Racing Schools

[GregWeld]

I just checked the Bondurant school line up - they still offer the ZO6 exerience - but it's now 1 or 2 days - your choice. I did 3 days - and had my (at the time) 17 year old enrolled in the 3 day Teenage drivers school... he's 22 now and still talking about the fun he had and what he learned.

[Vegas69]

It looks like bondurant is offering some nice specials. hmmmm http://www.bondurant.com/high_perfor...l/specials.php

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

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?

I will tell you Todd that doing this (either one) was the most fun I've ever had doing anything... totally serious here! The best 3 days a guy can have!

I did the Ron Fellows school while at SM...

In fact -- while at SM -- they had the C5 ZO6's and the new C6 "regular" Vettes... the guys I was with (we took the whole class up so we could "own" the track) loved the older ZO6's... while the newer and lighter (and more nimble) C6's were my pick. I'm short at 5'5" and the new Vette just fits me better. It reminded me of "back in da day" when I had a 66 and my best buddy (now brother in law) had a 68 BB Vette... I just couldn't drive that 68 with it's laid back seat position... and the big fenders -- I couldn't see a damn thing!

LOL

[GregWeld]

Yeah --- this is the only thing that holds most guys back from doing the ultimate thrill --- it's not cheap... but it's worth EVERY DOLLAR and then some!

Okay -- the shifter karts -- a must do thrill ride -- do 0 to 100 mph in 6 seconds... they're about an inch off the ground - making the feeling of doing 80 feel like mach 10.... and shifting them is a blast!!

[Vegas69]

Dude, I spend 3k on parts without blinking....it's not holding me back! I have to put it in perspective for myself. It's a done deal, I just have to figure out what I'm doing. Not sure I have time to make the bondurant special. The thought of learning on my home track has it's advantages as well. You must of done the spring mountain school 3 years ago. I wonder if it's progressed. John Parsons just got done with it, I'll have to talk to him more about his experience as well.

[mfain]

To answer Scott's question, I guess the most important thing to remember is that exit speed (off a corner) is more important than entry speed. If you blast around turn one, a 300 ft. radius/180 right turn and exit way to the left, then you are in the wrong position to hit the apex on turn 2 (a 180 degree left hander). This will cost you a lot of speed and time. The same applies at turn 9 that Greg mentions -- if you are too fast entering turn 9, you will exit way right and will not be able to enter turn 10 with any chance of having a good line from which to accelerate out of the turn onto the front straight. Greg also mentions blind turns. The car goes where you look, and if you don't know the course and don't look where the asphalt goes (whether you can see it or not), then you may not hold a good line. Like I said earlier, it is a pretty technical course and a blast to drive.

Pappy

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by mfain

To answer Scott's question, I guess the most important thing to remember is that exit speed (off a corner) is more important than entry speed. If you blast around turn one, a 300 ft. radius/180 right turn and exit way to the left, then you are in the wrong position to hit the apex on turn 2 (a 180 degree left hander). This will cost you a lot of speed and time. The same applies at turn 9 that Greg mentions -- if you are too fast entering turn 9, you will exit way right and will not be able to enter turn 10 with any chance of having a good line from which to accelerate out of the turn onto the front straight. Greg also mentions blind turns. The car goes where you look, and if you don't know the course and don't look where the asphalt goes (whether you can see it or not), then you may not hold a good line. Like I said earlier, it is a pretty technical course and a blast to drive.

Pappy

Pappy --- If I learned nothing else in these schools -- I learned one of the most important things about driving - track or street - LOOK UP AND LOOK AHEAD LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO... they beat that into my silly little head - and they are SO RIGHT!

The reason I came up the hill from 10 and was able to see the spinout ahead of me around the corner? I was looking around the corner! That made me a believer!

[ironworks]

I have not taken any formal training, And I'm sure that would be an advantage. But I have done track days and raced different things for years. At PRI last year I came across this online simulator that is Flat out awesome. It is called Iracing.com. You pay 13 bucks a month and can race with other guys online any time. I hate video games because they are not even close to real. But this was developed for drivers to get track time at different tracks. They have Laguna Seca, Daytona road course, Road America, Sebring, VIR, Barber Motorsports park, Lime Rock, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and a few more road courses, They have a ton of Oval tracks. There are tons of cars and tons of tracks. You can practice by your self, or in a group, you can time trial, you can qualify and then race.

What I have found is Training is great, But practice is just great also. This teaches you, your apexes and car control for braking, getting off the gas and back on for different cars. I have really learned alot in the 8 months I have been racing. The base model steering wheel is about 250 bucks and it comes with pedals and shifter. It is called the Logictec G25.

I know James Shipka has a subscription , Tyler B has raced on it at my house. John Lim, Novanutcase has raced on it, Brian Mc has raced on there also, It is not a video game in any way shape of form. It is amazing how nervous you can get lining up with 50 other guys to race online in your living room. I race 3-4 times a week, it is a blast.

You might check that out also. If you have more questions, let me know. If you sign up let me know, and enter my email so I get some credit. [email protected]

Rodger

[GregWeld]

@ Rodger

I'd think - with all the big bucks you're making on the fabulous cars you're building - that you'd have a REAL steering wheel and cockpit too!! Like this one!!!

OOPS --- I tried to cut and paste the "image address" -- it no workie!

So just search for FANATEC.COM --- and check out the RENN SPORT COCKPIT!! WAY KOOL!!


Oh yeah... I can see this now... he's got the drawing board out and building a better one as we speak! Lots of "lightening holes" - cage - SS flowmasters... with speakers that shake your brains...

[ironworks]

Thanks Greg, But believe me a tube chassis cockpit has been thought though a few times. My Steering wheel is attached to a $20 card table and has speakers laid where ever with a 32" flat screen set very close to the wheel. It sits more like a Peterbuilt then a race car, but it sure is fun. Just no time and or Extra funds. I have a very expensive Hobby, I mean addiction.....

CST make some bitchen pedals and those would be a great improvemnt over the stock Logitech pedals. But it is good enough for now.