Ron Fellow School
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2023
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Ron Fellow School
I am considering taking advantage of the Ron Fellows performance Driving School within the first year of the purchase of my 2023 C8. Is there more information on various other costs? Which airport do i need to fly into, do i need to rent a vehicle to get from the hotel to the track or is there a shuttle, what hotel is recommended and costs, how are meals handled, etc. Anything else I need to consider for the trip?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,064
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From: Western Mass
Lots of info if you do a search on the forum... There's also a sticky at the top of this forum.
Fly into Vegas. You need a car (and not an EV as you'll have serious trouble. I stay at Ron Fellows. You can stay the night before if there is room. Best to reach out to them and they'll gladly get you all of the particulars on how to best attend.
Mark
Fly into Vegas. You need a car (and not an EV as you'll have serious trouble. I stay at Ron Fellows. You can stay the night before if there is room. Best to reach out to them and they'll gladly get you all of the particulars on how to best attend.
Mark
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Why not just call the school and ask those questions? As long as they have been doing this, the staff there can answer all your questions.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2021
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100% take advantage of it, best $1,000 I've spent in awhile!
As Mark9 said - You MUST rent a car, not just to get from hotel to Ron Fellows grounds at spring mountain but even once on ground you need a car to get from your room to the dining area, even if you're accommodations are on site. Large campus.
I'll include the full details they shared with me when I signed up, I'll try to summarize below:
Email from Ron Fellows below (Hope they don't mind me sharing).Things to Know:
As Mark9 said - You MUST rent a car, not just to get from hotel to Ron Fellows grounds at spring mountain but even once on ground you need a car to get from your room to the dining area, even if you're accommodations are on site. Large campus.
I'll include the full details they shared with me when I signed up, I'll try to summarize below:
- Travel - fly into Vegas airport (Or anywhere and drive rest of way)
- Car - rent a car (NOT EV), you'll need to drive to Pahrump - drive safe within speed limits, the cops LOVE all of us cruising through those loooonnggg open stretches of desert. There's basically nothing in between Vegas and Pahrump, but it's only an hour drive so really not that bad.
- Hotel - Ron Fellows will cover the one night in between the two day program, that's included in the $1,000 cost. IF you need a stay before/after that's on you financially however, if you call them early enough in advance they will set you up and just charge you for it (~$150 give or take, depending on what time of year)
- Food - Ron fellows covers breakfast/lunch both days of the program, they do NOT cover dinner however, you can purchase dinner on site at the same location. Reasonable prices for decent food. You can get plenty of food off site as well if that's your thing. Personally, I was too tired to explore and enjoyed my time at the clubhouse for food and conversation with others.
Email from Ron Fellows below (Hope they don't mind me sharing).Things to Know:
- Times to Note –
- Breakfast – Breakfast is served from 6:45AM-7:30AM in the Clubhouse. Registration is no longer held the first morning of your class. You will go from breakfast in the Clubhouse to your assigned classroom, which will be indicated by the color of your wristband and marked on your map that you will receive upon arrival.
- Class – All classes are 8AM-4PM BOTH DAYS. There will be an hour dedicated to lunch, which will be served in the Clubhouse.
- Check-In – Condo check-in begins at 3:00PM. We have 24/7 Security that can assist with check-ins if you plan on arriving late. If you wish to stay somewhere else the night before your first day of class, we ask that you make sure you are at our facility no later than 7:30AM the next morning. If you are coming from Las Vegas the morning of your first day of class, we suggest you leave no later than 6:00AM.
- Check-Out – Condo check-out is at 11:00AM the morning of your last day of class. As a student, you will want to make sure you are checked out of your room before heading to class at 8:00AM that day, since you will not have a chance to return before check-out time. If you are bringing a guest, they can stay in the room until 11:00AM.
- Accommodations – New C8 owners will receive 1 night of accommodations included in their package, with an option to purchase 1 additional night. Those paying the retail cost of the school will have to pay for accommodations separately. (Accommodations are based on availability. If onsite accommodations are not available, alternate accommodations will be provided.)
- Pricing – The cost per night starts at $135 and goes up to $218 based on availability at the time of booking. Due to our availability, we can only accommodate the night before the first class and the night in-between. We will not be able to accommodate the night after the second day of class, as we have other students and members checking in.
