Porsche St Louis -WoW / Intro/ Sokol Memorial HPDE
World Wide Technology RacewayAbout this event
St Louis Region Porsche Club of America and Porsche St Louis are offering a unique
Combination High Performance Driver Education experience including
Women on Wheels (Saturday)
Introduction to HPDE (Sunday)
and Dan Sokol Memorial HPDE (Friday-Sunday)
**Details for each event can be found below, please read through all the information provided.**
PCA Member
- Registration opens 4/19/24 @6:00pm
- Women on Wheels or Sunday Intro price for First Time Participant is $185
- HPDE price for experienced drivers (Novice-Advance)
- One Day is $225
- Two Day is $365
Non PCA Member
- Registration opens Friday, 4/26/24 @MIDNIGHT (between Friday and Saturday)
- Women on Wheels or Sunday Intro price for First Time Participant is $200
- HPDE price for experienced drivers (Novice-Advance)
- One Day is $240
- Two Day is $400
You do not need to be a PCA Member nor own a Porsche to participate, most makes and models are welcome, however only Porsche SUVs are allowed and convertible vehicles must meet specific requirement (outlined below).
All vehicles must pass a Technical Inspection prior to the event (see details below).
Drivers must be 18 years of age or older.
Choose from:
-
Saturday's Women on Wheels Introduction to HPDE (WOMEN ONLY)
-
Sunday's Introduction to HPDE
All Beginner and Novice level participants
- Will be assigned a National PCA instructor to provide in-car guidance and encouragement throughout the day.
- Are to participate in classroom instruction throughout the weekend
- Passing is allowed only under strictly controlled circumstances, as this is NOT racing, nor is it a racing school.
- See detailed requirements listed below for more information
- Anyone new to the track will have the opportunity to drive Orientation Laps on Friday, June 21st at 4:45pm to become familiar with the track layout. Please arrive at 4:00 if you would like to complete on-site tech & reg beforehand. These are slow laps, no helmet is required.
NOVICE and INTERMEDIATE drivers can choose to participate on Saturday and/or Sunday (one day registration is available for this event).
ADVANCE DRIVERS and INSTRUCTORS can choose Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday (one day registration is available for this event).
Women, if you’re interested in learning more about High Performance Driving without being the only gal in a room full of guys, here’s your chance to experience the exhilaration and fun that comes from driving YOUR car on a road course track with a group of like-minded women! Women on Wheels is open to all women, not just PCA members and no previous track experience is required. Grab your friends and register now for this AMAZING EXPERIENCE!
Hosted by the St Louis Region Porsche Club of America and it’s subsidiary, the STL Track Sisters, this one-day (7AM - 5PM) High Performance Driver Education will provide you the opportunity to:
- Learn about high performance driving fundamentals during classroom instruction
- Experience the excitement of driving on the track during four sessions throughout the day
- Meet women who share your interest in cars and driving, including the STL Track Sisters with their assortment of on-track experience
- Socialize with your new friends following the event at the Track Happy Hour sponsored by STL Technology Brokers
Women on Wheel's Beginner Group is for Women Only; the classroom and on-track driving sessions for Saturday's Beginner Group will consist of women drivers only. (Registration Priority will be given to Women on Wheels first time participants. Anyone repeating WoW AND still considered a beginner will be confirmed pending space available.) All other run groups on Saturday will be open to men and women participants.
All Beginner and Novice level participants will be assigned a National PCA instructor to provide in-car guidance and encouragement throughout the day. With a keen focus on safety, passing is allowed only under strictly controlled circumstances, as this is NOT racing, nor is it a racing school. One of the best things about high performance driver education is that the principles taught during the day apply to everyday driving situations! (Event requirements listed below.)
Learn new skills while experiencing the thrills that comes from driving your car on the road coarse track in this Intro to High Performance Driver Education!
Open to men and women 18 or older, not just PCA members, no previous track experience is required. (Registration Priority will be given to first time participants. Anyone repeating last year's INTRO AND still considered a beginner will be confirmed pending space available.)
This one-day (7AM - 5PM) High Performance Driver Education will provide you the opportunity to:
- Learn about high performance driving fundamentals during classroom instruction
- Experience the excitement of driving on the track during four sessions throughout the day
- Meet and socialize with others who share your interest in cars and track driving.
- Check out all the other amazing cars that folks bring to track!
All Beginner and Novice level participants will be assigned a National PCA instructor to provide in-car guidance and encouragement throughout the day. With a keen focus on safety, passing is allowed only under strictly controlled circumstances, as this is NOT racing, nor is it a racing school. One of the best things about high performance driver education is that the principles taught during the day apply to everyday driving situations! (Event requirements listed below.)
