With over 500hp at the crank and R-Comps on all four corners, my race car is fast…too fast. More than a few people have told me that it is too much car for my skill level. The second tier of the problem is that every other car that I am in, I overdrive it because I am used to going much faster. In a sense I almost need to start over with the basics, since I have developed a method of lapping the car faster than almost every one on the track but there is still more left in the car! With a ringer in the seat, the car churns out almost 3.0-seconds quicker than I’m capable of on certain tracks. Honing your skills behind the wheel can dramatically improve your lap times and get the most out of your car. Our PRN race car tech, Scott Murfin who runs Can-Alignment in Milton, ON puts the zap on cars with triple the horsepower and loads suspension and brake upgrades. “I run a stock Nissan 240SX with nothing but Hooser H6s on it,” says Murfin “but I’m still passing highly modified STis, Evos and Skylines.” Murfin is able to brake later for the turns, carry more speed and set himself up for the next turn by following the line. A powerful an agile car can bring you back up to speed or back to finding the line effectively compensating for lacking skills. So, we decided it was time to investigate the leading racing schools around the country and see what they offer.  

Jim Russell Racing School

Location: Circuit Mont Tremblant

Price Range: $395 -$4295

Website: www.jimrussell.com

Highlights: 62 Famous Racer Graduates, nicest track in Canada 

Long considered one of the benchmarks in race training, the Jim Russell program has just celebrated its 40th anniversary of successful operation. The longest running and most recognizable name in International Driver Training, the Jim Russell Racing School’s roots go back to England starting in 1957. Since 1969, the Jim Russell Racing School at the world renowned Circuit Mont Tremblant has been providing aspiring racers and enthusiasts alike the chance to learn from the pros and enhance their driving skills. Jim Russell’s proven methods have developed more successful drivers and world champions than any other racing school.  The key to their success has been threefold: the best equipment with seasoned instructors on arguably Canada’s most beautiful racetrack. Spending time in the Tremblant area is more of a vacation than anything else with its rolling hills, colorful scenery and bustling resorts. The 4.26km track is as smooth as it gets during the undulating elevation changes and series of turns. As a competition track that plays host to touring cars, GT cars and even formerly open wheel racing with Champ car, the track is versatile enough to do it all. The width of the track ranges from 11m to 36m, leaving plenty of space for passing on this picturesque track. Ask any racer what their favorite track is and the Tremblant name will pop up repeatedly making it an ideal spot for a racing getaway like Jim Russell. The list of graduates reads like a whose-who of the racing world. The school has produced talent that went on to conquer everything from Touring Car series all the way to F1 Champions.

With 62 famous racers to their credit, Jim Russell Schools has fostered F1 greats like Emerson Fittipaldi along both Gilles and Jacques Villenueve over the years. They have also trained US hopeful Scott Speed and promising young star, the late Greg Moore. At the time of publishing, Jenson Button had just won the Monaco Grand Prix and he was yet another success story the school has produced. A total of 14 Jim Russell Racing Schools’ graduates have gone on to race Formula One. “Jim Russell’s proven methods have developed more successful drivers and world champions than any other racing schools” and was quoted as “the best in North America” by Emerson Fittipaldi.  “The comprehensive Jim Russell training program is a 3-day affair making it grueling effort as day after day, you have to be ready both mentally and physically.” Says Manager Keith Blatz “The course provides all of the essentials for driver development, the dynamics of racing and effective passing in traffic but you have to bring yourself in top shape.” The on-track instruction is combined with classroom sessions but Jim Russell School guarantees more seat time behind the wheel than offered anywhere else with its small class sizes. The weapon of choice is a serious piece of equipment, a Van Diemen FR02 F2000 open wheel car. It pumps out over 170hp from its naturally aspirated mill though a Hewland sequential 4-speed. This lightweight is capable of reaching speeds exceeding 200km/h on the straights and over 2.0g around the turns. Students who successfully push this car to the limits are ready to tackle just about anything on four wheels. ASN CANADA FIA certified, the Jim Russell Racing School offers programs from three hours to three days available to drivers of all skill levels. Introductory level programs start at $395 but the three day program runs $4,295 that consists of: top level instruction, all insurance and use of track equipment. Upon arrival students are outfitted with a: Sparco racing suit, gloves and a Bell Racing helmet. If you chose to bring your own gear, that is fine providing it reaches the current standards and is in good condition. Graduates of the Techniques of Racing Course are eligible to obtain a regional race license from: ASN Canada FIA, SCCA, Federation Auto Quebec (FAQ), Canadian Automobile Sport Club (CASC).  

