Are you ready for a rush of adrenaline?

Grip the steering wheel of one of our many exotic to race around an autocross course while being coached by one of our professional driving instructors. Just a little bit different then when you went for your driving test is it not? Check out the http://www.thecorsetcenter.com on nearest locations below, watch our video and visit our Facebook fan page to see all the people who can now cross one more thing off their bucket list thanks to Imagine Lifestyles.

So, I’ve been lurking around for TOO long, not being productive here at Racing Ready. I’ve not autocrossed Karlino since February 2012. I think I’m finally starting to miss it. It’s about time…

Well, today the SPOKES Club (from Austin, TX) sent out a teasing offer to South/Central Texas autocross enthusiasts about this Exotic Sports Car Autocross (by Imagine Lifestyles). The offer was to participate on December 13, 2014 as either a “Pro-Driver” or “Event Staff” & EVEN get paid to help the paying public enjoy driving/riding in either a Ferrari 430 Coupe (or Convertible) or a Lamborghini LP560-4 Coupe (or Convertible) . . . Ummm, WOW!!! Visit www.air-compressoreng.co.uk for more info!

Needless to say, I did not hesitate to send in my request this afternoon to offer my enthusiastic services! That should blow out the cobwebs & get me fired up to autocross, again!

Can’t wait to hear back! Saturday, December 13th can’t get here soon enough! Besides this event in San Antonio, there are additional events in Houston, Dallas & multiple states besides Texas. Racing Ready looks forward to seeing you there!!! Click here to see one of the best midsize luxury SUV released.

Dan

Update December 10, 2014:I just found out today that this event has been postponed till next year. Specifically, they have changed the dates to March 14 & 15, 2015. So, the anticipation will continue for another 3 months…

Circuit of The Americas, Formula1 Austin USGP, Racing Ready

CoTA Official Training Partner for Simona De Silvestro

July 4, 2014 Dan 1 Comment

Alright!

Simona has just garnered further Formula1 cred with this week’s announcement from Circuit of The Americas (COTA):

Simona De Silvestro beside Formula1 test car at Ferrari's Fiorano Circuit, April 2014

Circuit of The Americas to be official training partner for F1 affiliate driver Simona De Silvestro

Austin, TEXAS (July 2, 2014) – Circuit of the Americas (COTA), host of the upcoming 2014 FORMULA 1 UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX, has announced that it will be the official training partner for driver Simona De Silvestro. After recently becoming the first female racing driver in history to test a Formula 1 car on Ferrari’s legendary Fiorano Circuit in northern Italy, Simona will continue her training at COTA in early August.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Simona’s journey to becoming the first full-time female driver in Formula One racing,” said COTA President and CEO Jason Dial. “What better place for her to continue to advance her training than at Circuit of The Americas, the North American home for world-class motorsports. In addition to being her official training partner, COTA is dedicated to building awareness around STEM education and sustainable practices- two things which are very important to Simona as well.”

COTA and De Silvestro both embrace and strongly support sustainability, advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and careers, and clean air technology. While driving in the IndyCar Series, De Silvestro served as an advocate for the Clean Air Energy national campaign.

“My racing career has evolved in America, so I can’t think of a better track to train at than Circuit of The Americas,” De Silvestro said. “The track is truly a world class facility and one of the best on the entire calendar. I can’t wait to drive there.”

Details of De Silvestro’s August test session will be released at a later date.

Here at Racing Ready we are super excited & very pleased by this announcement! Simona, we are SO proud of you & right in our own backyard. 🙂 Might be time to finally get back to the region of southeast Austin, TX to restore acquaintances & review…

Dan

Racing Ready

Simona for Formula 1 – She Is Worthy!

March 25, 2014 Dan 1 Comment

This past Valentine’s Day witnessed the Formula 1 Sauber Team/Group announcing Simona de Silvestro as a future affiliated driver with the Sauber F1 team (Sorry, a little late on the uptake).

This relates back to the article I previously suggested the need for woman to be in a more active driver role in Formula 1.

In addition (& how I initially found out about this), I read it on NBCSN Formula 1 Pit Reporter Will Buxton’s (WillTheF1Journo) blog:

Call off the Search –
Why Simona is what F1
has been looking for.

Racing Ready is back & with a new theme, to boot (dang PHP upgrade)!

