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DRIVER'S EDUCATION
A DE event is a chance for you to drive your car in the controlled environment of a track setting. DE events are usually held on the 2.9-mile long, 15-turn road course at Texas World Speedway, located near College Station, Texas. From time to time the track layout may change to provide a new format for applying your DE driving techniques.
These events are NOT RACES, rather the focus is on SAFETY and LEARNING. The first few times you attend DE events, you WILL have an experienced instructor in the car with you at ALL times. For track sessions you will be grouped with people who drive at approximately your same speed, and you will drive in 4 of these 20-minute sessions each day. New drivers attend 2 entertaining and informative classroom sessions each day, as well as a helpful braking exercise between class and track sessions.
The Lone Star Region DE's are conducted by a group of well qualified, experienced, and dedicated instructors, who are instrumental in making the events successful. Since we are interested in your advancement as a driver, the Criteria for Promotion outlines some of the skills and techniques that are required of you before moving to higher run groups
We also depend on volunteers to help staff the DE, especially filling the jobs of corner workers. Click here for more information about this important job.
Click this link to access the PCA Drivers' Education page and click this link for PCA DE Guidelines.
Trackside support at LSR DE's is provided by:
who can perform technical inspections, brake, wheel, and tire services,
and minor mechanical service and repairs.
After the DE,
ProTechnik can address all you automotive
needs
at their full service facility,
from adjusting
or
replacing
brakes, changing
brake
fluids, or adjusting your
vehicles suspension
to a full tune-up.
2010 Drivers' Ed Event Dates
- Feb 6 - 7
- Mar 19-21 - SOLO ONLY DE held in conjunction with 2010 LSR Club Race
- May 1 - 2
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- Jun 12 - 13
- Sep 11 - 12
- Oct 23-24 - Hill Country sponsored
- Dec 4 - 5
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2009 Entrance Fees
Entrance fees will be accepted from verified PCA members only during the first seven days that registration is open. Acceptance for the event will be dependent on receipt of the entry fee during this seven day period. After seven days, non-members will be accepted to participate in the event upon receipt of the entrance fee..
- PCA Member: $ 265
- Non Member: $ 310
Non-LSR participants, if eligible, will receive a temporary LSR Membership for the duration of the event.
At TWS, a limited number of garages are available for $50. Garages are requested when the DE application is made and are assigned in the order in which the application fee is paid.
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Required Forms at the Track
The only required form is the Technical Inspection Form, which must be presented upon registration at the track. Technical inspection station information is listed on page 2 of this form.
Previously, a Medical Information Form was also required. This information is now provided as part of the on-line application process.
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Application
Click here to apply on line, which is the only way to apply for a DE spot. If you are unfamiliar with the application process, read on.
All potential participants may apply at NOON one month in advance of the event. For example, if the DE is to be held on the 7th of one month, applications may be made at noon on the 7th of the preceding month.
Application for participation
in a DE requires you to:
- access the web page using the link above
- log-in as a registrant
- create a registration ID, password, and profile (first time only)
- complete the on-line registration form
- complete the medical / emergency contact information
- pay on-line
Click here to read LSR's policies on
- DE Applications (additional details)
- Payment
- Cancellation
- Prohibited Vehicles, and
- Garages
Click here to read PCA's Event Insurance and Waiver of Liability requirements.
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Required Reading
DE Handbook
The DE Handbook contains information about the DE process and track requirements. READ IT!
Helmets
All drivers must have a helmet meeting Snell SA or M2000 (or later) standards. A limited number of "loaner" helmets are available at the track, but their availability for your run group is not guaranteed. Drivers of "stock" cars must wear long pants of natural fibers and rubber soled, closed-toe shoes. A shirt of natural fibers is recommended. Drivers of "race-prepared" cars should wear clothing that conforms to the requirements of Porsche Club Racing.
Vehicle Technical Inspection
All participants must have their vehicles technically inspected. Failure to complete the technical inspection prior to the DE Event will preclude you from participation, as there are currently no facilities for conducting the technical inspections at the track. You must have a completed Technical Inspection Form to receive your registration package at the track.
Insurance
Depending on your insurance company, you may or may not be covered at a DE. It is suggested that you contact your insurance company prior to the DE to confirm coverage. They will be interested in the following important points (refer them to this web page): a) this is not a race, and b) there are no timed events. If you are not covered for any reason, you may want to seek coverage from a specialty insurance company. Currently, PCA offers a Driver Education insurance program specifically tailored for its members, who receive a 10% discount on HPDE insurance premiums - click here for the details.
Waivers of Liability
The gates open at TWS at 6:45 am on the Saturday of the DE. As you enter the grounds, you will be required to sign two Waivers of Liability - one for LSR and one for TWS. There is a mandatory drivers' meeting at 7:30 am. If you are not present, you will not be allowed to drive until you have been briefed by the Chief Instructor and not before the lunch break. BE THERE! Following the drivers meeting, track and classroom sessions will be according to the standard Run Sessions schedule.
Pets and Children
No pets are allowed at the track. Your family is welcome, but you must use extra caution with your own and others' children in this high activity event.
Accommodations and Meals
LSR has negotiated rates for the:
in College Station for Texas World Speedway (TWS) DE's. You should make your own reservations at these or your preferred hotel and plan to pay for the room(s) yourself. Beginning with the February 2010, registration on Friday night will be at the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant at 1601 University Drive East, about one block southeast of Highway 6 in College Station. There is a separate seating area, full menu, and discounted appetizers.
The cost of the DE includes a participants' dinner on Saturday evening at the track with complimentary soft drinks and beer. Spouses and LSR members, who are not participating in the DE, are welcome as well. No other meals are provided. There is a snack bar at the track for breakfast and lunch.
Video
Video - Take a lap around TWS on YouTube. There are many videos from which to choose. Note, some laps are driven by race prepared cars and race drivers and show speed and other vehicle parameters. If you are a beginner or novice, do not be intimidated; you will be driving at a pace that is comfortable, but challenging, for you. You can view the videos in conjunction with the article, "A Lap Around TWS." Use the pause feature on your media player to analyze the turns. Note: From time to time the DE will be run clockwise around TWS, depending on track and weather conditions. This will be announced prior to the DE on this web page. Click here for a description of the clockwise course. Here is a YouTube video that is currently (Jan 08) available for the CW direction.
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First Timer or Just Visiting
If this is your first DE, after you send in your application you will be contacted by an LSR "Mentor" to help answer your questions and who will be at TWS to help orient you at the track. The Mentor is not a Driving Instructor, but rather an LSR volunteer interested in making your DE experience even more enjoyable.
From time to time, LSR will have Spectator Day at the DE. Persons who plan to participate in a future DE (or think you might) and wish to visit one before applying just to see what it is all about, will be invited to meet at an assembly point in Houston for a drive out to the track. We will time the arrival at about noon in order to do some parade laps around the track behind a pace car, then have lunch, a classroom session to explain what goes on at a DE, a tour of the track facilities, and dinner.
But even if we don't do a Spectator Day, you are welcome to visit the track during any of the DE's. When you arrive at the track, please contact the LSR member at the "GRID IN" desk (at the entrance to where the cars line up to go on the track). He or she will introduce you to one of our DE "Mentors", who will be happy to show you around and answer your questions. And you are welcome to do a parade lap, which will occur when the track goes cold for lunch.
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