[daghdha]

hitches

Just curious to see if people are planning to go to driving school with their STi this summer? I know people are going to be going autoxing, but I'm wondering if poeple are going to be going to the actual racetracks to test their STi's at speed....

I just signed up for a BMW driving school on a race course this summer, just so I can know how to handle the STi, just curious to see if I'll see other STi's at these events or not.

josh.

 

[CloNeGTS]

I did Evolution autox school's stage 1 last spring. Best $$$ you can spend on a car....learning who to really drive the thing.

 

[MKIVSupra]

I definitely will. I don't know about a school but I will be going to open track days or something. Have to see what AWD is like on a performance car pushed to it's limits.

 

[orca]

does anyone know what racing schools are good? I live in New York, so something in the East would be nice.

 

[daghdha]

well, I always go to the BMW driving schools, cause you get to take your car to the school, and it's only like 200-300 bucks for about 3 hours of track time, which is pretty good....you get your personal instructor who talks you through each of the turns at the track, and it's a lot of fun...

the skip barber type of schools are out of my budget given that they are in the thousands of dollars range...; you don't have to have a BMW to attend...www.bmwcca.org

(note, I don't have a BMW. just a STi)

josh.

 

[4MLA1FN]

i'm definately looking for driving schools. wojo and i are doing a FATT (friday at the track) at summit point, wv in july. i think they have some basic instruction with that. also, a good buddy of mine just recommended carguys (www.carguys.com) as the best school in the east. (they have a class up at watkins glen in july!). i'm in the east (dc) so i'm going to be checking 'em out. i'd definately prefer a place where i can take my own car. i'll also check out www.bmwcca.org

 

[MKIVSupra]

Now what I would love to do is a rallying school. I would not want to use my STi though. The one I have seen you use their cars.

 

[pgetchell]

from my limited experience, bmwcca are the best value.

they are well run, affordable, and respected by the track folks and my insurance company as reputable instructional schools

i have done two at lime rock and NHIS, and am signed up for one at Watkins Glen in July. the first two were in mu E36 ///M3, but i anticipate having the STi by the Watkins Glen dates.

Is this the one you signed up for?

I autocross with them too, at Devens in Ayer MA. www.boston-bmwcca.org

they are not the only game in town, but a good bunch of guys, and a good value.

 

[WRX_Mundi]

I have gotten confirmation of three days of Evolution school (Phases 1, 2, and 3). I am worried that my STi may not come in however -- I am #2 on my dealer's list and they are still waiting for the first allocation of 1 car to arrive. If, come late June / early July, they do not get the right color or the dealer pulls some markup cr*p, then I will be driving the Miata instead (and really hating the 7+ hour drive each way in an un-air conditioned uncomfortable car).

I am also going to go to either Portland Raceway's "Subaru Experience" or the BMWCCA driving school in Spokane -- both are conveniently scheduled for the same weekend in late October (grrr...). Oh yeah, going to do a hill climb in September, but that isn't a school. I'd love to do more, but there isn't much around where I live (that I know of). Lots of people here go to various Miata events in California, but they won't take non-Miata's any more. Meanwhile, I'm going to as many autocross weekends as possible, where everyone asks where my STi is (and I reply that I wish I knew).

 

[Bill]

Grey Areas and Forums

from my limited experience, bmwcca are the best value.

they are well run, affordable, and respected by the track folks and my insurance company as reputable instructional schools

i have done two at lime rock and NHIS, and am signed up for one at Watkins Glen in July. the first two were in mu E36 ///M3, but i anticipate having the STi by the Watkins Glen dates.

Is this the one you signed up for?

I autocross with them too, at Devens in Ayer MA. www.boston-bmwcca.org

they are not the only game in town, but a good bunch of guys, and a good value.

I'll go along with this too. I've done BMW CCA schools at the Glen and Mid-Ohio. They're great fun. I'll be at the Glen in September 27 & 28 - maybe somewhere else before that - if I ever get my car...

Cost is $35/yr. You don't have to drive a BMW to join. When I first joined, our chapter president drove a 944. The current chapter president tracks a Camaro - but has a 5er for the street.


Bill

 

[chawklit]

I would like to do a driving school but I wonder, how hard is it on your tires? Is it like going to a track day? Would I significantly diminish the life of the tires if I went to one?

 

[Speedemon]

Does anyone know any driving school like carguys for West coast (or CA) people @@

Peace

 

[daghdha]

when I went with my all seasons, the tires started to 'chunk' i.e. small chunks were missing from the tire near the tire edges. I ended up driving on the all seasons for another 1-2 years.

with the 070's, I don't know how much it would scrub off.

the biggest thing that the school will use up is brakes. I end up using up a set a brake pads for the weekend, so I always bring 1-2 extra sets with me.

 

[chawklit]

Yikes, and at 400 dollars a piece for the front brembos, that could get pricey!

 

[Bill]

I would like to do a driving school but I wonder, how hard is it on your tires? Is it like going to a track day? Would I significantly diminish the life of the tires if I went to one?

I'd tend to say the most wear occurs on tires and brakes. Tire wear shouldn't be too bad the first couple weekends, but the STi is a very fast car & will need a lot of brake to bring it down from speed. A lot of the Porsche guys run stock brake pads as the Brembos are quite good. I ran PF90s or Hawk Blues & they're awesome. Kinda like throwing out an anchor. Part of the brake wear isuue is also what kind of car you're driving and how the brakes come from the factory. If they're not up to track drving - and most cars won't be - you'll go thru pads and maybe rotors fast. Things with good factory braking systems are usually OK with minor mods. BMWs, P-cars, Vettes and the STi should fall into this category. Part of the key to performance braking is using them hard and for a short time. Helps keep things cooler - but they'll teach you this stuff at the track.

Brake fluid needs to be changed, preferably to something with a high boiling point. I dunno if the STi runs DOT 4 or 5. I used ATE Typ 200 & Super Blue in my BMW. No problems.

The STi is gonna be a lot of fun at the track - but you're gonna have to have a lot of respect for it. You could get in way over your head if you don't listen to your instructor.


Bill
First mod - the nut behind the wheel

 

[RDiamond]

My 2.5RS ate into the rear brake pads, too, after doing several track days. Don't forget those!

Here's some pics:
http://www.thenewspaper.com/auto/images/summit.htm

 

[hommerSTI]

I did a M3 school years back outstanding. Had A M3 good car but STi rules. Alwasys do MC Safety classes. We have a class in July for Subaur defense driving and safety will go.

 

[1LapGTi]

I am hoping I will have my STI for the Aug 27th and 28th, Track Time school at Road America!

I am getting a group of buddies to go. Let me know if you are interested, as we will be getting a group discount!

http://tracktime.com/school1.asp

Later,

Enrique

 

[STiColorado]

I just got back from my first day of class. I find myself randomly bursting out in laughter and simply can't wipe the smile off my face.

EVERYBODY who buys a STi MUST to go to one of these classes if you really want to know what this car can do.

My class was at Mountain View in Mead Colorado. I can highly recommend Go 4 It Racing at 303-666-4113.

 

[Guest]

god dam

Thanks for the link 1LapGTi.

STiColorado, do they have a website?