A lot of instrution, a lot of track time, and some serious data analysis. The cars are full instrumented to measure, throttle, brake, steering angle, etc. So you can compare every part of each lap vs. another driver (i.e the instructor). It makes it easier to break down what you're doing right and wrong, it's easy to point out if you're braking too early, your corner speed is down 2 mph, you're too late on the throttle, etc. Plus, they can teach you little techniques here and there that you may have never learned on your own.

How many people became pro snowboarders without taking a lesson? I've had some friends try to go snowboarding without a lesson first and it wasn't pretty.

A little off topic, I mtn biked all through high school and college, and been on two wheels since I was 4. It turns out many pro-drivers (a few F1 guys, Paul Tracey, Kasey Kane....)are also cyclists.... same breed I suppose.

 

Just to throw one more thing into the mix: go karting. It's cheap seat time, and the consequences of pushing it too far are much less severe.

I've tried a lot of crazy stuff driving indoor electric karts (champs). You don't get the more advanced stuff like shifting gears, fine throttle control, weight transfer or even braking, but it's great to get used to "wheel-to-wheel" racing in a low risk environment. I learned a lot about steering, different racing lines and passing (what's fast and why? finding a line in "traffic", etc.) that translated pretty much unchanged to driving my car at the race track.

 

I've been looking at the Skip Barber website, and I think that I will have to find a way to incorporate their school into my future plans
Plus, what a blast it would be to drive their 1100 lb cars after the pig heavy Evo

 

add Robi to that list too.. I'll let him toot his own horn though on his cycling accomplishes

now go buy bikes everyone.. run!!

lol

n

 

Racing karts is definitely a blast! Great way to learn passing, defending and other racing techniques. Watching a ton of racing on TV helps too Also, learn from others' mistakes!