I want to get better at driving. I want to improve my driving skills. I want to learn how to control my car whether it be taking 100mph corners and sticking with lines or simply driving the backroads of where I’m from. But I want to do this on sanctioned events and or legally.

The nearest city to me is Minneapolis. And I’m not too familiar with sanctioned events around here. The closest road track nearby is a few hours north and their driving schools are really not the most convenient times. Another sanctioned events that I know of are held at a tech college but seems to be held specifically for Evos. I’ve contacted the hosts and they seem pretty hard bent on having “their” members only.

Is there even a way to improve/learn/develop/fine-tune driving skills without the actual use of the track and or via autocross? What it comes down to is, are there are experienced drivers willing to take on a newbie? I have always loved the idea of driving, lines, pushing the car to the limit (once familiar) but street and spirtied backroads driving just doesn’t cut it for me. Must I also mention that it is not the safest?

I love my car. I love the way it handles. But most of all, I love to drive… I just want to become a better driver.

I’m not sure if this is a rant…but it is definitely a little frustrating.

 

Move?

 

The way to get better is 'seat time'. You can subsidize a little bit with using indoor kart tracks and PC based simulations. However, ultimately, you need to be in the seat of your own car learning via the methods you mentioned.

 

A large empty wet parking lot can serve as a makeshift skid pad to learn how to safely catch and control oversteer. Just suck it up and make the drive to a spring autocross school--your best bang-for-buck (and time).

 

Is it 'legal' using a wet parking lot as a makeshift pad? Would I get in trouble or?

I will probably suck it up and taking up driving school this coming spring. In the mean time I hope to get better acclimated with the car by then.

 

Most of us drive a few hours (or more!) to get to the track If you really want to do it, you'll make the time.

 

Track time and autocross are the best I would say. Seat time and the parking lot idea is a good one find a big empty lot I try to find old K-marts they make for a fun time and usually are free of a lot of light post and parking dividers.

 

Haha okay. You got me had. I will start doing that when it gets warmer. I think the season is done now that snow is in the forecast...

 

Typically, yes if you are sliding a car around for an extended period of time and someone spots you. It's not something I would recommend myself. If you can find a business park which is out of the way and empty on the weekends, that may be an option. This is why using autox and track events are the best functions for pushing your car (and yourself).

 

Best thing for me was karting. Even a 6hp kart can help you work on your car control skill set. Just don't practice on electric karts because I have not been able to find one that doesn't understeer like crazy.