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Spring Mountain ZR1 Owners School - Pushing the ZR1 in 109F ambient
Last weekend I was at Spring Mountain for the ZR1 Owners School. I had a great time and encourage everyone who bought this car to take advantage of it. You won't regret it. This school is great for the beginner to understand the power of the ZR1 and how to use it safely, while still letting the leash out a little bit for those with the experience to do it safely. The instructors are great. They make the beginners feel comfortable and not intimidated, while grouping the more experienced drivers together and driving the lead follow at the proper speed for the student.
The ZR1 was incredible at managing the heat. The 109F was brutal, but the ZR1 handled it very well. It's amazing that any street car (with AC on) can road race in these ambient temperatures. I was pushing the car pretty hard on laps where I didn't have traffic in front of me, and it never went into limp mode. Water temperature got quote hot, but it didn't shut down.
Here are the laps that coincide with those temperatures.
Great results considering... While I'd like to see water temps stay below 230, those oil temps aren't bad.
Were you shifting at redline or a 1000 rpms early, like the typical school instruction?
Best Regards,
Dave
I was shifting at about 6000 most of the time. I did the whole track in 3rd gear except for the long straight where I hit fourth, so there wasn't a lot of shifting.
Nice post... good driving as well... by comparison, my less savvy driving and leaving the car in 4th all the way around fetched a 1:59... don’t think my oil temp got much over 200 in mid 60’s January weather there. Car really wasn’t breathing hard.
Last edited by Rinaldo Catria; 07-16-2019 at 08:34 AM.
Do you get to go to the drivers school if you bought a new ZR1? Or do you have to pay extra to go? I thought some members got this with buying their car?
Do you get to go to the drivers school if you bought a new ZR1? Or do you have to pay extra to go? I thought some members got this with buying their car?
Once you have your VIN, you call Spring Mountain for a “slot” in one of the scheduled 2 day ZR1 Owners Schools. They provide one night lodging in a condo on sight although if you sign up at a special event (I did last year at Road America IMSA Corvette Corral) they threw in a second night for free. Helmets and hybrid HANS devices are privided by them. You should consider bringing driving shoes or buying them there. Only one “school” per VIN.. can’t buy your way in nor buy a second for your spouse, etc... some guys brought a relative who attended a “different” program going on at the same time. Z06, Grand Sport etc. IMO anyone who has purchased a ZR1 and is not taking advantage of this is missing out. It was a blast and you get to experience the capabilities of the car in a safe environment. The car is easily 25% more than I thought it was before going there. I’m not sure if anyone put a $ value on it because you can’t buy the school, but considering the cost of other programs and the higher cost of a ZR1 vs cars used in programs you can buy, I would think it could worth over 4 grand.
Last edited by Rinaldo Catria; 07-16-2019 at 10:48 AM.
Once you have your VIN, you call Spring Mountain for a “slot” in one of the scheduled 2 day ZR1 Owners Schools. They provide one night lodging in a condo on sight although if you sign up at a special event (I did last year at Road America IMSA Corvette Corral) they threw in a second night for free. Helmets and hybrid HANS devices are privided by them. You should consider bringing driving shoes or buying them there. Only one “school” per VIN.. can’t buy your way in nor buy a second for your spouse, etc... some guys brought a relative who attended a “different” program going on at the same time. Z06, Grand Sport etc. IMO anyone who has purchased a ZR1 and is not taking advantage of this is missing out. It was a blast and you get to experience the capabilities of the car in a safe environment. The car is easily 25% more than I thought it was before going there. I’m not sure if anyone put a $ value on it because you can’t buy the school, but considering the cost of other programs and the higher cost of a ZR1 vs cars used in programs you can buy, I would think it could worth over 4 grand.
I believe they said it would be $4500 if you bought it separately (although as you said, you can't).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I was given the same figures.
Here is my understanding. Since Chevy owns all but one of the ZR1's at Spring Mountain Ranch for the Owners School, they are only available for the ZR1 Owners School. When I was physically removed from the property after my second day of class (I refused to leave and wanted MORE track time), I also asked how I could get more seat time. I was told that I could bring my ZR1 to Spring Mountain and have a private session with an instructor (class & track or track only) as much as I wanted for a daily fee. I see on the ZR1 Registry that Spring Mountain actually bought a ZR1, so maybe the $4500 is using their ZR1.
I kind of got the feeling that Spring Mountain is focused on providing the best experience possible for their students and would try very hard to accommodate our requests...but I would hate to be publishing things on a public forum that would put them in a tough spot...so keep that in mind if possible.
I suggest that all of the ZR1 owners who experience the capabilities of the ZR1 at Spring Mountain join a club that has track days at their local tracks. In my area the BMW club has track days at PIR (the Porsche Club only does Autocross at this time) which I joined. If you look at the schedule for your local track, they usually list the club schedules. Please keep in mind, if you track your ZR1 at one of these events, you need to be ready to show the capabilities!!! Be ready to put your Spring Mountain training to good use and make us proud!!
Last weekend I was at Spring Mountain for the ZR1 Owners School. I had a great time and encourage everyone who bought this car to take advantage of it. You won't regret it. This school is great for the beginner to understand the power of the ZR1 and how to use it safely, while still letting the leash out a little bit for those with the experience to do it safely. The instructors are great. They make the beginners feel comfortable and not intimidated, while grouping the more experienced drivers together and driving the lead follow at the proper speed for the student.
The ZR1 was incredible at managing the heat. The 109F was brutal, but the ZR1 handled it very well. It's amazing that any street car (with AC on) can road race in these ambient temperatures. I was pushing the car pretty hard on laps where I didn't have traffic in front of me, and it never went into limp mode. Water temperature got quote hot, but it didn't shut down.
Here are the laps that coincide with those temperatures.
07-15-2019, 11:34 PM
Spring Mountain ZR1 Owners School - Pushing the ZR1 in 109F ambient
