Hey guys. I'll be graduating High School in May and my father said that he would send me to driving school as a graduation gift. I live in South Alabama and I'd prefer something close; unfortunately there isn't much. The only places I know of are Skip Barber at Road Atlanta and the Porsche driving school at Barber Motorsports park. I will be going for the maximum amount of days.

Long story short... Does anybody have a suggestion as to which school I should attend? And also, which is the best in the country?

 

How about BMWCCA club schools? They are cheaper, closer, and they, IIRC, do take 18 year olds.

Welcome | bmwcca.org BMW Car Club of America

 

PSDS is a fun course. Does a decent job on basics of car control/physics. The intro 2-day Performance course needs more track time, less on the skidpad, autocross, etc, but I guess that's how they suck you back in for the Masters
Biggest gripe is the cost. Course itself isn't cheap, but add that to flights and the very pricey hotel they 'suggest' you stay in, time away from work, it becomes a VERY expensive 2 days. But if you're truly local and can go to and from the track from home, that'll save you a LOT of $$$.

I honestly wasn't really planning on going back, but my wife bought me a gift certificate towards the Masters, so I kinda have to go now

 

I drive an e46 325ci, so that'd be really cool. Are you talking about the M Driving school in Greenville, South Carolina?

 

Oh no! Poor you. hah We know people up there, so I would have a place to stay. Also, I would be doing the 3-day course.

The hotel you were talking about... Is it Ross Bridge by any chance? I wouldn't doubt it.

 

Only 3 day course is the Master's Plus-Race License. You can't do that unless you do the Performance AND Master's course.

And yes, the Ross-Bridge. Very nice hotel. But too pricey and too damn far from Barber.

 

Yea, sorry. I just read that. I was thinking of Skip Barber's course setup. To have three days at PSDS is significantly more expensive than at Skip Barber. Have you ever heard anything of Skip Barber? I sure do love Road Atlanta.

I would like to do the BMWCCA event, but I want some track time if I'm going to be spending $3,000+.

 

No, the local chapters of BMW car club puts out driving schools and autox classes.

Check out the chapters in Alabama and see what their schedules are like.

 

Skip Barber is a fantastic school. I have not been to the one at Lime Rock, but the school at Laguna Seca is world class. They are all run by the same people and share instructors so it's the same school just in a different location.

You should definitely take the course called "Advanced Car Control" if you get a chance as well. It's worth it's weight in gold.

 

There is a chapter in Spanish Fort, AL, which is a city neighboring mine, but it looks like they don't do Autocross or anything like that. They just hold meets and rallies. I used to live there and I can say that there isn't much to do. lol

I will be living in Birmingham after I graduate, and I plan on working at Barber Motorsports Park. Hopefully I can work something out with them where I can get a discount. I would feel bad making my parents pay for that. hah

JCay, I will try to find more out about Skip Barber. As of now, that is where I plan on going. The price isn't outrageous and I love the track (Road Atlanta).

Thanks a lot guys.