High Performance Driving School

I understand that there is  some confusion about what exactly happens at a high performance driving school. Certainly every performance driving school is a bit different in their approach, so it would be impossible for me to accurately summarize all of the offerings.  Not to mention the fact that the vast majority of my training was at various racing schools.

I did however send my wife to a high performance driving school which I was present to observe at.  I decided that if I taught her it might not have been the best approach, almost like the way a doctor would never treat his wife, being to close to someone emotionally can leave you a bit blind.  I also took a car control course that was 50 percent high performance street car 50 percent race car.

All of the best high performance driving schools are taught by racing drivers.  The reason is simple: race cars are much more difficult to drive than street legal cars. Race cars are very unforgiving beasts that punish driving mistakes brutally, often with total spin-outs and sometimes with crashes. You must have excellent driving technique to make them go fast.

Let me explain just a little bit about what I mean by driving technique.  One part of the high performance technique is where the driver understands what influence the gas pedal has on the turning ability of the car. The vast majority of drivers do not know that  when you try to turn the car while accelerating, the car cannot change directions nearly as well as when you are not accelerating but rather on even throttle – just maintain your current speed.  One of the main reasons for this is because how well a tire grips or bites the road is dependent on how much weight is pushing down on that tire.  When you are accelerating a lot of the car’s weight has been pushed rearward off of the front tires.  This is just one small example of a vast collection of various high performance driving techniques.  The difference between using these techniques and not is the difference between night and day in terms of getting the performance from your car.  To put it another way: you cannot get the car magazine’s lateral g ratings from your Corvette any other way, you have to use driving techniques that are taught at a high performance driving school or a racing school to achieve those heady numbers.

I can also tell you that while we are probably all a bit different, we also have to be very much the same in a lot of regards.  Look at it this way; while every major league pitcher is a bit different in their windup and pitch, most of them are also very similar. To put it another way: the correct technique is quite simply the correct technique in every single sport. And this is no different in a car.

So while I can’t tell you exactly what the other guys are teaching, I can tell you what the GerardWon High Performance Driving School is all about.

We  focus on racer’s eye technique which allows everything to appear to be happening in slow motion. This gives you enough time to make the right driving decision in virtually any circumstance. I remember quite vividly the conversation I had on the phone, with an ex Grand Prix racer while I was deciding where to go next to learn more about racing. And this happened over 20 years ago, so you can imagine the impact this chat had on me! To the best of my knowledge, I am one of only two places that does this.

At the time I had already been to more than one racing school, not to mention a long record of unsanctioned race wins. Yet he was adamant about the fact that a huge weakness in my driving was my lack of eye technique. How could someone who never met me or saw me drive be so sure of this? It was his total conviction about this point that swayed me to go to him–it was the best decision I ever made. This racer’s eye technique is simply astonishing.

I also show you the right way to make the car change direction in the quickest possible time it is capable of.  The right technique to slow the car in the shortest distance possible.  I’ll show you what causes loss of control in slippery conditions and how to avoid spins completely. To name a few of the more important topics we will cover.

I am also a fiend for proper practice exercises every single time you drive your car. This will advance you faster and further than you could possibly do by just attending and then going home.

Of course, if you have a few bad habits like perhaps where you sit in the car, or the way you hold the steering wheel , well, we will talk a bit about this too.

I hope this helps clear up a bit of the confusion about what really goes on at a high performance driving school.  And I’d be proud if you decided to go with me. Quite frankly, I believe I’m the best. Sorry if my immodesty about this offends some folks, but that is the reason I started the GerardWon High Performance Driving School. That is what has always motivated me in the car: to be the best I could possibly be. I assure you my dedication and passion about driving will come through loud and clear when we meet.

GerardWon

(not) Just For Young Drivers

Even though the GerardWon High Performance Driving School is dedicated to teaching performance driving; I have decided to post this on my website.  It’s an excerpted section from a book I wrote a few years ago.  As the title states, it’s mainly for young drivers, but my observations while driving tell me that some not so young can perhaps rediscover a thing or two here also.

I know for a fact that one of these driving tips saved a friend from a highway collision with a tractor trailer he claimed would have killed him and his family. Maybe this can help a few other folks avoid a really bad day.

