Bondurant vs. Spring Mountain
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: WI
Bondurant vs. Spring Mountain
I am a new C7 Z51 2LT owner and have been looking at driving schools. Bondurant has a 3 day specific C7 driving school and the cost is $3519 the Spring Mountain 3 day school is $2150. I called Spring Mountain and they are not sure about offering any more 3 day schools but if they did it would be Sept or Oct. They are going to decide next week if there will be any more 3 day classes. Bondurant runs weekly. I want the best school to learn how to drive the car at the limit not just a lead / follow session. I have already taken a 2 day performance driving school at Autobahn CC in Joliet. Just looking for input of either school. Bondurant has always been the leading school in the USA and trained many of the top racers.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 42
From: San Antonio Tx
I can't comment on bondurant because I haven't been there. I just finished the two day class at Spring Mountain. They are first rate. If you aren't able to get a three day class there I would recommend doing the level one and level two back to back. I wish I would have done the third day, it was my one regret. You spend most of the first day on car control exercises. We only did one track session on day one and it wasn't very fast. Day two was all lead follow sessions. They do a pretty good job grouping the students by speed. Our speeds picked up as the day went on. I plan on going back for level two. It cost $3300 for the two days. So for $4300 you would get 4 full days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,048
Likes: 29
From: Palm Beach County FL
I can't comment on bondurant because I haven't been there. I just finished the two day class at Spring Mountain. They are first rate. If you aren't able to get a three day class there I would recommend doing the level one and level two back to back. I wish I would have done the third day, it was my one regret. You spend most of the first day on car control exercises. We only did one track session on day one and it wasn't very fast. Day two was all lead follow sessions. They do a pretty good job grouping the students by speed. Our speeds picked up as the day went on. I plan on going back for level two. It cost $3300 for the two days. So for $4300 you would get 4 full days.
that being said, I see people always giving out great reviews of spring mountain. I haven't seen a single person say anything about the bondurant. also them being booked months ahead says something too. I will wait for the class and that's all I'm going to say
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 42
From: San Antonio Tx
I plan on the 3 day, but might have to settle for 2. I know it will be a regret, but that is $$$ for me
that being said, I see people always giving out great reviews of spring mountain. I haven't seen a single person say anything about the bondurant. also them being booked months ahead says something too. I will wait for the class and that's all I'm going to say
that being said, I see people always giving out great reviews of spring mountain. I haven't seen a single person say anything about the bondurant. also them being booked months ahead says something too. I will wait for the class and that's all I'm going to say
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 42
From: San Antonio Tx
The short answer we where given at the end of our school is they are just to busy. On day two of our school they had three level one classes going at once.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 43,150
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From: Gaithersburg Maryland
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06-'10-'11, '15
I've done the Bondurant 3 day course and Spring Mountain Level II. I am headed back to Spring Mountain tomorrow. That should tell you which I think is the better school.
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22 Hypersonic Grey HTC
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 506
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From: Austin Texas
Bondurant vs Spring Mountain
I can't compare Bondurant as I haven't done it but I did the 3-day Level 1 school at Spring Mountain in January.
It was a blast to do the 3rd day open laps. Made all the exercises we did the first two days come together. Well worth the extra $$$.
I look forward to booking the Level 2 class in the near future at Spring Mountain.
It was a blast to do the 3rd day open laps. Made all the exercises we did the first two days come together. Well worth the extra $$$.
I look forward to booking the Level 2 class in the near future at Spring Mountain.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 209
From: Orlando FL
I paid full price for the Ron Fellows class myself and it was freaking awesome. Made me want to buy a C7 (beware all non-C7 owners). New C7 owners got a huge discount also when I was there, anybody know if they are still doing that? I might be buying that C7 soon, and would definitely take the level 2 class, particularly if that discount was offered.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
I am a new C7 Z51 2LT owner and have been looking at driving schools. Bondurant has a 3 day specific C7 driving school and the cost is $3519 the Spring Mountain 3 day school is $2150. I called Spring Mountain and they are not sure about offering any more 3 day schools but if they did it would be Sept or Oct. They are going to decide next week if there will be any more 3 day classes. Bondurant runs weekly. I want the best school to learn how to drive the car at the limit not just a lead / follow session. I have already taken a 2 day performance driving school at Autobahn CC in Joliet. Just looking for input of either school. Bondurant has always been the leading school in the USA and trained many of the top racers.
Just checked SM's website. It's $2150 for just third day added on so it looks like $3150 total.
Oppps. The rest of you guys are right. I misread the info on the SM website--I thought that would have been pricey for an extra day. Darn, first mistake I've made in.............................
Last edited by nmerhaut; Mar 17, 2015 at 04:00 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 780
Likes: 94
From: Pittsburgh PA
I don't know if they are the only game in town, but those prices are outrageous. I've done motorcycle track days, track schools and racing and the cost is a fraction of that. What possible justification do they have to be raping you that way? The cost of the track and ambulance service is the same. I'll be looking for alternatives for my C7 track experience.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 2,048
Likes: 29
From: Palm Beach County FL
ehhh, I'm pretty sure it's 2150 for the 3 days. It's not 2150 for day 3. The Z06 is more money. I know that...
22 Hypersonic Grey HTC
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 506
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From: Austin Texas
Bondurant vs. Spring Mountain
As a C7 original owner I paid $2,150 total. It was 1,000 for the 2-day class and an additional $1,150 for the third day. So $2,150 total for 3-days of classes.
It also includes 1 night lodging and 2 meals per day.
It also includes 1 night lodging and 2 meals per day.
Last edited by Sallye M; Mar 17, 2015 at 06:28 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 604
Likes: 129
I've done Bondurant's ZR1 school and Spring Mountains level 1 and 2 classes. Both schools have great programs and instructors. The one thing I like better about SM is that their track has plenty of safe run-off if you do make a mistake and go off track. The Bondurant track has several spots with walls, tire piles and fencing. You have to be more careful there.
Scraping the splitter.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,111
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St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15
Bondurant 4-day a few years ago and SM Level 2 earlier this year. I will go back to SM for Level 3 later this year.
S.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,418
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From: Macon, GA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 2,613
From: Covington LA
I don't know if they are the only game in town, but those prices are outrageous. I've done motorcycle track days, track schools and racing and the cost is a fraction of that. What possible justification do they have to be raping you that way? The cost of the track and ambulance service is the same. I'll be looking for alternatives for my C7 track experience.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 42
From: San Antonio Tx
I don't know if they are the only game in town, but those prices are outrageous. I've done motorcycle track days, track schools and racing and the cost is a fraction of that. What possible justification do they have to be raping you that way? The cost of the track and ambulance service is the same. I'll be looking for alternatives for my C7 track experience.
Last edited by silky1; Mar 17, 2015 at 05:14 PM.