Regular drivers can train to corner like pros at performance-racing schools

Drivers who want to learn the tricks of professional racecar drivers can attend clinics like those given by ProFormance Racing School at Pacific Raceways in Kent. (Courtesy of ProFormance Racing School)

Some drivers view their cars as simply a way to get from point A to point B. Roman Brent is not one of those people.

For Brent, of Gig Harbor, there is a big difference between really driving a car and simply operating a motor vehicle. "Cars are built for so much more than what they are actually used for," he says.

Brent is one of a growing number of drivers pushing their cars and skills to the limit, learning racing techniques without having to invest the time and money to become actual racecar drivers.

Performance driving is one of the fastest-growing recreational sports in the nation, according to Don Kitch Jr., owner of ProFormance Racing School in Kent.

During a one-day high-performance clinic at ProFormance in 2008, Brent spent classroom time learning about the mental and physical aspects of driving and about the safety systems of his Audi RS4.

He also drove the track at Pacific Raceways with an instructor who gave him real-time feedback and taught him how to approach turns to gain efficiency and carry more speed.

But courses are not limited to speed junkies and NASCAR wannabes.

"Participants are enthusiasts who want to come out and build a skill set for their daily commute and for recreation," says Kitch.

A big focus of performance schools is on avoiding accidents, understanding a car's limits and learning what to do in emergency situations. That's why most classes teach four basic skills: panic stopping, slalom driving, braking into a turn and emergency lane changing.

Brent says he learned how to anticipate dangerous situations and has avoided at least two accidents thanks to the skills taught in the course.

Local auto clubs also offer performance classes. Most include similar skills training and track time.

Rich Letsinger demonstrates how to take a turn during an Audi Club Northwest driving class at Portland International Raceways. (Wendy Apperson)

When Stephanie Tuck arrived at Audi Club Northwest's two-day Quattrofest in the fall of 2008, her diesel Volkswagen Jetta wagon received a few funny looks. It's not a car you typically see at the racetrack. But Tuck was determined to learn the limits of her new car.

Tuck, of Seattle, says the obstacle-avoidance course was her favorite part of the training. "It was challenging, intense and very real-world," she says.

Volunteer instructor Rich Letsinger, of Seattle, has taught classes for Audi Club Northwest for more than 10 years at tracks in Seattle, Bremerton and Portland. He says
basic instruction involves learning a car's three main systems: brakes, steering and shifting.

"You don't ask a car to do more than one thing at a time," Letsinger says. "When coming into a turn, you learn to brake first and then add steering. When steering is done, add acceleration."