Two or three day Bondurant class timed with Shelby American 50th in Vegas

[twobjshelbys]

For those that follow this is Shelby American's 50th birthday. They are doing their annual "bash" at Spring Mountain during on Thu-Sat 14-17 Mar.

Last spring I did the 4-day Grand Prix Road Racing class (3 days in Corvettes, 1 day of Formula Mazda). It was a great experience.

I asked about driving your own car and they said they do allow it in the advanced class. I asked about scheduling and they have not scheduled for 2012 yet but said they would be happy to schedule something for 12-14. The class is offered as a 2 day or 3 day. The 14th (Wednesday) is the start of the Shelby event but that is mostly the drive from Gardena to Vegas so nothing would be missed.

Their recommendation is to not drive your own car for the whole class - they assured me that I would go through a set of tires and brakes. They recommend a half day with your own on the 2 day or a half or full day on the 3 day.

Right now I'm a single (which they will schedule for 1 person), but if anyone in the Phoenix area wants to join they would take up to three (maybe more, have to check), and if we get three then the track fee adder for day 3 is waived. I'm not sure if I would be able to do all of day 3 since I would need to be in Vegas before dark and it's a 5+ hour drive.

If anyone would be interested in helping to fill out the class let me know. It's a lot more interesting and fun (and real) if there are a couple of more cars on the track. When I was there in March for the 4 day they were running a 3-day Formula Mazda at the same time.

P.S. On a three day they would be willing to split up the time between Corvette and F-Mazda and your own car but they will not allow F-Mazda on the track with the coupes.

 

[twobjshelbys]

Note that they require the 4-day or equivalent experience, not first timers.

Me, I'll have to learn all over again but it'll be quick which is why I'm OK with a day in their cars.

 

[twobjshelbys]

I thought I'd updated this topic here but I see I did not.

Last year I wanted to time the advanced racing class to the Shelby Bash. Well this year I got another class at the silent auction for the Shelby American fundraiser, and put in a request to schedule an advanced road racing class for 18-19 March. That class is set and I am enrolled.

Unlike the Grand Prix class (which is a prerequisite) this class assumes some knowledge of the track. It's not for pure beginners. The focus of the first class is building the skills in incremental steps, but this class is about improving lap times. It's small groups (I think 6 max).

The class can be extended to three days if (1) the other track is available and (2) for me at least, we get at least three who will do it. It's a big adder without three or more since we have to pick up the track fee at Thunderbird. For 3 or more the fee is waived.

You are allowed to drive your own car, although they are actively trying to persuade me from doing so. I spoke with Bob and his staff at the fundraiser and they said you can use your own for the whole thing but discourage it because you will trash a set of tires and brakes - use theirs. My goal is to "learn my car, not a Corvette" so they said that would be 3-4 hours at the end of the session.

My plan is to go to Phoenix and then on to Vegas for two more days of track time at the Shelby Bash (21-24 Mar) at the Spring Mountain track in Parumph (Vegas). I bagged the last trip due to weather, but this one is a definite go no matter what since the class is already paid for.

If anyone wants to attend but you don't have the prerequisites don't worry. First if you have a SCCA card you're in, other experience is considered individually. I'll send you the Bondurant contact if you want to talk. I'd bet a Ford GT Rally would count.

 

[GTMikey]

I'm going to be at the bash, is this right after??

 

[twobjshelbys]

I'm going to be at the bash, is this right after??

The class is scheduled for the week of the bash. Class Mon-Tue (maybe Wed). The bash begins (if you start from there) with a reception on Wed night in Gardena and the drive to Vegas on Thursday. If the third day happens then we would have a track day in Phoenix and go to Vegas on Thursday. If no Wednesday track day people could go to Gardena from Phoenix (I think it is about 8 hour drive) and then join that caravan back to Vegas. I will go straight from Phoenix to Vegas, and that might be on Wednesday. I'd then have some time with friends there.

 

[Cobraguy]

Has anybody heard anything about the proposed closure next year of Firebird Raceway to make room for a casino complex.....and if so what are the future plans for the Bondurant facility?

 

[twobjshelbys]

Has anybody heard anything about the proposed closure next year of Firebird Raceway to make room for a casino complex.....and if so what are the future plans for the Bondurant facility?

I did the advanced class this week. I had scheduled it to precede the Shelby Bash. At the relative last minute as I was watching weather forecasts I decided to not bring the GT and cancel the Bash. I'm still in Vegas but we're just visiting friends during a week away from the office.

The latest Bondurant newsletter contains a hint of what is happening at Firebird. Bondurant is gaining a portion of the track. There was a track they used to lease for certain events from Firebird that will now become part of the Bondurant facility. One of the guys at Bondurant said that Firebird will continue to run as a track. The track will continue to be a track, just a change in management. He said that Lucas Oil will be one of the active participants.

 

[TrackAire]

Has anybody heard anything about the proposed closure next year of Firebird Raceway to make room for a casino complex.....and if so what are the future plans for the Bondurant facility?

When I did the course at Bondurant, I stayed in a very new Casino facity across the street. Hard to believe they would want to put another facility right across the road.

Cheers,
George