Check out Lorraine’s recount of the day with Sarah in the Mazda 3.

An excerpt from Lorraine:

Who benefits from advanced driver training courses?

Everyone, actually. If you’re a seasoned driver who knows it all, a day learning from the perspective of the pros will show you bad habits you may have formed without realizing it, as well as changes in technology that can really create a whole new way to treat your car.

For new drivers, it’s a chance to create good driving habits before bad ones can form, and to provide a forum to ask questions and replicate dangerous situations they might encounter years down the road — or tomorrow. More >>

 

Our next advanced driver training experience will be on Saturday September 24, 2011 at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.

Many thanks to our amazing volunteers and talented instructors. Thanks, as well, to Sailun Tires, Scion Canada, Fast Wheels, Woodbine Scion and ABR racing for their support!

Team Sweetie Girl Racing kicking butt with Alan Nursall

As a high school student, math and science were some of the subjects that I excelled in. Though I LOVED art, english and history, every test, every quiz and every question in math and sciences had one correct answer only – and made life seem easy to me. With university on the horizon, I was on-track to become an engineer and obtained all the necessary marks to get accepted into the prestigious University of Toronto and Waterloo Engineering programs.

Easy choice, right? Nope! A 180-degree turn at the last minute meant I chose to venture into graphic design, thinking I had given up any future hope of a technical career. A choice I sometimes reflect upon, knowing NOW how appropriate it would have been for my passion for motorsports. But nevertheless, it’s something I try not to dwell on…

So imagine my surprise to get an email from one of the TV producers from the Discovery Channel to feature SGR in the Alan Nursall experience!

Early morning track walk with Team SGR

The Alan Nursall experience is a segment on the Canadian television series Daily Planet that leans toward technology experiments beyond the lab. He’s frequently found interacting with students and people on the streets – “in the field” – and gets a kick out of getting people excited about whatever topic he’s exploring that week – and this is likely why Sweetie Girl Racing was his next target. We’re an excitable bunch!

Alan Nursall strapped into the go kart and ready to rock

Alan Nursall chasing down Team SGR

So on Friday June 24, the Alan Nursall Experience teamed up with Sweetie Girl Racing to  explore the science and geometry of the perfect racing line. Filming on a weekday proved difficult for a lot of our current Team SGR members, who carry full time jobs during the day. Luckily, summer had just broke out and we were fortunate to round up Katie Cheung, Brooke Trefry, Laura and Lilla Rupert, Varmini Singh and Shelby Grant – past participants and graduates of the Team SGR Kart Racing Experience – to strut our stuff!

Driving exercises while the producer Stephen looks on

Katie and Brooke lay the rubber on the track

The majority of the segment is focused on the central section of the Grand Prix Kartways track, where a combination of quick turns around corners of various lengths make up the most technical part of the track. We laid down pylons and explained the fundamentals of the optimum line – the best combination of arcs through corners and paths down the straights – as a tool to put yourself in a position to post the fastest possible time around the track. There were hits, there were misses, and everyone LOVED it!

Going through the science

and geometry of the perfect racing line...

And again... Thanks to Gary at thegarageblog.com for the awesome pics!

We finished off the segment demonstrating the Brachistochrone theory with two separate ramps and some hot wheel cars. Sounds easy enough, until you’re on the seventh take and the word “Brachistochrone” caused Alan to go into a series of tongue twisting mishaps that had myself and the girls giggling. Who said show business was easy?

Bah-b-b-b-brachistochrone Theory!

Stay tuned for the segment to be aired on the Discovery Channel later this year – follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates!

Alan Nursall with Team SGR

Team Sweetie Girl Racing kicking butt with Alan Nursall

Photo: Dana Young

Thursday, June 16 marked the second SGR car care clinic at AutoNiche in Markham. Twelve ladies gathered to enjoy the snacks and refreshments before heading into the shop, where we knew we were going to get dirty.

Dressed in long-sleeved shirts, pants and comfortable shoes, we were divided into two groups and gathered around two hoists and two vehicles: a 1994 Honda Civic and 2004 Acura EL. We proceeded through a 40-point inspection together, following the same set of guidelines used by AutoNiche with their customers.

From checking fluids to inspecting tires and using power tools, we spent the next few hours learning the ins and outs of each vehicle. A complimentary (much needed) oil change was performed on the vehicles, courtesy of Castrol. As a bonus, we got to see first-hand the dramatic colour difference in the fluid before and after the oil change.

The night ended with door prizes, goodie bags and smiles all around. Our next clinic – set for Tuesday, July 26 – promises to be just as fun and interactive, with participants learning how to boost their batteries, change wiper blades and change the spare tires on their own vehicles – using the safety jack!