- Recommended Additional Stays – If you need any additional nights added to your stay, we recommend The Silverton located near the Las Vegas airport; their number is (866) 722-4608. We also recommend The Holiday Inn Express in Pahrump; their number is (775) 727-9100.
- Guests / Amenities – Guest will be allowed in the classroom during all classroom sessions of the program, as well as participate in a ride-along with the instructors.
- Guest Fee – If you plan on bringing a guest, the guest fee will be $40 per person. This $40 is the total for the entire duration of the program and will cover each guest for their meals, amenities, ride-alongs, etc.
- Amenities – Our amenities include a pool, jacuzzi, fitness center, basketball court, horseshoe pit, Clubhouse, viewing towers, and an on-call massage. If you are interested in booking a massage, please call Tina at (775) 513-9360 for pricing and scheduling.
- Meals – Breakfast and lunch will be provided in the Clubhouse both days of your school, prepared by our on-site Executive Chef. Dinner will be the student’s responsibility. Spring Mountain will provide a list of restaurants we recommend in town.
- Transportation – Depending on where you are located, you may need to book a flight into Las Vegas. The airport to fly into would be Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International Airport). Las Vegas is about 55 miles from our facility. While taxis, Uber, Lyft, etc. may be available from Las Vegas to Pahrump, they will not be available from Pahrump to Las Vegas. You must have a vehicle. Some buildings on property may be up to 1.5 miles away. We recommend your guest accompany you to breakfast and drop you off at the classroom, use the vehicle for their leisure during the day, and return to pick you up from class. Students will be provided all necessary transportation during class hours, allowing the guest to use the vehicle.
- Dress Attire – Please dress comfortably. Jeans/shorts and a t-shirt are perfectly acceptable. We recommend driving shoes if you have them. If you do not have driving shoes, please make sure you are wearing a pair of tennis shoes. You may not wear sandals, boots, heels, etc. Helmets will be provided for you at the facility.
- SD Card/PDR System – All of our cars are equipped with a PDR (Performance Data Recorder). Each student will be provided an SD card to record their track sessions.
- Liability Waiver– Each student will sign a waiver stating they are responsible for the first $8,000 of any external damages to the vehicle. This applies to external damages only. Anything after $8,000, Spring Mountain will cover.
- Buy-Down Option – However, you do have the option to buy your liability from $8,000 down to $2,000. The cost to do that would be $200.This waiver will be sent through Signeasy once your decision has been made.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 74
Likes: 126
From: Las Vegas NV
Just to add to the above - Spring Mountain Raceway is almost exactly an hour from Las Vegas via Hwy 160 going westward.
Pahrump proper is about 3-4 miles from the racetrack; and has multiple hotel/ casinos it you require additional nights in town. It is 45 miles from the Silverton casino/ hotel to the driving school; so bear that in mind if you heed the above recommendations.
There are a full slate of fast food options in Pahrump; McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Carls Jr., etc.
Along with a Chinese buffet restaurant.
There are coffee shop options in the Pahrump Nugget and Saddle West casinos (steakhouse available in the Nugget).
There is also a Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, grocery stores etc. if you forget anything or the temperature disagrees with the attire you packed.
Hwy 160 is patrolled by the Nevada State Police and they have little sympathy for speeding - and as you descend from the top of Spring Mountain into Pahrump; it is very easy to get a good pace going without much effort (trust me - I know).
Pahrump proper is about 3-4 miles from the racetrack; and has multiple hotel/ casinos it you require additional nights in town. It is 45 miles from the Silverton casino/ hotel to the driving school; so bear that in mind if you heed the above recommendations.
There are a full slate of fast food options in Pahrump; McDonalds, Burger King, Taco Bell, Carls Jr., etc.
Along with a Chinese buffet restaurant.
There are coffee shop options in the Pahrump Nugget and Saddle West casinos (steakhouse available in the Nugget).
There is also a Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, grocery stores etc. if you forget anything or the temperature disagrees with the attire you packed.
Hwy 160 is patrolled by the Nevada State Police and they have little sympathy for speeding - and as you descend from the top of Spring Mountain into Pahrump; it is very easy to get a good pace going without much effort (trust me - I know).
