HPD ACADEMY
Supporting driver development is a fundamental value of Acura Motorsports and Honda Performance Development (HPD). The HPD Academy represents the latest demonstration of this commitment. As talented drivers rise through the sports car developmental ladder, many find that reaching the next level is limited by access to in-vehicle/team experience, promotional ability, and paddock knowledge. The HPD Academy provides the knowledge, training, and hands-on education, preparing middle-level professional racing drivers to reach the highest levels of the racing profession.
The comprehensive curriculum includes on-track coaching sessions in either the championship-winning Acura NSX GT3 Evo22, or the Honda Civic Type R TCR race cars. We teach advanced on-track techniques used by championship-winning drivers as well as off-track instruction relating to effective communication with crew and engineers, driver marketing, sponsor insights, and diet and training, all taught by HPD-affiliated personnel. Each Academy event - all current SRO or IMSA tracks - builds upon the lessons learned at the previous events, resulting in a thoroughly prepared professional sports car driver, ready for competition.
Racers Edge Motorsports operates the Academy program under the guidance and direction of Honda Performance Development with Team Principal Jon Mirachi developing the curriculum and Race Engineer Jim Pattin leading the on-track sessions. Acura Motorsports/HPD provides specific support at each event to increase driver learning, including key race engineers and championship drivers from Acura and Honda global motorsports. Championship-winning Acura Motorsports and HPD Racing drivers make up the roster of instructors throughout the program, all of whom have contributed to Acura's multiple manufacturer, driver, and team championship titles in both IMSA and SRO GT World Challenge America.
While personnel from HPD and Racers Edge Motorsports constantly search for and evaluate potential candidates, young drivers interested in going through the program should contact Jon Mirachi at Racers Edge today to see if they qualify for one of the limited spots available.
(386) 785-4955
2020 Driver Academy graduates:Taylor Hagler, Jacob Abel, Dakota Dickerson, Karl Wittmer
2021 Driver Academy graduates: Kyffin Simpson, Ashton Harrison, Nicky Hays, Cat Lauren
WATCH: HPD Academy | Cultivating the Next Generation of Racing Talent
