Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance policies are available?
The Bondurant School offers Vehicle Liability Insurance as an option to all groups. The following optional damage insurance policies apply:
$2500.00 Deductible (1-2-Day FUNdamentals)$50.00 Per Day / $3500.00 Deductible (1-Day Specialty)
$75.00 Per Day / $6000.00 Deductible (2-Day Grand Prix Specialty)
Included / $2500.00 Deductible (2-Hour GT Specialty and ½-Day Fundamentals)
*There is no insurance on Karts; all damages are due and payable
When should I make a reservation?
In order to effectively produce and prepare group courses, we suggest reservations be made at least 120 days prior to the event.
Reservation dates must be confirmed 15 days prior to the event with a signed contract and receipt of 50% of the total cost. Reservations are subject to cancellation if contract and deposit are not received 15 days before the event date.
What if I need to cancel?
Any cancellation made between 60 and 120 days of the event will be subject to a 50% penalty of the total deposit received. Cancellation within 59 days will result in a loss of 100% percent of the deposit.
How fast will I go at the school?
How fast do you want to go? You're driving! How fast you go depends on you and your abilities, and higher speeds will come with knowledge and experience. While we encourage participants to find their limits, every student is coached at their individual comfort level.
We also start with a variety of driving exercises geared to teach you the basics of car control. Only after you've established a solid foundation will you be able to drive to the best of your abilities.
As far as the cars go, we do not put any RPM or speed limits on them, except for the Slalom course and Accident Avoidance exercise. While other schools may start you at 3,000 RPM and gradually move you up, we feel you need to explore the car's limits from the very beginning.
Why Bondurant?
Because we offer the best professional driver training curriculum and instructors anywhere, and we've been doing it for over 30 years. Just ask any Bondurant graduate! One of the biggest distinctions is the fact that we have our own purpose-built, state-of-the-art training facility here in Phoenix, Arizona. I designed everything with high performance and race driver training in mind, from the 1.6-mile racetrack and 3.5-acre asphalt pad, to the classroom and garage complex. We also feature the most advanced exercises and equipment, such as our Skid Cars. The Chevy Corvette and Cadillac CTS are also perfect training vehicles. They are fast, handle well, and extremely reliable, but more importantly, they offer the right kind of feedback critical for driver training. Both vehicles allow us to ride and drive with you in the car, and our 3-to-1 student-to-instructor ratio gives you plenty of quality individual attention.
Why is it important for your instructors to ride with the students?
This is the only way to see what's really happening inside the car, with your feet, hands and eyes. We can see what you're doing right and what you may be doing wrong, and give instant feedback. It doesn't help if you keep taking a corner wrong over and over again, then to tell you about it at the end of the session. You need to practice doing it correctly from the very beginning. You simply cannot teach a skill such as high performance or race driving from the outside. How would you like to learn to fly a helicopter with your instructor standing on the ground?
How many schools do you have?
One. And it's located near Phoenix, Arizona at the Firebird International Raceway complex. We're about 15 minutes south of Phoenix Sky Harbor airport, just off of the I-10 freeway. While we are part of the Firebird International Raceway facility, we have our own 60-acre area including our track, training pad, garages, and office buildings. We also have access to three other tracks at Firebird, which we sometimes use for our Advanced Road Racing courses. On the road, we offer mobile Formula Bondurant courses at Phoenix International Raceway. We also conduct special courses for car clubs at racetracks across the country and in Canada.
Are there any requirements for me to attend?
You must be at least 16 years of age, in good physical condition, hold a valid non-restricted driver's license, and have at least six months driving experience. You will also be required to sign all Bondurant School waivers and releases. Grand Prix Road Racing students must be comfortable operating a manual transmission in preparation for the Formula Fords. Minors must have a parental waiver to attend The School. And remember, teenage course participants are required to have at least 6 months driving experience in addition to a valid driver's license.
What happens if I damage a Bondurant car?
While accidents are very rare, they can happen. If you are involved in an accident, you will be responsible for all costs to have the damage repaired. To limit your risk, we've adopted an insurance program to alleviate any potential financial burden.
Click here to get our most up-to-date insurance policy information. While other schools may not hold you responsible for damage, they'll never let you find the car's true limits. Others that let you on a racetrack will limit your speed so much that it's impossible to get into an accident, but it's also impossible to learn. Only at Bondurant will you drive to your limits.
What should I wear?
Very comfortable clothes and shoes. Most of our students wear shorts, T-shirts, tennis shoes and sunglasses. You may want to bring jeans, sweatpants, and a sweatshirt for winter.
What about helmets and driving suits?
We provide Bell helmets, Stand 21 driving suits and neck collars for the Grand Prix Road Racing, Advanced Road Racing and 3-Day High Performance Driving courses. Our other courses do not require any additional equipment. If you have your own safety equipment and would be more comfortable wearing it, please feel free to bring it.
Do you hold courses in the rain?
Absolutely! While it doesn't rain much in Phoenix, it is actually a very beneficial way to learn. Driving in the rain limits the level of adhesion down, and requires you to be an extra smooth driver!
