East Texas Police Academy Driving School proposition

[Ferg]

As some of you know, I teach for a police academy in Kilgore. One of the topics I teach is police emergency driver improvement, affectionately known as PEDI.

The interesting thing about the Audi Quattro Challenge program is that the things they teach are very, very similar to what we teach in our PEDI courses. IMHO, the only real down side of the Audi Quattro Challenge was that there were too many people there and not enough time to drive. I saw an opportunity to provide some hands-on, practical driver improvement instruction for folks who might want to improve their street-driving skills. Let me stress, though, that THIS IS NOT A RACING SCHOOL NOR IS IT A PURSUIT DRIVING SCHOOL. This class is designed to help you become a better "real-life" driver.

The school is 16 hours long, held on a Saturday and a Sunday, and would be held at the East Texas Police Academy driving range just south of Kilgore, Texas. The tuition, which would be paid to the academy to cover materials and instructional costs, would be $50 per participant. The class would have no more than 20 students...which means that each person would be allowed to drive more. Spouses and/or friends are allowed to come and video, photo, etc., if they want. The basic setup is:

SATURDAY AM:
-register, get oriented
-inspect cars for safety
-short amount of classroom instruction (range rules, safety issues, etc.)
-serpentine ("slalom") course
-lunch on your own from 11:30 - 1:00

SATURDAY PM:
-evasive lane change
-perception / reaction course

SUNDAY AM:
-precision manuevering course
-precision backing course
-lunch on your own from 11:30 - 1:00

SUNDAY PM:
-short classroom presentation
-highway course
-evaluation, finish up

At the end of the course, each person who successfully completes the course would receive an East Texas Police Academy certificate for their wall, a letter stating that the person had completed the class (some insurance companies have, in the past, accepted this much the same as a DDC certificate and have given a 10% discount on the liability portion of your insurance...but this is totally up to the insurance company), and a MUCH better understanding of how to safely, effectively handle a car.

So, my question is this: how many of you would be interested? I think you would have a really good time and learn a great deal. I taught the first session of this class in July and the participants LOVED it. I've got about 15 folks signed up so far for this session, with vehicles ranging from TTs to VWs. You can ask any of the folks who were in the last class and I think you'll see why they enjoyed it so much. Dustin Loftis ("dloftis") and his fiance', JoTT, and 3.14ryTT, all from TX, took the class and learned something. If you're interested, please let me know ASAP so I can put you on the list. The reason I limited enrollment to 20 folks is so that you get a chance to drive, drive, and then drive some more.

One other thing: even though you're responsible for your own meals, we all ate as a group last time and had a blast. We ate Mexican food Saturday at noon, BBQ ribs @ the Country Tavern for Saturday evening, and then ate at a great buffet place Sunday at noon.

Thanks!
Ferg

[Ferg]

[hurricanesteve]

[TXurS6]

Specifically:
- What goes into each activity and how each one is taught
- How many runs in each course? 'X' number or until you get it right?
- How many instructors? How much time do they spend in the car with each student?
- What does everyone else do while someone is on the course? Or, on average, how much time is spent waiting for your turn?
- I assume it's open to cars other than Audi?

This sounds like a great deal for 2 days of instruction. I'm just trying to get an idea of what is involved.

[formerly dennisA4]

[Ferg]

[LCP]

[Ferg]

Each exercise is repeated until each student masters the activity at each of the specified levels. It's kind of hard to explain what each one is in this format. If you would like to call me, I can explain via telphone and it would make a whole lot more sense. You can also write dloftis, JoTT, 3.14ryTT, houTTini, or maxhedrm from the TT forum for ideas as to how the course went.

There will be at least three full-time, TML-certified Police Emergency Driver Improvement instructors at all times. If 20 people sign up, there will be four full-time ETPA instructors on site. The students who are not currently driving help with picking up cones, etc.

I promise you that by the end of the day, you'll be tired of driving a car...you spend that much time behind the wheel - seriously. The class is aimed at real-life situations for everyday driving. It's open to anyone who wants to come.

I have a bunch of TTs and different types of VWs signed up so far. There are five openings left. The reason I limit enrollment to 20 is so that you get to drive a whole bunch...that was the problem with the AQC -- you spent all of your time standing around, waiting to drive. My school is nothing like that!

I hope you'll attend. I think you'll learn some valuable skills and you'll have a great time, too.Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help you.

[TXurS6]

I have to check with my social director (wife) and see if we have any plans for that weekend. I'm also going to check with my friend (has a BMW 330i) and see if he wants to come.

[®ob]