
A fast track to life in the fast lane
Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz all offer pulse-pounding driving schools.
Want a taste of the pulse-pounding speed and adrenaline rush that race-car drivers relish? That’s what three members of my family enjoyed during a recent session at Porsche’s Experience Center.
Porsche is just one of several manufacturers of high-performance autos to offer programs aimed at driver development and having some fun on the racetrack. From multi-day schools to shorter sessions geared for drivers of all ability levels, opportunities abound to practice skills and experience speed. Many of these facilities also provide amenities for non-driver guests, including viewing areas, exhibitions, simulator labs, dining, and accommodations.
Here are a few options to consider:
Porsche. With the opening of state-of-the-art Experience Centers in Atlanta and Los Angeles in 2015, Porsche initiated a program for car enthusiasts to test the capabilities of various models on purpose-built tracks. You select a car to drive for 90 minutes, work one-on-one with a coach, and experience diverse track surfaces. Prices begin at $350, depending on the model you choose. For more in-depth training, Porsche offers one- and two-day courses at its Sport Driving School in Birmingham, Alabama.
Additionally, BMW hosts the Ultimate Driving Experience in different cities each year. These events feature clinics in teen, autocross, drag-strip, and street driving, and are generally free. (One exception is a full-day M-Car Clinic, which costs $750.)
Mercedes-Benz. Along with specialized courses, such as ice and snow driving in northern Sweden, Mercedes-AMG Academy offers one- to three-day programs at four renowned U.S. tracks: Road Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas in Texas, Laguna Seca Raceway in California, and Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. The one-day programs, offered in performance and drift technique, take drivers through customized exercises that focus on vehicle dynamics and controlled maneuvers. Prices begin at $1,195.