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

Our second episode of the Drive Collective Podcast features guest Austin Bradshaw, the current points leader in the PNW Spec Miata Tour Championship, as well as a ProDrive Racing School Instructor and Driver Coach.

Austin joins us to talk about how drivers can improve their craft behind the wheel and the different ways to get started in motorsports — from sim driving and indoor karting to autocross, track days, and wheel-to-wheel road racing. There are options for every driver, regardless of their goals or budget.

Oftentimes, people think they can’t get started in motorsports unless they can afford a track car, modern sports car, or dedicated race car. In reality, getting started can be much simpler — and more affordable — than you might think. Sim driving, karting, and autocross can provide valuable opportunities to develop your driving skills without the cost of owning and maintaining a race car.

No matter where you start, the fundamentals are the same: learning proper driving technique, improving consistency, developing your vision, and understanding how to manage braking, throttle application, and the proper racing line. Build those foundations first, and speed will follow.

Listen to the full podcast to learn more about getting started in motorsports and becoming a better driver!

This is the second episode in a series of videos we’ll be releasing to help you get started in motorsports and track driving.

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.

About Austin Bradshaw:
Austin Bradshaw is a third generation racer and driver coach from the Pacific Northwest who competes in SCCA, ICSCC, and LDRL Endurance Racing. He works for ProDrive Racing School in Portland, Oregon as one of their coaches and instructors. Austin has finished second and third in the E-Production class at the 2024 and 2025 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Road America and is the current points leader in the PNW Spec Miata Tour championship.

Our first-ever Drive Collective Podcast features special guest Eddie Nakato from AR Motorsports and Cobalt Racing Brakes, joining us to talk about what your car actually needs before taking it on track for the first time.

Oftentimes, people think they need to make extensive modifications to their car before their first track day, when in reality, getting started is much simpler than you might think!

This is the first episode in a series of videos we'll be releasing to help you get started in motorsports and track driving!

Listen to the full podcast to learn more.

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.

About AR Motorsports:

Located in Tigard, Oregon, AR Motorsports is a performance and race preparation shop specializing in track-focused vehicles. Based in Tigard, Oregon, they provide services including race car fabrication, suspension setup, alignments, maintenance, performance upgrades, and track support. Their expertise spans everything from weekend track cars to competitive race vehicles in professional racing such as IMSA, Porsche Sprint Challenge, Trans-Am, WRL, and more.

About Cobalt Racing Brakes:

Cobalt Racing Brakes manufactures high-performance brake pads designed specifically for motorsports and high-performance track driving. Their brake compounds are engineered to deliver exceptional stopping power, consistent pedal feel, low wear, and fade resistance across a wide range of temperatures, making them a trusted choice for professional racers and HPDE enthusiasts alike.