From Street to Track: A Beginner’s Guide to High Performance Driving

Everything you need to know before your first high-performance driving event

For the uninitiated, stepping into the world of High Performance Driver’s Education (HPDE) can be as intimidating as skydiving — except the airplane is your beloved sports car. You’ve got the machine, you’ve got the passion, but the thought of piloting your pride and joy on a racetrack? Terrifying. Let’s change that.

Many drivers worry about damaging their car or feel outclassed by seasoned veterans. Here's the reality: every driver starts somewhere, and HPDE events are designed to introduce drivers safely, with guidance from experienced instructors. By the end, you’ll find yourself wondering why you waited so long to hit the track.

Buckle up, and let’s walk you through what to expect, step by step, based on my experience.

I’ve often been asked about what all is involved in participating in a High Performance Driving Education (HPDE), how do I get started, and how scary is it. First, I think it would be helpful to share a bit about what HPDE is and is not. The simplest answer is HPDE is about driver’s education, learning in a safe and controlled environment. It is not about racing or competing with other drivers.

I remember back to my first DE event in 2010. Very nervous and anxious about taking my car on a track, and would I embarrass myself in front of more experienced and fast drivers. Hardly slept the night before that first day. Well, I didn’t need to worry, and what follows are all the details you’ll need to know why you won’t either. Of course, the jitters are expected, and that’s not a bad thing; you’re excited!

Getting Registered

It all begins with signing up. Start by researching clubs or organizations that host HPDE events. The Porsche Club of America (PCA), BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA), Chin Track Days, and 10/10ths Motorsports are trusted groups with excellent beginner programs. You’ll find registration details on their websites. Browse through event calendars and look for novice-friendly days.

Many events list the track’s name, experience level requirements, and registration deadlines. Some sites offer event details or even a video tour of the track. Watching these can ease your nerves. Here are a few other common registration sites for track events hosted by various clubs: Club Registration and Motorsport Registration. You can search on these sites for events located near you.

Pro Tip: Sign up early. Popular events fill fast, and registration involves providing your driving experience, emergency contact, and car details. Some groups allow pre-registration but will require confirmation closer to the event.

What Do You Need?

• A well-maintained car (required). Street-legal cars are fine. Check your brakes, tires, and fluids.

• Helmets (required). You’ll need a helmet. Some clubs offer helmet rentals, so check before buying one. The club will provide specific requirements at registration, but most don’t mind if it’s open or closed face—though I recommend closed face. Your helmet must be SA2015 or SA2020 certified, meaning it meets the latest safety standards. Helmets are valid for 10 years from the certification date, so I suggest buying an SA2020 model. There’s no need to spend $2,000 on a carbon fiber helmet unless that’s your preference; quality options under $1,000 are available. For examples, visit Saferacer.com Helmets

• A HANS device (optional). This is a Head and Neck Support Device, is a safety device worn by drivers in motorsports to prevent neck and head injuries during a crash. It's a rigid collar that's worn under the driver's shoulder harness belts and connected to their helmet by tethers. This is highly recommended if you have a roll bar and 4- or 6-point racing harness. You want to avoid your neck snapping. Even if you use just your 3-point standard car seatbelt, the do make a HANS hybrid device that can be used for either 3-point, 4 or 6 point belts. I use one for my 3-point set up. Example available at Saferacer.com HANS Devices.

  • Follow your club’s rules for safety equipment in the car. The usual rule is that there has to be an equal type of harness system for both the driver and passenger.

• Gloves, Racing Suit (optional). These are optional items and not required. I do like to wear gloves for hands not sweating. Mine are white, as I think it is easier for others to see your hand when doing a point-by for passing.

• Driving shoes (optional). Remember no open toed shoes allowed. I recommend a driving shoe versus sneakers as they have thin soles that allow for better feel of the brake and gas pedal.

• A positive attitude. Nervous? Good. It means you respect the challenge.

• Track Insurance (optional). Pro Tip: Research if your car insurance covers HPDEs. Some do, but dedicated track-day insurance policies are available if you prefer extra peace of mind.

  • Note: You are responsible for the damage to the track (guardrails, tire barriers, etc.), as well as the damage to your car. Some drivers choose to self-insure. If two cars come in contact, each driver is responsible for their own damage. There is no “it was their fault” and they have to pay. There is DE specific insurance available. A popular one is Open Track.

• Clothing. Bring clothing as directed by the club. Some may allow short sleeves and others not. Some may allow shorts, others not. Do read, and please follow their instruction. It’ll be no fun showing up in shorts when you need long pants. You won’t be going out on track.

Tech Inspection – Your Car’s Physical

Before the event, you’ll complete a tech inspection form that is available via the online registration. Many clubs offer lists of recommended inspection shops. The tech inspection ensures your car is mechanically sound — brake pads, tire tread depth, and fluid levels are checked. Safety first.

• Bring the completed form with you. Trust me; you don’t want to show up without it.

• I recommend you have your brake fluid flushed and replaced with a racing grade brake fluid. These fluids can handle high temperatures and prevent your pedal brake pedal going to the floor or losing your brakes.

It’s Track Day! What to Expect.

The events are typically 2-days, and here is how a typical weekend would proceed for beginner and intermediate drivers. Let’s assume this event is a Saturday and Sunday.

Driver Groupings

Most all DE clubs group drivers by levels of experience on track as well as at a particular track. Go back and read that sentence again as it’ll be helpful to remember.

A few examples of groupings:

• Beginner (green or D)

• Novice (yellow or C)

• Intermediate (blue or B)

• Advanced (red or A).

Beginner and novice groups include an assigned instructor, covered by your registration fee. Some events have three groups: beginner/novice, intermediate, and advanced. Group placement is up to the club, often based on your track experience provided during registration.

Note: Being placed in the beginner group is part of the process—complaining you should be in a different run group won’t help unless you have data to back it up. Stay humble and go with the flow. If you show strong progress on day one (correct lines, awareness, control, and speed), you might get moved up. Just don’t expect it right away.

Friday night

• Host hotel. Most event clubs have a host hotel, and that information is made available via the registration process. At times there is a discount for booking at host hotel. The earlier you sign up the better. If not, you can stay anywhere you’d like.

• Welcome dinner/gathering. You may also experience clubs that have a dinner on Friday that I suggest you attend. This is typically, but not always, where you get to meet your instructor, and ask questions, meet new friends. Instructors do an amazing job getting to know you, your car, and helping put you at ease.

• Tech inspection. Some clubs will have a tech inspection on Friday evening, and if they do I recommend you take advantage of this. Otherwise, you will do tech inspection early on Saturday and have to navigate the rush and potential crowd. This is in addition to the one you had done earlier; it’s less involved.

• Track map. If a track map is provided in the registration packet or online, take time to study and familiarize yourself with the track. Not just the corners, but the paddock area and the hot and cold pit lane if identified.

• Rest. Get a good night’s rest to have yourself ready for Saturday.

Saturday – the big day

You’ll receive clear instruction ahead of time on when and where to meet at the track. Most all tracks will have you sign one or two waivers as you enter the facility and get your wrist band. Again, you may experience a queuing line here depending on when you arrive. I like to get there early.

• Parking. Where to park? Most clubs will have a map where you may park. Always helpful. Some facilities may have a garage for you to use for an extra fee and these usually sell out quickly.

• Clean out your car. Remove everything from your car. Yes, everything that is loose or can fly around if there is an incident. Some of this you do at home ahead of time. Leave your carpets and mats at home. Empty your glove box, center console, remove all items and anything in door pockets. Everything.

  • I usually bring a Rubbermaid Tote that fits in the trunk that I keep cleaning supplies and safety equipment (helmet, Hans, gloves, shoes) and my owner’s manual, insurance and registration in a zip lock bag.

• Tech inspection. Get your car inspected if not completed Friday. You’ll get instruction on where to take your car. It’s a relatively quick process (5-10 min) and you can usually stay in your car.

• Car numbers. Apply required numbers/run group to your car. Again, this information is all provided to you in the registration packet.

• Second registration. Some clubs may have a second registration where you show up to receive a t-shirt and the schedule of run groups. I usually print the run groups out at home ahead of time via the registration page. Familiarize/memorize your run group classroom times and on-track times.

• Driver’s all-hands meeting. Required attendance. Don’t be late. This will be first thing in the morning usually around 8:00am. This is where you may get assigned your instructor if not done beforehand. It also is where detail instruction is given on where to enter the cold/hot pit lane (grid up for your run group on track) and where track out is (where to exit track), as well as how the day will flow. Additionally, information about the track and safety will be covered.

• Run Group Meetings. You may experience separate run group meetings. For beginner and novice drivers this will be done in classroom. Yes, you heard me. Afterall this is ‘driver education’. Please be on time for this class and you must attend. Many clubs will provide you with something to hand the in-car instructor, so the instructor knows you went to the class.

  • The classrooms instruction is typically 30-45 min and will spend ample time on the track layout, the line – where you place your car going around the track - rules for when, where and how a pass is to be executed on track.

• Track time! Be ready at least 15-20 minutes before your track time. Listen for instruction on this process. This means, be sure you are plenty hydrated ahead of time (and throughout the day), go to the restroom ahead of time, get yourself situated in the car.

