Skip Barber Driving School

Ford launches Octane Academy

Want to learn how to drive like Ken Block? So does Shaun White, based on his recent driving-school spree. Since White signed up with BFGoodrich, he's crammed in driving lessons from at least three institutions of higher four-wheel education.

Now Ford wants to help fans get in on the learning action through Octane Academy, with two catches: only in a Ford and only for members of the millennial generation. For everyone else interested in motorsport skills, there's tried and true Skip Barber and nine-month-old DirtFish Rally School.

Ford is baiting the finicky millennial generation (18-29 year olds) by rounding up Ford motor-sport superstars to launch Octane Academy. Ken Block, Brian Deegan, Tanner Foust, and Vaughn Gittin Jr. are being tapped as professors for the new "academy", and each will take a turn hosting one of the four "action sports fantasy camps" on courses they helped design. Ford is taking the typical manufacturer driving school and throwing it into the dirt -- literally. The first class gets in session November with off-road truck racer Deegan.

Since Ford wants to lure the millennials, the chances of slipping their filter drop drastically for those approaching 30 years of age. Besides the right age, and a valid driver's license, Ford only asks for a personality video. They forbid footage of driving shenanigans, likely since the ensuing carnage is a mess Ford lawyers would avoid. Each four day camp culminates in a competition. The champ driver wins -- you guessed it -- a Ford, specially "designed" by Block, Deegan, Foust and Gittin. Perhaps worth noting, superstars do not often make good teachers, but fans are hopeful these guys prove otherwise.

The Collins English Dictionary says an academy is "an institution or society for the advancement of literature, art, or science." While literature is lacking, art and science are arguably critical for serious drivers' education. Science, it seems, is Skip Barber Racing School's specialty. Walt Irving, longtime instructor for Skip Barber said, "We teach one thing: driving based on the law of physics. An average person will come from our driving school able to slide the car, and understand all the dynamic forces about how to get the car sideways." Irving says learning laws of the universe have helped prepare countless Indy and NASCAR drivers like Bill Elliott and Jeff Gordon.

"The driving skills we give are universal. Shaun White started out just like anyone else, from zero," said Irving. Shaun was part of a multi-day Formula course at Laguna Seca, Calif. "In the beginning he wasn't so good, but he ended up being extremely good, and was the quickest in his group by the end." Irving says many schools run by car companies want to get people into their brand, but Skip Barber focuses on skills transferable to any car on the road. They don't offer any instruction off-pavement currently. The cost for a three day open wheel course, also offered in Lime Rock, CT and Atlanta, GA, lists at $4,400.

Skip Barber Driving School - S2000 Forums

I'm doing the Mid-Ohio School in June. My daughter took the Honda Teen Defensive Driving course there and I was impressed with that. There was a NASA event going on that day and the drivers I talked to all had good things to say about the Mid-Ohio School. The nice thing about Mid-Ohio is they have a close relationship with Honda, since there is a Honda plant close by here in Ohio. Learn why your vehicle performs the way it does and how to maximize that performance on the street, in autocross competition and on the race track. This course covers the physics and dynamics of precision driving then tests participant skills behind-the-wheel in intense off-track performance driving drills. The highlight of this entry level program includes an hour-long, on-track lapping session at day's end. The fastest driver in the autocross competition will receive a free Acura Advanced High Performance Course. Participants will also spend time driving the Honda S2000 roadster. Sign in begins at 9:00 am. Classroom session begins at 9:30 am and the day concludes by 6:00 pm. This course takes place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, 7721 Lexington-Steam Corners Rd., Lexington, Ohio. Most high-end driving schools are pretty good. They have to be for how much money they charge. I have not attended Skip Barber, but I have heard nothing but good things about it. I went to the Bob Bondurant school in Phoenix some years back. Well worth it. Yes, lots of money. I did the 4 day course. Again, well worth it because it took me half way into Day 2 before I was really getting with the program. I was having trouble clearing my mind and not thinking about what was going on at work at the time. Once I got past that and was able to focus, I think it made a huge difference. not that i'm not comfortable now, but i'd like to be able to push it in a more controlled environment so that i can learn how to control my car more efficiently and have less "oh s***" moments. my car has saved me on more than a few occasions. i'd like it to be where i can save myself in any car. since i started off as ultra noob, it'd be nice to really learn how intentionally induce a slide/drift and control it in a safe environment IE don't wanna end up kissing a light pole in a wet walmart parking lot practicing.

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