We have renamed our Enhanced Driving School as "Enhanced Driving Synergy." It's still the same school, operated by our club and it's team of dedicated volunteers. The re-branding was done to make it clear to everyone that the EDS is for drivers of all makes of cars, not just Saab owners. Our research showed that many prospective students did not sign up because they thought it was for Saabs only.

The EDS also has a new website at drivingsynergy.com:

You can still access the old EDS website here (we are maintaining it for archival purposes).

1. [Click] in the checkbox for each school you want to take.
2. Change the number of drivers, if necessary.
3. [Click] the Recalculate button.

Special Notices

While the Saab club permits a wide range of vehicles in it's schools, convertibles without roll over protection and cars with open exhaust are not permitted. Check with the chief to determine car eligibility. See the school front page for the date schedule. You may also subscribe to our email updates and notifications.

Registration Methods

You may register for a driving school a number of different ways. All processes start the same way:

1. Download the application form (PDF)
2. Print the application
3. Read the application
4. Complete the application
   • fill in the driver participant information
   • ensure it is signed
   • fill in the payment information if paying by credit card or complete a cheque
   • ensure the credit card section or cheque is signed
5. Submit the application and payment...

If submitting by...

fax

send to our toll free fax number found on the application form

email

scan your completed signed application and send as a JPEG, GIF, or PDF attachment

regular mail

send to registrar's mailing address

courier

send to registrar's mailing address (authorize courier to leave your package without a signature of receipt)

home delivery

drop in the registrar's or club treasurer's mailbox (and send an email notification)

hand delivery

give to the registrar or club treasurer in person

carrier pigeon

umm... give us a heads up!

You may not register on the web site directly. We're sorry for the inconvenience but our Merchant VISA requires hand-written signatures. We're working on the alternatives. Thus, by any method, you must give us a completed, signed registration form.

Payment Methods

You may pay for our schools the following ways: Visa/Mastercard, cheque, money order, or cash. How you choose to pay determines when and how to submit the registration and payment. The list below indicates how you may pay in advance of the school.

• Visa/Mastercard - fax, email-scan, mail, in person
• cheque/money order - mail or in person
• cash - in person only

If you intend to arrive-and-drive, that is complete your school application and pay the morning of the school, you may pay by cash. Unfortunately, you may not pay by VISA for the school the morning of. If you want to arrive-and-drive, you must first check with the school registrar if there is space in the school. Please provide payment or funds in Canadian dollars. See below for fee amounts.

Submitting a Registration Without Payment

Some parties submit their registration form leaving the payment area blank. They separately mail a cheque or indicate they'll pay by cash in person. While permissible, please be aware that these methods mean that your faxed application is viewed as incomplete! It is not considered complete until the payment is received. Some people do this believing we will "hold" a spot for them in the school. To be frank, an application without payment is of moot or no significant value. We view it more as a "preregistration" and you showing merely your interest (not your commitment) in the school. We do not take it seriously until payment is received. The timing of this becomes important when a school is selling out and waiting lists are forming. We repeat: you are not guaranteed a spot if your registration is incomplete, particularly if it does not include any payment information. We also refer you to the FAQ about this time-sensitive matter...

Cancellation Policy

The Saab Owners' Club of Canada Inc. has a cancellation policy for its driving schools. You best read the policy and be certain you understand it. If you do not agree with it, then you should not register for our schools. If you do not believe you can guarantee your attendance at the school, you might consider delaying your application until you are more certain. On the other hand, the school may sell out. If the school is not expected to sell out, you can even show up the morning of the school. If you intend to do this, you must first check with the school registrar if there is space in the school.

Obtaining the Application

The best, quickest way to apply to our schools is to download the application (in PDF format) yourself, complete, and return it (with payment). N.B. The personal information, telephone, email, fax, previous school history, car, and payment information is gathered and used by the Club only, for the purposes of planning and running driving schools, and is not shared with other parties or organizations. [Download the application form] (PDF, 55Kb)

• Open or download our application form(s), self-serve.
• You may request an application by email. We'll send you the PDF.
• You may request an application by fax. Only use this method if you cannot work with PDF files.

See contact info for submitting your application. This information is also available on the application form itself.

Costs, How Much?, Calculating Your Fees

Drivers pay a flat fee of $265 CAD per event. We no longer offer early-bird and multi-school sign-up discounts. There is no discount for driver level either. We do not charge GST.

