By Stephen DiCato 

I’ve always wanted to drive on a proper race track, and in November of 2019 I achieved that goal. Earlier that year, I purchased my first Porsche - a 1979 911 SC. I purchased it with one goal - attend High Performance Driver Education events with the PCA. I spent the summer sorting my car, preparing for my first HPDE, and talking to experienced club members. Hopefully sharing my experience encourages others to attend HPDE events. There’s a ton of resources on this topic and I suggest you spend some time on both the NCR and NER website. The presentation from the 2022 DE Ground School is particularly useful.

“BE SAFE-HAVE FUN” is the North Country Region’s Driver Education motto.

TL;DR? Watch this short video.

As the proud owner of a Porsche, you're already experiencing the thrill of driving a precision machine—but why not take it to the next level? We’re offering a unique opportunity to improve your driving skills in a safe, controlled, and structured environment, all while discovering the true capabilities of your Porsche. Whether you're looking to refine your driving technique, dive deeper into vehicle dynamics, or just enjoy the pure joy of driving on a track, this event is for you.

NCR's PCA waivers are completed entirely online using these three steps. 

Children must continue to using the Minor and Parent Form at this link.

Use this link to initiate your online PCA waiver process. Everyone attending the event (including guests) must complete and sign the waivers.

Please have the Speedwaiver ready to show on your phone at onsite event registration. 

The HPDE minimum standards have been revised.

You can view the document at this link.

ambassador: a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity

Thank you for volunteering your time and effort to help our new drivers enjoy their first day at our event. What you are doing is an important component of our Be Safe and Have Fun approach to HPDE.

Can you remember your first day at an HPDE event? I can. I was nervous and questioning my decision to put my newly  acquired Porsche on the track. I had many questions, but there was no way I was going to be that guy and ask them in front of a hundred people at the drivers meeting. My instructor was great but very busy and after our in car debrief he was off to his next assignment.

That's why we've asked individuals who aren't instructors to answer questions from our first day drivers. Your role is to answer their questions and make them feel comfortable. Everyone has questions in the beginning; you have been there and most likely asked those questions or at least heard the answers. You may not know the answer to every question, but you know who does know the answer.

An excellent resource for the new driver are the links in the event information email. The information in those links was developed over the last fifteen years. Hundreds of hours have been spent discussing and documenting what the requirements are for a safe and fun event. 

You will receive contact information for your novice driver shortly. Please contact them via email and ask them to read the documents referenced in the event information email then set up a short phone to call to answer any questions that they have after reading the documents. Schedule a place and time to meet them during the morning of the first day of the event and finally, check in with them in the afternoon to see how their day is going.

If you have questions, comments or suggestions for improvements, please contact paddockreporter@ncr-pca.org.

Thanks again!

1. All participants must have the registered vehicle inspected within 120 days of the event.  Your home region or the NCR tech form must be completed and signed by any approved PCA tech inspector regardless of region, or a factory authorized new car dealer for the vehicle registered, or a repair facility that specializes in servicing the vehicle registered. Approved NCR inspectors can be found at this link. North Country Region has adopted the PCA National 2025 Tech Inspection form and procedures. Participants from other PCA regions may use their region's 2025 Tech Form for our 2025 events.
2. Events are held in the rain and cold weather. No refunds for an event canceled after cars have been on the track, or for participants who do not come to the track when an event is not started. Partial refunds may be available to those who come to the track when an event is not started/canceled.
3. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, must have a valid driver’s license. A current driver’s license must be shown at registration.
4. Non-participants are not permitted in either student or instructor cars. Non-participants under the age of 18 are allowed only in spectator areas. Instructors riding in student cars and students riding in instructor cars for instructional purposes are permitted. No student may ride with another student.
5. First time drivers and students at a new track to them should be prepared to let their instructor drive their car for a few laps.
6. All participants must obey all passing rules set forth in the driver’s meeting.
7. Participants must wear long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt (natural, not synthetic fibers), or wear an approved fire-resistant driving suit. Footwear must be enclosed, non-slip, with a relatively smooth sole. Hiking type deep lugged soles are not acceptable.
8. Drivers must have completed registration and be through the tech line prior to the driver’s and instructor’s meetings (approximately 8:15 am).
9. No non-prescription drugs or alcoholic beverages may be consumed by anyone (participant or guest) during the event. Participants should be aware of the effects of their prescription medications on high performance driving.
10. Tracks will be enforcing sound limits (Lime Rock Park - 88db, Club Motorsports - 92db, NHMS - 99db) at their tracks. You will be expelled from the event after your second offense during any given day.
11. There is a mandatory Black Flag pit stop for all spins or two (or more) wheels-off. Two Black Flags for these or other driving infractions in a day are grounds for expulsion from the event.
12. R-rated track tires are not allowed in Green and Yellow Run Group unless OEM fit or the car is also driven in an advanced run group. Chief Instructor approval required.
13. A Snell rated 2015 or newer helmet is required. An SA rated helmet is preferred. M and K rated helmets are acceptable. Limited loaners MAY be available and must be pre-arranged with the track chair.
14. A head and neck restraint system commonly known as a HANS device, is mandatory for both students and instructors when a five, six or seven-point harness or certain approved 4-point harnesses are in use. All neck restraints must meet SFI 38.1 or FIA 8885 or its successor certifications. A suitable roll bar or roll cage is recommended when race seats, harnesses and neck restraints are in use. A suitable roll bar or roll cage along with race seats, harnesses and neck restraints provides students and instructors with a complete safety system.
15. Windows must be fully down (rain or shine). Window nets are not allowed.
16. Your assigned car number must be at least 6 inches in height and be displayed on both sides of your car. A 4-inch-high car number must be displayed on the rear of the car.
17. All Cabriolets/Convertibles must have a roll bar or roll cage installed which meets the "broomstick" rule (the driver's helmeted head is below a bar placed on top of the roll bar and windshield). All Targa tops must be installed unless there is additional rollover protection. All sunroofs must be closed. All open car (no top) occupants must wear arm restraints. All Cabriolets/Convertibles with Factory Fitted Popup Rollover Systems must have the system fully deployed before going on track.

Updated February 19, 2025