Spring Mountain
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
Spring Mountain
Stopped by the track on my way from the airport....great track and very nice facilities. 
I just hope my driving skills are significantly better than my picture taking skills!
The red one is a Callaway Supercharged car.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x1/XC5Vette/DSCN0377_edited-1.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...0_edited-1.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...e/DSCN0370.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...e/DSCN0372.jpg
Wish you were here! I think I saw Joe's future wife in the Level 1 class today.
But sorry to say no pics of her.
I just hope my driving skills are significantly better than my picture taking skills!
The red one is a Callaway Supercharged car.
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x1/XC5Vette/DSCN0377_edited-1.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...0_edited-1.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...e/DSCN0370.jpg
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...e/DSCN0372.jpg
Wish you were here! I think I saw Joe's future wife in the Level 1 class today.
But sorry to say no pics of her.
Last edited by XC6VETTE; Mar 12, 2008 at 11:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
So far so good though....motivated in part by after signing a $5k and seperate $8K waiver!
Fun nonetheless, I'm starting to re-remember why I love these cars!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,596
Likes: 19
From: Portland Oregon
Walter, I wish I was there having fun with you. But I have too much work at the shop and a wife to take care of at home. Have a great time there!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Enjoy Walt! It really is a great facility. Will you be running the full 3 mile course?
You will leave with many new skills and awareness of the car. No matter how many times I get to the track, I always improve and learn.
Have fun for me in the sun and dry! I will be instructing in the rain both days this weekend.
At least I've got new rain tires (something you won't need).
Dean
Will you be running the full 3 mile course?You will leave with many new skills and awareness of the car. No matter how many times I get to the track, I always improve and learn.
Have fun for me in the sun and dry! I will be instructing in the rain both days this weekend.
At least I've got new rain tires (something you won't need).Dean
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Now back to the thread. Walt please report!!!
D
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
Just got back....spent the weekend in Las Vegas...which is another story.
Anyway, I had almost forgotten how much fun tracking can be! 
We used the 2.2 mile track for the Corvettes Turns 1 thru 10 (turns 4 and 5a aren't marked but are between 3 and 5B along the red line http://www.springmountainmotorsports...acklayout1.jpg They mentioned there had been some changes...when were you there last?
I was actually quite discouraged the first day...it had been a long time since I'd been on a track and wasn't familiar with this one. Not a difficult track, but quite technical. Most students had taken previous classes and I started thinking I should have started out at Level 1 as had most the other students.
However, Friday was a very different day! Got a little 1:1 instruction Friday morning and things really started coming together
Was more familiar with the course, worked thru a couple problem areas, and my times really started dropping! Friday afternoon I found that rhythm that puts you in the "zone"....absolutely exhilerating!
Now I can't decide if I'm gonna go back or buy a set of wheels and tires for our local tracks!
PS These cars are amazing!
Anyway, I had almost forgotten how much fun tracking can be! We used the 2.2 mile track for the Corvettes Turns 1 thru 10 (turns 4 and 5a aren't marked but are between 3 and 5B along the red line http://www.springmountainmotorsports...acklayout1.jpg They mentioned there had been some changes...when were you there last?
I was actually quite discouraged the first day...it had been a long time since I'd been on a track and wasn't familiar with this one. Not a difficult track, but quite technical. Most students had taken previous classes and I started thinking I should have started out at Level 1 as had most the other students.
However, Friday was a very different day! Got a little 1:1 instruction Friday morning and things really started coming together
Was more familiar with the course, worked thru a couple problem areas, and my times really started dropping! Friday afternoon I found that rhythm that puts you in the "zone"....absolutely exhilerating!Now I can't decide if I'm gonna go back or buy a set of wheels and tires for our local tracks!
PS These cars are amazing!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 47
From: Mill Creek Washington
Welcome back Walter!!! I'll be watching for you on the 11 o'clock news putting distance between yourself and police. No time like now to put your new skills to the test.
Oh...pssst about the Vegas thing keep it on the down low. You know the ole saying...What hap............
Oh...pssst about the Vegas thing keep it on the down low. You know the ole saying...What hap............
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 5
From: Lakewood WA
Walter, glad to hear your final day at SM made the trip worthwhile. I might make a trip there next year. I'm still thinking about the door inserts, but I have to see how much Uncle Sam is going to gouge me with my 2007 taxes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Seattle
Just got back....spent the weekend in Las Vegas...which is another story. Anyway, I had almost forgotten how much fun tracking can be!
We used the 2.2 mile track for the Corvettes Turns 1 thru 10 (turns 4 and 5a aren't marked but are between 3 and 5B along the red line http://www.springmountainmotorsports...acklayout1.jpg They mentioned there had been some changes...when were you there last?
I was actually quite discouraged the first day...it had been a long time since I'd been on a track and wasn't familiar with this one. Not a difficult track, but quite technical. Most students had taken previous classes and I started thinking I should have started out at Level 1 as had most the other students.
However, Friday was a very different day! Got a little 1:1 instruction Friday morning and things really started coming together Was more familiar with the course, worked thru a couple problem areas, and my times really started dropping! Friday afternoon I found that rhythm that puts you in the "zone"....absolutely exhilerating!
