Professional Driver Coach Recomendation - LotusTalk

RichS · 10-14-2008, 06:03 AM

Two weeks ago, I spent some time in my car with Jason Hart, a Professional Driver Coach and I learned quite a bit. I'd highly recommend Jason to anyone who is looking to increase their skill behind the wheel.

Jason has instructed local racers who were able to increase their lap times by seconds (!!!) and then went on to win every race they were in the next weekend.

He set the time to beat for the Mazda 'Rev it up challenge' and of the thousands (8,000? 10,000?) folks who ran the event, there were only a few (2? 3?) who got faster laps than him.

Obviously Jason knows how to drive fast, but even more important than that he knows how to work with other drivers to make them fast too.

He can travel anywhere in the country.

We all know that more seat time/better driving beats 'performance bolt ons' every day.

Jason can fix that 'nut behind the wheel'.

The great thing about learning to drive better is that it works for every car that you drive. That supercharger you just stuck on your car won't make you faster in a spec Miata.

Jason Hart Racing | Home

Chili Red · 10-14-2008, 07:00 AM

I also had Jason drive with me for a few sessions and Im really considering hiring him for a day. Im starting to get pretty quick already, but I think that would be icing on the cake.

kverges · 10-14-2008, 07:24 AM

How much does he charge? I have considered some coaching myself, but I don't know that it is worth the money.

RichS · 10-14-2008, 07:41 AM

Jason Hart Racing | Coaching

Rates are posted there.

If you want to go faster and the choice is between a Larini 8 Inch Single Tip Exhaust for the Lotus Elise and Exige and a day with Jason, the day with Jason will be MUCH more beneficial. (Sorry Shinoo!)

I've had Jason in my passenger seat and my drivers seat and I'll say that I've learned something from him EVERY time. He understands what my car can do better than I do and I've been tracking it at least 2 days a month for 2 years.

Two weeks ago at TWS he took my car out with me in it (190 lbs. or at least a 2 second/lap weight penalty) and was two seconds a lap faster than me. Take me out of the car and he'd be at least 4 seconds a lap faster. In a single session. In a car he had never driven at that track. In a car that he is trying to be very careful in as he has a policy of not wrecking his customer's cars. He was also over braking for one corner (the only corner where I had a faster sector time than him) due to the afore mentioned safety concerns.

I picked up more than a second a lap after riding with Jason in my car.

Again, I'd HIGHLY recommend him.

kverges · 10-14-2008, 12:21 PM

Fair pricing, depending on how much track time you get. Jason is very quick

Chili Red · 10-14-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kverges

Fair pricing, depending on how much track time you get. Jason is very quick

I spoke with Jason and you get 8 hours of instruction/coaching for $750. He also has a deal at MSR Cresson and I believe Eagles Canyon where you only pay $100 for the whole day on track.

lotustype74 · 12-12-2008, 08:11 PM

I think Tommy Byrne is coaching out of Fla. I don't know anyone who has used him, but in his day Byrne was a future star untill his demons got the best of him.

Mr. Know · 12-12-2008, 08:33 PM

Don't forget Robbie Montinola in Northern California. His rates are similar and I and others can attest to the great help he provides. He knows Lotus very well and can give specific help whereas a typical track day coach provides more generalized instruction.

Pro coaching at Thunderhill -- who's with me?
Actually, his group www.DriveSVR.com | Silicon Valley Racing provides several coaching options.

MontinolaRacing · 12-12-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Know

Don't forget Robbie Montinola in Northern California. His rates are similar and I and others can attest to the great help he provides. He knows Lotus very well and can give specific help whereas a typical track day coach provides more generalized instruction.

Pro coaching at Thunderhill -- who's with me?
Actually, his group www.DriveSVR.com | Silicon Valley Racing provides several coaching options.

Thanks Craig.. I travel often for coaching as well

my site ---> www.montinola.com

sleepless · 12-13-2008, 12:34 PM

There is also Ross Bentley: Home - Speed Secrets Driver Development

Gary(SF) · 12-13-2008, 04:09 PM

Craig Stanton and Randy Pobst are both excellent. Tony Coliccio and Dave Wilson in NorCal area are very highly regarded also.

Gary

xcessiveone · 12-13-2008, 04:12 PM

Brian Smith, Carolina Motorsports Park, if you're in the Southeast. Very quick, and a very good coach/teacher.

