Going to DRIVING SCHOOL after 20 years

[@sommers11]

I enjoy how you let your hobbies influence your videos rather than being focused only on 1 thing such as Travel

[@TheUpoop]

My favorite thing about the channel!

[@Ferruccio629]

I completely agree. Your passion for the topic of the video is contagious! I love it man

[@iagraham2]

It’s was a pleasure having you Mike! You were a great student and your welcome anytime!

[@DownieLive]

You're the best! Thanks so much for your patience Ian! I seriously had a blast! Glad I could finally pull away from that pesky Corolla by the end of it. Hahaha

[@westsideskateshop564]

This track looked awesome, glad you guys had a great time out there. This really motivates me to try a track day, I’ve always wanted too. Recently got a Shelby GT350 and now I’m really itching to get out there. Thanks for sharing the experience!

[@SenorBolsa]

@@westsideskateshop564 GT350 is a blast on track, much better manners than youd expect, enjoy it, had to sell mine recently due to lifestyle changes, and I wanted something I could afford to bring to the track more often and not worry about as much.

[@SRQmoviemaker]

Just wanna say as an avid track day enthusiast you did a great job coaching.. much better than some I've lapped with..

[@iagraham2]

Thanks Ben! If you’re ever in the area and want to try one of the fastest tracks in North America, let me know!

[@John_Fugazzi]

That lap with the professional driver looked terrifying - hope you enjoyed it. What a change. from a slow, quiet ride on a miniature train

[@Readyplayer11]

The terrifying part is he’s not a professional. He’s just done it a few times. Guy probably does your taxes.

[@westsideskateshop564]

Thanks for taking us along on this journey! As a car guy, this was so epic to see. I’ve always wanted to do a track day, now I definitely will. P.S. I feel bad for whoever buys that mustang from the dealership lmao. “Garage kept” only 500 miles haha

[@onTimeAlways404]

You don't look 36 bro! Way younger! Love watching you live life. I'm a guy who grew up poor and now have a high paying corporate job, but sometimes I feel stuck. A year will go by and I haven't gone anywhere or done anything, just working and working. I watch your videos and feel inspired to actually go and live. I love trains just like you, and I love adventure. I don't want to see the fancy vacation spots everyone posts Instagram photos of, I want to see the world in between. The random, the organic, the unpolished world out there. I think train travel really lets you do that. Glad you're living life bro, I hope to one day run into you while I'm out there doing the same!

[@ScoochScooch13]

Track days are so fun. Glad you got to do it. I’d suggest going out there in a lower horsepower car so you can really give it the gears. Personally I find it way more fun to drive a slow car as fast as it can go!

[@DownieLive]

That's a good idea!

[@SRQmoviemaker]

Slow car at its limits is so much more fun than a "fast" car that you cant push its limits.

[@pruittiii]

Sweet. When I was a kid, my daddy's company provided electricity to the local racetrack. The owners would throw him tickets on occasion and he would take me. It was mostly stock car racing. Stock car racing had its roots from Prohibition and moonshine running (the transportation of unlicensed whiskey from stills in rural areas to metropolitan communities). It was racing at its finest. The cars were 1956ish Fords and Chevrolets. The rear ends were jacked up so when the trunk was was loaded the car set normally. The races were a result of Prohibition being lifted and the runners needing a use for their high powered cars - which were designed to outrun law enforcement. It was racing at its finest; good old boys racing dirt tracks, stands built from old power poles and scrap lumber, Budweiser and untaxed hooch flowing, the backfire of the V-8's as they circled the track... Precious memories. Your experience was pretty darn awesome. It was a bit more polished but looked fun as hell. I am jealous! Thanks for sharing.

[@mattloveslife]

At the start there is Sam from JetLag! That’s crazy!

[@DownieLive]

Good eye!

[@brendadishaw9273]

Michael, the looks on your face was priceless. When I was in my early 20's, I use to drag ran with the Law Officers in my little home town. We didn't go that fast. I had a '69 Chevy Impala with a 327 V8 engine. I loved that car, I miss her. I would have enjoyed what you got to do, If I was 40 years young. The good old days. Thank you for this wonderful adventure, love you Michael.

[@iAmCracky]

A great way to get more relaxed is to take a drifting course of some sorts, it'll teach you how it feels when you lose grip and how to deal with it

[@DeborahAiles]

Learner's permit at 15. Drove my dad's "battleships on wheels". At 18, bought my first car, a 1968 Datsun 510. I drove the crap out of that poor little car! New husband had a 1971 Mach 1 Mustang. Good Lord! I now drive an SUV. Goes like crazy (Millennium Falcon sticker on the back window). Hauls what I need to carry. Ian was hanging on like crazy to the door handle! Have fun!

[@michaelmarmoreo4026]

I spent several years instructing at the BMW Schools at Mosport and other tracks. Michael, your track day brought back a lot of great memories. Track day for a lot of people would improve their driving greatly. Your experience should encourage a lot of others. Keep up the great work!

[@barrydraper]

Loads of FUN!!! 🏁 I did the Richard Petty Driving Experience (7-hot laps) at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) a few years back. They held the driving class in the morning and we suited up to hit the track in the afternoon. Driving an actual retired NASCAR with the manual 4-speed trans & the window net. It's tough to explain to someone, just how much fun that was. It was LOUD, rough, hot, bumpy, yet pure elation. There was NO passenger seat. Your spotter was leading, just ahead of you in another NASCAR. FYI, "racecar" spelled backwards is still racecar...

[@gabecardoso5896]

Thanks for coming out! I had fun trying to keep up with the mustang😅

[@DownieLive]

Gabe!!! You were crushing it in the Corolla! I'm just glad my 5L V8 could finally pull away from you! Hahaha

[@GeoTransit]

Sam from Jet Lag just casually appearing

[@traviscannon2028]

I already loved this channel . I’ve been binge watching all of it for about a week or so now but you get double points for knowing how to drive a stick shift and driving a mustang 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@kelleywilson8823]

Super cool seeing you at the Miami GP next to Sam from Jet Lag: The Game! When are you going to be Sam's partner on a season of Jet Lag?!?!

[@oscarc5656]

I think one of my fav things about this channel is that ur able to capture the environment fully, and it feels like im there with u!

[@senorsoupe]

The fact that your first car was a Yugo is amazing

[@ScottRothsroth0616]

Rough timestamp 0:12

[@troublewithtriton8529]

So welcome to Ontario, a few things I noticed. #1 you were in Bowmanville not Toronto . #2 the coffee stand is famous and loved on film sets and tv productions through out this area of Ontario , so you had the best of the best there. #3 I can understand why you were so tense while driving and riding at those speeds, warranted. #4 The guy who took you out with the spoiler missing was so relaxed , it was noticeable with or with out you beside him. #5 Ice cream trucks are always a good thing. #6 You rocked that last lap, you came you learned and you conquered. Love tuning in every time.

[@the_g9456]

Mike, I remember 36, that was a while back. lol. I've always wanted to do one of these driving schools. This is very fun stuff. That guy you rode with could really drive. That was cool.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

As someone who loved driving a 2CV, I can't imagine the experience of a race track drive like this.

[@eekee6034]

I simply have to ask if you've experienced the 2CV 24 hour race! ;)

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

@@eekee6034 No, but it sounds cool.

[@darthsideous1968]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY MIKE! 🎂I remember when I was 36 500 years ago lol! Stay young Mike and keep these FANTASTIC videos from the DownieLive channel coming!👍

[@leonl5993]

i just found your channel while i was looking up videos about maine because my family is moving there, i'm 18 and i had a decent job and i planned on working there a long time but i got a knee injury so i had to quit because it's a pretty physical job. i feel really inspired by your channel and i finished your train to alaska series, i've always wanted to travel around the world since i was a kid but i grew up in poverty so it always seemed so impossible, i think i'm gonna start making videos and see where it takes me, it would be a dream if i could make my career traveling and inspiring others like you did me. thank you for doing what you do!

[@Amm17ar]

Im loving your recent motorsport content. Im a huge F1 fan lol, so its been even more of a pleasure than usual watching your videos on your experiences! REALLY looking forward to your Montreal GP video. I hoped to go for my first time this year, but it ended up being quite a bit more expensive than I had hoped for, but your video should fill the void haha. Thanks again for the amazing content.

[@DownieLive]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@deskface2310]

Mike!!!! Keep on doing what you’re doing man! Absolutely love you and your videos man

[@nowherech]

Really nice video! Is interesting how the things are changing always! We are based in Finland also trying to do video reportage! 🤩🤩

[@giulianobonaldo2995]

🎉

[@giulianobonaldo2995]

Ooh nice!

[@Unf0rG1Vin]

Brings me back to your ice racing Video! Love this Content Mike!

[@DownieLive]

Absolutely! Similar experience.

[@wretchedslippage3255]

Respect for the manual. ELITE, BABY!!!

[@italiana626sc]

Wow!!! That was really thrilling! By the look on your face, you really enjoyed yourself - it came through so much in the video. Great content. Thanks for taking us along!

[@DownieLive]

I did! Thanks for coming along!

[@1603shadow]

What a fun video I’ve been driving for a little over 40 years and a BC resident I’m used to the twisting mountain roads, that would be a lot of fun to learn to do laps like that.

[@FBcruzz]

This was awesome Mike, definitely go back when you feel like it and please bring us along!

[@Robert-S-World]

You should do a series where you improve both your driving on the track and improving Kennedy to handle better on the track

[@alieffauzanrizky7202]

"Can you even track a truck?" Now try to say that 10x more times, without screwing up 😂

[@kdub929]

Nice job on your last lap! Looking forward to your intermediate training!

[@lynfl9814]

Wow, that was awesome. You got quite the ride with that Supra driver. The look of terror on your face was real! I think he did that a time or two. Man, I love coming along with you on your crazy journey. Never know what we are going to experience with you. 😳😖😣

[@drdelirious8899]

im laughing so hard havent finished the video but the fact i have a blue corolla thats looks exactly like that is hilarious ive always wanted to see someone track one😂

[@jmm5994]

Didn't realize you had met up with Sam at the F1 race. Time to start a rumor, Downie will be the next guest on jet lagged

[@DownieLive]

🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️😆

[@Wordsnwood]

Now THAT would be awesome…

[@SRQmoviemaker]

This is a great video! Racing is my first passion!

[@RonJDuncan]

For the record, I got my license at 15 (because of the state I lived in) and my first car was also a Yugo - all the way back in 1991. I bet this was a very different experience.

[@DownieLive]

No way! What a coincidence!

[@davidarthur1542]

I agree. I did dozens of lapping days in low horsepower cars (mostly modern Mini Coopers) and found them fun because I could really push the car, and not being able to use horsepower to make up for a bad corner incentivized me to do corners better.

[@clentonhenderson9647]

I swear my guy, you do a heck of a Lotta cool stuff!!👍🏾😉👊🏽

[@DownieLive]

I try!

[@lancelarson6710]

Oh my god im obsessed with yugos, that looks like a pristine example of one. Awesome, im jellous

[@heidimarie1198]

My son has just turned 17, he's had 3 lessons and loving it - - - soon he'll be driving his middle aged mum about !!

[@Leanne.....]

Happy Belated Birthday Mike!! Phew that looked intense. As I was watching you make your concentrated look, I was making it too! As if I was in the car with you. 😅 Thanks for taking us there.

[@freshprinceofvancity]

I see what you're doing here... Ramp up to the F1 cars and track! Can't wait :)

[@jasonpilla]

Nice job Mike. Really. Great to see the variety. I’ve done track days for about 5 years. It is VERY overwhelming, all the info & input at first. And I laughed at my first few instructors.... stay calm, relax!

[@DownieLive]

Right on!

[@Shefinanigans]

Imagine just chilling with an ice cream while a nascar is zooming a few meters away from you

[@burntfingers2241]

Happy birthday mike,welcome to club 36 👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@SenorBolsa]

Happy Birthday! It really is an entirely different world from driving on the street, even driving fast on the street there's just so much more you can do on track. A mustang GT is a lot of car for a rookie driver seem to have your head on straight and handled it well. Hope you get to experience some different cars in the future they all have their own personality and way they need to be driven which really makes them come alive. If you are ever down in new england check out palmer motorsports park, it's one of the wildest club tracks I've driven and your instructor is likely to be one of the guys who designed the track. Lime Rock Park is also a beautiful historical track and they host a big vintage racing festival there every year, and it's not too far from the Kent Machinery museum where they have some narrow gauge locos and a bunch of old steam engines and tractors on display, they run them pretty often too and you can get up close and personal.

[@candacejackson5044]

It looks like you met your goals and had fun while doing it

[@siobhancrawford7236]

Incredible video! Your face was a picture throughout. The fear was real in parts lol! It was fantastic to see your progress. Thanks for sharing this cool experience! xxx

[@LotusLogan]

dude knows how to drive manual I'm impressed. Nice driving!

[@1073wheeler]

I don’t know.. I like the travel segments. It’s obviously what started many to subscribe. So I can’t be alone on this one.

[@medelle7003]

The little train is definitely more my speed 😂😂 but you looked like you were having a blast once you relaxed! I would've pee'd my pants riding with that pro driver!

[@sdbelland]

That was so much fun to watch. Thanks for taking us along.

[@jimDally-w2e]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Michael !!! You learned a few tricks of the road and had fun. Good for you and your minions out here. Excitement with Kennedy !! Wow-wee too !!

[@ginafranciosi3252]

Talk about feeling alive ! 👍 thanks

[@gman4482]

Dude, your face was priceless in the Supra. Good job and Happy Birthday!

[@landonmckeen4221]

You got this downie and nice job whit perfect lap

[@kevinfourie8260]

AWESOME content man. made me laugh and smile so much.

[@johnallred716]

Happy Bithday Mike! What a fun episode. I used to do track events like this and it was a blast, but riding shotgun with a skilled instructor in their Porsche was insane. You made some great faces!

[@kencase2179]

Thanks for bringing us along on this awesome experience!!! I know you don't know where you're going but I want to come along!

[@DownieLive]

Any time!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Happy Belated Birthday! Also, here’s to finding new challenges for every decade.

[@braedenwilliams6562]

Lots of ups and downs in this episode huh Mike your facial expressions 🤣

[@canadiancatgreen]

A Yugo Those were among the coolest cats ever made Very cool you got to use a Mustang too Obviosly not as cool as a Yugo or Cevette or Mazdad 323 still cool though Unfotante it was manual though

[@justkloo2]

Awesome Vid! I have always wanted to drive this track may have to check them out!

[@DownieLive]

You should!

[@sik_ride]

Great video. I was there that day. You did great!

[@terrybc7004]

Great Production Mike!

[@itsnotme07]

You don't own a car? What happened to the right hand drive Toyota RAV4? Nice choice...Mustang convertible! They are wicked fun! More so on Highway 1 in California. This is WORK people. It's wicked HARD work....and one of these days, I gotta try this!! LOL Never had a track day, but have lots and lots of miles or kms....over the last 40 years. Yeah, that's right I got my license at 16 3/4. Wicked cool track too!

[@nessusturla]

Congrats on your first track day ever. Love watching your travel videos. If you are ever in Toronto next time, let me know. I'll take you for another lapping day in my car.

[@esiebert7625]

I love my Anker ear buds…

[@xPeopleKindx]

Mike, I have to say... your videos make me cry in a good way. As someone that is struggling with finances to the point that I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep my home by the end of the year, I've always wanted to travel, but obviously I can't. Seeing your videos makes me feel like I'm travelling with you, and it brings me peace. I wish I could travel in person, but I can't afford it, so truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making these videos. Much love, Justin from Ontario

[@DownieLive]

Thanks Justin! Take care!

