Bondurant School of High Performance Driving

OMG! This is a must for any adrenaline junkie, car enthusiast with a need for speed! This was my 2^nd experience attending the school. The staff is always amazingly professional, helpful and patient ensuring everyone has fun while improving their driving skills. If you don’t leave with sore cheeks from laughing and smiling all day long then you must’ve been in the gift shop.
The school presently features all Chrysler vehicles from Vipers, Challenger Hellcats and Challenger SRT392’s. There’s over 100 brand new cars on the track being used in the various venues. There’s several events/​challenges available on the property from Kart racing, Autocross, obstacle course, lead and follow course to the ever exciting hot laps and many more.
First of all Bob Bondurant, still kicking at he age of 83 and attended our event today with his wife and son. Bob is one of the winningest drivers of his time and in history. He opened the school in 1968, originally located in Orange County, Ca but moved in 1990 to the Arizona desert.
There’s a variety of options available to attend the school, of course all based on your desire and budget. 1 day programs begin around $ 1225 and go up to 3 days for $ 3999. Thankfully my 2 visits were work related and let’s just say I’ve got great vendor partners.
Truly a first class, professional experience that should be on every car guy’s bucket list. I can’t wait to return again for another over the top experience.

What a great experience. We had our company safety/​team building day at their facility. They provided a great fully set up room to do our 7 hours of safety training and then we started the fun stuff. Their staff was friendly and professional. At the end of the day all 30 of my staff was pumped and smiled like kids on Christmas morning. Thank you to everyone who made our day great.

Had a blast so much fun racing for family and friends the greatest time worth every min everyone was nice when they were talking with us. Had some friends take some pictures. The best way to test drive lol. I mean it you will definitely want to let loose on the track.

To put this as simply as possible, this place is heaven on earth. The instructors are the coolest, most knowledgeable guys on the planet. They teach you what driving is really all about; it has fueled my enthusiasm even more than I thought possible. I learned things that will safe my life and I learned how to really light ‘em up in a 450 horsepower Camaro SS on a skid pad. I highly recommend this over any other high performance driving school in the country; it is far superior in experience. And if you have Tim Rose, I hope you have a lead foot and quite a sense of humor!

I paid just over $ 2K for the 2-​day C7 High-​Performance Driving (HPD) course in the middle of summer. Nothing about this review should take away from the fact that driving the C7 is an incredible experience, especially for someone new to HPD. My instructor had a great personality (although the same could not be said for everyone on staff), and I learned a lot about things I had never thought about before — vision to guide steering, weight transfer, understanding corners as incr/​decr radius and how that impacts where you want to apex, trail braking, etc. I can’t say enough good things about the car — amazing balance and cornering, aural satisfaction, acceleration/​braking, etc.
However, there were 3 major drawbacks:
— very limited individualized, real-​time teaching with instructor riding shotgun
— driving exercises and even one of my on-​track lead-​follow sessions were done in groups with very diverse skill levels, ranging from very tentative participants in the Teen Driving Course to highly experienced racers; for someone like me, this detracted from how much I could learn, both because I couldn’t drive as fast as I otherwise would, and the instructors’ attention was diluted
— we didn’t come anywhere close to the seat time of «80% (Estimated)» advertised on the brochure for this course; out of total on-​site time of nearly 13 hours (not including lunches), there were frequent 10 – 15 minute breaks, several sessions of classroom instruction, and only ~6 hours of seat time, of which less than 4 hours was active driving (lots of waiting in line during exercises with 5 – 15 cars involved, etc.)
The «false advertising» probably bothers me the most, because it was an objective promise that wasn’t delivered on. I will definitely do another HPD course in the future, but it won’t be at Bondurant.
Also, I’ll pass along perhaps the most important lesson I learned: when your car is stopped, don’t sit on the brake pedal! Let the car idle with your foot off the brake, otherwise the pads/​fluid will overheat, and you will have the very unwelcome surprise of no stopping power the next time you need it!

First, I am a female and I had an awesome experience at Bondurant. I did the 4 day Grand Prix class also. I explained my expectations to my instructor, Andy Lee, and he bent over backwards to accommodate me. Every time and instructor jumped in my car they offered educated constructive criticism and I felt I left with a far better understanding of not only racing principles, but basic roadway and driving fundamentals. I guess I should preface this review by stating I have been to several other comparable driving schools, but none with the level of instructional experience as Bondurant. Even after completing the course, my instructor follows me on Facebook and offers a congratulatory comment after each of my driving accomplishments. I can’t say that about any other driving school I attended. Thank you Bondurant for giving me the skills and confidence to achieve my dream.

