mulkio

Is it worth the money? Phase 1 and 2 are being offered in my area in late march.
$500 for both or $275 for one phase. Please share your thoughts/ experence.
http://www.omrscca.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5557#5557

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

I did a Phase 1 back in the spring of 2007. Worth every penny.

burglar

How many runs? What kind of instructors? And what are the courses like?

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

Each 'phase' is a 1 day school with a morning and afternoon session. Instructors are top national drivers who typically are national solo/pro solo champions or at the very least national trophy winners. At the Phase 1 school I attended, the instructors were Mike 'Jr' Johnson, Rob Faulkner, Eric Peterson & Courtney Cormier.

The course used in the Phase 1 school is a design that incorporates some of the most common elements seen in autocross courses. I can't remember how many runs I did, but I want to say it was over 30...possibly as many as 40 runs.

Will it turn you into a national caliber driver overnight? No. But the school taught me good autocross habits (look ahead, smooth inputs, both hands on the wheel), and gave me the tools to learn from my mistakes and develop better car control.

Kennetht638

iTrader: (2)

I just did Phase I and II this last summer and it was a great experience, though I felt that Phase I was somewhat of a repeat of our region's (much cheaper) solo school. It was still great seat time though. For Phase I, I had Ryan Buetzer and Marcus Meredith instructing while for Phase II it was Buetzer and Rob Falkner. I think with both days combined, we were approaching 40 runs, but certainly not 40 in one day.

I was feeling a little unhappy about Phase I after leaving that day because I had just done something similar so recently and for so much less money (not the fault of the school, really just shows how awesome Detroit Region's school is), but when I returned the next day for Phase II, I felt so much better. It was just ridiculously helpful and fun. The instructors really are top quality and they set up courses that will have good throughput to maximize runs but also contain elements that will teach you a lot of different things in a very short time.

That said, I'm still slow, but I've only been doing this for a year and a half now. The Evo schools gave me a lot to think about. The important thing is to remember them when I'm out on course.

mscamp02

iTrader: (3)

Ive always wanted to do it so I def think the money would be well spent....best mod you can have, the driver mod

burglar

You obviously didn't learn anything from Marcus, as you don't cone every run.

mulkio

Thanks for the contributions and votes to this post. Keep them coming.
'09 B-stock national champ voted yes. That weighs heavily in my decision.

BryanH

I've never been a student at the school, but I have seen it in action and know some of the instructors. It's very well run, and the instruction and courses are top notch. They make it fun for the students.

iaus10

Yup, worth it. As mentioned earlier, the phase 1 may seem similar to a local novice school... but it's additional seat time, and maybe you will find a valuable bit of info which sinks in because it's presented in a new way.
If you really internalize and use the skills being taught, you'll find the price will seem cheap when the results roll in.

BRODA

iTrader: (7)

Definitely worth the money.

imput1234

iTrader: (6)

I've done Phase 1, and it is definitely worth the money.

mulkio

I plan on attending phase 1. Thanks to all the voters/posters for your input.

dknv

Since you're paying that amount of money, I assume you're an avid autocrosser. I'd say evo schools are best for this type of driver.

I've taken 5 different evo schools, and they were all worth it. Phase 1 helps with forming the principles of later classes, including form, and terminology.

I've met some of the neatest people in the autocross community through evo schools.

chiketkd

iTrader: (5)

^DKNV is also the current BSL national champion. She makes some very good points.

Mulkio, it sounds like you're just doing the Phase 1 which is a good idea in my book. For some students, doing a Phase 1 & 2 in the same weekend can be a bit overwhelming. Take what you learn from the Phase 1 apply to your 2010 season, and maybe look into a Phase 2 in 2011. Good luck!

tiltmode43

iTrader: (15)

I experienced the phase 1 school early on in my driving experience and have to say it certainly set a foundation with all of the above. I took away some of the most basic principles and apply them whenever possible.

Reading more and more in the competition section excites me to get my car out of "low n' slow" mode and back into "function>form" mode. My ricer days are coming to an end!

mulkio

Thanks Chiketkd, maybe it will help me fight off all those miata's in C-stock.

tpdrx8

I've done three Evo's and would highly recommend them to anyone.

Another option you may want to consider is the SoloPro school. I haven't attended one YET but I will this year. Jinx is a great guy and an excellent instructor that taught Evo for years.

http://www.soloprodrivingschool.com/home

Astral

Done phase I and phase II. Phase I was useful for some basics, but phase II had the lasting learning effect.

IHitCones

Phase I, II and the newly updated III, here. I & II are the basics that are always in your tool box and you will continually return too. With III there was less seat time but the knowledge and insight gained from the use of Data Acquisition (Max Q) and more advanced techniques for reading the course and working with instructors Andy Hollis and Kevin Dietz has had a lasting effect.

As with most learning experiences you must make the most of the class, ask questions, pick the instructors brains. Definitely worth it IMHO.

124Spider

Well, it really depends on a number of things:

(i) How much money you have. If the choice is between paying your rent or going to Evo School, pay the rent.

(ii) What is your skill level now? If you're a rank beginner, and/or if you don't plan to autocross much, don't bother. If you've got enough autocrossing under your belt that you will have the basic knowledge base to make the lessons taught useful, and if you plan to autocross a lot, Evo is the best way there is to make the jump to the next level.

I've done all three parts, some a couple of times, and I always learn valuable things.

mulkio

1. I'm ok on the rent. So I signed up for phase 1.

2. 2 years in the rx8, local with one MIDIV event. Had been running street mod, now i'm back to stock.