're there: We heard there are some casinos around here somewhere. For more info, go to visitlasvegas.com.

6 BMW Motorad Enduro Tours
Argentina and Chile

Actor Ewan McGregor tackled the world on a BMW R 1150 GS Adventure off-road motorcycle for a reality show. Now it's your turn - minus the show and a handful of continents.

BMW's "Enduro Tour of the Tierra Del Fuego" is a 15-day adventure trip through Argentina and Chile, including Patagonia, for those who like their speed without the repetitive scenery of a typical race track. In other words, this isn't school - it's life.

You'll zip across thousands of miles of untamed South American wilderness from San Carlos de Bariloche to Ushuaia, the southernmost settlement in the entire world.

BMW has a long list of other trips, if you're not in to SouthAmerica.

Several days of training at BMW's Enduro Park Hechlingen facility in Germany (covering safety, navigation and handling) are recommended, though not required; this is a separate trip from the bike adventure that can be done at any time (from $7,400 for the Tierra Del Fuego tour; [49] 18-05-324-737, www.bmw.de/fahrertraining).

While you're there: You won't get bored - this is Patagonia.

Last edited by sydude; 04-13-2005 at 09:13 AM.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: 'Fast, Faster, Fastest' - NYPost article on racing schools

no Skippy mention. Very odd.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: 'Fast, Faster, Fastest' - NY Post article on racing schools

Not to knock Skippy, but their PR dept. has missed quite a few big opportunities. This is a big one I saw a few weeks ago in Autoweek (it had a very prominent editorial spot) but at the time I didn't want to put up on this site. I don't know why they're not getting into these articles.

-----

Racing for Everyone: Oval instruction at the Mario Andretti Racing school


MARK VAUGHN
Published Date: 3/21/05

The Mario AndrettiRacing School (formerly CART 101) has taken one of the most difficult and potentially dangerous sports on earth and made it accessible to the average schmoe.  

This is both good and bad.

If you are looking for heel-and-toe shifting, 18,000-rpm redlines, Tilton racing clutches and methanol fuel, you will be disappointed. The Andretti experience is not meant as a replacement for the Derek Daly, Jim Russell, Bob Bondurant models of driving schools. If you’re looking for that, call Derek, Jim, Bob, or one of the other myriad driving schools. Rather, the Andretti school is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the average race fan to get a taste of what his or her oval-track heroes experience.

We drove in the Andretti school at both California Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Mario himself showed up at Las Vegas.

“This is something very affordable, very quick,” said the man whose name is on the sign. “This is fun!”

And the experience has been made fairly safe. Instead of race tires that get slippery when they’re cold, these cars, though wide-tired, use more of a street compound. Instead of a manual gearbox and racing clutch that Andretti says “would take a week to learn,” these cars are push-started and have only one, nearly foolproof gear. Instead of real race engines that are temperamental, these use modified small-block Chevys. And instead of wandering the oval looking for the line, you follow an instructor through the groove.

We did four laps in the sun at Fontana and six laps under the lights at LVMS. We recommend the lights and the shorter, 1.5-mile oval. You actually get a sense of speed and even some mild g forces rounding the track. It is fun, if a little short-lived.

Had we gotten more laps, we would have met with the driver of the lead car and told him to stand on it—we only hit 150 mph. But then, we are cool professionals, you know. The class is set up for rock-bottom beginners, and for them it must be a thrilling experience.

Our six-lap following session was $399, including Nomex, helmet and a frameable certificate signed by the great Andretti himself. Ride-alongs in a tandem car cost less, more laps cost more.

For more information on the Mario Andretti Racing School, check out andrettiracing.com.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: 'Fast, Faster, Fastest' - NY Post article on racing schools

Considering no one else has the track selection, year round race series and depth of instructor base, this is an egregious omission. That list should be starting with Skippy and working its way down from there. Perhaps the author was given free seat time for his article by the others and not at Skippy? Who knows?

The author should be called and asked what caused him to leave Skippy off the list, and his answer should be listened to very carefully.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

My facts might be worng as I did not see the article(s) so I guess my facts are in deed....opinions.

