Special Operations

Special Operations Overview

Discover our special operations and training courses at the Radford tactical driving school. Our courses focus on tactical driver training in a full range of environments, with advanced military, police, and security driver training available.

Helmet

Course fundamentals:

– High-performance tactical driving skills
– Skills for high-pressure environments
– Advanced safety standards & techniques
– Concentration & emotional driving control

Race Track

Course specs:

– 3-to-1 student/instructor ratio
– ~90% seat time
– Real-world scenarios
– Instructors with 20+ years of experience

Your Course Options

Special operations training is designed to transition everyday drivers into competent tactical driving operators. Daily driving habits are quickly broken down and replaced with tactical vehicle management techniques specifically designed for executive protection events and evasive driving situations. 90% of your training time will be spent behind the wheel of five different types of vehicles on four different purpose-built tracks.

Deliberate operational risk management and medical planning ensure a safe but realistic driving environment during your training. Student performance is constantly monitored using progress checks to maintain sufficient progression before advanced operations begin. This information is available upon course completion.

4 Days

Call For Price

Ground School
Confined Space Driving
Open Space Driving
Lunch
Ground School
Oval Handling Experience
Defensive Driving
Ground School

Special Ops

Skills Gained

Our tactical driving course is structured to cover a holistic range of tactical driving skills so that students are fully equipped for high-pressure scenarios. Training includes mastering evasive maneuvers for rapid escapes, understanding vehicle dynamics to maintain control under challenging situations, and learning pursuit techniques for both escaping and intercepting threats.

At our tactical driving school, students will also gain expertise in offensive and defensive driving tactics, which are important for both aggressive and protective operations. Students will also navigate complex obstacles in urban and off-road environments which will mimic barriers and roadblocks, for example.

Get More Info

If you have any questions not covered on our site, feel free to fill out this form, and we’ll get you the answers you’re after. Or you can also call anytime at 480-403-7600.

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Here’s What Our Students Are Saying!

