GVC Mid-August Ultimate Driving School

Our Midweek Ultimate Driving School is always very popular for its laid-back atmosphere and great late-summer weather.

Format:

• This is a two-day driving school; no one-day registrations are accepted.
   
• Participants are assigned to the Advanced (primarily Solo Group and A level), Intermediate (B and C level), and Novice (D) run-groups based primarily upon experience and prior evaluations, and secondarily by vehicle performance.  Instructors are assigned to a separate run group.  Run groups are limited to around 40 students to prevent over-crowding.
   
• Each run group gets a minimum of 4 half-hour sessions of track time each day of the school. 
   
• Between sessions, students attend interactive classroom sessions geared to their skill level.
   
• Students also gain experience by riding with their in-car instructors during the instructor run sessions.
   
• Novice students partake in car-control exercises in the infield paddock area on the first day, where, under the guidance of an in-car instructor, they can practice what they have learned about vehicle dynamics at speeds much lower than those experienced on the track.
   
• Liberal Passing Rules:  Passing is permitted on any straightaway (always with point-bye) for all run groups except for novices (D) who are prohibited to pass between turns 5 - 6, 10 -11.  Advanced and intermediate students are also permitted, and actually encouraged, to pass in the entry to turns as well.  Result:  Seamless passing, NO TRAINS!

The GVC Solo Group consists of highly skilled, experienced and mature drivers who are still looking to improve their driving, but in a more challenging environment.  The Group emphasizes cooperativeness and respect for others on the track at all times.  

Solo Group drivers are charged higher fees, but are afforded the following additional benefits:

Four hours of scheduled* track time per day:  Solo students not only drive in their own group for 4 sessions, but are also allowed to drive in the 4 Instructor sessions.  (*weather permitting)

Group debriefing sessions:  Solo Group drivers participate in "debriefing" sessions, in which experiences are shared, driving techniques discussed, lines compared, and on-track behavior critiqued.  There is no classroom with a formal curriculum.  The Solo group is free to discuss any topic of interest to them.  Solo Group drivers are not assigned individual instructors.  Instead, a group of 6 or 7 of our most senior instructors are assigned to provide leadership and guidance to the group, organized group exercises.  Their role is to provide coaching, rather than traditional instructing.

More details about this program are available on the GVC website (see link below) or by contacting the GVC chief instructor:
(DS-CI@gvc-bmwcca.org).

Registration and Fees:  

• Advanced, intermediate and novice:  BMW CCA members - $425
   
• Solo Group:  BMW CCA members - $440
   
• Non-Members:  Registration for non-members begins on July 5, 2014, six weeks before the registration deadline.  Non-members are charged an additional $100 above member fees, and have lowest priority to be promoted from a waiting list.  
  
  Membership in BMW CCA is only $48 per year.  Join today to register now, and avoid the non-member surcharge!
  http://www.bmwcca.org
   
• Free after-hours party and Ultimate Driving School event shirt 
   
• Registration after the deadline is only possible by special arrangement, and only if there are still slots available or late cancellations (call or email the Registrar: registrar@gvc-bmwcca.org).
   
• Registration is not complete until payment has been received.

Cancellations:

• Fees are refundable before the deadline, subject to a 10% charge to cover credit card processing fees. 
• Alternatively, fees can be credited toward a future GVC Driving School to avoid the 10% cancellation charge.
• Fees are non-refundable after the deadline unless another student is available to take the vacated slot.

Accommodations

The host hotel is the famous Seneca Lodge (http://www.senecalodge.com/), located at the upper entrance to Watkins Glen State Park off NY 329.  The Lodge is famous for its food and racing heritage.  The bar is notable for its collection of over 60 years of racing memorabliia.  Another favorite place to stay very close to the track is the Falls Motel in nearby Montour Falls.  http://www.thefallsmotel.com.  These places fill quickly, so make reservations early. 

Please visit the GVC website for complete details about the school, including the Solo Group program requirements and admission procedure:

http://www.gvc-bmwcca.org/DrivingSchool/WhatIs.aspx

Register soon to avoid being wait-listed!