I want to learn how to drive

[Yarzy]

Hi everyone, I am wondering if you can provide some feedback on this. For quite some time, I have wanted to learn how to really drive. Learn how my car reacts when I push it to the limit, etc. In your opinion, what is the best club to join in order to achieve this? I am wondering if the BMW CCA is the best or maybe something like SCAA would be better. I am not looking to race every weekend, but a few events here and there would be great. Any thoughts/opinions would be great.

Thanks!

[Groundpilot]

You should really search, because this topic has been discussed on all car forums 1,000,000 times. But if you ask, BMW CCA would be the best club for a novice like you. If you can afford to hire a private instructor, would be the best IMO. I never did, learned through my own mistakes. Now looking back, private instructor would be money well spent.

[AxisMagi]

Your local NASA chapter is also a great place to start. Go for it!

[Triple M]

All the above are great advices. If u can get your hands on a copy of "Speed Secrets" by Ross Bentley, it"ll save you a lot of trial and error, cost, and a more detail understanding of the sport. Plus it's an enjoyable read.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Triple M

All the above are great advices. If u can get your hands on a copy of "Speed Secrets" by Ross Bentley, it"ll save you a lot of trial and error, cost, and a more detail understanding of the sport. Plus it's an enjoyable read.

+1.

[z3papa]

I'd start with an local autocross school or EVO school before jumping to a track event. You can still learning exceptional car control and techniques which you can then carry to the track. Nothing is worse than instructing someone who not ever had their feet wet at their first HPDE experience. It can either be a teaching joy or the nightmare of telling someone why they don't want to lift in a high speed kink.

[WinterSoldier]

Driving schools. Classroom instruction, personal coaches and laps. It's an amazing vacation. Go with your wife is she's inclined, she'll love it.

Regardless of make, they are all incredibly beneficial. I've been driving competitively for more than 30 years and still attend driving schools to improve my craft. I'm a fan of Porsche Sport Driving School @ Barber Motorsports Park and Corvette @ Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch. Haven't done the BMW school yet, but it looks just as comprehensive. Looking forward to it.

[Triple M]

Originally Posted by z3papa

I'd start with an local autocross school or EVO school before jumping to a track event. You can still learning exceptional car control and techniques which you can then carry to the track. Nothing is worse than instructing someone who not ever had their feet wet at their first HPDE experience. It can either be a teaching joy or the nightmare of telling someone why they don't want to lift in a high speed kink.

A good HPDE would hopefully limit novice group to lead follow that would limit their speed, a good instructor at their side to anticipate errors in time. BMWCCA offers great car control clinic in addition to their HPDE, and PCA 2 day school here in pvegas also offers skip pad, autocross, heel-toe exercises and a lot of good stuff. There are lots of option, as long as OP avoid signing yourself up for a level higher than his capability, he should be ok.

[WarrantyTracker]

Bucks County?

You're in luck.

Go to Motorsportreg.com, sign yourself up with an account, and start looking for HPDE events in the summer run by Delaware Valley BMW CCA.

They host four or five each year, spring through fall.

They will tell you what you need to know about getting your car ready before the event, and what to bring.

You don't need to autocross first, or try to learn any mechanics from a book. You can autocross or go-cart or anything else you find entertaining, but there's nothing quite like track driving except track driving. The instructors at DelValley will show you what you need to know to start developing your vision, mechanics, and HPDE courtesy.

Once you have gotten your feet wet with them, you will be in a better position to start making a plan what kind of driver you want to be, and how to get there.

[Yarzy]

Excellent, thanks so much for all the suggestions! I will start checking them out, I really appreciate everyones help!

[InterJon]

Look for local autocross events with SCCA. Lots of reward (in terms of knowledge) with little risk. After 2 or 3 events, step up to HPDE.

As someone referenced, Motorsportreg is the best place to find local events.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by Triple M

A good HPDE would hopefully limit novice group to lead follow that would limit their speed, a good instructor at their side to anticipate errors in time. BMWCCA offers great car control clinic in addition to their HPDE, and PCA 2 day school here in pvegas also offers skip pad, autocross, heel-toe exercises and a lot of good stuff. There are lots of option, as long as OP avoid signing yourself up for a level higher than his capability, he should be ok.

You would think but that is not always the case. In my brief experience in novice, I had instruction for two sessions on two days (all others solo with instructors in follow vehicles), and point byes were directed thankfully. After two sessions, I was directed to intermediate classing.

[CBS]

Originally Posted by WarrantyTracker

Bucks County?

You're in luck.

Go to Motorsportreg.com, sign yourself up with an account, and start looking for HPDE events in the summer run by Delaware Valley BMW CCA.

They host four or five each year, spring through fall.

They will tell you what you need to know about getting your car ready before the event, and what to bring.

You don't need to autocross first, or try to learn any mechanics from a book. You can autocross or go-cart or anything else you find entertaining, but there's nothing quite like track driving except track driving. The instructors at DelValley will show you what you need to know to start developing your vision, mechanics, and HPDE courtesy.

Once you have gotten your feet wet with them, you will be in a better position to start making a plan what kind of driver you want to be, and how to get there.

+1

I've attended their HPDE's numerous times. Well organized, safe and excellent Instructors. Strongly recommend.

Cheers,
Chris

[krx927]

Just jump in the car and start as fast as you can. When you will crash you will now for sure what happened and what you need to avoid next time.
Then just repeat this 20 times and you will learn.