There are two ways to answer the question. 

From a technical perspective, Drivers Education (DE) is a program developed by the PCA to allow drivers of all skills the opportunity to drive on real racetracks in a safe and fun environment.  Typically a DE event is run over 1, 2 or 3 days. Each day will have five driving groups (divided by experience and skill level) who each go out 4 times for  20 to 30 minutes. Groups are divided to ensure maximum safety and fun by enabling you to drive with similarly experienced drivers at similar speeds.  In the novice groups, drivers are accompanied by PCA recognized instructors who will teach you high performance driving techniques and fundamentals. “DEing” is not however, racing or even preparation for racing. The events are not timed and there are no prizes. We intentionally restrict passing zones to ensure your safety and we enforce safety rules.

From an enthusiasts perspective (such as myself), DEing is a lifestyle throughout the summer.  Waking moments are spent at the track, or thinking about the next time there.  I live for the rush of adrenalin that comes from moments like touching 150 mph just before jumping on the brakes at the “bus stop” at Watkins Glen.  Or, allowing the car to drift out to the turn-in, at the end of the front straight before powering over a blind cresting apex at Mont Tremblant.  Just as importantly, highpoints of my summer DEing include laughing with new and old friends over the events of the day, or as an instructor sharing what I have been taught and watching the smile of new students as they discover what they and the car are really capable of.  But I’m one of the crazy addicts.   Many attend only a few a days a year, and enjoy building their competency and letting the car do what it was built to do.

DE is a different experience for all people.  It has broad appeal attracting all audiences and competencies.  The only critical components are a desire and a car!  Hope to see you at the track.

Laurie Jitts Driver Education Track Chairman

2008 Driver Education Schedule – Overview. For a more detailed event schedule click here.

What’s new for 2008?
More Days, More Tracks, More Fun
This year we have organized a coordinated calendar between Northeast Region (NER), North Country (NCR) and Upper Canada (UCR) regions of the PCA. These coordinated events provide the dedicated DE enthusiast the chance for 24 days of driving on 7 different circuits; including a return to Limerock and the first ever PCA event at the brand new New Jersey Motorsport Park. In answer to many requests, we are also pleased to offer more weekend events and many more days scheduled on our home track in Loudon, New Hampshire (NHIS).

For those new to DE – Novice day.
2008 also marks the return of the “Novice Day”. The event will be held at New Hampshire (a short 1 hour drive north of Boston) on April 30th and will be hosted by NCR with assistance from NER. The day will include special programs for those who have never attended a Driver Education event including car control clinics on a skidpan and slalom course, as well as extended classrooms in performance driving techniques. Note: This day is also open to everybody else at any skill level. See elsewhere in this issue or check our website for details. For more information 2008 DE Event April 30 - May 1 at NHIS.

Instructor Coaching Clinic.
We are also very excited to offer our inaugural “Instructor Coaching Clinic” on May 21st. In Coordination with experts from Bertil Roos Racing School we will be running a full day of training in instruction, instruction aids and in-car techniques. The event will include classroom sessions, trackside workshops, in-car coaching and a track walk-- all aimed at making you a better instructor. A more traditional DE program will be offered for advanced solo drivers. Green and Yellow drivers will not be able to attend on this day. See elsewhere in this issue or check our website for details. For more information Instructor Coaching Clinic May 21st 2008.

Who can drive in a PCA Driver Education event?
All three host clubs have the same basic requirements:
- You must be 18 years or older
- You must be a currently licensed driver
- You must not be under the influence of drowsiness-inducing or mind altering substances (prescribed or not) prior to or during the event.
- You must be a member of the Porsche Club of America. Note: Some other club memberships may be acceptable but it will be up to the host club to decide – if in doubt, contact the host club registrar or visit their website for current policies.

Fore more information on requirements click here.

What can you drive at a PCA Driver Education event?
All three host clubs accept any Porsche vehicle (excluding tractors – because they don’t have seat belts). At the host club’s discretion vehicles of other make may be accepted – if in doubt, contact the host club’s registrar or visit their website for current policies.

