Driver's Education Team

DE Chair

DE Registrar

Chief Instructor

Pam Mascetta - Operations Manager

Lisa Roche and Joe Kraetsch - On Site Registrars

If calling please do so BEFORE 9:30pm

Send general DE questions/comments to DE Chair

Send all registration questions/comments to DE Registrar

2019 Events

Details: Published: 10 February 2019 10 February 2019; Hits: 12 12

Select Host Column entry to go to the registration sites.

Dates Location Host

May 24, 25, 26 - Fri, Sat, Sun - Thompson (NER/NCR)
June 7, 8, & 9th - Fri, Sat, Sun - Palmer (NER)
July 5, 6 & 7 - Fri, Sat, Sun - Mont-Tremblant (NER/NNJR)
July 22 & 23 - Lime Rock Park (NCR)
August 1 - NHMS (NCR/NER) 
August 9, 10 & 11 - Fri, Sat, Sun - Watkins Glen (NER)
August 13, 14 & 15 - Tue, Wed, Thur - Calabogie (NER)
September 6, 7 & 8 - Tamworth  (NCR) 
September 20, 21 & 22 - Fri, Sat, Sun - Palmer (NER) 
October 19 & 20 - Tamworth (NCR)

NCR Drivers Education Registration is open!

Details: Published: 31 January 2019 31 January 2019; Hits: 65 65

It's February 1st; the days are still too short; it's too cold; and there is a limited amount of grip on the white stuff that is everywhere.

It's also opening day for NCR's Drivers Education 2019 registration and I always use this day to remind myself that winter is waining and those long hot days that require cool shirts are not far off.

This year North Country Region(NCR) will be hosting four events for a total of eight track days. The first event will be on Monday and Tuesday (July 22&23) at Lime Rock Park. The event is a few weeks later than in past years, so plan for two hot days at this historic track. Two weeks later (August 1st) we will visit New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a mid week single day event that will provide those of you running older Porsches track time separate from those new and improved models. We will wrap up our 2019 season with two events at Club Motorsports in Tamworth. The first visit will be a three day event (Friday is for advanced drivers only) just after Labor Day weekend (September 6-8) and we will finish our season with two days at Club Motorsports with all it's colorful folliage (don't forget to make those hotel reservations early) on October 19&20).

For those of you that are considering attending your first event, we offer 50 percent discount for that event. We also recommend that you attend the Ground School Event at HMS on March 9th and the Novice Day at Thompson Motorsports Parking on May 25th. These events are hosted by the Northeast Region (registration information at this link)

Visit MotorSportReg.Com now to register for NCR's 2019 Drivers Education events

NCR's Paddock Reporter

HANS Device Required for multi-point harness (in 2019)

Details: Published: 28 April 2018 28 April 2018; Hits: 36 36

PCA Chief Driving Instructors and Region Officials,

The number one priority of PCA's HPDE Program is track safety. A core belief in the DE program is that a person can purchase a stock Porsche and take it to the track for an HPDE weekend, after an appropriate tech inspection of course.

Some people choose to modify their cars to increase performance and others to increase safety. A popular modification made to track cars is the addition of a multi-point harness system. Starting January 1, 2019, the DE Minimum Standards will be expanded to state that if a driver uses a harness system, he or she will ALSO be required to utilize a head and neck restraint system, commonly referred to as a HANS device.

A head and neck restraint device is an integral part of the harness system. Because the rule of equal restraint always applies, if a driver uses a harness system there must also be a harness system available and used by the passenger. Thus, both the driver and passenger will be required to use a HANS device. We highly encourage all DE participants to not wait until 2019 to comply with this new minimum standard. Head and neck restraint system devices are now more affordable and easily purchased online.

The DE Committee's decision was made over the course of two years after careful review of options, conversations with DE participants and discussion of a variety of perspectives. Please pass on this information to your DE drivers and instructors as soon as possible to avoid any confusion.

As a reminder, members of the DE Committee can be found here: https://www.pca.org/national-driver-education-committee

Thank you for all your time and effort to make your region’s DE program a safe and successful one. If you have feedback, please let me know!

Catch you in the Curves!

John Krecek
Great Plains Region – Porsche Club of America
Chief Driving Instructor
PCA National DE Committee Chair
402-995-1470
johnkrecek@gmail.com

Wow, what a weekend!

Details: Published: 11 September 2018 11 September 2018; Hits: 40 40

A wicked big THANK YOU to everyone that attended the Club Motorsports event:

Thank you to the staff and management of Club Motorsports Incorporated for helping us plan and execute a great event;
Thank you to those with worker assignments for arriving early and performing your duties with enthusiasm;
Thank you to the instructors for guiding the new and not so new drivers on this challenging track;
Thank you to the students for your attention and questions before, during and after each session;
Thank you to the advanced drivers for managing the highest on track car counts ever at an NCR event;
and lastly, thank you to the weatherman for three perfect track days.

We look forward to doing all this again next year.

Don't forget to register for our final event of the year at NHMS on October 6th and 7th. It's our Make-A-Wish weekend. Let's see all those great smiles again.

