Ford GT driving school

[GTED]

Hi

As shown on Speed tv show "supercars exposed", a Ford GT-only driving school was held in So. Cal earlier this year (or late last year). Does anyone know when and where will the next one be or if there is a "real" GT school where I can sign up?

I'm feeling very rusty since I've only been on the track once this year (I've been doing HPDE 4 to 6 events a year for the last 4 years with my previous car) and that I just got the Heritage 3 weeks ago, as such, I'm badly in need to learn the dynamic and behavior of the car. Long story short, I went on a drive this weekend with a F430 Scuderia, and a few Lambo's in the twisties. I was so rusty and slow, and at the same time I didn't want to get out of my comfort zone driving a new car (ie. not the best way to learn the car's behavior in narrow twisties in the hills, plus the usual public road issues.. In fact, during the past 3 weeks owning the car, this was the first time I actually "drive" the GT).

Anyways, I'd like to find an school in the SF Bay Area (preferably), if not, in So. Cal, where I could drive my GT in skid-pads, and learn the GT's behavior.

Please advice.

Ed

 

[roketman]

Fly me out I'd love to instruct you !!
Really !!

 

[GTED]

Fly me out I'd love to instruct you !!
Really !!

Only if you guarantee I'll be a Super-Rocketman after your instructions, Master!!:biggrin

Ed
(Your truly humbled GrassHopper)

 

[roketman]

Could we settle on greatly improved with a firm understanding of car control ?

 

[FB GT40]

Skool...

Just make sure you have LOT's of spare tires on hand! Our Mr. Rocketman
shredded those Goodyear's like they were cotton candy at Vegas this past week!

 

[roketman]

Thanx Gordo ! That made me smile .
The best part was I wasn't paying for them !!

 

[tpraceman]

Ron, Tell us a little bit about yourself for those were not at the rally. Like how did you learn to drive like a bat our hell.

 

[atspeed]

Richard Hille (TallCarGuy here on the forum) organizes the GT school at Willow Springs. I was there this past March and it was a great experience. I believe he just did another GT school earlier this month. You might want to PM him directly for more info on future GT school events.

 

[GT Bill]

Pantera Owners Club - West Coast Racing will be hosting an open track event the first weekend in Nov. $225 with instruction.

www.fca-sw.org/sw/0809/willow_spring_nov_08.pdf

 

[GTED]

Richard Hille (TallCarGuy here on the forum) organizes the GT school at Willow Springs. I was there this past March and it was a great experience. I believe he just did another GT school earlier this month. You might want to PM him directly for more info on future GT school events.

Cool, I'll PM him. thx.

 

[GTED]

Could we settle on greatly improved with a firm understanding of car control ?

Hi Master-Rocketman,:lol

I'm going on a track event tomorrow with the GT for the first time. What is your opinion of tire pressure for track? The car is completely stock, should I leave it at 32psi?

Thx

 

[93extxdps]

psi

The Ford engineers at Vegas said the factory specs were fine.

Dp

 

[roketman]

32 is the cold pressure .This should be fine .
What track?

 

[GTED]

32 is the cold pressure .This should be fine .
What track?

Will be running at Thunderhill in Willows, Ca. Organized by Hooked on Driving. This is a very small event called Sports & Exotics. Two run groups: Sports= race-prep'd cars (9 cars in this group), and Exotics=F-cars; Lambos; P-cars and one FGT, yours truly (14 cars in this group). Therefore, lots of track time with plenty of space between cars. I'll have a coach, since this is first time with the GT and first time back at Thunderhill in 6 years. Should be fun.

Ed

 

[KJRGT]

GTed, I trust your day at Thunderhill went well today...give us the scoop!

Also, the Jim Russell Racing School at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma has a one day program they call "High Performance Driving" for $995 that is for you, your car, an instructor and an open track. While that is pricey compared to joining a group that rents out a track, I took a one day private lesson with Danny McKeever on the Streets of Willow track and learned a huge amount about driving and more specifically, driving the GT.

Come to think of it....perhaps getting a half dozen or so of us to all do the "High Performance" day at Infineon (a GREAT road course) might be quite a learning experience and fun time.