 Morrisport Advanced Driving. Click image to enlarge |
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Morrisport Advanced Driving
I will not lie: I think I am a much better driver than I really am, and I have had the benefit of a substantial amount of professional instruction due to opportunities that often come my way due to my chosen profession. The sad reality is that the majority of drivers on the road today feel that they are good, if not exceptional, drivers, despite the fact that they learned the fundamentals of driving from lessons hastily delivered by one of their parents, or an older sibling, some time during their formative teenage years.
In some cases a responsible parent may have enlisted the help of a hired-gun (usually the driving instructor who ponied up for the largest ad in the phone directory) to stress to their young driver the need to check their mirrors and blind-spots, wear their seatbelt, and watch for pedestrians. After getting overly acquainted with the operation of their turn signals, they may also have been given instructions on how to master the art of parallel parking. For the most part the bulk of your knowledge behind the wheel is derived from repeating the same bad habits over and over again on a daily basis.
 Morrisport Advanced Driving. Click image to enlarge |
I appreciate the fact that it is important that we all learn the rules of the road, the importance of safety equipment and speed limits, as well as the meanings of the messages conveyed by the various lane markings and road-side signage we encounter in our daily travels, but we would all be a lot safer if drivers had a better understanding of the handling dynamics of their vehicles as well as the true limitations of their driving skills.
B.C. professional racing driver Tony Morris Jr. and his team from Morrisport Advanced Driving offer local automotive enthusiasts the opportunity to both improve their driving skills as well as test the limits of their personal automobiles on the road course at Mission Raceway Park, about 70 km east of Vancouver. For $235 (+ taxes), customers receive between 90 and 100 minutes of track time, professional instruction (both in-car and in the classroom), and a hearty lunch. Safety is a top priority for this company, so all vehicles must pass a tech inspection before they will be permitted on the track.
There are two programs offered, FirstTime and TrackTime. The FirstTime program is for individuals who have never experienced a track day event, or would just like a little more attention from Morrisport instructors.
  Morrisport Advanced Driving. Click image to enlarge |
“First-timers” are paired up and assigned to an instructor who will work with them throughout the day, alternating from car to car. Initially the instructor will ask for your keys so that he or she can introduce you to the track layout as well as show you how to handle some of its idiosyncrasies – details which will hopefully soak through your helmeted head as you test the lateral stability of the passenger seat and the effectiveness of the grab handles. You will then be scheduled for four track sessions (for a total of 80 minutes) which surprisingly can take a lot out of you, so you will soon appreciate the downtime between each of your sessions to catch your breath, mingle with other drivers, or just take a break in the refreshment tent.
You will no doubt also find yourself perusing the paddock area as it tends to be populated with more than its fair share of exotic machinery during these events. I found myself salivating over the likes of a Porsche Carrera GT, Ford GT, and a Lamborghini Gallardo.
