Advice for Skip Barber High Performance Driving School?

I'm going to the 2 day Skip Barber High Performance Driving School at Limerock Park in CT in May. Any former attendees here have any tips or advice to make the most of my time there? I have no DE experience, no racing experience, no auto-X experience, but I have been known to stay at a Holiday Inn Express. Do they let you use your own car for any part of the 2 day course? TIA.

I did the 3 day racing school a few years ago and must say they offered some of the best instruction. A book you may want to pick up ahead of time is called "Going Faster" It's a very techincal book but will explain everything they will teach you.

I took the two day course about 11 years ago, so program might have changed dramatically. It is oriented toward high performance / Safe street driving. Believe it or not, one of the most fun excersises was done in a V8 powered dodge dakota. They setup 4 cones on the wet skid pad, the objective is to get around ASAP. Lots of sideways action. Very violent when you do it well, it was a hoot. As to your question, at the end of the second day, you take your own car out on the autocross course with an instructor. Fun, but a little to short, only 3-4 laps on a small course. I recommend the course highly to anyone without previous experience, I've been trying to get my wife to take at least the 1 day course, I think it might stop her bad habit of closing her eyes and praying when a panic situation occurs. Have fun, the instructors are all some sort of race car driver, my favorite was a Busch series driver.

Smackboy A buddy and I are going on May 3rd for the one day combo - Wife bought it for me for xmas Hope to see you there??

I did the Skip Barber 2 day course probably 10-11 years ago at Road America, Wisconsin. Great course, and really good instructors. Probably better and more experienced than the average instructor at a PCA/DE event (I know there are exceptions, but just my overall experience). I actually had Vic Elford (well known in Porsche circles) as one of my instructors. Vic is pretty much retired now, but he taught drivers at all levels, including many professionals. Great instructor, as well as a great driver. He took me for a spin in a Dodge Viper and I'll never forget that. He wrung far more G forces out of that car than I would have thought it was capable of. Anyway, I digress. As others have said, a little reading on the basics of contact patches and weight transfer would be good. Other than that, have a blast!

was is the cost?

Thanks to all for the advice. I'll be there May 2-3 for the 2 day school so I'll see whichever of you are also signed up. It's $2,750 (5% discount) if you sign up with a buddy. I've read Carl Lopez's book and watched the Skip Barber DVD. I'm getting excited just thinking about it. I think they have a 997, M3 and a few other high performance cars.

I've done the 2 day driving school, the Viper High Performance Driving School, the 3 Day Racing School, The Car Control Clinic, and the Into to Racing school all with Skip Barber at Limerock. Took all the schools within the last three years. In 2 day school, you will do the skid path with the dodge pick up trucks, then threshold braking exercises in the Dodge Neon's. Then a slalom exercise in the Dodge Viper. The second day will be mainly exercises in the Neon's, drive on a large autocross course with the Vipers and then a relay autocross in the Neon's. If you're not planning on racing but want skills you can use on the street, the 2 day driving school is great. If you plan on racing or doing a lot of DE's a would recommend the 3 day racing school. No you don't use your own car. You wouldn't want to. Beat on an OPC (other person's car) car. Glenn

the one day combo is a little bit of the same but obviously over one day. Ending with some track time in an open wheel cart Much less driving time, but less expensive as well

OK, so I'll be there this week. Staying at the Interlaken. Any tips on decent places to eat or hang out at night (or places to avoid)? Do they provide lunch or is it BYO? Also it might rain, any tips for rain? Should I bring an extra set of clothes/shoes, am I going to get soaked standing/driving in the rain? Is it worth paying extra for the added $2K deductible instead of going with the standard $10K? Do people actually crash? Maybe I'll see some of you out there

Someone mentioned the Going Faster book. Best driving book EVER!!

There is a little restaurant/diner thingy about 1-2 minutes from the track (forgot the name), its the place that also rents cabins. Their breakfasts are 10 times better than what is offered at track concession stand. as for night life, forget it... Her's a dinner kinda place Pastorale Bistro & Bar 223 Main Street, Lakeville, CT 06039 [phone removed] ZAGAT 2006/2007: 23/21/22 $47 "Chef Frederic Faveau is our fave" declare devotees who've followed his cooking career from the nearby Birches Inn to this, his co-owned bistro set in a lovely old house near the Lime Rock racetrack. He continues to thrill fans with Asian-inspired authentic French fare, which when coupled with warm, welcoming service is worth the trip [even from NYC]. Sounds like a great time, I am jealous.