Drivers education events, Driving Events or DE's are educational events put on by a car club with the specific purpose of providing a safe and structured way for club members to learn advanced driving techniques, and to generally increase their driving ability. Driving events are usually held at racetracks, and are usually 2 days in length, although events can be 1 to 3 days in length.
At the Audi Club of North America we follow a protocol for our driving events that ensures that drivers of all levels are put on the track with others of similar driving abilities. Drivers are placed into any one of several different classifications. New drivers are usually classified as level A or B, and advanced students are classified as Level C or D. Instructors are classified as either X or Y. Instructors must be pre approved by the Chief Instructor for the club and on the clubs Instructor List.
It is important to take especially good care of first time students, as it is these students who are the least familliar with what to expect at a Driving Event. We therefore want to be sure that these first time students have as much information as possible prior to arriving at the event. The topics below are topics which are important for first time students to review and understand. The topics below will be discussed in detail during the first timer's meeting, which is held on the same night that the check-in and registration occurrs. The first-timer's meeting is structured so that it covers all of the topics that we have found to be of critical importance to those that are about to participate for the first time in a driving event.
In the section called
The First timer's Meeting, we discuss what the meeting is about, and why it's important to the students. In the section called
Getting on track we discuss how to take the best care of your car, and how to enter the track safely. After your first session, you'll leave the track, and head back for your parking space. In the section called
Getting off track we discuss all of the nuances related to leaving the track, and making your way back to your parking space. We have found this section to be very helpful for new students.
Over the course of the event, there are a number of scheduled activities which everyone must attend. In the section called
Meetings and other Activities we explain what all of the meetings are for, and at approximately what time they will occur.
These events are structured education events, and throughout the entire 1, 2 or 3 day program, you will receive top notch education by [[Instructor Certification|certified instructors]].
All students, new and old should be aware that there are special rules for
convertibles. If you have a
convertible, please be sure that you fully understand the rules for participation in Driving Events.