Bondurant Racing School Review
That's a nice review. Sounds a lot different from what I've read/heard about Skip Barber and a few others.
Maybe I missed it, but what exact course did you go through? Was this the Advanced Road Racing - 3 days - $5850?
Maybe I missed it, but what exact course did you go through? Was this the Advanced Road Racing - 3 days - $5850?
It is a bit different. Each school has different philosophies, facilities, history, and equipment. The school I attended was the 3 day grand prix course which is there sort of standard race school. The specs are listed at the bottom of the article. You can also add a 4th day which uses the formula cars. The advanced school would be for those hat have already attended a school or have some racing experience. In the advanced school, you get the white vettes which have selectable traction control for a bit more fun, and even more individualized teaching.
Well, I have no pull with any discounts, but if you are serious about going, sign up for their email list. I have noticed them sending out good deals periodically. They also have a big summer discount which was in affect when I went. If you get it early or late in the summer season, its not that bad temp wise. And yet another option would be to call them up and see if they are running any specials.
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Can you compare the C6 driving experience to that of an Evo on the track? I have dreams of owning both someday. Did the C6 feel much faster than a stock Evo? What did you think of its feedback and steering feel?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sure. For starters, they are completely different in every way. Starting in the cockpit, the seating position is obviously completely different being very low in the cockpit. It is however very comfortable with everything in good position. Pedal placement for heel toe is a bit more awkward to get used to then the Evo.
It feels considerably faster than a stock evo. Not only because it is, but also because it is so torquey as well. That said, it is not overkill. The power is completely linear usable without ridiculous wheel spin and quite easy to modulate...unless you trip to stability/traction control. Overall, power delivery on the C6 vs a stock or equivalent power Evo goes to the vette
On track, I was a bit surprised. I fully expected to have my hands full. 400+ hp plus RWD sounds a bit interesting, but oddly, it was not much harder to driver than an Evo. The car is set up pretty heavily to understeer. This means if you want to get around the corner fast, liberal use of trail braking was required. A technique they concentrate heavily on in the school. This meant that turning the car relied more on braking and accelerating than steering. Steering feel was certainly not as good as the Evo (few cars are), but better than all previous corvettes I have driven. Braking feel is also better on an Evo mostly due to the hyper aggressive ABS system on the corvette.
There is definitely something to be said for RWD. It's simply more engaging in many ways and just feels right. While I adore the way an Evo drives on the track, it does make me miss RWD occasionally. The corvette gives this feeling, however is also surprisingly tossable and forgiving. Ultimately I prefer the feedback and feel on an Evo, but I definitely had fun in the C6
Last edited by CharlesJ; Feb 4, 2009 at 09:01 AM.
Huh. I guess I just have to find a way to get behind the wheel of an LS3 C6 on a racetrack so I can translate your words into visceral experiences!
I had a chance to drive an LS2 C2 convertible once. which was fun but at the time I did not feel like it threw me back into my seat as aggressively as my IX does. Intellectually I seemed as if the C6 was getting up to speed as quickly as could the IX, but there was less drama and thrill in doing so. Perhaps the Evo's low RPM turbo lag psychologically enhances/exaggerates the feeling of acceleration under full boost.
I guess I imagine the C6 as complementing the Evo. The Evo is excellent fun in rain and snow and is very predictable/reassuring when attacking twisty backroads. The C6 adds long-distance cruising comfort (plus fuel economy!), top-end speed, and hooligan fun like donuts, burnouts and powerslides. I am not sure which one I envision taking to trackdays.
Thanks for the C6 review Charles.
Cheers!
I had a chance to drive an LS2 C2 convertible once. which was fun but at the time I did not feel like it threw me back into my seat as aggressively as my IX does. Intellectually I seemed as if the C6 was getting up to speed as quickly as could the IX, but there was less drama and thrill in doing so. Perhaps the Evo's low RPM turbo lag psychologically enhances/exaggerates the feeling of acceleration under full boost.
I guess I imagine the C6 as complementing the Evo. The Evo is excellent fun in rain and snow and is very predictable/reassuring when attacking twisty backroads. The C6 adds long-distance cruising comfort (plus fuel economy!), top-end speed, and hooligan fun like donuts, burnouts and powerslides. I am not sure which one I envision taking to trackdays.
Thanks for the C6 review Charles.
Cheers!
