Professional Driver- Closed Course

 

 

 B.R.A.K.E.S. is very fortunate to have some of the best professional driving instructors in the industry teaching our Teen Pro-Active Driving School classes. Our instructors come from different backgrounds, many have taught at the leading driving schools: Bob Bondurant, Skip Barber, Jim Russell and the BMW Performance Center. Some have trained the secret service for the government, performed as precision drivers for commercials and movies and all have a background in racing at different levels of both professional and amateur competitions like NASCAR, SCCA, NHRA, American LeMans and Drifting. Many of our instructors have become passionate about B.R.A.K.E.S. due to their own personal losses or injuries caused by car accidents.

Our Focus Is Simple-

To provide your teen driver with the best driver training possible to help establish a better foundation of safe and responsible driving that will last a lifetime.

Meet Our Instructors

DOUG VAN DEN BRINK

Having raced just about everything from Karts to Drift cars, Doug Van Den Brink has been involved in competitive motorsports nearly all of his life. While he keeps his eye on returning to circuit racing, Doug is currently a competitor in both the FormulaDrift and Xtreme Drift series. When not smoking-down tires at tracks all across the country, he regularly spends time with us here at B.R.A.K.E.S. where he has been an instructor with us going on 2-years. Doug also continues to teach at high-performance schools as well as helping automobile manufacturers debut new products.

 

RICK SWARTS

Rick has been involved with B.R.A.K.E.S. teen schools since 2009, he brings 20 years of Automotive Marketing and Management experience. Rick’s racing career started in Southern California in open wheel formula cars, he was a Jim Russell Giles Villeneuve Memorial Rookie of the Year Scholarship winner and also a fast five driver in the competitive Bondurant ProSearch program. He has worked numerous manufacturer new vehicle launches and large scale sponsorship programs for the NHRA. Rick currently works at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina.

 

DAVE WANDERLESS

Englishman David has a racing background of 26 years and has covered all racing categories from Karting to GT endurance races. He has won British championships in Formula Ford single seater cars and many races in Porsche GT3′s. David is a brand ambassador and test driver for many different car manufacturers including Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Lexus. His driving knowledge and experience has taken him all around the world teaching teens and adults to race cars and be better drivers. 

 

GERRY GLENN 

Son of 1971 NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, Gerry’s love for driving was planted at a young age. Gerry became a  4 time International Karting Federation National champion and World Karting Association champion. Then he moved on to open wheel racing competing in Super Vee, Formula Atlantics and the American Indy car series. Gerry currently stays busy working in the industry conducting dynamic driving events for automotive manufacturers and as a precision driver for the film industry. When he is not working you can find him behind the wheel of his modified.

 

 CHUCK HAWKS

Chuck has over 30 years experience in professional motorsports – if it has four tires on the ground, Chuck teaches, coaches or drives it.  He is considered one of the country’s best classroom instructors as well as in-car coaches in the performance and race industry.  Chuck is also committed to making our public roads as safe as possible and has worked with B.R.A.K.E.S. since it first started.  When not helping people improve their driving skills, Chuck works for auto manufacturers training sales, service and corporate staff on performance enhancement. 

 

JUSTIN JOHNSON

Justin began his racing career at the age of 12. He has been climbing the NASCAR ladder to get to where he is now, in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Justin has also been a driving instructor for both Ron Fellows and Derek Daly driving schools, teaching people how to drive high performance sports cars. He joined the B.R.A.K.E.S Teen Driving program in 2011 and wishes he had a teen driving school like B.R.A.K.E.S when he got his license. When Justin is not racing or teaching he likes to go camping, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, and any other outdoor activity. 

 

ADAM SCHOONMAKER

Adam has been instructing with B.R.A.K.E.S. for the past 2 years. He has over 15 years experience as an autocrossing competitor and is a Multi-time SCCA National tour trophy winner. He also has 6 years of autocross novice instruction. He currently is working as a Design Engineer for an Armored Vehicle Manufacturer (Indigen Armor) and is the Co-Owner/Co-operator of a small hot rod shop with his Dad, Alan (who is also a B.R.A.K.E.S. instructor).

 

 

BILL WILLIAMS

Bill is an experienced instructor currently instructing performance driving schools for NASA, SCCA, PCA, BMWCCA, and other national car clubs. He has been racing cars for over 40 years and is licensed to race in PCA, NASA, and SCCA sanctioning bodies. His varied experience in car/student types and ages provides an outstanding background for a  B.R.A.K.E.S. instructor.  He enjoys utilizing his expertise to help young drivers learn the skills that will prove invaluable over the years.

 

 

FLYNN BAGLIN

Flynn is usually hidden behind dark sunglasses and tinted windows working in front of the camera as a precession driver for many car camercials and movies. He also is a highly sought after driver working for different vehicle manufacturers conducting high performance driving events. Flynn races regularly in both Rally and Drifting competitions, he lives in Southern California and instructs at the B.R.A.K.E.S. schools held in Pomona.

