Learning to Drive, Reccomendations?

[emiliorescigno]

Hello everyone,

My Supra is finally ready to drive reliably, after tons of maintenance, rebuilt engine, turbo, radiator, etc. etc, and I'm interesting in getting involved in some casual racing, be it Auto-X or Drag, anything really.

My problem though is I'm having the toughest time finding a good place to learn, outside of just throwing myself on the track and hoping I don't get embarrassed. Do you guys know of any good places to learn? Or just hope to recruit a few of my friends to do just as badly as me? Thanks for any advice!

 

[frax]

At the autocrosses i go to the guys that know what they are doing are more than willingly to help out people who just started

 

[froubaby]

Keep it on the track.

 

[rcsupra]

I'm sure your local SCCA chapter holds some sort of weekend rookie school. Where I'm from, (Blue Ridge Region SCCA - Virginia), you can attend a Saturday "test and tune" and drive with an instructor, and autocross on Sunday for about 50-60 dollars depending on whether you have a SCCA membership etc. Look up your local chapter and email/ask questions to find out what you can do. Besides all that, autocrossing itself is a driver-skills improvement program; no one is going to laugh at you your first time out as its meant to be an entry level motorsport that teaches car control.

Also look into NASA (Nat'l Auto Sport Association) programs and there may even be "private" clubs that host their own autocrosses, but usually you can still pay to autocross with them (a Porsche or Mercedes club etc.)

 

[emiliorescigno]

Keep it on the track.

That's the plan, I don't want to put my life, license, and car into Jeopardy.

I'm sure your local SCCA chapter holds some sort of weekend rookie school. Where I'm from, (Blue Ridge Region SCCA - Virginia), you can attend a Saturday "test and tune" and drive with an instructor, and autocross on Sunday for about 50-60 dollars depending on whether you have a SCCA membership etc. Look up your local chapter and email/ask questions to find out what you can do. Besides all that, autocrossing itself is a driver-skills improvement program; no one is going to laugh at you your first time out as its meant to be an entry level motorsport that teaches car control.

Also look into NASA (Nat'l Auto Sport Association) programs and there may even be "private" clubs that host their own autocrosses, but usually you can still pay to autocross with them (a Porsche or Mercedes club etc.)

Thanks for the advice! I'll look into what sort of things my local SCCA chapter has, hopefully they'll have classes as late as August, seeing as I don't get back to the states until then....

Maybe I can give learning Europe a try here in Germany, hopefully I can find an English speaking instructor.

 

[supramanocnsd]

back in the states?

 

[prsrcokr]

If you're learning why would you be embarassed? Ok, the guys in the $75k+ cars getting passed by the low buck folks do have some pride issues but they haven't learned how to really drive that high buck car.
I pointed a Miata by this weekend in the first session (moved up to a faster group) he got a better line and I messed it up. Later in the day I was passing an SVT Cobra and Carerras. It's all about learning and the fact you're out there doing it is what brings race folks together (as my STi friend and I hung out with Mustang guys all weekend, wouldn't see that combination normally)
Brian

 

[emiliorescigno]

back in the states?

Yeah, right now I'm studying abroad in Germany, no Supra with me at the moment, I'm trying to lay some groundwork right now so I'll be ready when I get back.

If you're learning why would you be embarassed? Ok, the guys in the $75k+ cars getting passed by the low buck folks do have some pride issues but they haven't learned how to really drive that high buck car.
I pointed a Miata by this weekend in the first session (moved up to a faster group) he got a better line and I messed it up. Later in the day I was passing an SVT Cobra and Carerras. It's all about learning and the fact you're out there doing it is what brings race folks together (as my STi friend and I hung out with Mustang guys all weekend, wouldn't see that combination normally)
Brian

Your right about how I shouldn't be embarassed, hopefully I'll be able to chat with the other racers and get some tips. A friend of mine watched an auto-x recently, and a new guy learning with his Ford GT was getting smoked by well sorted Miatas, Hondas, Subarus, etc.

I'll keep you guys updated with what I find out & do about racing.

 

[MDCmotorsports]

-Learn technique before you learn speed.

This will ensure you quick times and good fun.

-Unless the car is push-happy, try not to trail brake

-Heel Toe. I'll say it again. Heel toe.

-Always use the pull / guide method when steering. If you're making a left hand, PULL DOWN with your left, and guide with your right. DO NOT PUSH UP WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND.

Just some quick pointers....

 

[flight doc89]

don't worry about embarrassment, everybody starts somewhere. Just go to an auto-x and have some experienced people ride with you. you say you've done a bunch of maintenance; did you replace your struts/shocks? if you haven't, i'd say do that ASAP. these cars are not forgiving with blown shocks. If they are blown, don't late-brake into corners

pointers?

Don't look at the next cone; look up ahead at the next series of cones.

Drifting is almost always slow way around a corner, but don't run from it. feel out a corner, you may find that you get better times just powering around a couple cones.

Again, don't worry about being embarrassed. If you spin out, just get back around and get on the gun as quickly as you can so that you don't red-flag the course


If this is your daily driver, and you don't have a backup daily, i strongly recommend you forget about racing. These cars can be reliable DD's if you take care of them, but not if you racing.

 

[Grimsta]

If you're learning why would you be embarassed? Ok, the guys in the $75k+ cars getting passed by the low buck folks do have some pride issues but they haven't learned how to really drive that high buck car.
I pointed a Miata by this weekend in the first session (moved up to a faster group) he got a better line and I messed it up. Later in the day I was passing an SVT Cobra and Carerras. It's all about learning and the fact you're out there doing it is what brings race folks together (as my STi friend and I hung out with Mustang guys all weekend, wouldn't see that combination normally)
Brian

Haha, indeed. I felt a little embarassed when I flagged a 2000 Civic hatch by, but it kinda made up for it when I passed up the yellow Cayman, lol. But then later I found out that hatch had a k20/k24 swap, so not a bad car to get passed by.
Anyways, you'll love it. When you actually get out there and learn to performance drive and push your car and go fast and make it handle good. It brings real satisfaction. Try and find a local car club there that holds events. Here in we have the Empire Sports Car Asso. that has a monthly autoX at the airport.