Spring Mountain Advanced Driving School
11-11-2011, 10:58 PM
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Spring Mountain Advanced Driving School
Today, I completed the Spring Mountain Advanced (Level 2) Driving School. This was my third trip to the school and, not unlike the first two visits, it was awesome!!!
Let me take a moment to describe the school facilities. First, the equipment is first class. The cars were all reasonably new - like 2009 and later - and they have 6 brand new Z06s enroute. All cars were GS, Z06 or ZR1(for the ZR1 drivers in Level One)
The physical plant is second to none. Clean, new, well maintained everywhere. The clubhouse is grand and amenities were in abundance - but they could only be used by the wives and girlfriends - because we were on the track so much, there was no more energy for the pool, exercise room and so on....
And the instructors - Rick Malone (AKA Ricky Bobby) has assembled a world class group of instructors. All of them have a pro gig of one sort or another that provides credence to their outstanding instruction. One of the instructors has driven the Indy 500! They are just awesome, awesome, I say!
My classmates were an awesome group as well -no egos, all eager and helpful and respectful - my thanks to them - especially fellow forum member Red1Vette. And there were some really fast drivers in the group!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite lady at Spring Mountain - Thank you Donna, for all your help.
YellowC6 - I missed you buddy! I will go back with you when you get well!
If you want to do a great mod for your Vette, mod the driver first and go to Spring Mountain.
Let me take a moment to describe the school facilities. First, the equipment is first class. The cars were all reasonably new - like 2009 and later - and they have 6 brand new Z06s enroute. All cars were GS, Z06 or ZR1(for the ZR1 drivers in Level One)
The physical plant is second to none. Clean, new, well maintained everywhere. The clubhouse is grand and amenities were in abundance - but they could only be used by the wives and girlfriends - because we were on the track so much, there was no more energy for the pool, exercise room and so on....
And the instructors - Rick Malone (AKA Ricky Bobby) has assembled a world class group of instructors. All of them have a pro gig of one sort or another that provides credence to their outstanding instruction. One of the instructors has driven the Indy 500! They are just awesome, awesome, I say!
My classmates were an awesome group as well -no egos, all eager and helpful and respectful - my thanks to them - especially fellow forum member Red1Vette. And there were some really fast drivers in the group!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite lady at Spring Mountain - Thank you Donna, for all your help.
YellowC6 - I missed you buddy! I will go back with you when you get well!
If you want to do a great mod for your Vette, mod the driver first and go to Spring Mountain.
Last edited by johnodrake; 11-11-2011 at 11:03 PM.
11-11-2011, 11:06 PM
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
3 times? Awesome! Glad you learn something each time. 
I went to Bodurant in april. I think someday I'll check out SM.
Nice review.
I went to Bodurant in april. I think someday I'll check out SM.
Nice review.
11-11-2011, 11:27 PM
#3
Tech Contributor
Glad to hear that everything is going well on your trip John, as I knew it would from hearing about your previous trips.
Someday I hope to get there.
Someday I hope to get there.
11-12-2011, 01:05 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Today, I completed the Spring Mountain Advanced (Level 2) Driving School. This was my third trip to the school and, not unlike the first two visits, it was awesome!!!
Let me take a moment to describe the school facilities. First, the equipment is first class. The cars were all reasonably new - like 2009 and later - and they have 6 brand new Z06s enroute. All cars were GS, Z06 or ZR1(for the ZR1 drivers in Level One)
The physical plant is second to none. Clean, new, well maintained everywhere. The clubhouse is grand and amenities were in abundance - but they could only be used by the wives and girlfriends - because we were on the track so much, there was no more energy for the pool, exercise room and so on....
And the instructors - Rick Malone (AKA Ricky Bobby) has assembled a world class group of instructors. All of them have a pro gig of one sort or another that provides credence to their outstanding instruction. One of the instructors has driven the Indy 500! They are just awesome, awesome, I say!
My classmates were an awesome group as well -no egos, all eager and helpful and respectful - my thanks to them - especially fellow forum member Red1Vette. And there were some really fast drivers in the group!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite lady at Spring Mountain - Thank you Donna, for all your help.
YellowC6 - I missed you buddy! I will go back with you when you get well!
If you want to do a great mod for your Vette, mod the driver first and go to Spring Mountain.
