If you want to immerse yourself in Corvettes and get on the track, I'd suggest looking at the National Corvette Museum's Bash April 25-27 in Bowling Green. You can spend Friday on the track doing the "Touring Laps" where you drive your car on the track at above highway speeds in a very controlled environment (no passing) and get a feel for the car and track. Then you can hang around the following Monday/Tuesday for their HPDE event which is very well run and a lot of fun. I'm 60 and decided to buy a GS and test myself on the curves. I'm not trying to set any records, but just see what I can do with the car . . . it is very addicting and the staff/volunteers make you feel at ease -- you go at YOUR pace!!!

 

I track with PCA events allllllll the time... great organization. (PCA = Porsche Club of America)

Welcome all types of vehicles and offer instruction for all experience levels.

 

Oops.. I accidentally tracked my base C7 with wet sump..... Accidentally attending 1 or 2 track events per month nearly all year long. Accidentally installed upgraded sway bars, 265/285 Cup2 tires, and accidentally ended up in the advanced run groups... Whoops!

 

So as a 55 year old adult, This is what I have to say, DO IT! Years ago I wanted to get into competitive shooting with hand guns . I always thought I was not good enough to do it and that only the pros did it. TO make a long story short. In 2007 I finally got up the courage to go to an event gun in hand and get involved some 12 years latter, Not only do i shoot the events and win I now volunteer at the events to assist bringing a new competitor thru the match. GO FOR IT! . Last august I aquired a 2018 sting ray convertable that I plan on trying a track event with it. Life is short and fragile there is no better time then NOW to do something that will raise your heart rate and make you feel alive, Just had my brotherinn law age 56 suffer a medical event, I wonder what he was waiting to do.

 

I talked with they guy's out at spring mountain the price is not bad for full price two day Corvette corse I am going to see if I can fit that into my schedule if that does not work I am going to call the local PCA and go from there. Excited and nervous and I will kick my self if I do not at least try it.

Jack

 

The hardest part is over, DECIDING, It get easier from here.

I am lucky I have a neighbor and 2 shooting buddis both with Stock C7's that want to go with me

 

Great fun...addictive for sure.
Attended many of these with when younger. (now 78 and counting).
Being in Northern Illinois you have some tasty choices. Blackhawk Farms in S. Beloit, IL, a stones throw from the Wisconsin border and Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. Sponsoring these are Windy City BMW club (Chicago) and also Badger BIMMERS in Wisconsin. Both of these clubs sponsor several driving schools every year and they are very well run.
They both have novice, intermediate and advanced groups and as a newbie you would be placed in the novice group and have a seasoned instructor ride with you and they will give you a ton of advise. There are also classroom instruction.
As you progress in your skills your instructor may move you to the intermediate group...eventually to the advanced. Depends on your skills and the number of schools you have attended.
Blackhawk is a short track (2 miles) whereas Road America is a 4 mile track with 3 long straights (my absolute favorite for sure).
Blackhawk may well be a good starting place for you as you could go with stock pads/fluid etc.
As your skills improve you will want to use some thigh temp brake fluid and likely track pads.
My advise, DO IT.