Dan

Circuit of The Americas, Racing Ready

Racing, High Performance Driving Schools, Starting with CoTA

September 15, 2013 Dan 2 Comments

Just over a year ago, Bob Bondurant visited Circuit of The Americas (CoTA) with the idea of doing some sort of a driving school there. Here is the video, introduced by CoTA Exec VP Bruce Knox about that possible future event:

I got this press release from CoTA announcing this – Advanced Training at Circuit of The Americas. Here is the official link: ALL-OUT on Track at Circuit of The Americas, by Bondurant School of High Performance Driving This is coming up very soon. They have 3 starting dates: October 1st, 3rd & 5th. As they state:

This is not the course for the meek, the mild or the confidence challenged driver…
THIS IS ALL OUT!

If $9750 is a little beyond your training budget for this year (or decade?), I offer this thorough & LONG list of racing/driving schools for your research pleasure. This extensive compilation is courtesy of Motor Trend (I hope these links are mostly current). They state that this is a complete online guide to help you check out racing and high-performance driving schools nationwide. Read more here.

Racing & High Performance Driving School Links

Audi Driving Experience
This school is dedicated to enhancing a student’s skill, confidence and safety while driving in any situation.
www.audidrivingexperience.com
1-888-282-4872

BMW Performance Center Driving Schools
BMW offers a wide range of courses designed both for beginners seeking to build confidence and advanced drivers looking to master the art of performance driving.
www.bmwusa.com
1-888-345-4269

Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
Bondurant gives students the opportunity to drive a variety of vehicles depending on your needs, ranging from karts to open wheel formula style cars.
www.bondurant.com
1-800-842-RACE

Bobby Ore Motorsports High Performance Driver Training
This school offers numerous courses including advanced stunt driving, law enforcement training, counter terrorist driving, chauffeur training and defensive driving Bobby Ore style.
www.bobbyoresports.com
1-818-880-5678

Bragg-Smith Advanced Driving School, Inc.
Students go through extremely intense exercises that leave them with a new understanding of how to interact with a vehicle and all of the lapping sessions are done in ZO6 Corvettes.
www.bragg-smith.com
1-800-391-6891

Bridgestone Racing Academy
An intense racing school offering courses lasting a day up to their four-day race license course where after completion you receive your SCCA or CASC race license
www.race2000.com
1-905-983-1114

Buck Baker Racing School
Weather you are looking to turn some hot laps in Little E’s #8 or for a possible career in stock car racing this school will teach you what you need to know.
www.buckbaker.com
1-800-529-BUCK

California Drag Racing School
Offering classes in Super Street, Super Comp, Alcohol Funny Cars and Dragsters, California Drag Racing School will give you all the training you need to fulfill your drag racing dream.
www.californiadragracingschool.com
1-661-250-2982

California Superbike School
The California Superbike School is all about cornering. They offer a step-by-step method for training riders in the exact skills of cornering motorcycles.
www.superbikeschool.com
1-323-224-2734

Car Guys
This course is designed to help better understand your vehicle, give you advanced driving experience you can’t safely get on the public highways, and to increase your enjoyment of driving.
www.carguys.com
1-800-800-4897

Cory Kruseman’s Sprint Car Driving School
Designed to give the Sprint Car fan an opportunity of a lifetime, this school offers basic, intermediate, advanced, and corporate classes along with rides in a two-seat sprint car.
www.kruseman.com
1-805-649-1243

Dale Jarrett Racing Adventure
Not only do you get to play on some of the smaller NASCAR tracks but at this school you can play at California and Talladega Super Speedways.
www.drivingadventure.com
1-888-GO-RACE-1

Danny McKeever’s Fast Lane Racing School
You have seen them at the Long Beach G.P., but now you can drive the same cars used in the Toyota Pro /Celebrity Race along with learning driving techniques that will last a life time.
www.raceschool.com
1-888-948-4888

Dave Blaney’s Outlaw Driving Experience
Designed for the advanced racer or the first time driver who wants to experience the thrill of Winged Outlaw Sprint Cars with speeds that can reach in excess of 120 M.P.H.
www.daveblaneyoutlawexp.com

DIRT Driving Experience
For those that like to play in the dirt, this school tosses you behind the wheel of a DIRT Modified race car and uses 27 different tracks throughout the east coast.
www.dirtmotorsports.com
1-315-834-6606

Doug Foley’s Drag Racing School
You can choose between a super comp (dragster), or a super gas (door car) to drive or take rides in, you can even bring your own car and learn how to properly drive it down the _ mile.
www.dougfoley.com
1-800-485-4746

Driving 101
One of, if not the only, open wheel school that says you can reach that magical 200 M.P.H. as long as you have the green. They also offer numerous experiences depending on your interest.
www.driving101.com
1-877-DRIVE-101

Drivetech Racing School
Along with the usual schools offering a range of ovals to choose from, Drivetech also offers classes at a road course, Willow Springs International Motorsports Park
www.drivetech.com
1-800-678-8864

Evolution Performance Driving School
Evolution is an autocross driving school offering a number of different programs designed to improve the skills of all drivers, both on the road and the track.
www.evoschool.com/
1-407-889-7207

Fast Track High Performance Driving School
The Fast Track program puts you behind the wheel of Winston Cup style stock cars, some of which have competed on the racing circuit, for a thrill of a lifetime.
www.fasttrackracing.com
1-704-455-1700

Frank Hawley’s NHRA Drag Racing School
Training many of today’s top drag racers this school offers everything: Super Comp and Gas, Pro Stock Bikes, and the ultimate 200 plus M.P.H. alcohol cars.
www.frankhawley.com
1-909-622-2466

Frank Kinsey Racing School
If you’re interested in Motorcycle Racing or just going fast, Kinsey offers instruction and events for licensed road racers, beginning through advanced, and performance street riders.
www.kinseyracingschool.com
1-321-267-4787

Freddie Spencer’s High Performance Riding School
Taught by World Champion Freddie Spencer, this school teaches techniques that apply to novice riders who want to improve their street riding or to racers who dream of winning championships.
www.fastfreddie.com
1-888-672-7219

Ivor Wigham’s European Rally and Performance Driving School
Dedicated to giving you the best driving that you have ever had, they guarantee you will be doing four wheel drifts, Scandinavian flicks, hand brake turns and power slides just like the guys in WRC.
www.gorally.com
1-877-U-RALLYE

Jim Hall Kart Racing School
The longest-running kart racing school in America at the only paved beachside road course in the U.S. where you can experience wheel-to-wheel racing in sprint or shifter karts.
www.jhrkartracing.com
1-805-654-1329

Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
Russell Racing offers a full spectrum of open wheel racing courses, karting classes, driving courses and group adventures all at one of racing’s most spectacular settings, Infineon Raceway.
www.jimrussellusa.com
1-800-733-0345

Johan Schwartz Endurance Karting
The goal of Endurance Karting is to provide racing enthusiasts with the opportunity to experience real wheel-to-wheel racing on the track, using high-quality equipment.
www.endurancekarting.com
1-866-722-3669

Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School
The Kevin Schwantz Suzuki School is designed for riders of virtually all ability levels from novice to expert and will teach you the skills to become a more confident, safer and faster rider.
www.schwantzschool.com
1-800-849-RACE

KRC Racing Schools
Whether you want to achieve a career in auto racing or you just want to be a better driver, KRC Racing schools offers courses and programs that will help you achieve your goals.
www.krcracingschools.com
1-877-KRC4FUN

Monster Racing Excitement
First you must choose between a Nextel Cup, Busch, or NASCAR Super Truck then decide if you want to race at Nashville Superspeedway or the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway.
www.monsterracing.com
1-800 GO-TO-WIN

Panoz Racing School
The Panoz Racing School focuses on active, dynamic racing, giving students the skills and ability they will need to pursue a racing career or hobby upon their completion of the course.
www.panozracingschool.com
1-888-282-4872

Porsche Driving Experience
Like the name says, all you drive at this school is Porsches. Either 911’s, Boxster’s, and even Cayenne’s but with prices starting above $1,500 this school might be out of reach for some.
www.porschedriving.com
1-888-204-7474

RacingSchools.com
Founded in 1996, RacingSchools.com represents more than 50 of the best auto racing and high performance driving school operators worldwide. They are the unquestioned leader in group racing events and gift certificates.
www.racingschools.com
1-866-941-3877

Richard Petty Driving Experience
You all know the name now you can race at his school, in his car around tracks like Talladega, The Brickyard, California, Bristol and even Daytona.
www.1800bepetty.com
1-800-BE-PETTY

Rotary Rockets Race Series
The Rotary Rockets is a private, arrive and drive series that is designed to allow all racecar drivers, a unique opportunity to compete and gain seat time in a sophisticated racecar.
www.rotaryrockets.com
1-630-585-5579