Let me take a moment to describe the school facilities. First, the equipment is first class. The cars were all reasonably new - like 2009 and later - and they have 6 brand new Z06s enroute. All cars were GS, Z06 or ZR1(for the ZR1 drivers in Level One)
The physical plant is second to none. Clean, new, well maintained everywhere. The clubhouse is grand and amenities were in abundance - but they could only be used by the wives and girlfriends - because we were on the track so much, there was no more energy for the pool, exercise room and so on....
And the instructors - Rick Malone (AKA Ricky Bobby) has assembled a world class group of instructors. All of them have a pro gig of one sort or another that provides credence to their outstanding instruction. One of the instructors has driven the Indy 500! They are just awesome, awesome, I say!
My classmates were an awesome group as well -no egos, all eager and helpful and respectful - my thanks to them - especially fellow forum member Red1Vette. And there were some really fast drivers in the group!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite lady at Spring Mountain - Thank you Donna, for all your help.
YellowC6 - I missed you buddy! I will go back with you when you get well!
If you want to do a great mod for your Vette, mod the driver first and go to Spring Mountain.
My thoughts exactly, great facility and great staff, starting right at the top with Ron Fellows, and Rick Malone is second to none as a great teacher of the sport. Anybody who hasn't seen Spring Mountain or attended should really take the time to do so, it's only a 45 minute ride from Las Vegas.
11-13-2011, 02:49 PM
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My thoughts exactly, great facility and great staff, starting right at the top with Ron Fellows, and Rick Malone is second to none as a great teacher of the sport. Anybody who hasn't seen Spring Mountain or attended should really take the time to do so, it's only a 45 minute ride from Las Vegas.
11-13-2011, 03:38 PM
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St. Jude Donor '11
John, glad you had a great time. I leave 3 weeks from today. Oh gosh! I can't believe it. I hope my leg is in pretty good shape by then. 
When you and YellowC6 get ready to go back, let me know and I'll tag along with you guys. You might teach me a thing or two.
When you and YellowC6 get ready to go back, let me know and I'll tag along with you guys. You might teach me a thing or two.
11-13-2011, 06:32 PM
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2015 C6 of Year Finalist
Today, I completed the Spring Mountain Advanced (Level 2) Driving School. This was my third trip to the school and, not unlike the first two visits, it was awesome!!!
Let me take a moment to describe the school facilities. First, the equipment is first class. The cars were all reasonably new - like 2009 and later - and they have 6 brand new Z06s enroute. All cars were GS, Z06 or ZR1(for the ZR1 drivers in Level One)
The physical plant is second to none. Clean, new, well maintained everywhere. The clubhouse is grand and amenities were in abundance - but they could only be used by the wives and girlfriends - because we were on the track so much, there was no more energy for the pool, exercise room and so on....
And the instructors - Rick Malone (AKA Ricky Bobby) has assembled a world class group of instructors. All of them have a pro gig of one sort or another that provides credence to their outstanding instruction. One of the instructors has driven the Indy 500! They are just awesome, awesome, I say!
My classmates were an awesome group as well -no egos, all eager and helpful and respectful - my thanks to them - especially fellow forum member Red1Vette. And there were some really fast drivers in the group!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite lady at Spring Mountain - Thank you Donna, for all your help.
YellowC6 - I missed you buddy! I will go back with you when you get well!
If you want to do a great mod for your Vette, mod the driver first and go to Spring Mountain.
Let me take a moment to describe the school facilities. First, the equipment is first class. The cars were all reasonably new - like 2009 and later - and they have 6 brand new Z06s enroute. All cars were GS, Z06 or ZR1(for the ZR1 drivers in Level One)
The physical plant is second to none. Clean, new, well maintained everywhere. The clubhouse is grand and amenities were in abundance - but they could only be used by the wives and girlfriends - because we were on the track so much, there was no more energy for the pool, exercise room and so on....
And the instructors - Rick Malone (AKA Ricky Bobby) has assembled a world class group of instructors. All of them have a pro gig of one sort or another that provides credence to their outstanding instruction. One of the instructors has driven the Indy 500! They are just awesome, awesome, I say!
My classmates were an awesome group as well -no egos, all eager and helpful and respectful - my thanks to them - especially fellow forum member Red1Vette. And there were some really fast drivers in the group!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention my favorite lady at Spring Mountain - Thank you Donna, for all your help.
YellowC6 - I missed you buddy! I will go back with you when you get well!
