Professional Driving Instructor
Professional Driving Instructor: Joe Self
With over 20 years of track experience, I’ve had the privilege of driving and racing a wide variety of high-performance vehicles—from nimble Miatas and agile Hondas to powerful Corvettes, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and more. As a Motorsport Safety Foundation (MSF) Level 2 Certified Instructor, I have coached drivers at some of the most renowned racetracks across the country, including:
- Circuit of the Americas
- Sonoma Raceway
- Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Michigan International Speedway
- Utah Motorsports Campus
- Autobahn Country Club
- Carolina Motorsports Park
- Putnam Park Road Course
- Texas Motor Speedway
- Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
- Nashville Superspeedway
- Hedge Hollow Racetrack
- MSR Houston
- Harris Hill Raceway
- Motorsports Ranch Cresson
- and more
In the world of sim racing, I am an A-rated driver in both iRacing Road and Oval, and an A-rated driver with an S+ safety rating in Gran Turismo. I’ve also placed within the top 100 globally in Gran Turismo time trial competitions, even while using a controller.
Just as elite athletes like Lance Armstrong (coached by Chris Carmichael) and Michael Jordan (coached by Phil Jackson) reached their peak performance through expert guidance, I aim to help you progress as a driver. My job isn’t to showcase my speed but to identify the areas that will improve your speed, racecraft, and overall confidence on track. With a deep understanding of the nuances of racecraft and track driving, I can provide the insights you need to achieve measurable results.
I am especially proud to specialize in helping new and intermediate drivers progress. My patience and ability to articulate and communicate complex driving and racing techniques in ways that are easy to understand make me uniquely suited to working with those who are just starting out or looking to take their skills to the next level.
Whether you’re on a real track or in the sim racing world, my mission is to help you unlock your potential and achieve your personal best.
Photo: Joe takes his daughter for a ride in a 718 GT4RS at Hedge Hollow Racetrack. Fun fact: Joe taught her to drive a manual transmission car when she was just 13 years old.