Introduction

In more than 28 years of driving and 27 years of racing, I have seen a lot. My experience is vast and varied. I certainly do not know everything. Yet, due to highly specialized driver training and years of driving, I probably know some things you do not.

Pack drivers

People really seem to enjoy driving together in packs. I have a nickname for them…I call them pack drivers. I have no explanation for this phenomenon. I do know this; it is dangerous.

I have seen four or five cars driving together for long distances on an otherwise totally empty road. Then, miles away from the first pack another pack, and so on.

You cannot be in control of your own destiny when in this situation. You should always leave yourself an ‘out’, an exit, in case something bad happens. Don’t box yourself in. While in a pack you cannot leave yourself an ‘out’, you are trapped. This also kills the sheer joy you can experience from having your own little slice of empty pavement.

Fortune telling

When you are in traffic, the best indicator of what the cars next to you and ahead of you are going to do is the direction that their wheels are pointing. You will see the tires point in a direction much sooner (relatively) than the car actually changes direction. It is almost like fortune telling. Many times this extra split second warning is a big help. When those front tires turn abruptly in your direction, you know you are about to be cut off.

Out of state plates

Perhaps that car with those out of state plates is lost. That might be the reason they are about to suddenly go from the middle lane across your path without warning. To try to make the exit right in front of you they didn’t know was there. Just a thought.

Happy hour

It’s late; it’s the weekend. It’s time for the drunks to try to drive home. You get the idea.

They don’t just look different

One of the best things you can do as a young driver is to drive a variety of different cars. Ask you uncle if you can take spin in his new BMW. Switch cars with your brother for a couple of days. Ask your friends if they will let you drive for a bit. By doing this you will get an appreciation for the vast differences of various cars. They don’t just look different.

This will give you an idea of what that other driver is dealing with. You will understand why that driver in the sub-compact doesn’t pass that slow truck going up the hill. You will realize from experience he just doesn’t have the horsepower to do it.

This knowledge will help you to make decisions that are more informed as you drive. You will know how really bad an idea it is to tailgate that new BMW at 75 mph when you’re in a 1984 Chevy. You will know from experience that the BMW has superior brakes (among other things). You will know that if he brakes hard your car cannot slow as quickly.

This driving experience will give you an edge in terms of helping your overall driving ability too. At times, driving a different car will help you to realize a common mistake you have been making in your own car, for instance. The best way I can describe this is; it is like having something you don’t understand explained to you in a totally different way. A different explanation often makes something very easy to understand. Years ago, if I was struggling to master one technique or another, I know that simply switching cars for a while was often a big help for me.

Bear in in mind various car insurance policy regulations when driving someone else’s car. Be sure that you will be covered in case of a crash.

Maybe tomorrow

Before you leave that chump next to you behind when your light flashes to green, remember; a traffic light is not a barrier. There may be another car trying to sneak past his yellow light, from too far away. People just plain don’t notice the light change sometimes. You should definitely look both ways before crossing the intersection. This can also happen if you are not even in the first row of traffic at the light or at a stop sign.

You should also notice how fast the other cars are traveling as they approach the intersection you want to cross. That is a good indication of whether or not they are going to stop.

That is a great habit to teach yourself. It will become an automatic part of your driving routine. It could definitely save you from a very bad wreck one day, maybe tomorrow.

Speed differential

When you go flying past that line of slowed cars, you are taking a huge risk. Maybe you are doing the speed limit. Still, if you are traveling 40 or 50 mph faster than the cars you are passing, you are asking for it. You are putting yourself in a real bad situation, if one of those cars is not waiting to exit but wants to merge. Then that speed differential will bite you, hard. Depending on the road, your car, and your ability, even 30 mph is a huge speed differential. So be smart, if you are in the habit of doing things like that, stop now. Otherwise, one day you will pay the price. It is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when.

A final note

In the interest of being totally clear; things such as the above would probably never be talked at my high performance driving school.  To me the above is basic common sense driving.

