Spring Mountain = Level EPIC!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 109
From: Severn Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Well, signed up to do the dastardly deed November 18-19. Fly in on 17th to Vegas fly back to Bawlmer on 20th. Looking forward to a little "play time"!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,788
Likes: 164
From: Beaverton OR
Do you know what fuel they Consistently run there?
I just finished my Corvette Owners Level 1 course at Spring Mountain with the Ron Fellows Driving School. All I can say is WOW!!!!!
Everything from the facility to the staff are second to none!
Keep in mind that I'm a simple military guy but I would put the accommodations as a 5 out of 5. Now, I will say there were several very well to do folks there that sat outside and sipped champagne at night and I'm sure they may disagree and they would be narcissistic and wrong.
However, for a military transplant from Alaska, it was top-notch! Swimming pool, golf course, gun range, and many more amenities. 
The instructors are amazing! Enough said! Really, they are simply incredible. We had folks of all levels in our class, beginning wives getting to know their first performance car, club racers, professional drivers and the old drag race guy (me). The instructors pushed everyone just past their level but never too far. Their instruction was honest and to the point but never rude...always very, very professional and very, very helpful...simply the best.
The course itself is AMAZING! They cover the car in great detail, demonstrate the different driving modes, let you experience the limits of the car in wet and dry conditions and of course...TRACK TIME!!!! The first day some folks didn't really like the slow ABS drills, the wet road figure eights and other very focused and relevant exercises that would be key once on the track. The track time was the best. I have to admit that I was apprehensive coming from a drag race background. It's a little scary when on day one you sign a waiver making you responsible for $10K in case you crack up a car going off track. Again, being a drag race guy this turning thing was all new to me. Once we got on track the instructors were great. Very focused feedback while driving. The communication system they have between cars is simply amazing, not high tech but perfect for the job. Once they evaluate your driving skills and comfort level they will pair you us with like drivers to maximize your learning experience once on track on day two. Day two was great for me. In the morning they had me paired up with all the club racers and professional drivers. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated and spent my morning session more focused on keeping pace than actually learning. I mentioned it to the instructors and the next sessions were simply amazing. After lunch on day two you get to ride with an instructor on a demo lap. For me this was what made the light bulb come on. Being in the car and seeing the actual turn-in points and aggressiveness towards the apex of the corner from the in-car point of view cemented all the previous lessons. One the very next session I went out and was immediately faster and it was easy doing it...no fighting the car just smooth and fast.
Now to the cars...the Z06 is INSANE!!!! The car is capable of so much more than I ever expected. After riding with the instructor I really knew how far I could push the car without having to cash that $10K liability check. I am still on a high from driving at that level.
To all the haters of the Z06 on track please stop reading here!
We beat the tar out of the cars. I had the same car the entire second day, an M7. We drove several sessions of 20+ minutes and never had one stingray or Z06 overheat...NOT ONE. The outside temps were 104 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday. Again, NOT ONE VETTE OVERHEATED!!!!!! Now, the carmaros that the instructors were driving...we canned two of them. One had a motor overheat and the other had a tranny overheat.
Overall the course is amazing! If anyone isn't going to take advantage of their GM discount send it my way! LOL Honestly, you need to go if you have never been...simply amazing! Go in with a willingness to learn and you will be blown away. Ask questions and take advantage of every second...it goes by WAY to fast!
YouTube
Everything from the facility to the staff are second to none!
Keep in mind that I'm a simple military guy but I would put the accommodations as a 5 out of 5. Now, I will say there were several very well to do folks there that sat outside and sipped champagne at night and I'm sure they may disagree and they would be narcissistic and wrong.
However, for a military transplant from Alaska, it was top-notch! Swimming pool, golf course, gun range, and many more amenities. The instructors are amazing! Enough said! Really, they are simply incredible. We had folks of all levels in our class, beginning wives getting to know their first performance car, club racers, professional drivers and the old drag race guy (me). The instructors pushed everyone just past their level but never too far. Their instruction was honest and to the point but never rude...always very, very professional and very, very helpful...simply the best.
