Mention the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, and Susan Hartman’s eyes instantly widen with excitement.
You can tell this 78-year-old grandmother seriously enjoys the legendary prowess of America’s Sports Car. As a self-professed adrenaline junkie, Susan thrives on road courses and twisty North Georgia mountain roads alike.
Listen to the unfettered excitement in her voice as she talks about her driving school experience, and you know it’s true. In fact, you can close your eyes and clearly imagine Susan satisfying her need for speed at the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School.
What really sealed the deal for us was when we casually mentioned that she could probably beat our time around a road course. Her one-word reply was short, sweet, and dripping with road-course confidence. . . “Maybe.”
After that, we knew we had to bring you her story.
The 1958 Corvette Was The Start
Rod Worley – Editor – Before we talk about your latest Ron Fellows Performance Driving School experience, let’s unpack your Corvette history a bit. Have you and your husband Chris always enjoyed Corvettes?
Susan Hartman – C8 Owner – Chris had a 1958 Corvette when we started dating though we sold it when he got drafted. Fast forward a few decades, and we got back into Corvettes with a used 2015 C7 in white.
After that, we bought a new white 2017 Grand Sport, which is how we first got to the performance school. And then, about five months ago, we picked up our C8 at the museum.
NCM Delivery Was Special
Rod Worley – Editor – We often say the National Corvette Museum delivery option is well worth the experience. Did you enjoy the NCM delivery, and how was the ordering process?
Susan Hartman – C8 Owner – We got to Bowling Green the night before the delivery date, and they already had our car in the viewing area with velvet roped stanchions around it.
The next day, during the delivery process, they showed us every feature of our new Corvette. Later they gave us a personal guided tour of the museum.
I have to say, the vehicle delivery team handled every step of the process beautifully and made us feel special. We’ll go back later to tour the plant when it reopens.
MacMulkin in Nashua, NH, was the dealership we ordered from, and it was remarkable how they worked with the museum to provide a seamless experience.
Hitting The Apex
Rod Worley – Editor – You and Chris have been to the Ron Fellows Driving School before. I would imagine having a husband/wife combination take the class at the same time is rare.
How would you compare your two trips to the school?
Susan Hartman – C8 Owner – Yes, it is rare. G.M. pays a portion of the Performance Driving Schools fee for the new car owner.
In our case, my husband, Chris, had a portion of his fee paid by G.M. while I had to pay full price for mine both times. But it was absolutely worth it because of what I learned and the fun I had out there.
On my first trip out there, I learned a lot about the car, but since it was my first time on a road course, I tried to gain confidence by following the instructor’s lines through the corner as much as possible.
The second time out there, I felt more comfortable on the track. In addition, the instructors spent more time with me, which showed in my lap times.
By the end, I was getting good at looking ahead and finding my braking cone. I also got better at hitting my mark in the corner’s apex.
Down the short straightaway, I got up to 114 mph. Though I could have done better if I’d gotten on the throttle quicker coming out of the corner.
Now I’m always looking for my braking zone and apex when coming up to a corner on the highway.
Skid Pad Fun
Rod Worley – Editor – What were some of your other memorable moments besides going fast on the road course?
Susan Hartman – C8 Owner – I also enjoyed learning the C8’s new launch control. It’s easy to do and gives you that great acceleration every time.
Being an adrenaline junkie, I really liked the feeling of being pushed back in the seat. But then again, I like fast roller coasters too.
They cover so much in those two days at the driving school. I did everything they offered, including the wet skid pad.
I especially like putting the car into a slide and learning how to correct it. Then, of course, I begged them to let me spin the C8 all the way around, which they did eventually.
That was a good learning experience and a lot of fun. Plus, the mid-engine design gives you a lot of confidence when it comes to handling.
Bucking The Trend
Few Corvette owners have track experience, let alone professional road course training. Susan and her husband, Chris, are bucking that trend.
They’re out there pushing America’s Sports Car and learning how to go faster.
My advice is if you’re in the North Georgia mountains and see a Red Mist C8 with a silver racing stripe filling up your rearview mirror, you should just wave them by.
It’s probably Susan Hartman satisfying her need for speed.
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