Car Control School: Fundamentals

Learn	Train in	On	With a
Theory Online	Our Subaru	Dirt or Snow	Private Instructor

Requirements

For ages 16+. No driver's license needed, but some driving experience is required.

Course Format

Individual one-on-one training session.

Course Structure & What’s Included

> Total Package Duration

5 – 6 hours We know you live a busy life, so you’ll learn the theory remotely a couple of days beforehand and come to the track only for your driving slot.

> Before Driving Day

	Theory and Pre-Training (read more on this below)
		Hand-over-Hand Steering Practice 1 hour, Independent
		Interactive Zoom Classroom Theory 3 hours, Live or Recording

> On Driving Day*

	Date, Time, Location Choose your driving date and location in the configurator below during booking. Your exact time slot will be confirmed by email after booking. Arrive 15 mins before your time slot to sign in.
	Total In-Car Time Choose 1 or 2 hours when booking.
	Car You will be driving our automatic Subaru Impreza with a manual gear selector.
	Area Closed low-grip Mixed Surface Skid Pad. Gravel, dirt, grass, snow, or ice depending on season and location.*
	Instructor Car Control Instructor. Your instructor will adapt the curriculum to your progression.

> After Driving Day

Driver Progress Report Emailed within a week after driving day.

Curriculum

This course teaches the essential building blocks of car control, including skid recovery, braking technique, emergency avoidance, and understanding vehicle behavior on slippery surfaces. You’ll slide, brake, and repeat drills until your reactions become automatic. Training on a skidpad builds the foundation for safe winter driving, sharper reaction times, and confident handling in critical situations. Race Lab’s motorsport-based method develops real feel and instinct — the skills every driver needs before progressing to higher-speed courses.

Depending on your progress we cover:

1 Hour Course - The Basics

• Core Techniques
  • Seating position
  • Application of hand-over-hand steering
• Driver Development
  • Understanding vehicle dimensions
  • Driver psychology & mindset: enjoyment improves learning
  • Train in FWD or AWD mode
  • No ABS, no Traction Control
• Car Dynamics
  • Regaining control in a skid
  • Braking in slippery conditions
  • Freestyle Drift Recovery - higher speed, flowing from side to side
  • Collision Avoidance - avoiding a sudden obstacle on the road

2 Hour Course - The Basics + Advanced Drills

• All training from The Basics, plus
• Understeer recovery (Circle Skidpad)
• Pendulum Turns (Scandinavian Flick)
• E-Brake Turns
• Slalom Drift Recovery with E-Brake Turns

Contact us if you are more advanced so we can put together a custom training plan for you, which could include tactical drills such as J-Turns, Dead Man Drill, PIT Maneuver, etc.

Pre-Training and Theory

	Hand-over-Hand Steering Practice 1 hour, Independent You’ll receive a video tutorial and guided exercises to practice on your own in your own car on an empty parking lot before your on-track session. Hand-over-hand steering is a core motorsport technique that delivers maximum control, precision, and safer everyday driving, especially in critical situations.
	Interactive Zoom Classroom Theory 3 hours, Live or Recording The theory will be taught online over Zoom a few days before your driving day. The session is led by the founder of Race Lab and is interactive with time for questions and discussions. This spaced-learning format (theory first, driving later) improves absorption and retention. A full recording is provided if you can’t attend live.

Next Steps

Driver Progress Report Will arrive by email with instructor feedback and practical next steps to help you keep improving on your own or in future training.

Generally recommended next steps would be:

• Retake this same course if you feel like you need more practice, or taking the 2 hour course if you've done only 1 hour.
• Moving on to the next step - Car Control School: Advanced

* All Race Lab events operate within our Rain Check Guarantee