Racing Schools - Lateral-g Forums

Vegas69 · #1 08-24-2009, 05:59 PM

I'm about to pull the trigger on a private full day session out at Spring Mountain raceway in Pahrump. Before I commit, I'd like to hear any reccomendations from those of you that have attended a school in the Southwest. What was involved, cost, track length, etc.

**GregWeld** · #2 08-24-2009, 06:35 PM

Todd --

I've done Bondurant and Spring Mountain... I learned about 400% more at Bondurant - but it also cost more... Spring Mountain was more "seat time" but a whole lot less about teaching you total car handling.

I'd return to Bondurant in a heartbeat -- and frankly -- wouldn't bother with SM unless I just wanted to run laps...

Just my .02 worth. SM was still lots of fun!

mfain · #3 08-24-2009, 07:57 PM

Todd,

I agree with the previous post. I moved to Pahrump and did the engineering and supervised the construction of the orignal 2.2 mile circuit of Spring Mountain for Rupert Bragg-Smith, the original owner/designer. It is a very technical track and a blast to drive. In the past few years the new owners have added more track and a lot of features. It is a great facility with several driving schools (Corvette, ZR-1, Lotus, Radical) with quality folks running the place. The schools are generally more geared toward car control and high performance driving than actual road racing, but they do have advanced courses. I now spend a lot of time at Firebird (Phoenix) and the track isn't as "upscale", but it is hard to beat Bondurant's school for instruction. However, if you are looking for a challenging course and would like to get a jump on future track days, I think a session at Spring Mountain will not disappoint you.

Pappy (56 Corvette Road Racer)

Vegas69 · #4 08-24-2009, 07:57 PM

I'm looking at a one on one deal where I can pick the instructor. I'd rather have a full day of attention than 3 with other people. I'll look into Bondurant. If I'm going to spend the bread, it better be well spent.

Vegas69 · #5 08-24-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfain

Todd,

I agree with the previous post. I moved to Pahrump and did the engineering and supervised the construction of the orignal 2.2 mile circuit of Spring Mountain for Rupert Bragg-Smith, the original owner/designer. It is a very technical track and a blast to drive. In the past few years the new owners have added more track and a lot of features. It is a great facility with several driving schools (Corvette, ZR-1, Lotus, Radical) with quality folks running the place. The schools are generally more geared toward car control and high performance driving than actual road racing, but they do have advanced courses. I now spend a lot of time at Firebird (Phoenix) and the track isn't as "upscale", but it is hard to beat Bondurant's school for instruction. However, if you are looking for a challenging course and would like to get a jump on future track days, I think a session at Spring Mountain will not disappoint you.

Pappy (56 Corvette Road Racer)

Thanks Pappy......I'm brand new to the road course scene so more of a beginner class is just fine. That is where I'll be spending a majority of my seat time so I thought I'd check there first. I'll check on Bondurant and see if they do one on one courses as well.

**XcYZ** · #6 08-24-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfain

I moved to Pahrump and did the engineering and supervised the construction of the orignal 2.2 mile circuit of Spring Mountain for Rupert Bragg-Smith, the original owner/designer.

Pappy (56 Corvette Road Racer)

Wow, awesome. Not to hijack Todd's thread, but since you played a major role in SM, what features of the track do you like best and what do you like least? Is there a certain corner or progression of corners that really stand out? I'll be going there in a few months and I'm curious about it from your side of the fence.

**GregWeld** · #7 08-24-2009, 08:14 PM

Todd ---

When I did BB - I did the "ZO6 EXPERIENCE"... they did class time - about apex - turn in - tire contact - braking - under and over steer etc - then we jumped in the CTS's they had set up with outriggers... the instructor can raise or lower either end or both -- and you go out and turn some figure 8's - while this butthead tries to mess you up bigtime! It's so much fun it's ridiculous! Then you get in the ZO6's and do some wet stops etc - then we did slalom - and they taught you about that - which is all about "balance"... Their school is all about building blocks - and they have that all figured out. There was only 4 of us in this class -- and we had all the instruction you could use - or needed.

The Spring Mountain romp - was more - some classroom time -- very basic instructions - lots of "if you crash it you pay the bill" - and then follow the leader... LOTS AND LOTS of laps -- which I was more than happy to do... but the LEARNING / TEACHING was not even close to what they're offering at Bondurant.

I also agree that the track was more fun at SM! But I needed the instruction from BB to be able to enjoy the seat time I got at SM -- if that makes any sense to you.

By the way -- you want to have a blast and really poo your little panties?? Do a 6 speed shifter cart class while you're at Bondurants!! 0 - 100 - 0 in about 6 seconds or less -- can't remember the actual number - but it's scary fast!

In the cars you brake BEFORE the corner -- in the carts - you drop gear and accelerate through the corner.... man, I'm tellin' ya - this is a blast not to be missed.

**GregWeld** · #8 08-24-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Wow, awesome. Not to hijack Todd's thread, but since you played a major role in SM, what features of the track do you like best and what do you like least? Is there a certain corner or progression of corners that really stand out? I'll be going there in a few months and I'm curious about it from your side of the fence.

Scott --- 8 and 9 then 10 (I think those are the numbers) 10 being the last turn onto the straight -- are the turns I liked best... if you hit them right - you could haul some mail -- and if you came in too fast - you're bungholio was puckering as you tried to gather it up! Coming out of 10 - if you carried your speed through 8 and 9 -- you could drift to the wall as you grabbed another gear going up the hill... WAY FUN!

The top of the straight - is a fast right hander --- but it's blind going in (almost) and I was hauling up there and some dufus had spun and was sittin' sideways in the middle of the turn.... THAT is where your koolness comes in -- and you could slam the binders and t-bone him - or you could just drive around him and hammer the loud pedal.... EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAA

I drove around him -- then cleaned up afterwards. LOL

Shoulda seen the look on his face!!

Vegas69 · #9 08-24-2009, 08:32 PM

Damn you make it sound fun Greg! So you did the one day Z06 experience at Bondurant only? That looks like it could be a good first course for me and I have a buddy in Scottsdale anyway. Which class did you take at Spring Mountain?

**GregWeld** · #10 08-24-2009, 08:33 PM

Here's the SM track -- the school I took only used the lower part... you can see the sweeping 8 into 9 and out on 10 I was talking about in my earlier post...
http://www.springmountainmotorsports...acklayout2.jpg