GVC's 98th Ultimate Driving School! 

Our driving schools offer personalized high-quality in-car and classroom instruction on the art and science of high-performance driving to students at all skill levels. When you register, you assign yourself to a "run group". Run groups at this school include Novice (Group 4), Intermediate (Group 3), Advanced (Group 2), Group S (Group 1), and Instructors (Group 0). Each run group is limited to under 40 drivers (typically 35 or less). The student registrar reviews your selection and makes a final assignment based primarily on driver experience and prior evaluations (if any), and secondarily on vehicle performance. Reassignments may also be made during the school at the request of your instructor in order to place you in the optimal group for your skill and pace. Track sessions for each group are on a rolling schedule. Between your track sessions and mandatory classroom meetings, you'll have time to work on your car and socialize with your fellow driving enthusiasts.

Except for Group 1, which is led by a small team of specialized coaches, you will be pre-assigned a personal driving instructor for the weekend to work with you from the passenger seat of your car. Your instructor is also expected to take you out during one or more instructor track sessions to demonstrate the techniques being taught to you. Classroom sessions for each run group are taught by a senior instructor, and are focused on topics relevant to your experience level.

Weekend Format

Friday: 

• Open trackday for Instructors and Group S
• "Novice Track Day": NTD is GVC'sspecial one-day school for beginners (<3 track days). We limit NTD to no more than 25 drivers to minimize traffic. Format is similar to our two-day school on Saturday and Sunday, with 4 half-hour track sessions with personal in-car instruction intermingled with classroom sessions that emphasize basic concepts and skills for the first-time track driver. The cool thing about NTD is that it's an economical way to try out the sport without the expense of overnight lodging, meals, and extended time away from family and/or work.
• But wait, there's more! Beginners interested in accelerating their learning curve may register for the “Big Weekend” option, extending NTD to all three days!

Saturday and Sunday:

• Group 4: Novice (D; SLIP* L1). Drivers with 0 – 4 previous driving schools
• Group 3: Intermediate (C, less experienced B; SLIP L2 – L3)
• Group 2: Advanced (experienced B, A; SLIP L3 – L4)
• Group 1: Group S (SLIP L4 and up)
• Group 0: Instructors (Expert; SLIP L5 and up)

*SLIP (Skill Level Instruction Program) is a standardized system for evaluating and tracking a student's HP driving skills. BMW CCA HPDE programs are increasingly adopting this system to make it easier for students to receive the appropriate level of instruction they need to improve their driving. More information about SLIP is available by downloading this document: SLIP Criteria 2016.pdf

Track Schedule

• Track goes “green” at 8:30 AM; final checker at 4:30 PM each day unless otherwise specified.
• Lunch break from 12 – 1 PM each day.
• Weekend track sessions (per day, 25 min. each; note that the number and length of track sessions are based upon ideal track conditions. Breakdowns and other situations may require changes in the schedule, which are unavoidable):
  • Group 1 (GS): Five sessions, with the option to pay for additional track sessions with Group 2 or instructors ($50 per session, pay at event; space permitting). 
  • Groups 2, 3 and 4: Four sessions
  • Instructors: Three sessions minimum, plus additional sessions combined with Group S (space permitting*) 

*Note: the number of instructors in combined sessions will be limited to avoid over-crowding. Students have priority.

Group Exercises

• Organized group driving exercises are done for the first ten minutes in one or more sessions each day, typically at somewhat reduced speeds for safety.
• Exercises, such as close-quarters (side-by-side) lapping, pair-wise passing, trail-braking, and off-line passing in corners, are intended to improve passing skills, traffic awareness, and driving line flexibility.

Classroom

• Groups 2 – 4 attend three 30-45 minute-long run group classroom sessions each day, led by a senior instructor
• Group 1 drivers attend two sessions in the classroom each day, facilitated by the Group 1 coaches, as well as invited special guests. Topics may include group debriefing after a track session, the application of advanced driving techniques, data acquisition and analysis for skill improvement, and other topics of interest to the group.

Bonus Features (complimentary unless otherwise noted)

• GVC Driver’s Resource Center: Helpful advice and assistance for all participants and guests.
• Event shirts for all drivers and instructors.
• After-hours socials at the track both Friday and Saturday, open to all participants and guests.
• Tire and performance parts auctions courtesy of our generous sponsors.
• Friendly and helpful staff to make this your “Ultimate Driving School”.