10-14-2008, 06:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	Professional Driver Coach Recomendation Two weeks ago, I spent some time in my car with Jason Hart, a Professional Driver Coach and I learned quite a bit. I'd highly recommend Jason to anyone who is looking to increase their skill behind the wheel. Jason has instructed local racers who were able to increase their lap times by seconds (!!!) and then went on to win every race they were in the next weekend. He set the time to beat for the Mazda 'Rev it up challenge' and of the thousands (8,000? 10,000?) folks who ran the event, there were only a few (2? 3?) who got faster laps than him. Obviously Jason knows how to drive fast, but even more important than that he knows how to work with other drivers to make them fast too. He can travel anywhere in the country. We all know that more seat time/better driving beats 'performance bolt ons' every day. Jason can fix that 'nut behind the wheel'. The great thing about learning to drive better is that it works for every car that you drive. That supercharger you just stuck on your car won't make you faster in a spec Miata. Jason Hart Racing \| Home __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

10-14-2008, 07:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Chili Red Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 2,204	I also had Jason drive with me for a few sessions and Im really considering hiring him for a day. Im starting to get pretty quick already, but I think that would be icing on the cake. __________________ 2007 Exige S - Chili Red 2009 Mini Cooper S - Chili Red Gotham 265, Nitron Sport Pro, Moroso oil pan, RTVBrace, Volk CE28N/R888, Cup Wheels/A048, 2Bular Ultra 4", Rapfix II w/ Sparco P300, S111 CF Splitter, Ultradiscs, Pagid RS42, V-Force Harness Bar, Schroth PROFI II, Fire Extinguisher, Folding Tow Hook, Odyssey PC680, re-ENFORCER, LLumar 30% tint, Traqmate, DashDAQ, Chasecam, Alpine IVA-D100 w/ Backup Camera.

10-14-2008, 07:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	Jason Hart Racing \| Coaching Rates are posted there. If you want to go faster and the choice is between a Larini 8 Inch Single Tip Exhaust for the Lotus Elise and Exige and a day with Jason, the day with Jason will be MUCH more beneficial. (Sorry Shinoo!) I've had Jason in my passenger seat and my drivers seat and I'll say that I've learned something from him EVERY time. He understands what my car can do better than I do and I've been tracking it at least 2 days a month for 2 years. Two weeks ago at TWS he took my car out with me in it (190 lbs. or at least a 2 second/lap weight penalty) and was two seconds a lap faster than me. Take me out of the car and he'd be at least 4 seconds a lap faster. In a single session. In a car he had never driven at that track. In a car that he is trying to be very careful in as he has a policy of not wrecking his customer's cars. He was also over braking for one corner (the only corner where I had a faster sector time than him) due to the afore mentioned safety concerns. I picked up more than a second a lap after riding with Jason in my car. Again, I'd HIGHLY recommend him. __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

12-12-2008, 08:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mr. Know British by extrapolation Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Marin, California Posts: 3,350 Images: 6	Don't forget Robbie Montinola in Northern California. His rates are similar and I and others can attest to the great help he provides. He knows Lotus very well and can give specific help whereas a typical track day coach provides more generalized instruction. Pro coaching at Thunderhill -- who's with me? Actually, his group www.DriveSVR.com \| Silicon Valley Racing provides several coaching options. __________________ 07 Magnetic Blue Exige S Join the Blue Lotus Team on Facebook.

12-13-2008, 12:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
sleepless Elise Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,224	There is also Ross Bentley: Home - Speed Secrets Driver Development __________________ Pete 05 Lotus Elise \| 06 Porsche Boxster S \| 97 Porsche Turbo

10-14-2008, 07:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
kverges Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 927	How much does he charge? I have considered some coaching myself, but I don't know that it is worth the money.

10-14-2008, 12:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
kverges Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 927	Fair pricing, depending on how much track time you get. Jason is very quick

12-12-2008, 08:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
lotustype74 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 85	I think Tommy Byrne is coaching out of Fla. I don't know anyone who has used him, but in his day Byrne was a future star untill his demons got the best of him.

12-13-2008, 04:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
Gary(SF) Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Altos Hills, CA Posts: 108	Craig Stanton and Randy Pobst are both excellent. Tony Coliccio and Dave Wilson in NorCal area are very highly regarded also. Gary

12-13-2008, 04:12 PM	#12 (permalink)
xcessiveone Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 51	Brian Smith, Carolina Motorsports Park, if you're in the Southeast. Very quick, and a very good coach/teacher. __________________ Ryan Indy 2007 Exige S 2003 Corvette Z06 (Lingenfelter 530 HP) http://www.robersonracing.com

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