Spring Mountain Impressions

[bloominguez]

I was more time constrained and needed to fit SM into February and was forced into an A10. I'm manual or bust guy, but to be honest I was glad to be in an auto once the sessions started. For a novice, the skills sessions and hot laps on track are sensory overload, so I was able to focus on brake markers, turn-in points, and getting the car to settle without the distraction of gear selection. There wasn't a whole lot of processing power left between my ears!

Although I drove a manual transmission at Spring Mountain, I recall the instructors telling the automatic transmission drivers that they were going to be doing all the track sessions in manual mode. Is that no longer the case? Seemed harder for them, actually, since they had more gears to cycle through, whereas the manual transmission drivers were only shifting between 3 & 4.

 

[Roadhawk]

I'll take a MT over auto any time...its just in the blood...

 

[Deneed4spd]

Although I drove a manual transmission at Spring Mountain, I recall the instructors telling the automatic transmission drivers that they were going to be doing all the track sessions in manual mode. Is that no longer the case? Seemed harder for them, actually, since they had more gears to cycle through, whereas the manual transmission drivers were only shifting between 3 & 4.

I did SMR with a manual and auto. Auto u toggle through gears so quickly even if you down shift two gears and up two gears, and do it anytime u want in the braking and accelerating. It’s just so quick and simple.

 

[jbawden]

Ok, I need to clarify I wouldn't be here if the 5BW was A10 only. Give me a manual or give me death!

Now with that said, specific to SM and my first time driving 670hp in anger on a race track, I didn't mind the A10. Yes they are in manual mode but a 1 mm finger flick with both hands on the wheel takes about 47 seconds to etch into muscle memory. I guess my point is, I was at SM to experience the limits of the chassis and electronics, not how I was changing gears. On the street (and on future track days), plenty of bandwidth to indulge in all the magic of an M6 and I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[bloominguez]

Ok, I need to clarify I wouldn't be here if the 5BW was A10 only. Give me a manual or give me death!

Now with that said, specific to SM and my first time driving 670hp in anger on a race track, I didn't mind the A10. Yes they are in manual mode but a 1 mm finger flick with both hands on the wheel takes about 47 seconds to etch into muscle memory. I guess my point is, I was at SM to experience the limits of the chassis and electronics, not how I was changing gears. On the street (and on future track days), plenty of bandwidth to indulge in all the magic of an M6 and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I don't disagree with you, SM if a blast regardless of what transmission one drives. I only buy manuals but I agree that an auto wouldn't detract from the experience. I'm just making the point that shifting the manual required almost zero cognitive bandwidth given how few gears were needed and how clear cut the shift points were. The downshift rev matching was the biggest part of keeping the required bandwidth down.

 

[Aaron4BW]

My SM experience on 3/13 & 3/14 was amazing! I learned alot and gained even more respect for the alpha chassis. The instructors are great & very skilled in what they do! I was in car #44 (6 speed 4BW). We did the east bowl & on the second day they put me in the fastest group which were all 5BW of course. This track caters more to the 5BW because half the track is high speed. These were my first formal track lessons, but I'm not afraid to toss a rwd car & so I managed to scrape out a 1:18.3 putting me about a second behind the fastest 5BW & beating most of the other fast 5BWs. So I definitely held it down for the 4s The instructor that drove my car got a 1:16.9 in my car & it seemed so effortless! Anyways, this is a must do! Especially because it's free!! (Sort of) lol ... Make sure to book as fast as possible because everytime a new 3 month block of classes would drop, they would fill up within 45 mins. So don't procrastinate!!

 

[Bocian]

I forgot about this thread but I'll be going on the 8/16-8/17 date. I signed up super late so i had to get put on a wait list. They did not have a 4 in manual but i got one in a 5 manual. I guess i can't complain too much about that.

If anyone else is going during that time I'll be on the look out.

 

[JLayer]

Waiting for new dates to be established. Every date was booked when I bought my car in March. Does anyone know when new dates are usually published?

 

[5VBW Nick]

Trying to decide if I should book, just finally purchased a used 5v BW. Maybe I will wait in case I trade for a '25

 

[ViaDale]

Waiting for new dates to be established. Every date was booked when I bought my car in March. Does anyone know when new dates are usually published?

Same boat as you. Been in contact and waiting since January 10th.

 

[Z51L9889]

Same here. Made contact with SM in late March.

 

[Yo Nadz]

Same. On the waitlist since Feb for a couple dates. Also awaiting new dates.

 

[Darinja]

Just bought my 4 Blackwing last Saturday and found out about this...how long does it typically take to get to be able to sign up?

 

[Ramsman]

I have been waiting almost 3 months for them to open new dates. They did call with an opening from a cancellation a month or so ago, but it was short notice on dates that I could not make.

 

[FLYARMY]

Just bought my 4 Blackwing last Saturday and found out about this...how long does it typically take to get to be able to sign up?

Get ready for an extended wait. Winter months are the best because you avoid the Las Vegas summer heat. When I was there , they only had CT4-BW (5 auto/5 stick) CT5-BW (5 auto/5 stick). 20 total Blackwings available. Hence the the lengthy wait for a date.
On the otherside, there were over 250 C8 Corvettes !

 

[Yalferd]

i set up an alert so that when the alert email came in, I was ready to immediately reply. Contact them and get set up so that you're in the system and on the email list.

 

[Darinja]

i set up an alert so that when the alert email came in, I was ready to immediately reply. Contact them and get set up so that you're in the system and on the email list.

The dealer I bought from told me to wait a few weeks to contact them, but he did give me the number to call when it's ready.

 

[LF4472]

The dealer I bought from told me to wait a few weeks to contact them, but he did give me the number to call when it's ready.

I don't know that you need to wait a couple weeks; you probably can call now, you'll just need your VIN when you do.

 

[FLYARMY]

I bought mine and the next day called. They just asked for the VIN to confirm ownership. Especially easy for them if you ordered the car from a dealer and didn't buy second hand.

 

[RKS]

Picked up 2 weeks ago and called today. There is a wait-list and will email when something opens up.