 

 

BILL BOYE

Bill has a long history in the sport as a driver, instructor and builder of race cars. He has competed in all forms of competition: dirt, road racing, endurance and oval tracks. Bill has a passion to train young drivers and was one of the very first B.R.A.K.E.S. instructors. He is currently mentoring Chase Elliott, son of NASCAR driver Bill Elliott. He regularly comes up from Atlanta to instruct at the Charlotte schools.

 

 

JEFF MOORE

Jeff  brings a wealth of instructing experience to B.R.A.K.E.S.  He has been a chief instructor at the Bondurant school, Fast Ttrack and Richard Petty driving experience. He has competed in road racing and oval track racing in numerous type of vehicles: formula cars, sports cars, endurance and stock cars. Jeff currently is working as a product specialist for Toyota traveling the country training sales and service personnel. He has taught B.R.A.K.E.S. schools in Charlotte, Phoenix and Pomona.

 

ALAN SCHOONMAKER

For the past 30 years Alan has been competing in SCCA Solo competition winning multiple National trophy wins and Northeast Division championship. He has also owned and has been a crew chief for 2 National championship winning cars. He coached youth sports for 15 years. He and his son Adam (also a B.R.A.K.E.S. instructor) operate a small hot rod shop.

 

 

BRANDON SPERLING

Brandon is a former motocross and shifter kart national champion from Southern California.  Working his way up the formula car ranks pursuing an IndyCar career, Brandon got an opportunity to drive in the NASCAR Nationwide Series relocating him to North Carolina where he competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Truck Series and the American Speed Association Series.  He has shared his professional driving experience with numerous performance driving and racing schools around the country and enjoys developing new drivers into skilled, confident drivers through B.R.A.K.E.S.

 

ROSELLA MANFRINATO

Mechanical Engineer specialized in Vehicle Dynamics and published “Identification of Damping and Stiffness Parameters of a Motor Racing Car”. She has been involved in racing for over 15 years, both inside and outside the cockpit. She worked in Indycar, American Le Mans Series, Grand-Am, Star-Mazda, FF2000 and GP2 with Race and Data Engineering duties as well as Team Manager, Logistic Coordinator and Director of Administration at times. As a driver, she is the former two-time Champion in South East Division National Competition and SARRC Champion (South Atlantic Road Racing Championship) in Formula Continental. Winner of the Pegasus Passing Award at Mid-Ohio Runoffs in C Sport Racing, winner of Sunoco Hard Charger Award in FC at Road America Runoffs and holds a track record.
Proudly involved in the B.R.A.K.E.S. charity for three years now!

JASON SIMPSON

 

Jason started his driving career in go-karts then working his way up the ladder to NASCAR late model stock cars. Currently  he is working with Ford Motor Company as a product specialist training dealer personnel on new products. Jason brings a wealth of driving experience and passion to our teen schools- his Dad was unforturtanetly killed in a car accident. Jason resides in Concord NC with his wife and young daughter Madison.

 

 

GABE HENDERSON

Gabe was born in Bozeman MT  and always had a love of cars, he started competing in SCCA competition for 5 years then he joined the Marines Corps where he fought in two tours of IRAQ. Upon returning home he began working at the BMW Performance Center as an instructor for both the motorcycle and driving programs. He currently lives in Boiling Springs SC and competes regulary in Drifting competitions.

 

 

JEFF FULLER

Orginally from Massachusetts, Jeff grew up in a racing family and quickly started showing progress behind the wheel, winning numerous races and championships in the Modified divisions. He moved to NC to compete in NASCAR in the Nationwide division, he currently drives for NEMCO Motorsports. After discovering B.R.A.K.E.S. Jeff wanted to start supporting the mission and  he began instructing at the  driving schools. All three of Jeff’s teens have graduated through the teen school. 

 

DARREN YOUNG

Darren is the Chief instructor for the BMW club of So-Cal having taught many teen driving programs. He has competed in road racing in a factory Nissan. He spent 20 years as a professional photographer and owned his own Studio ARTSPEED. He is currently working as a product presenter for numerous manufacturers conducting dymanic driving events and training programs.

 

 

JOHNNY KANAVAS

Johnny K has over 20 years of competitive driving experience in everything from go-karts, vintage cars, world challenge touring, Drifting and 24 hours endurance racing. When not competing, he is busy coaching drivers, working on manufacture events, training the military/law enforcement, training celebrities and giving driving demonstrations. He owns his own media design and marketing company. When not behind the wheel of a car, Johnny can be found playing the drums.

