MSG C5

I'm attending the Spring Mountain class in mid-April since I purchased my 2019 M7 Z06 with the Z07 performance package last summer.

Since this is the first manual transmission sports car I've owned, I would like any tips or suggestions as to what I should expect from the class or whether there are any certain driving techniques I should brush up on before the class.

Going in, I'm hoping to learn more about how to effectively shift through road courses and other spirited driving as the last manual I drove on a consistent basis prior to my C7Z was 2-ton work truck back in college.

At this point, I really enjoy the M7 and the ARM feature. I'm pretty confident with my shifts, however my driving is only street driving and not performance course driving so I'm eager to learn more. I just want to make sure I have the basics covered before going in and appreciate any feedback from owners with similar Z06 models as to what I can expect and what I can prepare for.

Thanks!

spoolin98

I'm going also in April, but I am going the 1st and 2nd. I'm interested to see what responses you get here. I too have a 19 Z06.

Bill Dearborn

It probably depends on which section of the track is used for your class. During my class we used the East 2.1 mile section https://www.springmountainmotorsport...ity/race-track . I only used third and fourth gears for that section. There was one corner where speed dropped to about 40 mph and second gear could have been used but I didn't do that. As for 5th gear there just isn't enough space to use 5th as 6400 rpm in 4th gear will net you 150 mph. Even on my ride with an Instructor I only saw speed reach the mid 130 range.
Bill

atljar

They dont teach or suggest heal/toe driving, you use the auto rev match so that eliminates a big "skill". As Bill said, when I was there I used 3/4 almost exclusively.

flying_vette

I did COS back in October and am first time M7/Z06 owner too. They ask you to keep ARM on and stay in 3rd and 4th gear. There is plenty headroom left in 4th gear even on the longest straight run.

sneezer

Rev match is great! The cars like it too. Modulating the brakes a little in the wet panic stop works best but hammer them enough to make the abs work. You will learn to balance the car prior to entering deep into a turn. Set up is crucial to coming out (uncoiling) and applying power more harder faster... Lots of fun stuff with the nannies all off in the water. Don't be afraid to do some donuts and try to hold a slide. The more comfortable you are the more you can 'push' your instructor in lead follow when its your turn. ................................ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...2aP5VM2JRcJejw ........................................ ........................................ ........................... Cut n paste this hot lap at Spring Mtn. to see what you will be doing.
Use other videos before you go to learn the tracks. This will most likely be the track you drive on. It's a blast. I stayed for the advanced course the following two days. Expensive but a once in a lifetime experience and you will be sure to get hooked. Learn to "balance" the car entering and through the corners lets you use the limits of traction and come out hard. Times don't mean much but you will have your fastest laps recorded. Very rewarding to realize how much you learned from the pros.

64drvr

You’ll go through plenty of drills up front to familiarize with the M7 and rest of the car if you aren’t already. I wouldn’t sweat it aside from just driving your car some before you show up. I also just stayed in 3/4 on the track per their directive, but agree there are corners that I’d rather have used 2nd.

vettejeff

Im going for my 3rd time in March. The first time i went in 2010 we did heal toe shifting and it was a little nerve racking because you were nervous enough just to worry about the turns on the track. Now with rev match it makes racing around the track soo much nicer. You can concentrate on braking and hitting the apex of the turns. Don't be nervous about going, its the most fun you can have with a corvette! By day two you'll be going faster and grinning ear to ear because its a lot of fun. The instructors are top notch and will separate you into groups as they see who is fast and comfortable with the track.

5150 BRD

I found this same experience. Have fun. You will learn a lot.

MSG C5

My friend attended last month and told me about the wet-braking panic stop drill. With the M7, any special instructions or tips as to when to engage the clutch? Thankfully, I've never had a panic stop yet on the street but I'm definitely looking forward to playing with the car without all the nannies on.

Thanks for the video link. That really helps set expectations. Did you install a GoPro for the video of you or is there a camera in the car that saves the image to the PDR/SD Card?

nfran

Spoolin98, I'll be there on April 2&3. Looking so forward to this great adventure. I have a 2019 ZO6 with the 7 speed manual.

MSG C5

Wow! I didn't realize they had that many course options. Do they move classes around or do they target specific courses for specific classes?

SCOTTCM

MSG C5, Before going out on a track my experience was just street driving manuals and generally not driving at high RPM's. Once I would start to brake I would simultaneously go the clutch, downshift and engine brake while slowing down. That is exactly what you don't want to do on a track going into a turn at high RPM's as it will over-rev the engine. I needed to get over my habits and learn to brake and slow down first before downshifting.. And the rev matching capability works great. Have fun at spring Mountain.

stoessjc

I am doing the two day school February 18, 19. I am looking forward to this. I don't mean to hijack the thread, but for those that have attended the course, what are your thoughts on the $10,000 liability clause? I am assuming that it is nearly impossible to damage the exterior of the car, as I am under the impression that any barriers are far away from the course pavement. Short of doing something very foolish and intentional, I don't think this is something to worry about. Other thoughts?

RegnaR

I ran 4th up to redline before braking

RegnaR

I saw two cars go off the track during my class. Both were during early warm-up laps and the temperature was in the 40s. Neither of the cars that went off came close to hitting a wall or tire barrier. They have only had a couple of drivers need to use that liability out of thousands, I was not worried about it.

RegnaR

depends on how many classes they have running. When I was there in DEC we were on the east track and the ZR1 group was on the other side. They plan on almost doubling the track over the next few years!

6104696

When I went to the Spring Mountain COS (2+ years ago), they did give me the option of using the rev match or doing heel/toe for that shifting/accelleration drill. I chose heel/toe (which I have always sucked at), and they did work with me on it.

But rev match is much better than I could do.

Having had several track days under my belt before hitting Spring Mountain, I found the COS to be a little on the "basic" side. I went back a year later and did their Level 2 course, which was a blast.

ZR1Bob

To address your original question about what you need to prepare for, I would say nothing. You are going there to learn and they will assist you in many ways. When you sign up you specify the type of car you have (e.g. Z06 auto, Z51 stick, etc.) and they provide you with the same type of car and transmission to drive so you can learn how to drive your car. A great way to do it. When I went in September 2016 (coming from Chicago) I booked an extra night at Spring Mountain so I arrived in the afternoon the day before the 2 day session. Went up to Pahrump and had a nice dinner at a decent restaurant fairly close by (Symphony Restaurant near Pahrump Valley Winery--don't know if it is still in operation). Since they won't let you stay for a third night after the last session and I didn't want to take a red eye home, I booked in to a hotel/casino near the airport (Silverton Hotel/Casino). Had dinner and left the following morning. Not the world's greatest hotel but recommended by Ron Fellows staff and close to the airport.-Bob

glava2876

Vettejeff, when in March? I'm going for my 2nd time the 25th & 26th. Last Time it was for my M7 w/ Z51. This time for my M7 Z06.