I'm thinking of signing up for a car control/defensive driving course and a high performance driving course offered by some pro drivers here at Portland International Speedway. I'm wondering if other members have taken these types of driving courses, and whether they are worth the money? ($699.00 for two days).
I think I'm a pretty good driver, but nowhere near where I'd like to be, and I can only push it so far on public roadways (I ran over a squirrel the other day on a blind corner.
Any feedback would be appreciated as I'd like to know what it was like to drive hard and fast in a controlled environment.

 

Check for track days that offer high performance driver education, I'm doing one in September and thats only $215 for 2 days. These track days are much less expensive and you'll probably get just as much experience out of these compared to the $600+ driving school.

 

Driving school is something I would consider taking; but $699 for 2 days.. I'll pass

 

Sooooo, are you going to tell us what it is and what organization sponsors it?

 

[QUOTE=GT_NFR,Aug 6 2008, 02:53 PM]Check for track days that offer high performance driver education, I'm doing one in September and thats only $215 for 2 days.

 

u owe him a beer now.

 

Check the PacNW forums, lots of expertise there for local stuff.

 

Which school were you talking about? ProDrive?

Truth is, you will probably learn as much in one $600 pro school as you will in two $300 club schools, so it's kind of a wash. (And I say this as a club school instructor.)

My advice is to find a club car control school and take that. It's usually under $100. It's a great introduction to the scene, teaches you a lot, and will let you get a lot more out of the more expensive schools when you take them. If you were any closer to Seattle, would recommend the PCA car control schools out at Bremerton. But it's a long drive from Portland.

And oh yeah, these schools are fun. Well worth the money. Just don't show up with the wrong attitude. If you show hoping to learn and to have fun, you will learn and have fun. If you show up hoping to prove how much you don't need the school, you will get nothing out of it.

 

 

PCA has lots of these events. The one I'm doing is in Savannah at Roebling Rd.