www.chirpthird.com: Any suggestions to prepare for Bragg-Smith Driving School?

This is topic Any suggestions to prepare for Bragg-Smith Driving School? in forum SSOA: "Back Porch" at www.chirpthird.com.

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Posted by Machine (Member # 1138) on :

'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?

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

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 ]

Posted by Kevin V 2002 SS (Member # 1025) on :

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.

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

Yeah, but at Bragg-Smith you get to eat up their tires.

They teach you what the car can do and more!

Posted by John01SS (Member # 511) on :

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

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

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.

Posted by Doug Harden, Pres CICC (Member # 326) on :

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 ]

Posted by phils_99ss1808 (Member # 145) on :

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

Posted by Mike F - SSOA F99 3913 (Member # 109) on :

... 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 ]

Posted by Machine (Member # 1138) on :

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!

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

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.

Posted by Machine (Member # 1138) on :

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!

Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :

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).

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