The Camaro Driving Academy is setting a new standard in high-performance driver education. The Academy’s curriculum is designed to give you the right tools to master every corner. Motorsports enthusiasts of all experience levels have an opportunity to drive on Canada’s most exclusive circuit, taking advantage of programs Level 1 through Level 3.

Drivers will spend time with Kees Nierop, Chief Instructor, and his accomplished driving instructors as they take you from classroom theory to testing your skills on track. Learn the essential skills to master any track from some of Canada’s top drivers on the most technically demanding circuit, join the academy today.

AFFILIATED PROGRAMS

Discover the exciting new Camaro V8 SS 1LE on the world-class Area 27 road circuit. This half-day experience is tailor-made for entry-level drivers who are interested in getting a taste of what it’s like to drive on a FIA approved racetrack! The Camaro V8 SS 1LE provides an exhilarating platform to start your journey of performance driving with an on-track exercise and several lead-follow styled sessions. 

COURSE RATES

V8 SS 1LE: $795.00 +GST 

2023 Dates

April 14 (AM)   |   May 28 (PM)   |   June 7 (PM)

June 25 (PM)   |   July 5 (PM)   |   July 29 (PM)   |   August 12 (PM)

Please note start times may vary, most programs will begin early evening at 5:30pm.

CAMARO ACADEMY

THE BASICS 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 14 students 

Course rate includes rental of a V8 SS 1LE Camaro

Review of Camaro 1LE performance features

History of Area 27

Introduction to the Camaro V8 1LE features
Review of seating position, flags, and track safety

On-track car control exercise

Group setting feedback and critique

Controlled short-course lapping lead follow

Refreshments provided

*Must be 18 years or older to participate 
**This Experience does not qualify a driver for open lapping upon successful completion

 

introductory

motorsports

mixer

 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 15 participants

On-track car control exercise

Full circuit lead-follow sessions

3 sessions of karting at the Kartplex

Refreshments and lunch provided

 

 

Join us for a fun-fueled day getting a taste of the basics in high-performance driving on Area 27’s circuit and wheel-to-wheel karting action at Kartplex.

Individuals, private parties, and corporate entertainment options are available to get you and your guests on-track – choose to rent a 2021 Camaro V8 SS 1LE or bring a personal vehicle.

The Motorsports Mixer is the perfect opportunity to experience raw power on the Area 27 circuit with lead-followed styled sessions and a 2-hour session of exhilarating karting at the Kartplex.

Please note, this program will only be offered exclusively as a private academy experience package for 2023.

Please inquire for package rates & availability

 

Get a taste of Canada’s most exclusive and technically demanding motorsports circuit. Designed for drivers of all levels, this program provides participants with an introduction to high performance driving and focuses on developing the fundamental skills towards open lapping at Area 27. 

Explore the basics of car control with hands on training. Drivers will have ample time to sharpen techniques such as accurate steering, corner entry & exit, and braking & downshifting as our team of highly skilled coaches lead drivers through all 16 turns of the circuit.

Once you get a taste, explore our 2.5-day academy to take your performance driving skills to the next level.

COURSE RATES  

 Personal Vehicle: $1,295.00 +GST 

V8 SS 1LE: $2,195.00 +GST

 

Level 1

1-dAy Area 27 experience 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 15 students 

Limited program dates per season

Controlled full circuit lapping with one-on-one instructor’s critique and feedback

 

* Drivers must be a minimum of 18 years of age (some exceptions apply)
** Level 1 track experience program is not a sanctioned driving school, and as such cannot be used as a credential for open lapping at Area 27 or other race circuits.

2023 Dates

April 4  |  April 28  |  May 14  |  July 30

August 10  |  September 28  |  October 13  |  October 20

Level 2

2.5-dAy CAMARO driving academy 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 16 students with Area 27 and GM Canada provided Camaro 1LE track cars

Academy instructors provide FIA certified curriculum 

2-hour in class theory session with comprehensive course handbook

Review of Camaro 1LE performance features

Challenging corner set-up, entry, and exit phases

Track safety and flag definition

Controlled short-course lapping lead follow and open lapping

Controlled full circuit lapping with one-on-one instructor’s critique and feedback

Graduation certificate of completion 

*This schedule is a rough guideline for the program and may not be exactly as stated
**Includes 2-days on track, vehicle, fuel, daily lunch & dinner after Day 1

 

Drivers will first spend time in the classroom with Kees Nierop, Chief Instructor, and his accomplished driving instructors as they take you through a theory session covering track terminology and safety, braking technique, and proper driving.

Day 1 on track, drivers will be ready to take in the circuit applying several performance techniques including weight transfer, corner set-up, entry and exit phases, all while building up to short course open lapping. On Day 2, drivers will take advantage of the full circuit starting with a morning track walk, followed by instructor led lapping with one-on-one feedback from each instructor. Drivers will then have the ability to experience full circuit open lapping with comprehensive group and individual performance evaluations.

Drivers learn the essential skills to master any track, theory combined with practice of fundamentals, on the most technically demanding circuit. Upon successful completion of the 2.5-Day Camaro Driving Academy, drivers will be recognized with a certificate of graduation.

COURSE RATES

V8 SS 1LE: $4,295.00 +GST  |  ZL1 1LE: model may be available upon request, prerequisites required. 

2023 Dates

April 14-16  |   April 28 – 30  |  May 26 – 28  |  June 23 – 25

 August 10 – 12  |  September 22 – 24  |  October 13 – 15  |   October 20 – 22

 

Camaro Academy

The basics

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 14 students 

Course rate include use of a 2021 V8 SS 1LE Camaro

Review of Camaro 1LE performance features

History of Area 27

Introduction to the 2021 Camaro V8 1LE features
Review of seating position, flags, and track safety

On-track car control exercise

Group setting feedback and critique

Controlled short-course lapping lead follow

Refreshments provided

*Must be 18 years or older to participate 
**This Experience does not qualify a driver for open lapping upon successful completion

 

Discover the exciting new Camaro V8 SS 1LE on the world-class Area 27 road circuit. This half-day experience is tailor-made for entry-level drivers who are interested in getting a taste of what it’s like to drive on a FIA approved racetrack! The Camaro V8 SS 1LE provides an exhilarating platform to start your journey of performance driving with an on-track exercise and several lead-follow styled sessions. 

COURSE RATES

V8 SS 1LE: $795.00 +GST 

2023 Dates

April 14 (AM)   |   May 28 (PM)   |   June 7 (PM)

June 25 (PM)   |   July 5 (PM)   |   July 29 (PM)   |   August 12 (PM)

Please note start times may vary, most programs will begin early evening at 5:30pm.

introductory

motorsports

mixer

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 15 participants

On-track car control exercise

Full circuit lead-follow sessions

3 sessions of karting at the Kartplex

Refreshments and lunch provided

 

 

Join us for a fun-fueled day getting a taste of the basics in high-performance driving on Area 27’s circuit and wheel-to-wheel karting action at Kartplex.

Individuals, private parties, and corporate entertainment options are available to get you and your guests on-track – choose to rent a 2021 Camaro V8 SS 1LE or bring a personal vehicle.

The Motorsports Mixer is the perfect opportunity to experience raw power on the Area 27 circuit with lead-followed styled sessions and a 2-hour session of exhilarating karting at the Kartplex.

Please inquire for package rates & availability

Please note, this program will only be offered exclusively as a private academy experience package for 2023.

Level 1

1-dAy Area 27 experience 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 15 students 

Limited program dates per season

Controlled full circuit lapping with one-on-one instructor’s critique and feedback

* Drivers must be a minimum of 18 years of age (some exceptions apply)
**Level 1 track experience program is not a sanctioned driving school, and as such cannot be used as a credential for open lapping at Area 27 or other race circuits.

 

 

Get a taste of Canada’s most exclusive and technically demanding motorsports circuit. Designed for drivers of all levels, this program provides participants with an introduction to high performance driving and focuses on developing the fundamental skills towards open lapping at Area 27. 

Explore the basics of car control with hands on training. Drivers will have ample time to sharpen techniques such as accurate steering, corner entry & exit and, braking & downshifting as our team of highly skilled coaches lead drivers through all 16 turns of the circuit. 

Once you get a taste, explore our 2.5-day academy to take your performance driving skills to the next level.

2023 Dates

April 4  |  April 28  |  May 14  |  July 30

August 10  |  September 28  |  October 13  |  October 20

 

COURSE RATES  

Personal Vehicle: $1,295.00 +GST  |  V8 SS 1LE: $2,195.00 +GST  

Level 2

2.5-DAY CAMARO DRIVING ACADEMY 

 

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

Up to 16 students with Area 27 and GM Canada provided Camaro 1LE track cars

Academy instructors provide FIA certified curriculum

2-hour in class theory session with comprehensive course handbook

Review of Camaro 1LE performance features

Challenging corner set-up, entry, and exit phases

Track safety and flag definition

Controlled short-course lapping lead follow and open lapping

Controlled full circuit lapping with one-on-one instructor’s critique and feedback

Graduation certificate of completion 

*This schedule is a rough guideline for the program and may not be exactly as stated
**Includes 2-days on track, vehicle, fuel, daily lunch & dinner after Day 1

 

 

 

 

Drivers will first spend time in the classroom with Kees Nierop, Chief Instructor, and his accomplished driving instructors as they take you through a theory session covering track terminology and safety, braking technique, and proper driving.

