Spring Mountain
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 120
From: CT
Spring Mountain
Did the Corvette Owners School at SM last week (12/7 and 12/8). Awesome experience. The staff is great; highly professional and very helpful to all skill levels.
Now, the bad news. Once having seen what the new GS can do on a track, it almost seems like a waste of time to use it for normal street driving! Anyone else have this thought??
And don't say "track it", as I'm not of the mindset or fiscal means to do that, but I know that would scratch the itch.
Now, the bad news. Once having seen what the new GS can do on a track, it almost seems like a waste of time to use it for normal street driving! Anyone else have this thought??
And don't say "track it", as I'm not of the mindset or fiscal means to do that, but I know that would scratch the itch.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 464
From: Raleigh/Cary NC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 935
Likes: 225
TrackDaze TestDrive
Take a look at a TrackDaze Test Drive program in your area. 1/2 hr with instructor for $99.
http://www.trackdaze.com
http://www.trackdaze.com
Did the Corvette Owners School at SM last week (12/7 and 12/8). Awesome experience. The staff is great; highly professional and very helpful to all skill levels.
Now, the bad news. Once having seen what the new GS can do on a track, it almost seems like a waste of time to use it for normal street driving! Anyone else have this thought??
And don't say "track it", as I'm not of the mindset or fiscal means to do that, but I know that would scratch the itch.
Now, the bad news. Once having seen what the new GS can do on a track, it almost seems like a waste of time to use it for normal street driving! Anyone else have this thought??
And don't say "track it", as I'm not of the mindset or fiscal means to do that, but I know that would scratch the itch.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 777
Likes: 120
From: CT
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
Did the Corvette Owners School at SM last week (12/7 and 12/8). Awesome experience. The staff is great; highly professional and very helpful to all skill levels.
Now, the bad news. Once having seen what the new GS can do on a track, it almost seems like a waste of time to use it for normal street driving! Anyone else have this thought??
And don't say "track it", as I'm not of the mindset or fiscal means to do that, but I know that would scratch the itch.
Now, the bad news. Once having seen what the new GS can do on a track, it almost seems like a waste of time to use it for normal street driving! Anyone else have this thought??
And don't say "track it", as I'm not of the mindset or fiscal means to do that, but I know that would scratch the itch.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 464
From: Raleigh/Cary NC
But it's worth it. Later, as I did more schools and eventually started instructing, I realized the huge difference in speeds and capabilities between a novice and someone with some track miles under his or her belt.
Which is why I always preach, if you want to go fast, don't spend the money on the car, spend it on the track time first.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 106
Likes: 4
From: Savannah GA
Did the Spring Mountain Corvette Owner's course 11/13 and 11/14, and I'm still grinning. As DAC17 said the staff and learning experience are top notch. It is a blast and well worth the money. Just do it!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,481
Likes: 394
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I'm going to do the Spring Mtn in the spring. I did the Richard Petty NASCAR driving experience at Charlotte and it was well, not nearly as exciting as I expected. Dude said "how did you like going that fast" to which I shrugged and said, I think I've actually gone faster on highways in Wyoming. I expect SM to be a little more interesting. I did hear there is a 3 day class as well, anyone done that?
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 91
Likes: 15
From: Brentwood CA
It sounds like an amazing experience. I'm getting ready to sign up. I do have one question I have not been able to find an answer on - what is the typical agenda, in particular how late do you run each day? My wife is trying to decide if she wants to come along, and I'm trying to get a feel of the days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 933
From: Just outside a swamp in Florida
They start serving breakfast at 6:45. I'd recommend an early start. Class starts at 8:00, lunch is served around noon, classes finish at 4:00.
After class on the first day you might want to mill around in the shop. After that go have dinner, come back to the room, and get some sleep so you can get up early for the second day.
Day 2 is full on, if you want it to be. They'll group you according to your skill level.
If your wife shows any interest in driving, have her take the course with you. The few dollars spent will be a lifetime of shared memories, and smiles.
After class on the first day you might want to mill around in the shop. After that go have dinner, come back to the room, and get some sleep so you can get up early for the second day.
Day 2 is full on, if you want it to be. They'll group you according to your skill level.
If your wife shows any interest in driving, have her take the course with you. The few dollars spent will be a lifetime of shared memories, and smiles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 1,593
Most local car clubs host Driver Education (DE) events at local tracks. This includes two days if instructed track time, usually four 20 minute sessions per day.
Typically entrance fees are about $350 per event, and if you have a valuable car, I would recommend track insurance which will run $300-$450 per event. You'll need a tech inspection, which should run about $100. Then add travel, lodging, food, and gas (price is up to you), but that usually runs about $400 for the weekend.
For a DE weekend, I'd budget about $1,200-$1,500... but prices may vary.
Typically entrance fees are about $350 per event, and if you have a valuable car, I would recommend track insurance which will run $300-$450 per event. You'll need a tech inspection, which should run about $100. Then add travel, lodging, food, and gas (price is up to you), but that usually runs about $400 for the weekend.
For a DE weekend, I'd budget about $1,200-$1,500... but prices may vary.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 100
Likes: 21
From: Maryland
I was there those days too. I can't tell from your forum name who you are, but I'm sure we talked at some point. I'm assuming you were with the blue band group. What a hoot! I had been there before (last August) and I learned so much more the second time around. It took me till the last session on the 2nd day to put it all together, except for turning the darned PDR on! Now I'm trying to figure out how to scrape enough money together to do either the Level 1 or level 2 training some time next year! I cannot say enough good things about Spring Mountain and the people running it. Jenny was my instructor for a few of the sessions and she is an absolute delight on top of being an excellent instructor and driver! But all the instructors are top notch!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 100
Likes: 21
From: Maryland
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 875
Likes: 311
From: Sundance WY
No never had that thought...... after taking the class for the second time in a ZO6 i think about how much fun I have doing 90 on the turnpike off ramps with much more confidence
Last edited by RFBHD; Dec 19, 2016 at 10:50 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 82,070
Likes: 718
From: Orange County, CA
Racer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 321
Likes: 95
From: Vegas
For those that might be interested, I asked them about their memberships which allow for guaranteed track time each month...as 1 and done doesn't do much for me. Memberships START at $45K a year and go up from there...well into 6 figures. That's just nuts. They cater to the mega rich, a club I don't belong to. Other than the special deal they worked out with Chevy for this 2 day class, pricing for everything else is laughable.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 100
Likes: 21
From: Maryland
She had a great time both times. All the folks at SM are extremely accommodating and made her feel just as welcome as me. It also didn't hurt that there are casinos (we went to the Nugget which is the only one in Pahrump that has gaming tables) which she also enjoyed! 