“High Performance Driver’s Education”, or “HPDE” or simply “DE”. These are highly regulated, safety-oriented track-based opportunities to drive your Porsche as intended! These events cover all skill levels beginning with an “onboard instructor” class (Group 1) and progress all the way to advanced with full course passing. You can attend these events with a stock vehicle, a dedicated track car, or anywhere in between. As your skill and confidence increase, some will begin upgrading to track tires and track oriented brakes that withstand more abuse. Some of us that have caught the track bug will only limited by money and time!
We have added the “HPDE Chair” to our region’s Committee list, and currently Carl Justice is that Chair. He is long-time Track Rat, has great chops, and a good guy to boot. Read his self-introduction below and peruse his HPDE FAQ to get oriented with the basics and concepts.
HELLO! I’m Carl Justice, your new HPDE (High-Performance Driver Education) chair, and I couldn’t be more excited to take on this role for the club. By day, I’m a Control Systems Engineer / OT Cybersecurity Professional; on the weekend, I’m a track junky who loves chasing apexes, turning wrenches, and diving into the science behind going fast. It’s an honor to be held in high enough regard by the Track Rats to be nominated and by the region leadership to be voted into this position, and I’m here to make our track days even better while encouraging more of you to join the fun!
Why am I here, you ask? In the past year, we’ve grown from a very small group to around 20 SMT members participating in HPDE events! The members that make up this group range from First Timer’s to PCA HPDE Instructors. With all the experience we have amongst this group, I’m here to help get our beginners up to speed quicker and to help share this knowledge and experience that will benefit even our most advanced drivers!
In the coming months, I’ll be writing articles on some more advanced driving and technical topics, but for now, I’d like to focus on the basics—because I know there are members out there who are curious but aren’t sure how to get started. Maybe you don’t know who to talk to, or maybe you feel a little anxious about trying something new. That’s okay! I’m here to help you take that first step.
Even if you don’t plan to become a full-blown Track Rat (yet), I truly believe that every Porsche owner owes it to themselves to experience what these cars were built to do—at least once. You’ll not only have the time of your life, but you might just find yourself hooked on the adrenaline and precision of track driving like so many of us already are.
So, let’s make 2025 an incredible year for HPDE! Whether you’re an experienced Track Rat or a first-timer, I’m here to support you, answer your questions, and make your track day journey as fun and rewarding as possible. Feel free to reach out if you’re curious about participating—I promise, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Beyond the SMT emails, keep an eye on the Smokey Mountain Region dedicated HPDE page so we can keep you updated! Plans include a calendar of events being attended by our crew and a home for all this content!
Let’s hit the track!
-Carl
Articles and FAQs
So, you’ve decided to chase that bucket list item and head to the track, but you have absolutely no clue how to get started or what to expect… That first track day can be intimidating. Let me help you take the anxiety away and explain the basics of how to sign up, what to expect, how to prepare and what it’s like when you show up at the track!
- High Performance Driver’s Education BASICS/FAQ
- Porsche Track Experience (PTX) Master’s Class Review, March 2025
Tentative 2025 SMT Group Track Days
- March 22-23 – Barber – Birmingham, AL
- May 24-25 – NCM Memorial Day DE – Bowling Green, KY
- June 14-15 – Barber – Father’s Day DE – Birmingham, AL
- August 29-31 – Mid-Ohio Labor Day DE – Lexington, OH
- September 20-21 – Road Atlanta DE – Braselton, GA
Useful Links
- PCA “High Performance Driver’s Education” information page
- https://clubregistration.net/
- https://www.motorsportreg.com/
- Alabama Region DE Page and Barber Motorsports Park
- Peachstate Region DE Page and Road Atlanta
- 6 Tips that Take the Stress out of Your First Track Day
- See the fun we had at the DE at Barber June 2024
- And at the Alabama Region PCA 2021 October Fest HPDE
- And Fall Drivers’ Education, Atlanta Motorsports Park (and some pro shots)
