Fast/Slow Groups at Spring Mountain
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,361
Likes: 4,803
From: West Burbs of Chicago IL
If you were passing another group, you weren’t in the slow group. Based on your experience it might have felt that way.
I’ve been to SM twice and have been in what I would consider the fast group…we were doing the passing but I don’t care about the label. We had a blast.
I’ve been to SM twice and have been in what I would consider the fast group…we were doing the passing but I don’t care about the label. We had a blast.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 527
Likes: 307
They do not group just by speed, it is where people are comfortable while in a group until you get a turn directly behind the instructor. It is hard to shuffle everyone into groups that keep a fast pace where all are safe going that speed. A faster person that is not following the directions or is missing the apexes will many times be put into slower groups to make sure they are following the exercise, even though they may be technically the fastest time there. As mentioned before, when it is your turn behind the instructor, they will drive as fast as you can cleanly go. If you start missing apexes, they will not keep upping the pace. I have also been there when they will tell the rest of a group to not try and stay up when they had a particularly fast student. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Rural NW Georgia. GO DAWGS!
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Thanks for all of the comments. I realize that the C8 is a very different car than any other Corvette or sports car that I have owned. Even when I think I'm pushing it I realize that I'm not - especially after I come out of a sharp curve on a rural road.
I know that I'll improve my driving skills when I go this time just like I did when I went in 2015. That exercise on the first day where they put a sun shade in the windshield initially blew my mind in 2015 but I quickly got used to it during that exercise. The day two wet skid pad was a blast. After just a couple of times I had the C7 sideways between the cones and never hit one. The instructor in the car with me let me do a couple of extra because I was having so much fun with it.
I don't take the groupings personal. I was just wondering how they are determined. I've got a better idea from some of your responses and I look forward to reading other's experiences.
I know that I'll improve my driving skills when I go this time just like I did when I went in 2015. That exercise on the first day where they put a sun shade in the windshield initially blew my mind in 2015 but I quickly got used to it during that exercise. The day two wet skid pad was a blast. After just a couple of times I had the C7 sideways between the cones and never hit one. The instructor in the car with me let me do a couple of extra because I was having so much fun with it.
I don't take the groupings personal. I was just wondering how they are determined. I've got a better idea from some of your responses and I look forward to reading other's experiences.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 1,244
From: Central Texas
St. Jude Donor '21
In August, groupings for the first track session was somewhat random I think. They shuffled a few people around after lunch on day 1, before the second track session. On day 2 they redid the groups again. There were no further changes on day 2.
A full class is 18 students. There were three groupings of 6 students each. But for track sessions, there are 2 instructors per group, so only 3 students behind any instructor. I think they tried to further get the experience levels (speeds) aligned within the groups of 3.
We only had 17 students. I got moved to the fast group on day 2, which was a group of only 5. I got really lucky, since on track I was in a group of 2 behind the instructor. I think the fastest students were in the group of 3, with our group of 2 considered the slower of the 5. I was faster than the other student in my group so I wasn’t holding him up at all. Overall, I thought they did a good job of getting our group right. I wasn’t really concerned about the groupings, but I was happy that I made the cut into the faster group.
A full class is 18 students. There were three groupings of 6 students each. But for track sessions, there are 2 instructors per group, so only 3 students behind any instructor. I think they tried to further get the experience levels (speeds) aligned within the groups of 3.
We only had 17 students. I got moved to the fast group on day 2, which was a group of only 5. I got really lucky, since on track I was in a group of 2 behind the instructor. I think the fastest students were in the group of 3, with our group of 2 considered the slower of the 5. I was faster than the other student in my group so I wasn’t holding him up at all. Overall, I thought they did a good job of getting our group right. I wasn’t really concerned about the groupings, but I was happy that I made the cut into the faster group.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 960
Likes: 645
If you are originally slotted in the wrong group, don't be discouraged. I had a bad time on the skid pad and was placed in the middle group for day 2.
After the first track session where the lead car and I had to park and wait for the others to catch up, it was obvious that I was in the wrong group and they shuffled a few of us around before lunch.
After the first track session where the lead car and I had to park and wait for the others to catch up, it was obvious that I was in the wrong group and they shuffled a few of us around before lunch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 277
Very likely in the slow group…
…when I go next spring. 🙂
That does not bother me a bit. 🤷♂️ Have had professional high speed training and lots of skid pan time and truly like fast cars. This is my 7th Corvette.
