High Performance Driving School Information

Performance Driving Schools Requirements, Rules and Policies

Learning how to drive like a race car driver on a closed track at a high performance driving school takes skill and the mental preparedness. That comes with quality instruction. When researching driving schools for performance driving instruction there are some requirements to be aware of before you can register. Most schools require you have certain skills and qualifications before they will allow you to register for courses.

Driver License
A valid driver's license is a requirement for most high performance driving schools. Some schools advertise that a valid driver's permit is sufficient, but typically this comes with a requirement to take a prerequisite class to ensure you have the confidence and control in operating a vehicle on the track. If you're a newly permitted driver, chances are you don't have the behind the wheel experience of a seasoned driver. A requirement like this one is for your safety.

Ability to Drive a Manual Transmission
The skill level goes beyond just knowing how a manual transmission works and the basic ability to drive a stick shift. Schools require you are proficient in driving a manual transmission vehicle, and they may test your ability before allowing you to register, not just take your word for it. Instructors want to be sure you have the awareness and confidence that only behind the wheel experience teaches. If it becomes apparent to the instructor you are not fully capable of handling a manual transmission effectively, (e.g. stalling the vehicle,) you likely will be asked to drop the class.

Street Legal Vehicle and Proof of Insurance
For high performance driving instruction in which students provide their own car, proof of insurance must be provided to the school. Additionally, personal vehicles must be street legal and registered. If your car is a convertible, most schools require it have proper roll-over protection.

Risk, Damage and Indemnity Waivers
All schools have waivers that students must sign to release them from liability in the event of an accident, damage to the vehicles, the track, the property or other equipment related to the course. This is standard procedure for reputable schools.

Do High Performance Driving Schools Offer Car Rentals?

Most driving schools have performance and safety-certified vehicles available to their customers as rentals.

High Performance Driving Schools

Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving is one of the most popular road racing schools in the country and also offers some of the highest quality production cars for their students to drive. Bondurant is located at the Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, Arizona. They offer Corvette Z06s and Cadillac CTS-Vs (also containing Corvette motors) in single day courses starting at $1650, up to 3-day courses for $3275. Other courses are also available in open-wheel cars as well.

Other schools let their students actually drive purpose-built Indy-car style open-wheel race cars. Mario Andretti Racing Experience is located in Las Vegas. Classes start at a $399 three-lap ride in a two-seat tandem open wheel car. Working the way up to a 60-plus lap multi-stage class is where students get to run in a car by themselves, following a race instructor in the car ahead, many times reaching speeds approaching 200 miles per hour.

Roy Hill's Drag Racing School is for those that like to go in a straight line. Offered in places like Georgia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina, it is possible to bring your own car (but most don't). They offer the $6,000 Pro-Stock class that champion drag racers like Don "The Snake" Prudhomme, Scott Kalitta and the world champion Warren Johnson all have gone through a multitude of times.

Facilities such as the Virginia International Raceway have companies like Rent-A-Racecar that offer stock and modified Nissan vehicles for half and full day sessions of racing. Rent-A-Racecar also offers rentals for events held at Virginia International Raceway.

You can spend anywhere from $199 to upwards of $10,000 for the ultimate racing experience. Some are just a thrill or fantasy experience. Others are specific training to be a race car driver and issuance of racing licenses.