*Group S

Group S is open only to highly skilled, experienced drivers who have previously been checked out and approved for the Group. First-time admission to Group S requires a checkout by the Group S coaches. Once admitted to Group S, GS drivers in good standing may freely register thereafter for future GVC HPDE’s without need for checkout.

If you wish to be admitted to Group S, you MUST register using the "Group S checkout" option.  This is a three-day registration option limited to 5-6 drivers. Checkout is typically done sometime on Friday morning after you've had a little time to warm up on track. At registration, checkout drivers are initially assigned to Group 2 (Advanced) so that they will have an assigned instructor for the weekend should they not pass checkout. If checkout is successful, the student is promoted to Group 1 for the remainder of the weekend, and is automatically pre-approved to register for Group S at future events. Those who do not pass checkout remain in Group 2 for Saturday and Sunday.

Approved Group S drivers are offered the following registration options:

Two-day school: Saturday and Sunday only

Friday add-on option: For those looking for a 3-day weekend. Requires Sat-Sun registration option above.

Two-day school: Friday and Saturday

One-day school: Friday only

Please visit the GVC website for complete details about our HP driving schools, including the Group S application procedure:
http://gvc-bmwcca.org/What_is_a_Driving_School

Registration and Fees:

• Members: GVC chapter members are afforded highest priority for slots at our events, followed by BMW CCA members from other chapters.
• Non-Members:  Non-members are charged an additional $100 above member fees, and are last to be accepted from a waiting list. GVC will use $48 of the non-member fee pay for a one-year new (or renewed) membership in BMW CCA. Join the club today to avoid the $100 non-member surcharge! http://bmwcca.org/index.php?pageid=new_member
• Registration after the deadline is only possible by special arrangement, and only if there are still slots available (call or email the Registrar: registrar@gvc-bmwcca.org).
  
• Fees
• Advanced (Group 2), Intermediate (Grp 3), Novice weekend students (Grp 4): $510 (two-day school, 4-5 track sessions/day). Non-members: $610
• Group S checkout applicants: $695 (Friday-Sunday). Attend Friday for checkout ride. Those failing checkout remain in Group 2 (Advanced), refunded/credited $150 for Friday. BMW CCA members ONLY.
• Novice students (Group 4): BMW CCA members ONLY
• Novice Track Day: $310 (4 track sessions, classroom, after-hours social).
• "Big Weekend" (Friday - Sunday) option: $670.
• Group S (Solo); members ONLY:  
• Group S drivers: $550 (two-day school, 5-6 track sessions)
• Friday open-track add-on option: $210.
• Group S (two day) Friday open track and Saturday school: $590.
• Group S Friday open-track ONLY: $310
• Instructors (includes shared garage access for the weekend): 
• Friday - Sunday: $100. Includes Friday Orientation Day, minimum 3 sessions each day Sat and Sun.
• Fri - Sun., sharing a vehicle: $50
• Sat - Sun only (no open track): $50

"Bring a Friend" Discount

Any registered driver or instructor who brings a “new to GVC” friend to the track as a school participant will receive either a $75 credit for use at any future GVC event, OR exclusive use of half a garage bay for the weekend.

Cancelations:

• Fees may be refunded or credited toward a future GVC Driving School if cancelation occurs before the registration deadline. .
• No refund or credit after the registration deadline unless we can fill your run group slot with another driver.

Accommodations

The host hotel is the historic Seneca Lodge (http://www.senecalodge.com/) located at the upper entrance to beautiful Watkins Glen State Park off NY 329. The Lodge is famous for its food and racing heritage. The bar is notable for its collection of over 70 years of racing memorabilia, as well as an extensive selection of fine legal beverages. Another favorite place to stay close to the track is the Falls Motel in nearby Montour Falls. http://www.thefallsmotel.com. These lodgings fill quickly, so make reservations early. 

Camping at the track: Not available at this event.

Off-site camping: Available in Watkins Glen State Park and at other private campgrounds.

Many other lodging options are available in Watkins Glen, from cozy bed-and-breakfasts to the luxurious Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.

For more information, please consult our website: http://gvc-bmwcca.org/Info_About_Watkins_Glen 

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