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» www.chirpthird.com » SSOA and friends » SSOA: "Back Porch" » Any suggestions to prepare for Bragg-Smith Driving School?

   
Author Topic: Any suggestions to prepare for Bragg-Smith Driving School?
Machine
1st Gear
Member # 1138

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'm going to Bragg-Smith Level 1 in May and I want to maximize my time there. Anyone with experience care to give me any hints as to how to be better prepared...or should I not prepare anything so I don't have any bad habits?

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2002 Silver Camaro SS Hardtop w/Ebony Int, M6 w/Hurst, 100% Stock, 294 RWHP, 311 TORQ
Build# 1409, member 1138, My Lame @SS Page, http://www.machinevelocity.com
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1998 Black Camaro Z28 for autocross, FStock class, high mileage >150K. Will this dog hunt? When I'm a better driver, I'll let you know...

Posts: 43 | From: Lombard, IL, USA | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged
HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS
SSOA Director
Member # 117

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1. Go with comfortable shoes and clothes (you'll be doing a lot of sitting) and an open mind.

2. Be ready to unlearn bad habits and form new good habits.

3. Relax and soak up as much of the experience as you can....you'll leave wanting more.

4. Start saving your pennies so you can join the SSOA there in a couple of years. (This next year, we're focusing on getting as many SSOA members to the September 20-22nd F-body B-day bash in Bowling Green.)

[ 25 January 2002: Message edited by: HTWLSS ]



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Do you own a '96-'02 Camaro SS?
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 -  - Teri
Get a limited SSOA diecast while they last
http://thanks.f-body.com
'67 230, 6-cyl Convertible; '68 V-8 TB Convertible; '68 LS1/6-speed; ’72 Z28 for sale; '90 5.7 IROC; '98 Z28 SLP Durability Car; '00+ Camaro "Body in White"; '99 Convertible SS #0069
McGee's Auto Service

Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Kevin V 2002 SS
2nd Gear
Member # 1025

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Not that I know what I'm talking about, but something that may have helped me before I started autocrossing on occasion would have been to find a very large parking lot and try a few manuevers to get a better feel for what the car can really do. You can do alot more in the SS than you might think.

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Kevin Villier, 2002 SS #186 - 6M with Hurst and "short-stick", TT, navy blue, chrome SS wheels, Bilstein suspension, SS grill, BMR STB, BMR chrome-moly panhard rod, SLP loudmouth, Direct-Flo lid with Holley Power Shot filter, mallory polished MAF ends, 4.10 gears, PPC LT's.
336 rwhp, 345 rwtq

www.villier.net
Louisville, KY

Posts: 763 | From: Louisville, KY | Registered: Jun 2001  |  IP: Logged
HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS
SSOA Director
Member # 117

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Yeah, but at Bragg-Smith you get to eat up their tires.
They teach you what the car can do and more!

Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
John01SS
2nd Gear
Member # 511

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I have never been to Bragg-Smith, but I have done a High Perf. Driving School, so they should relate.

Practice your heel-toe downshifting on the street Although I've been told you get PLENTY of excercise on this technique at Bragg-Smith, you're better off knowing the fundamentals ahead of time and then perfecting the technique at the track during the drills.

Be prepared for a hurricane of information to hit you from all directions. It's going to be like learning to drive all over again.

Most importantly, have an open mind, soak up everything you learn, and have a blast!

I hope to make it out there with the SSOA group sometime in '03. Unfortunately, I doubt they'll have SS's by then.

- Johhn01SS

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2001 SS #4260
Bright Rally Red - M6 - Neutral Leather - T-Tops - Chrome ZR-1's - Bilstein Suspension
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SLP Lid - K&N - Intake Bellows - Bauer Ported TB - TB Bypass
PPC Longtubes - Random Tech Cats - Borla Catback
SLP Bolt-on SFC - BMR Panhard Rod & LCA's - Hotchkis STB


Posts: 301 | From: Annapolis, MD | Registered: May 2000  |  IP: Logged
HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS
SSOA Director
Member # 117

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quote:
Originally posted by John01SS:
I hope to make it out there with the SSOA group sometime in '03. Unfortunately, I doubt they'll have SS's by then.
- Johhn01SS


Oh, I think they'll still have some 2002's by then.


Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Doug Harden, Pres CICC
1st Gear
Member # 326

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Got to Turn Fast and read it all....twice.

It's a great resource to learn and then go someplace safe and practice it a little.

In reality, the guys at BS will take care of you and you'll get a lot of practice out there.

Have Fun!!!


[ 28 January 2002: Message edited by: Doug Harden, Pres CICC ]


Posts: 101 | From: Nashville, IN | Registered: Mar 2000  |  IP: Logged
phils_99ss1808
1st Gear
Member # 145

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Ditto what htwlss said.

The only thing to add is where to stay. I advise staying in Pahrump. Three other students in my class were staying in Las Vegas and were always late to class.

Not having a clue where to stay we picked The Saddle West as it was referred from our conformation letter. It was ok but being a non- smoker it was hard to stay there.

The Nugget is a newer Casino-Hotel and the air in the casino and restaurant seemed smoke free.

If you are a smoker, nevermind. Otherwise stay at the Nugget if you can.

Good luck, Phil

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F99-1808
Base SS, Black, A-4, T-T, Cloth,
Polished ZR1's
Direct Flow Lid
SLP Bellows
SLP ATM
SLP CAI
SLP SS Mats & Dash Plaque
SLP Dual/Dual Power-Flo
SLP Drive Shaft SL
Borla 304 SS Y-Pipe
Granatelli MAF, SFC,
Jamex STB
BMR TB!, Control Arms, Panhard,


Posts: 61 | From: La Verne, California | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
99 HOSS
I turn left.....and right!
Member # 109

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... like Doug mentioned, go to the Turn Fast site for great info. I've been 'paddocked' in there since last summer.

... and go out and have fun. I hope to make it out to the Silver State Classic in Sept.

[ 27 January 2002: Message edited by: Mike F - SSOA F99 3913 ]



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Mike

99 Camaro SS
'87 Pontiac T/A
'97 GMC Sierra

"The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of Patriots and Tyrants"
(Thomas Jefferson)

Posts: 1446 | From: Germantown, MD USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Machine
1st Gear
Member # 1138

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quote:
Originally posted by Doug Harden, Pres CICC:
Got to Turn Fast and read it all....twice.

It's a great resource to learn and then go someplace safe and practice it a little.

[ 28 January 2002: Message edited by: Doug Harden, Pres CICC ]


Thanks for the replies, everyone. I'm going to start reading the Turn Fast site. Looks like really good reading!


Posts: 43 | From: Lombard, IL, USA | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged
HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS
SSOA Director
Member # 117

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The Nugget Steak House has some incredible desserts. They did a GREAT job of accommodating 15 of us on very little notice. I highly recommend it.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
Machine
1st Gear
Member # 1138

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Thanks for the replies. I've never done heel-toe, except a couple quick tries - I'll practice it after getting some pedal plates. I'm staying at the Best Western, but will give the Nugget a try for food!

Also, I never even thought of the 10 and 3 thing with the steering wheel. That's going to be a HARD habit to break! NO MORE GANGSTA LEAN!

--------------------
2002 Silver Camaro SS Hardtop w/Ebony Int, M6 w/Hurst, 100% Stock, 294 RWHP, 311 TORQ
Build# 1409, member 1138, My Lame @SS Page, http://www.machinevelocity.com
 -

1998 Black Camaro Z28 for autocross, FStock class, high mileage >150K. Will this dog hunt? When I'm a better driver, I'll let you know...


Posts: 43 | From: Lombard, IL, USA | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged
HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS
SSOA Director
Member # 117

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quote:
Originally posted by Machine:
I'm staying at the Best Western, but will give the Nugget a try for food! !

The B.W. was very comfortable and reasonable in price, esp. w/a AAA discount. Make sure you mention you're attending Bragg-Smith to get a discount price. They have a small continental Breakfast. Go across the road to the Saddle West for a bigger, hot buffet for a great price (under $5).


Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000  |  IP: Logged
   

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