Tactical & Evasive Driving Courses

[joash]

Has anyone tried a good tactical driving course in the So Cal area?

What did you think?

What's the cheapest those go for?

I saw FTA has one, but it costs $ 1,000. It may be well worth it, but I can't afford it.

[mixicus]

What are you lookig for in a course, interest/fun, racing or gearing up for a higher risk environment or job? If yo uare looking for PITs, j-turns, etc; it's a different schoo or at least coursel than racing.

As for Murphy and the guys at FTA, if it hasn't changed, the lead instructor teaches EVOC to a good sized local PD and others. You'll certainly learn more than what you know now. But I can't tell you if it's a good fit if I don't know your goals.

Top end driving programs cost a bit for EP and overseas operator training. Vehicle Dynamics (Scotti School) in NJ is around $2K for a 3-day. Dondurant in AZ runs closer to $6K for a 4-day. The old Blackwater group now Xe or Academi (sp?) has courses in NC. Rates vary depending on courses.

Some of the training groups that have an EP/contractor bent, do offer driving courses or driving in their courses. But it's a bit harder to find since you need a fairly large, usually paved (unless you want off-road) cordoned off area. You may also look at Evolution Driving School. They are a bit more racing oriented and hold classes at the old El Toro air base.

The San Bernardino Sheriff's EVOC center use to have civilian programs for defensive driving. You got to work on the skid pan, cone patterns and the track. With budget cut back I don't know if they still offer it.

[joash]

Thanks Mix. As usual you seem to know your stuff.

That's a good question. I am just looking to broaden my skill set and have fun learning new things. I like to do so in as realistic an environment as possible. I do occasionally have to drive in very dangerous 3rd world cities, where there is a strong possibility of having to escape from some type of carjacking or kidnapping situation or even get out of a hairy crossfire.

If time and money were no object, I would sign up for all of the different types of courses out there. I think the skills probably complement one another. A driver who has serious race track training is probably very comfortable taking extreme maneuvers in a "tactical" setting.

FTA is probably my best best since they are local. I'll check out the SB Sheriff & Evolution as well.

What are you lookig for in a course, interest/fun, racing or gearing up for a higher risk environment or job? If yo uare looking for PITs, j-turns, etc; it's a different schoo or at least coursel than racing.

As for Murphy and the guys at FTA, if it hasn't changed, the lead instructor teaches EVOC to a good sized local PD and others. You'll certainly learn more than what you know now. But I can't tell you if it's a good fit if I don't know your goals.

Top end driving programs cost a bit for EP and overseas operator training. Vehicle Dynamics (Scotti School) in NJ is around $2K for a 3-day. Dondurant in AZ runs closer to $6K for a 4-day. The old Blackwater group now Xe or Academi (sp?) has courses in NC. Rates vary depending on courses.

Some of the training groups that have an EP/contractor bent, do offer driving courses or driving in their courses. But it's a bit harder to find since you need a fairly large, usually paved (unless you want off-road) cordoned off area. You may also look at Evolution Driving School. They are a bit more racing oriented and hold classes at the old El Toro air base.

The San Bernardino Sheriff's EVOC center use to have civilian programs for defensive driving. You got to work on the skid pan, cone patterns and the track. With budget cut back I don't know if they still offer it.

[joash]

San Bernadino Sheriff's Dept Civilian EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course)

I talked to the friendly folks at the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department. They do offer a Civilian EVOC class. They are currently accepting names for a waiting list. When they get enough students, they will announce a date.

Please see attached flyer.

[Tobi4s]

If you are leaving in Las Vegas Nevada then I suggest you Northwest Driving School who are providing traffic and drivers ed las vegas. The cost of 15-10 Program with Driving Test is only $600.

[Scratch705]

I talked to the friendly folks at the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department. They do offer a Civilian EVOC class. They are currently accepting names for a waiting list. When they get enough students, they will announce a date.

Please see attached flyer.

hmmmm, i may be interested. may send in my name to be put on the waiting list.

everyone can always use more car driving training.

[baranski]

I talked to the friendly folks at the San Bernadino County Sheriff's Department. They do offer a Civilian EVOC class. They are currently accepting names for a waiting list. When they get enough students, they will announce a date.

Please see attached flyer.

Excellent, I'm signing up. Thanks for sharing that.

[cal3gunner]

If you want to learn car control, have you ever been to an autocross? It's cheap, I pay $30 an event. Instructors will ride for free with you.

I've been autocrossing my Corvette for over a year and it will make you a much better driver. I've spun the car a handful of times and it always teaches me something. Its in a big open parking lot so nothing to hit.

You can learn a lot in a defensive driving course. As for building car control skills compare it to taking one shooting school vs shooting competition every month. If you take one class you will learn some stuff. If you shoot competitions on a regular basis you will be very good at gun handling and getting fast accurate shots down range while on the move in a stressful environment.

If you go to one driving school you will learn some stuff. If you autocross on a somewhat regular basis you will be a much better driver and will be able to control the car naturally in a stressful environment.

Case in point. Earlier this year I went to an event in Las Vegas where I raced my Vette for 3 days. On the way home on the 15 at about midnight in the rain. A car in front of me crashed and was in my lane upside down with no lights on. I was doing 75 and by the time I saw the car it was really close. I was able to quickly change a few lanes and miss the car and debris field. I didn't loose control of the car in a high speed maneuver in the rain. The car behind me didn't swerve to miss the upside car and slammed into it and the driver died.

Take all the schools you can, but getting to drive at the limit in a controlled safe environment will make you a better driver. Each lap is a pure adrenaline rush.

There are way more deadly car crashes than shootouts. I'm really glad I've learned how to maneuver a car, put power to the ground with out spinning out and how to dodge cones/obstructions at high speeds