Race Driver Schools. Any Recommendations?

[NTEL]

Hi, I've now put as much money into upgrades / mods in my race car as I'm willing to do. I think now that my money would be much better spent on proper driver training as my bag of talent keeps emptying too quickly

Unfortunately my car only has a drivers seat as the passenger side is full of exhaust system, battery and fire extinguisher so I can't take out a track day instructor for example.

Can anybody recommend a good race driver school?

Cheers

Dave

[AWRacing]

what about taking your road car on a track day with an instructor?

[Graham]

Simon Mason would get my recommendation... he's also done a lot of work tuition with the early tasmin challenge guys and even raced a tasmin as a one off.

http://www.simonmason.com/

G

[jp-speed-triple]

Graham said:

Simon Mason would get my recommendation... he's also done a lot of work tuition with the early tasmin challenge guys and even raced a tasmin as a one off.

http://www.simonmason.com/

G

Ding, top man, money well spent

[RacerMDR]

Ding, top man, money well spent
[/quote]

100% agree - I just wish I had more time to spend with him. A young lady from my race championship won her first race this weekend......she has been working with him for a little while.

He is also on here sometimes offering professional advice.

He drove my car (that i'd been racing for four years) with me as a passenger around Snett - he was immediately, much faster than me......quite depressing.......but not only is he quick - he is very good at teaching others to be

[stockhatcher]

you don't necessarily have to have an instructor sit in the car with you . You could, have an instructor drive your car, and then work with you to try and beat his time by looking at a data logger for example, or he might view your lines etc from the spectator banking and feedback to you once the session has ended. experienced instructors can help a lot even though they are not in the car by just observing you/your lines.

most of the top instructors will do this.

[andy97]

Another recommendation for Simon Mason. Simon has a data logging & video camera system so that he can provide coaching advice on test days without actually being in the car. This sounds ideal for the OP, who saidd he only had one seat in his car. However, Simon also has a Clio available that he instructs in, I think.

[NTEL]

Guys, Thanks very much for your recommendations. I now have a few people to talk with.

[Graham]

I need to spend some time with simon again myself..

[NTEL]

Graham said:

I need to spend some time with simon again myself..

You seemed to do OK at the Rock Cadwell reinforced the need for coaching to me

[RacerMDR]

so you boys race TVRs then?

what sort of cost is it to race in your championship, and what do you race?

ta

[NTEL]

RacerMDR said:

so you boys race TVRs then?

what sort of cost is it to race in your championship, and what do you race?

ta

I drive a Class C TVR Tasmin ( the one in my profile but it looks a little different these days). Typically it costs £130.00 BRSCC membership, £160.00 to register in the Championship, between £300 and £340 (depending on venue) for each round consisting of a 20 mins qually and two 20 min races. The rest, I suppose, is up to you.

Class C Tasmins can be picked up from about £3K. Class B Griffs from about 12K. Class A Tuscan racers from about 18K

Fancy a dabble?

[RacerMDR]

interesting - I race Caterhams now.......so I can guess roughly the costs of entries, memberships etc

but I was curious more on engine rebuilds, tyres, damage etc etc

So we use 3 sets of tyres per year for racing and qualifying (in the regs) at 250 a set
then its the usual 10 weekends entry - approx 300 per race
maybe one engine rebuild a year.......1k
then crash damage - if you don't have a big one.....probably 1 or 2k a year on bits just bumping into each other
A decent crash - making contact with wall - maybe once every 2 years - 4k per accident......

then on top of that its practice - which is probably another 3k for test days before races
plus tyres for that - maybe another 500 quid.......

I imagine TVRs are quite expensive on crashing, tyres and engine builds?

[NTEL]

RacerMDR said:

interesting - I race Caterhams now.......so I can guess roughly the costs of entries, memberships etc

but I was curious more on engine rebuilds, tyres, damage etc etc

So we use 3 sets of tyres per year for racing and qualifying (in the regs) at 250 a set
then its the usual 10 weekends entry - approx 300 per race
maybe one engine rebuild a year.......1k
then crash damage - if you don't have a big one.....probably 1 or 2k a year on bits just bumping into each other
A decent crash - making contact with wall - maybe once every 2 years - 4k per accident......

then on top of that its practice - which is probably another 3k for test days before races
plus tyres for that - maybe another 500 quid.......

I imagine TVRs are quite expensive on crashing, tyres and engine builds?

Ar........sorry got the wrong end of the stick. I can only speak from a class C point of view. Class C can run any ford V6 engine to a max capacity of 3.1L. We have a couple of 3.1L Essex, some 24v V6 cosworths, some 2.8L colognes, and I run a 2.9L cologne. Before my last rebuild the engine lasted 3 years. It was rebuilt last October for a cost of £1500.00 including race clutch, cam, pistons, bearings, valve springs etc.

15" Dunlop slicks cost about £650 per set and I make two set last the 14 races. I also have a set of wets but they last ages.

I recently crashed at Cadwell (hence the need for Coaching ) I did all the fibreglass repairs costing about £20 in materials, 1 new rear damper and spring for £200.00, a rebuilt damper for £50, Two knacker tyres for £325.00. I also need a few other bits and bobs such as a hub carrier so I decided to buy a spare car for £400.00 for bits.

Last Year I had a bad one at Angelsey. This one needed a complete new front end for £400.00, Suspension including wishbones, new poly windscreen, steering rack, and loads of bits of new chassis, carrying out most of the myself it cost about £1800.00 all up.

Generally Tasmin bits are fairly cheap and readily available. Plus the things are built like bloody tanks and very strong.

There isn't a lot of contact during the races, maybe the odd scuff here and there.

Hope thats a bit more informative. Maybe Graham will be along later to advise on the cost of racing a Tuscan.

[cwin]

Hi Dave

I would recomend Howard Hunt,he has spent some time with Young Danny and is a very experienced instructor,he has an S grade licence and will certainly improve your driving.

Howards number is 07976302759

Regards

Craig

[thunderbelmont]

Graham said:

Simon Mason would get my recommendation... he's also done a lot of work tuition with the early tasmin challenge guys and even raced a tasmin as a one off.

http://www.simonmason.com/

G

+10

At some stage, I too will ask the sage to help me remove the rust from my joints! I've known Simon for quite a lot of years now, and most of that has been on a professional footing. I'm sure it'll p off some of my other former colleagues that I'd choose Simon first, but it's a case of both who you know and what you know in this case.

[taffyracer]

+1 for Simon Mason