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Jaguar Performance Driving Academy Level 1 Overview/Review
Recently did the Level 1 at Sonoma Raceway, thought I'd give a brief overview/review...
Like AMG, Porsche, etc. Jaguar has a performance driving school as part of their brand marketing. I was offered a complimentary Level 1 (there are 3 levels) when I got the R Coupe last year. One of the location is Sonoma Raceway, just an hour north of San Francisco. I think the retail price is $900 for Level 1.
Level 1 is a half day session. There's an AM (starts at 8am) and a PM (starts at 12pm) session. I heard the AM session had less participants, which may be good, but that's all speculation. I'm guessing there were 30-40 participants in the PM session. There's a welcome reception the night before but I couldn't make it. Apparently it was pretty fun as you get to chat with the instructors (more on that later).
The day started with lunch. Then we went upstairs to get an introduction to the instructors and the day's schedule. I've done a couple of HPDE (High Performance Driving Event) days with Hooked on Driving and Northern California Racing Club, so I was expecting the same classroom instructions about racing line, braking points, apexes, etc. But there was none of that. They did go over braking in a straight line, touched on the apex, etc., but it was very, very cursory. First take away: if you are expecting a hardcore track day, this is not it. It's more a gentle introduction/demo day.
The introduction of the instructors was cool. Roberto Guerrero is one of the lead instructors! Ex-F1 guy. I remember my taking taking me to the Long Beach Grand Prix in the 80s and I wouldn't be surprised if I saw (w/o knowing) Roberto racing there.
The classroom part lasted probably 45 minutes. Then it was off to take some group photos. We were divided into 4 groups and each group took a photo in front of a red R Coupe. Jaguar would later give you a nice photo in a binder as a souvenir.
Each group does the same activities but in different order:
1. Autocross
2. On Track Lead-Follow Part 1
3. Handling Oval
4. On Track Lead-Follow Part 2
The autocross is not timed. They laid out a short coned course in the large parking lot. After a demo lap as a passenger you drive a few laps. The best part of the autocross, hearing the R Coupes! As a driver you don't often get to hear how your car sounds like from the outside. Sounds great!
On Track Lead-Follow, what we're really here for. They had 4 types of cars: F-Type R, XKR, XFR, XJR. For part 1 our group did the XFR and the F-Type R. There are 4 in each group, so the 4 of us followed the instructor. Each lap we've rotate so the next person gets to directly follow the instructor. In total we probably did 5 laps, with one extra lap at the end. So that's 5 laps in the XFR, then 5 laps in the F-Type R. It was fun. The instructor was driving at a decent pace but nothing where you risk incident. Your heart got going, but nothing to point where you felt like you're in trouble. They didn't run the full track, closing off turn 11. They had radios in the car so the instructor was reminding you to breathe, focus, telling you to keep it in tight formation, etc.
Really fun. My one complaint, they never went over the course, the racing line. Typically you would go over the course, turn by turn, pointing out the racing line, where the apex is, etc. But they never went over this. It was really just a lead and follow. Now, that said, I can see why they did that. If they did try to go over the racing line in detail, I think it might have been too much information to absorb. You can't expect people of various skills/interest to really learn the course in 5 minutes. So maybe it was better they just left it as a lead-follow. I'm sure Level 2/3 they would be more detailed.
The handling oval, they converted turn 11 into a practice run where you got to take turn 11 over and over again. Mentally I was a little tired so I didn't really get much out of this session and just wanted it to end.
Back to the lead-follow. We did the XKR and the XJR. Same deal, about 5 laps in each cars.
The day ended at 5pm in the clubhouse. Some parting words, got our photos/souvenir. I had to leave early to feed the puppy but I think people stayed around to chat some more.
So overall, it was a fun day. It's not a track/HPDE day. For that, I would suggest something like HOD or NCRC. It was more a demo day of Jaguar cars, gentle introduction to autocross/track driving. It's a great event for couples (a few couples attended) or something you do for your work team. It was great that you didn't have to worry about your car. With HPDE you're driving your car so you risk serious damage. You can buy insurance for HPDE but with the Driving Academy you don't have to worry about all that. Come and just drive. Of course you don't get as much seat time in Level 1, but like I said, it's more like a demo day.
Pros
- no work for you, just come and enjoy
- no risk of damage to your car
- get to taste a variety of cars (not just our car)
- no pressure atmosphere
Cons
- probably a little "boring" if you are expecting full on track experience because not enough "seat time" on track
Interesting. I went in 2012 but opted for COTA in Austin. I wanted to go on an F1 track. It was a full day event and I was exhausted by the end of it. We all had radios and would follow the instructor. 4 cars at a time and several hot laps. All instructors were former racers. I had Davey Jones for several laps. They constantly pushed you. And we went over the track lines at least 4 times. We even got out on the track and walked around the first time. I have been to several track events as well as Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and the R Academy was up there. Sounds like they deluted the event.
Interesting. I went in 2012 but opted for COTA in Austin. I wanted to go on an F1 track. It was a full day event and I was exhausted by the end of it. We all had radios and would follow the instructor. 4 cars at a time and several hot laps. All instructors were former racers. I had Davey Jones for several laps. They constantly pushed you. And we went over the track lines at least 4 times. We even got out on the track and walked around the first time. I have been to several track events as well as Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving and the R Academy was up there. Sounds like they deluted the event.
This is the same event I went to back in 2011, but it was at Miami, Homestead speadway.
All day event with Roberto and Davey and others.. Roberto took me out on some hot laps in an XKR and it was fabulous.. can he ever drive; and very smooth.
Looks like they have cut the event back.
Lawrence.
That very much matches day 1 a couple of months ago in Miami. Day 2 was tons more fun since everyone knew the courses and we got right down to hardcore racing.
Last edited by allenman85; Feb 22, 2015 at 08:43 PM.
Good write-up Shift. I agree that there was not a lot of detailed instruction during the session. I was in the Tues am session and there were only 24 people so I think we may have gotten a little more seat time than in the other sessions.
Overall, I was a little disappointed in the session. I have been to all 3 levels of the AMG academy and even in the beginner session, they took much more time to explain the basics including walking the track. I don't think I would go back to the Jaguar academy for level 2 or 3, IMO.
Unless you are interested in driving the cheaper/slower models around....
For me as one of the first F-Type owners in the US, because my V8 is an 'S' not an 'R' Hence, I had to pay the $900. For $900, it was not good value. Considering the V8 S is now rebranded 'R' the fact they made me pay was in hindsight quite cheap, especially considering people who had bought an eg. an XFR for half the price of my V8S got the experience for free.
Regarding the actual driving instruction the fact you get passed around different instructors all the time meant that there was little continuity or momentum built up. It was really just a very light intro to track driving, worth about $300 imo, not $900.
Level 2/3 may well be better but going on this experience I wouldn't be signing up when there are many other options, including private lessons etc that will cost you far less money and give you a deeper track experience.
And for what its worth before you 'R' guys wade in...the V8 S is actually a faster car around a track, which it shouldn't be but it is, since the 'R' rolls too much in the corners. The ex-F1 guy (Roberto?) told me that..
Unless you are interested in driving the cheaper/slower models around....
For me as one of the first F-Type owners in the US, because my V8 is an 'S' not an 'R' Hence, I had to pay the $900. For $900, it was not good value. Considering the V8 S is now rebranded 'R' the fact they made me pay was in hindsight quite cheap, especially considering people who had bought an eg. an XFR for half the price of my V8S got the experience for free.
Regarding the actual driving instruction the fact you get passed around different instructors all the time meant that there was little continuity or momentum built up. It was really just a very light intro to track driving, worth about $300 imo, not $900.
Level 2/3 may well be better but going on this experience I wouldn't be signing up when there are many other options, including private lessons etc that will cost you far less money and give you a deeper track experience.
And for what its worth before you 'R' guys wade in...the V8 S is actually a faster car around a track, which it shouldn't be but it is, since the 'R' rolls too much in the corners. The ex-F1 guy (Roberto?) told me that..
Let me see if I've got this straight... The V8 S, which is now rebranded as the R is faster round the track than the R, which is the rebranded V8 S, because the R rolls more than than the V8 S which is now the R.
It makes no sense to me either since the '14-'15 V8S (convertible) and V8R (coupe) are identical engines, except for ECU tune, and with identical suspensions, unless the coupe gets softer springs. I don't know. Perhaps the coupe is more top heavy, hence a higher center of gravity?
I suppose that's the type of thing an F1 driver might notice.
