New Jersey BMW CCA

Is there a class for adults. My wife is great at looking forward to anticipate issues and working the brakes efficiently when she is in the passenger seat but the skills don't seem to transfer to the driver seat for her.

Is there a street survival type experience for adults that teaches the dynamics, etc but is short of a HPDE?

Thanks, Bill

Bill,

Yes! Our autocross program includes most of the skills taught in street survival. If it rains; we have a skid pad too.

Mark

If she's up for a trip. National also spponsors a great trip to the Vehicle Performance Center for ladies that includes a day of car control and a spa day or two. They drive the latest models including Ms on the skid pad and track then use the Center's cars to drive to Asheville. Not sure when/if Jackie Becheck is leading another trip, but she has a dedicated following. If she's not running a trip, the VPC runs really great classes with their vehicles continously.

This subject has come up more than a few times in the past. Yes, it would be a great program to do, but getting a location to do it, money to pay for that, plus the volunteers make it a big project. I am not sure if I would want my neighbors wife signing up for a autocross to learn car control for the first time, not a good thing.

Autocross is fine for mature drivers. I wouldn't recommend for a permitted driver. Obviously autocross doesn't take the place of a skid pad or a professional program but it does provide an opportunity to learn, and practice, skills which may save your life one day.

Every driver should come to an autocross.

Mark

This is something I am very interested in seeing happen. I am glad this was brought up again publicly. We will discuss an adult car control clinic amongst the chapter board and see what we can come up with. Great idea and we will do our best to make it a reality.

Jeff C.
President - NJBMWCCA

MY wife don't know it yet, but I'll sign her up for this type of class

Dave

I would like to get on the 'interested' list. My wife is willing to give it a shot and suggested that our daughter (21) also attend as perhaps this would give the deer a fighting chance.

Mary has also shown interest in this too.

Hey, all. I saw this post the other day and I'm glad to see it has some interest...

During the 90s, NJ BMWCCA used to run the "car control clinic" each summer. It was open to all drivers with a valid license and if they brought their own car (regardless of make or model), and they did not have to be a CCA member. On Sunday, I just was telling my student about bringing my friends from school and all of us had a blast as students (around 1993-95).

The format was almost exactly like the TR Street Survival, and I remember at least once when we were able to score a fire truck for a skidpad. But I definitely agree with Bob's point about funding with no sponsor(s), and finding volunteers (considering that we now run two TR SS schools).

For years now I've been telling people about our club and many times they have asked me if there was an "adult" version of the street survival, because they did not want to go to a race track for HPDE.

If the board considered a vote on this possibility, I'd totally be up for instructing.

Point to consider... could entrance fee be set to mitigate cost of lunch and renting an adequate parking lot? Even at $30 pp and assuming 40 enrolled people, I'm not sure how far $1,200 could go and the differential that the club would have to cover.

I would be ınterested ın thıs kınd of course. One for my wıfe and I could use a good brushıng up. Even at 50 dollars lıke the autox fee, ıt would be well worth the cost. I know ınsurance companıes gıve dıscounts for a Defensıve drıvıng course, perhaps thıs could be a sellıng poınt and a source for sponsors

currencydog wrote:I know ınsurance companıes gıve dıscounts for a Defensıve drıvıng course, perhaps thıs could be a sellıng poınt and a source for sponsors

It is my understanding that in NJ, only approved defensive driving courses will be eligible for a discount on your car insurance. For a new driver, there is the "behind-the-wheel" training. But as far as I know, for experienced drivers there is only the classroom instruction (which can reduce 2 points from your NJMVC license and may also give you an insurance discount).

I think this is a great idea. I don't know if I would be able to persuade my wife or daughter to do it, but I would certainly try.

Matthew

I had no idea there would be this much interest when I wrote the original post. I don't have the skills to be an instructor but I'd definitely be willing to help out.

Thanks, Bill

Yes, the closest I've found is DriveSafer (https://www.drivesafer.com/). It is very similair to the TRSS program but costs a heck of a lot more.