Let's get the most important question out first:
how fast do these cars go?

"A confident driver can reach about 187 km/h, which is just over 116 mph. 

"Top speed is one of the first things students ask when they get here. They think to themselves, 'I can go as fast as I want, there are no police, no speed limits and no kids in the back seat.'

"But once around the track and they realize that speed isn't the issue, it's taking command of the vehicle and piloting around corners
with skill."

What kinds of people visit the Bridgestone
Racing Academy?

"We can separate our guests into three different groups. One is people who own expensive performance cars - like Ferraris and Vipers - who want to improve their skills so they can enjoy driving their vehicles so much more.

"The second group I refer to as 'car guys.' They got their driver's licenses just as the muscle cars of the '60s became popular. They're a bit frustrated because they've been driving the family station wagon, the mini van or the SUV for the past ten years or so, but they still love everything about cars and racing.

"Our third group is corporate outings and they are really something exciting and unique. A one- or two-day race event is something exciting for top clients and sales people - much more so than the same old
golf tournament."

Why is it so much fun to watch?

"Some of these corporate guys are so staid and reserved. Number one, they're terrified of spinning out in front of their colleagues, but after 20 minutes, they jump out of the cockpit high-fiving one another, slapping each other on their backs and yelling words of encouragement. They really have an incredible time - and it shows."

What kind of classes does the Academy hold
for corporate outings?

"First is 1-1/2 hours of ground school. We'll talk about safety and spend one full hour teaching people how to brake, accelerate and use the clutch all at one time, and how to avoid spinning out while downshifting and cornering.

"Then we'll have lunch - we have a caterer who who prepares a really nice lunch. Then it's onto the track.

"The afternoon is spent inside the race car, going around the track a number of times, chasing the instructor's pace car.

"This is when the students begin to gain confidence. The first time around, for example, the instructor will hold speeds to around 40 or 50 around the curves. After a couple laps, students will corner at around 80 to 90 mph."

Tell us about the track.

"I designed the track myself to help car enthusiasts learn how to drive more skillfully while having a lot of fun doing it.

"The track can be configured 24 different ways, and as the skill level builds, we can change the course so we can challenge the drivers, but in a safe manner."

How is that done?

"The track has wide grassy areas and very few concrete walls. If there's a spinout, chances are they won't get hurt or the other drivers.

"And that's something we're really proud of: the Bridgestone Racing Academy has never had an injury in its history - and we've been running schools for 21 years."

How do you do that with amateurs on the track?

"In addition to the design of the track, it's our people. We have 42 employees serving our guests. The shop mechanics make sure the cars are in tip-top shape. The trackside crew buckles everyone in and adjusts the pedals and shift levers so they are customized to the person's body.

"While our guests are driving on the track, there are flaggers who stand alongside to communicate to the drivers, telling them the conditions of the road ahead, whether it's a slow car or a clear track. And before any car is driven, our instructors fully prepare our guests on safety issues and track rules.

"Finally, when other driving schools hand out helmets and suits, we go a step further and add gloves, socks and balaclavas."

The cars aren't full real race cars, are they?

"Our academy uses Reynard Formula 2000 open wheel formula cars, which are capable of achieving zero to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds. And back to zero in less than three seconds. 

"We acquired these F2000s from another school several years ago. While at the other racing school, former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, CART stars Patrick Carpentier and Alexandre Tagliani, among others, trained on these cars. So yes, they are real race cars."

Let's go! I'm ready.  Where's the Racing Academy?
How do we sign up?

"The Bridgestone Racing Academy is about one hour outside of Toronto, Ontario. We can be reached by calling 905-983-1114 or visiting our Web site at www.race2000.com."