We know that summer brings a variety of activity choices and family commitments, so for this event only, experienced drivers can choose which day(s) work best: Friday (solo drivers only), Saturday AND/OR Sunday.
- FRIDAY
- Approved Solo drivers only (must have run at least one full weekend as a solo driver and have received prior approval from the Chief Driving Instructor; email if you'd like to be considered)
- Two run groups means PLENTY of track time. (Instructors may run in any group)
- Lunch is available for purchase in advance, please select this option when registering. No breakfast on Friday.
- SATURDAY and/or SUNDAY
- Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Instructor groups available. Choose your day(s) when registering
- Breakfast and lunch provided each day
- On-site safety Tech and Registration is open on Friday (anytime during the day), Saturday morning and Sunday morning
Light Breakfast, Lunch, Water, Snacks and Saturday Happy Hour are all provided compliments of our fantastic sponsors! Please help us thank ALL our sponsors by visiting their shops for ALL your vehicle, personal and technology needs!
- Porsche St Louis for all things Porsche...cars, both new and pre-owned; parts, service and merchandise.
- ET Tuning a full service automotive shop for street and track cars: high performance enhancements, track upgrades, and more.
- West County Auto Body the best full service mechanical and auto body repair shop in St Louis.
- Weiss Insurance dedicated to providing personalized quality insurance solutions for both personal and commercial policies, plus On-Track insurance, policies to cover you while at/on the track.
- LFG Motorsports Arrive & Drive a luxury sports car rental service, contact Tom for more details at LFGmotorsports1@gmail.com
- The Shop with 20+ years experience protecting vehicles, specializing in vinyl and ceramic coatings, detailing, paint correction and more.
- JML Audio of St Louis experts in vehicle enhancements including audio, video, cameras, radar and laser detection/blocking, nav, security, etc.
- STL Technology Brokers a Business Solutions Partner committed to accelerating IT outcomes and increasing customer satisfaction by supporting your IT projects through partnership.
Pre-Track "Tech" Inspection
- Every vehicle must be inspected by a qualified technician within 30 days of the event. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the individual owner/driver to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of their vehicle. Random inspections may be made at the track to insure vehicles conform to safety requirements. Vehicles failing inspection at the track may be disqualified from participation without refund.
- Download and print this year's Tech Inspection Form (download section at bottom of page)
- Section One of your Tech Inspection must be completed by a certified mechanic no more than 30 days prior to the event. (Instructors may self-tech.). Bring the completed Tech Inspection Form with your for the on-site Tech and Reg, as Section Two will be completed at the track.
- Any certified mechanic can perform the Tech Inspection. Shops familiar with the Tech Inspection process include Porsche St Louis (Porsches only), ET Tuning, Reid Vann Imports, Newbold BMW
On-Site Safety Tech & Registration
On-site Tech & Reg is open on
- Friday from 7AM-6PM
- Friday registrants, please come to the Registration Office to complete the process.
- Saturday and Sunday from 6:30AM-7:30AM
- Procedure for Saturday or Sunday morning registrants
- Secure a parking place and empty your car
- Queue up in the Drive Thru Tech & Reg line, be sure to have your
- Drivers License
- Tech Form
- Helmet
- If you have reserved a loaner helmet, please bring your Driver’s License into Registration in exchange for the helmet AFTER you completed registration
- ARRIVE EARLY, as final tech and registration are usually very busy. On-site Tech closes at 7:20 and Registration closes at 7:30 sharp, LATE ARRIVALS WILL FORFEIT THEIR FIRST SESSION ON TRACK, this is a problem especially for First Time (Beginner Group) participants.
- Procedure for Saturday or Sunday morning registrants
- All guests must check in with the Registration office to sign a waiver and receive a guest wristband.
- Vehicle numbers will be provided at registration, they are to be placed at the outside, top, center of your windshield.
Information for Beginner and Novice Drivers:
- Frequently Asked Question HPDE FAQs
- Helpful Track Terms Common Motorsports Terminology
- How to Prepare for a Track Weekend Pre-Track Prep
Event requirements
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU COMPLETE REGISTRATION.
- Participants must be 18 years of age and present a valid state issued driver's license at track registration.
- Participants with limited (or no) prior experience will be assigned an in-car instructor. If you are not comfortable with having another person in your car, please do not register for this event.
- NO REFUNDS for No Shows or Cancelations within 14 days of the event. A $50 administrative fee will be deducted from all 2 day registration refunds and a $25 administrative fee will be deducted from all 1 day registration refunds.
. Cancelations between 15 and 30 days of the event will result in a credit for a future STL PCA HPDE (valid for 2 years), less the administrative fee. Additionally, failure to comply with the requirements listed below may result in a registration cancelation without refund. - The safety of personnel and participants is of utmost importance. Violation of safety protocols, reckless and/or unsafe behavior of any kind will not be tolerated, including passing without a point by, and may result in participation termination with loss of registration fee.
