Driving School Information

Audi Club SoCal – High Performance Driving Schools

Audi Club HPDE is presented by Toyo Tires

What is an Audi Club SoCal high performance driving school?

  • It’s a chance to drive your own car on a race track in a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment.
  • It’s a chance to learn more about yourself and your car, and to improve your driving skills.
  • It’s a chance to meet and socialize with a diverse group of friendly individuals who embrace performance driving and really enjoy Audi automobiles.  

Driving your own car on a race track – away from side streets, inattentive drivers, and other distractions – is not only great fun, it is a safer and more effective way to explore the capabilities of your car, while improving your driving skills at the same time.

HPDE means High Performance Driver Education

An Audi Club HPDE is a driving school. It is not a race, a racing school, or practice for racing.

Upcoming driving schools are listed on the Events page on this website and our event registration page at ACSC.MotorsportReg.com . See the page for each venue for event information and learning resources.

Car Safety Inspection (Tech Form)

There will be NO inspection at the event  – the mandatory car safety inspection (“tech inspection”) MUST be completed in advance of the event by a dealer, independent shop, or other mechanically qualified individual. Have your car inspected within 30 days of the event.

  • Safety Inspection Form  (the “Tech Form”) (PDF revised 9/23) Required of all participants
    Have your car inspected within four weeks of the event and email* the completed and signed form to [email protected].
    (*email is strongly preferred – help us speed up on-site check-in by getting this administrative stuff out of the way early; you may also bring it to on-site check-in). The latest version of the car inspection form may also be found in the members area of www.audiclubna.com (member login is required).

The inspection form (“tech form”) lists MINIMUM requirements and a few recommendations, but it is your responsibility to determine if there are any additional items needing inspection on your car and your personal safety gear to ensure your own safety as well as the safety of others on track with you. Unsafe Drivers, Cars, or Safety Equipment will not be allowed to participate in the driving school.

Important Driving School Information

  • First-Timer Overview (pdf) If this is your first time at an Audi Club SoCal driving school, this informational PDF will give you a general idea of what to expect. 
  • SoCal’s HPDE Requirements v2022.02.017 (PDF – Required) Everyone must read and understand our chapter’s HPDE requirements. 
  • Decal Placement We provide decals to go on your Car, here’s how to install them [PDF] 
    Note the dates – requirements may change so some info may not be current.

How to Learn a New Track – An Audi Club Trackside Talk

  • Slide Deck – Audi Club Trackside Talk – Learn a New Track [PDF]
  • Handout – Audi Club Trackside Talk – Learn a New Track [PDF]

Driving Evaluations & Logbook

Audi Club SoCal uses the online evaluation and logbook system provided by DrivingEvals.com .

Lead-Follow Instruction

Driving Instruction is an integral part of Audi Club HPDE events. If remote instruction is used, it will be via the lead-follow technique using club-provided radio intercoms in the Beginner run group. Similar instruction will also be available in the Intermediate, Experienced and Advanced groups to the extent we have the instructor and equipment resources to do so. We may also provide instruction via other methods, such as track-side observation.

Convertibles and SUV / CUV

Audi Club North America allows many modern convertible cars and certain small sport utility vehicles (SUV) and cross-over utility vehicles (CUV) at our high performance driver education schools. If you are considering driving one of these vehicles at an Audi Club SoCal driving school, contact us if you are unsure if it qualifies. 

  • Only SUV/CUV which are on the Audi Club North America approved list may participate in high performance driving education. 
  • No special track tires (DOT <=200 wear factor or non-DOT competition) may be used on your SUV/CUV.
  • Convertibles MUST have club-approved OEM rollover protection (or 4-point or greater roll bar meeting the “Broom Stick” test). Drivers of open cars, such as convertibles with the top down, must provide eye-protection and approved arm restraints for both the driver and instructor-passenger.

The ACNA requirements are revised on a regular basis. Reference the Audi Club North America driving school policy  (Sect 2.13 & Appendix D (Member login required). 

Safety

Driving Safety is not negotiable

Audi Club SoCal High Performance Driving Education events are driving schools. They are not a race, a racing school, or practice for racing. All Audi Club SoCal HPDE events are conducted with a “Safety First” mindset. Despite the Club’s safety precautions it would be misleading to pretend there are not unavoidable risks present when engaging in any high speed driving activity. While the club works to minimize external risks, ultimately it is up to each individual driver to behave in a safe and mature manner.

Please familiarize yourself with these elements of our safety culture:

  • Our HPDE (driving school) events are conducted on a closed road course to avoid the many unpredictable hazards found on the public streets, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, distracted drivers, and opposite-direction traffic.
  • Our HPDE events are conducted under close supervision by Audi Club’s trained instructors.
  • Each Driver is assigned by our chief instructor to a run group based on their demonstrated driving experience as well as their car’s capability.
  • There is no competitive passing; passing is only allowed with the permission of the car being passed and in designated passing zones. If in doubt – don’t pass. No one “wins” a HPDE event. This Passcraft video presents safe generic passing techniques; be aware that, unlike some of the discussion in this video, Audi Club does not allow cars to be side-by-side in the braking zone or in a turn.
  • The club does not provide any timing or scoring.
  • The club does not provide any prizes or trophies.
  • Lap timers visible in the car while driving are not allowed. If built into the vehicle, select a page without lap times,  as viewing predictive lap times is strictly prohibited.
  • Drivers and their guests may not use or be under the influence of alcohol or any other drug or substance which might affect safe driving whether prescribed or over-the-counter, legal or illegal, whenever performance driving is underway. No open containers by drivers or their guests until all driving is done for the day.

We welcome you to join us, but we remind you that YOUR safety and the safety of other participants depends primarily on the Decisions YOU make and the Actions YOU take!
Ultimately, Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility!

In Case of Emergency (ICE) info (Medical & Contact Info)

Audi Club North America requires our chapter to collect emergency contact information for all drivers. Ensure your MotorsportReg.com Profile (found under My Account) is complete and current, especially the Emergency Contact info in the My Information section, as this is our official source of this information.

Audi Club SoCal also recommends that you and your guests carry In Case of Emergency (ICE) medical and emergency contact information on your person when at a driving event. See the Detailed HPDE requirements document linked above for suggestions.

Healthy Event

Audi Club SoCal will follow State, Local, and Venue protocols in response to concerns related to the Covid-19 flu epidemic. Depending on current restrictions your event may include some or all of the following precautions:

  • PPE – Participants desiring Personal Protective Equipment, such as face coverings and sanitizer, must provide their own.
  • YOUR HEALTH – Please do not attend if you have recently been exposed to a person with verified Covid-19 symptoms, are sick, or become sick while at the event.
  • CONDUCT – Please be polite to all event staff and track personnel – they are just doing their job in a difficult situation to protect the club and its members. Please honor the protocols established by us and by the track. If you are unable or unwilling to comply with the protocols then we ask that you do not attend the event. Those who choose not to comply may be asked to leave the event without compensation or refund.
  • INSTRUCTION – Driving Instruction is an integral part of Audi Club HPDE events. If instructors are not allowed in driver’s cars due to social distancing rules then alternate instructional methods may include lead-follow and corner observation. Intercom equipment will not be shared with other drivers during an event.
  • CLASSROOM – Driving theory may be provided online for beginner drivers and is recommended and available for all other drivers. If formal classroom instruction at the track is not available, a student and their instructors will still meet safely to review progress.
  • MEALS – All meals and meal providers will follow meal service and distancing recommendations in effect at the time of the event. Evening meals if provided will use protocols approved by local authorities.
  • FACILITIES – Disinfecting of track facilities will be provided by the venue in accordance with their local policies and requirements.

Motorsport Safety Foundation

Our club’s internal instructor training program is Motorsport Safety Foundation (MSF) Level II certified. Audi Club SoCal is proud to be one of the first organizations to achieve this coveted certification.

If you are interested in attending a MSF Level II clinic but are not an Audi Club SoCal participant, visit www.motorsport-safety.org/hpde to find a commercial provider of the MSF Level II instructor training program near you. We can recommend Audi Club SoCal sponsor Hooked on Driving‘s MSF-approved instructor clinics conducted throughout their many regions.

Still Have Questions? 

Email us at: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you at the track!

audiclubna.org/…/ACNA-Tech-Form-January-2022.pdf