5-day intensive course @ Silverstone Race School
#1
Hi there
Has anyone on here done it or has 'insider' info about it?
I've got the brochure and a 'sales pitch' on the phone -- sounds very impressive but is it worth the time and money?
Thanks for the info!
Has anyone on here done it or has 'insider' info about it?
I've got the brochure and a 'sales pitch' on the phone -- sounds very impressive but is it worth the time and money?
Thanks for the info!
#6
It's £2,300 if you do it in 1600cc Formula First and £3,100 in F Ford.
Five full days (9 to 5) with a 'graduation race' on the 5th day.
At the end you get a National B license with 2 signatures (you need 6 to get a Nat A license) plus your own race suit, boots and gloves.
Not cheap, to say the least! But I've not seen any other programme as comprehensive as that. I've been also told that they've got the most experienced instructors teaching there.
Five full days (9 to 5) with a 'graduation race' on the 5th day.
At the end you get a National B license with 2 signatures (you need 6 to get a Nat A license) plus your own race suit, boots and gloves.
Not cheap, to say the least! But I've not seen any other programme as comprehensive as that. I've been also told that they've got the most experienced instructors teaching there.
Trending Topics
#8
Yes, they also do 1-hour and 1-day tuition.
Don't know about the suit, but apparently racing boots are the latest fashion on Covern Garden now. A guy from work spotted some in a window of some trendy shop
Anyway, back to my original question
Has anyone done this course?
Don't know about the suit, but apparently racing boots are the latest fashion on Covern Garden now. A guy from work spotted some in a window of some trendy shop
Anyway, back to my original question
Has anyone done this course?
#9
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: The home of the game played with odd shapped balls
Posts: 2,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't know about the suit, but apparently racing boots are the latest fashion on Covern Garden now. A guy from work spotted some in a window of some trendy shop
I know the ones you mean they are made by Adidas and cost about £80
I bought a pair thinking about track days and stuff but took em back as I couldnt justify the cost for an occasional shoe and they are more of an imitation thing.
#10
Hi Krade. How's it going, mate?
Please let's not turn this thread into a footwear fashion debate , at least not until I've got some feedback about the Silverstone race course.
Cheers!
Please let's not turn this thread into a footwear fashion debate , at least not until I've got some feedback about the Silverstone race course.
Cheers!
#11
Spoke with the 'Ring race school. They run a 2-day course at the GP circuit for Euro 1,800. Better price but one day is all classroom training (yawn!) and on completion they give an International C license Is it any use in the UK?
Also called Brands, Thruxton and Rockingham -- but they only run corporate jollies. Thruxton do the ARDS test but no training.
So Silverstone sounds like the best (and only?) option...
Anyway, hoping to find someone on here who'd done it and have a chat.
Cheers,
Andrei
Also called Brands, Thruxton and Rockingham -- but they only run corporate jollies. Thruxton do the ARDS test but no training.
So Silverstone sounds like the best (and only?) option...
Anyway, hoping to find someone on here who'd done it and have a chat.
Cheers,
Andrei
#16
Scooby Regular
I've done a number of 1 day 'Driving Schools' at various tracks but they where all pretty much 'corporate' days out. The expection was the advanced day at Ian Taylor Race School at Thruxton which was 1 instructor too 3 students and a Group N BMW M3. Great Fun and I learn't a lot.
Do actually want a race license ?
Do actually want a race license ?
#17
Yep, exactly my findings -- lots of so called "racing schools" running corporate jollies with "certificates" at the end. In most cases the actual driving time is measured in MINUTES and the emphasis is on fun rather than learning.
Yes, do want to get the license. But also some professional in-depth tuition to build on my self-taught foundation
Yes, do want to get the license. But also some professional in-depth tuition to build on my self-taught foundation
#19
I'VE DONE IT AND AM NOW OFFICIALLY A RACING DRIVER!!!
Had my first two races at Silverstone's Stowe circuit last Saturday. (You can see a few photos in the Members Gallery posted by SU3ARU -- thanks Peter!).
I am still buzzing and hope to race again soon.
Fantastic course! If you want to learn to race this is the course to take. Not cheap but worth every penny and more. Top instructurs (I had Danny Watts and Barry Williams just to name a few). Hundreds of laps in the car (including a morning on the GP circuit)...
If you want more info e-mail me and I'll be more than happy to tell you all about it (don't want to write an essay on here in case nobody's interested ).
Cheers,
Andrei
Had my first two races at Silverstone's Stowe circuit last Saturday. (You can see a few photos in the Members Gallery posted by SU3ARU -- thanks Peter!).
I am still buzzing and hope to race again soon.
Fantastic course! If you want to learn to race this is the course to take. Not cheap but worth every penny and more. Top instructurs (I had Danny Watts and Barry Williams just to name a few). Hundreds of laps in the car (including a morning on the GP circuit)...
If you want more info e-mail me and I'll be more than happy to tell you all about it (don't want to write an essay on here in case nobody's interested ).
Cheers,
Andrei
#25
Oh well, if you insist
The course takes place at Silverstone and takes 5 full days. The first 4 days are for training and the 5th day is a real race meeting with School races scheduled amongst other series (in my case we shared the day with the Evo Caterham academy and a couple of Saloon clubs). The training days start at 8 a.m. and finish at 6 / 6:30 p.m. with 30-minute lunch break. The rest of the time is spent learning and practicing. I'll attempt to recreate the sequence of events:
Day 1
- Briefing
- The theory of high speed driving (racing line, vision, etc)
- 1-to-1 instructions in Proton GTi (3x20 minutes)
- Heel & toe practice session in single seaters (30-40 minutes)
- ARDS theory exam
Day 2
- 1-to-1 instructions in Proton
- Skid and car control exercises in single seaters and skid car
- Lapping in single seaters (4x20 minutes), each session is followed by debrief / feedback by instructors who sit and observe you at every corner of the track
Day 3
- Lapping of GP circuit in Proton (with instructor)
- Skid and car control exercises (figure 8, slalom, special track)
- The theory of car dynamics (weight transfer, etc)
- Lapping in single seaters (5x20 minutes) with feedback
Day 4
- ARDS driven exam
- Race practice (mock qualifying, formation lap, race starts)
- The theory of race craft
- Race craft practice in karts
Day 5
- Briefing
- Scruteneering
- Qualifying
- Race
I think this is roughly what happened. The course is really intense physically and mentally. You literally spend hours and hundreds of laps in the car, and you are constantly learning loads through the theory classes and feedback during / after your driving sessions. I couldn't believe it myself but I was going to bed at 9-10 every night because I was so knackered...
Before going on this course I had done a few track days, 5 Palmer Bedford experiences and loads of karting, but I still learnt loads on the course. And of course there is no substitute to the actual in-car practice time. What I found particularly useful is the fact that the learnings stretches over 5 days so you can fully 'immerse' yourself in it and keep the learning momentum going...
You can do the course in Formula First for £2,300 or Formula Ford Zeus (sp?) for £3,100. This price includes one race -- I strongly suggest you book the second optional race for an extra £300. The above price includes (in addition to the above) your MSA Go Racing pack, license fees, and Sparco racing suit, boots and gloves (helmets are provided for the course but not to keep).
In addition to the invaluable learning, I think the benefit of course is also to give you an idea if you REALLY like competitive motor racing (as opposed to fast road driving AND track days) and if you are any good at it.
