Has anyone been to the Ron Fellows Performance Corvette driving school at Spring Mountain? Would like hear about your experience, recommendations etc...

 

Can't beat it, great learning, great accommodations and you will be tired at the end of the day.

Here's a nice review, although it is in a C6:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...level-2-a.html

 

Nice write up. I'll be there the week after next for the first time. I'm sure I'll have a lot to learn and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

I took the three-day course in February. The accommodations are great, the people are great. It's a first-class operation. I had fun driving the crap out of their cars and learned how to drive safely at high speeds. It was a confidence booster. As for recommendations, stay at the track and ask for the best deal you can get. I thought I got the best deal until I found out the guys in the room next to me paid a little more for the course but got the room for free.

 

I've been twice for Level I. It will be the most fun you have ever had in a car. You won't be able to stay at the track until, I think, April - when the dealer training is over. I was just out there in Oct. and we were the first Level I class in the C7 - awesome. You will learn a lot, you will have fun, you will be impressed. The instructors are terrific!

 

That's great info. I appreciate it. Going to try and go before my c7 arrives. Thanks again!

 

In preparation for my trip there I recently asked for some advice and got some very helpful suggestions. This may be worth reading- http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...ggestions.html

 

Will be there for level 2 in April. Can't wait !

 

I will be there tomorrow night!

I can post a review afterwards, but have read many already and know a few people who have gone. I am 100% confident it will be a great time.

 

Search the C6 section and you will find tons of threads on it. I have been and stayed at the track and it was awesome. In a ZR1 for 3 days and seeing what that car can do was one of the funnest things I have ever done.

 

was there about two yrs ago myself...will definitely go back again, and combine it with Level 2.

 

Hi!
Hope you choose to come play with us!
As you can see by searching posts and threads on the forum and the responses here, you won't be disappointed. Here is a recent one from a student who has been through 5 times now!

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...-opinions.html

Let me know if there is anything else I can help you with!

 

Just got home from Spring Mountain. In a word, "GO!"

 

Great school. The instructors are fantastic, and are very good people persons - i.e. they translate stuff in plain english, are great to work with and learn from. Track is nice. The whole facility is frankly top shelf.

And you'll have a blast on the track.

I'll go back again one of these days. It's time well spent.

 

Looks like a blast!

 

Sounds great. I signed up for level 1 in Jan. will let all know how it goes

 

Just got back from Level 1 C7 Ron Fellows course at Spring Mountain. There were 20 of us, roughly half taking the ZR1 course and the rest in C7s. We were only the 2nd class to have access to the stingrays as they have been doing dealer training since late august. I had never even seen a C7 in person until I arrived at Spring Mountain, where they have over 130 on the property!!! Every color Z51 was represented, all M7s with different rim color combinations. The instructors said that the C7 was actually 2 seconds faster around their 2.2 mile course than the z06, which they attributed to the better tires, new e-diff and improved TC/AH systems. Rev matching makes heel toe optional if you just want to focus on the driving, which is a big deal for those not comfortable blipping on their own. The course itself was fantastic. We were driving brand new (highest odometer I saw was 1800 miles) C7 Z51s. Most didn't even have Spring Mountain livery yet. Can't say enough about the amazing team of instructors, always watching, constantly encouraging and providing feedback to help you be faster. The track is lots of fun, short enough to memorize quickly, but challenging enough to keep you hunting for the perfect line. Even the accommodations were first class. I couldn't recommend it enough. I will be going back first chance I get!

 

awesome!! cant wait to hit it in march

 

Choose the 3 day course!!!
I was at the 2 day level 1 ZR1 course and wish I'd done the 3rd day. I understand there was much more track lapping on the third day. The 2 day course includes enjoyable lead-follow lapping but 'spread your wings' on DAY 3.

Considerations:
BE SMOOTH

Hands at 9 and 3 (thumbs on the wheel spokes) with smooth motions on the wheel, smooth application of the throttle, brake, and clutch. Rick suggested the image of nitroglycerin in the vehicle to encourage smooth motions not to upset the vehicle balance. I missed my wife and applied my own imagery of smoothness.

Learn the invaluable heel-toe application!
Practice 'blipping' the throttle with the ball of your foot firmly on the brake; cover about 50% of the brake (search on Youtube for heel-toe videos). Better to rev the engine too high than too low when applying heel-toe. Ken, one of the instructors, has a thread on the Corvette Forum with his heel-toe tips.
Vinnie was another instructor at our session and he demonstrated heel-toe while I was in the passenger seat. UNBELIEVABLY SMOOTH; I could not detect any clutch engagement whatsoever with his downshift, he was that SMOOTH!
In my Spring Mountain experience, the heel-toe application on the C7 was much more user friendly than the C6 (thanks, GM); better placement of the throttle and brake. Just be careful you don't perform the ABS braking exercise in the C7 and hit the brake and throttle...like I did.
Today, I ordered the CG racing pedals to improve heel-toe with my '13 ZR1.
Bring your race shoes or court shoes, and comfortable clothing. Helmets are provided.
Consider a video camera/GoPro but be sure you know how to install and operate so you're not distracted when it comes time to drive. Driving on the track requires your focused attention!

Watch the Youtube videos in preparation; I did. We used the 2.2 mile course categorized with 10 turns. Here's a video to watch Different from this video, we straddled the red and white corner markers at Turn 10.

Enjoy the $8 buffet breakfast - I did - and a lovely lunch is included. Pahrump is nearby for a nice evening meal; guests can enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including finer dining at the Winery. Flying solo, I enjoyed Taco Bell and Subway! If your significant other can join you, make it happen.

There's a nice gym and other recreational facilities that you can enjoy, weather permitting. It's a lovely facility!

Talking about weather, I thought our November 25 and 26/13 weather was great. I'd suggest booking a time of year when temperatures are more moderate. I ran the entire time without AC.

As noted, there's about 130 C7's on site. If considering a C7 purchase, this course would be a great investment to convince you that you're making the right purchase.

GREAT PEOPLE and a great experience at Spring Mountain!

Regards,
Vern

 

Definite bucket list. I really want to do this next year.