Hooked on Driving Adds Chevrolet Corvette As National Sponsor

DANVILLE, Calif., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Hooked on Driving announced today a new partnership with Chevrolet, to place 2014 Corvette Stingrays in high-performance driving events across the United States.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140206/SF60280)

Hooked on Driving (HOD) was founded ten years ago by David Ray, who took a unique skill he had – the ability to drive a car safely at high speed on a race track – and used it to start a high-performance driving program unlike any other. These events were dedicated to building a passionate community of car lovers eager to experience skilled, high-speed driving on a closed course, and gain a deeper appreciation of their own cars' capabilities.

Hooked on Driving (HOD) aims to help make it possible for amateur drivers to capture the fun of driving on a race track in a safe, controlled environment. The group's coaches guide drivers to higher skill levels in their own cars, which typically represent a cross-section of high-performance marques from Germany, Italy, Japan and the U.S.

As part of the sponsorship, Corvette Stingrays will be available for HOD participants to experience, and if qualified, drive on the track at HOD events in its six regions – Northern California, Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, Southern States and Florida. Among the tracks that Hooked on Driving uses are New Jersey Motorsports Park, Autobahn Country Club, Atlanta Motorsports Park, Homestead Miami and others.

"Partnering with Hooked on Driving provides two exciting opportunities for Chevrolet," said Russ Clark, Corvette Marketing Director. "For our customers, it offers the chance to help them experience the full capabilities of their Chevrolets; for owners of competitive makes, it provides an opportunity to introduce them to the performance, design, and technology of the all-new Stingray."

In a typical first session, a coach will ride in the passenger seat and teach the driver high-performance driving techniques in their own car. As is HOD's philosophy, all marques will continue to be welcome at its events.

"I see this as a big thumbs up to the enthusiast community from Chevrolet," said Ray, HOD founder and group leader. "They're willing to put the Corvette in front of savvy, well-informed car people. Corvette is an American icon and its seventh-generation model is the perfect example of a car that's great fun on the track but can be driven every day around town."

HOD drivers can progress from the very basic Beginner group, where classroom theory and protocols are taught, through Intermediate to Advanced level driving skills.  A driver can stay in a Beginner or Intermediate group as long as they want, as long as they're safe and having a good time. Coaches are vetted, trained volunteers that help keep the cost of programs down. HOD programs can be corporate events, client entertainment or a reward to employees.

Most cars are fine for HOD – all the owner needs to do is be certain it is in good working order. The rest is up to them, but the results show that many develop very good track skills. Some move on to serious competition in other venues. Ray is proud to acknowledge that HOD has spawned many top level competition drivers – many of whom have come back to coach.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

About Hooked on Driving

Hooked on Driving is a community of individuals who share a passion for driving their cars. Founded in 2004, HOD is meeting its goal of being the first true, trusted national brand of performance driving programs. Hooked on Driving currently operates in six key regions of the U.S. including: Northern California/Reno, Northeast U.S., Florida, Great Lakes, Southern States and the Pacific Northwest. The school is focused primarily on providing high performance driver training for those with capable cars, in the controlled environment of a race course – without the pressure of competition. More information on Hooked on Driving can be found at www.hookedondriving.com.

SOURCE Hooked on Driving