Excellent
4.8
Based on 423 reviews
TresAmenazas
2 days ago
Gayle Van F.
1 week ago
I attended your SRT Experience on Sept 25, 2026 for a really fun day at your facility. I'm really happy that Dodge provided this experience with the purchase of my 2026 Charger Scat Pack Plus. Radford Racing School provided a wonderful day of challenging events. Radford had wonderful instructors, top notch cars and great organization. I'm glad Radford had a couple of 2026 Charger Scat Packs to race on the Auto Cross. What fun to see what your new car is all about.... at least at low speeds. The Supercharged Challengers were amazing cars and their durability is outstanding after discussing with the instructors. My wife participated in the "Hot Laps" where the instructors drive the race track and you hang on in the passenger seat. My wife asked for a spicy ride and the instructor gladly obliged . She was all giggles from that experience! If you buy a new Dodge and get this experience included you should definitely attend. Wayne S.
Response from the owner:We are so happy you had an amazing experience! We love our SRT program and we hope to see you back at the track again soon.
Natalia C.
2 months ago
After receiving my Barbie Dream car
Response from the owner:Natalia, We are so happy you had the best time in our class! Thank you for coming out and learning with us. We appreciate you and your kind words. We hope to see you again soon on the track!
ravi T.
2 months ago
Visited for DDSL track was in good condition, no complaints.
Mark B.
2 months ago
I did the 3 day GT Road Racing Course. It was fantastic and I will be doing a class with them in the future. I was surprised by how much in car driving was done and the class had student to instructor ratio of 3 to 1. I would estimate 5hrs of car driving per day. The first day focused on technique and handling of the car so we were on the autocross track for the morning and moved to the oval track in the afternoon. In most of the sessions, you did a group drive with the instructor to show you how it is done then you get in your car and do instructor lead follow then you do the drill on your own. The instructor normally took a turn with everyone to give them some feedback. There is lot of track time and classroom is held to minimal amount to teach you the basics and go over what you learned at the end of the day.
Response from the owner:Mark, Thank you so much for this amazing review! We cannot wait to have you back on track. We truly want to give each student an incredible experience on and off the track.
Scott W.
4 months ago
My kids are relatively new drivers, and they took the 2-day Defensive Driving course. Of course, they had a great deal of fun (how could you not?), but I also feel like they just received 5 years worth of experience in two days. Their confidence level behind the wheel has grown by leaps and bounds. But more importantly, I'm certain that their ability to avoid accidents in the future has been greatly enhanced. I think many accidents happen because people don't know how their car is going to react in a pressure situation, and they end up losing control because they've never pushed a car's limits to see what it can - and can't - do. This school will give you a very good idea of how to feel what your vehicle is doing underneath you. If my kids can steer their way around just one big accident in their lives because of what they've learned at Radford, then it's been worth every penny! Shout out to instructor Dominic, and the rest of the staff as well, for running a top notch program and providing an invaluable service to drivers. It's a shame that everyone can't participate in a school like this...
Response from the owner:Scott, we are so happy you and your sons enjoyed the time on our track! We hope to see you all again.
paul P.
4 months ago
Hellcat J.
4 months ago
Radford Racing School is awesome. We got to drive Hellcat Challengers all day. The instructors were very knowledgeable, and cool. The staff was friendly. Non alcoholic drinks were served all day long and lunch was provided. The class got to drive the new SRT Charger, too. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience for me.
Response from the owner:We are so glad you had an amazing experience! We hope to see you on the track again soon.
Amy B.
4 months ago
I did the SRT owner experience day and it was awesome! The instructors were great as well as the rest of the staff. It was definitely worth the trip out here from the east coast!
Response from the owner:Thank you Amy! We are so happy you enjoyed the SRT Experience!
NATHAN M.
5 months ago
What a great experience. This was my second time there. The staff is awesome and freindly. If you like to drive in a racecar environment, this is the place.
Response from the owner:Thank you for this amazing review Nathan!!!
Rick S.
5 months ago
I have attended several road and drag racing courses over the years. The Radford Dodge Demon 170 course was at the top of my list for excellence. I thought nothing could top the excellent quality instructors, an outstanding course schedule, driving Radford's Demon 170's, and completing the requirements for an NHRA competition license. Last weekend Radford sent one of their top-notch instructors, Rich Lash, to the MSHS "Mopars at the Rock" event at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. Rich and I had maintained contact after I took the 170 course, and we agreed to meet at the Rock. Rich agreed to "look" at my car and provide any advice. The resulting interaction was the most valuable I have received from any of the courses taken. Although Rich was meeting with any other drivers at the Rock, he came well prepared to assist past Radford 170 participants and others. He showed up with the latest power grids for the trans break. (The Demon 170 has computer set points from launch to the first 1.6 seconds) We switched from what we called the original 3(B) to a modified B grid that others used successfully attain the 9.5 second runs I was looking for. After watching two runs, Rich determined that the shift power set points needed adjustment. He next noticed that the car lifted about five hundred feet down the track. Again, Rich had the knowledge and experience to know about a transmission fluid issue that requires the addition of 55 ml of transmission fluid to a full transmission