About this event
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Our first driving school of the 2011 season offers our traditional two-day format for students at all levels of experience, but this year we have added new options for our more experienced drivers.
New this year:
This year all student groups at minimum will be scheduled for an additional hour of mentored track time, i.e., four half-hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday.
For very experienced advanced students only who have been regularly signed off to run solo in previous schools, we are offering a new program with two new registration options:
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Three-day school (Friday - Saturday - Sunday)
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Two-day school (Friday - Saturday)
With either option, "A-solo" drivers will be afforded additional track time running with the instructor group. Friday is open-track all day, but includes 4 half-hour sessions during which special group exercises may be run to hone advanced driving techniques (e.g., close-quarter, side-by-side driving in traffic). The traditional classroom sessions are replaced by drivers meetings where experiences will be shared, driving techniques discussed and critiqued, and so forth. More details are available by contacting the chief instructor (chief_instructor@gvc-bmwcca.org).
Fees: In an attempt to keep things affordable in these trying economic times, fees for the Saturday-Sunday school have been increased only by $5.00 over what we charged in 2009 and 2010. This modest increase only covers about 1/3 of the increase in track fees we are being charged to run the event, which go up every year. Moreover, we are continuing our price break to encourage new students to "take the plunge" by offering a $100 discount to any beginner who has never taken a GVC school before.
Advanced Driver Training Program
Genesee Valley's ADT program is now entering its third year. This ground-breaking program teaches students modern cornering techniques, with passing allowed in nearly every straightaway. "Late" passes and off-line entry into the entrance of corners are not only allowed, but encouraged. Students are taught step by step how to execute these techniques in group passing exercises at lower than normal speeds, and then put their skills to use in open-track under the guidance of their instructors. The ADT program has been met with great enthusiasm, and is propagating rapidly to driving schools run by other organizations.
Event Background: The Genesee Valley Chapter has over 26 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:
- Students are divided into different “run groups” according to prior experience and evaluations from previous schools, if any.
- Each run group gets a minimum of 4 half-hour sessions of in-car instruction each day of the school.
- Between sessions, students attend interactive classroom sessions geared to their skill level.
- Students 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 day one, where, under the guidance of an in-car instructor, they practice what they have learned about vehicle dynamics at speeds much lower than those experienced on the track.
- Solo Advanced Students Drive in Instructor Sessions: Advanced (A-level) drivers who have been signed-off to run solo are free to drive in the instructor track sessions. This results in an additional hour of track time per day.
- Liberal Passing Rules: Passing is permitted on any straightaway (always with point-bye) for all run groups except for beginners (D) who cannot pass between turns 5 and 6, 10 and 11. A, B and C level students are also permitted, and actually encouraged, to pass in the entry to turns as well. Result: Seamless passing, NO TRAINS!
Bonus Features:
- 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: After the track walk, we convene in the Kendall Garage to meet and mingle with other drivers, instructors, friends and family, while enjoying complimentary 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 school tech sticker for your car.
- Novice Orientation: To make the experience more enjoyable for new-comers, there is a ~1 hr. presentation and Q&A session the night before the event at the Seneca Lodge, which covers the school schedule and curriculum, the layout of the track facilities, where to go for help, and how to prepare for the experience.
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 long 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 waterfall
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 it's 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 or national (foreign nationals) driver’s license.
Vehicles
Cars of any marque are welcome* if they conform to our technical and safety requirements as detailed on our Tech Inspection form (see below). This form must be completed and signed by a certified mechanic and by the driver, and presented at on-site check-in.
We specifically DO NOT allow the following vehicles:
1. OPEN-TOP CARS (convertibles, roadsters, etc.) EXCEPT vehicles with 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.
2. TRUCKS, SUVs, or SAVs (including BMW X3, X5, X6, Porsche Cayennes, etc.)
3. SINGLE-SEAT VEHICLES or VEHICLES LACKING A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. Instructors ride with all students, and must be provided safe seating in the car.
*GVC reserves the right at any time to disqualify any vehicle deemed unsuitable or unsafe for use in our school.
Enrollment: Students divided into Advanced/Intermediate (A and B students) group (~20 or more days experience), and a combined Intermediate/Novice (C and D) group (~5-20 days; ~0-4 days, respectively). The number of days of experience is approximate. Instructors and club racers make up the remaining two run groups on the schedule at this school.
Registration fee: Includes garage party and Ultimate Driving School shirt
BMW CCA Members: $425 (US)
Non-members: $475 Join BMW CCA before registering to get the members pricing: http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=new_member
Novices: $325 members, $375 non-members
The $100 discount is only for first-time drivers who have never been to a Genesee Valley Chapter driving school. Novices must run in the Novice (D) Group. This offer is limited to a maximum of 35 novice students (30 members, 5 non-members) at each school.
Registration Procedure
· 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), also available by following this link: GVC Tech & Medical Form (.pdf).
Please read these forms carefully well in advance of the event.
The Tech form specifies the minimum requirements for 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 to medical professionals in a medical emergency at the event; by signing this form you are explicitly permitting the GVC to distribute this information to the appropriate medical personnel only. This form is for internal use only; it is retained only for a short period following the event, after which it is destroyed.
*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: At the time of check-in at the event, participants will be requested to sign waivers of liability. WGI track waivers must also be signed by all participants and guests when first entering the track each day. You must also read and agree to the conditions of the waiver at the time of registration on Motorosportreg.com.
Helmets:
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A Snell-rated helmet is required for all participants (Snell 2000 or 2005, 'M' or 'SA', open or closed face. note: 2011 is the last year that Snell 2000 helmets will be accepted).
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Loaner helmets are available only for guests taking demonstration rides with instructors. Participants must bring their own helmet.
Questions?
For answers to questions regarding registration 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 become an instructor for the GVC.
Venue