Gallery Home

September 7, 2018

Photos by David Churcher

Driver's Education Run Group Promotions

Details: Published: 02 May 2018 02 May 2018; Hits: 37 37

The following drivers were promoted during our Spring Opener.

White to Black

Drew Kenney Northeast Region
Don Kelly Northeast Region

Blue to White

Jim Daley North Country Region
Felipe Miranda North Country Region

Yellow to Blue

Sam Lin North Country Region
Gary Gammans Northeast Region
Roland Morin Downeast Region
Bob Hollis Northeast Region

Green to Yellow

Tracy Hutchins North Country Region
Ben Chiel Northeast Region
Thomas Rohlfs North Country Region
Jim Liotine North Country Region

Congratulations to all.

Club Motorsports Parking and Registration

Details: Published: 30 August 2018 30 August 2018; Hits: 41 41

Parking Lots

In the annotated photo below you will see the four designated parking areas for this event (Kart, Welcome, Main, West).

The West lot is restricted to track cars and temporary parking for registration.

The Main lot is to be used for trailer and tow vehicle parking.

The Kart and Welcome lots are to be used for tow vehicles, trailers, and track cars.

Registration

Enter the facility via the West entrance and stop at Roy's Dog House for your parking assignment.
Use the temporary parking area in the center of the West lot for Registration (park side by side facing Roy's Dog House.
Register with Club Motorsports and NCR in the Classroom trailer.
Move to Main lot to unload vehicle from your trailer.

Pam Mascetta - Not Just Another Woman Driver

Details: Published: 01 February 2018 01 February 2018; Hits: 84 84

I have always loved to drive, beginning with my little red pedal car when I was 5. My love affair with Porsche began in my late teens. A friend of mine had an adorable 911 he called “The Silver Bullet”. I loved the way it sounded, the way it smelled and the way it felt out on the road. One day we were zipping around when we came up behind a very slow Cadillac on a wide exit ramp. He said “Hang on!” and neatly proceeded to execute a pass. I was momentarily terrified but thrilled at the same time.

Lisa Roche - Not Just another Woman Driver

Details: Published: 01 March 2018 01 March 2018; Hits: 36 36

Lisa If you have been to almost any NCR event, you have probably seen this smiling face. Perhaps it was at a car show, or autocross, or DE, or at a banquet or rally. Meet Lisa Roche and her favorite car.

Lisa began her Porsche odyssey doing car shows with her ex-husband and his 914. When he refused to autocross his car, she bought her own ‘89 944. Starting out, she claims they were the slowest on the course, but she couldn’t get the smile off her face. Now, 20 years later, still loving it, Lisa and her partner Joe have fun battling for the fastest run times. She has won many Autocross Class Champion awards, including multiple National Porsche Parade events, Zone 1 Autocross events and a LFT (ladies fastest time overall) award at the 2009 Zone 1.

Lisa’s autocross experience shaped her excellent driving skills on the track. She drives in the Black (Advanced) Driving Group for DE events and especially loves to drive in the rain. With the rain being a great equalizer, Lisa has been known to pass much faster cars with her smooth car control skills. You go, girl!

NCR Drivers Education Mandatory HANS Device Statement

Details: Published: 01 February 2019 01 February 2019; Hits: 27 27

The PCA National Drivers Education Committee has updated the Driver Education Minimum Standards.

All DE participants in 2019 must review this update as it may affect your car and equipment preparation for the upcoming DE season.

The section of the Driver Education Minimum Standards document to take particular attention to is the use of a Head and Neck restraint system commonly known as a HANS device, is now mandatory for both student and instructor when a five, six or seven-point harness are being used. Exceptions and detail for some Four-point systems are also listed in the document.
"The participant should BE AWARE that the addition of such a seat and harness system results in the occupant being fastened upright in the vehicle. Therefore, in order to have a COMPLETE SYSTEM, a properly padded roll bar or roll cage is recommended, and an approved head and neck restraint device is required. A head and neck restraint device certified as meeting the standards of either SFI 38.1 or FIA 8858 or its successor is required. The use of such a harness system without roll protection and a head and neck restraint device may result in an unsafe environment and is not a COMPLETE SYSTEM. Roll bars or cages and their installation must meet PCA Club Racing Standards.
When using a head and neck restraint device, it is recommended that one follow the SFI Recertification process for the head and neck restraint device. The instructions for this can be found on the device. Additionally, it is recommended that the straps be replaced every five years."

NCR Chief Instructor and DE Committee comments:

A Head and Neck restraint system commonly known as a HANS device, is now mandatory for both student and instructor when a five, six or seven-point harness is in use.
A suitable roll bar or roll cage is Strongly Recommended when race seats and harnesses are in use but is not mandatory.
A suitable roll bar or roll cage along with a Race Seats and Harnesses provides the driver and instructor with a complete safety system.
It is recommended that sedans and coupes with racing seats and harnesses without a roll bar or roll cage have *functioning factory provided three-point seat belts in the car.
Sedans and coupes with racing seats, harnesses and *functioning three-point factory belts that do not have a roll bar or roll cage, are allowed to use factory *functioning belts with an instructor but both occupants must use the same restraint method.
Students and drivers that utilize racing seats and harnesses without suitable roll protection and do not have *functioning factory provided three-point seat belts in the car, will not be provided an instructor; this includes check-out rides.

