We haven't had any transmissions blow, but the course does have some issues that we're ironing out (things like a little more concrete in areas so the landscaping doesn't get messed up -- don't blame me, I was never in favor of concrete to begin with.
) I'm not opposed to customers driving through the course, but it can be tricky. Just because these vehicles are very capabable, it doesn't mean that they are invincibile (common misconception) And there's a lot of easy ways to cause damage if you don't know what you're doing. The course is designed to show the maximum capabilities...that means technically and theoretically you shouldn't take on anything more extreme. Basically you've got people driving expensive trucks they may have never driven before, never off-roaded, never used brake-throttle modulation, taking on the extremes with little room for error. As far as training goes, dealers are required to go to South Bend, IN to Hummer's official training grounds (the same place they teach Special Forces, Marines, etc) for a few days in both classroom training and most of the time in-vehicle training. I used to teach dealers at the course when the H2s came out, and then I taught H1 and H2 off-roading at a resort.
The tracks are built for demonstrating the capabilities of the vehicle, not necessarily for teaching a potential buyer how to off-road. Once our track is complete, we will have off-road clinics to teach people how to use their trucks, and they may even open it up to potential buyers -- which I think would be a great opportunity to market the Hummer experience.
I was just revisiting the South Bend course when one of the co-directors of the facility was driving. I asked him what kinds of repairs they have to do most often, and he said they had some tie-rod issues, etc. While he was talking about it, one of our back sway bar links popped.
Bottom line, I've been in the passenger's seat while tons of new drivers were off-roading. I have no problem letting people drive through our course. Our insurance company and warranty department may feel otherwise.