Ever wondered how professional drivers handle cars at high speeds on a track? Our high performance driving courses offer the skills and thrill of pushing a vehicle to its limits in the controlled environment of the Radford racetrack.
It’s not just about speed, but precision and control, making it a thrilling experience for any motorsports enthusiast.
Taking a high-performance driving course provides the knowledge and skills to become a more confident and capable driver on track and on the road.
Track driving courses are becoming increasingly popular among car enthusiasts. These courses are designed for both beginner and experienced drivers. They teach essential techniques such as braking, cornering, and handling, building on current skills and developing your knowledge.
At Radford Racing School, we offer professional instruction and a comprehensive advanced driving curriculum tailored to various skill levels. By learning from experienced instructors, attendees gain insight into advanced driving techniques that improve both safety and enjoyment on the track.
High Performance Driving Principles
High performance driving requires skill and knowledge. Drivers learn the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics, racing lines, braking, cornering, and throttle control in a course that matches their level of experience.
Understanding Vehicle Dynamics
Vehicle dynamics are the forces that affect a car as it moves. Key factors include weight distribution, tire grip, and suspension geometry. When driving at high speeds, understanding these dynamics is crucial. Weight transfer can affect handling during acceleration and braking, causing the car to react in different ways.
Tire grip and suspension play a vital role in car control. During high performance courses, drivers will look at the theoretical and practical effects of these factors. This helps a driver predict how the car will respond to inputs. Learning about these dynamics is the first step to becoming a skilled high-performance driver.
Mastering the Racing Line
The racing line is the optimal path around a track. It allows the fastest route through a corner. The key is to enter the corner from the outside, hit the inside apex, and exit towards the outside. This maximizes speed and control.
Instructors often teach the “slow in, fast out” technique. This means reducing speed before entering a corner for a smoother exit.
Mastering the racing line improves lap times and confidence on the track. Applying these techniques can make a significant difference in performance.
Braking Techniques
Braking is more than just slowing down. It involves precise timing and pressure application. Threshold braking is the technique of applying maximum braking force without locking the wheels. This requires careful modulation of the brake pedal.
Trail braking is another useful method where drivers not only utilize threshold braking, but they also start gradually reducing brake pressure as they turn through the corner. This technique can help rotate the car and maintain balance. Knowing when and how to brake can greatly affect cornering speed and control.
Cornering Skills
Proper cornering involves balance, speed, and technique. One of the most important skills is understanding a turn’s entry, apex, and exit points. The “slow in, fast out” rule applies here too, allowing for better control and speed exiting the corner.
Maintaining a smooth steering input is essential. Jerky or sudden movements can unsettle the car’s balance.
Paying attention to these details during cornering can improve overall handling and performance. Cornering is about precision and control, not just speed.
Throttle Control
Throttle control is about knowing how and when to apply power. Smooth and progressive throttle application helps maintain traction and stability. Sudden acceleration can lead to wheelspin, especially during corner exits – often leading to loss of control.
Maintaining balance through gradual throttle input is crucial. Learning to work the throttle in different conditions is important, particularly when you’re accelerating out of a corner or in wet conditions. Throttle control plays a vital role in achieving smooth and controlled high-speed driving.
High Performance Vehicles
High performance driving focuses on gaining the skills and knowledge to handle a performance vehicle, extracting power in the most effective way – pushing the limits of traction and shaving down lap time.
But what makes a high performance vehicle?
At Radford, we exclusively use Dodge vehicles. During our high performance course, drivers will be behind the wheel of the 717hp Dodge Challenger SRT® Hellcat Widebody. This purpose-built track machine puts out over 500hp more than the average daily driver, making it a fierce competitor on the track.
Performance Facts: Dodge Challenger SRT® Hellcat Jailbreak Widebody
- Engine: 717hp 6.2L HEMI V8 supercharged
- Acceleration: 0-160 mph in 3.7 seconds
- Top Speed: 204 mph
- Gearbox: 8-Speed TorqueFlite automatic (automatic & paddle shift)
- Brakes: Bembo 6 piston calipers on 392mm (front) & 350mm (rear) rotors
- Supercharger: Twin-Screw producing 11.6PSI (80hPa) boost
Why Book a High Performance Driving Course?
High performance driving courses offer participants a chance to learn expert driving techniques, often skills that are transferable to road driving. Drivers learn how to handle cars at higher speeds with more control and precision.
Key Benefits:
- Improved Safety: Drivers learn to stay calm and make better decisions, even when the pressure is on.
- Increased Confidence: Students feel more comfortable behind the wheel after mastering advanced driving skills.
- Vehicle Control: Techniques like proper cornering, skid control, and threshold braking are taught.
High performance driving courses provide access to our expert instructors, each providing their extensive experience in racing and high-speed driving.
Vehicle Familiarity:
Understand Car Limitations: Drivers learn about the capabilities and limits of some of the world’s most powerful cars.
Networking Opportunities:
Meet Like-Minded Enthusiasts: Students can form connections with others who share their passion for driving. High performance courses can often act as a gateway to larger motorsports opportunities.
These courses offer an exciting experience, providing a rush of adrenaline and a sense of accomplishment after completing course challenges.
Instructors often use a structured curriculum. Lessons gradually increase in difficulty to build skills efficiently. This approach ensures that each participant leaves with a better understanding of high-performance driving.
High Performance Driving (HPD)
Ready to take your street-driving skills to the next level? Our High Performance Driving courses offer an exciting opportunity to do just that in a safe, controlled environment. Street driving courses are led by expert instructors who help you master advanced techniques and sharpen your car-control skills.
During the course, you’ll get to unleash the raw power of the 717hp Dodge Challenger SRT® Hellcat Jailbreak Widebody (automatic with paddle shifters), a beast among production cars. This course is suited to all levels of drivers, offering drivers an opportunity to progress at their own rate.
GT Road Racing
GT Road Racing (GTRR) courses are a gateway into the world of racing. Our GTRR courses focus on building more advanced driving skills that are primarily used on track such as late braking, effective cornering, and optimizing acceleration.
Perfect for aspiring racers and experienced drivers, Radford’s GT Road Racing is a step up from High Performance Driving and can become a stepping stone towards even more advanced courses or even a racing career.
Graduates of our GTRR course can expect to earn their SCCA Permit from our 3-day course, or their SCCA Full Competition License from our 4-day course.
Radford Racing School
Radford Racing School offers a unique experience for those interested in high-performance driving. It is known for its rich history, diverse courses, expert instructors, and state-of-the-art facilities.
Radford Racing School has a long-standing reputation in the world of motorsports. Established with a commitment to high performance, it has evolved into the largest racing school in Arizona.
Many professional drivers attribute part of their success to the training received here. The school continues to play a significant role in shaping future talents. Its prestige is evident in the high demand for its programs.
Find out more about the courses offered at Radford Racing School by visiting the driving programs page. Courses are available for all driving levels, offering expert tuition from some of the world’s best driving instructors.
