A DE event is a chance for you to drive your car in the controlled environment of a track setting. DE events are usually held on the 2.9-mile long, 15-turn road course at Texas World Speedway, located near College Station, Texas. From time to time the track layout may change to provide a new format for applying your DE driving techniques.
These events are NOT RACES, rather the focus is on SAFETY and LEARNING. The first few times you attend DE events, you WILL have an experienced instructor in the car with you at ALL times. For track sessions you will be grouped with people who drive at approximately your same speed, and you will drive in 4 of these 20-minute sessions each day. New drivers attend 2 entertaining and informative classroom sessions each day, as well as a helpful braking exercise between class and track sessions.
The Lone Star Region DE's are conducted by a group of well qualified, experienced, and dedicated instructors (page currently under construction), who are instrumental in making the events successful.Since we are interested in your advancement as a driver, the Criteria for Promotion outlines some of the skills and techniques that are required of you before moving to higher run groups.
We also depend on volunteers to help staff the DE, especially filling the jobs of corner workers. Click here for more information about this important job.
Entrance fees will be accepted only from verified PCA members during the first seven days that registration is open. After seven days, registration will open to non-members as well. In all cases, registration for the event is not considered complete until payment of the entry fee.
PCA Member: $ 295
Non Member: $ 325
Non-LSR participants, if eligible, will receive a temporary LSR Membership for the duration of the event.
At TWS, a limited number of garages are available for $50. Garages are requested when the DE application is made and are assigned in the order in which the application fee is paid.
The only required form is the Technical Inspection Form, which must be presented upon registration at the track. Technical inspection station information is listed on page 2 of this form.
Special Notice to 2010 GT3 Drivers and others with Center Lock Hubs (CLH) - there is a recall on center lock hubs. Click here for a copy of the recall letter.
Any 997 or 991 vehicles equipped with center locks will require a mandatory visual inspection Saturday morning before being allowed on track. Each student will be given a verification sticker, without it will not be allowed on track.
Previously, a Medical Information Form was also required. This information is now provided as part of the on-line application process.
Click here to apply on line, which is the only way to apply for a DE spot.If you are unfamiliar with the application process, read on.
All potential participants may apply at NOON one month in advance of the event. For example, if the DE is to be held on the 7th of one month, applications may be made at noon on the 7th of the preceding month.
Application for participation
in a DE requires you to:
access the web page using the link above
log-in as a registrant
create a registration ID, password, and profile (first time only)
complete the on-line registration form
complete the medical / emergency contact information
The DE Handbook contains information about the DE process and track requirements. READ IT!
Helmets
All drivers must have a helmet meeting Snell SA or M2005 or later standards. A limited number of "loaner" helmets are available at the track, but their availability for your run group is not guaranteed. Drivers of "stock" cars must wear long pants of natural fibers and rubber soled, closed-toe shoes. A shirt of natural fibers is recommended. Drivers of "race-prepared" cars should wear clothing that conforms to the requirements of Porsche Club Racing.
Vehicle Technical Inspection
All participants must have their vehicles technically inspected. Failure to complete the technical inspection prior to the DE Event will preclude you from participation, as there may not be facilities for conducting the technical inspections at the track. You must have a completed Technical Inspection Form to receive your registration package at the track.
Insurance
Depending on your insurance company, you may or may not be covered at a DE. Click here for more information about this from PCA. It is suggested that you contact your insurance company prior to the DE to confirm coverage. They will be interested in the following important points (refer them to this web page): a) this is not a race, and b) there are no timed events. If you are not covered for any reason, you may want to seek coverage from a specialty insurance company.Currently, PCA offers a Driver Education insurance program specifically tailored for its members, who receive a 10% discount on HPDE insurance premiums - click here for the details.
Waivers of Liability
The gates open at TWS at 6:45 am on the Saturday of the DE. As you enter the grounds, you will be required to sign two Waivers of Liability - one for LSR and one for TWS. There is a mandatory drivers' meeting at 7:30 am. If you are not present, you will not be allowed to drive until you have been briefed by the Chief Instructor and not before the lunch break. BE THERE! Following the drivers meeting, track and classroom sessions will be according to the standard Run Sessions schedule.
Pets and Children
No pets are allowed at the track. Your family is welcome, but you must use extra caution with your own and others' children in this high activity event.
Accommodations, Check-in, and Meals
Among the hotels convenient to Texas World Speedway are :
Manor House Inn ($59, 979-764-9540, mention Lone Star Region PCA DE)
Marriott TownePlace Suites ($109, 979-260-8500, option 0 and mention Porsche Club of America; regular rates will apply on the Texas A&M home football weekends of September 17-18 and October 29-30).
Courtyard by Marriott ($100, 979-695-8111, 'World Speedway Rate"; there are no rooms available on March 17th, the Club Race Weekend, or on the A&M home football weekends in September and October).
in College Station for Texas World Speedway (TWS) DE's. You should make your own reservations at these or your preferred hotel and plan to pay for the room(s) yourself.
Check in on Friday night will be from 6 to 8 pm at the Manor House Inn. The briefing for new drivers will be at 7 pm at the Manor House.
The cost of the DE includes a participants' dinner on Saturday evening at the track with complimentary soft drinks and beer. Spouses and LSR members, who are not participating in the DE, are welcome as well.No other meals are provided. There is a snack bar at the track for breakfast and lunch.
Video
The Maverick and Lone Star Regions have prepared an instructional, narrated video of a CCW lap around TWS.
This is the most common configuration used for DE's. Don't be intimidated by technical terms like "traction rich, track-out, late apex, off camber" etc. You will get instruction on the appropriate driving techniques during your DE sessions. Use this link to view the video. NOTE - this is a large file and will require approximately 3 minutes to download with a cable connection.
You may also take a lap around TWS on YouTube. There are many videos from which to choose. Note, some laps are driven by race prepared cars and race drivers and show speed and other vehicle parameters. If you are a beginner or novice, do not be intimidated; you will be driving at a pace that is comfortable, but challenging, for you. You can view the videos in conjunction with the article, "A Lap Around TWS." Use the pause feature on your media player to analyze the turns. Note: From time to time the DE will be run clockwise around TWS, depending on track and weather conditions. This will be announced prior to the DE on this web page. Click here for a description of the clockwise course.Here is a YouTube video that is currently (Jan 11) available for the CW direction.
If this is your first DE, after you send in your application you will be contacted by an LSR "Mentor" to help answer your questions and who will be at TWS to help orient you at the track. The Mentor is not a Driving Instructor, but rather an LSR volunteer interested in making your DE experience even more enjoyable.
From time to time, LSR will have Spectator Day at the DE. Persons who plan to participate in a future DE (or think you might) and wish to visit one before applying just to see what it is all about, will be invited to meet at an assembly point in Houston for a drive out to the track. We will time the arrival at about noon in order to do some parade laps around the track behind a pace car, then have lunch, a classroom session to explain what goes on at a DE, a tour of the track facilities, and dinner.
But even if we don't do a Spectator Day, you are welcome to visit the track during any of the DE's. When you arrive at the track, please contact the LSR member at the "GRID IN" desk (at the entrance to where the cars line up to go on the track). He or she will introduce you to one of our DE "Mentors", who will be happy to show you around and answer your questions. And you are welcome to do a parade lap, which will occur when the track goes cold for lunch.
