Looking for a unique gift for the car enthusiast in your life? Consider treating him or her to a high-performance driving experience.
Track schools throughout the US cover the automotive gamut—from drag racing to rally cross and SCCA competition and Formula One. The cost ranges from less than $200 to several thousand dollars, depending upon the duration of the program and whether or not the driver supplies his car.
High-performance schools can book up months in advance, especially for popular programs such as Formula One racing—so schedule the class before purchasing plane tickets.
Schools with Multiple Locations
If you’re looking for a program close to home, consider Chin Track Days, which hosts events at 17 venues, including Road Atlanta, Sebring, COTA, VIR and Watkins Glen. Participants pay a $50 annual fee, but events are relatively inexpensive, ranging from $250 to $350 per day. The Evolution Performance Driving School also holds events at multiple locations, with programs for teens and adults with various levels of experience. In both cases, drivers use their own vehicles.
Exotic Cars
Exotics Racing (shown at the top of this post) in Las Vegas, Nev., and Fontana, Calif. can put the car enthusiast on your list behind the wheel of a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, or Mercedes AMG, with prices ranging from $200 to $500. A full-day Porsche high-performance driving experience is about $2,000. All participants undergo a technical briefing prior to the track experience. An instructor accompanies the driver on the track.
Mercedes-Benz AMG, Aston-Martin, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, and Porsche sponsor high-performance driving schools designed to help owners hone their skills on the track. Typically, the school supplies the car but these programs are pricey, ranging from $2,000 for the Audi program at Sonoma Raceway to $5,000 for the Advanced BMW M program.
Open-Wheel Cars
Bob Bondurant School of High-Performance Driving and Bertil Roos Racing Schools offer courses in open-wheel racing. Bondurant’s program ranges from $2,500 for a single day to $5,800 for the three-day program. Bertil Roos has a more affordable half-day option priced under $1,000.
Winter Driving
If you live in an area with long, snowy winters, consider the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colo. With great skiing in both Steamboat and nearby Vail, the Bridgestone School can be the starting point for a great family getaway. Classes take place on an ice track, with drivers learning how to use steering and weight transfer to control their vehicles. Those with less experience can start with one of two safety classes, while more advanced drivers can progress to three performance-oriented programs. Cost ranges from $280 for the beginning safety class to $1,885 for the most advanced performance program.
Porsche runs its winter driving experiences all over the world. Mecaglisse is a rally school located about an hour north of Montreal, Quebec.
Ride Shotgun with a Pro
The Richard Petty Driving Experience gives NASCAR enthusiasts the chance to ride shotgun with professional race car drivers, and then get behind the wheel. The Petty school hosts programs at speedways throughout the U.S., including Daytona, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Talladega, Homestead, and New Hampshire. Pricing begins at about $200.
What to Bring
If possible, bring a racing helmet. Schools have a limited supply of loaners on hand for those who don’t own one. All racetracks require close-toed shoes. Be prepared to arrange your own transportation to the track. Racetracks get hot, especially those in the southern states, so arrive hydrated and bring a water bottle. Adrenaline comes with the price of admission.
Also See: “Taking Your Car to the Track: The Ultimate Guide”
