POLL: How many Cobra drivers have been to an HP driving school?

[casaleenie]

Whaler,

An interesting observation.... and I'm guilty.....

[GeorgiaSnake]

Good thread here, and one that all should consider. My car isn't finished yet but I will avoid the "red mist" when I get it finished.

As far as experience - Drag Raced a BMP 55 Chevy in H.S., raced speedway bikes and moto-cross in the late 60's. Autocrossed a 911 from mid 70's to early 80's. Raced SCCA for 4 years (80 - 84) in EP Speedster and CSR (March chassis), and have owned a bunch of high performance street cars. Almost forgot the 1500 hp helicopters I flew at tree top level for 3 years.

With that said I have a healthy respect for low weight - high horsepower transportation and will not be caught with my pants down in my Unique. I will due track events when I feel the need for speed and just enjoy the lumpy idle while on the street.

Randy

[Carroll DeWeese]

I voted "yes" but I have not yet gone to school or gotten my Cobra delivered; however, I believe my vote reflects my situation. I will be getting my SPF car in March and then will get the engine and tanny installed. I am arleady signed up for the Bondurant 4-Day Grand Prix Road Racing school in late April. I could not schedule it any earlier due to work related conflicts. I believe that I need the experience at driving school before I do much more than "putt-putt" with my Cobra.

[Loadmaster]

My 15 year dream is finished, minus paint. After about 400 miles on her I got the guts to open up the throttle. What a rush. I will be attending a driving school to figure out to put the power to the road.

[Excaliber]

It's been over 10 years since I took my FIRST driving course. Formula Ford, crash box tranny (double clutch to down shift). Several courses since then, I'm STILL learning! I've got a LOT of respect for those that can "trail brake" into a corner and get it right MOST of the time. For me, that seems to be the hardest thing to be consistent with. And if you get it wrong, you will likely spin, or like my friend recently, ROLL the car.

Ernie

[a427sc]

Did a Barber Performance Driving school in 1987, several open track schools like Driving Ambitions, and especially with COM in NH. And at least 10 days of open track a year since. Even got a lesson in spin non-control from Cranky at VIR last year. lol It's time for another formal school, I know a lot of bad habits have settled in.

McFEz
I did it the hard way, I learned in a Big Block car.

[Jamo]

McFez

And I would certainly appreciate any instructions and thoughts you can throw my way. Something tells me I'm gonna be starting all over again with this beast. Wouldn't mind a little cockpit time with ya at the Spring Fling.

[a427sc]

ASSOLUTELY!

[Jamo]

[weendoggy]

Skip Barber three day competition school, followed by years of lapping days. Autocross and some open track. Well worth the time and money as said before. Each time I take the Cobra out for a drive, I'm humbled to know what's beneath me and take my time to be "comfortable" again in the car. Drive defensively and watch everything. I think more things can happen in these from "on lookers". You know how the hands will follow the eyes, for all you racers.

[ls1ac]

My two sons and daughter in law and me at school.
(She can drive like a bat out of ----)
Best time we have had in a long time.
OK, wanted to fix pix.

[ls1ac]

Try again,

[Hal Copple]

Right after we got our SPF in Feb, 00, my son then about 20, and i attended an Olthoff Sponsored driving weekend at nearby Charlotte motor speedway. My son had lots of instruction and seat time on the short infield course, up to about 90+MPH, and a lot of skidpad time. More than me.

A few days later, he was driving, me riding, on an interstate heading back to his college, Clemson, in southern SC. He was crusing about about 75 in the left lane, when another vehicle, some sort of minivan, moved abruptly from the right lane immediatly in front of our car, not more than a few feet. In a moment, the minivan went to full lock braking. Chris got on the brakes, with the nose of our SPF not more than 10 feet behind the leading minivan, with me all the time saying to myself "we are absolutely going to impact the minivan's rear. "

But when we and the minvivan were finally stopped, with the same 10 feet or less separating us, we found that a Jeep had flipped off a trailer just in front of us all. Hence the panic stop.

It is very rare to have to brake to zero mph from "speed." When i collected my wits, i asked Chris how he managed to keep from hitting the minivan. He calmly replied.

"If Dennis Olthoff had not taught me how to threashold brake, i never would have stopped in time."

Since then, between the two of us, i guess we have about 600-700 laps on various courses. Mostly i have learned that at some point, i am no longer influencing the direction of the car.

[sparks]

JUST GOT MY CAR LAST WEEK.I USED TO RACE CROTCH ROCKETS ,BUT THIS IS A NEW KINDA ANIMAL.....i AM FROM THE CHICAGO AREA,ANY SCHOOLS THAT CAN BE RECOMENDED?WHATS THE BEST......I ALREADY HAVE RESPECT FOR THIS ANIMAL,NOW MUST LEARN TO DRIVE IT (THE CORRECT WAY)


SPARKS

[Chaplin]

Can anyone recommend a driving school within reasonable driving distance of the NY/NJ metro area??

[ls1ac]

Try www.racingadventures.com Not good for getting your scca ticket but a good school for handling these cars.
I believe they have a school in DC area.