The course itself is AMAZING! They cover the car in great detail, demonstrate the different driving modes, let you experience the limits of the car in wet and dry conditions and of course...TRACK TIME!!!! The first day some folks didn't really like the slow ABS drills, the wet road figure eights and other very focused and relevant exercises that would be key once on the track. The track time was the best. I have to admit that I was apprehensive coming from a drag race background. It's a little scary when on day one you sign a waiver making you responsible for $10K in case you crack up a car going off track. Again, being a drag race guy this turning thing was all new to me. Once we got on track the instructors were great. Very focused feedback while driving. The communication system they have between cars is simply amazing, not high tech but perfect for the job. Once they evaluate your driving skills and comfort level they will pair you us with like drivers to maximize your learning experience once on track on day two. Day two was great for me. In the morning they had me paired up with all the club racers and professional drivers. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated and spent my morning session more focused on keeping pace than actually learning. I mentioned it to the instructors and the next sessions were simply amazing. After lunch on day two you get to ride with an instructor on a demo lap. For me this was what made the light bulb come on. Being in the car and seeing the actual turn-in points and aggressiveness towards the apex of the corner from the in-car point of view cemented all the previous lessons. One the very next session I went out and was immediately faster and it was easy doing it...no fighting the car just smooth and fast.
Now to the cars...the Z06 is INSANE!!!! The car is capable of so much more than I ever expected. After riding with the instructor I really knew how far I could push the car without having to cash that $10K liability check. I am still on a high from driving at that level.
To all the haters of the Z06 on track please stop reading here!
We beat the tar out of the cars. I had the same car the entire second day, an M7. We drove several sessions of 20+ minutes and never had one stingray or Z06 overheat...NOT ONE. The outside temps were 104 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday. Again, NOT ONE VETTE OVERHEATED!!!!!! Now, the carmaros that the instructors were driving...we canned two of them. One had a motor overheat and the other had a tranny overheat.
Overall the course is amazing! If anyone isn't going to take advantage of their GM discount send it my way! LOL Honestly, you need to go if you have never been...simply amazing! Go in with a willingness to learn and you will be blown away. Ask questions and take advantage of every second...it goes by WAY to fast!
YouTube
And Done!
Last edited by johnglenntwo; Jul 10, 2015 at 04:46 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 64
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Spring Mountain Overheat
I was there this Wednesday & Thursday. On Thursday I was driving an A8 Z06 pushing it hard and had reduced power caused by high oil temperature. I drove one lap in 5th gear, power was restored and I was back at it running mostly in 4th & 5th hot laps. The problem did not return. I asked an instructor and he thought the outside temp was about 102.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton Florida
I just finished my Corvette Owners Level 1 course at Spring Mountain with the Ron Fellows Driving School. All I can say is WOW!!!!!
Everything from the facility to the staff are second to none!
Keep in mind that I'm a simple military guy but I would put the accommodations as a 5 out of 5. Now, I will say there were several very well to do folks there that sat outside and sipped champagne at night and I'm sure they may disagree and they would be narcissistic and wrong. However, for a military transplant from Alaska, it was top-notch! Swimming pool, golf course, gun range, and many more amenities.
The instructors are amazing! Enough said! Really, they are simply incredible. We had folks of all levels in our class, beginning wives getting to know their first performance car, club racers, professional drivers and the old drag race guy (me). The instructors pushed everyone just past their level but never too far. Their instruction was honest and to the point but never rude...always very, very professional and very, very helpful...simply the best.
The course itself is AMAZING! They cover the car in great detail, demonstrate the different driving modes, let you experience the limits of the car in wet and dry conditions and of course...TRACK TIME!!!! The first day some folks didn't really like the slow ABS drills, the wet road figure eights and other very focused and relevant exercises that would be key once on the track. The track time was the best. I have to admit that I was apprehensive coming from a drag race background. It's a little scary when on day one you sign a waiver making you responsible for $10K in case you crack up a car going off track. Again, being a drag race guy this turning thing was all new to me. Once we got on track the instructors were great. Very focused feedback while driving. The communication system they have between cars is simply amazing, not high tech but perfect for the job. Once they evaluate your driving skills and comfort level they will pair you us with like drivers to maximize your learning experience once on track on day two. Day two was great for me. In the morning they had me paired up with all the club racers and professional drivers. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated and spent my morning session more focused on keeping pace than actually learning. I mentioned it to the instructors and the next sessions were simply amazing. After lunch on day two you get to ride with an instructor on a demo lap. For me this was what made the light bulb come on. Being in the car and seeing the actual turn-in points and aggressiveness towards the apex of the corner from the in-car point of view cemented all the previous lessons. One the very next session I went out and was immediately faster and it was easy doing it...no fighting the car just smooth and fast.
