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Programs · Curriculum · Pricing.

Full catalog of Apex programs. HPDE novice through SCCA / NASA / PCA race-license certification. Every program lists what you'll learn, what's included, and what we expect you to bring.

Quick compare

Three things drivers
always ask first.

Most drivers compare programs on three axes: in-car instructor or solo, passing rules, and lap-time goals. Here's the cheat sheet.

Feature
HPDE 1–2
HPDE 3
Race License
In-car instructor
✓ Always
Optional
No (paddock review)
Passing
Point-by, straights
Open + point-by
Race-craft drills
Classroom blocks
4 × 25 min
2 × 20 min
6 × 45 min
Data review
Optional
VBOX every session
AiM + video
FR Nomex required
No
Recommended
Required SFI 3.2A/1
Outcome
Solo sign-off
Open-passing certification
SCCA / NASA / PCA license
High-Performance Driver Education

The HPDE ladder.

HPDE 1 · 1-day noviceFirst Track Day

$549per driver · per day

Day Schedule

  • 06:30Gate opens · paddock check-in · tech inspection
  • 07:15Mandatory driver's meeting · flags · grid procedure
  • 08:00Session 1 (25 min) · instructor right-seat · sighting laps
  • 09:00Classroom · vision & line theory · 25 min
  • 10:00Session 2 · threshold braking focus
  • 11:30Classroom · trail braking + corner phases
  • 13:00Session 3 · line work + reference points
  • 15:00Session 4 · open lapping w/ instructor + debrief
  • 16:30Paddock review · instructor signs your log book

What's Included

  • 4 × 25-minute track sessions with in-car instructor
  • 4 classroom blocks · vision, line, brake control, race-flag protocol
  • Loaner Snell SA2020 helmet and Racing Radios HE-1 headset
  • Pre-grid technical inspection by Apex tech staff
  • Driver log book. Instructor sign-off for HPDE 2 progression
  • Lunch, hydration, and paddock canopy access
  • Optional VBOX install for $40 (data review included)

You Bring

  • A car in good mechanical condition + tech inspection sheet
  • Fresh brake fluid (DOT 4+ · bled within 30 days)
  • Long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes
  • Tow rated insurance proof if your car is trailered
Best for: Drivers who've never been on track. Or who've only done autocross. ~70% of our HPDE 1 graduates return for HPDE 2.
Register

HPDE 2 · 1-day intermediateSolo Sign-off

$629per driver · per day

Curriculum

  • Module 1Solo car-control prep. Instructor evaluates first session
  • Module 2Reference points + visual rhythm. Eyes-up drills
  • Module 3Trail braking. Release rate, mid-corner balance
  • Module 4VBOX data review. Sector splits, brake trace
  • Module 5Mixed traffic procedure · point-by zones
  • Module 6Instructor sign-off evaluation · written + driving

What's Included

  • 4 × 25-min sessions · in-car instructor 2 of 4 (your choice which)
  • VBOX Sport unit + post-session data review with instructor
  • SmartyCam in-car video. Synced playback at paddock review
  • HPDE 2 sign-off evaluation (drive sample + Q&A)
  • Pre-grid tech, lunch, paddock access

Prerequisites

  • Completed at least 2 HPDE 1 events (Apex or recognized program)
  • Signed driver log book or letter from instructor
  • Helmet, safety gear, fresh brake fluid as HPDE 1
Best for: Drivers ready to ditch the right-seat coach and run solo with point-by. Average graduate stays here 4–6 events before moving to HPDE 3.
Register

HPDE 3 · 1-day advancedOpen Passing

$729per driver · per day

Curriculum

  • Module 1Race-craft. Closing speed, mirror discipline, defensive line
  • Module 2Heat management. Tire pressures, brake duct strategy
  • Module 3Qualifying lap. Single-lap commitment, tire temp window
  • Module 4Open-passing protocol. Yielding, side-by-side, contact prevention
  • Module 5AiM data + video review. Minimum corner speed audit
  • Module 6Time-trial prep · grid procedure for TT class

What's Included

  • 4 × 25-min open-passing sessions with race-craft focus
  • AiM Solo 2 DL data + SmartyCam HD GP video
  • Two 20-min classroom blocks · race-craft + data
  • One-on-one paddock review with HPDE 3 lead instructor
  • Time-trial sign-off if requested + qualifying lap evaluation

Prerequisites

  • HPDE 2 sign-off + 3 events at HPDE 2 level (Apex preferred)
  • Recommended: SFI 3.2A/1 Nomex suit, racing shoes, head-and-neck restraint
  • Race-prepped car (cage optional · roll bar required for convertibles)
Best for: Drivers chasing personal-best lap times and considering club racing or time-trial.
Register

HPDE 4 · 2-day instructor candidateCoach Track

$1,1502-day program

2-Day Curriculum

  • Day 1 AMTeaching theory · escalation language · brake-corner phases
  • Day 1 PMRight-seat practice · paired with senior instructor, mock student
  • Day 2 AMEmergency procedure · off-track recovery · in-car incident response
  • Day 2 PMSolo coaching evaluation · graded by chief instructor
  • ClosingNASA Instructor I + II written exam · classroom block

What's Included

  • NASA Instructor I & II testing materials and exam administration
  • 16 hours of seat time as instructor candidate
  • Apex Instructor Handbook (printed, our internal curriculum)
  • If certified. Invitation to apply for Apex paid instructor roster

Prerequisites

  • HPDE 3 sign-off + 6 events at HPDE 3 level
  • Active SCCA, NASA, or PCA Club Race competition license preferred
  • Two letters of recommendation from current Apex instructors
Best for: Experienced club racers ready to give back. Apex hires ~30% of HPDE 4 graduates onto our paid roster.
Apply
Wheel-to-wheel

Race-license courses.

SCCA Comp School · 2-daySCCA Competition License

$1,890course fee · SCCA license additional

Curriculum

  • Day 1 AMSCCA GCR rules · flags · grid procedure · pace lap
  • Day 1 PMRace-start drills · paired starts · standing & rolling
  • Day 2 AMMock race · 20-min sprint with mixed grid · stewards observing
  • Day 2 PMWritten exam (open book) + steward sign-off interview
  • Day 2 EODSCCA Comp License paperwork submitted on your behalf

What's Included

  • 16 hours instruction · 5 sanctioned race-format sessions
  • SCCA-approved written exam + behind-the-wheel evaluation
  • Paddock review with SCCA San Francisco Region steward
  • Course completion certificate accepted by SCCA, NASA reciprocal
  • One free re-test if you don't pass the first attempt

Prerequisites

  • HPDE 3 sign-off · minimum 12 events of HPDE history
  • Race-prepped car · cage to SCCA GCR · fire suppression
  • SFI 3.2A/5 Nomex suit, head-and-neck restraint, Snell SA2020 helmet
  • Current SCCA membership ($95/year · we'll help you enroll)
Run at: Thunderhill 5-mile · 2 weekends per season (April + October)
Register

NASA CCR · 2-dayNASA Competition License

$1,890course fee · NASA license additional

Curriculum

  • Day 1 AMNASA CCR (Club Codes & Regulations) · flag & grid procedure
  • Day 1 PMRace-start drills · NASA-style rolling start · re-starts
  • Day 2 AMTwo 20-minute mock sprints · scored as qualifying
  • Day 2 PMCCR written exam · steward interview · log-book sign-off

What's Included

  • NASA Regional Director administers exam & sign-off on-site
  • Eligible for NASA Provisional Race License upon completion
  • 4 mock race sessions · full grid · live timing & scoring
  • Race-control radio access. Listen to live grid call

Prerequisites

  • HPDE 4 sign-off OR equivalent at another NASA-recognized school
  • Active NASA membership ($75/year)
  • Race-prepped car to NASA CCR · same fire/cage requirements as SCCA
Run at: Laguna Seca · 1 weekend per season (October)
Register

PCA Club Race · 2-dayPCA Competition License

$2,150course fee · PCA membership additional

Curriculum

  • Day 1 AMPCA Club Race rulebook · clean-racing standards · stewards
  • Day 1 PM911 platform race-craft · trail braking strategy by chassis
  • Day 2 AMWheel-to-wheel paired drills · Cayman & 911 grid
  • Day 2 PMMock race · steward observation · written + interview

What's Included

  • Curriculum tailored to 911, Cayman, Boxster, GT4 platforms
  • PCA Diablo Region steward on-site for license interview
  • Sign-off accepted by all PCA regions nationally
  • Pre-event chassis consultation for first-time PCA racers

Prerequisites

  • HPDE 3+ at any recognized program · 10 events minimum
  • PCA membership ($46/year) · Diablo or local region
  • Porsche or accepted-platform race car · PCA Club Race tech-compliant
Run at: Sonoma Raceway · 1 weekend per season (September)
Register
Beyond the ladder

Corporate, private & ride-along.

