Autosport Basi Racing School

St. Eustache, Quebec

October 13-17, 2003

David Richert underwent a week of open wheel formula car training at Autodrome St. Eustache located just outside of Montreal, Quebec.  The Grand Prix Racing Course provided 3 days of training in a Formula 1600 car and 2 days of advanced training in a Formula Basi 2000 car.

The week got off to a geat start.  The weather was perfect, and the thrill of driving a race car was everywhere.  The morning got underway with a classroom session and an introduction to the Formula 1600 car.  Next, it was out onto the track for some downshifting exercises and a slalom course.  With the first day complete, the students were left anticipating more.  On Tuesday the day started with cornering exercises and finished with lapping the track and getting used to the feel of the car lap after lap.

Wednesday morning rolled around and the sky had opened up.  Rain was pouring down and so a decision had to be made to cancel the days classes.  This was not good as in order to move on to the advanced course, David needed to finish his beginner course so the outlook was not good.  After pleading with the course instructor it was determined that David could arrive first thing the next morning and finish lapping in the 1600 car, and then by lunch, if the instructor felt David was ready, he would be advanced to the 2000 car. 

Thursday rolled around and a weird feeling was in Richerts mind as it felt like he was at a try out at a racing school.  The morning went fantastic as David nailed every shift and put up consistent times.  By 11:30am the instructor graduated him to the advanced 2000 course.  The greatest difference between the two cars was in the handling.  The 1600 could be oversteered greatly in a corner and then caught and gathered up fairly easily.  The 2000 was entirely different as the margin for error was decreased.  Once the back end of the car would step out, it needed to be caught very quickly or the car would go around.

Friday ended with some great lapping experiences and practicing of passing and race starts.  It was definitely a real learning experience with valuable insight into racing.