Our third episode of the Drive Collective Podcast features guest Todd Harris, owner and operator of ProDrive Racing School at Portland International Raceway. Todd joins us to talk about the different ways drivers can get involved in motorsports, develop their skills behind the wheel, and take the next step into performance driving. From driving schools and skid car training, to beginner focused track days, there are opportunities for drivers of all experience levels and backgrounds to get started. Oftentimes, people think getting into motorsports means jumping straight into owning a race car and competing. In reality, there are plenty of ways to get started, build confidence, and learn the fundamentals before deciding if wheel to wheel racing is for them or not. Driving schools like ProDrive provide a structured environment to develop car control, understand vehicle dynamics, and learn the skills needed to safely navigate a racetrack, guiding you through every step. Listen to the full podcast to hear Todd's insights on driver development, how a racing school works, and the many pathways available to get involved in motorsports! This is the third and final episode in our three-part series on getting started in motorsports and track driving. Chapters 0:00 Welcome & Series Recap 1:20 Todd's Racing Roots 3:26 From Driver to School Owner 5:37 What Is a Skid Car? 8:31 Who Comes to Racing School 10:44 SCCA Accreditation & Safety 12:53 Inside a Three-Day School 17:52 School First or Track Days? 22:33 Braking, Vision & Hands 26:02 Understeer vs. Oversteer 29:44 Weight Transfer & Smoothness 32:52 Processing Speed & Sim Racing 36:02 What Instructors Look For 40:07 Spec Racer Ford Explained 42:52 ProDrive Programs & Racing Team 46:01 Skills for Everyday Driving 48:16 Sign-Off About Drive Collective: Drive Collective is Portland's premier enthusiast-focused automotive storage and drivers' community. More than just secure vehicle storage, it offers a place where car owners can connect, attend enthusiast-focused events, participate in group drives, and celebrate automotive culture. The facility also hosts gatherings, educational workshops, and exclusive member experiences for car enthusiasts of all backgrounds. Join the Drive Collective community: pdxdrivecollective.com About Todd Harris: Todd Harris owns and operates ProDrive Racing School at Portland International Raceway. As a professional driver coach, Todd has raced and worked in a variety of professional levels of motorsports including Ferrari Challenge, Trans-Am, IMSA, and more. Todd is also an SCCA Runoffs National Champion in the Spec Racer Ford class. He enjoys teaching and sharing his knoweldge thus purchasing ProDrive Racing School which hosts High Performance Drivers Courses, Skid Car Training, Track Days, and Racing Schools at Portland International Raceway. You can learn more by visiting ProDrive.net