Returning the Application

After you have printed and filled out the registration form, you may return it to the club by either mail or fax. Or you may hand it to a driving school organiser in person. If sending by courier, you must send without a signature requirement (we will not wait or sign for deliveries). You may scan your completed, signed application to a JPEG, GIF, or other image format, and submit the attachment by email to the school registrar. Our contacts page contains all the alternatives for application submission: the fax number, our mailing address, and the registrar's email.

Regarding Acknowledgment

After you have submitted your school application, you must not assume that you are "in" the school, that you are automatically admitted. You must wait for a clear acknowledgment from us, typically sent by email (so be sure to print your email address clearly). We're not trying to be exclusive or evasive. It is simply that there are many reasons or factors that may prevent us from immediately admitting you. You need to also consider that we may simply not receive your application and payment. Examples of potential communication problems: Our fax service may not be working properly. If you courier a parcel and they are expecting a signature and we are not present to sign for the item, it will be returned to you. You might incorrectly note the delivery address. Delays occur when we cannot process your application. Perhaps we cannot read your handwriting on a faxed document. If you accidentally transpose some numbers in your Visa credit card or expiry, after our attempts at the bank, we'll have to re-request the information from you. If you try to use a payment method that we do not support, it just throws a spanner in the works... Now, let's assume that we receive your application and payment fine. We still may not be able to admit you to the school as it may be sold out (we will only process the payment when you are actually admitted). Our school attendance maximums are normally driven by the number of instructors that are available on that day. If we have a low instructor commitment, we'll be unable to accept very many driver applicants. People over the maximums we'll place on a waiting list. Incomplete applications or ones without payment cannot be used to "hold a spot." See our FAQ for more information... So, once again, do not assume you're in. Make sure you receive an acknowledgment from us. If you submit an application but you don't hear from us for a couple of days, don't hesitate to send us an email or telephone us to follow-up.

Who to Contact?

If you have general questions, need additional school or car information, please contact the school organizer or chief instructor. If you have questions about applying, your payment, space left in the school, if you wish to request the driving school application, please contact the driver school registrar.

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

This is detailed information for students registered for The Saab Owners' Club of Canada Inc. Enhanced Driving School. Use this to properly prepare for the school. Some of the suggestions or instructions require your attention perhaps months before the school date...

To Arrange Now

Here are things to do well in advance of the school. Some things can be left as late as about a week before the school. Your car must have the brake fluid changed before our schools. If you will attend only one school, change it as soon as possible. If you will attend several driving schools, we encourage you to change it a couple of times over the season. For example, if you plan to attend our first and last schools, change the brake fluid in January or February, and then again in July or August. Bear in mind that professional race teams may flush their brake fluid before every race. If you have already had it changed, then make a photocopy of the work order and bring it with you. If you haven't, then make arrangements to have it changed and bring a photocopy with you. If you have had the brake fluid changed and do not have paperwork, or you did the brake work yourself, we will make you sign a document before the school. You will sign that your brakes are in perfect working order. Your car must be fit to go on the track. Take it to a mechanic, tell the mechanic what you're going to do and ask the mechanic to check the suspension, brakes and tires to make sure they will hold up. You don't want a nasty surprise at the track. We do not have a checklist for completion by your mechanic - the onus is on you! Review our cancellation policy. Be aware of your (limited) options should something prevent you from being able to attend...

Helmet

We require that you bring a helmet for your on-track sessions. The helmet should be in good condition. It does not have to be a full-face helmet. A motorcycle helmet (M), as opposed to a racing helmet (SA - Special Applications), is fine. If you do not own a helmet you might consider borrowing one from a friend, perhaps a fellow driving enthusiast or a motorcycle rider. If you anticipate taking several schools, buy a new helmet to sweat in. If buying a helmet, check out links page for Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa vendors that sell automotive, karting, and motorcycle helmets. We sometimes have a very limited number of smelly helmets at the school which are loaned out on a first-come, first-served basis. You should not count on this. We do not reserve them. It is your responsibility. Still can't source a helmet? See our FAQ for more ideas...

One Or Two Days Before The School

When you arrive at the school you will have to empty your car of loose items (yes, this includes the trunk, the glove box and all those little map pockets) so think ahead. Everything must be removed! If you are a serious pack rat, empty some out at home before you leave. And for goodness sake, get all the pennies out from under the seats... Generally, our schools open at 8:00am with the first meeting at 9:00 so plan to arrive at the track in sufficient time to do the rest of the unpacking. Bring a waterproof container to put the items into (e.g. Rubbermaid tote). Alternatively, a good sized tarp. There are very few covered areas at Canadian tracks (go figure), so your car items, extra clothes, paperwork may have to sit outside. For your convenience, we've created a handy packing list. It recommends items very useful or required at a school. And we always arrange for rain during our schools! ;-) Complete the driver's waiver ahead of time, if possible (see below).

