2014 Ford Fiesta ST
We think every performance-car buyer should go to driving school. And we’re not talking about the type that the judge sentences you to for speeding. What we’re talking about is a high-performance driving class that teaches you how to tap a vehicle’s true performance. Such schools usually cost thousands, but a few carmakers offer an advanced education for free when you purchase one of their vehicles.
Ford ST Octane Academy
Buy a 2014 Ford Focus ST or Fiesta ST and you get a one-day school at Ford’s ST Octane Academy at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. You’ll have to spring for getting there. The course starts with 30 minutes in a classroom, then proceeds to braking exercises (including handbrake turns into a parking box) and negotiating the autocross-like course at the wheel of a Ford ST hatch. On-track sessions include “lead-follow” (student follows an instructor around the track), driving with the instructor, and riding along while the instructor takes you on a hot lap. With eight to ten dates available each month, there are plenty of opportunities to get maximum heat out of Ford’s hot hatches.
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe
Chevrolet Corvette Owners School
This one isn’t totally free, but if you buy a new Corvette Stingray, Chevy will cover 60 percent of your tuition for a two-day course at the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School. The course costs $1000, after the discount, and includes a one-night stay at a track-side condo; you’re still on your own for getting to the track. Open to all skill levels, the course is offered at Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Pahrump, Nevada. The school consists of classroom sessions as well as on-track car-control exercises, visual-skill development, and cornering techniques. For an extra $1150 you can extend the course to three days. Or if you’re more experienced, you can get the reduced rate on an advanced class.
2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat
SRT Track Experience
The purchase of any Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep SRT vehicle includes the SRT Track Experience. It combines the spirit of a club get-together with a one-day road-course class including basic driving dynamics (braking/throttle/steering), one-on-one racing, and even the chance to learn how to drag-race using a real Christmas tree. Tracks include Daytona, Lime Rock, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Road America, Virginia International Raceway, and Watkins Glen.
2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR
Land Rover Experience Driving School
Leasing or purchasing a new Land Rover comes with a voucher to attend one of the “Owner’s Day” events held at the Land Rover Experience Driving School. Staged at exclusive and pricey resorts—such as the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, the Equinox in Vermont, and the Quail Lodge in California—the driving school offers the opportunity to learn how to use your Land Rover the way it was intended (and almost never is). If you prefer, you can bring your own Land Rover to flog.
2015 Jaguar F-type R coupe
Jaguar Performance Driving Academy
The Performance Driving Academy offers a free Level 1 course for U.S. buyers of its R, R-S, Ultimate, and Supersport models. In addition to classroom sessions and learning to brake and steer in emergencies, Level 1 includes an autocross, oval driving, and lead-follow driving with instructors in the XFR, XJR, XKR, and F-type R coupe. The Performance Driving Academy is offered at Monticello Motor Club in New York, Homestead Speedway in Florida, and Sonoma Raceway in California.
2015 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG 4MATIC coupe
AMG Driving Academy
Buying any Mercedes-Benz AMG, from the CLA45 AMG on up, gets you into the one-day Basic course at the AMG Academy. You get intense, 50-minute rotations of drag racing, skidpad, cornering technique, and use of the ABS brakes—all before lunch. After that, lead-follow rotations begin with an instructor ride-along and video of your track lap. A timed autocross wraps up the day. Vehicles on hand to sample include AMG’s CLA45, C63 Edition 507, CLS63 S-model 4MATIC, E63, SL63, and the SLS GT. AMG Academy courses are held at Circuit of the Americas, Lime Rock Park, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and Palm Beach International Raceway.
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