Bridgestone Racing Academy

Location: Mosport International Raceway

Price Range: $245-$3995

Website: www.race2000.com

Highlights: Jacques Villenueve, Alex Tagliani and Patrick Carpentier are graduates 

A few of our staff have already participated in the Bridgestone Racing Academy and praised the instructors and the experience as a whole. The Academy enables aspiring racers to experience the thrill of driving a real race car and a real race track. “The Academy offers an affordable, yet highly informative school in both one and three day courses,” says Academy Owner, Brett Goodman. “Depending on the skill level that the driver currently possesses, a number of categories exist tailored for them.” The Academy offers the following experiences for beginners: Thrill of a Lifetime, Learn to Lap, Private Coaching and Race Licence. Intermediate drivers are able to enrol in Advance to Racing, Lapping Practice and Race Days and participate with others in head to head competition. The school’s fleet includes several 2008 Van Diemen Formula SCCA cars. These lightweight cars are used in competition and pump out 170hp with 170lb-ft in a chassis that weighs next to nothing at 1000lbs. Of course, all cars are equipped with the latest Bridgestone Ultra High Performance radial tires, the outstanding RE-11. The team of professional instructors is on hand to teach the students proper techniques of wheeling around the Van Diemen. With a 24 year safety record, the skills learned are transferable to every four-wheel vehicle on any race track. Widely known as a favourite for many racers, the Bridgestone course is held on the Driver Development Track at Mosport International Raceway just one hour outside Toronto. The undulating circuit has hosted many event over the years and many of the world’s best have cut their teeth here at the DDT, more recently Indy Lights Driver James Hinchcliffe. The Academy is a combination of great equipment, a great track facility and some of the best instructors in the business. It has produced great racers; Alex Tagliani and Patrick Carpentier both started here. Then there is 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve who perfected his skills at a very early age while enrolled in the Academy. With graduates like that and the chance to drive a world class course in a Van Diemen racer for as little as $595, this is one school worth a closer look . 

Jacques Villenueve Academy

Location: ICAR

Price Range: $99-$3799

Website: www.circuiticar.com

Highlights: 3.5 km of road course, ¼ mile drag strip, 1.05km karting track designed by Jacques Villeneuve 

One of the highlights in grassroots motorsports as of late has been the development of the ICAR facility. Build on the site of the Mirabel airport, this expansive smooth bit of real estate made for an excellent racer track – right inside Montreal! Its popularity has snowballed and everything from track days to major events has been a resounding success there. The Jacques Villeneuve Academy operates on this newly formed race track to instruct drivers from beginners to those ready to go pro. We talked with ICAR’s Laurent Madore about what this new facility and training programs have to offer.  “There is over 3.5 km of track that breaks down into multiple configurations with sections raging from 12m to 20m wide.” Madore says. “There is enough room there to perform all kinds of maneuvers and passing.” The course does lack the exciting elevation changes like those at Mosport since it is as flat as a board. However, the surface is smooth and provides loads of grip for all kinds of vehicles, including your own if you wish to bring it. The Jacques Villenueve Academy breaks down into a three distinction areas of instruction. The Mustang GT experience, Formula ICAR and instruction in your own car. The Mustang GT instruction ranges from a half-day basic training covering braking and effective cornering all the way up to a full three day competition course. Recognized by the ASN Canada FIA, the competition course covers passing maneuvers and features over 100 timed laps with an instructor present at all times. Students of this $3799 course will possess a racing licence and are ready for heads up competition.