[ssabripo]

My son is graduating highschool and he is an avid car fan, and asked me to take him to a track for his graduation gift.

I've contacted BMW PDC, Porsche America (Atlanta), and couple of others, but all the events are 21+

Anyone has any recommendations on something, even if it's a few laps only, with an instructor, that he could participate in?

[medphysdave]

The BMW performance center in Greer does have a multi day school for younger drivers. Not new drivers, but drivers that have at least a year of experience. I plan to put my daughter through it.

Beyond that, then some of the HPDE groups I believe allow 18, but I could be mistaken. It may be that they can only ride.

[ThreeStripes]

Both Chin Track Days and Just Track It will allow drivers 18yrs old. These are both HPDE organizations that will provide instructors for him as a novice.

What is the goal here? Just go to a track day and drool over cars in the paddock? Passenger laps? Just driving on track? All of these things can be handled differently.

If you just want to go to a track and check it out, that can be arranged.

If he wants a passenger lap, that can be arranged.

If he just wants to drive on track, “parade laps” are often available where anyone can drive any car (even a tow rig) on track during a special 20min session typically around lunch hour.

If he wants to attend his first track day as a novice driver, he’ll need to fully register for the event.

Shoot me a PM if I can share any additional intel or guidance.

[aparedes]

I do see you are in Florida. I drive with Homestead Driving Club. They will allow him to participate at 18.

The day at HDC will likely be more expensive than other organizations like Chin Track Days, but also there will significantly less participants on track at any one time.

There are few more events before the season ends: https://homesteaddrivingclub.com

[CSBM5]

The teen driving school at the Performance Center allows students as young as 15 to enter as long as they have their driving/learner's permit. I can't imagine they have changed that, but it has been a very long time since I sent both my kids to both the one and two day teen schools there (circa 2002-2004).

EDIT: Yep, they show on the page link above that the minimum age is 15.

[E90convert]

PCA events I attend are 18+

[Maynard]

Don't do Chin/Trackit, do a BMW CCA or a PCA event that will have real instruction, real safety. I think all the BMW schools are open to 18yo with valid drivers license (ours are). But fair warning, it is habit forming and expensive.