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 67
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If you are going from the east coast (and eligible for Social Security), I'd go a day early to get over the jet lag.
When you go on the ride with an instructor driving, push the seat forward and use both feet to brace yourself against the seat.
When you go on the ride with an instructor driving, push the seat forward and use both feet to brace yourself against the seat.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1,122
From: Western Mass
Good idea. I'm flying in from Mass and am actually flying in two days early. Not because of jet lag but because I don't trust the airlines much anymore to get me where I need to be without drama. And I'm not interested in screwing up an expensive Level 2 class. An extra night in and around vegas will only get my wallet a little lighter at the balckjack table.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,731
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From: Glenelg MD
<chuckle> I have issues being a passenger... even a moderate acceleration or sharp turn can make me cringe. Once in a blue moon it can kick in as the driver (and I think it's getting worse as I get older), but for the most part I can do donuts and high-speed runs without issue. But that passenger thing, man, it's a killer. Makes me wonder how I'd react to being taken for a spin by the instructor early in the program...
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,046
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
<chuckle> I have issues being a passenger... even a moderate acceleration or sharp turn can make me cringe. Once in a blue moon it can kick in as the driver (and I think it's getting worse as I get older), but for the most part I can do donuts and high-speed runs without issue. But that passenger thing, man, it's a killer. Makes me wonder how I'd react to being taken for a spin by the instructor early in the program...
After you have done two track sessions you get the instructor ride. Pay attention to what the instructor is doing. Ask questions on how to improve your performance on any area of the track. That couple laps can really help you with any lack of understanding of the course and how to better perform on it.
Have Fun
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 1,817
From: Mandalore
When you book you could call and ask which track/classroom you're scheduled to be in and ask where your room will be. They can (and eventually should) email you a map or one of us can look them up on our hardcopy maps (still have mine stashed somewhere). Then with that you can go on Google maps and measure out how far your room is from the classroom to decide if you need to drive.
I stayed at the lone "apartment" just behind the clubhouse and a 5 minute walk to my classroom so I never had to drive except for offsite dinner. But I also walked across essentially the whole resort during a break. So even if my room were on the opposite end, I'd just factor into my daily plan a light morning walk to class.
Totally worth the $1k. Wish I could have that bargain every year.
I stayed at the lone "apartment" just behind the clubhouse and a 5 minute walk to my classroom so I never had to drive except for offsite dinner. But I also walked across essentially the whole resort during a break. So even if my room were on the opposite end, I'd just factor into my daily plan a light morning walk to class.
Totally worth the $1k. Wish I could have that bargain every year.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,238
Likes: 344
<chuckle> I have issues being a passenger... even a moderate acceleration or sharp turn can make me cringe. Once in a blue moon it can kick in as the driver (and I think it's getting worse as I get older), but for the most part I can do donuts and high-speed runs without issue. But that passenger thing, man, it's a killer. Makes me wonder how I'd react to being taken for a spin by the instructor early in the program...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 1,361
From: Macon GA
Just booked my 2 days for 8/2 (Fri.) & 8/3 (Sat.)! I’m stoked!
One tip I remembered from the last time I went to Vegas about 10 yrs ago is that hotels are MUCH cheaper on weekdays, and prices double & triple on weekends. So with that in mind, me & a buddy are flying in on Mon., 7/29, staying 3 nights at Treasure Island (on the Vegas strip, across the street from the Venetian) for like $110 per night (4 star hotel mind you), then booked the additional night Thurs night at Spring Mountain ($136), and Fri. Night is included in the $1K Corvette owners pay, and then we’ll catch the red eye out of Vegas Sat night. So that’ll give us Mon-Thurs to play around Vegas & sight-see in the area, then 2 days of Corvette nirvana!
IMO, if you’re just flying in and out for Ron Fellows, book a weekday session. But if you also want to do Vegas and the sights, pick the Fri/Sat sessions at Ron Fellows, and enjoy Vegas the week leading up to your weekend.
