My day at PDE-LONG

[dweymer]

My wife gave me a one day PDE for my birthday, I am still smiling about that. I have never driven any car on a closed course, nor any driver ed, other than licensing. I have had my 74 since October '04.
This is not a racing school, but was a blast; I am now looking into them. Everything about the day was very professional. After about an hour in the classroom learning about basic car control we were taken to the track (Barber motorsports in Birmingham). Top notch track also. Right into a 2005 carrera. The instructor lead in his car, three cars followed his line. No shifting in the morning session, just 4th gear all the way. The power band in that car is amazing. We stayed slow, around 80 on the straights,
Did about nine laps like that, went to the pits for a regroup, then back out for another nine. They work it so after like 3 laps the first student drops to the back of the pack so each of us could follow the instructor. Very fun.
Then we went to an autox course, where an instructor drove the first two laps, then we drove 2; in a 2005 boxster. Then onto the skidpad in a 911 again. Lunch, then back out to the track for more lead follow, got up to about 107 on the straight, but we had a slow guy in our group, no big deal. Also got a few laps in the carrera S. Then we went to another autox course for a ride in a cayenne S. Four passengers, the instructor nailed it and off we went, holy crap. That machine is incredible, period. Then more autox, this time for prizes, and in a boxster S. I got second place out of the 30 or so people there that day (very very pleased). Then hot laps in the carrera S, and Cayenne Turbo.
All in all a very fun day for me, and got to drive cars that are way too pricey for me.

[dweymer]

Just wanted to add, no I am not going to buy a Cayenne; nor do I think Porsche should have gone there. But the engineering required to get a 4785lb vehicle to corner like that thing can is cool.

[djmcmath]

Your _wife_ did this for you? IMHO, that's the coolest part of the whole story!

[dweymer]

yes..that seems to be the common response...very cool

[Z-man]

Don - so are you signed up for the next PCA DE event yet?!?

Welcome to the addiction!
-Z-man.

[dweymer]

Not yet, my car needs a new suspension pan first; and I am moving in 3 weeks. But I have already found that local PCA!