Corso Pilota (Ferrari sport course)

Thanks for the review. I was thinking about participating in August and glad to get your feedback.

 

Your insights were great. Very helpful. I was thinking of taking the course in Austin or Tremblant, so that was perfect. I have zero track experience so i might get some instructions on a local track first. Thanks again for you review..

 

Wouldn't worry about having no track experience - just go, listen and learn - you'll come out of it a better driver. I did the one in Maranello and their were a variety of levels of drivers.

 

A great review, thanks for sharing.

 

I took the Masters at Mt Tremblant and thought it was very well done, and, for the price, of course, first class.

Only downside is I missed one of their great instructors in the right seat. This would allowed me real time feedback and corrections for the next lap, rather then awaiting for debriefing after 20 minutes of lapping. Then getting back on the track an hour later and do more lead follow.

 

Sounds like a very good experience. They did not let you go into race mode all days? Whats the reason for that?

 

Awesome! Two weeks and counting until I head up there to do mine.

Having had prior race experience, was the class a bit boring or repetitive?

 

The cars in Sport mode are plenty fast enough. Plus - my opinion - Sport has the traction control intervene a bit more aggressively, so it forces you to be controlled with the throttle. Even then, the cars have enough juice to get wheelspin.

My wife has taken 5 courses there and is heading up there next week to do Advanced (again). I have a lot of race experience, but having sat through her Basic and Advanced classroom with her, it was a good review (at a minimum) and you can always pick up new things...

The elements about how to drive Tremblant were actually very interesting and usable, and things you can apply elsewhere. Having said that, the classroom sessions are short and well done (i.e. entertaining).

My observation is also that the instructors are good enough to be able to work with people at different levels and at their own pace; if you're capable of moving quicker, they will let you as long as you're in control and running up to your own limit. It's not a one-size-fits-all program, far from it (using my wife as Exhibit A - her first course she was afraid of a Ferrari and had never been on a racetrack; last Advanced she was among the quicker and smoother drivers)

 

I did the one at COTA, Anthony Lazzaro was my primary instructer. He was great. I can echo PKRacing experience. I am not a pro but have have been to many track schools. By far the best and the most fun. You were limited only by your ability. I drove 150 percent faster than I ever had in my life. Highly recommended.

 

I did this two years ago and it was awesome. The lead/follow format really works well. The lead professional driver goes just fast enough to keep you at your own personal limit. Everything about the event is top shelf as well - the hotel, meals, etc....

 

Thanks for the review. I'm signed up for one of the August sessions - even more excited!

 

Attending in August as well! Thanks for the review.

 

Just finished my Corso Pilota. Not much I can add atm but to say it was fantastic. Plus I've got tons of photos to sort through before I do my write up

 

Thanx for well desribed event ! Any photo's made ?

 

Thank you for the info and feedback. I'm planning on doing the Sport Course in Austin, TX Nov 16-17. I see you have a lot of racing and track experience but still enjoyed it which is great to hear.

After watching the videos (even on the Advanced and Evolution Courses) the driving seems pretty tame and that they have you running at 70%. Do they let you push it more if you want? Do you get to practice things like settling the car and controlling weight distribution?

 

New Orleans? Or Austin?

We are doing the advanced on November 18-19 in Austin.

 

Yes i meant Austin (thx I just edited my post above).

 

Second question... does it help with getting 488 allocations? I was told that it can but didnt know if anyone witnessed firsthand experience. I have a 488 deposit in and plan on getting the 488 spider after that.

 

I did the 1 at COTA. One of my top 10 experiences. Anthony Lazzaro was my instructor. Do it!

 

I doubt it but the dealer is encouraged by Ferrari to sell the schools. Buying and trading in a bunch of cars is what works. Buying a car like the FF would probably move you up a couple of notches.

 

It builds your profile with Ferrari - so it does help. Basically dealers get access to limited cars and extra allocations more because of what they do other than sell stock cars. This includes the driving schools, atelier, tailor made selling challenge cars and other clients services.

 

I believe this. Ever since i started tracking and expressed interest in a 458 Challenge car my dealer has really stepped up the customer service and has been phenomenal to me. Yes it represents more dollars and more service, but I believe they also are encouraged to push the racing heritage ( Corp down to the dealer to the customer) as it is supports their mission and brand.

 

Bumping this old thread — anyone done this with the current generation cars? What parts do you use the Pista for, and what parts the 812?

For those who have done another course (like Porsche's), how do you find the value? It’s $10,000 more than the Porsche one which isn’t a drop in the bucket...