| Have you ever had the dream of taking your car | | | | driving in the purest form....no traffic signals and no |
| (or ANY car) out on a real race track and have | | | | speed limits. |
| the freedom to go as fast as you'd like? Well, | | | | All drivers/participants are separated into "run |
| you can. There's a way to do that. And it's | | | | groups". Run groups are broken down by amount |
| legal...and safe. Best of all, you don't have to own | | | | of track driving experience, typically about 3-4 |
| a super car to do it. They're called Driver | | | | separate groups. Trust me, you DON'T want to |
| Education Events. | | | | be driving in an experienced run group if you are |
| Driver Education events are organized and run by | | | | a novice at this. Otherwise you'd always see |
| various car clubs across the country. They're | | | | other cars lining up behind you. |
| typically open to anyone with a valid driver's | | | | All groups, except the most experienced, are |
| license. No need to be a member of the | | | | required to have classroom instruction as well as |
| sponsoring car club. | | | | an 'in car' instructor. The classroom instruction |
| The events are held at actual race tracks. But, | | | | teaches you a lot about better driving and |
| these are NOT oval race tracks so familiar in | | | | handling of your car along with understanding the |
| NASCAR. I'm talking about road race tracks. Road | | | | proper 'line' in navigating the turns of that specific |
| courses have 'S' curves, carousel turns, elevation | | | | track. |
| changes, banking, and, yes, they do have | | | | You are on the track with your run group usually |
| straightaways to get the feel of speed. In short, | | | | 4 or 5 times each day in segments of anywhere |
| these are challenging AND exciting race tracks for | | | | from 20-30 minutes at a time. By that time you |
| both the novice and the experienced. | | | | ARE ready for a rest from the mental focus |
| If you want to see an example of a road course | | | | required in track driving. Track time is both |
| race track, check out the website for Putnam | | | | mentally and physically exhausting! Your classroom |
| Park Race Course (Google the name or look | | | | time is in addition to the driving time so it's a very |
| below for the web address). The Putnam Park | | | | full day at the track usually starting at 8am. |
| track is located in Indiana and a number of | | | | This is NOT racing! There are other cars on the |
| different car clubs (and motorcycle clubs) hold | | | | track with you (your run group), but passing is |
| driving events. | | | | ONLY allowed when the car in front of you signals |
| The price is reasonable for a weekend of | | | | you to pass. Safety of both participants and their |
| (controlled) fun! Most Driver Education events are | | | | cars is the top concern. All participants are |
| over a 2-day weekend. A typical fee for the | | | | strongly encouraged to drive at speeds where |
| weekend would be about $300, which includes | | | | they feel comfortable and in control of their car. |
| instructors supplied for every driver. You bring | | | | There are corner workers positioned around the |
| your own car, along with an inspection sheet of | | | | track and anyone driving unsafely is immediately |
| specifics that have been inspected by a mechanic. | | | | flagged to come off the track. Each instructor |
| Safety is a big concern for everyone, so the cars | | | | decides when and IF a student/participant is |
| must be mechanically sound and have plenty of | | | | ready to "solo", ie. drive on the track without an |
| tire tread and brake pads left. | | | | instructor in the car. It's exhilarating and daunting |
| When you check in/register at the actual event, | | | | at the same time, but once accomplished you |
| your car is given a technical inspection as well, | | | | can't wait for your next run! |
| although you still must turn in an inspection sheet | | | | Before you take the plunge, a great start is to |
| from your mechanic. Probably the biggest | | | | come out to the track and watch during one of |
| expense upfront is your helmet. Every driver | | | | the events (for free!). Walk around and see the |
| must have a helmet which meets a specific | | | | diversity of people and cars that participate. You |
| safety rating. That is checked when you register | | | | will be genuinely surprised at the spectrum |
| as well. (All the required forms for the technical | | | | represented--from young to old, dads and |
| inspection checklist plus a medical information | | | | daughters, husband and wife, and every |
| form are supplied by the car club usually as part | | | | profession. Feel free to talk to people and ask |
| of the online registration process as well as | | | | questions. |
| specific information about the event and the | | | | The atmosphere is friendly and we all like to talk |
| track.) | | | | about our experiences on the track. Once you try |
| So what is a Driver Education at a race track? | | | | it, you may develop a thirst to continue. Truly this |
| The idea behind it is to give participants the | | | | is clean fun the whole family can come along and |
| chance to develop better driving skills, mainly | | | | enjoy even though maybe only one of you is |
| better car control. Learning those skills on the | | | | actually driving. You definitely want someone |
| track translates well to improving your street | | | | taking photos of your experience...especially when |
| driving and truly makes you a safer driver. It also | | | | you go solo! |
| happens to be enormous fun to experience | | | | |