Corporate Event · Half or Full DayCorporate Track Day

From $14,500up to 24 guests · half day

What we run

  • Format ALead-follow lapping in fleet Cayman GT4s · 4 cars · 24 guests
  • Format BHot laps with Apex instructor at the wheel · 6 cars · 36 guests
  • Format CMixed. Skidpad + lead-follow + ride-along · full day
  • Add-onPaddock catering, branded helmets, custom in-car video edit

Included

  • Full-track exclusive booking (Buttonwillow or Thunderhill 3-mi)
  • Apex fleet vehicles + insurance + all consumables
  • Up to 6 dedicated instructors · safety crew · paramedic on-site
  • Pre-event safety briefing video for guest pre-arrival
  • Edited highlight reel delivered within 14 days

Best for

  • Executive retreats, sales-incentive kickoffs, dealer launches
  • Vendor-partner events for car-adjacent brands
  • VIP customer experiences for luxury dealers
Custom quotes within 48 hours · 60-day booking minimum.
Request quote

Private Instruction · 4-hour1-on-1 Coaching Day

$1,650half-day private session

Format

  • Hour 1Pre-session interview · goals · video review of your last event
  • Hour 23-session block with dedicated Apex instructor · your car
  • Hour 3Data review · sector-by-sector audit with AiM software
  • Hour 4Final two sessions targeting one specific weakness

Included

  • Senior Apex instructor (Reeve, Park, Halloran, or Volkov)
  • AiM Solo 2 DL data + SmartyCam video with software included
  • Written post-session report mailed within 7 days
  • Run during open lapping days. Your seat time on top of standard event

Best for

  • Drivers preparing for a specific race weekend or NASA TT season
  • Drivers stuck on one corner for too many events
  • Drivers transitioning between cars (MX-5 → 911, etc.)
Available at any Apex 2026 event date · 30-day advance booking.
Book private

Ride-Along · 2-lapRide With a Pro

$3852 hot laps · passenger experience

What it is

  • Brief15-min safety briefing · helmet & HANS fitting
  • Lap 1Sighting lap. Instructor explains line and reference points
  • Lap 2Full-pace hot lap in our Cayman GT4 Clubsport
  • DebriefIn-car footage + AiM data. Yours to keep

Why drivers book it

  • Best way to understand what a fully-committed corner actually feels like
  • Decision-maker for "should I sign up for HPDE 1?"
  • Gift voucher option for partners, family, clients
  • Bundleable with an HPDE 1 entry. $150 off if you register same day
Available 3 events per season · Laguna, Sonoma, Buttonwillow.
Reserve seat
FAQ

Questions we
get every Monday.

If yours isn't here, email Marcus directly. Hello@apexdrivers.example. He answers within a day, usually two.

Do I need a "track car" to do HPDE 1?

No. A street car in good mechanical condition is fine for HPDE 1 and 2. Most of our first-timers run a daily-driver BMW, Cayman, Civic Type R, or M3. The only non-negotiables are fresh brake fluid (DOT 4+, bled within 30 days), tires with at least 4/32 tread, and no convertible without a factory roll bar or full hoop. We'll walk you through it during registration.

What if I'm slow? I'm nervous about being a hazard.

HPDE 1 is sorted by experience, not speed. We pair you with an in-car instructor every session for exactly this reason. They manage your mirrors, your spacing, and your point-bys so you can focus on learning. You will not be the slowest car. There's always someone slower. And the fast cars know how to pass slow cars cleanly.

Is renting one of your cars an option?

Yes. For corporate events and our half-day private instruction days, we run a small fleet of Cayman GT4 Clubsports and Spec E46s. For standard HPDE events we don't rent (insurance), but our partner shops Velocity Cars (Salinas) and Rennsport (Sonoma) both offer arrive-and-drive packages we recommend.

Do you teach in EVs?

Yes. Model 3 Performance, Model S Plaid, Taycan, EV6 GT, and Lucid Sapphire have all run our HPDE programs. Diane Park leads our EV-specific curriculum (thermal management, regen mapping, brake balance under regen). Note: most tracks have a separate EV battery isolation procedure, and Thunderhill currently caps EV entries at 4 per session. Register early.

Can I bring a passenger?

Only an Apex instructor can occupy the passenger seat during a session. No friends, no family, no spouses, no kids. Even for cool-down laps. Paddock side of the wall, we welcome anyone. (Our Junior HPDE program for 16–18 is a separate registration with parental waiver.)

What happens if I damage my car?

Track-day insurance is something we strongly recommend. Open Track Insurance, Lockton, or Hagerty all write coverage by-the-day. Apex carries operational liability, but it doesn't cover your car's body damage. About 1.4% of our drivers have had an off-track excursion in our 14 seasons. Most ended in grass, not in walls.

Refunds and cancellation?

Full refund up to 30 days before the event, 50% refund 14–29 days, no refund inside 14 days. We do allow event transfers within the season at no fee, and we maintain a wait-list. If someone takes your spot off the list, you get a full refund anyway. Track-day rain cancellation is rare in California; we run if track ops opens the gates.
Ready When You Are

Pick a tier.
We'll meet you there.

Still not sure which program fits? Send us your driving background and we'll recommend the right starting point. No upsell, no pressure.

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