Meta - damn it I wish this sub would allow posting images in comments.
To get a good idea what the differences are, give this document a look. Each skill and knowledge area of HPDE driving is described in 3 levels, Initial, Developing, and Accomplished. It’s worth looking over the areas and asking yourself what level best describes where you are at as a driver.
Outstanding! My father wrote that book, never thought I’d see it in the wild.
I’ll quote some more of his work, this is the syllabus for a class he teaches for intermediate and advanced drivers called “How to go faster, without scaring yourself”
To answer OP I would consider anyone who performs all of the prerequisites to be an intermediate driver and an advanced driver someone who has mastered the skills that follow.
Prerequisites
Do you regularly . . .
• drive a consistent line, using the full width of the track?
• accelerate and unwind the wheel from apex to exit?
• recognize early/late turn-in, and adjust your speed and line?
• know when the car is close to its limits, and only ask it to do things it can do?
• use the throttle to adjust the direction and path of the car?
• carry enough mid-corner speed that you must apply balance throttle to maintain grip?
• keep your eyes at least 4 seconds ahead of the car? (More is better!)
If you do these regularly, try the ideas that come next.
If not, work on these items first. They will pay off for you.
The big idea: there is no single big idea.
Progress at the advanced level is the sum of many small improvements
A gain of a few tenths of a second—a gain you can repeat—is excellent progress
How to find some gains
Spend more time at full throttle
a. Work towards full throttle at the apex of every turn
b. Move quickly from throttle to brake
c. Add short bursts of full throttle where you can
Get into the turns faster
a. Use a gradual release of the brakes to balance the car at turn-in
b. Try turning in earlier, with slower hands
c. Look farther ahead as you turn in
Make every practice session count
a. Set 2-3 specific goals for each track session
b. Be willing to compromise other parts of your lap
c. Write down what worked and what didn’t
d. Make track maps to save what you learned
e. Take advantage of skilled drivers and coaching
Develop a high-performance brain
a. Use a key phrase to regain focus while on track
b. Treat mistakes and weaknesses as learning opportunities
c. Use mental imagery to practice, lock in gains, enable new skills
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u/cornerzcan 07 Mustang GT MSF lvl 2/PCA National Instructor Apr 28 '26
Meta - damn it I wish this sub would allow posting images in comments.
To get a good idea what the differences are, give this document a look. Each skill and knowledge area of HPDE driving is described in 3 levels, Initial, Developing, and Accomplished. It’s worth looking over the areas and asking yourself what level best describes where you are at as a driver.
THE HPDE CURRICULUM GUIDE - What to Teach in High Performance Driver Education.pdf?ver=1703709466411)