Bobby Archer driving school

[monnieh]

I am interesed in taking Bobby's one day class. However the $600.00+ price tag (and 8am start) has me waffeling.

Has anyone here taken this class? If so what do you think about it after taking it?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Why not www.ViperDays.com ? Two days for $600 to $700.

 

[monnieh]

That sounds good. What is appealing about the archer school is it is right next door to me. I live about 15 miles from his shop.

 

[Dixter]

We all went to the race track a couple of weekends ago and
Bobby was there racing against us.... from the conversations
I've had with him and his team I don't think you can go
wrong... He knows how to drive a Viper and I know he can
teach you things that will very much suprise you.

 

[kverges]

An alternative is The Drivers' Edge. Try www.thedriversedge.net for more info. This group will be at MSR the weekend after Labor Day and you do receive in-car instruction on every session until you are cleared to drive "solo." The instructor corps do not include anyone with Bobby's credentials, but for a beginner you can get a flavor of things and then decide if you are serious enough to take Bobby's course. I personally think many of the instructors are quite talented and won't steer you wrong.

Also,the Porsche and BMW clubs run driving schools at TWS and MSR. Viper Days events are much further away and you should figure travel time and expense into your budget. Finally, I am biased, but I like the diversity of cars at more generalized driving events as opposed to Viper Days; Vipers are wonderful and all, but I have to say I enjoy the whole mix.

You should also consider joining MSR if you want to drive with brio. Instruction is important, but so is practice and having MSR at your disposal most any weekend is a resource that almost no one in the country enjoys, not even the Left-coasters. I am a member at MSR and I have to say I LOVE it, so there's some more bias.

 

[FrankBarba]

if you can get personal lessons from Bobby Archer i'd say go for it. You can take other schools ie. Bragg Smith's in vegas, or
Skip Barber....but bobby archer...he's actually driving a viper. i always say if you want to learn something, learn from someone whos doing it...

 

[Rich Wesorick]

I might be a bit biased here, but I agree with HEMIDAYTONA that you just can't do any better for an instructor than someone that has raced (not just driven) Vipers for 5 years - i.e. Bobby Archer. Plus, you'll have less than a dozen cars and an entire day of track time.

It might be worth asking Deborah Loth ([email protected]) or Dan Knox, both of whom excelled at Bobby's clinics and have gone on to race (successfully) in SCCA T1, what they think.

My 2 cents...

 

[Steve 00RT/10]

I did the Bragg-Smith shool last spring. I was very happy with it. Over 300 track miles on a 2002 ZO6 in 2 days plus one full day of car control stuff(1st. day). I think it was $2K in total for the 3 days. They advertise that no one gives more seat time than them over a 3 day school. As for racing, I believe Rupert does all right for himself on the circuit he races in. Nice guy. Took my wife for some hot laps the day after the school was over.

Steve

 

[Mike H]

Their is no Viper instructor better than Bobby Archer. Racing and setup of the Viper is Bobby's business. if you are serious about learning how to drive the Viper at its limit Bobby's the man. I have been racing for a while, have talked with Bobby at length and have raced against him in Viper wheel to wheel races. I am looking forward to catching up with him soon to get in the seat with me and pick the brains of one of the best Viper drivers around.

 

[SoCal Rebell]

I go to Viperdays and try to talk Paul Mumford into either riding with me or I ride with him, I once had him drive my car to the limit with me as a passanger so I could see for myself what MY car is capable of. You learn alot from someone who drives a Viper FAST (I also approach Ken Adelberg & John Dearing). I you wanna drive a Viper FAST, learn from a FAST Viper driver in a Viper.

 

[Wing King]

Bobby Archer's $600 school is THE way to go. Just ask ANYONE who has been. Once Bobby has shown you what to do and how to do it, THEN tackle a Viper Days event to **** in even MORE info SPECIFIC to Vipers. THEN, start to go have fun at other events like Keith Verges mentioned. Driver's Edge and NASA are great ways to have fun. I don't recommend them FIRST however, through personal experience. I got early teaching in my own car from OTHER makes sports car instructors...... and then found out later, the hard way, that driving a Viper fast can be VERY different from Brand X, Y, and Z makes, and I had to "unlearn" a few things.

The deal is, not only is Bobby one of the fastest human beings on the planet in a Viper, but he's an outstanding TEACHER.... patient, courteous, and a fine person. Here in your area of the country, so close to him..... this is a "no brainer". Sign up NOW!

 

[kverges]

Gotta disagree with King. Many of these weekend events include instructors with Viper or other big power RWD experience. While driving a Viper is different from other cars, basic car control skills cross over and that's what you need to focus on first. In fact, some skills I have learned in momentum (i.e. wimpy) cars have made me smoother in my Viper. Big power cars can teach bad habits, since the power can do much to hide mistakes in braking and turning.

No reason not to do both or all available, but the order is not that important in my mind. Seat time makes ALL the difference, though, so don't expect one day in any school is going to make you an accomplished driver - just like any skill, you must practice if you want to maintain and improve skills. A day golfing with Tiger Woods would not exactly qualify you for the PGA tour, right?

Deborah Loth and Dan Knox have both excelled after Bobby's school, and if I were racing Vipers, then I'd definitely do an Archer clinic. Bobby definitely knows what he is doing. I have yet to do one, though, so I only know part of the equation.

FWIW,

Keith

 

[Mike H]

KVerges......Got to somewhat disagree with you. I do agree seat time will always make you smoother and faster. As you go thru the learning curve andd get to know the feel of your car you start to learn more about whether the car is underdteering or oversteering in certain corners.
You make a good point, so look at it like that.....If you could have golf instructions from a golf pro or have an ALL day instruction from Tiger Woods....Who would you pick? THATS A NO BRAINER!!!
Bobby Archer builds, races, maintains, and sets up Vipers. While others also may have seat toime in high power cars and even Vipers, Bobby Archer is no doubt, one of the best drivers in a Viper.
Hands down.....Go to Bobby!!! You cant go wrong!

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

$600.00/day for quality instruction is a deal!

 

[MiamiJeff]

Fred's right. $600/ day for good instruction is cheep

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hahaha.....hey, I'd probably settle for $800/day in Homestead with Vipers and quality teaching.

C'mon, someone run a school here in Homestead...with Vipers!!!

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