Get a good drive out of turn 7 and head down the back straight. If you got it right you will hit 115 mph or so. Turn 8 is coming up fast, (it is a fast in, slow out, increasing radius right hander, with a hard left at the end) get on the brake hard for just a second, then transition to trail brake and start to turn in, head for the right side of the track, then let it drift out to left a bit, uh-oh, to much brake, and to much steering! The left front tire has rolled over, and the dirt is coming up fast!
Unwind the wheel a touch,(harder than it sounds when heading for the pucker brush!) and barely ease off the brake, thats better, two feet to spare! Instructor Dave says "you turned in to early, make a note of it, and do it right next time", which I did. What went wrong? I was looking at the devil in the weeds, instead of the next apex, "the car will follow your eyes" a quote from Rubert. This would be day three of the level 1 course when we are free lapping.
We started day one with braking exercises, first without abs, then with. Then some turning practice (get to the apex!). Then some time in the "skid car". That was fun, but don't ride in the back unless you have a strong stomach. We finish up the day with shifting practice, heel-toe down shifting under light braking. I was worried this would be hard for me because I don't own stick shift car,
and haven't for many years. To my surprise, and relief, it came very easily. Others had more trouble, but we all would eventually get the hang of it.
Day two was more shifting practice, and shadow lapping. Now its getting fun! One instructor and four cars to a group. The instructor watches the car behind him, and gives him feedback for 3 laps or so. After that car is done, he goes to the back of the group, and the next car moves up and takes his turn. The better you do, the faster he goes. Watching him is the best way to learn the track.
Day three started with a visual exercise. They set up a serpentine course with cones and then covered the windshield! You had to use your side windows to navigate. This forced you to look where you want to go, instead of right in front of you. It seemed weird, but when I got back on the track, I could tell a difference. Then one more shadow lapping session and its open track! You are always supposed to keep 6 car lengths or so between you and the other cars, but passing is allowed
. To pass, you radio the car ahead of you on the long straight, and they pull over to let you by. This keeps it safe. No one went off, or even spun out (thanks active handling!). The way they brought us up to speed by practicing fundamentals and learning the track. This made sure no one got in over there heads. The deductible for damage is five thousand dollars, so we were careful!
Overall, it was an amazing experience. The cars are awesome. If you have never explored your limits on a road course, you owe it to yourself, and your Z, to do it. I have have had my Vette for two years, and although I have had some fun with it, I had no idea what it was capable of. The balance and power of the Z is incredible. The hardest thing sometimes was to trust it. Your butt would tell you there is no way the car is going to stick in the corner going this fast, but as long as you were doing it right, it would.
The instructors, Dave and Victor were top notch. They were supportive and helpful. They didn't miss a thing. Rupert is an interesting guy, he is always around and knows whats going on ("car #4, no blip in turn one!"). He runs a tight ship and keeps it fun. (Hey Rupert, need a driver for your white Z?).
Good write up Wheelman, sounds like you did well, and had a good time.. 
. It takes a few times to train your foot!
. There was no real track time on the first day, but you were in the cars right away. It went in a rotation, usually 15 to 30 minutes in the classroom, then 30 to 45 minutes in the cars. 
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