 

 

MARK WOLOCATIUK

Mark’s racing career spanned almost 20 years in nearly every type of race car from formula open wheel to stock cars, production cars and even some ice racing experience.  Mark was senior and/or chief instructor at the Jim Russell Racing Driving School for 28 years and developed their Highway Survival program.  He has worked for nearly every car company as a product specialist, and has numerous credits as a “professional driver on a closed course” in commercial and TV work. He has 2 Mythbusters episodes to his credit.  Mark has a passion for teaching safe driving habits- his Father was killed in a car accident.

DEREK ROSS

Originally from Canada, Derek brings two decades of driver coaching, instructing and presenting experience to the B.R.A.K.E.S. program. He was involved with the early developement of our teen program and has taught classes in both Charlotte and Pomona. Derek has competed in everything from go-karts, formula cars, endurance and stock cars. Currently Derek is working with Penske Racing.

 

 

MARGY EATWELL

Margy began her racing career at the young age of 11 learning the early responsibility of safe driving. She has competed Professionally in IMSA Endurance and SCCA World Challenge. Margy also served as a pace car driver in the CART Indy Car series for 10 years and was an instructor for the Marlboro Racing School for four years. Currently, Margy conducts automotive product training and marketing events for various manufacturers.

 

 

BILL FOLLMER

His family name is synomis with US road racing and Porsche motorsports. Bill has competed heavily in endurance racing and motocross. When not behind the wheel he can be found training movie stars to prepare them for the celebrity race at the Long Beach Grand Prix. He currently owns Orange County Race Craft that conducts High Performance driving events. Bill has also dedicated his time to work with numerous teen driver programs and has taught B.R.A.K.E.S. schools in both Pomona and Charlotte. 

 

RON NELSON

Rons career as a professional driver was a full one, he was a fierce competitor in formula cars, endurance and camel lights prototypes. Having served as the Chief instructor for the Bondurant school for many years Ron helped fine tune the skills of thousands of drivers. He currently is the owner of the The Driving Connection a firm that supplies professional drivers to the automotive industry for filming, press launches and dymanic driving events. Ron was involved with the initial B.R.A.K.E.S. driving school and has taught classes in both Charlotte and Pomona. His younger brother was seriously injuried in a head on collison caused by a drunk driver.

 

KELLY COLLINS

For most of his life Kelly has competed in some form of racing- started in motorcross and desert racing then on to road racing in formula cars. He became a lead instructor for the Skip Barber Racing School and then earned a fulltime ride in the factory Corvette for Chevrolet. Winning races at Sebring, Daytona and numerous tracks all over the US, he has also been on the podium at the 24 hours of Lemans. When not competing behind the wheel or instructing Kelly can be found surfing on the Southern California coast. 

 

JON CAPPS

Growing up in NHRA Drag Racing it was only a matter of time before Jon would get behind the wheel to test his skills. Currently Jon competes in a Nitro Funny Car. Jon’s family as been close to the Herbert family and big supporters of the B.R.A.K.E.S. charity. Jon has taught B.R.A.K.E.S. schools in numorous locations, Charlotte, Pomona and Phoenix. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada and stays busy working at WyoTech and conducting automtive driving and training events for numerous manfactures.

 

 

KEITH CONVERSE

Keith is one of the younger instructors with a ton of energy that is teaching at the B.R.A.K.E.S. schools. Keith has been competing in SCCA road racing and at the same time working his way through college. For the past year, Keith has been instructing at the B.R.A.K.E.S. schools in Charlotte- He currently resides in Atlanta Georgia and works part time with the Skip Barber Racing School and  conducts consumer marketing events for Audi. 

 

 

 STU HAYNER

One of the premier endurance racers in the country, Stu has a career full of records and wins: a word record in speed endurance, Corvette Challenge champion and a consistent front runner in the Trans-Am series. Stu works with many of the premier brand automotive manufactures conducting training and dynamic driving events. He also spends time grooming young upcoming drivers in karting. Having suffered through a personal experience of a family member being injuried in a accident caused by a drunk driver, Stu is a strong supporter of the B.R.A.K.E.S. program. 

 

PHIL CREIGHTON

Race engineer and prep shop owner specializing in road racing -open wheel and long distance racing for over 30 years. IMSA Prototype Championship team owner. Restoration facility for significant historical racing cars. Current Rolex GT team with Mazda RX8 Riley chassis. Member of the Sports Car Club of America Board of Directors and SCCA Pro Racing Board of Directors. Former Safety Committee and Competition Board Chairman. Proudly involved in the B.R.A.K.E.S. charity for three years now! 

 

JEFF BODNAR

Jeff’s background in driving instruction covers many areas: race tracks, high performance driving, government training, stunt driving- you name it he’s done it. Jeff helped develop and run the Toyota Teen Driving program. He also teaches driving techiques to many of the stars that drive in the Long Beach Grand Prix Celebrity race.