Now I can't decide if I'm gonna go back or buy a set of wheels and tires for our local tracks!
PS These cars are amazing!
Anyway, I had almost forgotten how much fun tracking can be! We used the 2.2 mile track for the Corvettes Turns 1 thru 10 (turns 4 and 5a aren't marked but are between 3 and 5B along the red line http://www.springmountainmotorsports...acklayout1.jpg They mentioned there had been some changes...when were you there last?
I was actually quite discouraged the first day...it had been a long time since I'd been on a track and wasn't familiar with this one. Not a difficult track, but quite technical. Most students had taken previous classes and I started thinking I should have started out at Level 1 as had most the other students.
However, Friday was a very different day! Got a little 1:1 instruction Friday morning and things really started coming together
Was more familiar with the course, worked thru a couple problem areas, and my times really started dropping! Friday afternoon I found that rhythm that puts you in the "zone"....absolutely exhilerating!Now I can't decide if I'm gonna go back or buy a set of wheels and tires for our local tracks!
PS These cars are amazing!
Learning a new track at the same time as getting out after a long hiatus can be a daunting task. The Spring Mountain instructors are well know for their teaching skills and I am glad they got you going in the right direction. I was down there last fall instructing and driving on the full course, the one marked in black. The map you linked doesn't appear any different but who knows???
I would suggest trying one of the local events with your car exactly the way it is. The next event I will be instructing at is a BMW event on April 11th. Do you know someone in a BMW club that can get you an invite? As a new driver you get an instructor 100% of the time which really accelerates the learning curve.
Glad you had a good time!!!
Dean
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Nicholasville Kentucky
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Walter,
I enjoyed running with you at Spring Mountain. Get a set of dedicated track tires and do a few HPDEs in your car. You'll love it.
I got home Saturday morning and was back on track Sunday chasing cones. Got to use what I learned in the power circle
Send me a PM if you ever make it to Kentucky.
Don
I enjoyed running with you at Spring Mountain. Get a set of dedicated track tires and do a few HPDEs in your car. You'll love it.
I got home Saturday morning and was back on track Sunday chasing cones. Got to use what I learned in the power circle
Send me a PM if you ever make it to Kentucky.
Don
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 152
From: Western WA
I drove mine back from the NCM last July, about 2500 miles. Avoid Montana. I hit a strip of road work on I90 that was over 5 miles of gravel. Fortunately there was very little traffic, but I did pick up one paint chip on the hood. I suspect they are still working on the road, but you might want to ask someone who lives there.
Thanks for the tip re: I-90. That was the way we were planning on returning.
I have to check to see if I-90 is done or still "rock chip hell"
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
...glad I got the school in before hand, because now I can't afford the bullet to shoot myself with....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
Walter,
I enjoyed running with you at Spring Mountain. Get a set of dedicated track tires and do a few HPDEs in your car. You'll love it.
I got home Saturday morning and was back on track Sunday chasing cones. Got to use what I learned in the power circle
Send me a PM if you ever make it to Kentucky.
Don
I enjoyed running with you at Spring Mountain. Get a set of dedicated track tires and do a few HPDEs in your car. You'll love it.
I got home Saturday morning and was back on track Sunday chasing cones. Got to use what I learned in the power circle
Send me a PM if you ever make it to Kentucky.
Don
Here are some photos from our school....http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x...ng%20Mountain/
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
Walt,
Learning a new track at the same time as getting out after a long hiatus can be a daunting task. The Spring Mountain instructors are well know for their teaching skills and I am glad they got you going in the right direction. I was down there last fall instructing and driving on the full course, the one marked in black. The map you linked doesn't appear any different but who knows???
I would suggest trying one of the local events with your car exactly the way it is. The next event I will be instructing at is a BMW event on April 11th. Do you know someone in a BMW club that can get you an invite? As a new driver you get an instructor 100% of the time which really accelerates the learning curve.
Glad you had a good time!!!
Dean
Learning a new track at the same time as getting out after a long hiatus can be a daunting task. The Spring Mountain instructors are well know for their teaching skills and I am glad they got you going in the right direction. I was down there last fall instructing and driving on the full course, the one marked in black. The map you linked doesn't appear any different but who knows???
I would suggest trying one of the local events with your car exactly the way it is. The next event I will be instructing at is a BMW event on April 11th. Do you know someone in a BMW club that can get you an invite? As a new driver you get an instructor 100% of the time which really accelerates the learning curve.
Glad you had a good time!!!
Dean
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 2
From: Snohomish WA
Welcome back Walter!!! I'll be watching for you on the 11 o'clock news putting distance between yourself and police. No time like now to put your new skills to the test.
Oh...pssst about the Vegas thing keep it on the down low. You know the ole saying...What hap............
Oh...pssst about the Vegas thing keep it on the down low. You know the ole saying...What hap............
First time there....can't quite figure the place out. Seems like a cross between a smokey Disneyland for retired folks and Bourbon street during spring break.
Last edited by XC6VETTE; Mar 21, 2008 at 11:43 PM.