quattro Magazine Feature: First Lap: Discovering the Thrill of HPDE

Words and photos by: Stephanie DiPilla and Victoria Roth

Pikes Peak is more than a race; it’s a proving ground where drivers test their limits against a mountain. Audi Club’s 40-year High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) program offers a similar climb—teaching enthusiasts control, confidence, and community.

We didn’t summit Pikes Peak this summer, but we found our own “climb” much closer to home—our first HPDE experience with Audi Club’s Northeast Chapter (NEQ) at Watkins Glen International.

The Track and the Format

Watkins Glen International—often called The Glen—is a legendary motorsports track in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Since 1948, it has hosted everything from Formula 1 to IMSA and NASCAR, making it one of the most storied road courses in North America.

HPDE events aren’t races. They’re hands-on learning experiences pairing novices with instructors, complemented by classroom sessions. The focus is on fundamentals—skills that make drivers safer and more confident both on track and in daily life.

Audi Club Chapters extend that mission with Teen Driving, Car Control, and Winter Driving programs, giving participants the chance to practice skills like skid recovery, ice maneuvers, and emergency braking. Across all formats, the goal is the same: build safer drivers through education while fostering community.

Welcomed Like Family

As newer Audi Club staff members, Watkins Glen was an opportunity we couldn’t miss. Arriving slightly unsure, any hesitation melted as a chapter leader guided us in and greeted us warmly.

Our car wasn’t an Audi—or anything remarkable, merely a rental to get us to the event—but there was no judgment. Beginners and RS owners alike were welcomed, giving the event the warm, inclusive feeling of a family reunion.

We saw parents bringing teens for their first HPDE, adult children of former instructors now instructing, and multi-generational families sharing garages and stories. Diversity in age, experience, and cars blended into one collective energy.

Into the Classroom, Into the Passenger Seat

Though we didn’t drive, we immersed ourselves fully—attending beginner classroom sessions and hopping into passenger seats. Across two days, we each experienced multiple ride-alongs in very different cars, each emphasizing safety and technique.

Stephanie recalls:

“You need long pants and at least a long-sleeve T-shirt to ride along. My plan? I intentionally wore shorts so I could stay on the sidelines. Instead, two instructors handed me spare track suits, so I had no excuse. They mic’d me up, and I climbed into the passenger seat, trying not to overthink it.”

She continues:

“The instructors talked to me through the mic, answered questions, and reminded me I could stop anytime by simply signaling them. That made a huge difference. One of the coolest parts was watching them handle the Bus Stop—a quick left-right-left section on the back straight that demands timing and precision. Even as a passenger, the classroom concepts clicked. One tip I’ll use forever: hit big puddles at a perfect 90-degree angle to avoid the car pulling to one side.”

Victoria adds:

“I was struck by how dedicated the instructors and drivers are to their craft and how deeply connected they are to their cars. I’d never pictured myself on a track or imagined taking the wheel in a high-performance setting, though I enjoy a good thrill ride. Now I can picture it. The priority isn’t speed or recklessness—it’s technical understanding, control, and safety. And it’s far more approachable than I expected. This isn’t reserved for a select group destined to climb Pikes Peak. Audi Club events welcome anyone who wants to sharpen skills, enjoy their car more fully, and be part of a welcoming group driven by shared interests.”

By the end of the weekend, after countless ride-alongs, we understood the obsession. Each car and instructor offered a fresh perspective and added to the inspiration.

Community at the Core

Our weekend was shaped by the people as much as the driving. NEQ has decades of experience running HPDEs, and it shows. Volunteers and instructors answered questions, explained concepts, and made newcomers feel at home.

It was also a chance to connect with longtime leaders like Tom Mullane, who has served NEQ as Watkins Glen event master since 2012 and is completing his term on the Audi Club National Board. Seeing Tom in his trademark barefoot style, catching up in person after many virtual meetings, reinforced what makes this community special. Tom embodies the spirit of Audi Club—welcoming, passionate, and endlessly dedicated. And if you haven’t met him, you’re missing a one-of-a-kind mix of humor and wit.

That spirit extended into the evenings. We joined members for the banquet, where the food was delicious, the raffle lively, and the stories abundant. Many attendees had decades of HPDEs behind them; others were brand new, still buzzing with excitement. Everyone belonged.

Key Takeaways

Whether or not you drive, an Audi Club HPDE offers learning, connection, and inspiration:

• You don’t have to drive to gain value. Spectating and ride-alongs provide plenty of insight.
• Instruction is serious but supportive, combining classroom and in-car coaching to build confidence.
• The community is as memorable as the adrenaline. Cars bring people together, but it’s the friendships, mentorship, and shared experiences that make these events unforgettable.

Watkins Glen was our personal climb. We weren’t behind the wheel, but we stepped into something new, challenged ourselves, and left inspired. HPDE—and Audi Club in general—takes vehicle enjoyment and learning to a higher level, especially when shared with a diverse community that comes together to learn, encourage, and grow.

Want to Try It?

Audi Club North America’s chapters host HPDEs at iconic tracks like Watkins Glen, Lime Rock, Palmer Motorsports Park, Pacific Raceways, Summit Point, and Buttonwillow. Whether you drive an Audi or not, you’re welcome. Bring your curiosity and discover your own “peak.”

Discover upcoming track days and all Audi Club events at audiclubna.org.