I attended the Bondurant Z06 experience course this past Monday and Tuesday. Here is my review:

The course:

The whole thing was done extremely professionally. They walked you step by step through learning skills and then took you out to the track to use them. It was truly the ideal learning environment. They have 4 day courses as well but my father and I were exhausted after two days. It was a lot to take in.

The teachers:

Their skill level was incredible. They were driving stock Cadillac CTSs (not Vs) and we were driving Z06s. None of us were able to keep up with them on the track, which still amazes me.

The cars:

I had never driven a Z06 before. I have an 07 Vert. While the Z was clearly more powerful, it is way more than you could possibly use on the street and I never track my car. Where I really noticed a difference was in the chassis rigidity. My vert has 19k on it and it is a rattle box compared to a Z that was beaten on daily for more than 2 years. I think this will be my last convertible for that reason.

I did find a newfound respect for the Corvette. While the interior is still garbage (my 2011 Toyota Prius is a luxury car by comparison) I was amazed at how well these cars held up to the beating they took daily. I saw smoking brakes, engine temps topping 230 regularly, tires wore down to the treads, and contstant redlining. These cars run this way for 3 to 4 years before they get new ones.

It wasn't cheap but it was well worth the experience. I highly recommend the course.

 

depending on years, it never has been cheap. but the experience and learning is worth every penny.

 

Nice review

 

I just attended the Introduction to Racing 1 day course at Bondurant last Friday, a birthday gift from my Son (he attended also, said no way I was going without him).

Everything mentioned is true, very professional and there is an instructor for every 3 students. We drove standard C6's and the experience was awesome as we pushed them to the limit on auto cross, short track and the main track as we became more proficient using our new found skills throughout the day.

The best part is you spend 80%+ of your time in the Vette practicing various driving skills you learned. You are alone most of the time with an instructor hopping in briefly to critique your technique.

i have a new found respect for the capability of these cars as I was able to learn how far they can be pushed in a controlled environment. These cars were completely stock except for metallic brake pads which last about a week versus the stock pads that had to be changed daily. As mentioned, you can see the smoke coming from the brakes after a hard run.

 

Johnny O'Connell was my instructor for one of the classes and at the time, I had no clue who he was . . . but he made going quickly look absolutely aamazingly simple - -a feat I was unable to replicate consistently.

Great courses, well run with a strong emphasis on safety.

Worth the dough . . .

 

Good on you and your Father for taking the course! Bondurant has a great reputation and excellent instructors. As you discovered driver skill can offset a superior car. Really learning how to drive on a course is something that takes lots of practice and the Bondurant instructors know their little road course well. Your comment on chassis rigidity is spot-on. You may not appreciate it much on the street but when you're pushing the car on a track chassis rigidity (and suspension) make a huge difference. I trust they didn't let you run on bald tires but you're right, with proper maintenance the Corvette takes repeated hard use in-stride. The Corvette makes a great track car!

All in all a great review! I do, however, disagree with your assessment of the Corvette interior. There's room for improvement but I don't think the term "garbage" applies. There's probably a road course in your area. If you get a coupe the fun doesn't have to end. Thanks for sharing your Bondurant experience!

 

I was there last thursday and friday, for the 2 day ZR1 course.
I think I visited with j_digi454 and family briefly.
I was stiff for a few days after. What a workout. Have a real appreciation for pro racers being real athletes. I learned so much! Even got a few hot laps with Bob Bondurant himself. Wow. 78 years old, and he Still drives like a pro! All the instructors were awesome. Tim Rose was my main one. What a class act. I will write a better story myself. Glad you had as much fun as I did. I am sure Ron Fellows has a great school, but anyone debating which one to attend, you won't regret Bondurant!

 

Case and point on the interior comment. Last night I was driving home about a mile from the office. The windshield was dirty so I pushed the wiper fluid button. The button stuck in and I could not stop the wipers. After the car drained itself of washer fluid, the wipers would not stop. I started driving back to work to switch with my DD as I did not want to drive 15 miles with the wipers going on a dry windshield. After several attempts I managed to get the button back out. Sorry, but the parts used in the interior are garbage.