Evil Plan: Stage One

[ellekhey]

tomorrow im going to sign up for the bmw clubs (starter) car control course! my day off from work (mar 21) has been approved! YAY!
the website says its an advanced class but im glad i called to confirm that, or id be screwed till next year.
(ive waited a FULL year for this one)


I AM SO EXCITED. and anxious. i dont really know what to expect.
ive heard they send you racing toward an instructor until the last minute when they tell you which way to turn. (???) at least thats what i retained after Bob M explained it to me back in sept 08 or something...
even though its driving i expect to be out of my element. i wasnt one of those stoned teenagers doing late-night powerslides in snowy parking lots... but i suppose thats what im going there to learn! (..not powerslides, per se)
i assume it's one on one instruction.. is it one BY one?
ive never been to a "driving centre" or raceway (i know :/ ). there are ....facilities... yes?
im getting new wipers ASAP - le best friend will do a safety check the day prior (mechanic chicks are HOT) ...but is there anything specific (other than tires & brakes) that should be looked at? id assume she would know, but... it doesnt hurt to ask..
could be a long shot, but is anyone from here going?


im x-posting this to the bmw club (obviously) and lookin for some non-make-related driving forums in which to ask my questions.
i know its not DIRECTLY porsche related... sorry.


i figure i should have more skills (...than the average bc driver...) before i try to get my ass behind someone elses steering wheel. << (evil plan)

[edward_generation]

Ellen,

It is a great idea to go and do these classes, any level of performance driving will raise your awareness on the road. However I do believe that solely on the fact that you are aware that you need more skills then the average BC driver probably means you already have more skills. Our drivers are horrible, and have no regard for anyone else on the road. Enjoy the day, I believe it is usually run by Driving Unlimited, if so they are a great group.

[RYeager]

Your evil plan is quite admirable. I hope it works.

[rayg]

A few things the mechanic can check before the big day. Make sure the battery is securely fastened down, also have the mechanic torque the wheel lug nuts to the factory specs. Have the brake fluid changed and pump up the tires. Other than that if the car is in mechanical sound condition then you'll be good to go.
It's an adreneline filled day, I'm sure you'll have a blast! - great plan

[RYeager]

Also, once you have completed the BMW course, you should sign up for some autocross, its at the same location. PCA has them in the summer, and you would be welcome. Watch for the dates on the PCA site. Autocross will teach you car control skills. Then you can move on to evil plan stage two

[AllanJ]

Excellent plan, LK.

Driving Unlimited is a great group that I know very well. They have a variety of programs (easily available through the BMW club) and you'll learn a ton from them. Most of their programs are run at the BC Driving Centre that is on the Pitt Meadows airport grounds, but do not, I repeat....do not go to the main airport entrance. Follow this map:

http://www.drivingunlimited.com/crashmap.htm

Go south on Harris Road and then turn west onto Ford Road and then (shortly after you pass the 3-way stop) look for the sign & driveway onto the BC Driving Centre skidpad. Be sure to drive the speed limit on Ford Road and keep your stereo volume down to keep the neighbours happy. This is our last place to play in the lower mainland and we don't want to give the neighbours a reason to shut things down.

Enjoy yourself and as Bob says, soon you can move on to stage two of your evil plan.

Cheers,
Allan

P.S. Oh yeah - "facilities" at the BCDC are porta-potties. Bring your own drinking water in case they don't have enough there. (No plumbing and no electricity at the skidpad)

[edward_generation]

Allan, is that your special "crashmap"?

[Bob Makela]

Congrats, you're going to have one fun day. Even more serious fun comes later on with the Skills Challenge Day and the slalom course they run. Drivers' Unlimited are a great bunch of guys (one gal) and excellent instructors. Full tank of gas, check your tire pressure and don't forget to remove all loose items in the car (and your trunk) otherwise they'll be flying all over the place. Be sure to submit a post to let us all know how your day went.

[ellekhey]

"and don't forget to remove all loose items in the car (and your trunk)"
the last time i emptied my car i wound up with 11 forgotten pairs of shoes! :]
i shall leave a roll of TP in my trunk if they allow that - for the porta-potties.... (thanks Allen, NOW im terrified) ...are there bushes around?

will likely only get to this day as a driver this year ($'s tight), but i cant wait to get out to all those many show n shines this summer!
ill have to keep my driving time ....unofficial.. or something..
are there ever any less expensive READ:free events going on? i know everyone drives to whistler & back and such, but im pretty sure that requires one of those beautiful machines we all fawn over.. (and most people here own )


ANYWAY, thanks for the map :] i promise i will not go to the airport. i wanna drive man, not fly!
i highly dislike people who give directions using left/right instead of DIRECTIONS, especially after ive purposely asked for ONLY an address. yay for intelligence!
you can give me directions anyday.


speaking of intelligence, thanks Edward for the confidence boost :] i privately (ON THE INTERWEB lol) think that i am above-average for having 2-3ish years behind a wheel... cause if not, thats pretty sad.

[Targa Tim]

it is snow mix with rain outside my office (Kerrisdale) right now...

hope you still have a good time out there, be careful, looking forward to your feedback.

[Owain]

You should plan to come out to some CWR autocrosses this year. Looks like the first one's on April 18 according to the calendar, and I think they're only $40 for the day. That's not free, but as far as driving events go it's pretty reasonable. There probably won't be as much driving time as you're going to get on your course, but still some good seat time, and it shouldn't be difficult to find someone to ride with you for instruction. Autocrossers are generally a friendly bunch

Have fun on your course. It's a slippery slope, though; in no time you'll be tweaking swaybar settings and tire pressures to get the car to feel just the way you want it to

[ellekhey]

$40 is REALLY not bad!
perhaps i will get more driving time in this year than expected! thanks! im not sure why but i assumed everything would all cost around the same. pleasant surprise.
even if i dont get much driving time right away, at least ill get to be around it. sometimes observation is an equally great way to be involved... & it leaves more time to make friends in this new & expensive potential-hobby of mine :]
if i end up hooked ill probably ask my darling friend to teach me some severely-basic-mechanical or maintenance stuff. im guessing it would be helpful... she usually trades me for body work (the human kind), but she doesnt always want something when i need an oil change :/
OH! i should post about her on the networking board in case anyone has a volvo to be worked on..

im rambling.
ill plan to attend on the 18th as well then!
hopefully the weather wont be horrible on the 21st.. but i hear slick conditions often make for an even better learning experience :]

[lowside67]

There are still a few spots open at this weekend's autocross event:
http://www.ubcscc.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=3727

[ellekhey]

Thanks for the link, I'm checkin the site out now :]
id like to get some instructor time under my belt first, but I may stop by (if you allow spectators...??) to get a feel for the environment (im weird like that).
Also to find out precisely where the BCDC is. im REALLY not a morning person, so i plan to know EXACTLY where im going on the 21st for such an exciting thing!
let me know if this is cool with you guys (as in the UBC club) and if so say hi?

[edward_generation]

I beleive the BCDC is the Driving Unlimited address, the map that Allan posted the link to should take you there.

[lowside67]

Yes, you are certainly welcome to come by and watch. We can probably get you out for a few ride alongs if you like. Just a word to the wise though, most people who show up to spectate wish they had gotten up a bit earlier and driven instead!