Going to Bondurant

[johnei]

I've signed up for the 4 day grand prix road racing course next month. Does anyone have any good ideas on how to make the most of the experience? Anything to keep in mind or take advantage of while I'm there? Or something I should do to prepare better for it?
Thanks

[geh458]

I did the 3-day Grand Prix course two years ago, in November, and had a blast. The three day and 4 day courses are the same except for the fourth day you get to drive the formula cars.

Just pay attention to what they show and tell you, don't be afraid to ask questions, and prepare yourself for the time of your life.

I actually asked to drive one of the Mustangs instead of a Corvette and had a blast doing it. I don't know if they still have the Mustangs.

[Touringspider]

A friend of mine works at Bondurant. I'm actually going over there tonight for a ride and drive event, and I'll ask him for any tips he might have.

BTW, the Mustangs are a thing of the past. Ford is no longer a sponsor, and it is all GM. In fact most of the school cars are now the Cadillac CTS.

Arno Leskinen
AROC-USA National Concours Chair
102
115
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[sidewaysalfa]

And take lots of notes.



We at AROSC High Performance Driving School only steel from the best.

[Touringspider]

Went to the event at Bondurant tonight but my friend was not there. I'll talk to him later.

BTW, this was the Southwest launch of the new Pontiac Solstice. One of those things where they feed you finger foods, give you a brochure and let you take the car out on an autocross course. Bob Bondurant gave some drifting demos in one of the new 400 hp GTO's. That dude still can control a car. Solstice is a decent little car. The styling is definitely spot on for a contemporary two seat sportscar. Handles nice, a little underpowered, a little short on legroom for tall guys like me (and I look straight into the windshield header). Wait, that is just like my 92 Spider. Credit to GM for not dumbing this one down too much from the showcar. Price is right too, in the low to mid 20's loaded.

Arno

[johnei]

Thanks for the suggestions - I'd like to make the most of it. Hopefully we'll get to drive the C5s although I wouldn't mind a GTO - just no CTSs. I can probably rent on of those someplace.

[JohnT]

Johnei-
The only thing I would say is to bring comfortable clothes. My guess is that you will be in a driving suit on the 4th day at least.
I've never done Bondurant, but yesterday I did a 1 day Skip Barber school at Lime Rock. It was sponsored by one of our technology partners so I got to go for free! The Barber school is sponsored by Dodge, so we used the Neons for the braking exercises, the trucks for the wetted down skid pad, the Vipers for the Autocross and the Barber Dodge formula cars for the race school. All I can say was it was a blast! The formula cars are awesome, you will enjoy it big-time.
If you have your own helmet, I would bring it. Ditto if you have any driving gloves.

-JT

[genericwood]

I've not been to Bondurant, so can't give tips. But you should have gone to Road America this weekend since I see you live in Chicago. The Alfa Club is having a 2-day track event. I was only able to do the first day today. It's not Bondurant, but there are some good racers instructing such as Mike Besic and Craig Bielat.

Erik

[roundel47]

johnei:

You must be pretty serious about the learning and seat time if you are signed for the 4day deal. I did Barber 3day, and then the 2day advanced over this year at Lime Rock and it was amazing. A few recommendations:

1. Buy a copy of "Going Faster - Mastering the Art of Racing Car Driving" which is by Carl Lopez -- one of the original Barber instructors. This represents the current stage of evolution of the Barber 'way' of teaching as it has developed over the past 25-30 years. Even if Bondurant takes things in different order, the basic teaching blocks of learning the line, threshold braking, etc. will be the same.

Read this before you go. You will be way ahead of most of your class and will get that much more out of class time and instructor feedback, right from the start (since you are dropping $1G a day, might as well get your money's worth).

2. If you are not racing-autocrossing-tracking already, get your own helmet and gloves. When you start sweating a lot, you will understand why it is nice to have your own.

Driving formula cars? you need to get proper shoes (not much room down there and you need to feel the brake pressure). If you don't spring for racy stuff, indoor soccer shoes are good.

3. If you are using Bondurant as a way to find out whether you like going fast, and like it enough to keep on doing it, be systematic in trying to improve one thing each time you go out. Instructors know who is working step-by-step to improve, as opposed to simply banzaiing a new corner; you will get better (and more) feedback and attention if you can tell an instructor what you were doing when you went through the fast right hander backwards (instead of "it just spun").

4. Open your mind to a great experience (if you are driving on a track for the 1st time, this will be easy).

Sorry for long post (I am a Barber evangelical now)

MJW

[RossoGTV4Me]

Skip Barber- I am so excited. My girl bought me a Skip Barber 1 Day Intro to Racing Class at the Las Vegas speedway for my 30th b-day. After reading your post I am even more excited. The formula Dodge's look awesome! I will be on the AROSC racing circuit in no time

[johnei]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosoGTV4Me Skip Barber- I am so excited. My girl bought me a Skip Barber 1 Day Intro to Racing Class at the Las Vegas speedway for my 30th b-day. After reading your post I am even more excited. The formula Dodge's look awesome! I will be on the AROSC racing circuit in no time

[Sprintn]

If you get another chance... and want to see why Michael Schumacher and Paul Tracy use Karts to stay sharp, take the Bondurant Karting school with Alan Rudolph.
Thanks for the Pic! Definataly looks like it was awesome!
Sprintn

[SynapticCleft]

Wish I could go.


Ed Bondurant

[roundel47]

johnei: Good to hear Bondurant was a great time -- did you like going from sedans to C5s to open wheel? I originally thought the progression and having the instructor in the car made some kind of sense, but then punted to Barber based on probably doing 1/3 of my racing at Lime Rock and Barber reputation.

rosoGTV: enjoy -- Barber is fantastic. Bring a credit card with a little room -- you'll probably get a 10-20% discount on your next Barber class if you deposit a couple hundred $. They get you while all the adrenalin is still washing through your system. My friend who did Barber with me calls it 'track junkie' -- they hook you right up while the buzz is still on.

Mike

[roundel47]

This was our 1st look at the Formula Dodge cars as they were gassing up early in the morning.

Mike