Track Days – High Performance Driver Education
Want to Drive Your Porsche on the Race Track?
On a sunny spring morning, there’s nothing like the feeling of excited anticipation as you breathe in the smells and hear the beautiful sounds of race car engines starting up for a track day. Pulling on your helmet and driving from the paddock to the pit lane, fills you with a sense of childlike nervous excitement. Yes, inside every car guy or gal is a race car driver waiting to be set free.
It’s never too late to start! Age is not a barrier to fulfilling that childhood desire of being a race car driver for a day or for real, like 56-year-old Dean Neuls found out recently. You own a Porsche, why wouldn’t you want to see what it can really do?
“You can live in a car, but you can’t race a house”
Your Porsche was designed to deliver exceptional performance in fast, dynamic environments such as the Nürburgring. It’s simply not safe to drive fast on the streets – to learn the art and experience the thrill of safe higher speeds, there are many well organized track day events designed for just such a purpose.
Track day events are not racing, nor are they preparation for racing. No times or placings are recorded, and no awards or prizes are received by the participants. Track days are just a lot of fun, thrills and camaraderie. You will be a safer, slower driver on the street, after you learn how to drive fast on the track.
“Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that’s what gets you.”
PCA High Performance Driver Education
How To Get On The Race Track
There are really three good ways to approach organizing your track days out:
PCA Regions – HPDE
First, the PCA HPDE program and events are without equal. If you have no experience and want performance driving education focused on your Porsche, then the PCA HPDE is for you. Each region holds local HPDE events and if you are a member of the PCA, you can register to participate. Find your local region here.
The purpose of the Porsche Club of America’s Drivers Education Program is to provide a structured, safe and controlled performance driving environment. The program is designed so that you can improve your driving skills and acquire a better understanding of your vehicle dynamics. You’ll experience first-hand, the high performance capabilities of your Porsche in a controlled, closed-course environment and acquire skills that will enhance safer driving in all situations.
Track Day Organizations
There are a number of organizations around the country that gather together to drive local race tracks for fun. Typically, these groups include novice, intermediate and advanced driving sessions within their track day outing. Many of these organizations also provide their novice groups with instructors, who can ride with you and help you gain the local knowledge of the circuit. These groups are open to all cars, so you can get to mix it up with just about any type of vehicle.
This is by no means an exhaustive list: (Click on any heading to expand more detail)
Laps Track Days - Midwest
Laps Track Days
Based in the midwest and typically runs extensive days with novice, intermediate and advanced run groups. Usual circuits include Autobahn Country Club and Road America.
More information at https://lapstrackdays.com/
Hooked On Driving - Northeast, California, Pacific Northwest, Florida and Southeast
Hooked On Driving
Franchise operations providing events in Northeast, California, Northwest, Southeast and Florida. Usually runs extensive days with novice, intermediate and advanced run groups. Emphasis on education as part of the novice group. Usual Circuits:
California – Laguna Seca, Sonoma and Thunderhill
Northeast – New Jersey Motorsports Park, Watkins Glen International, Pocono, Lime Rock and Pittsburgh International.
Northwest – Portland International, Oregan Raceway and Ridge Motorsports Park.
Florida / Southeast – Daytona International, Palm Beach International, Roebling Road and Virginia International.
More information at https://www.hookedondriving.com
Chin Track Days - Northeast, Southeast, Florida, Texas
Chin Track Days
Chin Track Days is multi-regional and visits 15 of the best known big-name, full-size road courses in the eastern half of the USA and Texas. Provides novice, intermediate and advanced run groups.
Chin Track Days currently run at 15 different circuits including:
Sebring
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Watkins Glen
Mid Ohio
Homestead Miami
VIR
Barber
Daytona
MSR Houston
Circuit of the Americas (COTA)
National Corvette Museum (NCM)
PittRace
Summit Point
NJMP
MSR Cresson
More information at http://chintrackdays.com/
Just Trackit - Southeast
Just Trackit
Just Track It runs open track events that feature extensive track time for all driver levels. They provide instruction for novice drivers in the form of in car coaching and classroom chalk talk sessions. Their focus is the most affordable option for getting out on track.
Just Trackit runs at tracks including:
Barber Motorsports Park
Road Atlanta
Roebling Road
Atlanta Motorsports Park
More information at https://justtrackit.net/
Exclusive Track Days - California
Exclusive Track Days
Exclusive Track Days provides a safe track experience with more time behind the wheel at the best possible price. They run an open track and don’t make you wait for over an hour between sessions.
Exclusive track days run at:
Laguna Seca
Sonoma Raceway
Thunderhil
More information at http://www.exclusivetrackdays.org/
MVP Tracktime - TX, KY, IL, WI, OH, KS, GA
MVP Tracktime
Mark Pfeffer started MVP Track Time after attending other track days. He did not enjoy the limited track time due to over regulation and some of the officious, ego based attitudes. Enter MVP Track Time with sensible rules, affordable track events and a welcoming atmosphere – no matter what you drive.
MVP Track Days run at:
Circuit of The Americas
NCM Motorsports Park
Autobahn Country Club
Road America
Mid-Ohio
Road Atlanta
Heartland Motorsports Park
More information at http://www.mvptracktime.com/index.html
Porsche Owners Club - California
Porsche Owners Club
Based in California, the Porsche Owners Club has programs to take you as far as you want to go with your car! From beginners instruction right through club racing events. You’ll have an experienced Porsche driver as your personal instructor helping you develop your skills at your pace. In one weekend, you’ll grow to appreciate the remarkable handling ability of your car and you’ll control it as never before.
POC runs days at:
Willow Springs
Button Willow
Laguna Seca
Chuckwalla Valley Raceway
SP Motorsports - Arrive and Drive - California
SP Motorsports
Based in Hayward, CA, SP Motorsports provides an Arrive & Drive track day experience on some of the most famous tracks in California. The Arrive and Drive experience gives you the freedom of getting behind the wheel of a variety of high-performance, track-ready race cars, without the commitment of owning one.
- Rent Fully Prepped Track Cars
- Dedicated Pit Crew
- Professional Coaching
- No limits on laps or miles
- Hospitality Included
SP Motorsport provides Arrive & Drive at:
- Sonoma Raceway
- Luguna Seca
- Thunderhill
- Button Willow
- Willowsprings
- Fontana Autoclub Speedway
Direct to Track – Road Courses
The third way to get on track is to go directly to a road course that is close to you. Often, road courses will run open days or be able to recommend groups who rent the track for the kind of track day that suits your abilities. Below is a list of road courses by state:
