GOING 4-LOW; Why should all the driving schools be for sports cars?(Revs)

Byline: PHIL FLORADAY

Most driving schools give students ample track time to learn the capabilities and limits of fine sports cars. The Hummer Driving Academy, operated by AM General at its South Bend, Indiana, headquarters, does the same thing for its students, though track time here is off-track and in the woods.

With a student-to-instructor ratio of 2:1, the course is designed to take anyone with a valid driver's license and give them skills to venture safely off-road in a Hummer. From novices to veterans, all leave the school with more smarts and a greater appreciation for the capabilities of their vehicles. The academy provides Hummers, so you don't need to worry about banging up your own while you decide if you enjoy four-wheel driving. To attend the school, you must own a Hummer or go as the guest of a Hummer owner.

We took the H3 class, the newest and shortest (vehicle and training)-at two days-offered. It was a blast. The first day started with man-made obstacles you'd find at a dealer test track; it ended with moderate trail rides through the northern Indiana woods. During class we hit some early snow that made obstacles a bit more challenging, but they were far from impossible to navigate. As the weather broke on the second day, we ran ...