The NCM Motorsports Park season is well underway, with one High Performance Driving Education (HPDE) event already in the books, and it was one of the best-attended events in recent years, with more than one hundred participants! This growth is intentional, driven by guest input, thoughtful planning, and program enhancements.
“Three years ago, we surveyed our HPDE participants and took their input very seriously,” says Morgan Watson, NCM Motorsports Park Marketing Manager. “We welcomed feedback about everything from track time and classroom sessions to event dates and facility amenities. With that baseline data in place, we set out to make the improvements necessary for growth—and the numbers speak for themselves.”
One of the first action items was to make the program more accessible. In a nod to tradition, MSP maintained its long-standing schedule of HPDE events aligned with the Bash and Anniversary Celebrations at the National Corvette Museum. Then, they expanded the calendar to include monthly opportunities for guests to participate in the entry-level program known as High Performance Driving Introduction (HPDI).
As the name implies, High Performance Driving Introduction (HPDI) is designed to help motorsports enthusiasts ease into the sport. This “101” approach allows participants to learn fundamental skills in a safe, fun, and encouraging environment. With small group sizes and a combination of classroom and on-track instruction, this one-day program teaches basic car control, passing procedures, and the fundamentals of high-performance driving.
In addition to adding more dates to the calendar, the team also led the industry by creating a women’s-only HPDI.
“With a focus on expanding the reach of our program, we felt strongly that a women’s event was the next step,” explains Watson. “We wanted to create an environment where women felt empowered and confident in learning new skills. With the support of organizations such as Mobil 1 and Women in Motorsports North America, we were overwhelmed by the response and interest—dozens of participants joined us in the first two years. We expect even more growth in 2025! And it feels good to lead by example!”
Whether male or female, the traditional High Performance Driving Education (HPDE) program is a “next-step” activity carefully designed to help drivers progress through the sport using a tiered group approach. As drivers master each level of instruction—novice, intermediate, and advanced—they gain new skills to enhance both safety and performance behind the wheel.
The NCM Motorsports Park High Performance Driving Program has a long and rich history of excellence. Prior to the facility’s opening in 2014, the National Corvette Museum hosted HPDE events across the country at some of the nation’s most prestigious tracks, including Virginia International Raceway, Sebring, Putnam Park, Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP), and others.
When the NCM Motorsports Park opened nearly a decade ago, the HPDE program came “home” to Corvette Campus. The MSP track is a 3.2-mile road course featuring 23 turns, a nearly mile-long straightaway, and some of the highest-quality instructors in the industry. Over the years, many participants have continued returning to enjoy camaraderie with friends while fine-tuning their driving skills.
“We are committed to honoring the origins of our HPDE program,” says Watson. “We will also continue to refine, enhance, and expand our offerings. Our core values will remain the same as we find ways to welcome a new generation of enthusiasts.”
Registration is currently open for the entire season. Upcoming events include a combinations of HPDIs, HPDEs, Open Track Days, and even a Drifting event. Guests can explore the options and book online by clicking on the button below.
