First time out here was a few years ago, but I've been coming back sporadically as I really have no business adding track days to my ever growing list of stupid expensive hobbies. To drive the track solo under their HPDE track days, they required me to take their "One Day High Performance Driving" class which entailed a morning "street skills" session followed by an afternoon coached "on track" session. It's not until a second track day where they clear you for "full solo" driving. It's an expensive initial buy-in, but makes for nicer track days (compared to other sanctioned companies). The instructors are all friendly and willing to chat with you when they're not running around coaching others. Find some time to chat with them as they have different tips, tricks, and driving styles you may pick up on. Thanks Don and Donna for running an awesome school! read more

Had a good time for the most part but don't bother renting a car if you really want to drive. Instructors will make you second guess every move. I'm such a conservative driver too. Didn't learn much. I guess they have had jerks abuse the cars. read more

Took the high performance driving course with Don and was fortunate to have Wes Hill as my solo instructor. The entire instructor team is there for you as they put you and the car you are driving through some key safety maneuvers- before you learn how to drive the race track. This is excellent hands-on instruction from Don - a racing legend. Two weeks later I was fortunate to be coached by Curtis, who helped reinforce a number of key concepts. Then I felt ready to solo drive. Highly recommend this school, including how Donna helped ensure that the registration process was flawless . read more

ProFormance Racing School - Back straightaway at Pacific Raceways - Driving Schools Near Me - Kent, Washington

Super high quality instruction, and safety. I took the one day HPDE course a year ago, and the SCCA certification course in September, and throughout these courses have been to more than a dozen track days. Don Kitch and his team at Proformance are at the top of their game, and are skilled at helping you hone technique and the mental mindset to drive cars safely, at speed. Excellent, competent, and a philosophy of constant learning and improvement. read more

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I went to a club HPDE event with ProFormance at Pacific Raceways. Don & Donna, the leadership team has been nothing but good to me. They are very friendly, helpful, and experts at what they do. I also got to meet Clete, my instructor - with his instruction, I was able to improve my driving as the day progressed. I'm looking forward to returning in the near future. read more

Updated review. It's been a couple years, and I thought I would give Proformance another try. This time, I didn't bother calling. I just booked directly through their website. I don't know if they've gotten any better at answering their phone, but booking via the website was straightforward. I did the one day high performance class. The day starts with a bit of classroom time. You learn about the track, safety, and basic driving principles. Don, the head instructor, explains things in an easy to understand way, and is an entertaining teacher. After classroom time, it's out to the track to practice some basic skills. The basic skills include braking, a slalom course, emergency avoidance, and an exercise to teach you understeer. This was not your first time drivers education level stuff. It's not only for you to learn these skills, but also to learn about your car (if you're using your own car). I found these very valuable. After the skills exercises, it was off to lunch with afternoon lapping following. Afternoon lapping started with you and an instructor. They drive the whole track, twice, showing you the lines you're trying to follow, braking zones, turn in points and turn apexes. After that, you get a chance to do the same (slow speed) which gives you a good opportunity to ask questions at low speed. After the low speed runs, it's off to the races! The remainder of the day is 20 minute sessions at whatever speeds you're comfortable at with an instructor. The class is split into two groups and you alternate sessions. You also get a track walk, and some time observing other drivers from various points which gives you an alternative perspective vs being in the car. Overall, it was a great experience. Don said he would see half of the group back at some point. He wasn't wrong as I went back two weeks later to get my solo driving certification. I ran into two other people that were also in my one day class. I'm happy I gave it another shot, as it was a lot of fun, I learned a lot about my car, and I'm definitely a better driver now. read more