Day 1 on track, drivers will be ready to take in the circuit applying several performance techniques including weight transfer, corner set-up, entry and exit phases, all while building up to short course open lapping. On Day 2, drivers will take advantage of the full circuit starting with a morning track walk, followed by instructor led lapping with one-on-one feedback from each instructor. Drivers will then have the ability to experience full circuit open lapping with comprehensive group and individual performance evaluations.

Drivers learn the essential skills to master any track, theory combined with practice of fundamentals, on the most technically demanding circuit. Upon successful completion of the 2.5-Day Camaro Driving Academy, drivers will be recognized with a certificate of graduation.

COURSE RATES

      V8 SS 1LE: $4,295.00 +GST  |  ZL1 1LE model may be available upon request, prerequisites required.

2023 Dates

April 14-16  |   April 28 – 30  |  May 26 – 28  |  June 23 – 25

 August 10 – 12  |  September 22 – 24  |  October 13 – 15  |   October 20 – 22

                           

                           

Discover the South Okanagan “good life” at the Okanagan resort that defines easy living, Watermark Beach Resort, Academy 27's Official Accommodation Partner. 

Where attention to detail and personal service is as unmatched and unique as the experience and amenities. 

Experience the Watermark difference. 

Camaro Academy Sponsors

 

MEET THE ACADEMY EXPERTS

  • Winner of the legendary Sebring 12 Hours of Endurance race
  • Porsche factory driver at the 1987 LeMans 24hr and Daytona
  • Canadian GT-1 Champion
  • Rothmans Porsche 944 Champion
  • The only Canadian to have his name on a Porsche factory race car displayed in the new Porsche Museum in Germany.

Kees Nierop

Chief Instructor

  • 5 time winner of the IndyCar Series, 24 podium finishes
  • Winner of the 1996 Player's Toyota Atlantic Championship
  • Most consecutive wins (8), most wins in a season (9), also most consecutive wins from pole (8), most laps led in a season and most accumulated points in a season (239pts)
  • NASCAR, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving the No. 32 Ford Fusion for Go FAS Racing.

Patrick Carpentier

Guest Instructor

  • Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY
  • International GT3 Racing
  • Porsche Cup Canada
  • Hankook/ATLAS BX Test Driver
  • 2017 Race of Champions race winner
  • 2017 IMSA LMP3 podium finisher
  • Formula car and prototype experience: Road to Indy, LMP3

Stefan Rzadzinski

Instructor

  • 10+ years racing experience
  • 2019: IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Podium Finisher
  • 2018: Pirelli World Challenge Champion
  • Two time Porsche GT3 Cup Canada Champion
  • USF2000 Champion
  • Pro Mazda Championship 2nd Place
  • Indy Lights Podium Finisher
  • Extensive relationship with Porsche Motorsport

Scott Hargrove

Instructor

  • Driver for OpenRoad AutoGroup & OpenRoad Racing
  • Podium finisher IMSA Weathertech Prototype Championship
  • Race winner of Continental Sports Car Championship
  • Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge 2014 Rookie of the Year
  • Top 5 Finisher of the Daytona 24 Hour Race

Remo Ruscitti

Instructor

  • 2019 IMSA WeatherTech Endurance Championship in LMP2
  • Finished 2nd 2019 Daytona 24 Hours in LMP2
  • Finished 3rd in 2019 IMSA Lamborghini Super Trofeo
  • 2018 IMSA Masters Champion in LMP3
  • Finished 2nd and 3rd in 2016 and 2017 in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge
  • Currently competing in the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech Series in an LMP2 and the IMSA Prototype Challenge in a Ligier LMP3
  • Currently competing in the 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge in a Ligier LMP3

Cameron Cassels

Instructor

  • Broke track record for the series at Laguna Seca in first career road race
  • 1 win and 2 podiums in 5 starts of Skip Barber Challenge
  • 3 wins, 5 podiums, 2 track records in a limited conference season in a Porsche 911

Zac Zawisza

Instructor

Camaro Academy Sponsors