Ian Law Racing Car Control School

BOTTOM LINE: Some of the best instructors I’ve had an opportunity to learn from, both from their defensive driving course and their track/​performance ones. (Updated Apr 2014)
ILR has 4 main training courses: 2 proactive driving courses for the summer and winter (MUST DO!) and 2 «performance» driving courses for those looking to take their car to the track/​autoslalom. I’ve attended different performance driving schools, and I can vouch that the ones at ILR are some of the most patient, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Each course gives you a copy of their manual for future reference, as well as set of photos taken from a professional photographer free of charge.
As a bonus, if you take all 4 of their course, you have access their open lapping days at Mosport DDT for reduced fee. Can’t wait to try the new DDT!
CAR CONTROL COURSE
Their Car Control is their main course, and if I had to recommend only one course EVERYONE should take, this would be it. It’s a full day affair in proactive driving skills alternates between in-​car and classroom time. There is heavy emphasis on the fundamentals areas that most individuals tend to neglect or even know. You can sign up in pairs, and you and your partner will get equal seat time, since they divide the class into 2 groups.
The fun begins when you get to take your car on to the pylon courses set up in an empty parking lot. You’ll learn to simulate emergency swerving, turning, and most importantly, braking in a safe and controlled environment. You’ll do it over and over again until your ABS kicks in, your tires are smoking, and it’s ingrained in your muscle memory. At the end of the day, they even set up a autoslalom course allowing you to combine all the skills you’ve (hopefully) attained! You’ll definitely leave the course a much more competent, confident and safer driver.
WINTER DRIVING SCHOOL
The Winter Driving School is the mirror image of their Car Control course, but it takes place in Minden Ontario… and on ice! JFYI, the course is over solid ground, so yeah, you won’t don’t worry about your car capsizing into a lake.
The in-​car sessions include a slalom course, emergency swerving, emergency braking, and the skip pad. The course is very weather dependent and when I went, the course was pure ice due to recent rains. I could barely get my car faster than 40 km because of how slick it was (even with performance ice tires!). The best part of this course is how much time you get to spend working on the exercises and feeling comfortable with controlling your car as it slides. Better here than meeting black ice for the first time. By the end, I was able to control my car with much more confidence through only minor adjustments to my steering wheel and throttle control.
If you have a (performance) rear-​wheel car, you owe it to yourself to take this course. With tail happy cars, this course could be a lifesaver. It’s also hella fun to spin your car round and round!
ADVANCED AUTOSLALOM SCHOOL
This is their CAR CONTROL course, but on ‘roids. I would definitely recommend this as a follow-​up to really learn the limits of your car in a safe environment and at (relatively) low speeds. You spend the morning honing your racing line on wide sweeping turn followed by a slalom section. The afternoon repeats this exercise but this time after teaching you how to heel-​and-​toe. And at the very end, they set up an auto-​x course, where I must’ve done at least 10 runs! After that constant repetition, you can bet that your technique and comfort level will be way higher.
TRACK SCHOOL (L1)
There’ll be a small minority of people who would be interested in taking it up to the next level. I’ve tried different schools and instructors associated with Shannonville and Cayuga, and can vouch that the ILR instructors are the most organized, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and patient. I’ve also heard that the Trillium BMW one that takes place over 2 days (at the full Mosport course) is also really good.
The course usually takes place on the Mosport DDT. Safety is a priority, and it’s one of the few schools that REQUIRE a Snell or DOT certified helmet, but receiving a safe auto inspection is NOT (though recommended). You can also attend their track days, but ONLY after you’re completed their course, so this cuts out a lot of yahoos.
You get a lot of seat time and great one-​on-​one instruction with an instructor next to you. They will adjust their instruction to your level, so drivers of all levels will feel comfortable. As a total n00b, they made me feel at ease, which allowed me to relax and focus on the task at hand: driving smoothly.