On many of the most famous motorsport circuits across the United States, the Lexus Performance Driving School (LPDS) teaches skills that translate immediately to both track application and safety on public roads alike. The courses are open to Lexus owners and anyone else who wants to hone their driving capabilities in a controlled environment, so Robb Report recently attended one at Northern California’s Sonoma Raceway. It was a full day of autocross, drifting, classroom sessions, and lapping on the 2.52-mile gauntlet.
Before a breakfast buffet at Sonoma’s lavish Turn 11 facilities, Lexus split the 48 attendees into four groups. Our cadre numbered 11 out of 14 Lexus owners, a high ratio compared to other LPDS course activations. We first spent an hour practicing autocross, which provided a solid introduction to many of the techniques that we would spend the rest of the time refining in a fleet of Lexus LC500, IS 500 F Sport, and RC F models.
A bird’s-eye view of Sonoma Raceway in Northern California.
Sonoma Raceway
After each roughly 30-second lap through the coned-off course, our instructors advised students to better manage weight transfer and tire traction through corners, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of vision during performance driving. I had decided in advance to spend the whole day focusing on using my left foot for braking, which made it even more challenging to avoid clipping cones while attempting to cut precious seconds.
Next, we cooled off in the classroom while five-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner Scott Pruett discussed track theory. Pruett walked our group through basic racing terminology, including the race line, apex and brake points, trail braking, and maintenance throttle. We were then led out onto the main track for sighting laps to provide real-life context for the theories.
Creeping along at what feels like a snail’s pace, the instructors use two-way radios to point out every challenging corner and elevation change on the racecourse. The optimal racing line is a balance of long arcing curves and as much straightaway as possible for accelerating to top speed.
The instruction fleet comprised LC500, IS 500 F Sport, and RC F models from Lexus.
Michael Van Runkle
The instructors stop twice for us to practice ABS braking, assessing our stopping prowess before we are set loose to lap at higher speeds. Each time, we all stomp on the brake pedal harder, and yet the instructors still want more.
After a quick lunch break that gave us some time to process everything we’ve learned so far, it’s time for another autocross session, and I manage to shave a full second from my previous best time by focusing even more on braking, loading the front tires to reduce understeer, and increasing the speed through corners. But then Pruett took three students at a time out for a demonstration of how he does it, revealing another level of confidence in hard braking, cornering, and acceleration. His use of weight to load up tires simply creates more traction than I believed possible.
Students take on the autocross course.
Michael Van Runkle
The next lesson takes place on a wet drift pad, which reveals what happens when traction entirely runs out. Here, the competitive spirit and group camaraderie starts to shine as everyone gets humbled quickly on the slick surface, spinning the cars repeatedly as the traction and electronic stability controls are switched off. The low-end torque of the Lexus V-8 engines requires more progressive modulation of the throttle than expected, and only a few students in our group ever manage to come anywhere near a full donut before losing control of the car. But better here on the drift pad than out on the track.
What we learned while drifting carry over well to three stints of lead-follow driving out on the main circuit. Our instructors once again emphasize the racing line’s braking and turn-in points, then where to ease back into the throttle without oversteering and risking a spin. And vision—always vision, as we keep our eyes on where we want to go next. The day wraps up with the pros giving us hot laps, displaying how much farther the limits of car and driver can be pushed.
Scott Pruett, IMSA Hall of Fame racer and five-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, signs mementos for class participants.
Michael Van Runkle
If anything, experiencing LPDS leaves you wanting more. For those who so desire, the next step is the Lexus Masterclass, which offers one-on-one coaching with former Indy Lights champion Townsend Bell, tutorials on data analytics, and much more track time over the course of the day. The Masterclass runs $2,150 and students need to complete a basic $1,195 LPDS Performance course before registering. Dates for the 2025 sessions have yet to be announced.
Click below for more photos from the Lexus Performance Driving School.
Participants hone their driving skills at the Lexus Performance Driving School.
Lexus Performance Driving School