Learn car control

Car control clinics

ABOUT THE CLINIC

The Thunderhill Raceway Car Control Clinic gives students real-world, hands-on experience behind the wheel of their own cars. Thunderhill Raceway’s Teen Car Control Clinic is in cooperation with the California Highway Patrol.  

Teenagers: Teen drivers in this age group have a fatal case rate almost three times as high as drivers 20 and older per mile driven.

Parents: Anyone can be involved in an accident no matter what age /experience level and anyone can improve their ability to avoid an accident. We have a lot of parents participating in the program. Participation not only demonstrates the parents support for the program but also provides the parent with a valuable opportunity to provide feedback to the children about different aspects of the class.

Senior Drivers: Senior drivers can find age related changes impact their driving abilities, like medications side effects, reduced reaction time and impaired vision. Over 23,000 seniors were injured in accidents in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSAA).

Individuals with Physical Disabilities: Disabled drivers are encouraged to participate in the car control clinic. Participants must already have their own vehicle that is adaptable and equipped for their needs.

Thunderhill Raceway offers these Car Control Clinics because it’s our belief that we can make the streets safer for everyone, and at the same time, help save the lives of all drivers. It is our mission to help prevent as many avoidable accidents as possible!

Drivers schools do a great job of teaching the rules of the road, but they don’t have access to the type of facility required to safely teach car control.  Thunderhill Raceway Park’s expansive facility allows us to teach the skills required in an emergency.  We see this as an important community service activity, as more teens are killed in accidents every year than by any other means.

You should bring water and sun protection.
Parents and others can stay in the air-conditioned clubhouse or on the covered patio.

Typical schedule

The day

The day begins with driver check in at 8:30 am.  We will provide you a DOT approved helmet if you don’t have one. If you need a loaner helmet, you should arrive before 8:30 and go to the Gift Shop to pick up a helmet. The gate guard can give you directions. Then proceed over the hill to Thunderhill West where the clinic is held. After Registration, a short driver orientation meeting is held. The students are then divided into 4 different groups.  Each group is sent to one of the 4 car control exercises. The students will go through each car control exercise twice.

Lunch

We will only have 30 minutes for lunch.  Student lunches are provided by the Friends of Thunderhill Foundation.  Parents and spectators can purchase food at the Thunderhill Grill.

Graduation

Certificate

Once you complete your second track session, you may return to the driver’s lounge, return your helmet and pick up your graduation certificate. At the end of the day, each student receives a certificate signed by the President of the raceway.  You will also have enough time to head over to the raceway Gift Shop to get a t-shirt, hat or other item as a conversation starter with your friends about spending a day at Thunderhill Raceway Park and driving on their racetrack and skid pad!

For questions regarding our Car Control Clinics please call 530-934-5588 ext.103.

Get in touch

Contact us

(530) 934-5588 ext. 103
office@thunderhill.com
Get in touch