[@melissatrader8528]

This was an awesome video to wake up to and watch

[@ShoalVideoSolutions]

My two hobbies of cars and travel colliding. Glad you had a good time at the track!

[@PokhrajRoy.]

1:52 Missed opportunity to call that Mustang ‘Sally’. #MikeInAMustang

[@christilyn78]

We loved your animated facial expressions! It was very clear how you were feeling. It was a very fun video to watch!

[@DownieLive]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@musingwithreba9667]

That. Was. AWESOME! I love watching races at that track. I grew up not too far away and we went often. My father was a racing enthusiast and even used to drive in amateur laps around that track. It was called Mosport way back when. I haven't been to a race in forever! Now I realize how much I miss it! I'll have to check the schedule, see whats happening this summer 😊

[@zebra_x6420]

there is no way your first car was yugo??? and not gonna lie you are doing pretty well on that track for your first try, good job and keep it up like that!

[@LivingWithSpinaBifida]

Lol, the many faces you made in this video, mike, are hilarious! xD

[@thelonelytuba1972]

Best ive seen as a corner worker for 2 years was a basic ass buick out on a trackday amongst fully built racecars an porsches. When i say basic buick i dont men like a cool one like the old regals. Like early 2010s grandma car with a 4 banger that weighs somewhere around 4k lbs

[@tj9959]

the guy in the supra was so nice, i love him

[@maj6190]

Since you haven't posted on KZbin for a month, I hope you and yours are well.

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

Buddy I liked your video and your approach with new human beings.Nice guy🎉

[@DownieLive]

Thanks a ton

[@michaelformaini7053]

Well, that was fun!!! Now when did you say you were coming downunder to do the Bathurst 1000? Just kidding. It would be interesting to see your skills replicated with a sports motorcycle since I know you love riding.🙂😉🙂

[@ethansuire419]

From an American... naming a convertible "Kennedy" is a bold move. XD

[@semipenguin]

That looks like fun. Glad you had a great time. My favorite Canadian NASCAR is Patrick Carpentier

[@Plowman360]

My first track day was at that track too! Great and insanely fast track

[@JonathanCF0]

I gotta get my car to a track. Looks like so much fun.

[@sethtriggs]

LOL the saleslady pitching it to you based on the mullet is really cool. Sounds like a fun outing indeed. I'm definitely not built for speeds like those.

[@TZB77]

A few years back, because of being naughty (driving 200+ at 3am on an empty highway) I needed to retake my theoretical and practical driving exams....which were (for me) a piece of cake....they should make a system where everyone (at least here in Belgium - or Europe in the broader sense) wxould need to retake their exams every 5 years or some...a lot of people seem to forget the rules, or just don't know how to drive properly. In any case - great lines on that last lap!

[@ymcairedellbball]

Way to nail the final lap!

[@ssm316]

That looked like a blast!

[@mallockracer]

As an amateur race driver who is an f1 fan and lives on a narrowboat, your content lately has been brilliant....

[@zuchinni1913]

Naming a convertible "Kennedy" is a bold move.

[@brandonpeniuk]

That was awesome. My friend owned a 2001 Corvette. It was fast. That looked fun Mike. The expression on your face was priceless. LOL. These videos are getting better. I am headed to BC on the Island. I'm going surfing in Tofino. I can't wait.

[@DownieLive]

Right on! Have fun Brandon!

[@kennethcampbell7263]

It's a mustang should it's name be Sally. Nice to see A Tag, he was a favourite of mine for a while.

[@ginaw.2532]

Happy Birthday! Talladega is crazy on race day but we love it.

[@oremust3718]

You need to make a video on tshiuetin rail line ;)

[@Brick-Life]

The Yugo was a very interesting car and was your first car!

[@haydenblack2995]

Collab with Ryan Trahan! Do a penny series with him. Travel by train across America or Canada starting with only a penny. Would be amazing!