About this event
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The Fall GVC Ultimate Driving School is our last of the season.
The Genesee Valley Chapter has over 27 years of experience conducting HP driving schools at Watkins Glen, and is nationally recognized for its innovative, state-of-the-art instructional program emphasizing personal instruction and graduated skill development in an environment that emphasizes camaraderie, safety and fun.
Our highly trained and experienced in-car instructors coach participants at all levels of skill development, from novices to club racers and instructor candidates, reinforcing the theory and practice of high performance driving taught in the classroom by one of our master classroom instructors.
The knowledge and skills learned here will certainly carry over to “the street”, making you a more skilled, confident, and safe driver.
Format:
The GVC Fall UDS is a high-performance driving school for drivers at all experience levels. Students are divided into different “run groups” according to prior experience, evaluations from previous schools (if any), and vehicle type. Each run group gets a minimum of 4 half-hour track sessions with in-car instruction each day of the school. Between track sessions, students attend lively and interactive classroom sessions appropriate for their skill level. Students also gain experience by riding with their instructors during the instructor track sessions.
Bonus Features:
- Rookie Orientation: To make the experience more enjoyable for drivers new to GVC driving schools and the track, there is a ~1 hr. presentation and Q&A session Friday night before the event covering the schedule and curriculum, the layout of the track facilities, where to go for help, and how to prepare for the experience.
- Track “Walk”: A guided tour of the track led by the Classroom Instructor is held at the end of the first day. You will be transported in vehicles to selected corners, where you will disembark to examine and discuss the track features on foot with the classroom instructor.
- Garage Party: On Saturday after the track walk, we convene in the Kendall Garage to meet and mingle with other drivers, instructors, friends and family, while enjoying complimentary finger-food, beer and wine.
- UDS Souvenir Shirts: To commemorate the event and give you bragging rights back home, you will receive a limited edition Ultimate Driving School shirt to go along with the unique school tech sticker for your car.
- Liberal Passing Rules: Passing is permitted on any straightaway and in the entry to turns at the end of passing zones (always with point-bye) for all except beginner run groups.
Advanced Solo (A-Solo) program:
Advanced students with many years' experience who are routinely signed-off to run solo in previous schools may register for our A-Solo program with three registration options:
Three-day school (Friday - Saturday - Sunday)
Two-day school (Friday - Saturday or Saturday - Sunday)
With either option, A-solo drivers are afforded
- Three hours of assigned track time per day: A-Solo students drive with both the Advanced students (4 sessions) and Instructors (2 sessions).
- Friday open-track day: Friday is open track orientation day for Instructors, A-Solo students, and Club Racers. Special group exercises may be scheduled to hone advanced driving techniques (e.g., close-quarter, side-by-side driving in traffic).
- Group debriefing sessions: Mandatory meetings of the group take the place of traditional didactic classroom sessions, during which experiences will be shared, driving techniques discussed, compared, and critiqued, and so forth.
More details are available by contacting the chief instructor (chief_instructor@gvc-bmwcca.org).
Admission to A-Solo:
A-solo is only for highly experienced, mature, and safe drivers who are very serious about improving their already considerable skills in a cooperative, uncompetitive environment.
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Drivers who have previously participated in the program are pre-approved and need not submit credentials unless requested by the Chief Instructor.
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Drivers new to the program must submit a detailed driving resume and two recommendation letters to the Chief Instructor well in advance of the school for credential verification.
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New applicants are first placed into the advanced (A) group for evaluation prior to being admitted to A-Solo. Admission to A-Solo depends upon:
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Superior evaluations and recommendation by the student's A group instructor.
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Successful completion of a checkout ride with an A-Solo instructor.
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Concensus of the existing A-Solo drivers that the applicant has the appropriate driving skills and respects the rules of the group.
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A-Solo students must strictly abide by all rules of the school and the program to remain in A-solo.
Fees:
In an attempt to keep things affordable in these trying economic times, fees have been kept the same as last year despite the increases in track fees and insurance costs that occur every year.
Advanced Driver Training Program
Genesee Valley's ADT program, now entering its fourth year, breaks from tradition to teach students modern cornering methods in a safe, non-competitive environment with liberal passing rules:
- "Late" passes and off-line entry into corners are not only allowed, but encouraged. Students are taught step by step how to execute these techniques in group exercises at reduced speeds, and then put their skills to use in open-track under the guidance of their in-car instructors.
- Slower cars are required to allow faster vehicles to pass at the earliest opportunity. Cars holding up traffic by not giving point-byes are black-flagged by track control.
- Result: seamless passing, better traffic awareness and flow, collaborative rather than competitive driving, and a safer and more enjoyable event.
The ADT program has been a huge success, and has propagated rapidly to other BMW club chapters, car clubs, and track-day organizations.
Event Venue:
A major drawing card for our school is the chance to drive the legendary Watkins Glen International road-course, which traces its roots back to the legendary races held here just after WW II. These early races were run on still-existing public roads in and around the town of Watkins Glen, and the current track layout echoes that of the original course. Its long straights, sweeping turns, and dramatic elevation changes make it both a joy to drive and a challenge to master.
