[Topless]

Prep: Good tires with plenty of tread, sound brakes at least 60% pad remaining.
Fresh brake fluid, no fluid leaks, car in good overall mechanical condition. Bring a hat, sunscreen, 2 ltrs water, and a smile.


This is an excerpt from our DE ground school briefing for PCA Zone 8 but you may find it useful.
Most of these are universal goals for DE driving events:

Novice Clinic- Usually the night before and stressing three things:
Safety, car control, and playing well with others. We emphasize that a
DE is not a race, and the way to demonstrate your ability and
qualifcation to move up in this sport from novice, to experienced driver,
to Competition permit holder, to club racing is not based on lap times.
It is based on your demonstrated car control skills, willingness to listen
carefully, follow instructions, cooperate well and demonstrate safe
driving and passing skills that protect both you and all the other drivers
you share the track with. If you are repeatedly overdriving your car, resist
cooperation with your instructor, or engage in unsafe driving/passing
you go home. Day over.

We usually spend 1.5 hrs talking about car dynamics, braking zones, elements
of cornering, flags/flag stations, instructor communication, 1st run session,
passing safety, situational awareness, pit safety, spin both feet in, what ifs,
track layout including areas you can/cannot safely explore your traction limits
(skidpad vs back sweeper SOW) and passing zones.

We remind them that a DE is intended to be a safe place for them to have fun
and explore the limits of their car. It should be a lot of fun and they will learn
things that apply directly to driving on the street.

Speeds may well be in excess of 100 mph at times and it is certainly possible
to put your car on the roof if you fail to pay attention to your instructor or
get too excited too soon. Ramp up speeds very gradually as you learn to put
your car in the right place on the track.