Learning to drive a state-of-the-art race car is a dream-come-true for racing fans. If you’ve got a little extra money to burn (one-day beginner courses range in price from $55 to $1,695) you can learn to burn rubber like a pro at a racing school right here in Canada.
Sweetie Girl Racing, Toronto, Ontario
Calling all femmes fatales: Canada’s first, and largest, all-female race, show and street team offers ladies-only driving clinics throughout most of the year. The SGR team promises to help boost your driving confidence in a no-pressure atmosphere. The focus is on fun and safety—learn cornering, passing and crash-avoidance techniques in fast and environmentally friendly go-karts.
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School, Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
This school at Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant is just the place for adrenaline junkies. Students receive a well-rounded driving education, from classroom theory sessions to driving exercises in state-of-the-art Formula race cars. Catering to all levels from beginners to experienced drivers, this school has been providing lessons from racing pros since 1969. Famous grads include former Formula 1 World Champions Jacques Villeneuve and Emerson Fittipaldi.
Racing Adventures, Calgary, Alberta
With locations across North America, Racing Adventures promises progressive programs and the coolest cars. Jump into a sleek Corvette at Calgary’s Race City Speedway and pump up your driving skills (and your heart rate) for a day of high-speed tutorials. Driving coaches cover everything from car dynamics to race rules, and students are outfitted in full driving gear. All-inclusive packages aren’t cheap—a beginner course will run you $1,099. But you’ll walk off the track a whole new driver, with an official certificate of achievement to prove it.
Bridgestone Racing Academy, Toronto, Ontario
The Academy president hand-picks instructors for their risk management know-how, which could explain why this school has been injury-free for its entire 23-year history. Hop into one of their new Van Diemen Formula cars for courses in “dive-bomb” passes, lapping and race-car mechanics. The site, located just north of Toronto, offers 24 tracks for both professional and developing drivers.
Allen Berg Racing Schools, Calgary, Alberta
This is North America’s only racing school that offers instruction from a former Formula One Grand Prix driver. Here you can gear up in driving apparel by Italy’s Sabelt, an official Ferrari Formula One team supplier. Allen Berg draws on his 30 years of experience to provide lessons in a Formula Renault open wheel race car.
Proformance Racing, a track near you
Proformance Racing brings the excitement to a track near you—no matter where you are in North America. As long as there is a track nearby, this fully mobile racing school will bring its powerful fleet of racing machines your way. Their cars are geared toward novice drivers looking to get the drive of a lifetime in a safe environment. Learn skills such as downshifting and cornering in cars designed with the novice racer in mind. You can also order a DVD of your racing experience as a take-home souvenir.
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