• Session Length. Most track sessions are 20-30 minutes long. I know it may not sound like a lot, and from experience I can say it is.

• Instructor. Your instructor should meet you at your car before you head to the grid. At this time the instructor will provide in-helmet communication device (an earpiece with microphone), so you can hear them give you instruction on track. The instructor will also remind how to get to the grid.

• Grid. You will grid up and wait for the track to clear from the prior run group. There is a starter who will give instruction/hand signal when it is safe to enter the track.

• First run of the day. Clubs have different processes for how they conduct the first run. Some may have instructor lead laps where you drive around at highway speeds as the instructor talks to you about the line, corner worker stations and give you a look at a track you may have never seen before.

  • Usually, the first lap is a warmup lap under a yellow flag (no passing). This is a good time to get familiar with the track, warm up you tires (important) and listed to your instructor intently.

  • When you come around to the start/finish line you will see the green flag. Go, go, go!! Fun times ahead!

• Listen to your instructor. Listen! Breathe! Try to relax. Take your time! It’s not a race. Sure, there is no speed limit, but trust me you are not going to impress an instructor with how fast you or your car are. Not, one, bit. Hold the ego.

• Enjoy the process and learn. Learn how to drive your car on track. Learn new techniques for how to drive (some of these apply to your street driving). Learn awareness.

• Checkered flag. You’ll know it is the end of the session when you see the checkered flag waving at the start/finish line. The last lap is a cool down lap. Use this time to relax, slow down and try not to use your brakes – let them cool down. Follow the club’s instruction for how to exit the track.

• Debrief. Head to your parking spot. Do not engage an emergency brake! You don’t want to cause damage to your hot rotors. Place car in park for an automatic or in gear for a manual will suffice.

  • At this time your instructor will conduct a debrief. An ideal time to listen to their constructive feedback and for you to ask questions. Take advantage of this time!

• Rest/Review. Now, go and hydrate, have a snack, and spend time studying a track map and notes you took during the debrief. You’ll likely have about 75-90 minutes between sessions, so you’ll have time. There will be a break for lunch where the track is shut down. Some clubs do tour laps during this time where you can take a guest around the track with you. Can be fun to show them what you are experiencing.

• Track Walk. These sessions typically happen on Sunday mornings or Saturday afternoons, and I highly recommend them—they’re incredibly valuable. Instead of walking the whole track (though I’ve done that), you’ll usually ride in a vehicle to key spots, where you’ll step out and discuss the details of each turn. Led by a seasoned instructor or the Chief Instructor, it’s an excellent way to see corner camber up close (always eye-opening) and learn the best car placement through specific turns.

Mid Ohio Motorsports Park

Watkins Glen Climbing Esses

Sunday

For the sake of this column not getting too long, let’s just say Sunday is a repeat of Saturday.

• Being Solo’d. One difference here might be the chance to drive solo if you meet your instructor’s criteria—such as following a great line, showing strong awareness of other cars and corner workers, and delivering consistent laps. I often ask students to talk me through their actions while driving. Going solo is exciting! You’ll drive the track alone and lighten your car by up to 200 lbs. Remember everything your instructor taught as you make your laps.

Putnam Park Road Course

I am not going to go into all the track rules and flags in this column. That will all be covered in detail at the event you attend.

Instructors

A word about instructors. Most have several years of DE event experience—some 2-3 years, others 20+. They aren’t paid but often receive reduced fees or other perks. Instructors are, above all, skilled teachers and coaches. They may not be the fastest drivers, either due to their car or personal priorities, but they are excellent drivers focused on creating a safe, educational, fun experience for you. Their goal is to help you learn and ensure you want to return! I’ve had some amazing instructors over the years.

Costs

So, what will all this cost? Here are some estimated expenses. Keep in mind that a few items are one-time purchases, so your first event may be more expensive if you’re starting from scratch.

• $1,000 – Helmet

• $200 – Tech inspection

• $200 – Brake fluid change (if not done yourself)

• $400 – Hotel expenses

• $160 – Meals for two days

• $200+ – Fuel (depends on your car’s horsepower and driving style)

• $500-$700 – Event registration fee

• $TBD – Track insurance (based on your car’s declared value)

In total, excluding the brake fluid change and helmet, expect to spend $1,500+ for a weekend. It’s not cheap, but the fun, skills, and connections you’ll gain are worth every penny!

HPDEs open the door to driving nirvana. Track days aren't reserved for professionals — they're for enthusiasts like you. Learn at your own pace, respect the rules, and enjoy the journey.

Curious about your first HPDE? I’ve been there and would love to share insights, and help you navigate. Let’s talk – message me at info@rsxperience.com

Happy Driving!