Lynda Sydney from Carchick.ca writes:

I think every women who owns a car needs to attend Girls Night at the Garage or another car care clinic. A little knowledge can go a long way when it comes to your car. By understanding the purpose of and steps involved in different maintenance procedures, how various parts of your car work, plus the potential problems and how to identify them, you can be more confident when you take your car in for servicing — and avoid being taken for a ride. By investing just a couple of hours of your time, you could save a bundle of cash in unnecessary maintenance and repairs. And, it’s just a lot of fun! More >>

We’d like to thank everyone for their participation  - a portion of the proceeds will support Plan Canada’s Because I Am a Girl campaign to claim a brighter, safer future for girls.

For more information on the next clinic and how to register, check out our event posted on Facebook and connect with us!

Photo: Dana Bronsteter

Most driving schools cringe at the sight of rain, thunder clouds and lightning bolts looming the sky on their big day. Throw in a bunch of pylons, press cars and media folks at an advanced driver training event and you have the recipe for a very exciting day at the track.

Despite some waiting for the heavy rain to pass in the morning, our June 4 event got the spring driving season off to a great start. The group of students ranged from young drivers with brand-new driver’s licenses, to those with over 40 years behind the wheel learning, or shall we say unlearning, driving techniques for safer roads.

According to Jodi Lai from The National Post:

The clinic encourages drivers to use their own cars for the exercises, which include a slalom course, emergency stopping, crash avoidance and different weight transfer techniques. Understanding the physics behind your own vehicle and being able to test its limits is important for boosting a driver’s confidence and driving skill. And there is no better time to do it than under the watchful eye of an expert driving instructor so she can explain what you’re doing right and help you correct what you’re doing wrong. When you understand the physics behind your daily driver and know how it feels in different situations, you will be able to react more quickly and make smarter decisions to avoid collisions. More >>

Participants were also given the opportunity to test drive the new 2011 Scion TC in driving exercises, or go for a ride on the track with a racing driver. The Scion had to compete, however, with the delicious pulled-pork sandwiches we served at lunch.

By the end of the day, participants were driving confidently around the track with hands properly on the steering wheel and big smiles on their faces. Mission accomplished!

Our next advanced driver training experience will be on Saturday September 24, 2011 at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario.

Team SGR Advanced Driving Experience powered by Sailun Tires. Photo: Dana Bronsteter

Many thanks to our amazing volunteers and talented instructors. Thanks, as well, to Sailun Tires, Scion Canada, Fast Wheels, Woodbine Scion and ABR racing for their support!

Photo: Jason Wong

Today, we’re at Grand Prix Kartways at Toronto’s Downsview Park for our SGR Intro to Kart Racing. Our clinic will be less about getting dirty with our cars and getting behind the wheel of an electric-powered go-kart to build a foundation for safer, faster and smarter drivers!

We start off the day with a quick introduction, schedule breakdown and summary of topics we’ll be covering during the track walk. Most importantly, we cover the importance of vision, smooth inputs and the three components of a corner. Participants quickly realize that these three components – the turn-in point, apex point, and exit point – are critical to understanding the optimal driving line of the karting track.

After the track walk, everyone jumps into the karts and on to the follow-the-leader exercises. One of the advantages of working with electric karts is the ability to choose different speeds electronically. At speed 3, participants aren’t far off the pace of a runner’s jog and have no problems hitting all the proper points on the track. Bumping up to speed 2 in the next session proves more tricky – with more speed in the equation, they instantly notice the advantage of late-apexing the corners as discussed in the track walk. Easier said than done!

By the end, all the drills and practice pays off. We’re absolutely astounded to find that all of the participants are mere tenths of a second apart, with the top three drivers (including the instructor) being just 3/100th of a second apart. Bravo!

In true SGR fashion, we kicked off the night with a spread of delicious snacks and goodies including fresh fruits, delicious cupcakes, and race car-shaped chocolates courtesy of Sonia’s Buttercream Dream – a friend of Dana’s. We’d also love to go into detail on some wonderful wrench-shaped sugar cookies that, however, turned out to be rather inappropriately shaped for the occasion. What it lacked in execution, more than made up for in blushes and laughter for the rest of the evening!

We spent the first portion of the evening going over maintenance and do-it-yourself items. We talked about the different types of fluids, the maintenance required and split up into smaller groups to identify where they can be found and/or replaced in the engine bay. We also taught what the most important tool for following your car maintenance – the owners manual!

The last portion of the evening was spent talking about tires and brake maintenance, along with the importance of proper seating position. Participants were given many tips on how read the treadler and rubber condition on tires, importance of having winter tires and proper tire inflation for the roads.

The evening wrapped up with prize giveaways, with participants showing off the knowledge they gained from the evening and goodies from AutoNiche and SGR gift certificates. We’ll be back at AutoNiche on Thursday, June 16 for another clinic on basic car care and maintenance!

Photo: Dana Young

My dad is the driving columnist for the Globe and Mail – when he told me I should go out to the racetrack to take advanced driver training with Team SGR I thought he was crazy.

