I just signed up for the GM sponsored two day class in September. They told me that for the Z06's and that I would be responsible for up to $40K in damages in case of accident. They said that supplemental insurance was available only on the Stingrays however. This sorta makes me uncomfortable. Having not seen the course, how possible is it to crash and burn their cars during the course?

 

I was just there and I believe it's $10K for the Z06 and GS. You can buy out of liability for the Stingray for $200 and not be responsible for damage. The Z and GS do not offer that option. Unless you do something really stupid you are not going to damage one of their cars.

Relax, pay attention, and have a great time.

 

I was there last month. You would have to be a TERRIBLE driver to crash. The instructors lead 3-4 students and won't let you run at super high speeds. They held me back when I was the lead student car. The other drivers held me back when I wasn't the lead student car. I think I recall an instructor saying that only a couple people have crashed in 15 years - or something to that effect.

 

I understand how this is alarming, but honestly from doing the class, I wouldn't sweat it. Go and have a blast.

 

It's always been $10,000 on the Z06, so unless it's changed in the last couple months I believe it's still $10,000 max. Call Donna and ask her to confirm the figure.

I've been there numerous times (various Levels and private days)... never seen or met anyone who got even close to the deductible... and in most cases very little damage to cars even when they've gone off track.

Don't be nervous... the school is well run and setup for safety. Listen to your instructors and you'll be fine.

 

It's $10K and it's not that hard to do if you go off course. If you take the car offroad, you might be on the hook for $10K. Not super-common, but it happens.

When a friend of mine was there (and hence this is anecdotal), a car went off the course and the comment from one of the instructors was "That's ten grand", and when asked how he knew, he said "It's pretty easy to do". I assume that meant it's pretty easy to run up $10K, not easy to go offroad (it's not easy, and I wasn't worried for myself).

On the other hand, no one went offroad when I was there at all. But apparently it's not unheard of, and it'll net you more than a wheel alignment in many cases if you do.

If I were to go again I'd take a second SD card to hand in when they "confiscate" yours in the event of off-roading or overheating. In both cases they will take your SD card and review it, and it's likely not for your benefit. No idea what happens if you just refuse to turn it over.

Not trying to make them sound malicious or anything. But they are running a business and they can't be comping folks for car damage, so if you do manage to scrub up the underside or chew up a side panel, you'll be on the hook for it.

I took my brother with me as a gift so I was on the hook for both cars! I was just careful not to hit him as I'd be out $20K! :-)

Again, I never went offroad, my brother didn't, and in fact no one did the whole course. I never came close, either. If you take instruction well and aren't a big risk taker, I don't think you've got much to worry about. It's the heroes with something to prove that probably get in trouble more often than not.

 

You are liable for the initial $10,000 if you damage the car, check with your insurance company. Mine covered me less my deductible if I damaged the Spring Mountain car.

 

Been there 7 times... seen cars go off track... in fact was behind one that spun and ran out into the desert and rocks... got the whole thing on my PDR and the instructors knew I had it and no one ever asked to confiscate my SD card, though the guy that spun did ask me for a copy of the file.

I've also had cars overheat (limp mode) and was never asked for my SD card.

I can't say that it doesn't happen but over the past 3 years and 7 courses there I've never seen or heard of an SD card being confiscated... nor have I spoken to anyone who got charged $10k for their off-road "mishap".

I have personally seen an off road into the dirt and rocks that did damage the car and the charge to the driver was much less than he (or I) expected.

Just saying.

 

Most insurance companies will do that. It is just like covering a rental car.

There isn't a lot of stuff to hit but a nitwit student could probably hit something. They do have to plan for the nitwits.

Bill

 

They demanded my SD card when I overheated my A8. "Unfortunately" I had forgotten to record that session. This was last summer. They did the same to other several other people in my class. They reviewed their videos to see if they had been "properly" shifting to manage the heat.

Just saying.

BTW, my auto insurance (ACE) specifically said they would NOT cover the $10K because it was at a track (I checked). Sounds like some others might, so I'd definitely recommend checking. Heck, for all I know your Amex Platinum might cover it as a rental, but I wouldn't make any assumptions.

Unless it's happening to people who are too embarrassed to admit it, I've NEVER heard of anyone on this forum being held for $10K, and there are a LOT of people here that go. So I wouldn't be too worried.

 

There is no way you'd crash out there. I wouldn't worry about it, go and have a great time.

 

Thanks all for the reassurance. Darci is out on maternity leave so I booked thru Jennifer. Maybe I misunderstood her when she was discussing liability limits. I will re-verify that tomorrow.

 

We went to Spring Mountain at the end of May, it was 10K for Z06's, nobody went off the track during our two days, well one guy got about half a tire on the dirt, enough that they wanted to sweep the sand/rocks off that section of the track before we could resume. I was concerned about the 10K as well, the first day I drove very conservative thinking about that, the second day I said these cars can handle way more than I was driving it, so I had fun and drove to the best of my ability the 2nd day.

 

I have been to two of the Mercedes AMG Driving Academy courses, one one day, and one two day. The track events were in GTS's and no limits. Never had to sign any waiver or provide insurance. The whole day was full throttle or full brakes. Instructor kept us at three car lengths behind him. On the skid pad and drag competition we drove other AMG cars and the wet skid pad with all electronics off we got to see plenty of 360s and overcorrections. The AMG course is the same price as the Ron Fellows.

 

You would have to be a complete moron and not follow the instructors direction to total a car at Spring Mountain. The worst you are going to do is miss a turn and fly off into the desert gravel. We had one class mate go completely off course on turn 7, the car was brought back and evaluated for damage. They were not charged for any damage.

 

I think someone going off track it relatively common, we had one go off while we were there and they evaluated the car and although they didn't tell us anything I don't think there was any damage to the car although I can't say the same about the driver's ego.

 

Just came back from the 2-3 July class. Three people got their cars off track in the final session, two completely off track (turn 3 and turn 5) and one ran two wheels into the gravel (turn 7). All three were in the "upper half" of the class which included the far more confident/experienced/aggressive drivers who pushed the envelope and made little mistakes. To the best of my knowledge, no one was charged for damages.

To the OPs question, the deductible was $10K for the Z06.

 

At the time of my class, the instructor said that a few off track students had been charged for an alignment.