high performance concepts
Driver Training
High Performance Concepts | Hipercon Racing
Summary of Qualifications and Experience
As a brief biography and current view, C. Dan Unkefer has been involved with the training of racing and high performance driving since 1990. He had autocrossed, rallied, and driven on track for 10 years prior to working with Ferrari, BMW, the Car Guys Inc. organization, and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA).
Carrying forward his background in public speaking and formal adult training in the commercial world, Dan began delivering classroom training, discussing theory and basic dynamics to the participants in the Car Guys Inc. schools. As Senior Instructor for Car Guys, Dan helped develop instructor training and delivered for several years before being asked to work with BMW CCA to develop standardized training in the form of several levels of Instructor Clinics. These Clinics have been delivered to instructors from more than 36 of the 63 BMW CCA chapters throughout North America, the Mustang Club of America and NASA.
During this time, Dan has continued to deliver classroom training for all levels of drivers and regularly conducts racer Competition Schools. Generally, 15-20 weekends per year have been dedicated to track driving training throughout the US, working with Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Mazda, Z-Cars and race-sanctioning groups, and now serves as NASA-Virginia’s Chief of Instruction.
Dan’s racing experiences started in ’90, co-driving a Datsun 510 to a class win and 3rd in class in two races. Then a co-drive in a GT2 prepared 240Z to a class win, followed by a 3rd place co-drive of a BMW M3. Beginning in ’96, Dan had been rebuilding a vintage GTP C2 racer, the Harrier Mazda RX-83C, finally getting the car raceworthy in ’99. Since then, this car has placed in the top 3 in class in each of 12 races without a DNF. Dan won 2nd in class in the Paine Webber Endurance Championships in the SVRA events entered in 1999.
C. Dan Unkefer has conducted driver and race training programs for:
Master Instructor for BMW CCA North America since 1994: Design, development and delivery of 3 levels of Instructor Clinics intended to prepare advance drivers for instructing in BMW Club events nationwide. Learn more about the Hipercon HPC Instructor Clinics.
Driving instructor since 1989. Instructor coordinator and track-event management and control since 1995 for the Southeast Region of the Ferrari Club of America.
Dan Unkefer on Driver/Instructor Training
Training new instructors to replace those who go racing or who simply 'retire' is a constant concern. Yet, training the instructor corps may be just the action that would be seen as firm support and recognition of this important asset, and it may enhance the image of the event to those making a choice of becoming a new student or becoming an in-car instructor.
Though it is critical that an instructor be a good driver, many of us have come to the conclusion that good drivers don't necessarily make good instructors, yet 'driver qualification' is usually the primary criteria for filling our instructor corps. For the task that must be delivered in-car, the instructor must be skilled in communication - connecting with the driver and using, efficiently, the language of our sport. These talents are not part of a driver's training. Development and mastery of these skills are the cores of the Instructor Clinics offered by High Performance Concepts.
High Performance Concepts Instructor Clinics
Beginning in 1993, BMW CCA supported the delivery of in-car instructor training (3 levels of instructor clinics) through the efforts of High Performance Concepts. These courses were created with significant input from several chapters and notable individuals. The courseware is assembled in accordance with adult learning precepts, applied to content and delivery.
Since then, High Performance Concepts has addressed dozens of chapters and more than 1000 instructors, just within the ranks of BMW CCA.