[Z06] Bragg Smith driving school feedback?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: White Plains NY
Bragg Smith driving school feedback?
My wife got really creative for Christmas and got me a level one Bragg smith driving course. Besides the great fun of three days driving vettes, is it any good, any tips or insights before I go there? :steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 1
From: Western North Carolina
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
Have fun!!!!
I went last April and learned quite a bit. Be rested up and open minded and you will learn more than you imagined.
Have Fun!!!!
I went last April and learned quite a bit. Be rested up and open minded and you will learn more than you imagined.
Have Fun!!!!
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Tempe AZ
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (pridnjoy)
If this is your first school, I would suggest it to be one of the best. Not much on fan fair but Rupert is probably conducting one of the most underrated schools in the states. These guys know what they are doing. I have been to a few and it seems that Bragg-Smith is the least commercial and most realistic motorsport feel you will get. The only track I have run that I like better is Mosport. Have a great time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 6
From: redlands,ca.-usa
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
Donot exceed the speed limited drivng to Pahrump from Las Vegas--always 2-3 radar highway patrol units in area.Stay at either Best Western or Nugget Casino.Go to the Winery for a dinner.
Listen and learn from instructors(Victor-Good Dave--Grumpy Dave)You will be exhausted after the first day but you will have a driving experence of your life.
In short order you will soon realize just how a Corvette should be driven.
Listen and learn from instructors(Victor-Good Dave--Grumpy Dave)You will be exhausted after the first day but you will have a driving experence of your life.
In short order you will soon realize just how a Corvette should be driven.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Stapleton NE
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
You will love it. I am returning for the next level in May and hope to learn as much as I did the first time. One thing that I will definately have in May is a knee pad. I found that I was constantly pushing off on the door panel with my left leg in the turns. The leg seam of my jeans would press into the side of my knee and was, for me, very distracting. Rupert has done an excellent job of hiring instructors that are adroit in imparting their skills. Your wife has given you an excellent present.
Joe Shown
Nebraska Director, LT5 Registry
Joe Shown
Nebraska Director, LT5 Registry
Instructor
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 189
Likes: 2
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
When I went, I didn't know how to heel & toe downshift. It was a tough coodination exercise for me, at first. If you can learn it "correctly" before you go, you'll be able to concentrate on the other skills sooner. Regardless, you'll be good at it by the time you leave. It's a great school. I was amazed at what I didn't know. You'll love it.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 17,541
Likes: 2
From: Manhattan, KS Missing SoCal since 2005
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (BoomBoom)
It's a great school. I was amazed at what I didn't know. You'll love it.
You should give your wife an extra hug - that's a great present! :steering:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
I am interested in attending this school as well. The knee pad thing is a great idea. Learning the heel and toe first good idea too. I will assume they use the side of your foot to match rev's. Any other good pointers.
Rick
Rick
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Marlborough MA
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (forloop)
I am interested in attending this school as well. The knee pad thing is a great idea. Learning the heel and toe first good idea too. I will assume they use the side of your foot to match rev's. Any other good pointers.
Rick
Rick
You'll get a lot of practice doing Heal and Toe - it seems like we were on the back straight forever each morning going up and down practicing, up and down, up and down...
Stay in Pahrump, much as I hate to say it. I stayed in Vegas the first time I went. I'm from the East and I don't get to Las Vegas very often, so I thought I'd stay in sin city. The drive out to Pahrump takes a little less than an hour, and in the morning, it was no big deal. But, after a full day, that ride back was a killer. You'll be very tired, and the last thing you'll want to do is do that boring Nevada road out of Pahrump (boring at least until you get to the mountains) - it was tough staying awake...
I learned my lesson and stayed in Pahrump when I went back to level II. I'm glad I did, even though there is absolutely nothing to do in Pahrump (unless the Chicken ranch is your idea of fun :D ).
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: houston tx
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
Spring Mountain is a very technical track and quite a workout, both mentally and physically. You will be really beat after a full day in one of Rupert's cars. You might get plenty of excersize before you go and as much sleep as you can. Stay away from the alcohol for a couple of days before you go and drink LOTS of water. Dehydration is a silent killer for you consentration and you will need all you can muster. Knee pads are a great idea - those speaker grills get pretty hard after a few laps. You will have a great time and learn a lot. Try to get to get Rupert to take you for a few laps in his car. Its quite an expirence. Have fun. Don't speed between Las Vegas nad the track. $$$
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, Mo
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
I went in Sept. Was well worth it. Lots of driving time, although they could have had more Z06's for my liking.
It really is a workout, I recommend staying in Pahrump also.
It really is a workout, I recommend staying in Pahrump also.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,456
Likes: 0
From: I dont wear any stinkin badges CA
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
What Z11409 and thevettenet CA said.
Level one I stayed in Las Vegas, level two I stayed in Pahrump.
[Modified by CALVette, 9:28 AM 1/4/2003]
Level one I stayed in Las Vegas, level two I stayed in Pahrump.
[Modified by CALVette, 9:28 AM 1/4/2003]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: White Plains NY
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Blairsville Georgia
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
I went the first of December to level 1. I will definitely go back for level 2. It is best money I've ever spent! I echo all that's been said about the instructors, Rupert, and Parump!! Enjoy it........... :steering: :hurray:
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Re: Bragg Smith driving school feedback? (bully)
I noticed in a magazine a couple of weeks ago that the Bragg-Smith track was for sale. It said to contact Rupert's wife for details. Seems like the price was $8 mil. Does anyon have any details on that?