Many of you probably recognize the name, "Justin Bell" as one of the leading legends of professional Corvette racing. As a member of the GM Corvette Racing crew, Justin has placed in the top three at races such as the 24 Hours at Daytona, Petit Le Mans, and Las Vegas events, just to name a few. But did you know that he also operates a drivers school right here in Florida? He sure does, and recently Patti and I were fortunate enough to check it out. Here is our story about the Justin Bell GT Motorsports Experience!

Late last year, Eckler's and the Corvette, The American Dream TV show sponsored a drive-out to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, to visit the Justin Bell GT Motorsports Experience facility. Open only to members of the Corvette, The American Dream TV Owner's Guild (contact me if you'd like more information), the drive-out was a great way to become familiar with Justin's operation located on-site at the Moroso Motorsports Park west of Palm Beach, about a 3-1/2 hour drive from Orlando.

As luck would have it, Patti was sick in bed with a fever that weekend, so like the dutiful Corvette-husband that I am, I attended the event without her (sorry, Sweetheart!). After a fun drive south with about a dozen other Guild members, we got a first-hand look at the facility by the man himself, Justin Bell! After a short presentation, tour, and quick lunch, Justin drew names out of the hat (actually a helmet) as a drawing for a FREE 1-day course, valued at $995! Feeling guilty, I put Patti's name on the slip and lo and behold, she won! Justin even called her on the phone to congratulate her. What fun!

Time goes by. Finally, in February we find a time when we can both attend the course so we call ahead and book a date. (Tip: Call far in advance for reservations as they tend to fill up quickly!). Patti decides she only wants to do the 1/2 day course ($495) and allows me the use of her freebie 1-day course. Justin says its OK to swap, so who am I to argue? :)

We drive down the day before and spend the night in Palm Beach so we can be totally rested before our big adventure. Fortunately for me, all the ritzy shops in Palm Beach were closed so we made an early night of it. Bright and early the next morning, we made the short drive to Moroso Motorsports Park where Justin's operation is established. After registering and signing what seemed like a hundred liability waiver forms (gee, wonder why???), we got the opportunity to mingle with about 20 other classmates. Our fellow speed-freaks ranged the gamut from a young college student to an elderly (meaning older than even ME) grandmother. Driving experience varied a great deal, too, from an avid collector of Ferrari racecars to those who had never driven a stick shift before. Yep, it was going to be an interesting day!

As an added bonus, one of our fellow "students" was none other than Bob Bondurant, a celebrated race car driver and owner of the Bondurant School of Performance Driving in Phoenix, Arizona. Seems that Bob is making the switch from F**D to GM and wanted to check out Justin's program first hand. He was extremely personable and we definitely enjoyed his company throughout the day.

After an initial welcome and orientation, Justin introduced his staff of some 9 instructors, all of whom had considerable professional sports car racing experience under their belts, and ranged in age from the mid 20's to 50-something. Add Justin and Bob Bondurant to the mix, and there was a LOT of driving talent in the classroom that day! After meeting everyone, our instruction began with an hour of classroom time in which we were taught the bare fundamentals of track safety, racing theory, and how to attack the 10 various (and sometimes, vicious) turns of the Moroso Motorsports 2.25 mile road course.

And then before we knew it, we were ushered outside to get up close and personal with Justin's fleet of GM performance cars... Camaro SS, Corvette C5 Coupes, and of course, the Z06 Corvettes! Each car is basically stock, although equipped with a 5-point safety harness, fire extinguisher, and some with upgraded tires and exhaust. These cars were a far cry from the Dodge Neon's they used to use for this course!!!

They split our class up into 3 groups and off we go, round-robin style to different points on the track to put to the test the "intensive" training we received in the classroom. Justin claims the best learning experience is that gained from the driver's seat. The group Patti and I were assigned to had 4 other students so with 2 instructors per station, that gave us a student:instructor ratio of just 2:1. Our first stop was the braking course which gives you practical experience, as well as confidence building, in how to bring a Camaro SS (325 HP of snorting F-body) to a rapid yet highly controlled stop. Traffic cones were set up and our task was to bring the car up to 65 mph and then hit the brakes just when we passed the first cone and stop before passing the last. Quite a bit harder to do than it sounds and let it be known that Patti smoked us all in this test. The only female student in our group, she made it clear that women are naturally better listeners than men! Whatever. Next up, they literally threw a "twist" in the braking exercise by forcing us to negotiate a turn while really hammering the brakes. This exercise proved how really good the ABS system is on these cars!

The next two stations began our familiarization with the Moroso road racing course and in particular, how to attack each of its 10 turns. Turn 9 and 10 combine to form a huge sweeping bend that runs you past the JBGT center and pit area. We began the training by walking this section of the track as our new pair of instructors pointed out the ideal "turn in," "apex," and "track out" points for each turn (don't ya just love that tech-talk?). Then we piled into our cars and either rode along with an instructor or followed them as they drove us through the turns (at an ever increasing pace) that we had just walked. Each of us had a ride with an instructor and then drove with an instructor as passenger who would point out our, er... "expertise" along the short course. As we became more familiar with the technique, they gradually upped the speed until we started to get the hang of it. Suffice it to say that it's a lot harder than it looks to negotiate a turn at speed if you want to do it RIGHT. Since this was also our first opportunity to drive the C5 Coupes and Z06's, it was also tremendous FUN! The Camaro SS is a great car which handles and performs really, really well, but it didn't take long to realize it doesn't hold a candle to the Corvettes. But of course, you probably knew that already, didn't you? :)

Next up we moved over to the combination hairpin and looping maneuvers at Turns 2 through 6. This is a much more complicated set of turns, each of which must be taken with a different approach to get the best time. In this segment we learned the best technique for braking into a turn, cresting the apex, and quickly accelerating out of the turn. The instructors for this exercise drilled into us that smoothness is the key to getting around a course in the least amount of time. Of course, saying that and actually doing it are two different things, entirely! We all got plenty of seat time in all 3 cars and before we knew it, time for lunch.

