Novice course · 6 lessons · 61 min

HPDE Foundations

Everything a new track-day driver needs for their first HPDE weekends: preparing the car, reading the flags, looking ahead, braking, the line and car balance.
You’ll be able to
  • ✓Prepare a car and yourself for tech inspection and a full day on track.
  • ✓Recognise the common flags, give clear point-bys and use the pit lane safely.
  • ✓Pick braking, turn-in, apex and track-out reference points and look far enough ahead to use them.
  • ✓Brake firmly in a straight line, release smoothly and recognise brake fade before it becomes a problem.
  • ✓Drive a late-apex line that puts exit speed first, especially before long straights.
  • ✓Understand weight transfer and the friction circle, respond calmly to understeer and oversteer, and know the spin procedure.
Start lesson 1
  1. 1Before you go: preparing car and driver9 min · 3 checks · 1 drillTech inspection basics, the gear to pack, what happens at the drivers’ meeting, and how run groups keep your first day calm.
  2. 2Flags and on-track etiquette10 min · 3 checks · 1 drillWhat the common flags mean, how point-bys and passing zones work, pit lane entry and exit, and why the cool-down lap matters.
  3. 3Vision and reference points9 min · 2 checks · 1 drillLook far ahead, pick reliable braking, turn-in, apex and track-out references, and let your hands and feet follow your eyes smoothly.
  4. 4Braking fundamentals11 min · 3 checks · 1 drillBrake hard in a straight line, release smoothly, recognise brake fade early, and understand why trail braking is a skill for later.
  5. 5The racing line10 min · 3 checks · 1 drillTurn-in, apex and track-out explained, why a late apex is the safe default, and why exit speed onto a long straight matters most.
  6. 6Grip and car balance12 min · 3 checks · 1 drillHow weight transfer and the friction circle shape grip, how to recognise understeer and oversteer, and what to do when a spin is coming.