Two buddies and I are now on our way back home from 3 days driving fast at Spring Mountain.

Derwin, Jim and I had an awesome time. The facilities have been upgraded over the excellent facilities that they had when I was there last. We got to ride in a ZR-1 with an instructor (we didn't pay for the ZR-1 course.) AWESOME!

I did most of my track time in a Z06 as most of their cars are now Z06's and Grand Sports. They only have a couple of Z51s left. Let me tell you, the ZR-1 is cool, but on a track in the hands of a less capable driver, a Z06 or a GS can stay with it. Indeed, both Derwin and I passed ZR-1s (yes, more than one!) on the track.

If anyone is contemplating a driving school - you can't do better than the Ron Fellows school at Spring mountain!

Pics will follow - I don't know about video as the files are about 2GB.

Oh, yeah - Rick, the head instructor, snuck on the track in a Z51 and just smoked everyone!

 

Thanks so much for the kind words! We are glad you had a good time.

Did you guys have a chance to try out any of the other things to do at the track?



Ken

 

That is awesome and I really want to do this school

 

Awesome John! I knew how excited you and Derwin were about going and how you all kept talking about how much fun it was gonna be. I think I may have to join you all next year should you decide to do it again.

 

Best money I ever spent. Saved my life on the Autobahn!
GM

 

Good to see the positive feedback re Spring Mountain. I am signed up for an August (hope I can take the Nevada heat) Level 1 class. I am looking forward to it.

I am interested in hearing stories on why people take the performance driving school. For me, it is not to race my Corvette(s) at all. I guess I am past that phase of my life. I am more interested in driving skills and honing defensive measures. Perhaps not many in their 70's are looking forward to the next new Corvette to purchase, but I am. That is why I think it important to keep up with the driving techniques and having instruction from the best to not miss a step.

I will post my experience when I complete the course.

 

Good going, John. Glad you enjoyed it. Pics at 11.

In the hands of a very competent driver, lesser cars can be awesome, and awesome cars can be less than awesome. Doggone, ain't that profound?

 

John, sounds like you all had a great time.

I hope I get to experience that some day.

 

Always wanted to go there when I'm in Vegas. I'll make sure I get there next time. The plus is you get to beat up someone else's vette instead of yours.

 

You'll be fine, we start early in the summer. Besides the AC in the cars work great, even when you are hammering on them

The great thing about this school is that the same skills one would learn for racing can apply for everyday driving too. And we do spend some time on accident avoidance and car control in dry and wet conditions.

In case you have not seen it, here is a video of the track you'll be on:

2.2 mile Road Course

If you can, spend some time watching it and memorize the track. Knowing what turn is coming up next is half the battle.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Ken

 

I live way up in canada, and dont really have the intentions of taking one of these courses just yet (Full time student ect ect) but what kinda of price range do these schools linger in? A PM would be cool!

 

Happy to hear the good comments. I have been considering making a trip out there.

 

NO! Too damn busy driving like a bat out of hell! Did get a tour - AWESOME

 

I am going back in 2011 - Oct-Nov and doing level II plus the last day of Level I.

 

You gotta do it Randy. The best mod money you can spend is on your skills!

 

PM Sent!

 

This is exactly why Top Gear has the Stig...cause we couldn't depend on the three comedians to get all the potential out of the ZR1...

 

Is it September yet? A friend and I are scheduled to attend Level 1 in the latter half of Sept. Sure hope you Spring Mtn. guys can help me wrap my head around the heel toe shift technique. I've watched the video a number of times and my feet and my C6 pedals just can't dance together in the driver's side foot well. Hoping one of your instructors can instruct or observe what I'm missing in this pedal dance that I'm not seeing. Seems simple enough but when you're at speed trying to brake for a downshift, blip the throttle etc. Takes some coordination it seems.

Cclive: Don't forget the Stig's 300+ lb American Cousin. Those guys just love to poke fun at American's girth. Make my Bangers and Mash a double order please.

George

 

Thanks John, sounds like you had a blast. I really want to do this sometime.

 

George, we can take care of you.

Heel toe is a lot to do, especially when you are threshold braking, but we give you plenty of track time to practice it.

If you want to do a few things before you get here you can try this:

With the car in neutral, engine running, parking brake on:

Depress the clutch, Press the brake pedal hard, and try to blip the throttle. You will need to move your foot around on the brake pedal to find just the right spot. I have a narrow foot so my shoe only has about an inch on the brake. Try to get big blips, 3-4k RPMs. Try to do this consistently while maintaining the same pressure on the brake.

The reason I recommend pressing the clutch is because that's where your left foot will be when you blip the throttle on the track. Muscle memory

Next you can try this:

With the engine OFF, parking brake set. Just go through the motions. With the transmission in 4th, press the brake, clutch in, down shift to third and as you pass through neutral, blip the throttle, let the clutch out. Just run down through the gears. Repeat.

Make sure you have a good seating position, your knees should be slightly bent when you are at full pedal depression. The seat back should be fairly straight up. We will go over proper seating position when you get here and find you the best position. But for now, this should help.

Take care,

See you soon,

Ken