I just returned from Spring Mountain for my second trip there. Last time my wife and I did the Corvette Owners School.
This time I went by myself and did the Level 2 school. It's amazing how these instructors can get you to push your envelope and confidence. We had 13 students and 4 instructors usually. On day one we did 1 session to just practice heel-toe then 4 track sessions of about 20 laps each where the instructor lead with 2 or 3 students in the follow position. After the second session we were grouped into two main groups with 6 in one and 7 in the other, and from then on we alternated track sessions which allowed for maximum track spacing and utilization. After each session or two the groups were adjusted so drivers of similar ability were sorted into appropriate groups. At the end of the day the instructors took you for a 3 lap ride along to show you what the car could really do. They said on the course layout we were using that the best lap time in a Z51 was about 1:53.5, and on my ride along he did a 1:54.76 [MEDIA=youtube]pcc3cJE8lXw[/MEDIA]
On Day 2 the first track session was inversed with the instructor following you as you lead. This was to ensure each driver could/was able to properly find their lines on their own. After this we had an open track session, and you would be called into the pits to pick up an instructor for about a 3 lap ride along instruction and critique. After that we had 2 more open lapping sessions, with the instructors positioned around the course and if they saw anything they would get on the radio and let you know.
This was a great experience, about half of the students were active SCCA racers of various types like auto slalom, vintage , etc... So pretty much everyone was there to improve their abilities, and only 2 were a bit over their heads. You learned to really push the car to the limit ( or so you thought ).
My best time wasn't the fastest for the Z51's but I was second at a 2:05.66, but still almost 4 seconds behind the fastest. [MEDIA=youtube]cbS4ZzbtBx8[/MEDIA]
Best time was the only guy driving a Grans Sport and he did a 1:59.5 beating all the Z06 drivers.
All the more reason to go back again to improve !
All I can say is they have great instructors, I had a blast and I can't wait to go back again.