Car Control & Driver Skills Clinic

The Driver Skills / Car Control Clinic is designed for all drivers in any type of vehicle and is proven to be particularly valuable for new and teen drivers, drivers with newly purchased vehicles and any driver who feels unsure or nervous behind the wheel. The course is as fun as it is informative, so we welcome and encourage any/all drives who would like to experience something new. Registrants must hold a valid Driver License and teen drivers with a valid Learner Permit are welcome .....and encouraged.

This event consists of Online Classroom Training and Driving Exercises at Pacific Raceways:

Online Training

The Training begins with watching the recorded ground school video. The video will cover vehicle control, braking, cornering as well as the in-car exercises that will be experienced at the track. You must watch the video before coming to the track the day of the event.

Driving Exercises

Each exercise gives you the opportunity to physically experience the vehicle dynamics concepts introduced during the classroom session. Using orange traffic cones, dedicated driving exercises are laid out on a controlled pavement area for you to navigate at progressively appropriate speeds. Driving Instructors will be monitoring your performance and in some exercises they will be riding in the car with you. This real-time feedback allows you to understand not only what the vehicle is doing, but why it is responding that way.

The driving exercises are designed with generous safety buffer zones to provide a substantial margin for error. The exercise area is controlled and isolated from general traffic and non-participants, allowing you to focus on developing your skills in a safe, structured environment.

Vehicle Requirements for Driver Skill/Car ControlClinic

All vehicle types are welcome and encouraged.

You do not need a sports car or an Alfa Romeo to participate in the Car Control Clinic.

Your vehicle must be in good mechanical condition and will receive a basic technical inspection before being permitted onto the course.

Before arriving, please:

• Check tire condition and tire pressures
• Check engine oil and coolant levels
• Make sure there are no visible fluid leaks
• Make sure there are no loose exterior or underbody components
• Remove loose items from the passenger compartment
• Empty loose items from the trunk or cargo area
• Arrive with a full tank of fuel

Preparing Your Vehicle

If your vehicle needs service or inspection before the event, NWARC instructors operate several trusted local automotive shops.

Seattle Area

PROVA Motorsports

South Sound / Tacoma Area

Bristow's Exclusive Auto Repair

Both shops are owned by longtime NWARC instructor

Throughout the classroom and driving portions of the event, the curriculum will reinforce the following essential driving techniques and habits:

Proper Steering Wheel Position

Keep your hands at approximately the 9 and 3 o’clock positions. This provides greater steering control, improves leverage, and helps keep your arms clear of the airbag deployment area.

Correct Mirror Adjustment

Adjust your side mirrors so that little or none of the side of your own vehicle is visible. This expands your field of view and helps reduce blind spots around the vehicle.

Look Farther Ahead

Train yourself to look beyond the vehicle immediately in front of you. Whenever possible, look two or three vehicles ahead so you can identify developing situations earlier and respond smoothly rather than react suddenly.

Proper Seating Position

Sit upright with your shoulders firmly against the seatback. Extend your arms toward the steering wheel; your wrists should comfortably reach the top of the steering wheel while your hands can fall over the front of the rim. Adjust the seat until you can maintain this position comfortably while retaining full control of the pedals.

Situational Awareness and Courtesy

Remain aware of the vehicles and activity around you. Signal your intentions early, communicate clearly with other drivers, and maintain an appropriate following distance. Under normal conditions, use the three-second rule as a minimum guideline between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Smooth Vehicle Inputs

Practice making progressive, deliberate movements with the steering wheel, brake pedal, and accelerator. Smooth inputs help keep the vehicle balanced and maximize available traction.

Use the Brakes to Slow the Vehicle

Avoid using aggressive downshifting or the transmission as your primary method of slowing the car. The braking system is specifically designed to reduce vehicle speed and should perform the majority of the work.

Progressive Braking

Apply the brake pedal smoothly and progressively rather than abruptly. Imagine an egg between your foot and the brake pedal: apply enough pressure to slow the vehicle effectively without suddenly “breaking the egg.” As your braking technique improves, you will learn to apply significant braking force while still keeping the vehicle balanced and controlled.

What You Should Take Away

The objective of Driver Skills is not simply to complete each exercise. It is to develop better habits, improve your awareness, understand how your vehicle responds to your inputs, and become a smoother, more confident driver.

The techniques practiced during these exercises—vision, steering, braking, throttle control, vehicle balance, and situational awareness—are skills you can apply every time you drive. They also are the basic skills you need to learn if you want to drive on the track.