Where

We regularly run schools at the Shannonville Motorsport Park (SMP) facility (10 km east of Belleville). A few years ago we started using the Mosport Driver Development Centre (DDC) track (north of Bowmanville, east of Oshawa). Please see our track pages for more information about the track, including directions to, detailed track maps, and "hot lap" descriptions, etc.

When

We try to open the gates at 7:00am. Registration starts at 8:00 am, coffee will be made available. Classes/track time start at 9:00. The school generally ends at 5:00. It's a tradition for the instructors and helpers to have a meal together afterwards - all the students are invited and many come because it's harder for us to say bad things about your track performance to your face :-)

Car Preparation

You should arrive with your car gasoline tank full. Your tire pressure should be increased approximately 5 psi per tire above the normal car manufacturer rating. I.e. if your car's tire pressure guide says your front tires should be 29 psi and the rears 28, then pump your fronts to 34 and the rears to 33. See our driver FAQ for more info. For gas and air service at or near to the track, see our track pages. The wheel nuts or bolts for each wheel need to be properly torqued. Particularly at an enhanced driving school where you work your car a little bit harder, especially in corners. If these are too loose, a wheel can fall off; if too tight, a wheel can break. We usually recommend 85 foot/pounds. A special "torque" wrench and some experience is required to do this. Again, ask your mechanic; failing that, we can check in the morning before the school. Ask us to teach you how to do this simple process yourself. If your car has hub caps, you may need to remove them to access the wheel nuts or bolts. Some nuts or bolts have small plastic covers. Devil in the details... You should also clean your windows and mirrors, inside and out. So pack some window cleaner and paper towel.

Your Preparation

Take some time to read about "the rules" while at a driving school. Remember your helmet. Bring your paperwork. Drivers licence (yikes), insurance papers, and - if possible - a completed driver's waiver (see below). Be rested. Consider staying near the track the night before rather than leaving home at 4:30am and speeding all the way. Yes, previous students have not only been late but had tickets to show for it. We list some hotels near the tracks we use. Near Shannonville, the Sunoco station at Marysville serves a tasty breakfast. The Fifth Wheel offers a discount on food before 6:00am! Remember your helmet. We provide lunch and drinks throughout the day but if you want something else then bring it. Did we remind you to bring your helmet? For your convenience, we've created a handy packing list. It recommends items very useful or required at a school.

What To Wear

Long pants are required during your track sessions; shorts, skirts, and dresses are not permitted. Full shoes (i.e. not sandals) are required. Stilettos are not ideal. Socks are required. You may wear short sleeve shirts... Dress for the weather for the track location - not where you live. Remember, we always order rain during our schools... The school proceeds regardless of the weather, even if it snows. During our April and October schools, may we suggest you pack long underwear and extra layers of clothes...

Legal Stuff

In order to participate as either a driver (or a spectator), everyone must sign track waiver(s), club waivers, and any other relevant documents as required by the morning check-in staff. These documents say basically the same thing - you agree not to sue anyone involved in the school for any injury you or your car suffer, for any reason whatsoever. We all acknowledge that motorsports can dangerous. There now, we've explained them in plain English so you can't say later that they were too long to read or too difficult or whatever. Everyone signs so everyone is in the same position. Download the Drivers' Waiver for each of the schools you will be attending, print it, complete it, and bring it with you. This will speed up the morning paperwork and allow you to get settled sooner!

ASN Waiver for Drivers, Instructors, Helpers and Guests

Club Waiver for Drivers, Instructors, Helpers and Guests - Shannonville School October 10 2008

Both the ASN and Club waivers are needed. Drivers who are under the age of 19 will also need to sign the Waiver for Minors and have both of their parents sign the Waiver for Parents also.

We have saved our waivers in a secure PDF document. This is Adobe's Portable Document Format, a platform-independent file that prints well on various printers. To view and print a PDF file, you need Acrobat or Acrobat Reader software. The Reader is available for free download. N.B. The personal information about yourself and your emergency contact, telephone numbers, automobile insurance information is gathered and used by the Club only, for the purposes of running driving schools.