GerardWon

Relaxed Driving

Relax

Your vision works best when you are relaxed, as a matter of fact; so does your mind and your muscles. I think many people tend to stare at things when they drive. This staring can result in tunnel vision, which is potentially hazardous. When you have tunnel vision, you block out your peripheral vision, a potentially hazardous situation while driving

I have studied extensively the benefits of being relaxed while driving. I have worked hard at being calm while in very dangerous situations; the results are superior to the alternative. Actually, my sports psychologist clued me into how vital it really is for achieving good visual results.

Although, I had an instructor at a racing school in Canada who tried to enlighten me a few years earlier as to the overall benefits, but I didn’t listen to Pierre at the time. Unfortunately, that was before I had the bone in my head surgically removed. Yeah it’s true, when I started racing I was thickheaded. I did not believe a lot of things people were trying to teach me, like being smooth for instance. I kept doing things my own way; thankfully, I finally saw the light.

The results I achieved from listening to people who knew better than I did were excellent. So I can tell you from first-hand experience the difference between being relaxed and being all keyed up. There was a time when I thought that by being all keyed up I would be super alert and have the quickest reaction times possible, I was wrong. Being relaxed and paying attention are the keys to that; to your best possible performance.

Breathe normally

I really cannot say enough about the benefits of remaining calm while under stress. We all experience this sometimes while driving: like in the rain on a strange road, in heavy traffic—at night when it’s foggy. I have put a lot of time and effort into it, such as progressive relaxation training and visual exercises.  This does take time and effort to achieve.  However, you could take some shortcuts and still have an improvement. Some experts in the field of Psychology believe that it is impossible to be tense while breathing in a controlled fashion, that when we breathe normally, we will be at ease even in tense situations. Perhaps I should say our bodies can be fooled into “thinking” that all is well, even if that is not the truth. I know from personal experience that my vision is certainly optimized when I am calm.

I am sure there is truth to muscle movements being more controlled in stressful situations while breathing normally. A good example is to exhale before starting to turn the steering wheel. That is a trick I discovered almost 25 years ago, before I ever sat in a race car or had heard of sports psychology. This one very simple thing will make your inputs on the steering wheel much smoother. While that is not the equivalent of remaining calm while under stress, at least you can reap the benefit of a vital part of high performance driving. The very important part of a smooth initial motion on the steering wheel.

The calmer you are, the clearer you think

The same can be said for the decisions we make. The calmer you are, the clearer you think. I am sure you need no convincing of the truth to that. So, I would just like to say I know of no place where making good decisions is more important than while at the wheel of a car.

I think that this is one of the biggest benefits to my high performance driving school.  It happens in your own car on public roads. and there are no crowds around for you to try to impress, so you will be much calmer and this will  no doubt help you.

till then…

GerardWon

Expert Driving

All the experts agree on the proper way to drive

There really is no debate. All the experts agree on the proper way to drive—to communicate with an automobile. There is a very specific technique—just as there is a very specific technique to hold a golf club or to swing that club. This driving technique is grounded in the natural law: that of gravity and physics.

The fact is expert drivers, using these same basic performance driving techniques, developed your automobile’s driving characteristics. Following the guidelines I teach in my programs. Frequently, these expert development drivers are active or ex-racing drivers.

These expert techniques are not taught to the public

Certainly your automobile was designed and developed foremost with you in mind, with the way you drive. It was designed to be forgiving, to not punish you by spinning out every time you make the slightest little mistake. One of the reasons experts are used, is they know the mistakes an average driver makes. However, when driven properly, when driven within the framework of expertise these vehicles are incredible! Unfortunately, these expert techniques are not taught to the general public.

My Program is not a course on how to race 

My High Performance Driving School, is not a course on how to  race. Instead, I show the average driver the many advantages of race winning techniques.  This might seem subtle, but there is a huge difference

Let me explain this. I remember the first racing school I went to, I was surprised by the instruction.  I assumed it would be about racing, you know, putting on daredevil passes and things like that. Surprisingly, this is Not what is taught at racing schools.  You are taught the right way to drive, things like; when to use the brakes and when to use the gas pedal to keep your car balanced, for example.

