GRANTSVILLE, Utah -  In a move to accommodate its growing number of programs and driving enthusiasts, Ford Performance Racing School is expanding operations by relocating its pavement-based programs to Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, and basing its off-road programs at a new dedicated facility in Tooele, Utah. The school will conduct its just-launched ST SUV Experience owner program in satellite locations in Asheville, NC, and Park City, UT. 

“Our Ford, Michelin and retail programs have grown so much that we are expanding our operations from the single location we’ve known since the school opened in 2006 to two new locations – Ford Performance Racing School East and Ford Performance Racing School West,” said Dan McKeever, president, Ford Performance Racing School. “There’s a growing desire for performance driving experiences and we’re now able to better deliver that with these two new driving school locations”

Ford Performance Racing School East
Ford Performance Racing School selected Charlotte Motor Speedway to be headquarters for its new east venue to better serve performance vehicle owners and driving enthusiasts east of the Mississippi River. CMS had an enthusiastic reception to the school and the relocation of its pavement-based programs to their track while the location offers diverse facilities to support a variety of driving experiences. 

The new infield road course, the oval itself, the zMAX dragway with its unique four-vehicle-wide configuration, plus the many buildings on-site provide Ford Performance Racing School East with unmatched opportunity to conduct a wide variety of owner programs as well as retail high-performance driving instruction. GT350 Track Attack and ST Octane Academy programs, as well as retail school programs, are scheduled to be on track in spring 2020.

Satellite headquarters for Ford Performance Racing School East will conduct the ST SUV Experience in Asheville. ST SUV Experience is a recently launched owner program for Ford Edge ST and is being expanded to include Ford Explorer ST in 2020.

Ford Performance Racing School West
Based in a newly renovated building, Ford Performance Racing School West will host all off-road programs beginning in 2020. The 45,000-square-foot headquarters building will include offices, classrooms, a vehicle maintenance area and vehicle storage. In addition to managing all off-road programs, the Tooele location will have its satellite headquarters for the ST SUV Experience in Park City to the east.

Designed to immerse guests in a world of off-road driving, Ford Performance Racing School West will capitalize on the surrounding high desert environment and mountain trails to deliver unique experiences with the popular Raptor Assault program and Michelin product/business training programs. It will include a dedicated off-road course designed to showcase the capabilities of F-150 Raptor and serve as a training ground for Michelin/BFGoodrich.

ST SUV Experience
The complimentary program is available for owners of the Edge ST and all-new Explorer ST. As with all owner programs conducted by Ford Performance Racing School, the ST SUV Experience is designed to showcase the vehicle’s signature features while including a lifestyle component in picturesque Park City. This custom program consists of scenic mountain drives combined with high-energy performance driving exercises and optional biathlon shooting conducted at Soldier Hollow – headquarters for the Nordic events of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Beginning next spring, an equally scenic venue will come aboard in Asheville. Explorer ST will join Edge ST as a featured vehicle of the ST SUV Experience with the addition of this second location at iconic Biltmore Estate to give ST SUV owners a choice of where they would like to experience this new program.

“We are excited about the evolution of the Ford Performance Racing School,” said Rob Johnston, Ford Performance marketing manager. “It’s proven to be a hit with our owners and we are excited about the growth. Partnering with Charlotte Motor Speedway as well as having a dedicated facility for our off-road programs will ensure our owners have the appropriate locations to safely explore the capabilities of their new vehicles.” 

Background
Since opening in 2006, Ford Performance Racing School has provided instruction in high-performance driving to drivers of all levels. In addition to offering traditional driving instruction at retail, the school is home to business and product training programs conducted for Michelin/BFGoodrich, as well as the complimentary programs offered to first owners of new Ford Performance vehicles exclusively. Starting with the Boss Track Attack program in 2012, these programs have expanded to include the ST Octane Academy for Fiesta ST and Focus ST owners, GT350 Track Attack for Mustang Shelby GT350 customers, RS Adrenaline Academy for owners of Focus RS, Raptor Assault for F-150 Raptor owners, and ST SUV Experience for Edge ST and Explorer ST customers.

Beginning in 2020, Ford Performance Racing School will be comprised of regional headquarters in Concord and Tooele, with satellite venues in each region hosting the ST SUV Experience. Along with Ford and Michelin/BFGoodrich, official partners of Ford Performance Racing School include Brembo, Castrol, RECARO, Coats, Stoner Car Care and Product 41.