Guests

Your guests, be they friends, kids, family members, co-workers, people you're trying to impress are welcome to come and be spectators but they have to sign the waivers too.

Starting in 2008 we have special requirements for minors (anyone under the age of 19). BOTH parents have to sign a parental consent form, and the minor also has to sign a separate form. Furthermore, one of the parents has to be present at the track.

ASN Waiver for Minors (all guests under the age of 19)

ASN Waiver for Parents (must be signed by BOTH parents and brought to the track)

Guests are welcome to join us for lunch but we are required to charge a nominal fee. If your guests would like to help, please let Scott Hutchings know ASAP (president [at] saabclub [dot] ca). Scott is in charge of helpers and will gladly put them to work on the day! If your guest helps during the school then we'll give them a free lunch.

Contact Numbers

If you feel the need to leave a telephone number where you can be contacted in case of an emergency, you might note the number of the track facility.

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

No. Not unless you are a driving school instructor...

We can give them a ride with any available instructor while the instructor drives on track in an instructor session. But while you're driving, you'll be busy working with your instructor.

Even if you're an advanced driver, you cannot take someone other than an instructor in your passenger seat.

Your guests are more than welcome to visit. And we always try to arrange for rides for them.

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

For detailed information on all the things to do to prepare for the driving school, please see our checklist document.

Also, read or print a driving school packing list.

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

We normally recommend, for novice and intermediate drivers, overinflating street-use tires for driving school use.

This is because when driving on a track at high speeds through corners with normally-inflated (or, if you haven't checked lately, likely underinflated) tires, the rubber may "roll over" or deflect from the wheel rim to such a degree that it may release from the rim and suddenly deflate. As well, the high loads on the tires will cause them to heat up. If they're underinflated, they will heat to much higher temperatures, possibly leading to a catastrophic blow-out.

Higher pressures can help the tires better protect the rims from damage by decreasing roll-over. Raising the tire pressure can improve feel and response (the tires don't feel squishy). Advanced drivers may seek a crisper turn-in and less body pitch and roll.

In wet or cold conditions, conversely, we usually want more heat in the tires.

In the dry, raise the pressure by +5 psi. In the wet, keep it at the normal level (or lower it by -5 psi if you're an advanced driver).

If using R-compound or racing tires, consult with an instructor or experienced racer.

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

If you're not trailering your car to and from the track, then you should perhaps be driving on the tires that best suit your general driving conditions. If it is snowing the day of the school, your snow tires will help you get safely to and from the track. However, your snow tires will get "eaten up" at the track if you are driving hard and the track surface is not snow-covered.

If you want to drive to the track on one set of tires and then drive on track on a different set, then of course you'll need your other set of tires already mounted, balanced, and properly inflated, tire bags or old blankets, you'll need to pack them in your back seat, passenger seat, truck, roof, mini-trailer, you'll need to bring your car jack, a jack stand or two, breaker bar, torque wrench, and various other items, such as pressure gauge, lock-nut adapter, lock-nut key, air pump, and so on...

We run our schools no matter the weather.

The only thing that stops a driving school is fog.

Check the weather, according to Environment Canada.

• Belleville or Trenton when we're going to Shannonville
• Oshawa or Peterborough when we're visiting Mosport
• Simcoe/Cayuga if we return to Toronto Motorsport Park

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

No. Payment is required in advance. For questions contact the Registrar (see contact info on Application Form).

ARCHIVE ALERT! This is a page for our old Enhanced Driving School. It is no
longer being maintained and remains accessible for archival purposes only.

Our driving school is now called Enhanced Driving Synergy and current info
can be found on it's new website drivingsynergy.com

:

No.

Please consider these facts:

We, the club, have to pay 50% of the track deposit up front. That could be (if we were renting the full track, skid pad, and classroom at Shannonville) about $3000.

The morning of a school, we have to pay the balance of the track rental fees. That would be $3000 (if the deposit was $3000).

Then, during the day, we have to pay the caterer. That could be, say, $1000.

The Saab Club of Canada is a non-profit organization.

And we're not made of money...

So... the upshot of all this is: we need your payment in advance of the school. We deposit cheques and process Visa and MasterCard applications upon receipt. This briefly fills our bank account and allows the club to pay for many of the up-front expenses associated with renting a track, its facilities, paying for incidentals in advance, such as beverages and photocopying, and so on.

See the registration page for more information.

Finally, a submitted payment also signals to us your total commitment to participate in the school. Which touches upon, once again, the matters of cancellation and holding spots.