I loved it!! And although I learnt that I don't have a natural genius of Schumacher, through practice I can get better and better and - really enjoy the process
Please feel free to contact me if you need further info. Or if you do decide to book it - mention my name for 'extra special' treatment
Cheers,
Andrei
The course takes place at Silverstone and takes 5 full days. The first 4 days are for training and the 5th day is a real race meeting with School races scheduled amongst other series (in my case we shared the day with the Evo Caterham academy and a couple of Saloon clubs). The training days start at 8 a.m. and finish at 6 / 6:30 p.m. with 30-minute lunch break. The rest of the time is spent learning and practicing. I'll attempt to recreate the sequence of events:
Day 1
- Briefing
- The theory of high speed driving (racing line, vision, etc)
- 1-to-1 instructions in Proton GTi (3x20 minutes)
- Heel & toe practice session in single seaters (30-40 minutes)
- ARDS theory exam
Day 2
- 1-to-1 instructions in Proton
- Skid and car control exercises in single seaters and skid car
- Lapping in single seaters (4x20 minutes), each session is followed by debrief / feedback by instructors who sit and observe you at every corner of the track
Day 3
- Lapping of GP circuit in Proton (with instructor)
- Skid and car control exercises (figure 8, slalom, special track)
- The theory of car dynamics (weight transfer, etc)
- Lapping in single seaters (5x20 minutes) with feedback
Day 4
- ARDS driven exam
- Race practice (mock qualifying, formation lap, race starts)
- The theory of race craft
- Race craft practice in karts
Day 5
- Briefing
- Scruteneering
- Qualifying
- Race
I think this is roughly what happened. The course is really intense physically and mentally. You literally spend hours and hundreds of laps in the car, and you are constantly learning loads through the theory classes and feedback during / after your driving sessions. I couldn't believe it myself but I was going to bed at 9-10 every night because I was so knackered...
Before going on this course I had done a few track days, 5 Palmer Bedford experiences and loads of karting, but I still learnt loads on the course. And of course there is no substitute to the actual in-car practice time. What I found particularly useful is the fact that the learnings stretches over 5 days so you can fully 'immerse' yourself in it and keep the learning momentum going...
You can do the course in Formula First for £2,300 or Formula Ford Zeus (sp?) for £3,100. This price includes one race -- I strongly suggest you book the second optional race for an extra £300. The above price includes (in addition to the above) your MSA Go Racing pack, license fees, and Sparco racing suit, boots and gloves (helmets are provided for the course but not to keep).
In addition to the invaluable learning, I think the benefit of course is also to give you an idea if you REALLY like competitive motor racing (as opposed to fast road driving AND track days) and if you are any good at it.
I loved it!! And although I learnt that I don't have a natural genius of Schumacher, through practice I can get better and better and - really enjoy the process
Please feel free to contact me if you need further info. Or if you do decide to book it - mention my name for 'extra special' treatment
Cheers,
Andrei
#26
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: MY99UK-MY02STi-MY99Type R-MY06 T20-MY11 340R-MY05 TYPE25
Posts: 11,468
Received 22 Likes
on
19 Posts
Andrei,
Thanks for that I must have a go unfortunately the Lottery picked some different number to me this Wenesday must ring up and complain LOL
But does seem excelent value for the Money off to check the Wife's bank account.
Tony
Thanks for that I must have a go unfortunately the Lottery picked some different number to me this Wenesday must ring up and complain LOL
But does seem excelent value for the Money off to check the Wife's bank account.
Tony
#27
Hi Tony
I know what you mean -- it's a lot of money. But it's also once in life time type of thing, like a holiday to Bali or a cruise
When I saw the course info I knew straight away that I wanted and HAD to do this course.
Let me know if you decide to go for it. I'll have a chat with the guys at the school and see if they can offer you a special rate, given that you've been referred by a 'graduate'.
Cheers,
Andrei
I know what you mean -- it's a lot of money. But it's also once in life time type of thing, like a holiday to Bali or a cruise
When I saw the course info I knew straight away that I wanted and HAD to do this course.
Let me know if you decide to go for it. I'll have a chat with the guys at the school and see if they can offer you a special rate, given that you've been referred by a 'graduate'.
Cheers,
Andrei
#28
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: MY99UK-MY02STi-MY99Type R-MY06 T20-MY11 340R-MY05 TYPE25
Posts: 11,468
Received 22 Likes
on
19 Posts
Andrei,
I know what you mean this certainly is the 'Dogs B's' of a course. I'm there at on Trax Sunday so will think of you but just can't afford it I would prefer you to put a good word in with God to fix the lottery for me LOL
I will of course take you up on the offer if my financial situation changes I might have to settle for a 1stlotus or a Palmer Tuition day first. The wife won't miss that much
Tony
I know what you mean this certainly is the 'Dogs B's' of a course. I'm there at on Trax Sunday so will think of you but just can't afford it I would prefer you to put a good word in with God to fix the lottery for me LOL
I will of course take you up on the offer if my financial situation changes I might have to settle for a 1stlotus or a Palmer Tuition day first. The wife won't miss that much
Tony