Winter Driving school and G1 license

[wing]

WHat type of license must a student have? G1 is a basically a learners -- I know last year we had some pretty young folk taking the school that perhaps were G1 but I want to make sure.

[WRC_VERNA]

Yes I believe we did have a few drivers out last year with a G1. The only hassle is for them getting to the track and avoiding the 417!

[wing]

G1 driver's need a passenger for the road so I would think the hassle would be getting there and having their 4 year driving experience buddy (parent most likely) able to leave after.

[WRC_VERNA]

Yeah. Their experienced driver/parent could chauffeur them out too. but you're right they're pretty much marooned for the day.

[GoesFilled]

Marooned? Hwy 7 is not the 417...they just have to trek crosstown avoiding the 417.

Pretty easily done by taking Hazeldean. With the new entrance - you don't even need Hwy 7.

[wing]

That's not the question though.

G1 driver's CANNOT drive on their own they need a passenger with 4 years experience by their side. So the question remains does our school insurance allow us to teach individuals with a G1 license.

I see nothing wrong with it, our winter environment is safer than real roads and the instructor will most likely have said experience -- but I know insurance for the most part never makes an ounce of sense.

[rmicroys]

We've had race school drivers with a learner permit. There isn't anything in any CASC-OR gcrs or regs that state what license they must have, just that they must have a valid driver's license.

[wing]

Awesome thanks!

Is this only for schools or to compete as well?

[PMcD]

Yes we have and do allow G1's. IMO best time to get em straight.

[rmicroys]

Awesome thanks!

Is this only for schools or to compete as well?

Yes, even for competition, road racing even.

So, say the kid turned 16 on April 20th, takes his G1 test, goes to the school late April/Early May and gets his race license, and thus 2 weeks later is on the racetrack in a FF1600. He's on the start grid with a G1, and had his driver's license for less than a month.

[wing]

Awesome!

Thanks guys for the info -- passing it on, pulling some legs and arms kicking and screaming to the school.

[terrydale]

Back in the CART original Indy Lights days, as Chief Steward I signed off on CART-issued FIA Driver Licenses. I reviewed the resume of one driver and had to go back and re-read it to be sure of what I was seeing. It showed the applicant as having raced F1600 cars apparently at the age of 13 YO and of his having won the F1600 Championship the following year at age 14. The resume continued with other activity up to his current age which was about 16 or 17 as I recall. His F1600 and other racing activity had all taken place in New Zealand. Everything was checked out and verified, he completed his oval test under observation and I then signed off on his license allowing him to compete in the coming year's Indy Lights Championship. He did pretty good and has had some successes since then as well. Oh yeah, it was Scott Dixon.

Another interesting application came in from a Johnny Kane who was slated to drive the Kool-sponsored Indy Lights car that year. Included in his resume was the suggestion that, if I needed to speak to someone who could verify Johnny's capabilities, I was to contact a fellow named Jackie Stewart as Johnny had driven for Jackie's son's F2 team the previous year.

There were a lot of very talented drivers who went through the Indy Lights program and who I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with.

I remember a Indy Lights Driver's meeting at Michigan Speedway at which the Lights cars were lapping at 193+ mph. The practise sessions had been very edgy and I asked the ChampCar Chief Steward, Wally Dallenbach, to point me to a couple of his drivers who could step up at the front of the meeting and explain what the results of chopping someone off after passing them created. What happens is that the air is taken off the wing and the car washes out with almost inevitable contact with the wall by one, or both.

The two drivers who came in to talk to them were Rick Mears and Gil De Ferran. They explained very clearly that disrespecting their fellow drivers that way would result in someone likely dying as a result - one of the very few times I have ever heard a driver actually say the word. The room was very quiet and everyone clearly got the message.

I finished the meeting and stood near the door as the drivers filed their way out. Two drivers passed by me who had clearly understood the message but were asking each other who the old grey haired guy was who had been talking to them. They were referring to 5 time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears and I could only shake my head.

[gregor]

Maybe you should write a book Terry, the stories I keep hearing from you are great. Can't believe you sold that vette!

[morrow]

Your stories are great, Terry -- maybe at least write a column in The Link?

Jeannie

[terrydale]

Thanx Guys!

I have been very fortunate over the years to have been involved with motorsports at a whole bunch of different levels. I am a Club/Regional guy at heart who has had the opportunity to do things like being the Entrant/Team Manager for a GT2 Porsche Team at LeMans, drive pace cars at places like Daytona, manage an FIA GT entry at Zhuhai and race at the Sebring 12 Hour - amongst other stuff.

I enjoy sharing those experiences and also doing whatever I can to open doors to allow others to participate or be involved in things they might have an interest in seeing or doing at a racetrack or with motorsport.

Thanx again!