| Frequently referred to as the Fastest 60 Acres in | | | | squeeze). Pulling out, I could feel my gut flutter as |
| America, the Bob Bondurant School of High | | | | my head asked, "What have you gotten yourself |
| Performance Driving is committed to professional | | | | into?" The professional driver led the way and I |
| instruction for all levels, from novice to advanced to | | | | mirrored his path. It was a real challenge, but the |
| professional, and from individuals to large groups. It | | | | sense of accomplishment I felt taking those curves |
| ranks as a multi-million dollar operation. | | | | was unbelievable. When the pro driver pulled off and |
| With a fleet of more than 200 cars, Bondurant has | | | | I had to do it by myself, I was thrilled that I could - |
| graduated professionals as well as celebrities. To | | | | just not quite as fast. |
| name just a few: John Andretti, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. | | | | I knew I had to share this experience, so I returned |
| and Jr., Jeff Gordon, Kyle Petty, Jason Priestly, Al | | | | to the school to interview Bob Bondurant. I was |
| Unser, Jr., Candice Bergen, Nicolas Cage, Ice Cube, | | | | enthralled with his experience, expertise and charm. |
| Clint Eastwood, James Garner, Gene Hackman, Paul | | | | But, my real unexpected high adrenalin fix was |
| Newman, Walter Payton and 85% of NASCAR | | | | Bondurant taking me in his Corvette C5 Coupe for |
| drivers. | | | | hotlaps where we reached 160 m.p.h. His percision |
| One of the best things about its valley location is the | | | | with the wheel was something I'd never experienced. |
| ease of reaching its classes. Attendees can follow | | | | Now, I've a better understanding of high |
| their dreams and learn to maximize their own skills. | | | | performance driving. It was topped any rollercoaster |
| Bob focuses on using his own experience and that of | | | | ride - thrilling, exciting - a real benefit of interviewing! |
| other racing greats to improve skills of every | | | | Some of the courses offered are summarized below. |
| attendee. Bondurant says, "Everyone that goes | | | | However, they are not limited to what is shown, and |
| through here leaves with a big smile on their face. | | | | can be customized to meet needs: |
| They learn a lot and have fun learning. They are | | | | High Performance Driving - Featuring the |
| safer and learn how to enjoy their car. You are | | | | Cadillac®CTS, combining advanced street driving |
| never too old to learn something new." | | | | skills with techniques refined through years on the |
| Paul Newman said, "Bob Bondurant is as good as it | | | | racetrack (Some automatic transmissions are available |
| gets. I wish I'd been as good as he's gotten." | | | | and need to be requested in advance). |
| One of Bob's earlier teaching experiences was | | | | Highway Survival Training - This is designed for those |
| working with James Garner for the movie Grand Prix. | | | | who want to gain confidence in their day-to-day |
| Later he taught Paul Newman and Robert Wagner | | | | driving, and feel comfortable behind the wheel. |
| for the movie Winning. | | | | Advanced Teenage Driving - It teaches teens the |
| Bob's racing accident in 1967 was a turning point in his | | | | skills they need to know - active driving skills that |
| career. He recognized a nationwide need to inform | | | | could someday save their lives. |
| drivers how to react better, whether racing or driving | | | | Intro To Racing - This combines advanced street |
| their own cars. Using other tracks, he started his | | | | driving skills with proven racing techniques to give |
| school in California in 1968. But, his dream was to | | | | students a hands-on experience like no other. |
| have his own state of the art purpose-built custom | | | | Grand Prix Road Racing - Combining a race-prepared |
| designed training facility that was considered the best | | | | Corvette C5 Coupe with the open-wheel excitement |
| in the world. Since 1990, The Bob Bondurant School | | | | of an F-1 style Formula Bondurant, this is the |
| of High Performance Driving, located in the valley | | | | signature Bondurant course. |
| next to the Firebird International Raceway, | | | | Advance Road Racing - This course is specifically |
| represents the achievement of his dream. | | | | geared for current racers and graduates of the |
| The facility was designed with high performance and | | | | 4-Day Grand Prix or other accredited racing school; |
| race driver training in mind. It boasts a 1.6 mile race | | | | some graduates include Jimmie Johnson, Tony |
| track, 3.5 acre asphalt pad, class room, and garage | | | | Stewart, Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and Rusty |
| complex. Its instructors are all professional race car | | | | Wallace. |