At 25, I hold a G1 license. Living downtown my whole life I never really needed a car: everything was central to me and I biked and walked everywhere. While this was great for my health and for the environment, I realized I needed to be able to drive.

I was amazed at how much my driving improved with team SGR. My instructor, Gerry, was so patient and made me feel at ease- even when I hit a pylon within seconds of getting into the car. We worked on the basics first- where to look, and how to hold the wheel. By focusing in on this, my driving improved immensely! We also tried some crash avoidance drills, and some cornering and passing drills.

I had an amazing day. Anna and the SGR team were so fun and accommodating. I recommend a day with the SGR to any driver-or non-driver. It could save your life.

Team SGR and Team Manick at the Youth In Policing “Take It to the Track” Road Safety Event

Grand Prix Kartways (GPK) is proud to be a partner in the SGR Ladies Driving Clinic Series – First Gear!

At a Glance

• No previous karting, driving or racing experience required
• Go karts are provided – no vehicle required
• Clinics are run monthly from September to May
• Clinics are held on either Saturday or Sunday from 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Cost includes the use of the GPK go karts, helmets, 3 track sessions and a balaclava (head sock) to keep
• Participants ages 10 & up and a minimum height of 48″ (122cm) tall are permitted
• Spaces are limited and are reserved on a first come, first serve basis
• Birthday parties, junior groups, corporate groups and expert level clinics for men and women are available upon request

About the Go Karting Clinic

The go karting clinic caters to the participants needs in a fun and pressure free atmosphere – just ladies …just driving. Topics of the clinic include

• Collision avoidance
• Cornering and passing techniques
• Kart/vehicle control
• Weight transfer theorum
• Importance of proper vision
• Personal handbook and on-track evaluation with personal observance of each driver

Each clinic will include classroom instruction, track walks and on-track evaluation with personal observance of each driver. Our goal is to make you faster by increasing your skills and your confidence. The specific topics and techniques learned will depend on the skill level of the participants.

About the Venue
Grand Prix Kartways is a state of the art karting facility that has the highest quality state-of-the-art electric go-karts for its racers. Not only are these race team stylized go-karts fast, they are safe, and environmentally friendly with no noxious fumes. They also have a track-side Café and VIP Lounge, welcomes guests to stay and enjoy live racing and other sporting events on big screen TV’s. For more info on their facility, check out www.gpkartways.com

Our 2011 SGR Car Control Clinic will be held at Toronto Motorsports Park on June 4, 2011 in conjunction with a SGR track day.

About the SGR Car Control Skidpad & Slalom Clinic

The SGR Skidpad and Slalom clinic caters to the participants needs in a fun and pressure free atmosphere – just ladies …just driving. Topics of the clinic include:

• crash avoidance
• cornering and passing techniques
• kart/vehicle control
• weight transfer theorum
• the importance of proper vision
• personal handbook and on-track evaluation with personal observance of each driver

Each clinic will include classroom instruction, track walks and on-track evaluation with personal observance of each driver. Our goal is to make you faster by increasing your skills and your confidence. The specific topics and techniques learned will depend on the skill level of the participants.

Toronto Motorsport Park (TMP) is proud to be a partner in the SGR Ladies Driving Clinic Series – Third Gear!

At a Glance

2011 Schedule

Saturday June 4 – 9:00 to 5:00pm
Saturday September 24 – 9:00 to 5:00pm

About the Track & Open Lapping Days

The SGR Track & Open Lapping Day caters to the participants needs in a fun and pressure free atmosphere – just ladies …just driving. Topics of the clinic include

• Importance of proper vision
• Collision avoidance
• Cornering and passing techniques
• Vehicle control
• Weight transfer theorum
• personal handbook and on-track evaluation with personal observance of each driver

Requirements
Drivers must be legally licensed with a valid Canadian drivers license
Participants are expected to bring their own vehicle for driving portion of the event.
Street vehicles & daily drivers welcomed!
Helmets: Snell 2000, Snell M2000 or SA 2000 or later certification. Loaner helmets will also be available.
The SGR Driving Clinics are set up to let you experience the thrill of driving your car without the perils of street driving including narrow roads, oncoming traffic and speeding tickets. Each clinic will include classroom instruction and on-track evaluation with personal observance of each driver. Our goal is to make you faster by increasing your skills and your confidence. This is the perfect place to safely experience the potential of your car and improve your driving skillset.

About the Venue
Toronto Motorsport Park is Ontario’s Premier motorsport facility that includes a road course and the infamous drag strip which is host to many popular events through out the year including CSCS and Pinks All Out Arm Drop. TMP is the official birthplace and home of drag racing in Ontario for over 50 years. It is the site of world class International competition and all things auto racing. For more info on their facility, check out http://www.torontomotorsportspark.com/