Hooked On Driving - About Us
Hooked On Driving (HOD) is a community of individuals who share a passion for driving their cars. Founded in 2004, HOD has the goal of being the first true, trusted national brand of performance driving programs, and is well on the way to accomplishing this goal. Hooked On Driving currently operates in 6 key regions of the U.S. including: Northern California/Reno, Northeast U.S., Florida, Great Lakes, Southern States, and the Pacific Northwest. Drivers are welcome to travel from one region to another and participate with their own cars, or contact the Region owner to arrange an “arrive and drive” rental.
HOD is primarily focused on providing high performance driver training for those with capable cars, in the controlled environment of a race course – with NO competition or training for competition. All that is needed to participate is a safe, well maintained and reliable car, and an auto racing helmet with an SA 2005 designation or newer. There are some restrictions on driving convertibles – click HERE for the HOD policy on convertibles. Most regions have resources for cars to rent for the program. With a focus on safety, coaching, learning and fun, HOD drivers are able to experience their cars at a higher level on a track than would be safe or prudent on the public highways. As a result, drivers gain a new appreciation of their car – its capabilities, strengths and weaknesses; as well as their own skills as a driver and the need to develop those skills. Oh, and by the way, they have a TON OF FUN!
The Run Group System:
A regular HOD event is made up of 3-4 groups of approximately 25 drivers, based on their experience on track, and demonstrated skill.
A Group: The beginner group is provided over an hour of orientation in a classroom setting – with proven high quality content – to orient them on driving rules, protocols, traffic management, and other essential information. Once the orientation program is complete, this group connects with the HOD coaches for their first session on track. Optionally, the driver can choose to have the coach drive the first two laps as “orientation laps.” Then, the new driver is given the opportunity to drive on track with the coach guiding them from the passenger seat. Passing in the beginner group is restricted to specific passing zones. After each on track session, the group has a “debrief” session where they assemble and share their experiences, learn additional fundamentals, and set goals for each subsequent driving session. There are at least 5 sessions on track, plus an entire session dedicated to offering rides for the drivers by their coaches – a highlight of the program. By the end of the day, this beginner group has bonded and gotten to know one another well, and will have shared a lifetime experience!
B Group: The intermediate group is made up of drivers who have completed the beginner program, or similar from a recognized program, and are comfortable driving at a higher pace, without a coach. However HOD offers coaches to this group for “brush up” or “fine tuning” of skills. This group still operates with specific passing zones allowed, but these zones are expanded from those of the beginner group. The intermediate group continues to have “debrief” sessions after their times on track, with more advanced concepts being taught and discussed. However as the day goes forward, these meetings may become optional.
C Group: The Advanced Group is the natural step up from intermediate, but there is NO pressure for intermediate drivers to move up – it is simply an option to those who have qualified. Commonly, this group sees cars with performance modifications to things like brakes, tires, and safety equipment – but are still primarily street cars. In this group, there may be specific “no passing” zones, such as at the apex of a turn or “under braking,” but there is a more open passing protocol that allows “point-by” passing where the driver being passed is comfortable pointing a faster car by.
D Group: The Race-Prepped group: This group may not always be a part of an HOD day. Depending on the event, the track, and the car count, it may make sense to place cars with race preparation (primarily including rollover protection, belts and fire suppression) and drivers with a high level of experience to run together as a group. In this case, on-track protocol will be set to provide a safe environment for these cars to move about the track with a minimum of interruption, while not being in a competitive mode, using the motto, “When in doubt, don’t!”