After enjoying a very nice hot lunch back in the classroom (with race videos in the background for that added ambience), it was time for a quick review of what we had done that morning and then back out to the track. Since Patti had opted for the 1/2 day course, she would not have the opportunity to drive around the full race course as those of us who were doing the full 1-day program. But one of the instructors took pity on her, belted her in beside him in one of the Z06's, and proceeded to scare the living daylights out of her through several *very* fast laps around the track. How fast? Well, at least 140 mph on the straights (probably faster). This extra added fun wasn't necessary or required, but was certainly appreciated and made Patti's day.

Before the afternoon's group training would begin, they wanted us to have an appreciation for the entire 2.25 mile road course, which we had only experienced portions of in the morning's sessions. So how better to do that that through a guided tour? So Patti & I plus 5 other students pile into a new Chevy Suburban, and are driven leisurely around the entire course. Coming out of pit lane, our instructor points out the dogleg we must negotiate at Turn 1 and where best to brake when slowing down before Turn 2. Round we go through the hairpin and loops of Turns 3-5 setting us up for the straightaway coming out of Turn 6. We are shown how to preposition for the gentle bend at Turn 7 and the sharp dogleg at Turn 8, leading into the big sweeper at Turns 9 and 10 which we had practiced earlier that morning. OK, that was interesting, so now let's try it again but a bit faster this time. Wait a minute. In a Suburban??? Yep, off we go, accelerating faster and faster, all 7 students and 1 instructor/driver in this huge truck, screaming around the race track. As we approach Turn 2, we think, "surely he's going to slow this beast down." No way! He literally launches the Suburban through the turns, the rear end just at the point of losing traction, and all students in the truck at the point of losing their LUNCH! Tires screeching, truck leaning, and student's screaming, we take 2 more frantic laps around the track, a bit faster each time, until he finally takes pity on us and pulls into the pits. Without a doubt, that was one of the scariest rides I've ever had in a motor vehicle, but also one of the most impressive. It just goes to show that with the proper training and control, most any vehicle can be piloted in quick fashion around a racetrack. I'm only glad no one was timing him as I'd hate to think he may have beaten my best time to come later on that day in a Z06! :)

After our nerves settled down a bit, we all headed for pit lane where sat freshly fueled C5 coupes and Z06's. Donning full face helmets and strapping into a 5-point safety harness really added to the excitement. As we did that morning, we took turns riding/driving with an instructor, but this time doing multiple laps around the entire racetrack. Driving with an instructor as co-pilot, you at first feel slightly intimidated, fearful of making any mistakes (and there were plenty to be made!). But soon you become at ease and as long as the instructor felt you were making progress, you were allowed to gradually increase your speed around the course. After a few more laps, you take control of the car yourself with no passenger, and that's where the real fun was found. Just you and a willing Corvette, going for the gusto! By the end of the day, I was touching on 150 MPH on the straightaways! Can you say AWESOME?

Our group wrapped up the day with a fun exercise on Justin's skid pad. This is a large section of sealed asphalt with a slippery surface on which they set up a series of cones to form a slalom course. The idea being to negotiate the cones from start to finish as quickly as possible while always maintaining control of the car and stopping inside a designated "parking space." This was loads of fun and I was elated to get the fastest time of the day of all students in the course... 19.1 seconds... for which I was awarded a Justin Bell GT cap. Of course, Justin showed us how it was supposed to be done, clicking off an easy 18 second flat run while Bob Bondurant did it in 18.2. No question about it, those guys can drive!

Before we knew it, our Motorsports Experience had come to an end. We came away somewhat exhausted but totally exhilarated, yearning for the more advanced training offered in Justin's 2 and 3-day courses. For example, there is a "no passing" rule for the 1-day course, so we were unable to experience the thrill of head-to-head racing. We also were not taught the finesse of proper down shifting, heel-and-toe driving, extended slalom, wet track conditions, active handling competition mode, or race karting (100+ mph go karts!). The advanced programs enable you to become an SCCA certified driver and you go home with a fully instrumented video of your driving performance. Whatever your objective, be it strictly fun or accreditation, the JBGT course can provide.

So was it worth it? Patti says the 1/2 day course was tremendous fun, but you really should opt for the 1-day course at a minimum so you can experience the thrill of lapping the entire track at speed. I agree. While $995 certainly isn't chump change, the chance to drive someone ELSE's Z06 at insane speeds in a relatively safe and controlled environment doesn't come along every day. If you can manage it, just do it. You'll be glad you did. And yes... I officially "owe" Patti a 1-day JBGT course!

For more information on the Justin Bell GT Motorsports Experience, call 877-468-3666 or visit JBGT on the web at http://www.justinbell.com.

Hutch
- John "Hutch" Hutchinson