If you’re anything like us, you’ve already gifted your father t-shirts, neckties and “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mugs. Dad has always been hard to shop for.

We get a little distracted sometimes by ‘things’. By gifts we can wrap up and hand to someone.

But gifts don’t always have to be ‘things’. They can be experiences. And performance driving schools offer a really cool experience for fathers, sons, daughters, friends, and everyone in between who loves cars and motorsports.

This Father’s Day, and beyond, we want to encourage you to take a look at some driving school experiences and consider whether they might be right for dad and you. Or just dad. Or just you. Whatever. We’re not here to judge.

Here are some stand-out driving schools (and we would encourage you to research more of them that might be closer to you geographically, if none of these are).

Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School

Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is considered by many to be best in class for drag racing education, licensing, and improved performance. There are courses for drivers with a wide range of experience. Students are taught by NHRA World Champions, National Champions, and Divisional Champions.

Prices: Starts at $399

Location: Travels from track to track. Check website for scheduling.

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The Drivers Edge

The Drivers Edge, a Texas-based performance driving school, offers 11 different track configurations and utilizes six different race track facilities to challenge the demands of all drivers, skill levels, and types of cars. According to the school’s website, officials say: “We don’t care what you drive; we care how well you drive it.”

Cost: $325-$405 for two-day school

Location(s): Texas World Speedway – College Station, TX; Motor Sports Ranch – Cresson, TX; MSR Houston – Angelton, TX; Circuit of the Americas – Austin, TX

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Road America High Performance Driving Program

The Road America High Performance Driving Program teaches the physics and dynamics of precision driving. Participants learn advanced car control techniques through intense drills involving braking, cornering, and acceleration. The program includes a variety of car control skills along with some autocross challenges.

Cost: $450 per person (school-supplied vehicle); $350 per person (participant-supplied vehicle)

Location(s): Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI

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The Mid-Ohio Driving School

(Image/Mid-Ohio School)

The Mid-Ohio School offers several driving courses, including high-performance driving, defensive driving, and many more. This is one of the few programs where we personally know people who have participated, and everyone who did, loved it.

Cost: Depends on specific course and whether you’re using your own vehicles.

Location(s): Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, OH

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Ford Performance Racing School

The Ford Performance Racing School promises to help you fine-tune your high-performance driving skills, learn safe driving techniques, and gain a further appreciation for vehicle dynamics.

Cost: $1,695 for one day; $3,195 for two day

Location(s): Charlotte Motor Speedway; Concord, NC

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Bondurant High Performance Racing School

The Bondurant High Performance Racing School supplies performance Mopar vehicles to students at a world-class facility in order to provide both education and entertainment to those seeking it.

Cost: $1,225-$3,999 (SRT 392); $1,650-$2,795 (Viper SRT TA 2.0); $1,650-$4,299 (SRT Hellcat)

Location(s): Chandler, AZ

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AutoInterests

AutoInterests is a professional motorsports event management business specializing in HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) for sports car drivers. AutoInterests officials share their passion for driving with anybody who wants to experience it, and welcome all makes and models of cars. No membership is required.

Cost: $180-$499 depending on event, location, duration and early registration

Location(s): Nelson Ledges (Garrettsville, OH), Mid-Ohio (Lexington, OH), GingerMan Raceway (South Haven, MI), Pittsburgh International (Wampum, PA), and Putnam Park Road Course (Mount Meridian, IN)