One tip I remembered from the last time I went to Vegas about 10 yrs ago is that hotels are MUCH cheaper on weekdays, and prices double & triple on weekends. So with that in mind, me & a buddy are flying in on Mon., 7/29, staying 3 nights at Treasure Island (on the Vegas strip, across the street from the Venetian) for like $110 per night (4 star hotel mind you), then booked the additional night Thurs night at Spring Mountain ($136), and Fri. Night is included in the $1K Corvette owners pay, and then we’ll catch the red eye out of Vegas Sat night. So that’ll give us Mon-Thurs to play around Vegas & sight-see in the area, then 2 days of Corvette nirvana!
IMO, if you’re just flying in and out for Ron Fellows, book a weekday session. But if you also want to do Vegas and the sights, pick the Fri/Sat sessions at Ron Fellows, and enjoy Vegas the week leading up to your weekend.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 67
Likes: 69
Be glad you don't go to motorcycle track schools. Some will take you for two laps as a passenger. The last time I did it was with Jason Pridmore. He had handles built into the gas tank for the passenger to hold on to. Half way around the second lap I didn't believe I'd be able to hold on for the rest of the ride.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,731
Likes: 496
From: Glenelg MD
It does make me wonder if I'm no longer cut out for the track...
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,238
Likes: 344
Not sure if it's an inner ear thing, or what, but it has definitely gotten worse as I've aged, and I spent a lot of time at the track in my younger days. I love roller coasters, but (now) I hate the initial drop (cringe-worthy)... after that I'm generally okay. If I'm in the driver's seat, I could do donuts without issue (usually)... but put me in the passenger seat and one donut has me reeling. In my younger days, coming over a hill at speed was like "whatever"... now I'd grab the "oh ****" handle and pinch my eyes shut. Even as the driver, coming over that hill I occasionally let off the gas just to regain my bearings.
It does make me wonder if I'm no longer cut out for the track...
It does make me wonder if I'm no longer cut out for the track...
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 387
Likes: 167
From: Denver, CO
Man, I want to do this, but it seems complicated in my head. Between flights, rental cars, hotel rooms, distance from the airport. Unknown $ costs. Seems like a lot of moving parts that need to come together. Also, since guests don't do much the whole time I'd be by myself.
Other than transportation to Las Vegas and food, how much is the total cost?
Other than transportation to Las Vegas and food, how much is the total cost?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,046
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Man, I want to do this, but it seems complicated in my head. Between flights, rental cars, hotel rooms, distance from the airport. Unknown $ costs. Seems like a lot of moving parts that need to come together. Also, since guests don't do much the whole time I'd be by myself.
Other than transportation to Las Vegas and food, how much is the total cost?
Other than transportation to Las Vegas and food, how much is the total cost?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 1,361
From: Macon GA
Man, I want to do this, but it seems complicated in my head. Between flights, rental cars, hotel rooms, distance from the airport. Unknown $ costs. Seems like a lot of moving parts that need to come together. Also, since guests don't do much the whole time I'd be by myself.
Other than transportation to Las Vegas and food, how much is the total cost?
Other than transportation to Las Vegas and food, how much is the total cost?
Rental car (Alamo - small SUV like Nissan Rigue) out of the Vegas airport averages around $100 per day (I did a 5 day rental because I plan to explore Vegas for 3 days before the class). I’d expect a 3 day rental to be $315-$350 if you also just go small SUV).
So breakdown of real costs, if you’re willing to go easy on the rental car type, and book Spring Mountain’s cheapest luxury room looks like this:
$1136 for C8 course & night before.
$324 rental car
$40 to take wife or guest
Total $1500
Only additional expenses are dinner night before, night during, and night after + flights.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Not sure if it's an inner ear thing, or what, but it has definitely gotten worse as I've aged, and I spent a lot of time at the track in my younger days. I love roller coasters, but (now) I hate the initial drop (cringe-worthy)... after that I'm generally okay. If I'm in the driver's seat, I could do donuts without issue (usually)... but put me in the passenger seat and one donut has me reeling. In my younger days, coming over a hill at speed was like "whatever"... now I'd grab the "oh ****" handle and pinch my eyes shut. Even as the driver, coming over that hill I occasionally let off the gas just to regain my bearings.
It does make me wonder if I'm no longer cut out for the track...
It does make me wonder if I'm no longer cut out for the track...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 44
From: Roswell GA
