2013 Nissan GT-R Experience: Driving School Included With the Purchase of a GT-R

[dalyduo]

Model-specific driving schools, like Jaguar’s R Performance Academy, BMW’s M School, and Mercedes-Benz’s AMG Driving Academy have been around for some time, teaching owners how to take full advantage of their road warriors. In late February, Nissan joined this high-performance club with its 2013 GT-R Experience.

The 2013 GT-R Experience is an invite-only event for buyers of the 2012 GT-R. It takes place on three different tracks: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, Monticello Motor Club in New York, and Palm Beach International Raceway in Florida. Nissan has teamed up with Skip Barber Racing School to give attendees a one-day on-track and classroom instructional session in their GT-Rs.

Owners are given instructions on the dynamics of understeer and oversteer using a skidpad, and partake in braking exercises, line technique, and lead-follow exercises. Attendees also will go on a ride-along with a professional driver not only to get an idea of the car’s full potential, but to also remind owners that they are not, in fact, race-car drivers.

From Car and Driver Magazine

[PFS]

I had a conflict for Laguna, but I did the PBIR event. Excellent program, GREAT cars, LOTS of fun! The way it worked was, current owners brought their own vehicles and drove them for all the exercises. Then they got to drive the new 2013 model and experience the difference. We had media one day and current owners the next. I'm guessing there were probably 45 GT-Rs there including the customer cars and the 2013s. Pretty cool.

We didn't use a skid pad at PBIR, but we did get on their awesome drag strip. You can't look to the side at the moment of launch or you'll hurt your neck. It's that fast.