Roy Hill’s Drag Racing School
Housing the largest collection of drag racing vehicles in the country, Roy Hill’s school immerses you in drag racing the minute you arrive and it doesn’t stop until you leave.
www.royhillsdragracingschool.com
1-336-498-7964

Skip Barber Racing School
There is too much to list about what Skip Barber has to offer. But if you are serious about getting into racing, this is the first place you need to look.
www.skipbarber.com
1-800-221-1131

Speed Tech Auto Racing Schools
What you learn here will give you power on and off the track. SpeedTech will put you into a state-of-the-art professional race car and show you what life looks like at 160 mph.
www.tospeed.com
1-877-80SPEED

Stock Car Racing Experience
This school offers a thrilling opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Stock Car on an enormous 2.5-mile Tri-Oval, Pocono International Speedway.
www.877stockcar.com
1-877-768-2522

Team O’Neil Rally School and Car Control Center
Here you can learn everything you would need to know to go out and start a professional Rally career, as long as you have the time and the money.
www.team-oneil.com
1-603-444-4488

Western Adventures 4X4 Driving School
At this school you will learn the basics of off-highway driving along with what tools, gear and equipment you will need to make you adventure a fun one.
www.4westernadventures.com/driving-school.html
1-760-789-1563

Racing Ready realizes this is an extensive, long list post, with so much to review. So, go ahead & take your time. Just bookmark it as a browser favorite for your future reference.

Motor Trend is responsible for this content – it is being posted here as a service for you to use as research. Enjoy, learn & have fun – GO RACE!

Dan

Circuit of The Americas, Formula1 Austin USGP, Racing Ready

Will Buxton Puts Up – Gets Formula Racer Run

August 5, 2013 Dan

The Buxton Blog, all things motorsport
through the eyes of WillTheF1Journo

Renowned Formula 1 pit lane reporter Will Buxton (currently on staff at NBC Sports Network) tells it like it is on his most recent series on his blog: Put up or shut up… Part 1

This is Part 1 (of a 3 part compilation) of Will Buxton’s adventurous foray into learning about entry into the European Formula series of racing. It was his desire to jump at the chance to get behind the wheel of a proper racing single seater, getting his racing license & all that is needed. Below is the video (it’s Part 3) demonstrating Will’s encouraging progress to advance his Formula 4 car faster. It shows that, the faster you go, the faster you can go. You gotta love the aerodynamics factor of racing car downforce!

After this third entry of Will’s series & which was the above video, I was moved to post this comment on Will’s blog:

Will,

Thank you for posting this video & series of your entry to the world of the Formula racing ladder. Those of us on the other side of the pond appreciate your candor & wit, just like you demonstrated with us during your Karoke fundraiser gig in Austin, Texas last November. I was the one who sang Englebert Humperdinck’s, “After The Lovin’ ”, which even inspiring you to dance, somewhat.

Anyway, your comments & content are the seeds of what I’ve be trying to pursue through my vicarious blogging on http://RacingReady.com. I plan to paraphrase a summation of your content , to also include your blog’s links of this ‘Put up or Shut up…’ series, in a future Racing Ready blog post. I’m sure it will be an inspiration to my readership, as it has been to me.

Now, GO RACE!

Racing Ready Dan

Here’s a bit about how I know Will Buxton. Just prior to last November’s inaugural Formula 1 race in Austin, Texas, I participated in Austin’s FOTA Fan Forum. Multiple F1 drivers, team principals & broadcast personnel were there for us to listen to and ask many questions of. It was a unique experience, one of the highlights of my weekend. I was here I first met Will Buxton, in person.

I was even able to obtain Will Buxton’s autograph! He signed atop of his published article in the December 2012 issue of GP International:

Two nights later, Will had organized (with The Austin Grand Prix‘s great help) a Karaoke fundraiser at downtown Austin’s Irish Pub, Fado. We all had a great time & I even put in my Karaoke 2 cents to vie for the TW Steel watch prize. I was inspiring Will to dance… 🙂 Will (who acted as MC) & The Austin Grand Prix worked together to raise $2,135.25 for Meals on Wheels and more. Here’s a couple of candid shots of Will (& me) “performing”…

So, as you can see, Will Buxton is a mufti-faceted & talented individual. Will may not remember me or Racing Ready. But, I am honored that his activities (besides his stellar Formula 1 pit land & paddock reporting) were a part of what made the first Formula 1 Austin USGP at Circuit of The Americas (CoTA) especially memorable for me!

