1. What does the school teach?The SASC Winter Driving School uses motorsports technique to teach car control and driving physics. In motorsports, we often get to experience driving at, and beyond the limit and those experiences give us a big advantage should we find ourselves in unexpected situations on the street. Our goal for the school is to transfer some of our experiences to non-motorsports drivers. We teach car control and vehicle physics with an emphasis on:
a. Visual techniques
b. Creating driver comfort and awareness
c. Safety
d. Fun!
Our standard course includes a 40minute classroom session and a day of driving on solid ice through various courses and obstacles.
2. Where is the school held?We hold our schools on the frozen ice of Ghost Lake, about 30 minutes west of Calgary off of Highway 1A. Classroom sessions are typically held at a conference room (Days Inn) in the town of Cochrane prior to visiting the lake.
For directions to the lake, see here:
https://goo.gl/maps/r4dq1.
3. Is the school safe?Your safety and that of our instructors is our first priority, and we are proud to say that we have never had an injury or major incident at the school. To ensure a safe and fun time for everyone, we do demand that you follow the rules outlined in our classroom session, and respect the directions of our instructors at all times.
4. Will I fall through the ice?No you will not. If there are any questions relating to ice thickness and safety, schools will be postponed or cancelled.
As a general rule, we will not hold the school on less than 18" of ice. As the above chart shows, that is more than enough for ordinary passenger vehicles. Often we actually see between 20 and 30 inches of ice. In previous years, the lake has been generally safe for our usage from early January to Mid March.
5. Do I need winter tires?
No, but
they are highly recommended. If you do decide to attend our school on all-season tires, you will quickly realize how much better real winter tires are. The surface conditions at our school are as slippery as you will find anywhere, and the extremely low limits of all-season tires can make some of our exercises quite challenging and perhaps even frustrating. Vehicles on summer tires or performance tires are not welcome at the school. Summer tires are so incapable that cars equipped with them are certain to hold up other cars in the exercise area, and often can't even navigate from area to area without assistance. Yes these recommendations and restrictions apply to all wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles as well!
6. Am I elegible to take the school with a Class 7 licence?There is no better place for new drivers to learn the limits of a car and/or a driver's skill! Young drivers however, must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, and must have some driving experience. This is not the place to learn what pedal does what!
7. Who are the instructors?
Our instructors are experienced drivers coming from various racing disciplines. Many have won national titles, american national titles or are professional driving instructors. At our schools though, they are acting as volunteers, and most return year after year. Yes it is that fun!
8. Do I have insurance while participating in the school?Your vehicle is not covered by standard insurance policies while partaking in the school, or driving on the lake. Filing a claim for damage done on the lake may be considered fraud. The S.A.S.C. carries insurance for the event, but it
does not cover damage to vehicles.
9.What does it cost and how to I register?Our 2015 pricing was:
$150.00- Regular Price
$75.00- Student Price (Valid Student ID required)
*Note that entrance to the winter driving school includes a token for free entry to an S.A.S.C summer Autoslalom event, valid in the 2015 season
(SASC Club Membership required)10. What do I need to bring?Just a couple things!
a. Your valid driver's licence.
b. Your car. Any safe road going passenger vehicle will work. This is not a racing school! The family minivan or SUV is a great choice. Vehicles with excessively loud exhausts are not welcome. Ensure your vehicle's interior is clean and distraction free, and you have enough gas for a full day of driving.
c. Warm clothes. Most of the day is spent inside the car, but it is inevitable that you will spend some time outside. Temperatures on the lake are often colder than what we experience in the city, and the wind blows stronger too. A toque, scarf, warm gloves, and a warm jacket that you can pull off and on as you get in and out of the car is a great idea.
d. A smile. This is no place to be nervous or anxious. If you don't spin out or slide through a corner, we're probably not doing our job.
Also note:
a. We provide lunch and snacks. If you have any special dietary requirements, let us know at registration.
b. Typically schools wrap up around 4pm. If you need to leave earlier we can accommodate that. Again, please let us know ahead of time.
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