If you want to do a great mod for your Vette, mod the driver first and go to Spring Mountain.
Derwin
11-13-2011, 06:49 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Perfect timing for this post. We (wife, me) are planning to go to Vegas in December. Just a getaway. I have mentioned the school before and she keeps suggesting I look into it. So I have.
Level 1 is a three-day course. Curious, for those that have been, how does it work with a spouse, assuming the spouse does not participate in the school? Not far from Vegas but what are the amenities, attractions, etc.?
Any info is appreciated. Just not sure this is an ideal adventure for both of us. What time does the day start? How long does it last? Anything...thanks, Mark
Level 1 is a three-day course. Curious, for those that have been, how does it work with a spouse, assuming the spouse does not participate in the school? Not far from Vegas but what are the amenities, attractions, etc.?
Any info is appreciated. Just not sure this is an ideal adventure for both of us. What time does the day start? How long does it last? Anything...thanks, Mark
11-13-2011, 07:25 PM
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11-13-2011, 07:26 PM
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Perfect timing for this post. We (wife, me) are planning to go to Vegas in December. Just a getaway. I have mentioned the school before and she keeps suggesting I look into it. So I have.
Level 1 is a three-day course. Curious, for those that have been, how does it work with a spouse, assuming the spouse does not participate in the school? Not far from Vegas but what are the amenities, attractions, etc.?
Any info is appreciated. Just not sure this is an ideal adventure for both of us. What time does the day start? How long does it last? Anything...thanks, Mark
Level 1 is a three-day course. Curious, for those that have been, how does it work with a spouse, assuming the spouse does not participate in the school? Not far from Vegas but what are the amenities, attractions, etc.?
Any info is appreciated. Just not sure this is an ideal adventure for both of us. What time does the day start? How long does it last? Anything...thanks, Mark
The folks at Spring Mountain took very good care of my wife. They made her feel very welcome and let her sit in with me for all of the classroom time. They also let her ride along with the instructors when we did lead-follow - I think she probably knows the proper line to take on the course better than I do (since she was actually on the proper line). They also took her out when we did skid pad exercises so she could watch and take pictures. She really enjoyed the experience, even though she never actually drove one of the cars. She did take dramamine in order to handle being a passenger.
The amenities are great, there is a pool,weight room, and a nice room with TV's, a pool table, and comfy chairs. The onsite condos are excellent as well.
My wife enjoyed the experience.
John
11-13-2011, 07:26 PM
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You got it Lisa! I told Rick to expect you!
11-13-2011, 07:31 PM
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Perfect timing for this post. We (wife, me) are planning to go to Vegas in December. Just a getaway. I have mentioned the school before and she keeps suggesting I look into it. So I have.
Level 1 is a three-day course. Curious, for those that have been, how does it work with a spouse, assuming the spouse does not participate in the school? Not far from Vegas but what are the amenities, attractions, etc.?
Any info is appreciated. Just not sure this is an ideal adventure for both of us. What time does the day start? How long does it last? Anything...thanks, Mark
Level 1 is a three-day course. Curious, for those that have been, how does it work with a spouse, assuming the spouse does not participate in the school? Not far from Vegas but what are the amenities, attractions, etc.?
Any info is appreciated. Just not sure this is an ideal adventure for both of us. What time does the day start? How long does it last? Anything...thanks, Mark
11-13-2011, 08:00 PM
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St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Good to read this, John. Sounds like you had a good and educational time at Spring Mtn.
11-13-2011, 08:03 PM
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11-13-2011, 08:16 PM
#16
Somba master
I'd like to go back for level 2, and bring my wife for her own course!
Do they still keep an auto for those who cannot shift for themselves?
Do they still keep an auto for those who cannot shift for themselves?
11-13-2011, 08:43 PM
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Have wife do level 1 then you do level 1 third day then level two. You will be on the track together on Wednesday
11-13-2011, 09:31 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
I think I'm a pretty quick driver, and had a chance to take a ride with Ron earlier this year. Humbling experience, you really have no idea how good these guys are until you get a chance to ride with them and actually see them in their element. Hopefully you'll get the chance soon.
11-13-2011, 11:42 PM
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11-14-2011, 12:16 AM
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St. Jude Donor '11
We will definitely plan a trip! I'll look forward to it and still hope we can do the Dragon in the future. Get my car back Tuesday.
You too Wayne - I'm flying in on the 4th.