Member Feature: Educating Through Experience
Inside The Chandler School with Charter Member Dana Blackhurst

Dana Blackhurst behind the wheel at Spring Mountain, 2025

At The Chandler School, education extends far beyond the classroom. Under the leadership of Dana Blackhurst, students step into a hands-on learning environment where real-world experience leads, and motorsports plays a powerful role.

An internationally recognized educator, Dana is known for his innovative approach to teaching and program development. He has been recognized as one of South Carolina’s most creative leaders. He has built programs that introduce hands-on, real-world learning at an early age, including a K–8 automotive curriculum. His work has been published, and universities and schools across the country regularly seek his insight as they develop their own programs.

At Chandler, that philosophy comes to life through motorsports. Students are introduced to engineering, teamwork, problem-solving, and the discipline required to perform at a high level, while taking on meaningful responsibility along the way.

For the past four years, Chandler students have competed in the World Racing League with a BMW M2, serving as pit crew in live race environments. Their involvement extends to Trans Am and SCCA competition in the SPO, SGT, and GT2 classes, where students serve as both spotters and crew.

Chandler School students immersed in expert instruction at Road Atlanta, March 2026

They’ve worked alongside racing legend Doug Richert and have competed at premier tracks including Daytona International Speedway, Road Atlanta, Barber Motorsports Park, Circuit of the Americas, Road America, and Watkins Glen International, with plans to head to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this summer.

It’s in these high-performance environments where something remarkable happens. Students, many of whom thrive in nontraditional settings, step into roles that demand focus and composure, including spotting cars at 175 mph at Daytona. The confidence they build carries far beyond the track.

Beyond competition, students take part in immersive experiences at events like the Indianapolis 500 and the Walter Mitty Challenge, while a new car from Howe Racing Enterprises adds another layer of hands-on learning.

Dana’s connection to Spring Mountain runs deep. A member since the early 2000s, he reflects on those early days with a mix of humor and appreciation:

Education meets motorsports: Students push a racecar at SCCA Road Atlanta, 2024

“I was called ‘the tortoise’—I’d just drive and drive. The nickname stuck after I once stopped for an actual tortoise crossing the track (there’s a proper way to pick them up, by the way). What I remember most is the camaraderie—Dr. Mark Saroyan and the Miata group, everyone was incredible. Even now, when I’m racing, I still hear those voices—thinking about risk versus reward, remembering what I learned out there. I just don’t get to spend enough time at Spring Mountain… that’s my biggest complaint.”

That foundation continues to shape both his racing and his teaching. The Spring Mountain community has remained part of that journey, with members like Michele Abbate spending time with students and sharing their experience.

The Chandler School operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and for those interested in supporting or getting involved, the program continues to welcome connections.

Programs like Dana’s reflect what makes Club Spring Mountain so special, a place where passion, mentorship, and real-world experience come together, and where the next generation is allowed to learn by doing. (Photography courtesy of the Chandler School, used with permission.)

If you know a member or would like to nominate yourself for a feature in the Club newsletter, please reach out tojerra@racespringmountain.com.