I was part of the test group for the Women’s Driving Academy, organized by Pam Bondurant. I wasn’t sure what to expect, so I came in a blank slate, anxious to learn whatever the world’s best drivers were there to teach. It was very cool to hear the backstory for this by Pam, hopefully this will be a successful course Bondurant offers in the future.
Because I am a hands-​on learner, the Power Point in the morning was a little boring and made me feel back in drivers ed from ~10 years ago. The hands-​on experience and getting to drive cars 2−3x the size of my own vehicle made me feel much more at ease as a driver [especially cone-​weaving and precision driving around Maricopa Oval]. Some of the first things we learned [not looking to the pavement just ahead of your car, etc] were things I already knew. As the day progressed, the WDA got immensely better. I hope to return to Bondurant in the future for another session!

Just did the shifter kart experience course. It was worth every dollar. Great staff that gave great instruction and guidance. Lots of adrenaline packed driving. I recommend Bondurant and course to anyone wanting a fast and fun driving experience. I’m personally going back for more!

I did the 2 day Grand Prix class, and while I wish there had been more time on track, the experience was awesome.
The skills learned in all of the drills will stay with me forever, and that’s what’s important.
The instructors are great — very patient, and don’t rush you at all. They want you to improve your skills, and will not make you feel like an idiot if you don’t get it right away.

I took the 4 day Grand Prix Racing program. Excellent, serious racing preparation. Race theory and car control are taught in the classroom and drilled into you on the track. You perform repetitive exercises to learn heel/​toe sifting, emergency race avoidance maneuvers, brake zone set up, weight transfer control and apex exercises. Official races were held between our group where we had to react correctly to the flags thrown. The instructors are racers and very good, they rate your performance daily. 80% of my time was spent on the track driving car, LOT’S of seat time.
There were no restrictions and I drove flat out, on the edge. I did buy insurance which at the time had a $ 5k deductible per incident. I had no crashes but did have mechanical issues on several of my cars, they immediately brought me a replacement car each time, no problem. I went through two sets of tires each day. I started with new tires in the morning and they had to put on a fresh set while I ate lunch, by the end of the day the second set was toast.
A couple guys brought their personal rides (Ferrari, Aston Martin) and worked a deal to take them on the track, awesome. I stayed at the fantastic Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa, right across the street from the racetrack.
My driving skills increased dramatically and it was the best time I’ve ever had. Highly recommended

I received a gift certificate valued at $ 2500 and booking a date was a hassle. I understand you have to book 3 months in advance and I’m ok with that.
After calling and waiting to be re-​directed to the «right person» 4 times, I was sent to a voice mail where I left a message and expected a call back. No return call. This went on for weeks.
The gift certificate has an expiration date and i wasn’t able to get a hold of «the right person» through the phone. What a waste of a gift.

Bondurant School of High Performance Driving — 5 Stars: While it has been some time since I was here, I felt it really deserved a review. This was a great experience. I worked at a company where we tried to have something special to do each year with the senior people — sort of a team building project that could also be lots of fun … we chose Bondurant Racing School one year. While programs and cars change at the Bondurant School from time to time, when we went it was all Ford and we took the 2-​Day Grand Prix Specialty course.
Our introduction was the same as others have mentioned… we arrived at the 15-​turn track and the first thing the instructor does after saving hello is put us in an unassuming 15-​seat passenger van to drive around the track and see what we would be learning for the two days… or so he said. We put on our seatbelts and then he drove us around pretty fast… sloshing us from side to side on the seats (memo to file — don’t spend the previous night getting loaded in celebration for the first day because you will need all your senses)…and then he drove it again at his top end to show us how fast one can drive if they are in control … what a great intro to the course. Now we had our challenge for the two day event.
We spent a half-​day in the classroom learning the physics of high performance driving — where to enter a turn… when to brake… when to get off and on the accelerator… the handling differences between front-​wheel drive cars and rear-​wheel drive machines. Then it was out to the skid track to feel the physics — the instructor used the outriders (lifters) on a car to lift different corners at high speed — the challenge was to see how fast you could do circles or figure-​eights before losing control. We did this together and then one by one with the instructor — so we had a lot of personal one-​on-​one time (memo to file — Dramamine). After that we went to a slalom course where it started as a single lane and split into a Y — each one controlled with a stop light. At the start of the course we were invited to see how much wheel spin we could generate on starting — in fact they egged us on and, of course, with high performance tires on it was hard to get much spin… but it did get our speed up for this lesson on the Y strip. The challenge here was to approach the lights as fast as possible and slam on the brakes at a marked point, and steer the car into the lane with the green light — which did not appear until the last second. The lesson was that you can steer a car even when in a full ABS brake lockup… something you really don’t know until you try it. End of day one.
Day two was mostly on the 15-​turn road course. We strapped on our cars and went out one by one with the instructor again — for a little personal time the first time around the course. After each had done this, we each had the chance to have the course to ourselves and see how fast we could get around with no competition. After that our group was given access to race each other (you can buy insurance to pay for any damage you cause). We had been given the course rules beforehand so racing against each other was a lot of fun and not dangerous. This was probably the most fun — the chance to put into practice all we had learned so far. We ended the day with the opportunity to drive open-​wheeled cars on the skills track, and then on the road course. The difference between the two types of race cars was amazing, and fun to try. Getting in the open-​wheeled cars is a bit claustrophobic inasmuch as you wear a helmet with facemask in this equipment and the cockpit is a tight fit.
The Bondurant School is expensive (from $ 500 to $ 5,000 per person depending on lessons and days) but tons of fun. It is a great event to do with a group. Just make sure you like the smell of oil and exhaust and spinning tires/​burning rubber — this is a racing enterprise and all the smells you’ll run into constantly remind you of it. But it was a singular experience to be able to rip the tires off a car and drive all out. Great lessons in safety, and how to drive fast and safely.

