About this event
Join PCA Potomac for our 3-day DE at VIR's "full course". This is a must-do event!
Our hands-on, high-energy driver education program will give you the experience needed to learn how to drive your car toward the limits. We offer 90 minutes of track time per day, with 5 different run groups. Are you a beginner or starting out? Our Green and Blue Run Groups offer an assigned instructor who will ride with you in your car to help you learn how to drive your car fast while being safe. Did we mention there are no speed limits? We also have run groups dedicated to solo drivers, and if you are an advanced driver then you may be suited for one of our higher run groups with fast driving and extended passing (with a point-by) anywhere on the track.
The greatest part of Potomac PCA is the people, people that will help you with your car, and new friends to drive with. Our motto "be safe, have fun, and learn" will certainly be remembered after a weekend with us.
VIR is a complex 3.3 mile track with 17 numbered corners (some would argue 22 corners) and 130 feet of elevation change, and our HPDE event follows the IMSA Michelin GT Challenge race the prior weekend. The track offers long straights for high-speed driving, tricky technical corners, high-speed sweeping corners, and the famous climbing esses. IMSA racing provides televised racing on a track THAT YOU HAVE DRIVEN! VIR also offers fuel, paved paddocks, garages, food, and hotel/villa rental availability all on the VIR compound. Want a little more? We plan to conduct an Extended Passing session for the White Run Group to prepare those drivers for the higher-level run groups.
Due to COVID restrictions, we will be strictly adhering to all social distancing policies in place at the time (e.g., masks will be required when outside the car; classrooms will be held outdoors; no congregating in groups greater than 25; no evening happy hours, 6' distance between persons etc.). Also, local requirements during phased re-opening will restrict / exclude visitors and non-participants during this event, so plan accordingly. Further COVID-related event details will be forthcoming.
Guests must be limited to essential crew and volunteers. All crew and volunteers must register for the event in MSR and sign both the Covid and PCA waivers through SpeedWaiver, when instructed by email to do so, and sign the two VIR waivers and bring hard copies to the VIR front gate. Crew and volunteers will be required to drive through a registration line on Friday morning to obtain a PCA wristband (we will provide more information closer to the event). If a member of your crew is a minor, you must register that minor for the event in MSR and sign the minor waiver on SpeedWaiver. Your signed Covid waiver applies to any minors attending with you. (Track wristbands may be given at the front gate.)
Drive safe, smart and have a great weekend. As always, “It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.”
Registration Fee: $525 for drivers, $275 for instructors
VIR DOES NOT ALLOW CONVERTIBLES WITHOUT PERMANENT ROLLOVER PROTECTION. POPUP PROTECTION DOES NOT COUNT. CONVERTIBLES WITH PERMANENT ROLLOVER PROTECTION (INCLUDING BOXSTERS WITH HOOPS AND CONVERTIBLES WITH FULL ROLL BARS) MUST MEET THE "BROOMSTICK RULE" DESCRIBED IN OUR TECH FORM.
New!! Our free tech session is a go! August 22 (Saturday) from 9 AM to 12:30 (arrive no later than noon; mandatory masks while in the shop)!
AutoTherapy, 8027-A Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
We are extending our usual 2-week inspection window to 30 days prior to the event. The inspection still must be done by an auto dealer or recognized service or repair facility and must be documented on the 2020 form, signed and stamped. Please see Tech Inspections for details and to download the required Tech form.
DRIVERS AND VOLUNTEERS: Please stay at home if you are in a higher risk category for severe illness, or if you are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath.
Event requirements
All drivers must be at least 18 yrs old and have a valid drivers license.
VIR DOES NOT ALLOW CONVERTIBLES WITHOUT PERMANENT ROLLOVER PROTECTION. POPUP PROTECTION DOES NOT COUNT. CONVERTIBLES WITH PERMANENT ROLLOVER PROTECTION (INCLUDING BOXSTERS WITH HOOPS AND CONVERTIBLES WITH FULL ROLL BARS) MUST MEET THE "BROOMSTICK RULE" DESCRIBED IN OUR TECH FORM.
Click here for FAQs and other useful info about our DE program!
APPLICATIONS/ACCEPTANCE
- We require prior training before participating in our DEs -- see the FAQ link above, question "What's the best way to start?" for more details.
- Our events are open to all marques.
- You do not need to be a PCA member to participate.
- Registration closes the Saturday prior to the event (late registrations are risky due to capacity).
- You may notice your event status is yellow / "New" - until it becomes green / "Confirmed", you only have a place in line not an actual slot in the event. (Or if you see "Waitlist"...keep your fingers crossed for an opening!) We will contact you again via email prior to the event to confirm acceptance at which time you will also receive instructions about billing and the date your credit card will be billed.
- Green students are expected to attend all days of the DE, particularly the first day, for safety reasons.
- Sorry, we don't offer single-day or prorated registration.
- IF YOU CAN'T PARTICIPATE, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CANCEL.
- Two PCA and two VIR event waivers will be provided for review and required signatures.
CLOTHING
- Full coverage rubber-soled shoes, long sleeved and legged clothing, and socks required. Natural-fiber clothing highly recommended. Drivers’ suits, gloves, shoes and neck brace made of fire-resistant materials recommended but not required.
CANCELLATION
- You must cancel online BEFORE WE BILL YOU, which will be 1 week before the event.
- If you cannot cancel online, you must notify the Registrar by email and receive an ACKNOWLEDGMENT by email to verify that you have canceled.
PAYMENT
- Potomac accepts only credit cards for payment. You are responsible for maintaining valid credit card information in your profile.
- We bill your credit card 1 week before the event. We only bill Confirmed drivers, not waitlisted drivers.
- Billing problems result in notification by email with 48 hours to resolve the issue. If you do not correct the issue within 48 hours, your registration will be canceled. Reinstatement of a registration canceled for this reason will incur a $50 admin fee and require immediate payment with a valid credit card.
- Credit card and billing information uses secure connections and is encrypted. You are the only person who has access to your card number. We only see the last four digits for billing.
REFUND
- Due to COVID-19, we have added flexibility for you to cancel with no charge up to 48 hours prior to the event start date.