It seems to me that they took 1 Racing School from each category, Open Wheel, Drag and Nascar. If this is the case then that may explain why Skip was not mentioned...Not sure. But maybe Skip will send one or two of his loyal customers out to sunny California on their dime to race at ESPN Russell and report back his or her findings.... anyone want to go. Pick me

Cough up the money Aarron and I will report back.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

From the Sportsman's perspective I would be willing to take one for the team and sacrifice personal and professional time to provide a full and comprehensive report for the noble betterment of all. (Hey Matt, The Derek Daly cars are all computer cars and data charts are provided after every session, but don't know how Las Vegas compares to Sonoma. :-)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5&counting
My facts might be worng as I did not see the article(s) so I guess my facts are in deed....opinions.

It seems to me that they took 1 Racing School from each category, Open Wheel, Drag and Nascar. If this is the case then that may explain why Skip was not mentioned...Not sure. But maybe Skip will send one or two of his loyal customers out to sunny California on their dime to race at ESPN Russell and report back his or her findings.... anyone want to go. Pick me

Cough up the money Aarron and I will report back.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

Sin City, I am in.

Forget about the His and Her deal in Sonoma. When do we leave. There is a great bar called Aquanox in the Venitian.
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Old 04-13-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

Rum, Mermaids and Computer Cars in Vegas?! What could possibly be better or more important research? Aaron has both our numbers... I'll call your cell when the tickets arrive...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 5&counting
Sin City, I am in.

Forget about the His and Her deal in Sonoma. When do we leave. There is a great bar called Aquanox in the Venitian.
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Old 04-14-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

I have been thinking of doing the ESPN Russell race weekend because I need to learn the track for a Mazda race this summer. Get on the web page and read the rules. They base the groupings on points. If you jump in with no points (Me) you race in the "Sportsman group". "Two offs" and you are called in. If you didn't graduate from Russell your crash damage liability is increased. There's more rules here than a Flordia condominium association. They are connected with SCCA which could explain something. You need an SCCA license too. Skippy race weekends seem like much more fun. I may do it though, because it would be good to learn the track a little before I race there. I'm thinking of the race in early July, since I live on the west coast in the summer and it's the weekend before our Mazda race. If I do it, I'll let you all know how crappy it is.
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Old 04-14-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

Another good example of the superiority of the SBRS, there is nothing else like it out there.....

Go kick some Russell butt JP!


Quote:
Originally Posted by jp56
I have been thinking of doing the ESPN Russell race weekend because I need to learn the track for a Mazda race this summer. Get on the web page and read the rules. They base the groupings on points. If you jump in with no points (Me) you race in the "Sportsman group". "Two offs" and you are called in. If you didn't graduate from Russell your crash damage liability is increased. There's more rules here than a Flordia condominium association. They are connected with SCCA which could explain something. You need an SCCA license too. Skippy race weekends seem like much more fun. I may do it though, because it would be good to learn the track a little before I race there. I'm thinking of the race in early July, since I live on the west coast in the summer and it's the weekend before our Mazda race. If I do it, I'll let you all know how crappy it is.
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Old 04-18-2005
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Angry Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

well let's face it skip is a f'n joke compared to these school call me bitter but I have right to be after the b/s I went threw
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Old 04-18-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

Looking back over your posts, it isn't clear what you're referring to? Care to enlighten us further?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jusjoh0188
well let's face it skip is a f'n joke compared to these school call me bitter but I have right to be after the b/s I went threw
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Old 04-19-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

a very long internal story that ended up being a buch of b.s acuusing me of shit that was not true or had any evdance of any wrong doing
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Old 04-19-2005
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Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

Quote:
Originally Posted by jusjoh0188
a very long internal story that ended up being a buch of b.s acuusing me of shit that was not true or had any evdance of any wrong doing
Bummer, sorry to hear that...
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Old 04-20-2005
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Angry Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

naaa man its not your falt thats way skippy is run like a f'n zoo and I was to them was untaken care of anamal who now is pissed off and has alot of inside stories that I sure I will eventually tell
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Old 04-20-2005
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Angry Re: NYPost & Autoweek Articles on Racing Schools - no Skippy mentions

and don't care who I piss off
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