Who’d say no to driving lessons with pro driver Randy Pobst? Not us.

Rand Pobst, a Mustang and two novices itching for seat time: the outcome?

During our time at the official GRM test track, the Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park, an opportunity arose for Chris Tropea, fellow GRM staffer, and I to get one-on-one driving lessons in our Club Spec Mustang GT project car.

From who? None other than pro driver Randy Pobst.

After a few laps by GRM Tech Editor JG Pasterjak to warm up the tires and gather some baseline data, Randy strapped on his helmet and said, “Well, who’s first?”

I was lucky contestant number one.

As I hopped in the Mustang with Randy, my heart was in my throat, but at the same time thumping wildly with excitement.

Speeding off the start, my hands gripped the steering wheel with white knuckles. “Don’t mess up, don’t mess up.” That was my only thought as I began to approach Turn 1. After all, who wants to mess up in front of Randy Pobst? Not me.

However, as I took that first turn, my FIRM driving school lessons–which I took only a few months prior–came rushing back. My hands loosened and my hard-earned lessons took over.

During my individual time with Randy, we focused on hitting the apex and really jamming on those brakes while leading into the corners. His corrections were quick, but still in-depth enough to really help me tackle those problem areas. He even had me ride passenger-side for a lap to see how his advice felt when applied.

Overall, for only my second time driving the Mustang on track, it went very well, and I had a blast. Randy’s lesson seemed to pay off right away, with a few people coming up to say how smooth I looked on track.

My lesson with Randy, paired with the FIRM’s driving school, made me feel even more confident in my skills and I am already itching for the next day on track. I will 100% be studying the video of our runs to be extra prepared.

Now it was Chris’s turn to get behind the wheel for his lesson. 

“As a novice, I was excited but extremely nervous to get into the car with Randy Pobst,” Chris shares. “I have had some coaching in the past from JG and a Garmin Catalyst, but I am still working on the basics. No matter how nervous I was, there was no way I was turning down the opportunity to get driver coaching from a two-time Rolex 24 champion, so I strapped on my helmet and hopped in the driver’s seat. 

“Right away, Randy gave me some things to work on, and I sure do have a lot to learn. In the car after a long weekend at the $2000 Challenge and shooting video earlier that day, I know I was not at my sharpest, so I am happy that I had a camera in the car with us so I can go back and review the session,” Chris continues. “After a few laps of working on brake application and release, along with steering input, it clicked, and it was amazing to feel the car go around a corner feeling planted. Now, next time I go back to the track with our project Mustang, I know the things to start working on, and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel.”

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