mjanowich,
Here are the details as you requested...

I registered fairly early (it was a Xmas gift I asked for), I think in January or February for the June session (first one I could make). They call the session FATT (Friday At The Track) and it is held about once a month, see their website for details. The day I signed up for, the session was being held on the Shenandoah Circuit. The cost was $225 for the day. I did purchase my own helmet, same reasons you described, and they did have loaners if you wanted.

Day started around 8 AM and depending on which group you were in, ended between 4 and 5 PM. There were 2 Novice groups and 1 Advance group.

First thing was to sign in and get your vehicle teched. This was almost laughable, took about 1 minute. I say this because on the first track session one vehicle's brakes smoked like crazy and he had to exit. Worse, some guy's Porsche actually caught on fire! You never know what people are bringing.

There were a wide range of vehicles, I'll try to list what I remember: 1 XFire , 3 Corvette Z06s, other Corvettes, several Porsches including a G3 and the $440K Carrera GT, Chevy Impala, Acura TL, couple of Lotus, MB SL 55 (drool), several Miatas, couple of Mini Coopers, 2 Chrysler 300M SRTs (which sounded awesome on the track), a few BMWs, a Honda or 2, Nissan 350Z, and some modified vehicles mostly in the Advanced group. I listed the variety to indicate that there was a healthy mix of vehicles (and abilities) on the track at any given time. I did not see any loaner cars, but I didn't ask.

At 9 AM there was a 1 hour lecture, mostly going over what the different flags mean and what to do. Also, passing was stressed which requires the vehicle being passed to give a hand signal to the vehicle behind you. (I got fairly good at this on my last run, more on that later).

Starting at 10 each group got 20 minutes of track time. For the Novice group the instructor took the first 2 laps to show you the "line" (no actual visual markings, just the path to take the turns). Then we pitted and switched. Rest of the first track time was at a moderate pace with no passing to get use to the track and your vehicle. The instructor sat next to me the whole time and gave lots of advice.

Sidebar on the helmet related gross factor, the instructor had a microphone set and gave me a headset too so we could communicate. It was a bit "sweaty" after being used a while, but it was necessary.

At 11 there was another meeting to go over anything the instructors saw in general going on the track. They also talked about the approach you should take in taking a curve, but not each individual curve on the track. You received the latter form the instructor in our vehicle.

11:30 second track time. Pace picked up and passing was allowed (although in the Novice group there wasn't a lot of it going on). With the speed increase reaction time was significantly different. On this circuit, with 18 turns, there was a lot to focus on. Some guy drove so erratically that the instructor puked (glad that wasn't me). During this session, my instructor wanted me to accelerate smoothly (flooring it at some brief times) and then hard on the brakes to make some of the sharper turns (which there were many). I found it difficult to follow the (imaginary) line around the course but was improving on handling the vehicle. At this point some of the vehicles took an off-road experience (I came close but stood on the track).

There was a big break for lunch as the next track session was at 2. However the instructors took some of the student’s vehicles (with the students in them to show them what their vehicles could do) and some took their own for some fun. It was fun to watch them in action.

At 2 was the third track time. Pace picked up once again. Personally I was more focused on increasing the pace than maneuvering the turns and was all over the place. I was pushing the car beyond my abilities and it was a very sloppy third run for me.

Two of the biggest mistakes I did was:
1 - follow the car in front of me, being in the Novice group, the person in front of me almost always didn't do the right thing. Followed one guy into the pit and another on a bad line. However, when I was behind someone who knew better and I followed his line, the instructor praised me for doing better.
2 - Hand position was all screwed up. There were a lot of turns and my hands were in some pretty bad positions for navigating some of them.

3:30 started the forth and last track time. I told my instructor I wanted to go at a pace I was more comfortable with and work on my technique. This is where I got real good at giving the passing signal. There was enough track that once I was separated from the pack, it was like I was the only one on the track (even if it was bringing up the rear). My laps were much smoother and my technique much better. It also was the most fun of all the 4 track times.

Some notes:

• the instructors get free track time for their training, as such, there was a race on Summit Point Circuit which a lot of the instructors were at, and so they were a little short on instructors. They cancelled the Skid Pad sessions due to this and also tried to "encourage" some students (not me) to go solo, but you have the right to refuse and they found instructors.
• I spoke with a guy who had done the Summit Point Circuit on his first time there. He agreed that the course was better suited for a first timer, although he had a lot of fun on the Shenandoah Circuit too.
• They do sell gas, I only used about a 1/2 tank for the 80 minutes of time I was on the track, and it is expensive, duh, over $5/gal. Most people filled up in Charles Town before getting to the track.
• Bring a chair, lots of waiting time. Although for a first experience you may want to watch the other sessions, as I did.
• Drink lots of water.
• Do NOT use your emergency brake when parking after a run. The wheels are too hot and your brakes could lock up (someone else with a more technical explanation might chime in).
• your laps are not timed. Something related to the insurance rates going up if they were (damn lawyers). On the positive side, took you attention off of lap times and more on technique.

Regarding your question on shifting, first having an automatic, I didn't have to, and also wasn't comfortable using the auto stick for that day (too busy for me). Also, spoke with a guy in a Z06 and for his first three runs, he simply left it in 3rd gear. Your will not go from Novice to race ready in a single day. The instructors were really good at adding in different techniques at a pace you can handle. Mine wanted me to use the auto-stick and take off the ESP, but I wasn’t ready for either and no push there. He left me with the advice to start practicing getting comfortable) with it and then come back with those abilities, which they would help me with the techniques.

Hope this helps!