Saab Aero Academy is Exclusive No More
by EVANDER KLUM
Saab��s two-day intensive driving course that is exclusively offered to Saab Aero model customers has recently been made available to US drivers everywhere. The cost for the said driving course is only $495 that is if you purchase a new Saab with quality Saab radiator hose but if not you will have to pay an additional $1,000.
The two-day driving course includes driver education while driving one of Saab��s Aero performance vehicles. 80 percent of the driving course will deal on advanced handling exercises which will be conducted on specially constructed training tracks. Aside from that, 20 percent of the driving course will be spent for classroom discussions. Saab��s Aero Academy has professional race car driver instructors which add up to the thrill of learning.
According to Saab Automobile USA General Manager Steve Shannon, "The Saab Aero Academy is an important element of the overall Saab customer experience. Improving driving skills and learning how to avoid an accident benefit American road-ways. Besides, pushing Saab 9-3s and 9-5s to the limits on a safe, closed course is just plain fun and we wanted to share that experience with as many people as possible. Bottom line, if you love to drive and want to sharpen your skills in a Saab, it's a must."
Aero Academy enrollees will also get to experience a skid pad where they learn how to control a car with proper steering, throttle, and brake responses. Threshold braking is also taught which deals mainly on how to apply brakes, improve reaction time and brake lockup. Aside from braking exercises, there is also a lane change exercise which aimed to improve reflexes and car control skills. An obstacle course that would test timing, throttle, and steering skills is also part of the course. Here enrollees would try to avoid the orange cones along their way. Likewise an autocross is conducted to further test cornering, braking, acceleration and skid control while employing 100 percent of the car��s potential.
The high intensity driving course provided by Saab Aero Academy is handled by professional racing car drivers that are active in open wheel formula racing, sports car racing, endurance racing and oval track racing. The ratio of instructor to student is 1:4. There are more than 2,000 Saab owners that have participated in the Aero Academy since it was founded in the year 1999 under the name ��Viggen Flight Academy��.
How to enroll? If you are interested in joining the Saab Aero Academy simply visit www.SaabAcademy.com or call 800-456-4728. For customers who purchase or lease a 2008 Saab they will be given a voucher worth $1,000 out of the $1,495 tuition fee which leaves them with $495 fee to pay in case they want to enter the Saab Aero Academy. The discount offered is only good for 12 months starting from date of purchase for al new 2008 Saab models.
