Wanted to let everyone know about a pretty cool track event coming up this fall. This is a chance to drive your Mini on a world class circuit at an event run by one of the best in the business - Phil Wicks Driving Academy. I did my first ever HPDE with Phil Wicks at Laguna and it was AWESOME!! Dropping into the Corkscrew with a train of Minis going flat out is an experience not to be missed! Here's the marketing copy: Driving Academy Event Wednesday, November 10, 2010 (1 day event) Monterey, CA Phil Wicks Driving Academy instruction for Novice, Intermediate, and Expert drivers * Fees are $350 per person. Drivers participate in their own cars and receive in-car and in-classroom instruction with certified instructors. Fees include Time Trials and on-track Solo I Autocross for qualified drivers. * This is the opportunity to learn from Phil Wicks, one of the world's leading experts in motorsports. He has driven, developed, and prepared Mini Coopers for the track for more than 50 years. Phil's activities have included stunt driving the original "Italian Job" movie starring Michael Caine (red Mini) and various British television series utilizing Mini Coopers. * Phil has taken his 50+ years experience and developed a curriculum to give you the opportunity to learn the capabilities of your car in a safe environment. The curriculum is graduated to meet the needs of the new MINI Cooper owner that has never been on a track to the most experienced "track day junkie"/racer. * Included in the day will be the following: * Phil Wicks Driving Academy for Novice, Intermediate and Expert drivers with in-car and classroom instruction provided for Novice and Intermediate. * Solo I Autocross for Intermediate drivers and graduates of Phil Wicks Driving Academy Novice curriculum. * North American MINI Cooper Challenge Time Trials Series for winners of Solo I Autocross and licensed racers. * Classic Mini Cooper Solo I Autocross and Time Trials. If you are interested, get in touch with PWDA soon as this will likely fill up fast. You can reach them at [email protected]. Registration form and more details here. This is Laguna Seca people! Do it!!!
Well you would know from bourgeois, Mr. Galleria Frappulatte. It is a bit pricey and mid-week, but it is also Laguna Seca and Minis only. So you gotta take the good with the bad.
Actually the price is not that bad for Laguna. I actually got excited till I saw the Wednesday part. That's the killer for me.
I had a chance to run Laguna last February with Jerry and Bob and a small handful of Minis. It's a great track. Wish I had fresh brakes and tires because I'd love to run it again.
Back in 1973 the track was actually on part of Ft Ord. As a young (relatively speaking) MP, we could go to any event that was going on, just by driving our patrol car in. It was really cool and I saw some great stuff there. Jim
Being that I'm from Salinas, we used to hike into Laguna from Reservation Rd. It was way more informal back then Now that it's a world class facility that is no longer tolerated.
Hey why not come up and just hang out for the day Jim? It may be a good turn out of MINIs. You can help me if someone breaks down...i.e. throws a belt or fouls spark plugs...etc.
That is something I would love to do, by alas it is a bit of a hike for me. Thanks for the offer, as I have fond memories of the area. Jim
Latest from Phil is that this may not happen as we don't have nearly enough confirmed entries. Three words: Laguna. Seca. Minis! Get off the fence and get on the list!!! Call 314-330-6449 asap!!
Yep first one I went to was $225.00 with a Dealership discount, I've had a great time and also received tons of track time at each and every event but I'm afraid he's getting to high for a one day event. Especially when you consider a two day NASA event is $350.00, now you don't get as many sessions in one day and each session is a bit shorter, but you do get more sessions overall.... .....of course I'll still go to the Phil Wicks at VIR because its a hoot running with all the other Minis!
His schools were really reasonable until he got into that racing mode. I don't know if he is still sponsoring MINI racing. If he isn't, then, why not back off the pricing of the schools? Laguna Seca is a great course, but too far from me, so I either go to Putnam Park or Mid Ohio for less than $400 for 2-day schools.
I lived minutes from Laguna Seca, am now only 2.5 hours. I would be all over this if it was two days, or maybe even on a Monday or a Friday. I was so pissed when Mini Cooper was the marquee car at the Historic race's a few years ago and we were all supposed to get on the track but they shut it down after only a few cars got on :mad5::incazzato: They owe me a few free laps :lol: