Greg00Coupe

I've read a number of posts about the various racing schools on here. I'd like some CF input please.

Would like to do a father son deal with my son. A surprise for him. I've tracked my Corvettes a few times and my goal is to do more. I'm not into racing so much just getting reasonable track time....but that's another topic!! He loves Corvettes and will be over the top by this surprise.

I'm in Ohio and he's in SCal. So Nevada or Arizona works well.

What would you recommend for a father son adventure??? What are some of the logistics around some of these tracks? Are they out in the middle of no where or do some offer other night time activities? I like Spring Mountain as you can stay right there I think. Also since I have a C7 and he's gaga over the C7 would like to track in a C7. Probably will do a multiple day package...... most important since this is his first time I want to give him that blown away exerience we all got the first time we tracked our cars.

Thanks in Advance!

Bill32

Without a doubt - Spring Mountain

You can stay right at the track, their suites are beautiful.

Couple of casinos in Pahrump, but not much else.

Bondurant in Arizona also has Corvettes, better night life but for the track experience, go to Spring Mountain.

onargaroberts

I live in Chicago and my son lives in So. Cal. We've done Spring Mountain together 4 times. It is a great father son activity. In February we'll go back and this time I'm taking my other son and son-in-law. I'm obviously sold on this kind of experience.

Werks

+1! Spring Mountain, hands down! In regards to nighttime activities honestly the days are long there and they keep you pretty busy all day. I've been there twice now and I've found that once you are done for the day all that you are going to want to do is take a shower, get some dinner and then go to bed lol! LV is however only a 30 minute drive away and I would suggest that you simply come a day early or stay a day or two later and hit Vegas with your son to continue your bonding experience!

ErnieN85

red1vette

been there 3 times and plan on going back for the fourth time next year!

BondurantHPD

Hey!

It's hard to respond to comparison posts without there being a perceived bias so I just want to start off by saying that either school that you attend will give you world class instruction, and as the other forum members will attest, both schools provide that.

Bondurant is located in Chandler, which is tucked right under Phoenix. 15 minutes from downtown Tempe and ASU, the airport, Downtown Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix, which has the Diamondbacks and Suns. Also, all the Spring Training teams will start up here in a couple months for the season. As for things to do outside of here, you're 20 minutes TOPS from everything you can imagine Phoenix has to offer. Hotel like the beautiful Sheraton Wild Horse Pass are as close as 1/4 mile away from the track and we have low negotiated rates. http://www.wildhorsepassresort.com/

That being said, you usually don't have any energy after a full day on track! Especially if you do the Shifter Karts that we offer here after the class every day.

We have 1-3 Day C7 Experiences, or for the ultimate blown away track experience, our 4-day Grand Prix course is what you're looking to do. That's 3 days in the Stingray and the 4th day in the Formula Mazda which gives you open track time in both cars for HOURS. You can be signed off to get your SCCA regional license from there, so he could take your Corvette to track days with him. (Given you LET him drive your Corvette! )

We have all 32 Stingrays on site and they are being prepped as much as possible as we await the extra tires. We hope to have them ON TRACK in early February and have spots open for that time.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have on the courses depending on specifically what you're looking to do on track. Also, questions about where to stay or what to do!

Thanks!
Cameron

Z06TWT

Just got back from SM in the C7.....great operation. For specific advise, stay at the Four Seasons in LV....you can stay there and never have to walk through a casino, it's at the far south end of the strip so it's the quickest way to SM, plus you can still get a great meal at the end of a long day at the track.Enjoy some great bonding time.

StKnoWhere

You guys are killing me and making my bucket list longer...

For something different, DirtFish offers a Ralley Car driving school roughly 40 min east of Seattle that is very well run and a lot of fun.

https://www.dirtfish.com/

StKnoWhere

Umm, is the Chicken Ranch still there?

NVR2L8

How old is your son?

I took my son to SM at age 15. It was an error in judgment on my part.

Greg00Coupe

I hear ya.......

He's 36 and into cars........ but has these things call kids and an SUV right now.

We will have a great time no doubt.

Thanks everyone for the good tips.

Cameron I sent you a PM. Look forward to the info.

Bill32

Ha, donno, I don't get to Pahrump much.

Too many good tracks closer to Reno than SM.

Dirk Miller

I need to vote for Bondurant! I have not been to Spring Mountain and wonder how many of those who have written here about S. M. have also gone to Bob’s school in Phoenix? Personally, I was fortunate enough to take my 20 year old daughter to Bob's school in January of ’08. Sure glad I did as we learned a ton from his program. They balanced our time well between the track and his class room. Actually since I totally wore out four Z06 tires on the track in two days, I know we had plenty of seat time behind the wheel. Bob had so many programs to choose from. We went with the 2 day Z06 HPDE class. Just prior to attending, I had ordered a base C6 and was waiting for the delivery. During this time my boss was racing ALMS. He had been to many race schools and suggested I consider Bob Bondurant’s school. At that time I wasn’t that interested in road courses but mainly wanted to do something special with my daughter. Those two days sure improved our driving skills. Honestly, until we had graduated I had not given much thought to driving my car on track. Five years and three thousand track miles later, I am happy to report a few positive Bondurant concepts must have rubbed off on me…..I have experienced no contact with either walls or other cars. Plus, my daughter just graduated from nursing school and she will be including Corvette race school on her resume. Keep Bondurant School of High Performance Driving in mind!

Greg00Coupe

Thanks everyone for the info and especially the PMs Cameron..... Will keep Bondurant on the to do list.......but for this trip we're off to Nevada in February!!! Got a nephew in LV we see too little and that probably tipped us to start there.

CruisePlanner

Going to Spring Mountain in May - CAN'T WAIT!

ajderzie

I'm at SM every month racing in their Radical series! Of course I started with their Vette school and look where I ended up! I love it there. Bondo is great too. Here is a quick video of the track. (not Corvettes but you get to see the track). I have some more on my YouTube channel if you are interested.

cagotzmann

Well this might help make your decison. All new C7 owners will get a 2 day class at spring mountain at GM's Cost, similar to what new ZR1 owners have had since 2009. Speaking with Rick Melone at spring mountain this will be offered to all C7 orders even if it was not announced when you purchased your car. I would check with your dealer and make a call to Spring Mountain to get more details of when this announcement will happen.

Just returned from SM Dec 2013.
here's a clip from one of my sessions in the C7 on the new 2.1 East Track.

Greg00Coupe

AND we just got back!!! what a blast!!! This is a bonefied race car!!!! My son had a great time and now is looking for a car!!!

The spring mountain staff? What can you say? They are a class act. Passion for what they do........ focused on the student and a class facility. Yes Rick did say the SM program would be retro to ALL C7 owners?!?! Lets hope he is right.

Amazing the relationship SM has with GM. They know the car.. GM tests there and it is a great experience.

Werks

Told ya