to be added thru the transmission air vent. The 170 uses specific type of transmission fluid that was not available at the track so I wrote that fix off as something that I would have to address in the future. I tested the car and the changes that Rich suggested were on point, bringing the car from an also ran to competitive. Rich then went above and beyond. He showed up the next morning with a quart of Dodge transmission fluid and the small funnel that was required to pour it down the transmission vent. He had canvassed his contacts at the race and found a quart of transmission fluid and the funnel. Once the transmission issue was addressed, I went back to the track with an amazing car that no longer dipped or lifted with no hesitation between shifts. I (and several other drivers ) were still having difficulties with the line lock and trans brake initiation process. Rich made very constructive recommendations and set up 15 minutes before racing started to give us time to process in the lane with active lights. We did not launch, just practiced with active lights. Rich watched and determined that one of my problems was related to releasing the brake pedal after the release of one of the two paddles (170 owners probably know what I'm talking about). That leaves you dead at the green light. His advice on how to avoid that problem was spot on. The thing that was amazing what that Rich provided expert counsel and advice not only for Radford participants, but for others that were having Mopar issues or questions. A number of individuals in our racing group received advice on everything from tire pressures to the fool proof method to release the foot brake after the first paddle release in the trans break process. Rich was asked and answered questions on every Dodge model that was racing. I am by no means a novice- over the years I regularly won my class in the NMCA HEMI Shootout, and participating in the Quick 8 quite often. But it was an exceptional experience to get advice on my specific car at the track during an actual competitive event. I'm not sure that anyone can remember everything during course driving a third party vehicle. But I clearly retained what I learned sitting in my own car on a race weekend. The benefit was enormous. Rich also provided advice and counsel to many other drivers at the event. The feedback from those drivers was exceptional. I want to thank Radford and Rich for extending their experience and advice beyond the course in Phoenix. The extra effort that Rich put forth is what makes racing a community.
Response from the owner:Rick, thank you so much for this incredible review!! We are very lucky to have Rich as one of our Drag Racing instructors. We are so happy he was able to help you and make the event even better.
Ivan P.
5 months ago
Tom B.
6 months ago
Nice facility. This event was run by NASA-AZ (a road racing event) These trackdays are a favorite of Arizona's automotive road racing community
Ryan H.
6 months ago
Amazing! Such a fun time.
Jason J.
6 months ago
Instructors are great and had the time of my life. Definitely will be back.
Derek E.
7 months ago
Everyone at Radford Racing was fantastic. We did the Drag program and not only had a blast but learned a lot both drag racing, the track itself, and the demon 170 vehicle. Thank you again.
Response from the owner:We are so happy you enjoyed your time with us!
Nick
7 months ago
The whole crew is amazing! William and Spencer worked directly with us during the four day GT class and they were awesome! Stephanie and lauren also killed it at the front desk. This school is definitely worth the cost of admission!!
Response from the owner:Thank you! We appreciate this awesome review. We hope to see you on the track soon!
Ali C.
8 months ago
I went as part of a group experience for a conference I was attending. It was so cool. We got to pace with a lead car and then we also drove on a coned...
Kevin T.
9 months ago
I attended the two-day Ultimate Muscle Car Experience from 1-6 to 1-7 with my daughter and it was an amazing experience for both of us. The instructors went...
Rugby
9 months ago
Ford vs Ferrari
Matthew C.
10 months ago
(fka Bonderant Racing School) Whether you're planning to race professionally, are already a racecar driver, an enthusiast who wants to drive fast safely, or want better control and understanding of your car, Radford Racing is for you! Incredible instructors with decades of experience racing and teaching, who build your skills from the ground up. Not only do you walk away with a much greater understanding of driving dynamics and car control, but an incredible experience, and many hours of drive time. I would rather go to Radford than take a cruise or go to Disney. I've been twice, to take the GT Road Racing course in January and this time the Advanced Road Racing course in December. So enjoyable! So beneficial! I'm exhausted from the course, but want to go back!
Response from the owner:Thank you for this amazing review! We are so happy you spent time on our track and we hope to see you back again soon.
Ed C.
10 months ago
I took the 2 day Dodge Demon 170 Class, it was amazing. Learned so much about the car, driving and racing. Instructors are phenomenal and I would highly recommend this school
Response from the owner:We hope we made your time with us memorable and supercharged! 😉 Thank you for this great review!!
Kelly T.
11 months ago
I attended the 2 day Performance Driving School from 11-17 to 11/18. My only disappointment was it rained the 2nd day, (I mean poured, a rare thing in...
Rafa G.
12 months ago
Spent a nice day here, hadn't been so excited in a long time! 🚧 At the end of the day I was given "cone killer award" wich is not something you usually want to brag about, but I loved my trophy and all in all I'm so glad I attended Redford Driving school.
Response from the owner:Amazing pictures!!! We are so honored to have had your group out with us on track and being the Cone Killer can't be a bad thing 😉
Mitch L.
12 months ago
Road warrior weekend 2025 was incredible I can’t thank all of the staff and instructors for such an amazing experience. All of the instructors are top notch and incredible at what they do. I can’t wait to return next year to learn more from these amazing people.
Response from the owner:Thank you! We cannot wait to have you back on our track!