Back to this Formula 4 racer run. Racing Ready truly sees this path that Will Buxton is venturing on as one way to go from wannabe to racer…!

Dan

P.S. – Want to get racing?

Learn how you can take your ARDS (Association of Racing Drivers Schools) with Jonathan Palmer’s Motor Sport Vision at some of Britain’s finest race venues, here. Follow in the footsteps of what Will Buxton has achieved!

Racing Ready

Spectre 341 Challenge: Thrilling, Fast & Twisty Uphill Run

July 29, 2013 Dan

Although this solitary piece of road in Nevada, called Route 341, is less than half the length of the Tail of the Dragon (which is 11 miles long), it may be just as challenging & runs faster! This is a twisty hill climb route, 5.2-miles long, that encourages a wide-open-throttle up the Nevada State Route 341. Here they run the annual event called the Spectre 341 Challenge. It runs through the rocky hills about 20 minutes east of the state capital of Carson City.

Here’s AutoWeek’s video take on this event:

Here’s an excerpt from the first year of this event’s teaser page:

The Speed by Spectre 341 Challenge is a rare opportunity to drive flat-out on some of the most aggressive and challenging mountain roads in the country, without the worry of oncoming traffic or law enforcement. The course is 5.2 miles long with 22+ turns, a 1,216-foot rise in elevation, steep drop offs and no guardrails! Vehicles must be street-legal and registered. Tires must be DOT legal with at least 3/32? tread depth and a minimum 100 tread wear rating.

Read more about this at AutoWeek’s article.

This is EXTREME road racing, not for the faint of heart. Would this be something you would consider? Hmmm… Well, it’s now on the Racing Ready bucket list! 🙂
Also enjoy our top 5 folding bikes list.

Dan

Racing Ready

Is Today’s Formula 1 Ready for Competitive Female Racers, Like Susie Wolff?

July 22, 2013 Dan

Well, as we speak there are multiple women (Simona De Silvestro, Ana Beatriz, Katherine Legge, Milka Duno & Pipa Mann) holding their own in IndyCar. Some race full-time, some are part-time. Also, consider Danica Patrick who is eking out her racing career existence full-time in NASCAR.

But what about Formula 1? Is it at such a high level of physical, mental & competitive strain, that women racers avoid it? Not so regarding Scottish female F1 development driver for Team Williams, Susie Wolff.

Here’s a little video snippet of recent history regarding Susie & her challenge to break into the male-dominated Formula 1 racing driver ranks.

Read this latest article from July 19, 2013 – Susie Wolff: Williams driver pleased with F1 test debut

Here’s additional recent news – Susie Wolff says her pace justifies Williams Formula 1 test chance

Long road for female F1 drivers – Susie Wolff

Here’s the opinion of Sir Stirling Moss, 82, who is widely regarded as the greatest driver never to have won the F1 world championship. (He competed in Formula 1 from 1948 to 1962, & won 194 of 497 races entered!)

Sir Stirling Moss says women lack mental aptitude for Formula 1

There were other women racers given the opportunity to compete in as drivers in Formula 1. But we have heard so little or none about them.

Maria Teresa de Filippis – 5 races (1958-69), 3 starts – 0 points
Lella Lombardi – 17 races (1974-76), 12 starts – 0.5 points
Divina Galica – 3 races (1976 & 78), 0 starts (did not qualify)
Desire Wilson – 1 race (1980), 0 starts (did not qualify)
Giovanna Amati – 3 races (1992), 0 starts (did not qualify)

I want to quote respected Formula 1 pit lane reporter for NBC SPORTS Network, Will Buxton (willthef1journo). Here’s an excerpt from Will’s Buxton Blog :

The dated opinions of the past generations on topics such as this should be left where they belong: in the past. Dragging them up for a quick headline surely stands to do the issue of gender equality in racing more harm than good, merely serving to remind people of an antiquated view which is no longer representative of the modern face of racing, whilst also serving to take a cheap shot at a legend of this sport.

A bit of perspective is needed here. Stirling’s was not it. And it was never going to be.

Racing Ready wants to know what you think about the female gender racing with their peers in Formula 1. Would you want to watch & follow them challenge the male F1 driver status quo?

Dan