* Functioning three-Point belt requires the same fitment as provided by the stock seat.

An Introduction to Driver's Education

Details: Published: 20 April 2007 20 April 2007; Hits: 246 246

Driver Education track events are intended to provide a basic foundation of knowledge which become building blocks to advancing skills as you continue with track driving.

Students are taught to drive safely around the track in a non-competitive environment under the supervision of a track instructor riding in the car.

Students can expect (and are expected) to learn the following:

How to drive the basic line of the track.
How to use turn-in cones, apex cones and track-out cones as track markers.
Braking, shifting and turning techniques and sequence for turns.
Names of turns and straights of the track and other track vocabulary
Safety
Being comfortable and having fun!!!

Driver's Education Prerequisites

Details: Published: 29 December 2017 29 December 2017; Hits: 55 55

1	A head and neck restraint system commonly known as a HANS device, is now mandatory for both students and instructors when a five, six or seven-point harness or certain approved 4 point harnesses are in use. All neck restraints must meet SFI 38.1 or FIA 8885 or its successor certifications. A suitable roll bar or roll cage is recommended when race seats, harnesses and neck restraints are in use. A suitable roll bar or roll cage along with race seats, harnesses and neck restraints provides students and instructors with a complete safety system.
2	Vehicles equipped with "AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING or LANE KEEPING ASSISTANCE Systems" are not allowed into this event.
3	Participants must be at least 18 years of age, must have a valid driver’s license, and be a PCA member or affiliate. A current driver’s license and PCA membership card must be shown at registration.
4	Non-participants are not permitted in either student or instructor cars. Non-participants under the age of 18 are allowed only in spectator areas. Instructors riding in student cars and students riding in instructor cars for instructional purposes are permitted. No student may ride with another student.
5	Participants must wear rubber soled, natural uppers shoes, long pants, and a long sleeved shirt (natural, not synthetic fibers), or wear an approved fire resistant driving suit.
6	Drivers must have completed registration and be through the tech line prior to the driver’s and instructor’s meetings (approximately 8:15 am).
7	A Snell rated 2010 or newer helmet is required. An SA rated helmet is preferred. M and K rated helmets are acceptable. Limited loaners may be available.
8	All participants must fill out the NCR tech form (at this link). It must completed and signed by one of the approved NCR tech inspectors (at this link) within two weeks of the event The tech inspection is a free service to PCA members unless otherwise noted.
9	R-rated track tires are not allowed in green & yellow run groups unless OEM fit or the car is also driven in an advanced run group. Chief Instructor approval required.
10	All open top cars (including targas) must run with tops installed or up, unless arm restraints are used by each occupant. All sunroofs must be closed or entirely removed while on track (arm restraints required if sunroof is removed).
11	All open cars must have a roll bar installed, with the following exceptions: Targas, 914s, Boxsters and 996/997 cabriolets (except at Lime Rock) are acceptable as delivered from the factory & must run with the top up or have a hardtop installed.
12	Lime Rock Park will enforce rules which require all open cars to have a roll bar that is fixed and visible at all times (not pop up) plus allows the driver to pass the “broomstick rule” (top of helmet under a line drawn from the top of the windshield to the top of the bar).
13	Tracks will be enforcing sound limits at their tracks. You will be expelled from the event after your second offense during any given day.
14	Driver’s side windows must be fully down (rain or shine), passenger side optional (fully up or down). Window nets are not allowed.
15	Students should expect that their instructor will drive their car for several laps at each event.
16	All participants must obey all passing rules set forth in the driver’s meeting.
17	There is a mandatory Black Flag pit stop for all spins or 2 (or more) wheels-off. Two Black Flags for these or other driving infractions in a day are grounds for expulsion from the event.
18	No illegal drugs are allowed and no alcoholic beverages may be consumed by anyone (participant or guest) during the event.
19	Events in the rain and cold weather. No refunds for an event canceled after cars have been on the track, or for participants who do not come to the track when an event is not started. Partial refunds may be available to those who come to the track when an event is not started/canceled.

Updated January 31, 2019

NCR DE Mission Statement

Details: Published: 26 April 2007 26 April 2007; Hits: 51 51

Mission Statement

The mission and purpose of North Country Region – Porsche Club of America’s Driver’s Education Program is to provide a safe, structured and controlled teaching and learning environment. The NCR DE Program is designed so that participants can improve their driving abilities and acquire a better understanding of vehicle dynamics and driving safety. Participants will experience first-hand the capabilities of high performance automobiles in a controlled, closed-course environment and acquire skills that will enhance safer vehicle operation in all driving situations. NCR DE events are not racing, preparation for racing, nor a competition of any kind. No times or placings are recorded, and no awards or prizes are received by the participants of NCR Driver’s Education events. Any conduct considered by North Country Region to be either unsafe or inconsistent with the spirit or purpose of the NCR Driver’s Education Program will not be permitted.