Open Track and HPDE

Welcome to Trackmasters' HPDE and Open Track Event May 14-15th, 2025 at the world-famous Watkins Glen International Raceway. Over the past 30 years, we have built a loyal following of professionals, semi-professionals, and track-driving enthusiasts with our unique format. We split track time with half going to Open Track (for advanced drivers) and the other half going to a more traditional HPDE format, which caters to drivers in earlier skills development stages.  

Read below to learn more about each format. If you have questions, let us know. If not, then get ready for a truly differentiated track experience. Events tend to sell out, so register today!

Open Track Format

Our Open Track is for drivers at the top levels of high-performance driving, including:

• professional and amateur racers;
• certified DE instructors; and
• extremely experienced DE drivers.   

Car count is limited, and once the track goes green in the morning, Open Track drivers can look forward to a minimum of 4 one-hour track sessions with uninterrupted open lapping time.

Point-bys are still required for insurance, but Open Track drivers should have the situational awareness and predictability to give and receive point-bys anywhere on the track with enough time to allow overtaking cars to maintain their pace and momentum. Note the distinction: the emphasis is on a driver maintaining momentum. That’s what sets Trackmasters’ Open Track apart from other Advanced DE run groups. It takes years of driver skill and experience; it’s not enough just having a fast car that can turn a fast lap.

Qualifications and Registration

To make it all work, we take Open Track qualification seriously to maintain the high-quality, on-track experience our long-time Open Track customers expect. Drivers new to Trackmasters can register for Open Track but may be contacted prior to the event to review previous experience. An Open Track checkout ride by one of our Advanced Coaches may also be required on event day. Please make sure your driving history is current on MotorsportReg.com. Drivers deemed not yet ready for Open Track will be placed in the HPDE portion of the event.

If you have any questions about being Open Track eligible, contact us before registering. If you think you have the skills and experience to join our Open Track community, we look forward to seeing you!

Advanced Coaching, If Desired

Watkins Glen has been Trackmasters’ home for 30+ years, and our Advanced Coaches know every inch of the track. Many have raced extensively and can turn best-in-class laps for their vehicle type. Upon request, we can provide an Advanced Coach for data review and / or a right seat coaching session to help an Open Track driver find opportunities to turn a better lap with their specific vehicle.

Intermediate and Novice HPDE Format

Drivers who are working their way up to an Open Track level are welcome to drive with Trackmasters in either our Intermediate or Novice run groups. In these run groups, drivers get 4 ~ thirty-minute sessions on track each day and appropriate coaching or instruction commensurate with experience.  

Intermediate DE Program

The Intermediate DE Program is designed to progress the intermediate driver over multiple events to qualify for Open Track. This group has access to our Advanced Coaches for in-car and data coaching. Additionally, we have a select Intermediate Instructional classroom program, covering the physics of advanced high-performance driving and car set up.

Trackmasters’ Intermediate group encompasses a wide range of drivers with varied experience, including:

• The driver early in their DE career, who has reached the point where they can move their car around the track safely at a good pace. They have been cleared for solo, yet still value some in-car coaching to continue their development. These drivers will have an in-car coach for one or two sessions per day.
• The driver with dozens of track days behind them, much of it solo. This driver is typically adding seat time while they improve their situational awareness and gradually explore the performance limits of their car. Coaching for these drivers is available upon request.
• The driver with years of experience in DE, even qualified for Trackmasters’ Open Track, but maybe not familiar enough with Watkins Glen or prefers a run group populated with lower-power track cars and performance street cars.

Novice DE Program

The Novice DE Program is for drivers early in their HPDE journey, including those with no previous experience. Most novice drivers will be paired with an in-car instructor for both days. Novice drivers with more experience can be cleared to solo in the Novice Group, after a check out ride. Additionally, there are several classroom sessions covering basic skills and theory of high-performance driving, as well as the specifics of driving Watkins Glen.

Drivers that have previously been cleared to solo with Trackmasters may continue to do so.  If you would like to have an instructor assigned for some or all of your two days, to assist in your development to Intermediate, please let us know in advance.

Choose Your Group and then REGISTER!

Please register for the group most suited to your experience. If you are new to Trackmasters at Watkins Glen, please make sure your driving history on Motorsportreg.com is up to date so we can validate your readiness for your requested group. If you have any questions about the Trackmasters run groups or format, please contact us directly.

We look forward to driving with you!