I have recently gotten a 2916 F type R and I was under impression that it came with a racing school pass...not sure why I thought that, so I was wondering if any of you guys have experience with these matters?

I was offered a track day package for $100-250, but it would require me to drive my own car on the track. A buddy of mine, who leased an E63 AMG a few years back was given a 2-day AMG Academy pass at Laguna Seca, included with the car.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thank you

 

Jaguar Performance Driving Academy Overview | Jaguar USA

Jaguar used to include a voucher for the basic course with the purchase of an R but discontinued it in 2015.

There doesn't appear to be any courses on the schedule currently though. Last one was Feb 2016. You aren't missing much though. Compared to the AMG driving academy, the Jaguar course is a joke. I've been to both and there's no comparison.

 

I got this email again today, an invite to the Chuckwalla Track, about 3 hours from here.

 

I would like to hear more as I have been to the Jag course (2 day) but am interested in a day with AMG. Did you do the 2 day or just the 1/2 day course with Jag? Any specifics about what AMG offered over Jag? Which track. Thanks!

 

I did Level 1 and Level 2 of the Jag course, and the second was much better than the first. I expect Level 3 would be better as its mostly track time and increasing your times.

Level 1 and 2 could offer more time on the wet skid bad. You can't practice to much car control. Also lapping in long wheelbase sedans and not enough XKR and f Type time was a bummer.

 

I did the 1/2 day course with Jaguar at Sonoma last year.

I've done the basic (1 day), advanced (2 days) and pro (2 1/2 days) courses with AMG over the last couple years at Laguna Seca.

Comparing the basic courses between the two, Jaguar treats it as more of a marketing event with very minimal instruction. They basically hand you the keys and let you on the track with instructions to follow the leader. That's it, maybe 30 seconds. It leads to some very inexperienced drivers on the track. Not even basic safety instructions. You also get bounced between instructors for every phase, so you never see the same guy twice and each instructor has their own opinions and takes different lines on the track.

AMG's basic course spends a lot of time on teaching you to be a better, safer driver before they let you on the track. You work with the same pair of instructors for the entire course. They teach you the basics of emergency braking and vehicle control. You physically walk the track and they show you each turn, explain what the best line to take on the track is, etc. Because you are with the same instructors the entire time, they get to know your strengths and weaknesses and customize their instructions to you personally.

AMG also hires a professional photographer for the entire session and provides photos and videos of the entire day for you to download. They also equip their cars with cameras inside and data loggers, even in the basic course, and they spend time to analyze your run with you and show you what mistakes you made so you can correct them.

 

That blows the jag school out of the water, I didn't care for all the marketing either. OF course they were really trying to build the brand back up especially the F Type.

 

I thought about the Jaguar school, mainly for time at Laguna Seca. I love Sears Point, er, Sonoma Raceway though, and the NASA HPDEs I've attended there have been quite enjoyable. I haven't been in the Jaguar, but that's my intent. I haven't explored instruction options, but I think that you can get an instructor in the car with you even once you're signed off for solo. The cost for the amount of track time is quite favorable.

 

The description of the AMG school sounds great...the Jag event sounds like an event not a school.
For those wanting to learn more about driving our cars...or any car ...faster and safer most communities near a track have HPDE ( high performance driver education ) events put on by BMW/Porsche/Audi/Corvette etc clubs several x a year.
Generally a required classroom session and / skid scroll prior to a track day but the track portion starts with a full time instructor and then flows to "solo" if you demonstrate a certain skill level.
Often convertibles are not permitted....some require a club membership ( though not necessarily in the club staging the event) usually for insurance reasons.
I'm familiar with the BMW and PCA events Washington State, the Boston BMW club events at NHMP, Mt Tremblant and Watkins Glen and PCA in Nova Scotia. Without exception every student I've had has been impressed with what their car can accomplish beyond what they had expected ( well, not every student...there was this one...well maybe a few...).
I know there are a number of organizations that put on HPDEs around the country which are very well regarded but haven't had experience with them. One hopes a lead to the good ones will be easy to find.
I've only had one track day so far with my '16 R but what a beast ! Great power, great brakes, quite a ride.
There is much to be gained regardless of your skill level and regardless of whether or not you go beyond trying it for the 1 st and only time.
Try it, you'll like it....make that really like it.

 

Very fair critique. I found the wet course (day 2) very confusing as my two instructors were 180 degrees opposed on what to do. I did learn from both but it can be frustrating to have a coaching change so quickly into the learning.

However for the track...the in-car guy was someone named Roberto Guerrero --- he was quite good

Overall the experience was still quite fun with Jaguar but I would be looking for more track time and less time with the "side" events (wet, loop, autoX).

Next time AMG rolls thru COTA I'll be headed there based on your feedback. Thanks!!

 

I (HONESTLY) did not Google his name yet, but it does sound very familiar...Was he an Indy/CART racing driver in the 90's and 00's?

 

Formula One then IRL in 83-93(?) Never won any of those races tho...2nd at Indy 500

 

oh, I was way off