How to learn to drive (well)?

[Turf1600]

canyon runs

[hank_bukowski]

thanks for the tips and som of you guys ned to quit hatin

[//MPower]

Like everyone said, go to an AutoX.

Ask an experienced driver to ride along and give you pointers. Controling a slide will come naturally once you are comfortable with driving near the edge.

[eric (^__^)]

Secrets of Solo Racing by Henry A Watts is a pretty ok book

not organized very well and mine is missing some pages but it's a good place to start

never grab the inside of the wheel.

[atomic]

autox is the best way to learn to be smooth and fast. you will learn more car control on an autox course then a track. start there and youll realize you only thought you were a good driver. youll pick it up fast however

How old are you? Depending on your age I'd recommend a street survival school for teens.

Autocross is the best place to start out at. Excellent for learning car control, low speed enough that you're not going to screw anything up when you lose it. From there it's track days.

A good DVD I found is Skippy B's:

http://www.amazon.com/Skip-Barber-Faster-Racing-School/dp/B0006A9I2A

Any of the book by Ross Bentley are also excellent.

-Charlie

Those are excellent tips. How are those dick comments ?

If you do not fair with those tips try www.e30tech.com out. PLENTY OF INFORMATION THERE REGARDING YOUR QUESTIONS...

[VacMan]

You don't happen to have a myspace account by any chance?

[mikejungle]

thanks to those that didn't assume I wanted to show off to my friends and look cool in my "bIMmErzZ", and actually posted useful comments. i wasn't calling everyone a dick, and I apologize that I was unclear about that.

I just want to be a better driver and have more fun while driving.

[GaryE30]

I think the age comment wasn't to degrade you, it was to see if you are eligible for the lower driver skill classes which are considerably cheaper than a full on driving school.

[george graves]

i wasn't calling everyone a dick, and I apologize that I was unclear about that.

So who were you calling a dick?

[Mulholland]

Go buy "Dirft Bible" ... make sure to attempt things like dynamic drifts, and feint drifts your first time out like everyone does after playing video games.

also play video games like "tokyo extreme racer:zero" to learn high speed manuevering.

Both of these options are affordable and sound PERFECT for your situation. :p

[Jean]

Start here - http://www.scca.com/home.aspx

Make sure your car is in good mechanical condition, from tires, to brakes to cooling to safety (seats/belts) and nothing is loose.

Rent a helmet, pay your $25-35 fee and have fun.

Once you do this a couple of times, look into local HPDE events. You'll be provided with instructor, lunch, instructions and about 2-3 solid hours of driving in a safe environment. Your car will need to pass tech. inspection before you'll be allowed to attend.

[AndrewBird]

low speed enough that you're not going to screw anything up when you lose it.

Not necessarily true. A guy in the local car club managed get his MK1 Rabbit to OVERSTEER then proceeded to roll the car. Drove the thing home afterwards, but it was totaled.

I will add to read about vehicle dynamics. Learn as much as you can about handle and how cars react to different situations. Basically, the learn the mechanics of handling before trying anything.

[george graves]

A guy in the local car club managed get his MK1 Rabbit to OVERSTEER then proceeded to roll the car.

What was the story behind that? I assume you saw it? I would imagine super sticky tires and some insane offset that some VW guy like to run might make for a nasty combo??? No curbs or anything involved?

[Kate325is]

Just watch Tokyo Drift over and over.

[808BMW]

Well even though autocrossing is low speed and meant to be as safe as possible, it is still racing and shit can happen.

Try to talk to the other drivers and ask for tips and stuff, most of the guys I meet are really friendly and always willing to talk technique.
I started autocrossing after having my e30 for about 4.5 years so I already had a pretty good feel for my car, its a good place to really push the limit. And beating evo's/sti's/elises/ferraris in your e30 becomes fun...
Until you lose to a busted old crx or hatchback (or maybe even a pink miata)

Next month I'm hunting an ariel atom that someone local supposedly bought :evil: