HIGH-PERFORMANCE DRIVER EDUCATION

The Shenandoah Region PCA regularly participates in three "Driver Education" events at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in Alton, VA. They are the PCA Zone 2 spring event, the Euroclassics Porsche event usually held near Columbus Day in October, and the Synergy Racing "Fall Fling" weekend closer to Thanksgiving. Drivers Ed will teach you to drive your Porsche and explore its potential at high speeds.

The photo gallery from the Euroclassics Porsche Drivers Education Day on October 14, 2005 illustrates what happens. Most drivers arrived the night before and stayed in the Lodge at VIR or a nearby motel, in order to arrive rested at the track gate when it opened at 7:30 AM. Drivers must have helmets rated Snell SA 2000 or later and wear natural fiber (not synthetic) long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and shoes. All loose items were removed from each car before joining the line at the barn for the "grid tech" inspection. Following the mandatory driver's meeting, the novice "yellow" run group lined up on the grid and was flagged onto the track around 9 AM for 30 minutes of driving led by a pace car. No passing is permitted in this run group. They were succeeded by experienced drivers in the "red" run group and finally the most advanced drivers in the "white" run group. Each group drove four times during the day. Instructors were available for one-on-one driving lessons. For a very detailed introduction to Driver's Ed, download the RTR Drivers Ed Manual available in PDF format from the Driver's Ed page of the Riesentoter Region web site.

Here are driving directions to VIR, a brochure for the Lodge at VIR, and a detailed VIR track map, all in PDF format. Adult participants must sign the waiver form that will be provided at each driving event. Minors may attend PCA events only if their parents bring the appropriate parental-release waiver forms. There are PDF forms for minors as observers only or for minors in restricted areas, riding or driving.

Driver Education photos: