About this event
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The Fall GVC Ultimate Driving School is our last of the season, and it includes the Stan Parker Memorial BMW CCA Club Race, named in honor of a Chapter founder who was our driving school Chief Instructor for many years. Practices, qualifying, and races (sprint and enduro) are slotted in as a separate run group from the students and instructors. Watkins Glen is very popular and typically draws a great turnout of racers for this weekend (often over 70 cars), and the competition is always close and exciting.
Your hosts: The Genesee Valley Chapter has over 25 years of experience conducting HP driving schools at Watkins Glen, and is nationally recognized for its carefully structured, state-of-the-art, 2-day instructional program emphasizing skill development and safety.
Our highly trained and experienced in-car instructors coach participants at all skill levels, from first-time 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 confident and safe driver.
Format: Students are divided into different “run groups” according to prior experience, evaluations from previous schools (if any), and vehicle type. Each run group gets a minimum of 3 half-hour track sessions with in-car instruction (possibly 4 depending on enrollment) each day of the school. Between track sessions, students get classroom instruction in a lively and interactive environment appropriate for their skill level. Students also gain experience by riding with their instructors during the instructor track sessions.
Extensive written materials are provided to help prepare you and your vehicle prior to coming to the track.
Bonus Features:
· 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 covering the school schedule and curriculum, the layout of the track facilities, where to go for help, and how to prepare for the experience.
· 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: On Saturday after the track walk, we convene in the Kendall Garage to meet and mingle with other drivers, instructors, friends and family, while enjoying complimentary finger-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 unique school tech sticker for your car.
· 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!
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 waterfalls.
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. Make reservations early. Many other types of lodging can be found in Watkins Glen, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to the luxurious Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel (http://www.watkinsglenharborhotel.com/).
Camping
Camping is available free at the track for the Fall School only. Electrical hookup is available by special arrangement with WGI. The track is locked after 11 PM and there is security on-site. There are also many campsites in the area, including Watkins Glen State Park, one of the most scenic parks in New York.
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: $420 (US)
Non-members: $460 Join BMW CCA before registering to get the members pricing: http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=new_member
Novices: $320 members, $360 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. 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.
· 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. 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 and re-inspected.
Waivers: At the time of check-in at the event and when first entering the track, all participants will be requested to sign waivers of liability, one for the GVC and BMW CCA, and another for the track.
Helmet:
· A Snell-rated helmet (Snell 2000 or 2005, 'M' or 'SA', open or closed face) is required.
· 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.
