The NER/NCR HPDE Program

The NER and NCR PCA regions work closely together and run similar HPDE programs. Many of the same people attend events organized by both regions, and the groups collaborate to help drivers have a great time learning to drive on the track.

We welcome all makes of vehicles at our HPDE events.

A core philosophy of our program is that anyone can learn high-performance driving and have fun doing it. It’s not required that you have a motorsport gene or show up with “talent.” We believe that drivers at any level of experience can improve, and our HPDE program supports drivers from novice to advanced. We take the ‘E’ in High Performance Driver Education very seriously and our events offer excellent educational programs for drivers at all levels. Track driving is one of the most exhilarating and exciting activities available, and we have tremendous fun on and off track. It turns out that the sport gets even more fun as your driving improves. Our HPDE events provide some of the best opportunities for drivers at any level to learn more and improve their skills in a safe and controlled environment supported by club members thrilled to share this sport with other enthusiasts.

Novice Instruction

Every novice driver works with an instructor on and off track. When you’re on track, they’ll be with you in the passenger seat helping learn to extract performance from your car. Our instructors have excellent experience on the track and have completed our rigorous instructor development program. Many are National PCA instructors with Motorsport Safety Foundation (MSF) Level II certification. As a novice, you’ll learn performance driving fundamentals, including safety measures, the driving line, performance braking, how to hit an apex, effective use of vision, and other tools to maximize the performance of your car. If you’ve never been in a car driven to the limit, you’ll be truly amazed at the performance that you can extract from a “regular” sports car. Your instructor will help you learn to do this by showing and explaining performance driving techniques and guiding you around the track. Even at novice levels, you’ll be able to drive at fast track speeds with the confidence that you’re still driving safely because of the support of your instructor in the passenger seat. With their help, you’ll quickly be able to learn how to drive fast and safely. When you’re ready, you’ll be signed off to drive solo. It’s a great achievement when a driver gets to go out on their own, and solo driving provides its own type of learning (and fun). 

Classroom Learning

At every HPDE event, we have classroom opportunities to learn more about the sport, including specifics of the track, performance driving techniques, motorsport safety, and vehicle dynamics. There are required classroom sessions in the morning for novice drivers and optional classrooms in the afternoon targeted at intermediate and advanced drivers but open to all. Our club has invested in building out our classroom program, which provides a great way to build the knowledge that will help you drive fast on the track. Some presentation material is available here.

Solo Driver Mentoring

With many driving clubs, you’re on your own once you’ve been “signed off” to drive solo. At NER, we believe drivers benefit from solo driving, with periodic support from an advanced instructor or mentor. We pair intermediate drivers with instructor mentors, who are available for advice in the paddock and will typically ride along once per day or once per event, depending on your experience level. This is an excellent way to get periodic check-ins from someone with lots of experience who may be able to help you get to the next level of your driving more quickly. 

Group Coaching

Each solo-run group has coaches who work consistently with them throughout the season. These coaches help organize the run group, offer advice, hold technical discussions, and help drivers progress to the next level. 

Advanced Driver Experience

The ADX program offers a unique learning environment where advanced drivers work with coaches in small groups. The emphasis is on practicing and learning skills to help drivers achieve their goals quickly. ADX allows drivers to step back from lap times and collaborate with a coach to create session plans to develop the skills they need to break through to their next level of performance driving. Professional coaching techniques inspire the ADX approach, which has been successful in helping drivers build skill, confidence, and speed on the track.