Driver’s Education

High Performance Driver’s Education (HPDE) or DE for short, is a thrilling and educational experience offered to members of our club and outside our club, aimed at enhancing their driving skills and helping them unlock the full potential of their Porsche vehicles on a track. It is crucial to emphasize that DE is not a competition; instead, it focuses on driver development and safety. Participants are there to learn and have fun while mastering high-speed driving techniques, rather than to compete against each other. 

Porsche Club of America has many safety rules to make your day stress free and safe as possibly. You will not find another track day club as safe at a PCA regulated day on the track. Point by passing is required in all run groups, you cannot pass a car without the driver of that car, “pointing you bye” with specific hand signals. The passing must be completed in “Passing Zones” in all groups except the fastest group. All drivers must have a minimum of four days HPDE experience to drive solo. All cars must be inspected by a qualified and capable person, usually a repair mechanic business, for safety and reliability.

Not ready to try a full speed DE day. We have two ways for you to get on the track, one at a slower speed the the other, at close to track speed. We have a Parade Lap at most of our DE events, you drive your car at speeds limited to 70 miles per hour, behind a pace car driven by an experienced driver held at the lunch break. This is so safe, passengers are encouraged, helmets and safety gear are not required. We also offer a Taste of the Track experience. You will be a passenger in an instructor’s car for one run session, typically run at 70% of normal speed. The instructor will coach you through the session so you will have a reals sense of what it will like on a real racetrack. You may find it so enjoyable, to will register for the next DE!

Is It Racing?

DE differs significantly from racing in that it doesn’t involve wheel-to-wheel competition. Instead, it’s about honing one’s driving abilities, learning to handle your car effectively, and understanding the dynamics of high-performance driving. Furthermore, DE is distinct from autocross, which typically takes place in a confined course, involving short bursts of intense, precision driving that only includes a single lap of the course. DE, on the other hand, provides participants with a controlled and safe environment to explore the capabilities of their car on a full racetrack where you will make multiple laps in roughly 20-25 minute sessions. There are usually 4-5 sessions in a DE day. 

Do I Need Instruction?

That depends… each participant in our DE events will need to be reviewed by our Chief Driving Instructor. If you’ve have proven HPDE experience, or have already been signed off by a reputable driving program, you very well could “go solo”. That being said, we may recommend either a “ride-along” or lead-follow lap whenever it’s the first time driving at a new track. For new students and beginners, you will be required to have instruction. Note, that you could still be signed off to drive solo at some point in the day with the approval of an instructor and the Chief Driving Instructor. 

In DE events, experienced instructors are readily available to provide guidance, feedback, and coaching to participants. These instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, ensuring that drivers not only enjoy their experience but also develop their skills in a controlled and safe manner. Our instructors are approved Porsche Club of America instructors who have gone through specific PCA training to earn their title. Not only do they have many years of experience under their belts, but they have been taught how to communicate effectively to be able to maximize your learning. 

What If I’m Slow? What If I’m Fast?

Participants are grouped by their driving capability, experience levels and car performance, allowing them to progress at their own pace with drivers of similar capabilities, to get the most out of their DE experience. This combination of safety, education, and camaraderie makes Driver’s Education an excellent choice for Porsche enthusiasts looking to elevate their driving skills in a controlled and non-competitive environment.

What Are Your Run Groups

We run four different groups differentiated by skill level and coded by color. It is possible to be moved up or down into different groups if you are not keeping pace with your assigned group, or are exceeding the pace. Either way, moves would need to be approved by the Chief Driving Instructor. 

Group levels & Colors

• Beginner – Yellow
• Intermediate – White
• Advanced – Blue
• Expert/Instructors – Red

For more information about our DE events, please contact our Chief Driving Instructor and DE Coordinator: Bob Bruington at aircooled911sc@gmail.com.