Now to the cars...the Z06 is INSANE!!!! The car is capable of so much more than I ever expected. After riding with the instructor I really knew how far I could push the car without having to cash that $10K liability check. I am still on a high from driving at that level.
To all the haters of the Z06 on track please stop reading here!
We beat the tar out of the cars. I had the same car the entire second day, an M7. We drove several sessions of 20+ minutes and never had one stingray or Z06 overheat...NOT ONE. The outside temps were 104 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday. Again, NOT ONE VETTE OVERHEATED!!!!!! Now, the carmaros that the instructors were driving...we canned two of them. One had a motor overheat and the other had a tranny overheat.
Overall the course is amazing! If anyone isn't going to take advantage of their GM discount send it my way! LOL Honestly, you need to go if you have never been...simply amazing! Go in with a willingness to learn and you will be blown away. Ask questions and take advantage of every second...it goes by WAY to fast!
YouTube
Everything from the facility to the staff are second to none!
Keep in mind that I'm a simple military guy but I would put the accommodations as a 5 out of 5. Now, I will say there were several very well to do folks there that sat outside and sipped champagne at night and I'm sure they may disagree and they would be narcissistic and wrong.
However, for a military transplant from Alaska, it was top-notch! Swimming pool, golf course, gun range, and many more amenities. The instructors are amazing! Enough said! Really, they are simply incredible. We had folks of all levels in our class, beginning wives getting to know their first performance car, club racers, professional drivers and the old drag race guy (me). The instructors pushed everyone just past their level but never too far. Their instruction was honest and to the point but never rude...always very, very professional and very, very helpful...simply the best.
The course itself is AMAZING! They cover the car in great detail, demonstrate the different driving modes, let you experience the limits of the car in wet and dry conditions and of course...TRACK TIME!!!! The first day some folks didn't really like the slow ABS drills, the wet road figure eights and other very focused and relevant exercises that would be key once on the track. The track time was the best. I have to admit that I was apprehensive coming from a drag race background. It's a little scary when on day one you sign a waiver making you responsible for $10K in case you crack up a car going off track. Again, being a drag race guy this turning thing was all new to me. Once we got on track the instructors were great. Very focused feedback while driving. The communication system they have between cars is simply amazing, not high tech but perfect for the job. Once they evaluate your driving skills and comfort level they will pair you us with like drivers to maximize your learning experience once on track on day two. Day two was great for me. In the morning they had me paired up with all the club racers and professional drivers. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated and spent my morning session more focused on keeping pace than actually learning. I mentioned it to the instructors and the next sessions were simply amazing. After lunch on day two you get to ride with an instructor on a demo lap. For me this was what made the light bulb come on. Being in the car and seeing the actual turn-in points and aggressiveness towards the apex of the corner from the in-car point of view cemented all the previous lessons. One the very next session I went out and was immediately faster and it was easy doing it...no fighting the car just smooth and fast.
Now to the cars...the Z06 is INSANE!!!! The car is capable of so much more than I ever expected. After riding with the instructor I really knew how far I could push the car without having to cash that $10K liability check. I am still on a high from driving at that level.
To all the haters of the Z06 on track please stop reading here!
We beat the tar out of the cars. I had the same car the entire second day, an M7. We drove several sessions of 20+ minutes and never had one stingray or Z06 overheat...NOT ONE. The outside temps were 104 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday. Again, NOT ONE VETTE OVERHEATED!!!!!! Now, the carmaros that the instructors were driving...we canned two of them. One had a motor overheat and the other had a tranny overheat.
Overall the course is amazing! If anyone isn't going to take advantage of their GM discount send it my way! LOL Honestly, you need to go if you have never been...simply amazing! Go in with a willingness to learn and you will be blown away. Ask questions and take advantage of every second...it goes by WAY to fast!
YouTube
I would love to go, now to just find my certificate I received!
Overheating? Take it from someone who actually owns a C7 Z and spends a lot of time on our HOT south Fla tracks, never experienced overheating on my M7 or saw it happen on any other M7 Z. No A8 on any days I was out so I can't comment on the A8.
Guess the overheating thing only happens to guys that don't have C7Z's
And don't track them
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Likes: 86
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
when did you get your Invite ?
I just finished my Corvette Owners Level 1 course at Spring Mountain with the Ron Fellows Driving School. All I can say is WOW!!!!!
Everything from the facility to the staff are second to none!
Keep in mind that I'm a simple military guy but I would put the accommodations as a 5 out of 5. Now, I will say there were several very well to do folks there that sat outside and sipped champagne at night and I'm sure they may disagree and they would be narcissistic and wrong. However, for a military transplant from Alaska, it was top-notch! Swimming pool, golf course, gun range, and many more amenities.
The instructors are amazing! Enough said! Really, they are simply incredible. We had folks of all levels in our class, beginning wives getting to know their first performance car, club racers, professional drivers and the old drag race guy (me). The instructors pushed everyone just past their level but never too far. Their instruction was honest and to the point but never rude...always very, very professional and very, very helpful...simply the best.
The course itself is AMAZING! They cover the car in great detail, demonstrate the different driving modes, let you experience the limits of the car in wet and dry conditions and of course...TRACK TIME!!!! The first day some folks didn't really like the slow ABS drills, the wet road figure eights and other very focused and relevant exercises that would be key once on the track. The track time was the best. I have to admit that I was apprehensive coming from a drag race background. It's a little scary when on day one you sign a waiver making you responsible for $10K in case you crack up a car going off track. Again, being a drag race guy this turning thing was all new to me. Once we got on track the instructors were great. Very focused feedback while driving. The communication system they have between cars is simply amazing, not high tech but perfect for the job. Once they evaluate your driving skills and comfort level they will pair you us with like drivers to maximize your learning experience once on track on day two. Day two was great for me. In the morning they had me paired up with all the club racers and professional drivers. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated and spent my morning session more focused on keeping pace than actually learning. I mentioned it to the instructors and the next sessions were simply amazing. After lunch on day two you get to ride with an instructor on a demo lap. For me this was what made the light bulb come on. Being in the car and seeing the actual turn-in points and aggressiveness towards the apex of the corner from the in-car point of view cemented all the previous lessons. One the very next session I went out and was immediately faster and it was easy doing it...no fighting the car just smooth and fast.
Now to the cars...the Z06 is INSANE!!!! The car is capable of so much more than I ever expected. After riding with the instructor I really knew how far I could push the car without having to cash that $10K liability check. I am still on a high from driving at that level.
To all the haters of the Z06 on track please stop reading here!
We beat the tar out of the cars. I had the same car the entire second day, an M7. We drove several sessions of 20+ minutes and never had one stingray or Z06 overheat...NOT ONE. The outside temps were 104 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday. Again, NOT ONE VETTE OVERHEATED!!!!!! Now, the carmaros that the instructors were driving...we canned two of them. One had a motor overheat and the other had a tranny overheat.
Overall the course is amazing! If anyone isn't going to take advantage of their GM discount send it my way! LOL Honestly, you need to go if you have never been...simply amazing! Go in with a willingness to learn and you will be blown away. Ask questions and take advantage of every second...it goes by WAY to fast!
YouTube
Everything from the facility to the staff are second to none!
Keep in mind that I'm a simple military guy but I would put the accommodations as a 5 out of 5. Now, I will say there were several very well to do folks there that sat outside and sipped champagne at night and I'm sure they may disagree and they would be narcissistic and wrong.
However, for a military transplant from Alaska, it was top-notch! Swimming pool, golf course, gun range, and many more amenities. The instructors are amazing! Enough said! Really, they are simply incredible. We had folks of all levels in our class, beginning wives getting to know their first performance car, club racers, professional drivers and the old drag race guy (me). The instructors pushed everyone just past their level but never too far. Their instruction was honest and to the point but never rude...always very, very professional and very, very helpful...simply the best.
The course itself is AMAZING! They cover the car in great detail, demonstrate the different driving modes, let you experience the limits of the car in wet and dry conditions and of course...TRACK TIME!!!! The first day some folks didn't really like the slow ABS drills, the wet road figure eights and other very focused and relevant exercises that would be key once on the track. The track time was the best. I have to admit that I was apprehensive coming from a drag race background. It's a little scary when on day one you sign a waiver making you responsible for $10K in case you crack up a car going off track. Again, being a drag race guy this turning thing was all new to me. Once we got on track the instructors were great. Very focused feedback while driving. The communication system they have between cars is simply amazing, not high tech but perfect for the job. Once they evaluate your driving skills and comfort level they will pair you us with like drivers to maximize your learning experience once on track on day two. Day two was great for me. In the morning they had me paired up with all the club racers and professional drivers. Needless to say, I was a bit intimidated and spent my morning session more focused on keeping pace than actually learning. I mentioned it to the instructors and the next sessions were simply amazing. After lunch on day two you get to ride with an instructor on a demo lap. For me this was what made the light bulb come on. Being in the car and seeing the actual turn-in points and aggressiveness towards the apex of the corner from the in-car point of view cemented all the previous lessons. One the very next session I went out and was immediately faster and it was easy doing it...no fighting the car just smooth and fast.
Now to the cars...the Z06 is INSANE!!!! The car is capable of so much more than I ever expected. After riding with the instructor I really knew how far I could push the car without having to cash that $10K liability check. I am still on a high from driving at that level.
To all the haters of the Z06 on track please stop reading here!
We beat the tar out of the cars. I had the same car the entire second day, an M7. We drove several sessions of 20+ minutes and never had one stingray or Z06 overheat...NOT ONE. The outside temps were 104 on Monday and 102 on Tuesday. Again, NOT ONE VETTE OVERHEATED!!!!!! Now, the carmaros that the instructors were driving...we canned two of them. One had a motor overheat and the other had a tranny overheat.
Overall the course is amazing! If anyone isn't going to take advantage of their GM discount send it my way! LOL Honestly, you need to go if you have never been...simply amazing! Go in with a willingness to learn and you will be blown away. Ask questions and take advantage of every second...it goes by WAY to fast!
YouTube
How long after you received your Z did you receive your info from Chevrolet/Spring Mountain ?
I picked mine up in mid-April and I can't wait to experience Spring Mountain...Looking Forward to it !
Thanks
RacerX
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 17
From: Las Vegas Nevada
You will LOVE it. I had already registered before the info ever came to the house. All they will need is your VIN number. Once GM loads it as yours Spring Mountain will be able to see it. Give them a call...so worth it!!!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 455
Likes: 23
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 17
From: Las Vegas Nevada
It's $1000 after GM pays their piece. It's a two day class and goes from 7:00AM to 3:00PM both days. Go in with an open mind and a willingness to learn and you'll get a ton out of it. Best performance mod you can do. :-)
Last edited by Alaska SS; Jul 19, 2015 at 03:55 PM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 455
Likes: 23
Sweet! I will have to go to that. What mods have you done to your Z?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 17
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 294
Likes: 16
There are also a limited amount of 3 day programs too. Cost is 3,000. Witb GM discount. The extra day is all open tracking tracking. I'm going December 1.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
I Own
I would love to go, now to just find my certificate I received!
Overheating? Take it from someone who actually owns a C7 Z and spends a lot of time on our HOT south Fla tracks, never experienced overheating on my M7 or saw it happen on any other M7 Z. No A8 on any days I was out so I can't comment on the A8.
Guess the overheating thing only happens to guys that don't have C7Z's
And don't track them
Overheating? Take it from someone who actually owns a C7 Z and spends a lot of time on our HOT south Fla tracks, never experienced overheating on my M7 or saw it happen on any other M7 Z. No A8 on any days I was out so I can't comment on the A8.
Guess the overheating thing only happens to guys that don't have C7Z's
And don't track them
Dave
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,590
Likes: 1,616
From: GREER SC
Certificate
I would love to go, now to just find my certificate I received!
Overheating? Take it from someone who actually owns a C7 Z and spends a lot of time on our HOT south Fla tracks, never experienced overheating on my M7 or saw it happen on any other M7 Z. No A8 on any days I was out so I can't comment on the A8.
Guess the overheating thing only happens to guys that don't have C7Z's
And don't track them
Overheating? Take it from someone who actually owns a C7 Z and spends a lot of time on our HOT south Fla tracks, never experienced overheating on my M7 or saw it happen on any other M7 Z. No A8 on any days I was out so I can't comment on the A8.
Guess the overheating thing only happens to guys that don't have C7Z's
And don't track them
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 21,590
Likes: 1,616
From: GREER SC
3 days
Now this kinda pissed me off. I all but insisted that I wanted the 3 day school and they told me on more than one occasion that they don't offer the 3 day schools anymore. Is it for a first time Corvette Z06 school?