I did things today.

"190e30-Now with COSWORTH" (190e30) 09/15/2013 at 19:43 • Filed to: None

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So BMWCCA hosts a thing called survive the drive for teen drivers. Think on-road training at driving school mixed with the racing school experience, and for a very low price, that's exactly what this is. My dad and I pulled up in the Audi at about 8 AM, did all the paperwork, and checked out the cars that other kids owned (everything from my audi, to an e36 m3, to a ton of volvos, to a Chevy Tahoe, etc etc.

We waited around a little bit for everyone to show up and enjoyed our free breakfast, and then got in the cars as instructed by whichever instructor you were paired with (Each kid had one instructor in the car with them). The entire course for the day was set up at the Consumer's Reports testing ground in CT. It was built out of an ex-drag strip, (about a 1/2 mile long of straight asphalt-not too bad) featuring a very long straight, two skidpads, and an entire back course complete with just about every type of turn imaginable.

The first exercise was fairly simple. We had to accelerate as fast as possible up to a box of cones, brake at the front, and stop before leaving the box. This both builds knowledge of the feeling of ABS (for those who had it) and how to use threshold breaking, that magical zone just before ABS that stops the car instantly. After coming to a complete stop in the box, you were once again supposed to floor it down the tarmac, this time coming to a sharp but curved corner made of cones. This was to show how a car behaves (handling-wise) under very heavy braking, to help us understand how heavy the car feels.

After this, we left the track to go back up to a parking lot, where a police officer and a truck driver (along with his truck) were waiting. The police driver had "The Convincer" set up, which simulates a 5mph crash and why you should wear a belt. The truck driver's truck was surrounded by 6 cars (two left, two right, two behind), and we were allowed to climb up inside and sit down. Despite the massive mirrors, the cars had gone invisible. I had never realized just how little they can see up there.

We then got back in our cars and hit the track for my personal favorite event, the slalom. I think the fastest I actually hit was only 35 mph, but it felt pretty quick and was a complete blast (I'm really sad I didn't just push it as far as possible-I definitely was capable of doing more than 35, I would just be risking spinning. And since I was on a gigantic empty piece of asphalt, there's no better place to push it to the limit. What a shame.).

We then went inside for our free lunch and our meeting with the speaker of the day Tim Hollister, who had just written a book entitled "Not so Fast," about losing his teen son in a crash. He informed us and the parents of the dangers of driving, how to fix them, and how things typically took place.

When we hit the track again, we started what was perhaps the most important exercise. Once again, we started down the strip at full speed. A ways down, there were two boxes, side by side, even with each other, with a 15ft gap between. Here stood a very brave flagger. We would tear down the strip flat out, straight towards the flagger, who would boldly wait until the last second to gesture towards either box. Under braking, we were then expected to sort of slide the car both into this spot and to a stop. This was fun and very challenging, and was extremely useful considering it taught us avoidance under heavy braking.

Then, we hit the wet skidpad. Let me start by saying I pictured myself sliding sideways, despite my 4wd. Unfortunately, this was not exactly how it worked. No one really oversteered at all, not even the M3. We were expected to hit the wet skidpad, and stay as close to the circle of cones as possible while going as fast as possible. Once again, this felt very fast and was pretty fun, but didn't really look like it. I oversteered slightly once, but most of my time was spent wrestling the understeer of my car.

We then went back in for snacks and short paperwork for one last time, and then headed back out for a showcase. In this, the students loaded into their cars along with their parents and their instructor, to show their parents what they had learned today. The courses were all pretty much the exact same, with two key differences: 1) rather than being seperate exercises, they were all lined up in succession and 2) After all of the various exercises, we were opened up to the back half of the testing course. So yes, essentially a twisty little racetrack that we were encouraged to go as fast as possible on. I didn't get going until my absolute last run where I was flying (IMO at least-probably around 60), which my dad was of course unable to video due to a dead phone. It was a good day

My analysis: My catflap is ridonkluous (I had never heard my own car from the outside) along with dat induction noise. Also, my gear changes are painfully slow under hard acceleration (I blame it on my heavy flywheel)

And also, fast is fun. I strongly suggest any kid or parent gets involved in this program, especially anyone near NY

Sparf > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 19:54

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Funny, a lot of this is part of the standard driver's ed in Sweden, except with the added spice that the brake experience and hazard avoidance under heavy braking is done on ice.

You don't get to drive your own car though...

