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04/21/10 - Announcing a new half day format for the Jim Russell Grand Prix Masters program
Experience the F3 based FJR-50 for under $1000
For those who simply want the thrill of driving a race car, the Jim Russell Grand Prix Masters program is it. Start with a driver’s meeting, then get fitted for your race car: driver safety gear, seat, belts and pedals. Next, it’s a cockpit procedures debrief before ignition on and out to the track. A professional driver will show you the racing line and reference points before beginning with a sequential gearbox shifting and braking exercise. Your day culminates in two lapping sessions around the 2.52-mile Infineon Raceway at progressively higher speeds.
Sign up today for only $995. Click Register above or call 800.733.0345 to register today.
04/08/10 - F1 Veteran Takes the Reins in the Jim Russell Technical Center
The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School lays claim to the most advanced school and developmental championship racecar in the world; the FJR-50. The state-of-the-art car is current in every area of racing. The FJR-50 is capable of cornering at over 3g of force and accelerating to 60mph in an impressive 2.5 seconds. A vehicle with this type of potential typically is a rather intimidating proposition, but the FJR-50 has been carefully engineered to offer performance along with forgiving handling characteristics.
To assure that the school is managed to the highest standards of motorsports our Technical Center is overseen by Peter Wiedekehr, a veteran of Formula 1. Peter spent 15 years at Sauber F1 where his responsibilities ranged from car builds and preparations to coordinating the various engineering teams. The level of professionalism that Peter brings to Jim Russell ensures that our commitment to excellence is always kept top of mind.
Evidence of the Formula 1 influence can be seen throughout the FJR-50. Every system within the car has been scrutinized and optimized with efficiencies continually being discovered and implemented. This gives the school an amazingly refined platform to teach from and the level of preparation and performance leave it without a peer. The FJR-50 is the cornerstone of the curriculum that Jim Russell Racing Drivers School teaches. It is also what defines Jim Russell as the most modern and relevant racing school available.
“It has been quite a fantastic opportunity to work so closely with someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Peter. From a driver's point of view, you normally have just a few days to try to adapt your car to any given race track. Here we have had the opportunity to refine our car for the track for almost a year. This has allowed us to build just about the best car I have ever had the opportunity to drive and is what makes the FJR-50 such a great tool to teach racing drivers.” – Nico Rondet, Chief Instructor, Jim Russell Racing Drivers School.
The school’s defining purpose is to create world class drivers. To that end providing drivers entry level, advanced schools and one on one data training to secure their best chance of success in the future. Whether an enthusiast wanting to drive the very best available or the next potential Formula 1 superstar, all can benefit from an environment that aims for nothing less than excellence.
04/20/10 - Lancer Evolution Challenge
Mitsubishi Motors North America and the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School will be collaborating on an exciting new contest, Lancer Evolution Challenge that aims to put its winner behind the wheel of a Lancer Evolution sedan.
Beginning now and running through November, the top performer from each session of the Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience program will be invited back in December for a final competition. In December, this Lancer Evolution Challenge will allow these top performers to practice their driving, advance their lessons, and test their skills to see how they measure up. The Lancer Evolution Challenge will crown a champion with the grand prize being a fully-paid, year-long loan of a Lancer Evolution MR or other Mitsubishi Motors North America vehicle of choice. The second place Challenge contestant will be awarded a Jim Russell Three Day School of Racing in which they will learn the fundamentals of racing an open wheel racecar in the awesome Formula Three based FJR-50. The third place winner will receive a Jim Russell Karting package to include a Techniques of Karting and an Advanced Karting program.
About Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) is responsible for all manufacturing, finance, sales, marketing, research and development operations for Mitsubishi Motors in the United States. MMNA sells coupes, convertibles, sedans, sport utility vehicles, and light trucks through a network of approximately 400 dealers. For more information, contact the Mitsubishi Motors News Bureau at (888) 560-6672 or visit media.mitsubishicars.com.
About Jim Russell Racing Drivers School:
The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School offers a complete driver training program that includes instruction from some of the finest coaches in the world, technical instruction from industry leaders, and educational seminars on being a complete racing driver. With the addition of Mitsubishi Motors, Jim Russell has increased its breadth and depth of programs available to consumers to experience an automobile for themselves, experience the product differentiation for themselves and help build brand loyalty. Jim Russell Racing Drivers School is located Turn 1 of Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. For more information visit www.jimrussellusa.com
04/07/10 - Jim Russell Highway Survival Moves to a Full Day Format
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School has long been known for its commitment to creating safer roads for all and we’ve been conducting and promoting a Highway Survival course amongst both young and experienced drivers for years. Jim Russell has also been involved in numerous community outreach programs and teen education organizations. This year that effort includes a partnership with Caltrans to create a statewide “Slow for the Cone Zone” campaign. This campaign educates young drivers on the importance of road safety with an emphasis on work zone precautions. Jim Russell also participated in a full day Sobriety Challenge event in association with the California Highway Patrol and Infineon Raceway to highlight the dangers of driving under the influence.
In our continued effort to support driver safety and improve our course offerings, Jim Russell has created a new full day curriculum for both our Teen and Adult Highway Survival programs. This full day format will allow for extra seat time, which is invaluable to mastering the concepts and techniques taught in the course.
The Jim Russell Highway Survival programs were created with the sole purpose of training people to be better drivers. The program focuses on a common sense approach to driving with safety, efficiency and the realities of the road being kept top of mind. The teen program helps to identify the gaps in knowledge and technique that all new drivers possess. The adult program concentrates on refreshing and retraining peoples’ perceptions of proper driving practices. In these programs one can expect to participate in a range of exercises including, seating and steering techniques, skid pad, crash avoidance and braking drills. Both courses focus on the in car portion allowing for ample time to put into practice the philosophies taught in the classroom and on the tarmac.
For more information or to book a course, click the register tab or call 800.733.0345.