Best investment for the S2K
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Los Gatos, CA
Best investment for the S2K
Like most everyone else I have gone through my share of mods to the car. The best investment so far though was spending three days at the Bondurant school in Phoenix. Everyone should try to take a course like High Performance Driving (3 day) in order to really understand how to get the most from their cars. They use Mustangs for training that are especially set up for racing (suspension and brake mods, full roll cage, etc.). The Mustangs are like tanks compared to the S2Ks, but it is a far better place to really learn how to take a car to the handling limit at speed. The oversteer situation we all face is really addressed -- I wonder how many of us would really be willing to get on the acceleration when the rear end breaks loose? These guys really instruct everyone well on this, and getting out on a race circuit and autocross circuit to test your skills is great. So, I encourage everyone to check these guys out (or Skip Barber, etc.) before you spend the 2-3 grand on wheels /tires and other cosmetic mods.
The only problem that I had when I got back was re-learning just how wonderful the handling and shifting is on the S2K. But at least now I have a better feel for the car and my own limits. Now if I just took my own car there....
The only problem that I had when I got back was re-learning just how wonderful the handling and shifting is on the S2K. But at least now I have a better feel for the car and my own limits. Now if I just took my own car there....
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From: Jaffrey
After attending the 2-day Skip Barber driving school at Lime Rock Park last weekend, I agree with you totally. Most of the training took place in Dodge Neons and (on the skid pad) pickups, but we also got to put in considerable time behind the wheel of the Vipers. At the end of the 2nd day we were able to drive our own cars on the autox course. Besides my S2K, my group included a BMW Z8 and a Lotus Europa. And the instructors, who were all accomplished race drivers, took us for hot laps in the Vipers and our own cars. I could almost hear mine saying, "aaaah . . . this is more like it!"
One thing I took away from the experience: Our S2K's have a way of making us think we are much better drivers than we are.
One thing I took away from the experience: Our S2K's have a way of making us think we are much better drivers than we are.
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From: Phoenix
Originally posted by JT-KGY
How much are these driving schools?
How much are these driving schools?
3-day class $2800
2-day class $1900
With regard to hitting the throttle when the backend comes loose, that is easily the hardest thing that I am learning in this car. I KNOW that I can't throttle lift and I KNOW that I have to give it gas, but it is tough to tell your foot to do it when you hit a corner too fast.
At the track, at least the spins are fun.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Delray Beach, FL
Check out www.speedtrialusa.com for another type of school. We hold quite a few events in CA including Willow Springs and Leguna Seca as well as in the Midwest and East coast. There are instructors there to go out with you to help you learn your car and the events are on the weekends.
All in all, a better driver is the best modification one can make to their car.
All in all, a better driver is the best modification one can make to their car.
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Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Jaffrey
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Pinky
[B]
You must have an aftermarket roll hoop on the S because Lime Rock has said that they will not allow it on the track without...........well except for our parade lap where Rick spun his S!!!
Yellow flagged on the parade lap.......go figure. Though to the same degree we had a Viper put its tail into a grass burm!
I don't have a roll hoop. But we didn't drive on the main track, just on an auxilary training track. The class is the Skip Barber Driving school. Skip Barber also runs a racing school. The driving school gives you a good taste of the racing side of things (heel-toe shifting, trail braking, fun w/ the Vipers, etc.), just to whet your appetite. The cost for the 2-day racing school (8+ hours each day) was $1200.
There was a club racing event going on on the main track during both days of our class, with an interesting array of cars. This was distracting, but fun. I was disappointed not to see at least one S2K out there, maybe because of the roll hoop regulation?
[B]
You must have an aftermarket roll hoop on the S because Lime Rock has said that they will not allow it on the track without...........well except for our parade lap where Rick spun his S!!!
Yellow flagged on the parade lap.......go figure. Though to the same degree we had a Viper put its tail into a grass burm!I don't have a roll hoop. But we didn't drive on the main track, just on an auxilary training track. The class is the Skip Barber Driving school. Skip Barber also runs a racing school. The driving school gives you a good taste of the racing side of things (heel-toe shifting, trail braking, fun w/ the Vipers, etc.), just to whet your appetite. The cost for the 2-day racing school (8+ hours each day) was $1200.
There was a club racing event going on on the main track during both days of our class, with an interesting array of cars. This was distracting, but fun. I was disappointed not to see at least one S2K out there, maybe because of the roll hoop regulation?