In 1968, Radford Racing School opened in Sears Point, California, under the name Bondurant High Performance Driving School.
In 1990, the school moved to Chandler, where it was successful for many years before falling into bankruptcy in 2017.
When a group of investors—who were also auto enthusiasts and former students of the school—heard the news, they decided to buy the operation.
“They believed the facility was far too beneficial to both the public and aspiring racers to be lost,” says Andre Rizzotti, who leads group sales and partnerships.
The investors’ passion for the school led to a full renovation of the facility, including the 1.6-mile purpose-built track, classrooms, offices, gift shop, student lounge, event center, garage and facility bays, and more.
“In 2021, the owners changed the name of the school to Radford Racing School, in a brand alliance with Radford Motors, a car design and build company led by 2009 F1 Champion Jenson Button and master mechanic and television personality Ant Antstead,” Rizzotti says.
While the location, name, and owners have changed over the years, one thing has remained constant: the school’s dedication to offering outstanding driving and racing courses and experiences.
“Anyone and everyone can enjoy the Radford Racing School,” Rizzotti says, adding that the school has eight different offerings for drivers.
For instance, newly licensed drivers ages 16 and up can enroll in Advanced Teen Driving, which is designed to build skills and confidence through the understanding of total car control, active driving, and road awareness.
Those who want to learn more about performance driving or simply have a great time doing so can enroll in the Performance Driving Course – Car Control 101.
Fans of road racing can sign up for Grand Prix Road Racing, which Rizzotti describes as “the course for any and all motorsport enthusiasts or aspiring racers.” Graduates of the class, as well as current racers, can choose the Advanced Road Racing course, which offers customized lessons for drivers looking to improve their racing skills.
Looking for a unique racing experience? Formula 4 program participants drive the Ligier JS Formula 4 racecar, which is the current model used in the United States F4 Championship Series.
“We are the only school who uses such a modern open-wheel car for training,” Rizzotti says, adding that the program is ideal for those looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as well as drivers who want to advance in their racing careers.
Drag racing fans can get behind the wheel to learn the basics in the school’s Drag Racing class. Students get firsthand experience in the school’s 840-horsepower drag racing vehicles, drive on an official NHRA drag strip, and work toward earning their official NHRA “9-second license.”
Those who want to experience the exhilaration of a racecar without signing up for an all-day class can enroll in the Throttle Therapy course. As Rizzotti notes, the $499 four-hour program is perfect for people looking for some weekend entertainment without a huge time commitment.
Radford Racing School can also host group and corporate events for crowds of 10 people up to 250.
“Groups utilize our renovated event center for meetings and catering and then hit the track with our professional instructors for some out-of-the-office fun,” Rizzotti says.