- STL PCA High Performance Driver Education is not a race nor a race school, there are no timed events. HPDEs are instructional events for the purpose of developing and improving high performance driving skills.
- Snell rated helmet required, SA2015, M2015 or newer. A helmet with only a DOT rating is not acceptable, please check your helmet prior to arriving at the track. (A sticker indicating the helmet year can be found inside the helmet, under the padding.) We have a limited number of free loaner helmets available for first time participants only, choose Loaner Helmet option at registration.
- Safety "Tech" Inspection: Every vehicle must be inspected by a qualified technician no more than 30 days prior to the event. Exact technical requirements are detailed on the Tech Inspection Form which will be attached to your Event Confirmation. Please note that the Tech Inspection Form has been changed this year (2023), you will need to download a copy of the new Tech Inspection Form for the technician to complete, do not rely on the shop to have the new forms. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the individual owner/driver to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of their vehicle over the weekend. Random inspections may be made at the track to insure vehicles conform to safety requirements. Vehicles failing inspection at the track may be disqualified from participation without refund.
- Clothing requirements: Non-synthetic clothing, cotton or wool are strongly recommended. Long pants are required (absolutely no bare legs), long sleeved shirts are recommended,however short sleeved shirts may be allowed if the weather is hot. Closed toe shoes are required, preferably ones with a smooth sole (no heel).
- SUV Rules: Porsche Cayenne and Macan are allowed only in First Time (group 4) and Novice (group 3) run groups. No other SUVs or trucks are allowed.
- Shared vehicles: One vehicle may be shared between two drivers provided each driver is individually registered for the event and the two drivers are in separate run groups. The shared vehicle must be capable of safely handling the increased track usage.
- Convertible vehicles must meet the following PCA rules: "Any make of car delivered with factory installed roll over protection must meet the minimum standards for Porsche Club of America Driver Education events. In these cars the soft-top must be in the up position or the hard top installed. If the top is in the down position, an SFI and/or FIA approved arm restraint system* must be used. If a car does not have factory installed roll over protection, a roll bar or roll cage must be installed, which meets the "broomstick" rule (the driver's helmeted head is below a bar placed on top of the roll bar and windshield). Design, installation and materials of roll bars or cages and their installation must meet PCA Club Racing specifications, contained in Appendix A-Roll Cage Specifications of the PCA Club Racing Rules. All targa tops must be installed unless there is addition roll over protection. All sunroofs must be in the closed position. The windshield alone is not considered to be factory roll over protection." If you have any questions about whether or not your convertible has factory installed roll over protection that complies with the Rules, email us before you register.
- Vehicles without factory installed seatbelts must meet the following PCA rules: "If the participant chooses to install a 5 or 6 point driving harness (four point systems are subject to special rules set forth below) several changes to the automobile must be made to create a safe occupant restraint system. Harnesses must include an antisubmarine strap and be mounted in an approved manner consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. The Harness system must be used in conjunction with a seat which has the supplied routing holes for the shoulder and anti-submarine belts. All pieces of the restraint system must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Every driver and any passenger using other than a factory installed 3 point safety belt MUST also use a "HANS" device. The restraint system must also be equal for each occupant."
- This means that a seat is required to have the proper routing holes for the harness as supplied by the seat manufacturer for the shoulder, lap and anti-submarine straps. The shoulder straps should be mounted at 90 degrees to the axis of your spine or at most 40 degrees down from horizontal. Because the addition of the harness system means that the occupants are fastened upright in the vehicle, a properly padded roll bar or roll cage is strongly encouraged to complete the SYSTEM. The use of one without the other may result in an unsafe environment and is not a COMPLETE SYSTEM. Harness straps have an expiration date, expired straps will not be allowed.
- Typically SFI are good for 2 years and FIA for 5 years.
- All driver restraints must meet one of the following specifications
- SFI 16.1 or SFI 16.5 - labels display the specification number, expiration month and year, and expiration fianl date of either June 30th or December 31st of the expiraition year.
- FIA 8853/2016 - labels dispaly an expiration date.
- If a restraint system has multiple labels, the label with the latest expiration date is acceptable.
- If a restraint has more than one type of certification label, the label with the latest expiration may be used.
- In addition to the standard SFI and/ or FIA approved five and/or six point system, the standard will allow a four point system that meets the following requirements:
- Meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209
- Attaches to the factory seat belt mounting points
- Each belt is designed to work in a specific vehicle and that vehicle tag must be attached to the belt system
- An example of a system that meets the above criteria is the Schroth Quick Fit system.
THE END