Corvette Driving School
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 341
Likes: 272
From: South Florida
Corvette Driving School
Being a new Corvette Owner I was pleased to receive the Letter from Chevrolet welcoming me to the Corvette Family and a host of other cool things. One of which was the invitation to attend the Corvette Driving School at a greatly reduced rate. I did a little searching but I wasn't able to find much in the forum regarding whether or not this was a worthwhile thing to participate in. I would like to know if any of you have participated in the driving school program and what your opinion was regarding the event. Second if you haven't gone would you be inclined to go if you could make a vacation out of it. Thanks in advance for your input.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 807
Likes: 313
From: New Jersey
To me it’s one of the best features of buying a new Corvette. Two days at Spring Mountain are definitely more than worth it!
You’ll learn everything there is to know about your car. And most important, you’ll learn about your car with you in it. But don’t just take my word for it, just search Spring Mountain, I can’t remember any bad reviews.
You’ll learn everything there is to know about your car. And most important, you’ll learn about your car with you in it. But don’t just take my word for it, just search Spring Mountain, I can’t remember any bad reviews.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 75
From: Cleveland, OH
Being a new Corvette Owner I was pleased to receive the Letter from Chevrolet welcoming me to the Corvette Family and a host of other cool things. One of which was the invitation to attend the Corvette Driving School at a greatly reduced rate. I did a little searching but I wasn't able to find much in the forum regarding whether or not this was a worthwhile thing to participate in. I would like to know if any of you have participated in the driving school program and what your opinion was regarding the event. Second if you haven't gone would you be inclined to go if you could make a vacation out of it. Thanks in advance for your input.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 1,334
From: Kingston, Ontario
There's a bunch of threads about the Ron Fellows school on this site. I've never seen anyone say it wasn't worth while. I went last October, I had zero performance driving experience and track time. It was a blast, I loved every minute of it. I took a week off and stayed in Vegas from Saturday through Wednesday and drove down to Spring mountain for Thursday - Friday. The trip was amazing, you should definitely do it and take a few extra days off to see the sites if you can.
I will be doing it again soon when I get my new Z06, it's well worth the money.
I will be doing it again soon when I get my new Z06, it's well worth the money.
Last edited by Exia; Feb 18, 2019 at 06:04 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 85
Likes: 39
From: Canton Ohio
I went to the Corvette Owners School in July. The experience was amazing, getting the driver significantly more familiar and comfortable driving the C7. The only negative is it was only two days, ending too soon when all Iwas having was a blast!
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There have been plenty of threads about members experieinces at the Ron Fellows Driving School. All have been very positive and it was a very educational and fun experience. Take advantage of the GM offer - you won't regret it.
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Pompano Beach, FL
I found the first day to be a total waste of time - drive in a straight line and practice changing down. Seriously - I'm not 16! Practice braking and steering - wow! Didn't realize you could do that in 2018! The second day you got on the track for some spins. Waaaayy too much classroom chatter both days! It's a corner with an apex, brake in, power out - got it! Now can we drive please? No this is a series of cornering lectures that take 4+ hours of your time (unsaid: because it's cheaper to keep you all in here rather than burning the rubber off our wheels).
Last edited by REA; Feb 18, 2019 at 10:15 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 92
From: Wynnewood Pennsylvania
My Grand Sport was a huge step up from my Miata, which I'd never tracked in 18 years of ownership. Hence, I'll admit to being a bit intimidated by the new car at first. The Corvette Owners School understands what level of driving skill each participant has, re-arranging your class on the second day to suit. As a result, EVERYONE improves under their instruction compared to where they began (I knocked 45 seconds off my lap time, start to finish.) I'm no longer intimidated, but now respectfully impressed with an amazing car. COS at Spring Mountain proved to be my best automobile experience yet. Sign up. Go and enjoy yourself.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 11
From: Washington
I went to the 2 day Spring Mountain school in 2016. It did improve my driving but on the second day I got a car that didn't run right. The check engine light came on as soon as I started the car and it seemed like it was only running at 75% of full power. I asked the instructors about the problem car but was told "just drive it and it will be OK". It is disappointing to be at a cool track but have a weak car.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 13
Most fun I have had with my pants on in years!!! I have been to several driving schools during my career. None were better or more fun than Spring Mountain. You could easily make a vacation out of this event. Vegas is only about 45-60 minutes from the school. All you need is comfortable clothes and a good attitude. The staff works hard to ensure your success and that you have a good time. Numerous threads on this forum for you to research.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 341
Likes: 272
From: South Florida
Thank you all for the input. I also appreciate the search tips as I wasn't searching for Ron Fellows Driving school as most of you have suggested. Getting the right name in the search truly helps. Now all I've got to do is schedule the trip because it truly seems like a great idea. Thanks again.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 372
Likes: 201
From: Cape Cod Massachusetts
St. Jude Donor '19
It is definitely a great idea to go. I went in November and every time I think about it I get a smile on my face. If you have never tracked a car like me and like to absorb information you will find the school an absolute blast. If you already have some experience then you can talk to them when you sign up and possibly get into their level 1 or level 2 class instead. We had someone in our basic class that was actually a motorcrosser and really good. He said he still had fun but would probably take the level 2 next time.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 11,709
Likes: 48
I went last may. Definitely worth it. Most of my going fast has been in a straight line. Driving on a road track was much different.
What you will learn:
1. the car: what it is capable of, handling, braking, steering, acceleration.
2. Also they put you on a dry and wet skid pads so you will learn how the nannies work in adverse conditions.
3. Track handling, aiming for the next turn, how to "unwind" coming out of a turn.
4. Basics of car maintenance, types of tires, ect.
5. You will learn the cars limitations.
The biggest take away I got out of the class was (To quote a Clint Eastwood movie) "A man's got to know his limitations."
In other words you learn where your comfort zone is.
This is not a race driving class, it is a beginners class where you learn about your and the cars capabilities.
And by the time you take your last lap, you wish you could do a couple more.
Just go and have fun. The instructors are patient, and very informative.
What you will learn:
1. the car: what it is capable of, handling, braking, steering, acceleration.
2. Also they put you on a dry and wet skid pads so you will learn how the nannies work in adverse conditions.
3. Track handling, aiming for the next turn, how to "unwind" coming out of a turn.
4. Basics of car maintenance, types of tires, ect.
5. You will learn the cars limitations.
The biggest take away I got out of the class was (To quote a Clint Eastwood movie) "A man's got to know his limitations."
In other words you learn where your comfort zone is.
This is not a race driving class, it is a beginners class where you learn about your and the cars capabilities.
And by the time you take your last lap, you wish you could do a couple more.
Just go and have fun. The instructors are patient, and very informative.
Last edited by FormerBiker; Feb 19, 2019 at 09:36 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 430
Likes: 113
From: Easton, PA
I was there in January. I thought it was a great experience. You don't just learn how to drive the car, you learn what the car is capable of. I do not plan on tracking my car but knowing what the different driving modes are and using them is better than reading in the manual. On top of all that, you get to meet some really nice people from all over the USA & Canada.