Interested in a track day at one of our high-performance driving schools? Here's everything you need to know.
What is a High-Performance Driving School?
The purpose of a driving school is quite simple: to improve your driving skills. We conduct the school on a racetrack under the close supervision of experienced and trained instructors. You will learn how to handle and control your vehicle at speeds not normally attained on public roads. This will help to prepare you for emergencies in normal driving. It will also allow you to explore your capabilities as a driver and those of your vehicle in a controlled environment. At no time will you be pushed or encouraged to go any faster than is comfortable. All participants will be organized into run groups in accordance with experience, skill, and type of vehicle.
What you learn on the track depends on your driving skill. Beginners are taught driving style (smoothness, consistency, the ability to read the track), more experienced participants continue to work on consistency, while developing new skills such as trail braking and threshold braking. Every time you are on the track, you will have an experienced instructor in the passenger seat.
For the most experienced drivers, you can be “signed off” and drive solo when you have proven to your instructor that you understand the basics of high-speed driving, you can consistently drive the correct line, and you show proper etiquette on track. Maturity, good judgment, skill, and significant experience will lead to being signed off for solo driving.
Though you are on a racetrack with other drivers of similar driving skills, it is not a race. Passing in corners is not allowed, and you are not expected to shift at redline, or go screaming through each corner with the tires squealing. Safety of the event is of the utmost importance. Driver conduct will be diligently monitored throughout the day by the staff, instructors, and corner workers.
First Time Students
Our club is a friendly community of individuals who share a passion for driving their cars.
We know what it’s like to drive on a race-track for the first time and we customize your experience to make it an enjoyable as possible. We love welcoming first-timers to our events and we have a good number of first-timers at each one – you will not be alone. Your novice classroom teacher and your personal instructor are ready to make you comfortable and give you the tools and confidence to enjoy driving your car on the race-track. Don’t forget – this is not competition driving. There is no overtaking in corners or racing other cars. This is all about having a safe and enjoyable experience.
This YouTube video shows even more about events with our club. First Timers especially, please watch it.
If you're signed up already? Here's a video about what to expect as a green student.
So you’re signed up for your first track event, but you want to know what to expect. Well, this is the video for you. Our hope is to remove the stress, and remove the unknowns, so you can focus on having the best time possible. Here are the things you'll learn in the video:
- Pre-event preparation:
- What to pack:
- Event day logistics:
- On-track activities:
- Resources and support:
Track Time
You will have four on-track sessions each day varying from 20-30 minutes each. At the end of each day you will have had between 1.5 to 2 hours on-track. That’s a lot of driving time and a lot of personalized high-quality instruction. Most events are two days, but you may be able to sign up for one-day only if there is room in the event.
Classroom
Your day is divided between driving on the track, classroom sessions, and free time. All participants are required to attend classroom sessions throughout the day to learn vehicle dynamics and driving techniques. In the classroom, you learn a lot of high-speed driving theory such as the difference between an early and late apex. You’ll get a better understanding of car dynamics so you understand what is really happening when you brake or why your car understeers or oversteers in certain circumstances. Each classroom will also include an opportunity for Q&A.
Do I need to own an Audi?
Not at all! We welcome all makes of cars -- you don't have to drive an Audi to enjoy our events. This school is an excellent way for you to improve your driving skills and have fun too!
All participants must simply be members of our club - Audi Club of North America (ACNA). You don't need an Audi to join. There is a $49 fee for annual membership. Visit https://www.audiclubna.org/ and click on "Join ACNA" at the top of the page.
Still have questions?
If you have questions that aren't answered in the above check out this FAQ page, or simply give us a call. Contact 866-731-6830 and we'll be happy to talk to you.
Events
May 16-18, 2024
Join us at this High Performance Driving School at the historic Lime Rock Park, CT. This track takes a short time to learn, but a lifetime to master.
June 17-18, 2024
Join us at this High Performance Driving School at the majestic Palmer Motorsports Park, MA.
July 15 & 16, 2024
Join us at this High Performance Driving School at Club Motorsports, NH
August 12, 2024
Join us at this High Performance Driving School at Watkins Glen International. See what your car can do!
Sept 16 & 17, 2024
Join us at this High Performance Driving School at New Jersey Motorsports Park