Hi Chad...
I think Steve and I probably did our real racing around the same
time/era.....I'd have to say "ditto" on everything he said to you.
Since you are in Seattle, have you checked to see if the Dane Pitarresse
(sp?) School at Portland International is still operating? I used to
instruct there when he first started but have not talked to or heard from
him in a couple years (though I did hear he was at the run-offs this year
running the crew for Duane Davis). PIR is a great track for a
beginner....fast, hard to negotiate and extremely lots of room to exit the
black stuff! He used to let you do his schools in a "rental car." But
maybe all the rental car companies at Portland International got on to him?
LOL.....
Even though I work at Infineon every day and I'm pretty close to all the
Russell management, I'd pass on doing a Russell school unless you want to go
racing. Because of the difficulty of Infineon, they are pretty docile with
regard to their "non-racer" schools. Not much "free lapping" time....lots
of classroom and following the leader around at 50 mph (he in a van, you in
a dinker open wheeler). All of that means B.O.R.I.N.G! They did experiment
with a "Stockcar Road Racing School" a month ago......using GTA cars. But,
it was for people who already had a competition racing license and wanted to
get some seat time in a stock car on a road course. (((PS: I didn't say
any of the above to you....right? LOL....I think Ken Ude would kill me!
LOL)))
I think Bondurant is you best choice......I was invited down for a day to
"play" in the Cads when he first got them! Way too much fun! He's also got
a track/facility that is huge....lots of choices for road course configs and
all safe as hell! Better weather there too, than all the others.....this
time of year.
As far as Skip B. stuff.....word is Laguna is closing (selling off equipment
and filing for Bankruptcy) and also the Derek Daly school at Las Vegas is
"selling off equipment." Skip them both........you know what the first
thing to skimp on when you are a racing school short on cash is, don't you?
Yep....maintenance on the cars!
Since you've already done the "karts" thang......you'll not get much
satisfaction out of any of the east coast open wheel schools,
IMHO.......similar feel/experience to the karts.
Bondurant in those racey Cads......that's the ticket! And Bob is still
active daily in his schools.....that's worth it just on its own!
Hope this helps....??
Take care,
Tom
