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I just got back from my Spring Mountain C8 owners 2 day driving school (Jan 6th and 7Th) and I have to say I am impressed and its worth every penny. Other than going to a ¼ mile track and going around the track at NCM when I was picking up my car in August this was my first real time on a track. I learned a great deal and quickly realized it will be sometime (if ever) that I push the car even close to its limit.
The instructors were outstanding; patient, instructional and a pleasure to speak with and learn from. How they are able to instruct, observe and drive all while leading you around the track is amazing. On several occasions I heard the comment from them you’ve got the right line, you’re hitting the apex, braking and shifts are good but you’re hesitating on acceleration or leveling off before hitting the next turn… push yourself and the car a little more. I tend to be very methodical in how I approach something new (sacrifice speed for precision), with their feedback I was pushing myself outside of my comfort zone on each trip around the track. I wasn’t the fastest (not even close) but I did learn and each lap was better (minus a few hiccups here and there, I am learning after all LOL). Never once did I feel like the instructors were pushing me beyond my abilities or trying to really get me to do something I didn’t want to do, they were masterful at getting me to stretch myself. I can’t say enough about each one of them, they were fun to talk to, informative and patient.
The 2 days were full of different exercises and activities including; defensive braking and decisions making on wet pavement under full ABS, a figure 8 on partially wet surface which was a blast swinging the car around (including sometimes in the wrong direction… donuts are a blast), a smaller oval style course for quick turns and short acceleration exercises, practicing launch control best I got was 3.4 but it is high altitude) and lastly the small rally course. I don’t think I could choose a favorite as they were all loads of fun (If I had to choose… the track was the most fun and I wish I had more time to spend there).
The facility is great, rooms were nice and the C8’s were top notch. I would sign up again in a heartbeat and probably will take another course there as soon as I can.
Overall, from a new person’s perspective this was by far some of the most fun I have ever had driving a car. I always considered myself a good driver and thought I knew a lot (I am now 100% sure I don’t know as much as I thought I did). I am more confident now after going to the school, but still have much to learn. If you have the opportunity…go, if your on the fence about it…go, if your not interested in learning to drive on the track….go, you will not regret it! My class had 14 other students, with varying levels of driving experiences and it was a blast from start to finish.
A big Thanks to the Spring Mountain staff for making this one of the best trips to date!
The instructors were outstanding; patient, instructional and a pleasure to speak with and learn from. How they are able to instruct, observe and drive all while leading you around the track is amazing. On several occasions I heard the comment from them you’ve got the right line, you’re hitting the apex, braking and shifts are good but you’re hesitating on acceleration or leveling off before hitting the next turn… push yourself and the car a little more. I tend to be very methodical in how I approach something new (sacrifice speed for precision), with their feedback I was pushing myself outside of my comfort zone on each trip around the track. I wasn’t the fastest (not even close) but I did learn and each lap was better (minus a few hiccups here and there, I am learning after all LOL). Never once did I feel like the instructors were pushing me beyond my abilities or trying to really get me to do something I didn’t want to do, they were masterful at getting me to stretch myself. I can’t say enough about each one of them, they were fun to talk to, informative and patient.
The 2 days were full of different exercises and activities including; defensive braking and decisions making on wet pavement under full ABS, a figure 8 on partially wet surface which was a blast swinging the car around (including sometimes in the wrong direction… donuts are a blast), a smaller oval style course for quick turns and short acceleration exercises, practicing launch control best I got was 3.4 but it is high altitude) and lastly the small rally course. I don’t think I could choose a favorite as they were all loads of fun (If I had to choose… the track was the most fun and I wish I had more time to spend there).
The facility is great, rooms were nice and the C8’s were top notch. I would sign up again in a heartbeat and probably will take another course there as soon as I can.
Overall, from a new person’s perspective this was by far some of the most fun I have ever had driving a car. I always considered myself a good driver and thought I knew a lot (I am now 100% sure I don’t know as much as I thought I did). I am more confident now after going to the school, but still have much to learn. If you have the opportunity…go, if your on the fence about it…go, if your not interested in learning to drive on the track….go, you will not regret it! My class had 14 other students, with varying levels of driving experiences and it was a blast from start to finish.
A big Thanks to the Spring Mountain staff for making this one of the best trips to date!
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