Watkins Glen is a beautiful summer resort located at the southern-most tip of Seneca Lake, in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes, one of the top wine-producing regions in the country. Besides the many wineries, restaurants, shops, and fun activities for the whole family, the area boasts a variety of nearby state and local parks noted for their spectacular gorges and waterfalls.
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.
Many other types of lodging can be found in Watkins Glen, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts (http://www.bbonline.com/ny/watkins+glen.html) to the luxurious Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel (http://www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com/). Camping is available at Watkins Glen State Park (http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/142/details.aspx) and at many other private campgrounds.
Event requirements
Drivers: Drivers must be at least 18 years old at the time of the event, and possess a valid state, provincial, or international driver’s license.
Vehicles:
Passenger cars of any marque are welcome* if they pass our technical and safety inspection as detailed on our Tech Inspection form (see below for link). All vehicles MUST be inspected and have the form completed and signed by a certified mechanic. The driver must sign the form and present it at on-site tech and check-in.
NOTE: A random selection of vehicles will undergo a detailed inspection at check-in to verify the pre-event technical inspection.
The following vehicles are not acceptable for our driving school:
- OPEN-TOP CARS (convertibles, roadsters, etc.) EXCEPT vehicles with built-in manufacturer-certified roll-over protection. Please email or call the Registrar if you are unsure whether your car is eligible, or have questions about this policy.
- TRUCKS, SUVs, or SAVs (including BMW X-series, Porsche Cayennes, etc)
- SINGLE-SEAT, OPEN-WHEEL VEHICLES, or VEHICLES LACKING A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. Instructors ride with all students and must be provided safe seating.
*GVC reserves the right to disqualify any vehicle deemed unsuitable or unsafe for use in our school.
Enrollment:
- YOU MUST BE A MEMBER of BMW CCA to enroll in a GVC driving school. To join: http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=new_member
- Students are assigned to A-Solo, Advanced (A, ~20 or more days experience), Intermediate (B, or C depending on experience), and Novice (D) group . The number of days of experience is approximate. Instructors make up the remaining run group on the schedule at this school.
Registration fee: $425 (US). Includes party and Ultimate Driving School event shirt
- Registration is done on the Motorsportreg.com website.
- Registration closes approximately one week prior to the event.
- 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).
- Registration is not complete until payment has been received.
Cancellations:
- Fees are refundable before the deadline, subject to a 5% charge to cover billing charges.
- Alternatively, fees can be credited toward a future GVC Driving School to avoid the billing charge.
- Fees are non-refundable after the deadline unless another student is available to take the vacated slot.
Required Forms*
Tech Inspection Form: When you have been accepted as a student for this event, you will receive an email confirmation. Attached to that email will be a Pre-Event Safety Inspection (“Tech”) Form and a Medical Form (see below), downloadable in a single document by following this link: GVC Tech & Medical Form (.pdf).
Please read and complete these forms carefully well in advance of the event.
Tech form: specifies the minimum requirements for the safety of your track vehicle. You must have a competent professional mechanic inspect your car, make any needed repairs, and sign the Tech form to signify compliance. The GVC reserves the right to reject any vehicle that is deemed unsafe for track use. More information is found on the Tech form.
Emergency Medical Information and Contact Form: This form is used to provide information at the event to medical professionals in a medical emergency only; by signing this form you are explicitly permitting the GVC to distribute this information only to the appropriate medical personnel. This form is strictly for internal use only.
The procedure for submitting the medical information form is the following:
Fill out and SIGN the form, and seal it in a #10 business envelope.
Write your name, and the name and phone number of a person to contact in case of emergency, on the outside of the envelope.
Write on the envelope whether you wish the form to be "RETURNED" or "DESTROYED" at the end of the event. All unclaimed envelopes at the end of the event will be destroyed.
Submit the sealed envelope at check-in for the event.
*You will not be allowed to participate in the school without first presenting completed and signed Tech / Medical forms at Check-in. No car failing inspection may be used on the track until it is repaired, re-inspected, and passed.
Waivers: VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ
- You must read and agree to the conditions of the waiver at the time of registration on Motorosportreg.com.
- All participants will be required to sign the GVC BMW CCA waiver of liability at event check-in/tech inspection. This need only be done once for the entire event.
- All participants and guests will required to sign a waiver at the gate for Watkins Glen Intl. upon arrival each day.
- NEW: ALL guests must sign the GVC BMW CCA waiver immediately upon arrival. This should be done at the administration desk. A guest wristband will be issued to indicate compliance. It is the responsibility of all participants to ensure that their guests complie with this requirement.
- NEW: A separate waiver for minors (<18 yrs old) entering the event must be signed by BOTH parents or legal guardians. PLEASE NOTE: The waiver must be signed and notarized prior to the event by any parent/guardian not present at the event.
Helmets:
- A Snell-rated helmet is required for all participants (Snell 2005 or 2010 'M' or 'SA'). note: Snell 2000 or older helmets are NOT accepted.
- Loaner helmets are available only for guests taking demonstration rides with instructors. Participants must bring their own helmet. Sharing helmets is prohibited.
Questions?
For answers to questions regarding registration in particular, or our Driving Schools in general, please email the GVC registrar.
If you are an instructor for other chapters or car clubs, but have never instructed for us, please visit the Instructing with GVC web page for information about how to qualify as an instructor for the GVC.