I signed up for the 1-day High Performance driving program. I have been an automotive enthusiast all my life but never figured where to start. Had no idea of what's in store when I reached the track on the day. Don Kitch the chief instructor walked us through the schedule for the day and also thought us same basic driving techniques. He explained a lot about the importance of maintaining the balance of the car, understeer, oversteer. The first part of the day is designed to make one a better driver. The way the put it "Take you from operating a motor-vehicle to driving a car", pretty much sums up what the first part of the day is. This first half was by no means un-exciting. It was highly educational. I understood how my car operates and finally figured out how to listen to what my car is "telling" me. The second half is all about high-performance driving. You are assigned an instructor (IGOR in my case). He was an absolute delight. Within minutes I was scorching the race track at over 130mph. It felt so easy with him around, surreal even. All I did was just do exactly what he said and pretty soon I was doing things that I had no idea I or my car was capable of. He also advised me on how to look after my car. I would highly recommend taking your own cars regardless of whether it's sporty or not because this program helps you understand your car better. These people know what they are talking about and are the real deal. I would say this is a must do for all automotive enthusiast. It not only satisfies one's craving for speed and adrenaline but also makes one a better driver. Best $500 ever spent. Already looking at my calendar to plan for next track day. read more

Really good and very knowledgeable team! I took high performance education program, can't thank enough to Don, Donna and the team! I very much enjoyed the program and felt I left as a better driver than I went in. Everyone genuinely cares about teaching you what they know and special thanks to Clete for putting up with me and being real from the first second he jumped into my car! Also, Don said at the start of the program that participants would do more than they think they would do, take it seriously cause thats exactly true! read more

I wanted to say that Don Kitch is an amazing instructor. He sparked my interest in racing again. I took the driving school for a day at Pacific Raceways. He is a legend and it shows in the way he teaches. Thanks Don! read more

ProFormance is really great! I first went through their High Performance Driving class back in 2007. It was such a great experience that I scheduled my next time on the track with them before I even left for the day! They have created a unique program that eases you into high performance driving so you are comfortable along the way. there is no pressure and it is a very safe environment and very controlled (at least as much as it can be with people driving over 100mph). They offer many different programs to advance your driving skills all the way to actual racing if you are so inclined. I highly recommend their programs and will keep attending myself! read more

You will never feel buyers remorse with this gift for yourself or lifesaving lessons given to another!I have been operating cars for 30 years including 15 years as a Taxi cab operator but I only learned how to "DRIVE" a car last week! First time I have ever hit 120 MPH So freaking awesome I was compelled to open a YELP account. read more

I recently completed the two day SCCA Competition Program at Proformance and it was an unforgettable positive experience. This is a class for those who are serious about starting racing, or for those who are curious about what racing is really like. Emotions during the class ranged from episodically terrifying to enormously gratifying. These guys know their stuff, inside out, backwards and forwards. But when teaching difficult skills, that isn't enough. The right temperament is essential, and these guys have that component as well. Like Teddy Roosevelt said: "Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care. " read more

As far as I'm concerned this is the top of the line for racing instruction, especially if you're just getting started. The drivers are actual racing pro's who've driven in Le Mans, Rolex 24, SCCA club racing and more, and know their way around many cars and know that track like you wouldn't believe. They make sure your comfortable and safe, never take you past what you can handle, but at the same time push you to the edge to improve. I cannot recommend these guys enough. read more

Don and his team of instructors were outstanding! I would recommend the high performance class to any driver!

I had such a great time at the High Performance Driving program! Instructors we're extremely friendly and helpful. I learned a ton, gained serious confidence behind the wheel, made some new friends, and had a blast. Anyone who's interested in performance driving needs to take this class. Anybody who's invested in a high-performance car owes it to themselves to really learn how to drive their vehicle and (legally) find out what it can do! read more

I just finished the all day women's only event, and I will never forget it. I have never been on a race track before. The Proformance family walked me through every step of the way. The classroom training, driving instruction and walking the track taught me so much. What a great experience!! read more

I have been doing High Performance lapping days with the school for about two years, about twice a month, Great race track, personable male and female, knowledgable instructors, well organized. This is for me a safe way (no trafic tickets) to feed my need for speed read more