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If you have additional questions, please e-mail Coco
Strayer, and she will answer promptly. Received questions will be added to
these FAQs if they are of a general nature.Drivers Education is also known as DE, Drivers Ed, High-performance Driving Education, and Driving School.
What is it?
A safe way for you to drive your car quickly while learning about car dynamics and developing your driving skills. The car control skills that you learn at the track are useful in emergency situations on the street. The main emphasis of a DE weekend is safety while having fun.
I know how to drive. What can you teach me?
You will be pleasantly surprised to discover how much you will learn in only two days with our instructors. Few drivers have learned proper driving techniques to maneuver their cars safely and quickly.
What do I need?
- On the software side:
- An attitude open to learning new skills and concepts from experienced in-car instructors and our classroon instructor Carla Ball.
- On the hardware side:
- A car which will pass a pre-event and grid Technical
Inspection.
- A helmet with a Snell sticker 95 or 2000. The rating can be "SA" (preferred) or "M".
- Natural fiber cothing — cotton, silk, wool.
- Comfortable enclosed shoes — the thinner the sole, the better — preferably lace-up or snug fitting.
- A car which will pass a pre-event and grid Technical
Inspection.
Most students will have four 20-minute, on-track sessions per day. It is more of a workout than you might imagine. Twenty-minute sessions provide you with the optimal interval for maintaining full concentration and focus.
How long will I be in class?
Novice and Beginner students will have three classroom sessions. Intermediate and Advanced students will have two classroom sessions.
Will I be the slowest one in my group?
Probably not. The students are divided by experience level. If you have never been on track before, you will be in the Novice group. Those with little experience will be divided between the Novice and Beginner group. No one is timing you, nor will we permit scouts from the racing teams. We want you to have fun safely while learning about yourself and your car. You may be faster in some turns than another driver and slower in others. The goal is to improve your driving skills.
Is it racing?
NO! Cars are allowed to pass only in designated straightaways, and only with a clear passing signal. The driver of the lead car signals the following driver when it is appropriate to pass in a passing zone. For Novice and Beginner students, the in-car instructors will assist the students in conducting safe passes.
What if it rains?
You turn on your windshield wipers! You are not required to drive any time that you are uncomfortable or tired; however, if you have ever driven in the rain on the street, then driving on track in the rain will be similar. You may slow a bit and allow extra braking distance. The best drivers say that they learned more about car control in damp conditions than in dry. But we hope it stays dry and sunny; track-side photos look better with blue sky in the background!
Will it hurt my car? my tires?
You are more likely to be involved in a hazardous situation on your trip from home to the track. The track will be swept thoroughly each morning and at lunch. Corner workers monitor the on-track behavior, and instructors will be teaching you the safest way to proceed around the track. You do not need new tires for the event. Tires with at least 500 miles are preferred. They should be speed-rated (Z, etc.) tires. If have questions about your car, please ask.
What about damage to my paint?
Previously, gravel was used in some areas adjacent to the infield pavement. All gravel has been removed. We will be thoroughly sweeping the track both in the morning and at lunch. Corner workers will monitor drivers who repeatedly and intentionally drop wheels off the pavement into the dirt. There is plenty of paved area, so there is no reason to drive in the dirt. An occasional slip up is expected — you are there to learn — so don't worry if you kick up a poof of dust now and then near the edge.
What is Rockingham?
North Carolina Speedway, or Rockingham, is a NASCAR oval with an infield road course. The infield is entered as you approach NASCAR Turn #3 and exited back onto the banked oval before NASCAR Turn #4. You will receive a better map, but this gives an idea of the shape. Another view is available here.
Where is the track?
Enter Marston, NC at your favorite mapping site (Mapquest, Mapblast, Maps.MSN).
Are food and beverages available at the track?
There are no concessions at this track. We will provide your lunch each day at noon but recommend that you bring snacks and plenty of fluids. Water is the best beverage to stay properly hydrated. (And yes, there are decent bathrooms.) No alcoholic beverages are permitted at the track.
Where will we sleep?
Most people will stay at the Innkeeper in Southern Pines. Our room block expires March 8. Other hotels/motels are available in Southern Pines and Rockingham. Camping is permitted at the track with prior arrangements (indicate your intentions on the registration form).
How early does everything start?
Tech and Registration will be open before 7 a.m. on Saturday. You need to be through Tech and Registration before the Drivers Meeting (starts approximately at 8 a.m.). An alternative is to arrive at the track Thursday evening to complete Tech and Registration, then sleep a few minutes later on Saturday morning. Sunday morning will also have a Drivers Meeting beginning at approximately the same time.
Can I buy gas at the track?
Fuel is not available at the track. A convenience store is "conveniently" located just beyond the track property. We suggest that you fill your tank each morning, since you will be busy with on-track and classroom sessions once the day begins.
For those who cars use higher octane, there is a track across the street that sells race fuel.
What about children and pets?
Minor waivers must be signed by both parents. If both parents will not be present at the event, contact our registrar in advance for instructions. Babysitting services are not provided. Skateboards, bicycles, in-line skateare not permitted in the paddock. Animals must be on leashes at all times. Be a responsible pet owner and clean up, please. Thus far, the lawyers have not asked that your pet sign a waiver, but we'll give any pet a wrist band if he/she feels slighted.
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This website is designed & managed by Webherrin Margo Taussig Pinkerton of
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