You see, all racing schools go by the assumption that every driver you’ve ever ridden with was clueless.  And they also take it for granted that the person who taught you to drive was  not qualified in the least to be teaching something they knew Nothing about.  And you know what? They are totally correct!  It was hard for me to get this fact through my head because I won virtually every street race I was ever in up to that point — and I was in thousands of them.  And yet I had no clue at all about how to drive a car.

I teach the very same techniques that all winning race car drivers use and the very same techniques that racing schools teach. Why? Because quite frankly that is the only way to get a car to respond the way it was designed to. Period.

I can teach the average driver the many advantages of  racing techniques. These will enable you to drive more precisely and safely. These are the exact same techniques that are taught at racing schools.

It is in fact  the same instruction you would receive at a racing school. You will get this at a reasonable investment. No sweating required and no helmet hair either.

But I go one step better than a lot of racing schools. I strongly emphasize racer’s eye technique. Most racing schools do not even mention this.

Here you will find many things not covered at any racing school. This is because of the slant of my peformance driving school. I give one on one sessions. Not group sessions which are used at every other high performance driving school and racing school.  Included are details from my extensive lifelong pursuit of performance driving and race driving. And of course, racer’s eye techniques, plus tips I learned from a leading sports psychologist.

Steering Your Car Without the Steering Wheel

One of the main differences between the average driver and a racing driver is the ability to steer the car with the gas pedal. I can’t wait to show you how to do this. It won’t be long before you begin to see how critical steering the car with the gas pedal is to precision driving. It is a priceless tool. A tool that can open an entirely new world of what is possible when driving and while trying to avoid a wreck.

Test Yourself

Question: what is the fastest way to slow your car? If you think that slamming on the brakes and letting ABS do the rest is the answer, you are wrong. Maybe even dead wrong!

Braking begins the moment you start to lift off the gas pedal. How you lift off the gas pedal is very important to getting the car to stop quickly. Most people do not realize that lifting off the gas pedal incorrectly can cause a spin in certain conditions. You will find the reasons why. In addition, not too many people realize that the direction the car is traveling is also a critical factor in determining stopping distances.

You will also discover how to stop fastest—in the shortest distance possible—by not engaging the ABS system. The expert driver can outperform most standard ABS systems in most conditions including dry roads, rainy roads, and snowy roads. ABS is quite a spectacular fail-safe tool, but the expert can generally do better than a standard ABS system can. While just taking a lesson will not make you an expert driver, it will make you a much more informed driver. Some drivers have the inherent talent to outperform a standard ABS system; others do not. Either way, you will be given exercises to improve your braking skills. That is a big part of my teaching: encouraging you to explore your capabilities and those of your car. Also, to practice for emergencies in a non-threatening situation. It just makes sense to do that, yet, most drivers never do. They go into emergencies with no idea of the how their car will react. That is like sending a soldier onto the battlefield without first training him how to fire his gun.

 Precision Braking: Introduction

This braking technique is simply amazing. In the rain, it is brilliant! The added comfort and safety you will feel while driving with the knowledge of what to do and what not to do is marvelous. The confidence this knowledge brings, especially in wet or difficult conditions, is priceless! Once you master it, you may even pray for rain!

The difference this can make in your everyday driving cannot be overstated. This often, misunderstood braking technique of the best racing drivers will be a blessing for your daily driving. Truly, knowledge is power.

The basic standard for obtaining a driver’s license is too low

The basic standard for obtaining a driver’s license is too low here in America. We feel it is a right to drive, because of that attitude the roads are a bloodbath…daily.

I would be the first to agree with the premise that people need to drive. I would be the first to disagree with our present form of driver training.

The basic requirement for a driver’s license should include sideways skid control training. This is not a black art as many people think. The way to teach this is very well known. It does take some practice to become adequate at doing it. The ability to control a car skidding sideways makes driving a much safer endeavor. While my program cannot teach you skid control ( We are not using slide cars or a wet skid pad here) I will teach you how to avoid these skids altogether by understanding why they happen and the technique used to avoid them.

Proper use of the brakes should also be part of a basic license test. Threshold braking should be taught: this is the ability to use the brakes very hard WITHOUT locking up the tires. Standard ABS is no substitute for this skill.  While it’s a great fail-safe system, it could never replace precision techniques.

You will discover precision braking techniques in my program. In addition, practice exercises are included that encourage you to actually explore your cars braking potential before you need it. I understand that some very high priced cars have enhanced ABS systems combined with computer controlled suspensions. These systems are designed to allow anyone to achieve expert results while braking. Having never driven one of these high priced cars, I am not qualified to say one way or another. Yet, I am willing to bet that the majority of the lucky few owners of these cars, have never tested this system. That they have never spent even ten minutes in a safe environment to see what would happen if they did have to use this capability. That just makes my point even more; they may be driving into a hazardous situation totally blind, which is just wrong.

Another excellent training tool would be for people to have had driven at least a small variety of different types of cars. Perhaps an economy car, a full size car, a high performance type sports car, a minivan and something really old and beat-up. This would give people some perspective on what the other person is dealing with. That perspective would make for wiser and more informed choices while driving. Our drivers would be, in a word; smarter.

Recently I saw a young teenager going down the parkway at about 80 mph. She was driving on old Honda Civic and tailgating a brand new BMW. The traffic was heavy and I am quite sure she was unaware of just how good the braking system is on a BMW. In a panic situation, she would not have been able to slow her car nearly as quickly as the BMW driver and would have rear-ended that car. If that youngster had been required to drive a similar car, she would not have been following so closely for so long.

Racer’s Eye Technique

There is one more aspect of basic training that is totally overlooked. All of my programs revolve around this cornerstone. This is the single most crucial part of accident avoidance and of high performance driving and especially race car driving. This is so critical that I began teaching my daughter this on her pedal car when she was 3 years old. The difference this made in her being able to negotiate the doorways in the hall was immediate. Now that she is eight she is a pretty good ‘pilot’ on the family tractor.

I call it “Racer’s Eye Technique” . When mastered it makes everything appear to be happing in slow motion. This is what makes race driving possible — you have enough time to make good decisions at virtually Any speed. You will never feel rushed again.

 How much money would it cost?

What will it take to change our abysmal system of driver training? Certainly not more deaths on the road; the cost of human life is the cheapest commodity of all. Sure, it would cost a lot of money to implement the type of training system I just outlined. How much money would it cost? I really don’t know. I do know it would cost a lot less than the $5,000.00 that it takes for a cemetery plot and a proper burial.

Modern automobiles, when combined with the current state of radial tires have astonishing performance capabilities. Yet, the requirements to get a license to drive one of these marvels of engineering are minimal at best. The auto manufacturers do an amazing job to make these vehicles extraordinarily compliant with the average level of “skill”. The amount of money they spend to safeguard your life is staggering. Their testing is thorough and extensive. The vehicles are safe. The weak link in the chain is the average driver.

My High Performance Driving School … 

We will take a ground zero approach to the road we are about to travel. We will start with the basics and go forward from there.  You do have to ask yourself the question—who taught you how to drive? Unless that person was a racing driver, there is a real possibility that even the most basic things you do can be improved. Some components are very easy to do, others are more challenging.

The GerardWon High Performance Driving School can help take you as far as your ability and desire lead.

Till then…

GerardWon

Why I Don’t Use My Real Name

Who is GerardWon?

I suppose it might seem a bit disingenuous to some people that I “hide” behind an alias.  The reasons are pretty simple, really.

First of all, my oldest kid has been bugging the heck out of me to teach her to race.  The main problem with this is she has not shown me, in any way, that she is willing to put in the effort.  I can’t just wave a magic wand.

Second I really hate the limelight. I remember the first time someone asked for my autograph, for me it’s really embarrassing.

And for the sake of full disclosure it also has to due with local law enforcement — I live in a relatively small town.  Now don’t misunderstand. I’m a very, very safe and courteous street driver.   I do not put other motorists into danger.  But I’d be lying to you if I said I always do the posted speed limit.   So this too plays a role in me preferring some anonymity.

Oh, one more thing: I never run from the police.  I drive far, far better than they can and I would not put their lives in danger just to avoid a ticket.

I’m not hiding anything, not really. Gerard really is my name; I just prefer not to blast my identity across the net. It’s the same as an author using a pen name. No big deal.

GerardWon,