Reading about these guys who have totaled their Vette makes me wonder if the car is more than my driving skill can really handle when pushing upto the limits (which I have not yet done).

Has anyone taken one of the schools or some hours of instructions? If so do you feel that it would benefit someone who doesn't go to the track but likes to take the corners hard (We have a lot of canyon runs here with twisting roads).

How would you rate the school and how many hours would you think would be needed to really upgrade my driving skills (lets say average to slightly above average).

The other option I came across was a high performance driving school where they come to you and use your car. You can take as many hours as you want etc. I would like to increase the enjoyment of my car.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 

They're kinda expensive. But I'm sure they teach us things we wouldn't know otherwise. A new friend of mine just taught me something about Bikes that I had no idea about (and I'm a good rider). So, there's always someone out there you knows more...

 

Did the 3 day school at Spring Mountain. First class operation and you'll get plenty of seat time and learn a ton. Spend the money to raise your skill level to that of the car's. I listen to lots of guys on this site say they're good drivers, then go on to explain why they have all that new body damage. Stack the cards in your favor with proper training

 

Professional Instruction helps. As a Driving School Owner and Instructor for over 20 years I have taught Police Officers, Fireman and Bus Drivers not to mention over 100,000 teenagers. Although, I would tend to say that Corvette driver's are better than average. Maybe due to their understanding of their cars and that fact that they want to drive better than most people because of they drive a Corvette. Professional Schools can help a lot. Most people are not aware of the relationship of their reaction time to their driving performance. Most drivers over steer turns and over brake their cars. More importantly a high speed turn has factors to it such as a clipping point and an acceleration point. High performance driving requires two things. A high performance car and the skills to drive it that way. Most people tend to think they have the skills because they have the car but it doesn’t quite work that way. A Few hours , about 4 hours of qualified Instruction can make all the difference in the world. Talk to the Instructor and find out their experience and what they specialize in. That should help you find the right one. Professional Schools are like anything else, a good one and greatly increase your ability to handle your car and most importantly be safer doing it.
Hope it helps.

 

Very good idea, tough to admit we need instructing on something we all think we do so well, but it made a huge difference in my track times. I took a 3 day school at Bondurant, my wife took the one day school. We're talking about doing Spring Mountain this year.
Bruce

 

Where is Spring Mountain?

 

It's near Pahrump, Nevada, which is an hour away from Las Vegas. I took the 3-day class almost 2 years ago, and highly recommend it. I'm even thinking about going back there next year.

They're also a forum sponsor, and typically give a small discount to members.

 

I've had 34 years accident free motoring. I'm not the best driver in the world but I'm not bad either. I drive defensively and think ahead. No cell phones and avoid distractions. I guess its worked so far. That said, I'd still love to do a proper course of advanced driving techniques.

Spring Mountain has a great reputation. Wish I'd done the course before I left Vegas. Always promised myself and never delivered.

Give Janet Curran a call and she'll fix you a slot. They have a sponsored link along the left hand side of C5 General.

 

There are cheaper alternatives if that is what you are looking for. There are quite a few good schools where you take your car and get an instructor in the car with you. You get about 60 minutes of class time per day and around 100 minutes of track time. Some of the best schools like this are run by BMWCCA Chapters. Their instructors have to be qualified through a rigoruous club sponsored instructor training school before being turned loose on students. The various chapters conduct schools at tracks across the country.

Bill

 

Nobody has posted a ball park price yet. Anyone? Anybody? Farris?

 

Spring Mountain is a Forum sponsor

http://www.springmountainmotorsports.com/

 

$3000.00! Holy Camole Batman!

Not saying that its not worth it, just thinking of all the mods I want to do first and none of my mods involve horsepower!

 

Yes, it is pricey. But it is worth it a ton of track time and a first class operation. I did it two years ago and will do it again lev2. You use theirs cars, fuel, everything. Small classes, friendly and knowledgeable instructors. Money will spent.
Jeffy'

 

Thanks Guys, I appreciate all the info. I will be getting some lessons in the near future

 

I would recommend a school where you can drive your car. Doesn't do as much good to drive another car to learn how to handle yours at the upper limits. Good luck with your choice.

 

Our NCM HPDEs event are $400 to $475, for two days depending on the track.

http://www.corvettemuseum.com/regist.../virinfo.shtml

More events to be listed soon for 2008

Most events are $450 to $700 and you drive your own car with IN CAR instructor plus class room time.

There are many many HPDE events all over the country.

Most Car clubs have driving schools, PCA, BMW, MAZDA, Audi and of course there are several Corvette High Performance Driving schools schools around the country.

The top sticky over in the Corvette General - AutoCross and road racing forum has lots of info on HPDEs

 

Your post is a vey good one.

Schools like Bob Bondurant and Spring Mountain are exceptional, but fairly expensive. You will get to really learn alot about performance driving and much of that can be directly related to your everyday driving. You would without a doubt come way from either of those schools with a new appreciation for your Corvette. At both of the above mentioned schools you will drive their Corvettes, and you'll be a better driver after attending these schools.

A less expensive alternative to these schools but a good way to also learn alot about driving your Corvette is attending an HPDE day at a local track. These are held at many race tracks all over the country. When you attend an open track day you will have an instructor ride with you in YOUR Corvette and evaluate your driving on the course. You will also spend time in the classroom after each track session to go over what you just did out on the track.

Typically these on-track sessions will last approximately 20-30 minutes and then you'll be in the classroom immediately following. A typical track day will give you about 4 to 6 track sessions.

I have been to these sanctioned by the SCCA and once by PDA and they were both exceptional and I learned plenty.... I personally liked the SCCA events the best.

You will come away from a day like this with new respect for your Corvette and a good feeling of what you just learned about yourself and the Corvette. An average "Track day" will cost you somewhere between $250 - $300, and sometimes they run them for two days. You can attend just one or both usually with a discount to attend both.

I recommend any of these above mentioned schools or track day events to any high performance car owner.