B.R.A.K.E.S.
Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Doug Herbert is no stranger to the perils of the road, or racetrack in most cases. Just one look at his trophy case reveals 10 National Hot Rod Association National Event Championship wins, 20 IHRA National Event Championship wins, as well as 4 Top Fuel World Championship wins. In fact, Herbert was the first driver to run over 300 mph during NHRA elimination, with a career top speed of 317 mph.
Yessir, Herbert’s biggest successes were all garnered behind the wheel. But all of that success couldn’t save Herbert from the tragedy that struck him and his family over 16 years ago. As fate would have it, Herbert would lose his two sons, Jon and James, following a tragic car crash in 2008. Herbert would use this heartbreaking experience as the basis for his next endeavor — the creation of a pro-active driving school.
B.R.A.K.E.S.
Shortly after the loss of his sons, Herbert would create the non-profit B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe). Since his creation of this proactive non-profit driving school, B.R.A.K.E.S. has helped educate more than 130,000 teens and parents nationwide. In fact, 64 percent of the students who have graduated from this course are reportedly less likely to be in a car crash up to three years after completing the training.
B.R.A.K.E.S.
However, the B.R.A.K.E.S. program is not a driver’s ED course. Instead, it is a free, hands-on, advanced driver training program taught by professional instructors, including current and former members of law enforcement, professional racers, and stunt drivers. This is the exact program that will be driving though the Texas Motor Speedway with training sessions on March 16 and 17.
According to a release, B.R.A.K.E.S. maintains a low two -to-one student-to-instructor ratio to maximize educational effectiveness. All the training exercises will be conducted in vehicles provided by KIA Motors. Exercises include Distracted Driving Awareness, Panic Braking, Crash Avoidance, Drop-wheel/Off-road Recovery and Car Control/Skid Recovery, which is important stuff to master no matter how old you are.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring our life-saving program to the region, as we further our efforts to being B.R.A.K.E.S. training to new locations across the country,” Herbert said in a statement.
Registration is accessible at www.putonthebrakes.org.
