Does anyone plan on attending the mazda drivers drivers education thing going on that day, or have any further information about it? I was thinking of attending, but wasn't sure if it would be worth while.

-Dan

 

I'm going

What type of info do you need?

 

It was a lot of fun when I went a couple years back... I was trying to make it to the one comming up here in March, but my car isn't going to be ready for a bit. If things go as planned I should be there in June though.

 

I'm hitting the one this weeked.. not sure about June though.

 

Do they take you out with an instructor, or is it an education day? Just wondering how it works?

 

Yup... same as other HPDE events. They have run groups for different experience levels, and you're paired up with an instructor. Once you've demonstrated enough skill/proficiency/safety awareness, your instructor can sign you off to drive solo.

 

You guys all need instructors!!! who would trust you behind the wheel?

 

I am considering it . Where do I sign up?

 

Maybe we could go together big bro

 

I will be an instructor there at the June event. I can't imagine you wondering if it is worthwhile.... You are paired with an instructor. You have 4 or 5 sessions on the track each day of 25 minutes or so each. Before each session is a classroom session. Your instructor will give you the kind of help you need. They will give you a ride in their car in they think it will be helpful to you. If you want to ride in their car you can ask and they will usually oblige. If it is your first event, the instructor will probably ride with you all weekend. Some students get signed off to solo, and some do not for the entire weekend. MazdaDrivers is fairly on the conservative side about soloing. Everyone at the event (even experienced students) starts out with an instructor. A large percentage don't get signed off to solo for the whole weekend, probably less than most organizations. I think that is a good thing, but some people are bothered by it.

What instructors will not do is drive your car in a session. It is just a bad situation from a liability point of view. If an instructor asks to drive your car, I would suggest talking to Dave Nugent for an OK. There are exceptions to this rule of thumb, but they are very rare.

I guarantee that it will be worth it. You will learn more about driving, your car, yourself, and other things than almost anything else you can do.

This is where you sign up:

http://mazdadrivers.com/

 

Damn, this sounds like a great opportunity. If there are still spots available I'll be signing up soon.

-Dan

P.S. Thanks for the info, it's appriciated.

 

Its definetly worth it, I've done two of these at VIR and one at Summit Point and had a great time. I'm going to try to go, but funds are kind of tight right now, mostly because I'm still paying back all my track days from last year, lol.

Anybody know which track configuration they are running?

 

Dan, I'm definitely interested, but it's kinda too far away for me to say yay or nay at this point...

~Ramy

 

I don't see the cost anywhere. Will someone post it?

 

Calvin, you know if Fritz is instructing as well? I heard he does a good bit of instruction down at VIR...