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Sparf 09/15/2013 at 19:57

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It should be that way. If all American drivers actually knew how to drive (at least somewhat) we wouldn't be such bad drivers.

It's probably better not to do it in your own car.. RIP the Mercury Sable that overheated today, the Volvo V70 that ate its own radiator, and the Saab 95 Wagon that was belching smoke from a bad turbo bearing (which I actually believe is replaceable and will go on to be fine. But you get my point)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:09

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braking*

Work on your spelling, kiddo. You'll be a better man for it

Sparf > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:09

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True, but given how your car (which is very similar to my '88 Celica - as in a turbocharged AWD 3-door liftback) behaved I really would like to try it with mine.

I really need to get around to checking what advanced driver courses there are around Stockholm...

6cyl > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:11

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How much did this cost? Is it only for teens or can anyone do it? I have always wanted to do one of these even though I'm pretty sure it is called the teen safe driving experience or something along those lines and I'm now in my mid-20's.

6cyl > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 09/15/2013 at 20:13

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I am pretty sure american public schools gave up trying to teach spelling and grammar. At least in my experience.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 6cyl 09/15/2013 at 20:15

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It's very very sad.....

I consider my grammar and spelling to be great and the sad part is that English is my 3rd language, directly after French and Haitian Creole.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 09/15/2013 at 20:15

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Well I was going to say I'm normally pretty good about that, but holy crap I did it pretty much every time. So I'll just hang my head in shame and take it on this one

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:18

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Oppo, it's more than just a forum.

I really didn't mean to disparage but to teach you the error of your way.

I could have gone into the post and simply fixed it but I decided to teach you instead.

On Topic? I think it's great you're learning this stuff.... Never forget. Keep your skills sharp with regular autocrosses and don't be afraid to push hard in such an environment so you minimize your chances of being surprised on the street, no matter the car

Scott Keelan > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:18

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Yikes, that's quite a few casualties. The driving course should be followed by an introduction to DIY car repair next weekend.

Great write up. Sounds like it was well worth it.

Hindered23 > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:19

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sounds like this would have been a blast in my s4... I'm 18, could I still do it?

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > 6cyl 09/15/2013 at 20:20

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$75. Very reasonable, considering all of the food, the pictures they give you of your car, the amount of seat time, and the professional instructors. As for the age restriction, I don't know, but I can't see why they wouldn't let you do it. As long as the class has spots open and you're willing to pay, they would be stupid not to. I would definitely talk to them first about it though

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 6cyl 09/15/2013 at 20:20

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I've instructed at such an event... Some places will sometimes allow adults.... Check on www.motorsportreg.com for Street SUrvival schools

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Hindered23 09/15/2013 at 20:23

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It definitely would be. I don't see why they wouldn't let you, but I'm not sure. I can get you a contact if you'd like to talk to them

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 09/15/2013 at 20:25

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No, I appreciate it. Better to sharpen up than to keep doing it.
If only everyone on the road did a little bit of competitive driving now and then, the world wouls be a safer place. You really can't tell how a car is going to behave or how to fix it until you just do it.

Milky > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:38

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This is cool and all, but damn I like your car.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Milky 09/15/2013 at 20:42

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Lol. Thanks, its a pretty good time.
That's yet another thing I still don't know yet due to a short period of being an owner of a car. If someone compliments your car, do you thank them? It seems like the right thing to do, but its not like you built it or anything.
About the car though, its...interesting. Comfy, cozy, and pretty, with a decent exhaust note. Its a bit of a turtle (0-60 in 8.1, in 1991, with a hired driver) but it always puts a smile on my face

Milky > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/15/2013 at 20:46

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But its daddy is the Ur-quattro, so its 0-60 time is easily forgivable.

As for car compliments, I always go with something like "thanks, its been fun the *length of time* I've had it.

6cyl > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 09/15/2013 at 20:52

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Thanks for the link I just looked it up and it looks like the maximum age is 21 . I'm not sure why they would want exclude anyone from such an event maybe it has to do with funding or something like that.

6cyl > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 09/15/2013 at 20:55

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As you have instructed a few of these; do you think I would get much from it as I already do a few autocrosses each summer for the past few years?

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > 6cyl 09/15/2013 at 20:56

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hmmm.... it's possible but the returns for you would definitely be limited

William Byrd > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 09/16/2013 at 08:16

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Nice! I've taught at the "totally cool driving school" a few times in Northern VA. Great experience for the kids and parents. Plus we got to hoon about at lunchtime in our cars giving the kids some ride-alongs.