Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Dude, you started a thread looking for input and advice. That's what you're getting. There's a difference between successfully commuting in bad traffic and hills (you're absolutely right about how much of a bitch it is to drive in that area), and the proper technique for spirited driving. In numerous posts you've described starting off in second, trying to upshift at 2k rpm, shifting during the turn, setting off VDC while shifting, and coasting for five seconds while shifting. All of these are less than good, and are easily fixed by adjusting your technique. We're not throwing rocks at you, we're trying to help. Everybody has to learn at some point.

Could a professional driver find things to improve about my driving? Of course, that's why I want an instructor riding with me. That's why I'm building a dedicated track car so I can learn more without worrying about destroying my Z. Finding things to improve isn't a bad thing.

The only downside to real professional instruction besides cost is the critical hit to one's ego. I thought I was a really good driver. After a few laps with a real professional driver, I realized I'm a hack and need a lot of instruction.