Billy N’s review covers the details very well for the 4 Day Grand Prix course, so I won’t retype them.
One thing I will add is that the drills in the first two days are applicable to both the rest of the course and street driving so, they are definitely worth the time spent on them.
From my experience with the heat on the track, don’t hesitate to take a break when you need one, there is plenty of seat time in the course!
From the moment you walk in until the moment you leave, everyone is professional and relaxed to make sure you have a good time and learn all you can.
Thanks to Brennan, Instructors William and Robert, Marissa at the desk, and of course Bob Bondurant for executing a great week for me and the rest of our class!

I was lucky enough to come here with a large group of friends and family members to race Corvettes and go-​karts. I have loved Corvettes for a long time and this was the first time I got to actually ride in one, but HELLO I got to drive it, as well! What an experience! I felt like Danica Patrick. The go-​karts were a little more scary, but maybe I just had too much competition. Yea that’s it! I was one of two girls and there were like 10 guys with us. But it seriously was such a fun day. If you get a chance to go, don’t hesitate! Hit the gas pedal and go!

I took the 4-​day Grand Prix Road Racing course and, really, the best way to put phrase this is «You don’t know what you don’t know.» I thought I knew what I was doing, but I really didn’t. However, I didn’t know that! They broke me down and built me back up with all of the correct methods. I can’t say enough for the program and the instructors.
If you have questions as to how good they actually are, go to the corvette forums and ready the reviews that people have given them, from real Corvette owners and aficionados.
I WILL BE BACK!

My husband was able to go here for an experience. He absolutely loved it. I hung out on the sideslines and watched him have a great time. It made me nervous how fast he was going, and he was even having a hard time catching his equalibrium when he was finished. He’d go back again in a heart beat!

This is where Tom Cruise learned to drive when he was filming Days of Thunder and Paul Newman has been here too. So lots of coolness to begin with. If you’re an adrenaline junky or have a corporate group event that’s in the «need for speed» come here! You won’t be disappointed! Lots of great memorabilia to see on the walls too.
I’ve put together corporate events all over the world. I’ve taken customers to see the Great Wall in China, I’ve taken them to the Hermitage Museum in Russia (home of many Tzars and it houses one of the finest art collections in the world… only 3 million pieces and some from the Stone Age) and I took them to play golf at Pebble Beach in Monterey. I took them kayaking and salmon fishing in the Pugent Sound… I could go on and on but I have to say, I’ve heard more wonderful comments about this adventure than any other (trust me, they weren’t complaining about Pebble Beach!) and since my customer’s are so worldly, they can be hard to please!
That being said, I can speak candidly and honestly when I write my reviews. My clients are well traveled too so the fabulous feedback I had after this event speaks for itself.
I was lucky enough to participate in the driving experience as well and I loved it.
What an amazing time we all had! The package I chose included Lead and Follow which lets you race laps around the track in a Camero. I was tailgating our black pacer car the whole way. There were two in each vehicle but I was alone in mine. They provide the helmets and intensive safety reviews!
Prior to that, we got to race against a time clock and that was not easy maneuvering around the cones at high speed but our winner got a cool prize (T-​Shirt) and the accolades.
The group took some cool photos with their cars, and since they were mostly all men, they were in the zone. Everyone had a fun memorable experience!

