Driving School Recommendations??

[Uncle Bob]

I realize that when I bought my Boxster I had a pretty steep learning curve. One of which was my inability to use much of the car's potential. In light of this, it seems logical that a driving school would be in order. I live about 85 miles North of Seattle and have half of June and July off, so that would seem an ideal time to attend one. I see a myriad of them advertised in Autoweek, but I would like to hear some of my fellow member’s experiences with specific schools as well as any recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

[donv]

One lower cost option is to check out your local PCA chapter driver's Ed and/or autocross programs. The ones in my area are well administered and a great way to learn the limits of the car and improve your skills with instruction by expert volunteers.

[deliriousga]

I'm with Don. You get to learn in your own car too. If you're not a member, go to www.pca.org, find your local chapter and check their site for the DE schedule. Join the PCA and you'll usually find a local dealer who will inspect your car for DEs for free and the program is usually much less than a driving school.

[Uncle Bob]

Thanks guys, I'll join up today and see what's going on. I may have to go up to Canada, not sure. There is a nice roadcourse just over the border in Mission, BC.

[Perfectlap]

I took this course, very good and lots of running time. Looks like they opened schools in Canada and will be in your state this Aug.
http://www.autocross.com/evolution/

[Uncle Bob]

I found a great group in my area with a DE in April.
April 9, 2006
7:00 AM Driver Ed
Location: Pacific Raceway Inc, Kent, Washington
Category: Driver Ed
Description: Information about the PNWR Driver Education program is available on the At the Track section, in the Driver Ed area. Pre-registration is strongly recommended, check the opening dates.

Thanks, PL. That looks like a good school. I actualy might have some time in August as well!

[70Sixter]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

I see a myriad of them advertised in Autoweek, but I would like to hear some of my fellow member’s experiences with specific schools as well as any recommendations.

Thanks in advance!

Myriad as advertised in AutoWeek - http://www.autoweek.com/assets/pdf/CW33011212.PDF

I did not see any bad advice in any postings, and saw some very good stuff. IMO deleriousga and donv are right about PCA Driver's Ed and competion program. But the key is to target what you need. SCCA license? Improved road/street skills? Insurance discount.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by 70Sixter

Myriad as advertised in AutoWeek - http://www.autoweek.com/assets/pdf/CW33011212.PDF

I did not see any bad advice in any postings, and saw some very good stuff. IMO deleriousga and donv are right about PCA Driver's Ed and competion program. But the key is to target what you need. SCCA license? Improved road/street skills? Insurance discount.

Thanks. Yup, been a hardcore Autoweek reader for decades now. I see their extended information additions on driving schools and actually am fairly confident in what I read, just not so much the adverts. I appreciate personal experiences more than anything.
We are new members of PCA and PNWA is coming. We will be going to a new member orientation in March for PNWA, then a DE in April, I believe. Wife is excited about the Cannon Beach run (no, not Cannonball run!) this October with the PNWA as well.

[Uncle Bob]

We went to the PCNWA new members meeting Sunday. Great bunch of guys. I look forward to taking classes through them and going on some cruises as well.

I heard the annual Porsche Parade is in Portland, OR this year. We may have to cruise down there to take a look!

[Uncle Bob]

I finally made it to Driver Skills Day. Sponsored by PCNWA at Bremerton Raceway Park on the Olympic Peninsula in WA state. It was much more cost effective than anything else and was a BLAST!

Pics:
Ones I took
Ones a friend took

[OldBlevins]

Thanks for posting those, Uncle Bob. I'm pretty much in the same boat - I have more car than skills. I just joined the PCNWA and signed my wife up for the skills day in Bremerton in September and I'll be signing up for the November session. It looks like fun!

- Jim

[eVoMotion]

We are in Portland Oregon and are signing up for the Prodrive defensive driving and then high performance driving schools as well as already signed up for a track day with full instruction. We want to learn more about every day and then performance driving the S. My wife might be even more excited than I am.

I am thinking that I will try and get my dad to go to the Jim Hall Kart School in California as well. He just bought an 07 S and use to have karts. Way fun!

[EPIQTodd]

I think your best option would be a Skip Barber or Porsche Driving Experience. I did the latter - 2-day event - and it was truly spectacular. I still, some 2 years later, recall and work on using the skills I learned there, and this after dozens of track days' worth of experience. You are given instructors of the highest caliber, vehicles, classroom instruction, and even food. They aren't cheap, but when you see all of what you get (particularly the cars, maintenance, tires, and fuel) and start looking at the cost of taking your own car to the track (easily around $1,000 per event with wear and tear, gas, entry fees, etc.), it's a bargain.

[Uncle Bob]

EPIQTodd, that sounds like a great deal. You do get what you pay for. For starting out? $85 for an all day class (7:30 till about 7:30!), lunch and a helmet is still a great way to start. The real benefit was to meet fellow PCNWA members as well.