Johnny O'Connell planning Corvette Camp in TX
06-01-2006, 01:44 AM
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Johnny O'Connell planning Corvette Camp in TX
Woohoo, Looks like Johnny O is planning to hold is Corvette Camp driving school in Texas in October or November. I am looking forward to it. This is sure to be as entertaining and exciting as it is educational. Who else will be signing up?
http://www.johnnyoconnell.com/
http://www.corvettecamp.com/
http://www.johnnyoconnell.com/
http://www.corvettecamp.com/
06-01-2006, 08:34 AM
#2
Le Mans Master
Depends on cost. Not that it isn't worth it, I'm sure I'd learn, but if I remember right it was pretty costly for two lead follows+two open sessions.
Anyone recall the cost of the last one?
Anyone recall the cost of the last one?
06-01-2006, 11:41 AM
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Looks like it was $400. Which to me seems pretty cheap for instruction from an accomplished professional.
06-01-2006, 03:04 PM
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06-01-2006, 03:29 PM
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Johnny's really cool to hang out and chat with, and I'm sure his LOADS of experience both teaching and in the seat would be worth the $$, but TX is a little far for me to travel. I talked to him about last year's when he was down for some Caddy testing at Sebring and if it was in range I'd go.
Yes, you can definitely find cheaper track/seat time, but add in the anecdotes and advice from a very seasoned instructor like Johnny and for me it seems a decent value. Just my $.02
Jim
Yes, you can definitely find cheaper track/seat time, but add in the anecdotes and advice from a very seasoned instructor like Johnny and for me it seems a decent value. Just my $.02
Jim
06-01-2006, 03:34 PM
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Originally Posted by corvette-pilot
Says on the site it is $400 DAY and only 2 hours of track time.
Better off at Spring Mountain for 3 days and 300 miles of driving !
Better off at Spring Mountain for 3 days and 300 miles of driving !
06-01-2006, 04:05 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
I didn't really mean to start a $$$/value discussion. I know I would learn from him either way - that absolutely goes without saying.
The issue for me is money is tight, and $400 buys 3 days x 4 sessions seat time for me, which I lack.
It's a tossup what I'd get more out of, 2 sessions of instruction vs. 12 of seat time with HPDE instructors.
The other aspect is there's only 1 Johnny O'connell. He won't be instructing in every car... right?
The issue for me is money is tight, and $400 buys 3 days x 4 sessions seat time for me, which I lack.
It's a tossup what I'd get more out of, 2 sessions of instruction vs. 12 of seat time with HPDE instructors.
The other aspect is there's only 1 Johnny O'connell. He won't be instructing in every car... right?
Last edited by yellow01; 06-01-2006 at 04:08 PM.
06-02-2006, 07:56 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by yellow01
I didn't really mean to start a $$$/value discussion. I know I would learn from him either way - that absolutely goes without saying.
The issue for me is money is tight, and $400 buys 3 days x 4 sessions seat time for me, which I lack.
It's a tossup what I'd get more out of, 2 sessions of instruction vs. 12 of seat time with HPDE instructors.
The other aspect is there's only 1 Johnny O'connell. He won't be instructing in every car... right?
The issue for me is money is tight, and $400 buys 3 days x 4 sessions seat time for me, which I lack.
It's a tossup what I'd get more out of, 2 sessions of instruction vs. 12 of seat time with HPDE instructors.
The other aspect is there's only 1 Johnny O'connell. He won't be instructing in every car... right?
I attended Johnny's Camp last year and you are right there is only 1 Johnny O'Connell
In my group, he drove with everyone at least once and he stayed on the track giving advice, hints, and no BS. I had his ear anytime I wanted it and Johnny had no problem in jumping in the car to show you what he was talking about. I learned more in one day from Johnny and Rick Swarts than in the 3 HPDE's I attended since. I am not putting down HPDE instructors; lord knows they do a fine job and you get your money's worth. However, seat time with a successful, professional racing driver, in his prime, who can also teach, and who actually drives a Corvette as his personal car is really a fast track learning experiance. We drove from first light untill 5pm-boy was I one wasted puppy!
I'm in TB-say did you dye your hair yet-no QTip Vette Drivers
Last edited by AutoCutter; 06-02-2006 at 08:04 PM.
06-02-2006, 11:32 PM
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i also did the camp last year at CMP. I also thought initially that $400 was steep for a day when i could run a whole weekend for $250, but then i thought about all of the proffesional schools running over $2500 and i figured i would give it a shot. two weeks before the school, guess who called? Johnny O, talking to me about the school, what he expected to be doing and if there were anything specific i wanted to know. skip barber or bob bondurant ever call any of you?
friendly guy at dinner, lots of stories, very personable. i had to work on the first day, so sunday was the only day i could attend. turned out great, because there were 20-22 cars on the first day, 10 on sunday. we had a butt ton of track time, not just two 20 minute sessions, but closer to 2-3 hours. cant gaurantee that, but if there are only 10-12 cars, you will have huge track minutes.
i would do it again for $500 if there were no more than 3 run groups, cant know that until you get there. i would take the chance. it was almost worth the cost having him drive my car. i admit i am not the greatest driver, but i bet he went 15 mph faster at every single point on the track.
my $.02
jake
friendly guy at dinner, lots of stories, very personable. i had to work on the first day, so sunday was the only day i could attend. turned out great, because there were 20-22 cars on the first day, 10 on sunday. we had a butt ton of track time, not just two 20 minute sessions, but closer to 2-3 hours. cant gaurantee that, but if there are only 10-12 cars, you will have huge track minutes.
i would do it again for $500 if there were no more than 3 run groups, cant know that until you get there. i would take the chance. it was almost worth the cost having him drive my car. i admit i am not the greatest driver, but i bet he went 15 mph faster at every single point on the track.
my $.02
jake