WELL… I have let this «cool off» for more then a month so as to not write from anger or disappointment. For those that are looking into this school, you must already have an idea of the price$$$. Wanting to attend this school for more then 20 years, my Bride gave this to me as a birthday gift. We found these «so called Gift Certificates» on EBAY. They were roughly ¹⁄₃ off retail price. «IF I WOULD HAVE ANY IDEA HOW COMPLICATED THIS WAS GOING TO GET, I’D GLADLY!!! PAID RETAIL… When I called to book a seat at the Bondurant School I was transferred to the Sales Dept. I FULLY explained that I was going to purchase tickets online. I wanted to ensure the «GIFT CERTIFICATES» were in fact authentic. I was told the were current and valid. I asked to reserve a seat in an upcoming class then. I EVEN OFFERED to use a credit card to hold the seat. I was told that «it wouldn’t be a problem to reserve the class seat». I then asked for a recommendation for local lodging. I was told «WE ARE RUNNING A SPECIAL LODGING DEAL». Those that attended this class were to have the Hotel rooms comp’d. Great I thought… Until the following week. I called and got the same person on the phone to ask a different question regarding the class when I was told «Oh there is a problem». I asked about what? This person explained 2 separate issues, first another sales person had sold the last seat for the class that I had already made all the travel arrangements for. Second was that the Hotel WAS NOT to be included in the price due to the «gift certificates», this is when I was informed that «they are gift certificates, we don’t make any money on them!!»
I was not happy, as stated, I tried to secure the class seat with a credit card the week prior to making travel arrangements. I was told that the person would «try and figure out a way to fix it.» I canceled all travel and was contacted it a few days by the sales person. I was told that I was going to be able to attend the scheduled date AND upgraded to a Corvette! The main reason for pulling the trigger on the class was because I has recently bought a 2011 Camaro SS and wanted to drive that car. I made that clear from the first contact regarding scheduling a class seat.
There is more but frankly I don’t feel like going back over all of it… After not being able to offer ANYTHING to compensate me for ALL OF THEIR ERRORS, I decided to confront the General Sales Manager with a copy of all electronic correspondence regarding ALL of the issues from the beginning. In the middle of the main entrance of the facility AND IN FRONT OF AN EMPLOYEE I was told «I’m not getting into a battle of emails.» Then slammed the door as they left, leaving me to answer to the employee When stated «What Just Happened??» I explained that the sales manager was busy… After gaining my composure, I went and found the same person and asked to see Mr. Bondurant. I was told that he was not on the property and would not return for the day. I TOLD this person I would be expecting a phone call from Mr. Bondurant ASAP due to the flight I had reserved for home I could not wait.
«WAIT FOR IT…» The next day I receive a phone call from the legend Bob Bondurant, the first words from his mouth were «I’M PRETTY PISSED OFF RIGHT NOW,» I WAS FLOORED TO SAY THE LEAST… After several different people chimed in on the speaker phone, I just gave in. After spending thousands of dollars and going to a «Bucket List Item», I had no come back for a person I had looked up to for decades. I had upset Him… Well the dust has settled and I thought it was time to speak my own opinion to this tragedy. THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THIS EVENT THAT I HAVE NOT LISTED. The irony to this whole thing is that due to my job I attend MANY events that the Bondurant’s do as well. I look foreword to seeing them very soon.
Cheers,

Training at Bondurant is not a goof-​off, play-​time joke. There is serious classroom time to learn serious theory, early starts, long days and thorough testing.
I have done other high performance /​advanced driving courses before. But this was by far the most technical and demanding.
I did a 4 day course which I think cost about $ 5000 (someone else paid).
Based on what I can do in a car now, that feels like a bargain. The most valuable improvement in my driving is a much more heightened awareness of vehicle dynamics. I can «feel» the weight distribution of my vehicle change now as I change speed and direction. After driving the Bondurant vehicles, mine feels like a boat, but I can drive it a lot better. And if I ever have to do a reverse 180 at 40 miles an hour, no problem.
Also you meet really cool people in the course.

I attended the 4-​Day Racing School and «Loved it»!!!
For «anyone» that wants to learn the limits of «any car» in «any situation», the Bondurant courses will teach you what you need to learn.
Before I attended Bondurant I had experience racing cars, however, hands down… if you, your family member (who mabie a panicky driver), teenage driver… anyone would benefit from the courses at Bondurant… even the Intro. to Racing.
The instructors I found to be very helpful and I got the feeling that any of them would be confident teaching ‘anyone’ how to drive and how to handle a car… in which he/​she can then translate the skills learned to any car on the road.
It has been about 6 years since I completed the course and it is still memorable for me… and will definitely go back when I have the money to race again.
Thank you Bondurant for having a wonderful school with positive, knowledgable and helpful instructors.