High Performance Driving Course

It is a full day course conducted at specialised race tracks around Australia with participants using their own vehicle. The ratio of instructor to participants is 1:4.

As with all of our courses, safety is paramount and drivers and vehicles are not put at undue risk. A helmet is necessary for the High Performance course as are cotton trousers, a long sleeve shirt and thin sole shoes are recommended.

This course is also suitable to use as preparation for all CAMS Licencing and Car Club activities.

It is an intensive, highly instructive course and sensational fun. Some of our instructors include John Bowe, Alf Costanzo, Jamie Whincup, Will Davison, Luke Youlden, David Reynolds and other experienced local race drivers.

Course key points include:

• Learn the correct lines for high speed cornering
• How to make faster and smoother gear changes including heel-toe down changes
• Skid control techniques and myths.
• High speed car control
• Learning to not "overdrive" so as to reduce lap times.
• How to make a circuit "flow" by correct use of vision to link corners.
• Personal written evaluation

Venues include Sandown, Winton (VIC), Oran Park (NSW), Queensland Raceway, Mallala (SA), Barbagello (WA), Baskerville, Symmons Plains (Tas) and other venues.

* It is recommended for safety reasons that a John Bowe Driving Drive to Survive course (or similar) should be completed before the Advanced Driving course can be undertaken. Please contact our office to discuss your situation.

(The FPV Drive Day meets this pre-requisite)

Safety Discussion

• Skid Control & Prevention
• Corner Lines & Circuit Planning
• Circuit Safety

Driving Activities

• Detailed Circuit Inspection: Highlighting some of the critical aspects of the circuit.
• Warm Up Session
• Timing Session (morning): not qualifying, simply used to give us a guide on your skill level.
• Instruction & Free Drive Session (over 3 hrs of track time)
• Timing Session (afternoon): used to give us a guide on your skill improvement.
• Wrap Up (certificate presentation & evaluation summary)

*For more details about the training content and benefits of each activity please contact us in the office.

The High Performance course is a full day on one of Australia's premier race tracks. It is suitable for all drivers wanting to enjoy their car in a controlled environment with professional tuition and without speeding fines.

This is a great course for people with performance orientated vehicles that cannot be fully utilized on public roads. It is a great course to help you to improve your driving skills whether you are competing in Car Club activities, rally or circuit racing events. If you want to get a racing licence, then this the best way to get the right practice to help you successfully complete your race licence assessment (just let our instructors know of your intentions at the beginning of the day).

With plenty of track time at some of Australia's best race tracks along with some of Australia's best racing drivers as instructors including the experience of John Bowe, we know that you will improve your driving regardless of your previous experience. For those drivers who are new to the circuit you may find large improvements in lap time throughout the day. For others with more circuit experience you may simply find more consistency and gain a better understanding of how you are achieving your lap times (ie what any changes are making to your driving/car).

Safety

The High Performance course is a full day on the track so wear and tear on your vehicle beyond normal road driving should be expected. John Bowe Driving supply safety/ambulance attendance and have established numerous safety protocols to help everyone to stay safe while on this course. Your adherence to these safety protocols will determine your participation on the day, ie if you mess around and do anything deemed to be unsafe, you will be going home early.

Your Vehicle

The High Performance course is a full day on the track so wear and tear on your vehicle beyond normal road driving should be expected. We recommend that you check (or have checked for you) the following items before attending the course to be sure that your car is in good roadworthy condition.

Check list;

• Tyres: Check that you have adequate tread levels and check your tyre pressures - Increase your tyre pressures 6-10 psi above manufacturers recommendations (if using road tyres - refer to your tyre dealer if using R Spec tyres). Wheel trims that may fall off should be removed and metal valve caps are recommended.
• Fluid Levels: Check that you have adequate fluid levels - oil, radiator, fuel (bring a spare jerry can as a back up), etc.
• Loose Objects: Please remove any unnecessary loose objects from your car, including items from the boot.
• Spectators: The High Performance course is not a spectator event. For safety and insurance reasons no spectators are allowed, this includes onlookers, children, pets, etc.
• Helmet: You will need a helmet for all on-track activities. For Victorian based courses John Bowe Driving have a limited supply of helmets for hire ($25 per day) but these must be pre booked.
• Clothing: We recommend that you wear long sleeves, long pants and thin soled shoes. Racesuits are also recommended if you have one.
• Other: You will be spending some time outside of your vehicle. Please bring appropriate clothing for the conditions including;
• Summer, sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellant, drinking water.
• Winter: Warm clothing, a beanie or scarf, water/wind proof jacket, golf sized umbrella.

What To Expect

The High Performance course is designed to push the limits of both the driver vehicle. Our instructors will help you to negotiate the driving activities throughout the day but you can take it at your own pace. You will find that you will have a great time enjoying your car in a controlled environment with professional tuition and without speeding tickets.

This is conducted in the safe surroundings of our driver training facilities throughout Victoria and across Australia. For available venues check the Course Dates & Bookings page and shortlist your preferred venue using the search navigation.

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues Victoria

• Sandown, Driver Training Area
• Calder Park, Driver Training Area

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues New South Wales

• Nirimba Tafe, Blacktown

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues Tasmania

• Symmons Plains Raceway
• Baskerville Raceway

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues South Australia

• Adelaide International Raceway

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues Western Australia

• AHG Driving Centre

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues Queensland

• Queensland Raceway
• Lakeside Raceway

John Bowe High Performance Driving Course Venues Nothern Territory

• Hidden Valley Raceway

Note: for some states we use associate driver training providers.