High Performance Driver’s Education
What is High Performance Driver’s Education
High-Performance Driver’s Education (HPDE or DE for short) is an opportunity to learn from qualified instructors how to improve your driving abilities, develop a better understanding of vehicle dynamics, and enhance driving safety in a controlled learning environment. This takes place on a closed-course racetrack, but the skills you develop will serve you well in all driving situations.
As with many sports, this aspect of motorsport can become addictive! Driving your car on a track makes for great Monday morning “What did you do this weekend?” conversations. HPDEs are not races: they are not timed, and there is no competition—except between you and your own driving abilities.
Events
The season generally runs from April to October, with events occurring throughout the year. Most, if not all, events will be first listed on the website and can be found on Motorsports Reg (MSR) www.motorsportsreg.com. Signing up is easy – just follow the prompts on the website and before you know it, you’ll be attending your first (or 50th) HPDE. The cost of participation varies by event venue, but you can expect registration fees to be in the mid-$300s for a weekend of DE. The camaraderie and skills you’ll gain are well worth it!
Special Equipment
To participate in an HPDE, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Your car must pass a tech inspection, during which a qualified mechanic will ensure it is fit for track driving, with special attention to brakes, tires, and fluids such as brake fluid and oil.
You will be required to wear long pants, a short or long-sleeve shirt, and closed-toe, flat-soled shoes. A helmet with a SNELL SA2015, SA2020, M2015, or M2020 rating is also required. If you’re not ready to purchase a helmet, the club maintains a limited number of current loaner helmets available for use at our HPDE events.
All makes and models of Porsche are welcome at HPDE. We also allow non-Porsches (with the exception of SUVs—only Porsche SUVs are permitted). Cabriolets without factory-installed rollover protection are not allowed; however, Targas and 911 Cabriolets are permitted. All convertible tops must remain in the closed position while on track.
What to Expect
Arrive at the track with a full tank of gas and plenty of time to get your gear sorted out. Everything that is not bolted down in your car must be removed. This includes floor mats, garage door openers, chapstick rolling around in the center console, items in the glove box—anything that is movable inside the car. This is not just an exercise; it’s for your safety. No one wants a floor mat jamming under the brake or gas pedal at an inconvenient time!
Check in at registration and attend the mandatory drivers’ meeting for important safety information and to meet your assigned instructor, if applicable. Novices or new drivers will also attend ground school to learn about the track, safe driving practices, and how to navigate the course effectively. You’ll hear terms such as apex, line, and more—and you’ll quickly learn what they mean. Be prepared to absorb a lot of information! Some may have more driving experience than others, but as long as everyone keeps an open mind and a willingness to learn, we all benefit.
Drivers are placed into run groups according to experience level and car speed. Run groups typically get about 20–25 minutes on track per session. Drivers may or may not have instructors in the right seat, depending on experience. The only permissible “passenger” is a PCA instructor. Each run group usually has two sessions before lunch and two sessions after lunch.
The day concludes with a celebration of the day’s events at Beer 30, where we share an adult beverage (or not) and tell a few little white lies about how fast we went!
Forms
HPDE Tracks