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Phil Wicks is now living in Columbia, South Carolina — only 31 miles from one of the best road course racetracks in the southeast: Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP).  Phil Wicks Driving Academy has been running events at this track for the last six years.  This is also the track where Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr. — all the Hendricks Motorsports and its drivers train for the NASCAR road races.

And now Phil Wicks Racing does all its test and tune on our own MINI Challenge racecars at CMP.

Phil Wicks is a veteran racer with over 50 years experience with road racing in MINIs at major racetracks around the world.  Among his activities includes driving in movies and television productions such as the original “Italian Job”  starring Michael Caine, and “Secret Agent Man” with Patrick McGoohan.

Phil Wicks can now offer one-on-one instruction for any MINI driver — novice, intermediate, expert — at CMP.  This is limited to two drivers per day.  Fees range from $375 per person per day in their own car to $725 per person per day in the Phil Wicks Racing MINI Challenge racecar.  The racecar is reserved for those serious about learning proper techniques and honing their skills for autocross, time trials, and racing, or dedicated track day drivers.  

Included is a full day instruction by Phil Wicks personally both on and off the track.  The full Phil Wicks Driving Academy curriculum will be covered.  A certificate of completion will be issued.  For those participating in the racing curriculum, a provisional Phil Wicks Racing license will be issued.  A driver graduating from the racing curriculum may be offered an opportunity to drive the Phil Wicks Racing MINI Challenge car in an enduro race, dates and fees to be determined.

Phil Wicks Driving Academy is open to all makes and models of cars — not just MINIs.  The Academy has held instructional events for Mazda Miatas, Corvettes, Vipers, AC Cobras, Porsche, BMW, Audi, etc.

The following dates are available for this one-on-one instruction:

September:  Wednesday, September 2; Friday, September 11; Saturday, September 19; Sunday, September 20

October:  Friday, October 2; Thursday, October 15; Tuesday, October 20; Wednesday, October 28

In order to secure your reservation for one of these dates, you must call Phil Wicks as soon as possible.  Fees are due in full when you reserve your slot.  If, for some reason you must cancel, fees cannot be refunded — but you can find someone to take your slot.  This is an exclusive opportunity.

See the video of Phil instructing at Carolina Motorsports Park on the website www.minidriving.com.  His full resume is also on the site.

Call now to reserve your place for this unique opportunity!  803-699-4691 or 314-330-6449 (cell).

The fees for the North American MINI Cooper Challenge Time Trials Series and the Phil Wicks Driving Academy are the same — $300 for one day, $500 for two days in the participants own car.

Time Trials entries must be qualified.  You must be a graduate of the Phil Wicks Driving Academy or similar performance driving school with proven ability.

If you want to rent one of our cars, the fees for the time trials and/or the Phil Wicks Driving Academy are $625 for one day or $1250 for two days in a 2009 Cooper S; $725 for one day or $1450 for two days in a 2009 JCW. 

Students in the Phil Wicks Driving Academy are also eligible to participate in the Time Trials event with no additional fee once they have completed the Saturday morning instruction and have been signed off for Solo I by their instructor.

The next big event in Las Vegas/Pahrump will be September 12-13, 2009.

The Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy includes instruction for Novice and Intermediate students.  Included in that curriculum is training for autocross and time trials participation, all carried out on the skid pad at Spring Mountain on the first morning of the Academy.  This is mandatory for all Novices and will be offered each day for the Novice class.

In addition to the MINI Driving Academy, there will be two time trials events — one featuring classic Minis and one featuring the new generation MINI.

The first 20 classic Mini registrations are eligible — no roll cages required!  There will be competition classes for all Minis from standard to full blown race cars.   They will be competing for the Mini Mania sponsored Italian Job Trophy!

The first 20 new generation MINIs — again in various classes with no roll cages required.  There will be competition classes for all MINIs from standard to full blown race cars. The fees for the time trials are included in the Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy fees which are $300 for one day or $500 for two days in your own car.  Or you can rent one of our new generation MINIs for $625 for one day or $1250 for two days (2009 Cooper S) and $725 for one day or $1450 for two days (2009 JCW).   The new generation MINIs will be competing for the Phil Wicks sponsored Golden Jubilee Trophy!

Each day will include at least 4 practice sessions and 1 timed session with the final trophies being awarded on Sunday afternoon.

Lunch will be provided for registered drivers in the beautifully appointed Spring Mountain Clubhouse each day.  Membership in the club for drivers and their families is included for the weekend — swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, clubhouse, etc.  There are special room rates available at the Golden Nugget in Pahrump ($79.99 per night).

Register now to ensure your place in this event!  Registration forms are available at www.minidriving.com. 

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