Driving Resume
Chris Sneed
Professional Race Driver | Performance Driving Instructor | Motorsport Engineer
Location: Simpsonville, SC Phone: 336-655-1219 Email: Chris@PalmettoPerformanceCars.com
Specialization: High-Performance Driving Instruction, Racecraft, Vehicle Dynamics
Platforms: BMW, MINI, Porsche, Ford (Road Course)
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Professional race driver and senior performance driving instructor with over 25 years of competitive motorsport and instructional experience. Proven ability to coach drivers across the full spectrum—from first-time HPDE participants to licensed racers—while maintaining the highest standards of safety, clarity, and vehicle sympathy.
Former NASA GTS2 Southeast Champion with extensive experience in BMW-based race platforms, professional series competition, endurance racing, and manufacturer-aligned instruction. Recognized for translating advanced vehicle dynamics into actionable, confidence-building instruction that produces measurable driver improvement.
COMPETITIVE RACING EXPERIENCE
NASA GTS2 Southeast Champion – 2011
BMW E36 Platform
- Championship title earned through consistent podium performance
- Advanced setup development, data analysis, and race strategy execution
World Challenge – Spec B
MINI Cooper
- Professional-level sprint race experience
- Street circuit competition (Houston)
- High-pressure environment with manufacturer and sponsor expectations
VIR 24-Hour Endurance Race – Class D Winner (2023)
Ford Mustang
- Endurance race strategy, traffic management, night driving, and reliability focus
- Proven performance under long-duration, fatigue-intensive conditions
Career Highlights
- Hundreds of race wins across sprint and endurance formats
- Extensive wheel-to-wheel racing in mixed-class environments
- Experience managing mechanical sympathy while driving at the limit
INSTRUCTION & COACHING EXPERIENCE
Performance Driving Instructor
- BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA)
- Porsche Club of America (PCA)
- NASA HPDE & Competition Licensing Programs
- Multiple independent performance driving organizations
Instructional Scope
- Thousands of students coached on track
- Novice → Advanced HPDE → Race Licensing progression
- One-on-one coaching, lead-follow, right-seat instruction, classroom briefings
Core Instructional Competencies (2023)
- Vision, braking technique, and corner sequencing
- Threshold braking and trail braking
- Weight transfer and chassis balance
- Oversteer/understeer diagnosis and correction
- Data-driven driver improvement
- Safety-first instruction without performance compromise
TRACK EXPERIENCE
Extensive seat time and instructional experience at major North American circuits, including:
- VIR (Virginia International Raceway)
- Road Atlanta
- Sebring International Raceway
- Lime Rock Park
- Circuit of the Americas (COTA)
- Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP)
- Summit Point Raceway
- Houston Street Circuit (World Challenge)
Experience includes dry, wet, and night conditions, sprint and endurance formats, and mixed-skill instructional groups.
VEHICLE & PLATFORM EXPERTISE
- BMW E36 / E46 / modern BMW M platforms
- MINI Cooper (street and race spec)
- Porsche performance platforms
- High-power RWD endurance cars (Mustang)
Strong mechanical and setup understanding allows for driver coaching that aligns with vehicle capability and engineering intent.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
- Instruction grounded in repeatability, safety, and precision
- Emphasis on fundamentals before speed
- Clear, direct communication—no ego, no theatrics
- Focus on developing thinking drivers, not just fast laps
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional motorsports engineering background
- Engine and chassis dyno experience
- Vehicle development, testing, and validation experience
- Calm, authoritative demeanor in high-stress environments
INSTRUCTION & COACHING EXPERIENCE
Performance Driving Instructor
- BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA)
- Porsche Club of America (PCA)
- NASA HPDE & Competition Licensing Programs
- Multiple independent performance driving organizations
Instructional Scope
- Thousands of students coached on track
- Novice → Advanced HPDE → Race Licensing progression
- One-on-one coaching, lead-follow, right-seat instruction, classroom briefings
Core Instructional Competencies (2023)
- Vision, braking technique, and corner sequencing
- Threshold braking and trail braking
- Weight transfer and chassis balance
- Oversteer/understeer diagnosis and correction
- Data-driven driver improvement
- Safety-first instruction without performance compromise
TRACK EXPERIENCE
Extensive seat time and instructional experience at major North American circuits, including:
- VIR (Virginia International Raceway)
- Road Atlanta
- Sebring International Raceway
- Lime Rock Park
- Circuit of the Americas (COTA)
- Carolina Motorsports Park (CMP)
- Summit Point Raceway
- Houston Street Circuit (World Challenge)
Experience includes dry, wet, and night conditions, sprint and endurance formats, and mixed-skill instructional groups.
VEHICLE & PLATFORM EXPERTISE
- BMW E36 / E46 / modern BMW M platforms
- MINI Cooper (street and race spec)
- Porsche performance platforms
- High-power RWD endurance cars (Mustang)
Strong mechanical and setup understanding allows for driver coaching that aligns with vehicle capability and engineering intent.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
- Instruction grounded in repeatability, safety, and precision
- Emphasis on fundamentals before speed
- Clear, direct communication—no ego, no theatrics
- Focus on developing thinking drivers, not just fast laps
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Professional motorsports engineering background
- Engine and chassis dyno experience
- Vehicle development, testing, and validation experience
- Calm, authoritative demeanor in high-stress environments