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Evolution Performance Driving School
Phase I and II
December 15, 2007
 Well, here I am. The tech inspection is complete. The driver's briefing is concluded. The course walk has become familiar. My earplugs are in and my helmet is on. The top is down and secure. The cabin heat is on full. Juanis is fired up and I am number one out of the box on the Phase I class of the Evolution Performance Driving School.
I'm looking past the starting time line to a six cone slalom and on to a 450 degree clockwise circle. Will I find my way on the course? Will I miss a gate? Can I remember the tutelage from the October course? What will my Solstice GXP feel like today at 36F and 3200 feet of elevation? Can I demonstrate any level of proficiency today. Will I clip a cone?
I can feel the other course participants are taking notes as I open the throttle. Now, I'm settled in. Turn early on the first cone--"back side early is your reference." Now, on to the next one in the slalom. I note that the track moves as it might appear in slow motion, cone three, four and on. Now, brake for the circle, slow down hard for your turn, right turn set the steering wheel, look across the circle, keep it in tight, constant speed, get you eyes off the hood, look for the exit gate, unwind your steering wheel, open your throttle for speed.
Aim throught the gate to the lead cone on the sweep turn. Plan to cross the cones, touch the brakes to load the front axle, set your steering wheel and drive through the sweep turn. Lots of time, look for the next gate and on to the close pivot cone element. Plan ahead for the Chicago Box. The Solstice is quick and sure-footed. The course surface feels like a meadow of marbles. A quick in and out of the box to the six-cone wall element. I can feel my hips slide across my seat between the console and the door. Navigate quickly with precision to the next six-cone wall element and dash to the finishing time line. Lay on the brakes, hard. WOW, I'm ready for this day!
Elapsed time: 44 seconds - I can smell the tires. Instructor's comment: "Keep working, Juanis; this Sol has more in it than you think."
After 25 passes on the school's course that day my technique and my style improved to record a course time just a shade more than 39 seconds. Home to rest, refuel, recall and review following a busy day.
 On the second day, Phase II, of the school the idea is to relax and drive your car. The school course is longer with more distance between elements. Drivers may have the luxury of time to consider each course element as a separate entity. Times are not recorded and clipping of cones is permitted as part of the learning experience. Frequent changes in the course route make for a challenge to one's memory. Reversing direction through a course element removes the one sided bias endemic in navigating same side turns. Appreciating visual cues outside the automobile to assist in one's planning of approaches to course elements precludes tunneling vision. Verbalizing plans of action improves focus on tasks at hand.
Of course, watching your fellow students tip over cones provides ample opportunity for one to master the "tip up cone" technique early in the day. The style and grace of the students markedly improve later in the morning sessions. One could stand at attention during their respective "course cone duty" assignment in the afternoon and not touch a cone.
The training is long, well paced, and taylored to your abilities. The instruction is a nice beginning for your auto cross driving adventures. The experience is a good foundation for your driving skill set. Your fullest attention is required for this two day event. And, like me, you will be wonderfully exhausted by the close of the school.
Additional Reading:
In closing, thanks to all the Sky and Solstice drivers that bugged Juanis into taking this course. It was really a treat.
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