My in-laws got me the gift of a day at skid school -- their whole family has gone through the program at one time or another. I did the course yesterday -- 8:00 - 4:30pm, and it was so much fun!

You spend a few hours in-class reviewing to me, what was some basic defensive driving techniques, and learning what causes certain dangerous conditions, and how to correct them. After the in-class portion, you move to the skid pad. Lucky for me, there were only two other guys in the class (there's usually 3 people per car), so it was just us. We got tons of time in the car without having to worry about other cars clearing the skid pad.

This was not a performance driving class. We focused on correcting and getting out a skid (or numerous skids), defensive driving, and braking using ABS and non-ABS techniques. The boys were too nervous to go first, so I took the first turn in the driver's seat.

The first time I went down the pad, I knew intellectually how to get out of the skid, but I turned the wheel a few millimeters too much and caused a 360. It was awesome, but taught me just how much a slight change in reaction can change the outcome.

Anyway, it was a blast!!! I'd love to take a performance driving course sometime -- that looks like fun too!

 

Was the car provided? If so, what was it?

 

Yep.

The owner had a deal with Ford, so they were all Fords.

We used a Ford Fusion on the skid pad (bald tires, ability to switch ABS on and off, instructor could lock the rear wheels, brake, etc).

For some defensive driving we did on the road ( ), we used a Ford Taurus (from two generations ago?).

 

Sounds like good time. Interesting choice of cars, though.