If you are a first-timer (have never done a track event before; winter driving school and car control clinics don’t count) and you’ve been thinking about doing our High Performance Driver’s Education event at NHMS on June 2-3, please note that the reduced rate of $345 is still available to you.
If you already know you want to register, go here and create yourself an account if you don’t already have one. Then follow the registration process on that site. Note that if you’re registering multiple people, each will need a Motorsportreg account. Also, if you’re registering someone else as a gift, you should use their email address for the account because they’ll receive all the information, directions, etc. directly through Motorsportreg.
If you’d like all the details, you can check out the event page
Are you apprehensive about taking your car to the track? We’ve addressed some concerns about HPDEs here:
Will I break my car?
If this is your first time at the track, you’ll spend the morning of the first day in classroom sessions and car-control exercises (such as a slalom and skid pad) in a parking lot. You’ll learn the basics of the “physics of driving” as well as the skills and muscle memory to control your car in adverse situations. The remainder of the event will be lapping sessions of the track, with an instructor in the passenger seat. This is not racing, and one of the big differences is that we do not allow passing except on straight-aways, and even then only when the driver being overtaken has given a signal indicating that the overtaking car may pass. Thus, these events have an excellent safety record of which we are proud.
Will I be the slowest person out there? I’m not a fast driver. I’m kind of scared of this idea.
Students are placed into run groups based on experience, so you’ll be out there with drivers who have comparable experience to yours. First-time students will, for the most part, only share the track with other first-time (or second-time) students, and will always have an instructor in the passenger seat. We really stress safety and etiquette rather than competitiveness.
I just have a stock car, straight from the dealer; can I bring it?
Most people who are just getting started with this sort of event are driving completely stock cars. You just need to make sure your car is in proper running order by getting it checked out by a qualified mechanic who will look at the tires, brakes, suspension, oil, wheel bearings, and so on. Also note that there are restrictions on convertibles as specified here, and we cannot permit SUVs, minivans, or trucks at our HPDE schools (but they’re fine at winter driving schools).
Am I going to wear out my brakes and tires?
As a novice, it’s unlikely that you will wear out your tires or brakes in one event. Novice drivers do not tend to carry the sort of speed that advanced drivers and instructors do, which translates into far less wear on your tires and brakes. You still need to make sure your brake pads and tires aren’t already on their last legs going into the event, but you’re not likely to go through a set of pads and tires in one event.
Do women come to these events?
Absolutely! Women usually make up 25-30% of the beginners’ group, and many return event after event. The club has several female instructors as well (including the webmaster’s wife!)
Do I have to be a member of the club?
Our HPDE schools are for members only, but joining the club is fast easy and inexpensive. In addition to getting access to events such as this, members also get discounts at a variety of dealers and vendors. These discounts can easily pay for your membership each year, as well.