It makes no sense to me either since the '14-'15 V8S (convertible) and V8R (coupe) are identical engines, except for ECU tune, and with identical suspensions, unless the coupe gets softer springs. I don't know. Perhaps the coupe is more top heavy, hence a higher center of gravity?
I suppose that's the type of thing an F1 driver might notice.
Seems odd, since the Coupe (R or otherwise) is claimed, and widely accepted, to be 80% stiffer than the convertible.
Plus, are we talking "with or without adaptive damping"?
An XFR is half the price??? You don't know what you are talking about. I can see in the new configurator that the F-Type V8S in the US is being discontinued and replaced with the F-Type R AWD convertible .... I doubt it will be slower, I am sure it will have also changes made to the suspicion configuration.
Wow, $2k. Yea it was not worth $2k. Your point about lack of continuity with the instructors is spot on. Felt like you were just being shuffled around.
Seems odd, since the Coupe (R or otherwise) is claimed, and widely accepted, to be 80% stiffer than the convertible.
Plus, are we talking "with or without adaptive damping"?
We need the Stig to do some comparison laps!
I've heard that, but I also know that there is no detectable frame flex on the convertible. Having owned dozens of convertibles, it's only one that feels exactly like a hardtop. If the coupe is 80% stiffer, I doubt that makes any difference at speeds the car is capable of maintaining on a road course.
Wow, $2k. Yea it was not worth $2k. Your point about lack of continuity with the instructors is spot on. Felt like you were just being shuffled around.
It wasnt $2k. You were correct it was $900. Its level 2 thats $2k. My mistake, but still overpriced for what it is.
An XFR is half the price??? You don't know what you are talking about. I can see in the new configurator that the F-Type V8S in the US is being discontinued and replaced with the F-Type R AWD convertible .... I doubt it will be slower, I am sure it will have also changes made to the suspicion configuration.
Ok, I had a look, its the regular XF that is $50k, the XFR is $85k compared to my V8S which cost me $115k so I am wrong at 50%. Having said that, I wouldn't pay $85k for an XFR, madness imo. and my point still holds water.
Seems odd, since the Coupe (R or otherwise) is claimed, and widely accepted, to be 80% stiffer than the convertible.
Plus, are we talking "with or without adaptive damping"?
We need the Stig to do some comparison laps!
The 80% thing is pure marketing. I've not seen any hard data to back up that and having driven both cars its not true. With dynamic mode and sport shift activated, traction off, they tested both the V8 'S' and 'R' around Laguna and the 'S' was quicker due to the 'R' rolling too much in the corners. This is what the lead instructor told me. He is ex Formula 1 and Indy Car so I was inclined to believe him. He also whispered to me and told me not to repeat the information but hey, thought I'd let my fellow forum villains know the Truth! Rest assured 'R' boys. The 'R' is universally known and I agree, to be a more beautiful shape.
(I would've bought an 'R' personally had I not lived in ***** Irish & UK weather all my life and just moved to California so wanted to experience a convertible and get my pale Irish face burnt pink on a daily basis).
Remember, Villains must always reveal their plan/plot and never just kill the hero but find a incredible way to kill them slowly so they just have a small chance of escaping. Important to learn this.
With dynamic mode and sport shift activated, traction off, they tested both the V8 'S' and 'R' around Laguna and the 'S' was quicker due to the 'R' rolling too much in the corners. This is what the lead instructor told me. He is ex Formula 1 and Indy Car so I was inclined to believe him. He also whispered to me and told me not to repeat the information but hey, thought I'd let my fellow forum villains know the Truth! Rest assured 'R' boys. The 'R' is universally known and I agree, to be a more beautiful shape.
(I would've bought an 'R' personally had I not lived in ***** Irish & UK weather all my life and just moved to California so wanted to experience a convertible).
Remember, Villains must always reveal their plan/plot and never just kill the hero but find a incredible way to kill them slowly so they just have a small chance of escaping. Important to learn this.
If Roberto Guerrero told me that, I would believe him.
MSRP for a 2014 F-Type V8S was $92,000 .... I can get an XFR over $100k too with options.
Do you have ceramics? My F-Type has climate pack, vision pack, performance pack, premium pack, satellite/HD radio, Meridian premium, extended red leather, illuminated door sills, wind stop and wheel locks with an MSRP of just $109K.
Jaguar Performance Driving Academy Level 1 Overview/Review
