Performance Driver Training by Peter Fitzgerald at Winton

[Walnut]

Hi All, and particularly my track friends from Phillip Island!

I will soon be attending a performance driver training course run by Peter Fitzgerald. Essentially it is open for only 5 people at Winton for a day, receiving intensive tuition from him. If you haven't heard of him, Peter Fitzgerald has spent over 32 years racing cars, the majority of them from the Porsche stable. He has won 4 Australian Titles and finished 'runner up' on 5 other occasions. He has finished 1st in 141 of the more than 505 races he has run in his career to date.

Of relevance to us, Peter also has a heavily modified 135i through his evolve-technic workshop, and can give advice on the best mods for your car. He knows what he is doing, as he has won the Motor Magazine Hot Tuner shootout numerous times (for the last 3 years I think?)

So he can drive, and he can modify cars. Cost is ~$450, which is a lot, but the unimpeded track time, personal tuition and custom advice on your car makes it excellent value I think, and an investment in yourself. I think there are some guys on here who would really enjoy and benefit from this course, so does anyone want to join me? It will be on a weekday TBD, and hopefully before the next AROCA Phillip Island track day on November 17! It would be good to have a few of the last Phillip island guys on the course, and see how we improve! Charlie will be doing the course also, so 3 spots left.

An (old) website here: http://www.fitz-racing.com.au/training.html

More from the (Porsche-centrc) website:

Now you have the opportunity to get a head start on your competition or perhaps understand how to get a little bit extra from your car. Courses are usually conducted at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria and run for a full day. Peter will first drive you around the circuit in your own car after which you will drive him. This will allow him to make a valid assessment of your driving in your car while at the same time giving you expert tuition. Because of the large amount of individual tuition that each attendee receives, each course is limited to a maximum of 5 participants.

So come spend a day with Peter Fitzgerald and share in his wealth of experience. Sharpen your car control skills or perhaps enhance your race craft with some pointers like 'qualifying techniques'. Whatever your needs as a driver, Pete will help you move ahead.

What is your Return On Investment? In one day you will reap the benefit of 32 years of winning. If your lap times do not improve throughout the course of the day, your fee will be refunded in full. We don't think you can get a better return than that.

Our course cost includes a catered lunch with tea, coffee or soft drinks available throughout the day.

[oystero]

Hi James
Unfortunately I don't have any weekday leave left this month and next :/ it sounds exciting especially getting personal training from the man himself and only limited to 5 participants.

Tim and Evans are planning to head up to Winton (tampered) on cup day.

I hope you get the numbers required to run it !!

[timbo_3101]

Thanks James for attending PI (Maserati) and bringing this to our attention. I still haven't learn how to drive this damn car properly

There are at least four events at Winton Raceway over the next three weeks, of which I plan to attend Tampered Motorsport on Tuesday 5th November.

It is Evans' home circuit, but everyone is welcome of course
http://www.wintononline.com.au/

For those who are unfamiliar, this is a tight (slow) 3.0km technical circuit located near Benalla and around 2.5h from Melbourne. Peak speeds will be only 150-180km, and a team of 86s has recently been recording some impressive (embarrassing) results

[Smiley1175]

I'm interested, any idea when the date will be announced?

[Walnut]

If we get a group together, we can organise a date immediately.

[oystero]

It is tempting

[WAY]

I've done this with Peter years ago. It's fantastic and he is great. Do it guys!

[Walnut]

News from Peter:

Tentative booking of Thursday 7th November. Cost is $469 for the day and they allow a maximum of 6 participants, not 5.

[melbv]

is this training on track run or just an open area?
just wondering if there will be a lot of waiting time since he's giving training one by one around the whole track?
do we require CAMS license?

Originally Posted by Walnut

News from Peter:

Tentative booking of Thursday 7th November. Cost is $469 for the day and they allow a maximum of 6 participants, not 5.

[Walnut]

The training is on track, and you also drive (practice) without him in the car. I think his son Christian is also tutoring. Don't know about licences - will check.

[Walnut]

More news from Peter: So far we have 5 of the 6 people required for the day so it will definitely go ahead.

Chasing if we need CAMS licence or not.

[Walnut]

Date is now the 6th, and no CAMS licence is necessary.

[oystero]

Originally Posted by Walnut

Date is now the 6th, and no CAMS licence is necessary.

How was the training James ?

[Walnut]

Awesome! In the end, only four of us for the whole track (long config), all day, with Peter and a support mechanic/timer. Early in the day, I set a time of 1:50 something (after 5 laps), and he set a time of 1:47.9 in my car (with me as passenger, 2 laps), and by the end of the day I was in the 1:46s, so I was really pleased with the progress. Fantastic day all round - except for the speeding fine I got driving to the track...

The other participants were Charlie in his MX-5, and Sally-Anne in her 911 turbo (that won the hot tuner shootout), and another guy with his 911 cup car.

[timbo_3101]

Sounds like you had a great time James
Am envious, but looking forward to attending this in future.

[John_01]

Sounds like a good way to improve your skills. I'd be up for a similar even in Sydney, or maybe even consider making a trip to Winton in future.

[DR-JEKL]

Originally Posted by John_01

Sounds like a good way to improve your skills. I'd be up for a similar even in Sydney, or maybe even consider making a trip to Winton in future.

We could get Peter from advan to do the exact same scenario if he was up for it!

[oystero]

Originally Posted by Walnut

Awesome! In the end, only four of us for the whole track (long config), all day, with Peter and a support mechanic/timer. Early in the day, I set a time of 1:50 something (after 5 laps), and he set a time of 1:47.9 in my car (with me as passenger, 2 laps), and by the end of the day I was in the 1:46s, so I was really pleased with the progress. Fantastic day all round - except for the speeding fine I got driving to the track...

The other participants were Charlie in his MX-5, and Sally-Anne in her 911 turbo (that won the hot tuner shootout), and another guy with his 911 cup car.

Great stuff James. Congrats on the new PB