Auto Racing Driving School: Not Just for Aspiring Professionals

Most adults learn to drive at some point in their lives, and spend a great deal of time driving themselves to and from work each day. Even those who know how to drive, though, don't necessarily know how to drive professionally: a very different type of driving that few have trained for. If you've ever wanted to be a professional driver, or just pretend to be one for a day, driving courses at a local performance driving school can help you achieve your dream.

Racecar drivers train for years before they get to work professionally, often taking classes on the subject from special HPDE schools. Learning to be a racecar driver involves learning several different things. Drivers need to hone their underlying skills, including reaction times and coordination. Drivers also need to learn the specifics of driving a racecar: a very different experience than driving a regular car. Caring for your car is also a big part of being a professional driver and many classes will spend some time explaining basic maintenance.

Performance Driving School is another option for those who want to experience a little of what it takes to be a professional driver but aren't interested in a career change. Performance driving schools can have different focuses, depending on the school and the courses. You might call these classes driver's ed for those who already know how to drive. The focus is on improving your Track Driving skills, giving you the chance to learn how to become a better driver from a professional in a safe environment. Activities might focus on improving hand-eye coordination and mental processing speed to help you better make split second decisions and life-saving maneuvers. Some classes are meant to be taken with your own vehicle, while others provide vehicles. These schools also vary in the length of time they last, from a day or two to several weeks, depending on the school and the type of course you're taking.

There are also experiences that center around letting the attendee drive high performance vehicles. This lets you drive cars you'd never otherwise get to drive. This type of experience is a great afternoon get-away for a car enthusiast and makes a great gift.

Ride-alongs are another option for those who aren't quite ready to take the wheel themselves. A professional driver will handle the vehicle while you sit in the passenger seat. This lets you feel what it's like to be in a racecar as it rockets around the track, without having to do the hard work yourself. In addition to being more economical, it's a good introduction to the sport for those who are interested in going further.