All said, however, my HTC C8 is more (for me) a grand touring automobile. Though it is a Z51, there is a 99.9% probability I will NEVER track it. So…being with the slowpokes won’t bother me. 😎
Cheers!
That does not bother me a bit. 🤷♂️ Have had professional high speed training and lots of skid pan time and truly like fast cars. This is my 7th Corvette.
All said, however, my HTC C8 is more (for me) a grand touring automobile. Though it is a Z51, there is a 99.9% probability I will NEVER track it. So…being with the slowpokes won’t bother me. 😎
Cheers!
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Enjoy while you can.
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From: 10th District Court OHIO
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St. Jude Donor '14 thru '26
At the beginning of the second day, I was moved from the red group to the blue group. I expressed my disapproval and was put back where I was. I just preferred to be the fastest in the slow group behind the instructor than the slowest in the middle group. To each their own.
Enjoy while you can.
Joined: May 2008
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From: 10th District Court OHIO
Ohio Events Coordinator
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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I just returned 2 weeks ago. I was there with my Z06 5 years ago so I knew the drill. The first day the group I was with was slow. Only 3 cars and instructor in a group. The second day they regrouped us and I was with my buddy and another guy and were in the fastest group. First day driving with one hand second day white knuckle. 
Big difference from first to second day. So they do their best to group drivers accordingly. Also of the 18 students in the class I was the only one that had already been thru this class before.
Big difference from first to second day. So they do their best to group drivers accordingly. Also of the 18 students in the class I was the only one that had already been thru this class before.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 514
From: Pahrump NV
Hello All,
As best we can, the instructors group people together based on how well they're hitting their marks on track, and if they're doing similar pace...that being said, it can happen that someone is very tame during day one or first part of day two, then things may click and get very quick, necessitating a group change. We encourage students to speak up if they feel they're in the wrong group...we want everyone to be safe, have fun and learn at their own pace!
to those who have attended in years past, you may have experience here or elsewhere, but you may be on an entirely different track, as well if you have not had time in your own c8, it does take a bit of getting used to the handling, braking and acceleration characteristics of this new mid-engine beast!
Much appreciate everyone chiming in!
As best we can, the instructors group people together based on how well they're hitting their marks on track, and if they're doing similar pace...that being said, it can happen that someone is very tame during day one or first part of day two, then things may click and get very quick, necessitating a group change. We encourage students to speak up if they feel they're in the wrong group...we want everyone to be safe, have fun and learn at their own pace!
to those who have attended in years past, you may have experience here or elsewhere, but you may be on an entirely different track, as well if you have not had time in your own c8, it does take a bit of getting used to the handling, braking and acceleration characteristics of this new mid-engine beast!
Much appreciate everyone chiming in!
__________________
Victor Resendiz
Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club
Ron Fellows Performance Driving School
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800-391-6891
Victor Resendiz
Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club
Ron Fellows Performance Driving School
The Official Performance Driving School Of Corvette
www.racespringmountain.com
victor@racespringmountain.com
800-391-6891
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 5,767
Likes: 2,968
From: Rural NW Georgia. GO DAWGS!
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Hello All,
As best we can, the instructors group people together based on how well they're hitting their marks on track, and if they're doing similar pace...that being said, it can happen that someone is very tame during day one or first part of day two, then things may click and get very quick, necessitating a group change. We encourage students to speak up if they feel they're in the wrong group...we want everyone to be safe, have fun and learn at their own pace!
to those who have attended in years past, you may have experience here or elsewhere, but you may be on an entirely different track, as well if you have not had time in your own c8, it does take a bit of getting used to the handling, braking and acceleration characteristics of this new mid-engine beast!
Much appreciate everyone chiming in!
As best we can, the instructors group people together based on how well they're hitting their marks on track, and if they're doing similar pace...that being said, it can happen that someone is very tame during day one or first part of day two, then things may click and get very quick, necessitating a group change. We encourage students to speak up if they feel they're in the wrong group...we want everyone to be safe, have fun and learn at their own pace!
to those who have attended in years past, you may have experience here or elsewhere, but you may be on an entirely different track, as well if you have not had time in your own c8, it does take a bit of getting used to the handling, braking and acceleration characteristics of this new mid-engine beast!
Much appreciate everyone chiming in!
The point of my original post is that I can't seem to push my C8 like I could my C7 because the handling is so much better in the C8. I feel destined for one of the slower groups!
