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).
What brand and model tire do you use for driving in the rain?
When fresh the stock Goodyear Eagle run-flats worked well. Tomorrow I am going to try a set of Hoosier hand-grooved rain race radials. A discontinued tire I purchased for 50% off! They felt good today going for gas in a driving rain.
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!
Glad you had a wonderful time. Hope to see you before we leave to pick up our Z. I'll be looking for tips to keep out of trouble on our way back to 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............
Glad you had a wonderful time. Hope to see you before we leave to pick up our Z. I'll be looking for tips to keep out of trouble on our way back to 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.
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.
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!
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.
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"
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.
I hear ya....just returned from the tax man myself...glad I got the school in before hand, because now I can't afford the bullet to shoot myself with....
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
Thanks Dean. Actually Rhonda is a member of the national club....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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............
Thanks Joe...but had the ball and chain with me so nothing too exciting.
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.
Corvette Store
Spring Mountain
But sorry to say no pics of her.
At least I've got new rain tires (something you won't need).
Anyway, I had almost forgotten how much fun tracking can be! 
I have to check to see if I-90 is done or still "rock chip hell"