It is a bit different. Each school has different philosophies, facilities, history, and equipment. The school I attended was the 3 day grand prix course which is there sort of standard race school. The specs are listed at the bottom of the article. You can also add a 4th day which uses the formula cars. The advanced school would be for those hat have already attended a school or have some racing experience. In the advanced school, you get the white vettes which have selectable traction control for a bit more fun, and even more individualized teaching.
3 day grand prix course it is! Now onto the email list for specials!
Pretty nice and quick follow-up!
Yeah, the drills are quite a good starting point even if like me, you are already fully experienced with things like threshold braking and heel toe. Being most here don't drive a Corvette, it gives you just the right amount of time to become fully aquainted with the car before hitting the track. One thing I would recommend though to get the most out of the experience is to find 2 other people of similar experience in your class the second you get there and group up with an instructor. Within the first hour, you are split up into groups of three with one instructor. The other two in my particular group were less experienced (didn't know what heel toe was).
Great to hear you got a quick response too. The people there were all very nice and helpful. My instructor Pete was great. Mike Spec is a another good instructor there that knows these forums and is friends with the guys at Vivid. However I think he only teaches the advanced courses. While in the area, be sure to stop by Mynes and or Vivid which are both close by.
On another note, for those interested in an SCCA license, the 3 day course does qualify you should you pass. From there, you can actually delay getting your license for up to 12 months if you are not quite ready to race.
Also, for anyone that does go, I HIGHLY recommend the super kart intro. Its a wild experience
Great to hear you got a quick response too. The people there were all very nice and helpful. My instructor Pete was great. Mike Spec is a another good instructor there that knows these forums and is friends with the guys at Vivid. However I think he only teaches the advanced courses. While in the area, be sure to stop by Mynes and or Vivid which are both close by.
On another note, for those interested in an SCCA license, the 3 day course does qualify you should you pass. From there, you can actually delay getting your license for up to 12 months if you are not quite ready to race.
Also, for anyone that does go, I HIGHLY recommend the super kart intro. Its a wild experience
Last edited by CharlesJ; Feb 4, 2009 at 08:55 AM.
Sure. For starters, they are completely different in every way. Starting in the cockpit, the seating position is obviously completely different being very low in the cockpit. It is however very comfortable with everything in good position. Pedal placement for heel toe is a bit more awkward to get used to then the Evo.
It feels considerably faster than a stock evo. Not only because it is, but also because it is so torquey as well. That said, it is not overkill. The power is completely linear usable without ridiculous wheel spin and quite easy to modulate...unless you trip to stability/traction control. Overall, power delivery on the C6 vs a stock or equivalent power Evo goes to the vette
On track, I was a bit surprised. I fully expected to have my hands full. 400+ hp plus RWD sounds a bit interesting, but oddly, it was not much harder to driver than an Evo. The car is set up pretty heavily to understeer. This means if you want to get around the corner fast, liberal use of trail braking was required. A technique they concentrate heavily on in the school. This meant that turning the car relied more on braking and accelerating than steering. Steering feel was certainly not as good as the Evo (few cars are), but better than all previous corvettes I have driven. Braking feel is also better on an Evo mostly due to the hyper aggressive ABS system on the corvette.
There is definitely something to be said for RWD. Its simply more engaging in many ways and just feel right. While I adore the way an Evo drives on the track, it does make me miss RWD occasionally. The corvette gives this feeling, however is surprising tossable and forgiving. Ultimately I prefer the feedback and feel on an Evo, but I definitely had fun in the C6
It feels considerably faster than a stock evo. Not only because it is, but also because it is so torquey as well. That said, it is not overkill. The power is completely linear usable without ridiculous wheel spin and quite easy to modulate...unless you trip to stability/traction control. Overall, power delivery on the C6 vs a stock or equivalent power Evo goes to the vette
On track, I was a bit surprised. I fully expected to have my hands full. 400+ hp plus RWD sounds a bit interesting, but oddly, it was not much harder to driver than an Evo. The car is set up pretty heavily to understeer. This means if you want to get around the corner fast, liberal use of trail braking was required. A technique they concentrate heavily on in the school. This meant that turning the car relied more on braking and accelerating than steering. Steering feel was certainly not as good as the Evo (few cars are), but better than all previous corvettes I have driven. Braking feel is also better on an Evo mostly due to the hyper aggressive ABS system on the corvette.
There is definitely something to be said for RWD. Its simply more engaging in many ways and just feel right. While I adore the way an Evo drives on the track, it does make me miss RWD occasionally. The corvette gives this feeling, however is surprising tossable and forgiving. Ultimately I prefer the feedback and feel on an Evo, but I definitely had fun in the C6
