Who's been to school?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Have not been to a professional school, they sound great. However, they look like they are more for serious racers than novices.
I did a NASA HPDE school a couple of weekends ago. It was a blast
and very inexpensive compared to the racing schools. I got to drive MY car and find out what it and I can do, and I got an instructor for each lap for two days. I got 4, 20 minute sessions each day, and review of each session with the instructor. The instructor was very patient 
and gradually had me try new things. I think I learned a LOT.
To me a driving school would have been more of a waste than helpful. My Vette is an automatic, and the schools give high priority to heel-toe shifting which I don’t need at this time. Also, I don’t think my skills are at the level where they assume their customers would be at.
For me the NASA HPDE was a great choice. I’m planning on doing a few more this year.
I did a NASA HPDE school a couple of weekends ago. It was a blast
and very inexpensive compared to the racing schools. I got to drive MY car and find out what it and I can do, and I got an instructor for each lap for two days. I got 4, 20 minute sessions each day, and review of each session with the instructor. The instructor was very patient and gradually had me try new things. I think I learned a LOT.To me a driving school would have been more of a waste than helpful. My Vette is an automatic, and the schools give high priority to heel-toe shifting which I don’t need at this time. Also, I don’t think my skills are at the level where they assume their customers would be at.
For me the NASA HPDE was a great choice. I’m planning on doing a few more this year.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
All the ones around here are to expensive.
If you count the Richard Petty Experience as school, then thats a yes for me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,490
Likes: 2
One of those things I plan to do someday. I probably can't afford it right now. How much do they cost? I found a new route with more twisties to one of the parks I like to run in. Missed a turn on the way back and found a coporate office park to turn around in. I discovered these office parks are empty on Sundays and a good place to practice Auto X skills, until I can afford a shcool. Didn't play very long, can't afford tires either.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 813
Likes: 0
From: Schenectady NY
I went to Bondurant....must be 4-5 yrs ago when they had the mustangs (Corvettes had just come into the lot). It was an all day group thing with customers. Outstanding
Track time...following the pro...What fun.....nothing like it.
Individual rides around track with the pro. Whoooo.....motion sickness
And lots-o-time in the high powered go-carts.....what a blast...unreal.
All in all ya got to do it if ya can.... 
Track time...following the pro...What fun.....nothing like it.
Individual rides around track with the pro. Whoooo.....motion sickness
And lots-o-time in the high powered go-carts.....what a blast...unreal.
All in all ya got to do it if ya can....
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,704
Likes: 24,675
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I haven't been to one yet, but some day I want to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
Have done the Bertil Roos competition oval course at Nazareth Speedway (which unfortunately's been sold to a developer) 2 days about 200 laps...second half of second day your on track with instructors dicing with them... Formula Ford cars. Would recommend it. Next one I do will be their 5 day competition road racing class at Pocono...after Spring Mountain next month 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 31
From: Allentown PA & Elk Twp NJ HPDE Addict
IMHO the first mod anyone should consider is to mod the driver with a performance driving school. We drive precision high speed sports cars, makes all the sense in the world to bring the driver up to caliper with his or her car. 500 RWHP means nothing if the driver is still the weakest link. Again, JMHO
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Originally Posted by spdislife
IMHO the first mod anyone should consider is to mod the driver with a performance driving school. We drive precision high speed sports cars, makes all the sense in the world to bring the driver up to caliper with his or her car. 500 RWHP means nothing if the driver is still the weakest link. Again, JMHO
My wife and I each did a Bragg-Smith (now Spring Mountain) level one course a few years ago. Great time!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by spdislife
IMHO the first mod anyone should consider is to mod the driver with a performance driving school. We drive precision high speed sports cars, makes all the sense in the world to bring the driver up to caliper with his or her car. 500 RWHP means nothing if the driver is still the weakest link. Again, JMHO
Even after a driving school(s), the car is still going to be capable of exceeding the driver's skill for most people.
I have been to 3 driving schools. The Bondurant competition road racing school when it was at Sears Point in California, and two 3-day NASCAR schools at Atlanta and Charlotte. My Z06's limits are still beyond my driving skills. The schools do make you much more aware of how the car will behave when pushed to the limit.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 1
From: Ewing NJ
Thanks everyone. I learned about the Bondurant school in the Seventies. It was mostly for chauffeurs and bodyguards. The winter 2005 issue of Corvette Quarterly had some info about a new course for Z06 owners. I suppose at 54 a refresher with a pro wouldn't hurt. All it takes is time and money.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Monterey Area CA
Ive been to many motorcycle schools, no formal car school. I have had the pleasure of doing time at private track days with Johannes Van Overbeek (American LeMans series, Team Flying Lizard) and his father. Got some thrilling rides and lots of great tips.
A lot of the principles of racing bikes can be applied to driving cars (choosing lines, breaking points, visualizing the track, identifying break markers, etc). Of course the mechanics of how to break, trail break, etc are different due to the physics of the machines and the controls - but for many, understanding the basic principles is how you go faster. Not enough can be said for "You go where you look" and "look ahead not right in front" especially in corners. Smooth is fast, and if you dont have the right visual habits youll really struggle to be smooth.
-d
A lot of the principles of racing bikes can be applied to driving cars (choosing lines, breaking points, visualizing the track, identifying break markers, etc). Of course the mechanics of how to break, trail break, etc are different due to the physics of the machines and the controls - but for many, understanding the basic principles is how you go faster. Not enough can be said for "You go where you look" and "look ahead not right in front" especially in corners. Smooth is fast, and if you dont have the right visual habits youll really struggle to be smooth.
-d
Instructor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Warrenton va
CorvetteDrivingschool.com
Was there last year and it was great. You get a great understanding of the car and experience that the car is way beyond your capability. The instructors are really good. Henry is amazing, he was an instructor for the 2 fast 2 furious movie. Riding with him is really an experience.
We also did a slolom course each day, but the second day the inner part of the Chicayne (sp?) was wet down with a fire truck. Amazingly enough everyone's time was better the second day.
Getting to use of a race prepared Z06 was also very fun.
We also did a slolom course each day, but the second day the inner part of the Chicayne (sp?) was wet down with a fire truck. Amazingly enough everyone's time was better the second day.
Getting to use of a race prepared Z06 was also very fun.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 11,485
Likes: 1
From: Far side of the Moon
CI 4-5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-16-'17
I attended Spring Mountain a couple years ago (when it was Bragg-Smith) and took the course in a manual tranny since that was all that was available at that time.
Am returning in early April with a bunch of NE folks (see the NE Events section) and will take the class in an automatic. My Vettes are all automatics and I want to learn the tips and tricks specific to them.
The classes not only teach how to drive a track, but also how to handle the car in general. They are well worth the time and the money.
Am returning in early April with a bunch of NE folks (see the NE Events section) and will take the class in an automatic. My Vettes are all automatics and I want to learn the tips and tricks specific to them.
The classes not only teach how to drive a track, but also how to handle the car in general. They are well worth the time and the money.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 230
Likes: 2
From: Montana
I did the Bondurant school two years ago. It was worth every penny! I first read about his school in the 70's when he was using Datsun 240Z's and I had one at the time and it took me about 30+ years to get there. Wish I had done it years ago. The school I did was a three day program. The school is not just about racing. They start with basic car handling and progress you right through to hot laps on the road course. What they taught me has paid off on more than one occasion, keeping me out of and avoiding an accident. After attending the school, I think that I have a better understanding on how to handle a car under emergency situations and high speeds.