2006 Bridgestone Winter Driving School

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Test drove: 1/16/2006 to 1/18/2006

I haven't been to Driver's Ed class since I was 15. Which is not to say that the Bridgestone Winter Driving School at the Center For Driving Sciences in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is your basic driving school. This is where they teach advanced driving techniques, and also (in the class I will be taking) Modern Winter Driving Techniques.

Attending the class makes me realize just how much I don't know about driving my car in inclement weather. I learn that there are things I could be doing to respect my car, other drivers, and of course, my family out on the road. Over the course of a full day, I have a class in Tires 101, an introduction to the Bridgestone Winter Driving School, and track experience the rest of the day.

I am the first to tell you that automotive performance is something I know little about, but it tends to lose any potential excitement when someone tries to educate me further. Most people talk to me like I'm 3 when it comes to cars, or they talk so far over my head that I get lost. Not Bill VandeWater! Bill is Bridgestone's Chief Tire Engineer and the Tires 101 guru.

Bill informs the class that the entire weight of the car, plus all the people and cargo inside are connected to the road in an area about the size of an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. My tires meet the road on that teeny amount of space. Tires also affect my vehicle's ability to carry weight effectively, and also maintain my gas mileage. Slack off on caring for my tires, and I am losing mileage and safety points. Yikes.

Bill recommends that all drivers checks their tires once a month to ensure proper inflation. I don't want to check my tires. I don't like checking my tires. It's boring and doesn't seem to help anything. If I check them, most likely I'm going to need to put air in them. If there's anything more mundane than checking my tires, it's filling them with air. It's just one more thing to add to the list of things to do.

After the Tires 101 lecture, now I know I must. And I will. I want proper traction in the snow. I want to feel like I am giving myself every chance of making it out of a dangerous skid unscathed. I will respect my family and myself by doing this very simple chore. In addition, I may notice something in my tire (like a nail) that could be a major inconvenience and safety hazard if discovered when my tire was already flat, out on the road. Lesson learned, Bill!

After my classroom education on tires, Morgan Kavanaugh, an instructor from the driving school, gives a presentation of what we will learn and experience out on the track. At risk of losing your respect, I will say that my first impression of Morgan is that he's really dreamy. Kind of Richard Gere-meets-driving-instructor-ski-guy. He's also extremely knowledgeable and has a gift of not to talking down to his audience. I begin to understand complex terms and concepts such as 'understeer' and 'oversteer.' While some of the concepts are a little tough to grasp on paper, it helps me figure out what I'm supposed to do when I get out to the track. The thought of sliding around without a care in the world is exciting, but it's even better when I realize that I'm going to learn how to manage it in the real world.

The hardest thing to do at the track is to just let go and drive without fear. Dreamy Robert and Dreamy Morgan (the Dream Team?), our instructors out on the course, show us around the track before we get started. Strange — I'm suddenly not as excited about piling the car into a snowdrift as I thought I would be. Darn pesky survival instinct!

The track experience includes working with weight transfer, avoiding understeer and oversteer, braking, and obstacle-avoidance. In each car is a two-way radio the instructors use to coach me through the course. For example, in the braking exercise Morgan coaches me through the proper use of ABS braking, and also through cadence braking. Cadence braking is what I do if I don't have ABS, also known as pumping. Literally, he tells me when to step on the brake, and when to let off.

It's so empowering learning that my car and I can handle tricky and potentially dangerous situations. I find new respect for myself as a driver. All day, I'm pushing the car and myself and learning more and more. Amazing! How have I gotten away with driving so long not knowing these things?

At the end of the day the instructors give me a peek at the practical application of the concepts we covered earlier. I climb in the car while an instructor drives me around the track rally-style. Holy Moses, it is so much fun! He drives so fast at some points, and nearly crawls along at others. The day's information is solidified in that experience; it's one I won't forget. Sure, I'm clinging pretty tightly to the door handle as we whip around hairpin turns and blaze down straight-aways, but there is no panic, just thrill.

I feel privileged to attend the Bridgestone Winter Driving School. Not just because it is a couple of nights away from home, but I can really use the skills and confidence I have gained. I am ready to go back and learn more! If the opportunity arises again, I will go again. It is my highest recommendation that everyone who has the opportunity to attend does so. Pushing my limits more than I ever have driving a car on the ice and snow is an exciting thrill. Learning about my own limits and feeling comfortable pushing them (in a safe environment) is really a gift. A special thank you and much respect to Bridgestone, Bridgestone's Winter Driving School and the Dream Team!

*For more information on Bridgestone's Winter Driving School, visit www.WinterDrive.com.

**For more information on tire care, visit www.TireSafety.com.