| drivers who go through an extensive program on | | | | Executive Protection/Anti Kidnapping - This extensive |
| teaching the way Bondurant wants things taught. | | | | course is designed to prepare executives, their |
| Bob said, "Generally, people have been taught to | | | | families, staff and chauffeurs and special military |
| drive by a parent or brother or sister. They have not | | | | operations personnel to detect, deter or avoid |
| learned to maximize their handling of a high | | | | potential confrontation or assault, whether criminal or |
| performance vehicle. All you have are four tire | | | | terrorist. |
| patches between you and the road. It only takes an | | | | Grand Prix Specialty - 2 day course combining the |
| instant to be out of control." | | | | Bondurant C5 Corvette with the open-wheel Formula |
| He expounded further with, "Everything we teach | | | | Bondurant. |
| here is basics and safety. In addition to how to sit in | | | | Corvette Z06 Experience - 405 horsepower, 6 |
| the car properly, we teach ABS braking. Most people | | | | speeds, zero to 60 in under four seconds - the |
| jump on the brake, yank the wheel right or left to | | | | ultimate full-throttle experience in this American |
| avoid something, and they skid the car out. We | | | | Dream Machine. |
| teach emergency brake/evasive maneuvers, a higher | | | | Lap the Oval at Phoenix International Raceway - This |
| speed ABS..., skid control (most people don't realize | | | | 2 ½-hour course provides experience of oval |
| they may be able to handle the first skid, but after | | | | track excitement like never before! It is typically |
| the second or third skid they spin out), elevating your | | | | offered the weekend following the IRL (Spring) and |
| vision by looking much further ahead and avoiding | | | | NASCAR races (Fall). |
| problems, and using the proper line around corners. | | | | Father's Day and New Year's RPM (Rapid Precision |
| Many of our students say, 'I guess I never knew | | | | Maneuvers) - Buckle in and experience the art of high |
| how to drive very well.'" | | | | performance driving! Four events: Accident |
| Needless to say, Bob Bondurant strongly opposes cell | | | | Avoidance, Autocross, Lead and Follow, and Pro |
| phone conversations and other multi-tasking while | | | | Karts. |
| driving. | | | | For those who want kart training on site, The |
| Yukata Katayama, The father of the Z car, stated | | | | Bondurant SuperKart School is the proven leader in |
| about Bondurant, "His deep insight and passion | | | | this type of training. It offers individual karting |
| launched the Bob Bondurant School of High | | | | courses for thrill seekers all the way up to |
| Performance Driving back in 1968. A great idea to | | | | experienced karting veterans. The school also |
| teach people how to drive safely and enjoy | | | | specializes in group programs and team building |
| sportscar racing on the road and track." | | | | programs for company meetings, employee incentive |
| The school says, "Every driver, every level, every | | | | programs, birthday parties, and more. Courses utilize |
| day. It's more than just the philosophy we live by. It's | | | | Tony Kart 125cc shifter karts, 125cc TAG karts and |
| what Bondurant has been for over 100,000 | | | | Briggs & Stratton powered ProKarts. |
| graduates since 1968. And it all starts with selecting | | | | Bondurant still has the passion of his youth combined |
| the right course to suit your individual needs." | | | | with skill and experience. His racing record speaks for |
| My own experience: | | | | itself. Bob says, "Winning Le Mans in 1964 with Dan |
| While attending a Phoenix press program, Bondurant | | | | Gurney and the World Manufacturer's Championship in |
| was offered as an activity. Being 60+, I viewed this | | | | 1965 were the biggest thrills of my life." |
| as more of an adventure and opportunity than a | | | | If you are visiting Phoenix, taking part in this school is |
| round of golf. Even with a heavy foot, I've not been | | | | something you'll thank yourself for and at the same |
| into racing, but I do enjoy new experiences and | | | | time, enjoy the experience. If your not planning a trip |
| learning. | | | | there, I'd consider it. |
| The few hours I spent at the school were a highlight | | | | Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, |
| of my trip. I walked away with a smile on my face, | | | | 20000 S. Maricopa Road, Gate 3, Chandler, AZ 85226, |
| which has remained as I've implement several of the | | | | 1.800.842.RACE (7223) Local 480.961.0143, Bondurant |
| skills I learned. | | | | SuperKart School, 1.800.652 KART (5278). |
| My personal preference on the track was the | | | | This article may be reprinted as long as credit is given |
| Cadillac®CTS over the SuperKart (a tight | | | | to the author. |