Special Operations & Tactical Driving Training – FAQs

All of our special operations courses will cover the fundamentals of car control and performance driving in a variety of high-pressure scenarios. We understand that elite teams require elite skill sets, and each mission may not require the same aptitude.

Our tactical driving school offers organisations and individuals the ability to request niche tactical skills to custom-build the ideal training scenario for your team.

No prerequisites are required for the Executive Protection Program. Students will be taught the basics of car control, vehicle dynamics, awareness, and much more before transitioning to tactical driving instruction and special ops evasive driving training.
Students will pilot both performance vehicles with low center of gravity, like our Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcats and high center of gravity vehicles like our Dodge Durango SRTs. Students may also utilize our RAM trucks and ramming/breaching vehicles depending on the requested curriculum.

Some of the real-world scenarios include high-speed evasive maneuvers to escape potential threats, defensive and tactical driving techniques to protect VIPs, pursuit scenarios to both get away and intercept threatening vehicles and navigating through roadblocks and barriers in urban and off-road settings.

You’ll also practice how to handle the vehicle in simulated ambush situations, perform emergency turns and stops, and train in nighttime or low visibility to ensure readiness for any situation.

Tactical driving courses are capped at 12 students to ensure students receive proper and detailed instruction.
Regular hours are 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (October – May). Summer hours are 7:00 am – 2:30 pm (June – September).
Students will need an SA2020 or higher-rated helmet. Helmets can be bought in our pro shop for $229 or rented for just $25 a day. Students will also need closed-toed shoes; driving shoes are preferred.
Yes, students who complete the Special Ops course will receive a certificate of completion.

Tactical Driver Training In Arizona

Critical driving tasks and objectives require an advanced level of driving skills, which is why our staff of professional tactical driving instructors have been training high-profile security details, law enforcement groups, U.S. special operations units, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the FBI for 20+ years.

Our tactical driving school is the home of the Dodge SRT and is situated on the largest, purpose-built driver training facility in North America. We are capable of organizational-level events or discreet, low-profile training on our 450-acre facility, including five different tracks and a 2.4-mile oval racing lake.

Radford Racing School has systematically designed its special operations courses around current real-world requirements in the full range of realistic tactical environments. These courses deliver instructional techniques and experiences to operators through efficient, effective, and engaging conditions at the required levels of proficiency. They are graded against safe, measurable, and proven standards. Additionally, programs can be custom-tailored to meet your team’s specific needs and requirements.

These courses use repetition, speed, and power to create a pressurized environment that will transition students from driving under stress to managing stress while driving. New techniques covering driving skills in a range of vehicles, and how to tap into the depths of concentration and emotional control, will be taught. This ability to make hyper-focused micro-decisions at high speeds will maximize vehicle performance and ensure safe mission accomplishment.

*Courses can be purchased in multiples and run in unison for larger teams.

Call (480) 403-7600 for Tactical and Enhanced Driving Course Pricing and Scheduling
*A temporary $35 per day fuel surcharge is in effect for all courses.

Evasive Driving Course

Our Special Operations evasive driving course is intended for individuals and groups who need to master quick decision-making and vehicle control in high-pressure situations. Whether you’re preparing for executive protection roles, tactical fieldwork, or operating in unpredictable environments, this advanced training will teach you the evasive driving methods you need to escape dangers and maintain control in real-world scenarios.

The course focuses on evasive manoeuvres, vehicle positioning, threat avoidance, and high-speed obstacle navigation. Unlike standard driving courses, this training immerses you in dynamic, simulated threat environments that test and improve your reflexes, spatial awareness, and tactical precision.

Training is provided by instructors with decades of expertise in law enforcement and military operations, ensuring that your skills are developed in line with real-world tactical requirements. You’ll face increasing levels of difficulty designed to condition your driving instincts for evasive and protective operations.

Radford Racing School Dodge 2025.