Generally speaking, any Porsche that is “as delivered” and that is currently in good safe working order will be acceptable for entry in any Drivers Education event. Depending on the host’s specific rulings, the same can be said of most cars produced by any other makers that may be accepted. The only consistent exceptions are:
- All cabriolets (other than Porsche 996s, 997s and Boxsters) must be equipped with a roll bar.
- Some older Porsche cars (pre 1969) may be required to modify the mountings of, or install, seat belts – Host websites will give details of requirements where necessary. All vehicles are required to have (at least) 3-point seat belts.

For vehicles modified from original specification, please check your host’s website for requirements. Most importantly, check for specific details regarding the installation of racing harnesses, racing seats and the need for equal restraints on both passenger and driver seats. Also be aware that many tracks restrict permissible noise – a modified exhaust may not be acceptable.

What else is needed?
All regions will require that your vehicle undertake a “Technical Inspection” given by a recognized PCA Inspector. These Inspections must be undertaken prior to arrival at the event and are intended primarily to ensure the safety and track-worthiness of your vehicle. Details of these inspections along with downloadable “tech” forms and a list of recognized inspectors can be found at each of the host regions websites. Each host will have slightly different forms and requirements, however each will accept the host region’s “tech” form signed and stamped by another region’s registered tech inspector. Please be aware however, technical inspection does not remove the responsibility from the driver/owner of any vehicle for the vehicle to be safe and in compliance with all PCA, host club and/or track requirements.

All PCA Drivers Education events require that you wear a helmet while on the track. All three of the host regions require that these helmets meet at least the SA2000, SA2005, M2005 or M2000. In all cases SA is strongly recommended for their fire safety qualities.

All regions will require a 2 _ lb (minimum) class BC or ABC fire extinguisher be mounted in a metal bracket and bolted to a metal surface. Some regions (including NER) allow a one time exemption from this requirement for the first event a driver attends.

For more information on Technical requirements and inspections for Northeast region click here.


How do I register for an event?
The coordination of the 3 regions’ schedules means registration may be a little more complicated than you are used to. Unfortunately, we are not yet sophisticated enough to have shared data across all three clubs (although we are working on it for 2009) and so you will need to register yourself both as a driver and for specific events through the host regions website.

On the event calendar you will notice the Host club identified. Although all three clubs will be working together to coordinate the actual event days, it is the host club that is responsible for setting rules, policies, and pricing, and coordinating registration . The host club’s individual website will be the only point of registration for the events they are hosting. This means, for example, for the April 30th event at New Hampshire you must go to NCR’s  (the host’s) website to register. For the May 21st event you must go to NER’s website, etc..

Each club may also require you establish your credentials as a driver, and give details of your car before you are able to register for any unique event. In all cases this should be a one-time affair.  After you have provided your details to each club, you will be able to log in and will be automatically remembered.

At the bottom of this page you will find contact details and web addresses for each of the three regions. If you have any issues with registering either yourself as a driver or for any particular event please do not hesitate to contact any of us. As a general rule, it should be as simple as going to the host region’s web site, finding the menu item for Driver Education and then following the link to registration. Note: NER will no longer be accepting paper registration. To register for any event hosted by NER you will need to do so on-line. You will, however, still be able to send a check by snail mail if you prefer.

It is important to know that all three host clubs have differing policies on registration closing dates, payment, cancellation, refunds and notification. Please familiarize yourself by reading the host club’s policies as found on their individual website. Do not assume that rules you are used to with your home region will be the same with other regions.

For detailed information on Northeast region’s registration process click here.

When should I register?
For NER and NCR hosted events, registration opens on March 1st 2008. For the UCR hosted events at Calabogie and Mosport, Instructors and “signed off” solo drivers can register after February 1st. Novice and Yellow students cannot register for Calabogie until May 16th and for Mosport until July 26th.

As a general word of warning, be aware that all three clubs award entry on a first-come, first-serve basis. This year (as a result of the coordinated calendar) there will be much greater demand for most events; we fully expect that most will be sold out very early. Although you cannot register before the registration opening day we strongly suggest you register as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

To register for a Northeast region hosted event click here.

Contact Information: