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Father-Son track time!
I posted this on the track forum - since many don't make it over there, thought I'd share a special couple of days here on OT:
For my son Curtis' 18th birthday, we got him a helmet and two track days: the Hooked on Driving - Driver Development Program and a typical HPDE track day. He's already done the BMW CCA Street Survival Program (Highly Recommended), so this seemed like a logical progression. The HOD DDP is an outstanding program for both novice track drivers and those wanting to refine their skills in a very person program. The entire track is reserved for a limited number of students with great coaches. Threshold braking, cornering exercises, drop two/four wheels and recover, slalom/evasive maneuver dry/wet skidpad, lead/follow on the full course - outstanding skills development, safety and introduction to the track. The next day he had four typical A group sessions with a coach each day. He's definitely a more skilled driver, safer on the street, and looks to be hooked on the track. He paid for half of this car, works on it with me to replace the suspension, change oil, etc. To see him enjoy it on the track is a priceless memory... Lead/follow over the cyclone:  Winding though turn 13:  Proud Dad: 
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Don Plumley M235i memories: 87 911, 96 993, 13 Cayenne |
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07-12-2008, 01:36 PM
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19 years and 17k posts...
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Excellent! Congrats!!
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Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
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07-12-2008, 01:50 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 31,422
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Very cool...I hope to follow in your footsteps with cars and sons. Great idea.
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1996 FJ80. |
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07-12-2008, 01:54 PM
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JW Apostate
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Napa, Ca
Posts: 14,164
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Awesome!
KT
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'74 914-6 2.6 SS #746 '01 Boxster |
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07-12-2008, 03:14 PM
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Thanks for the kind words. Now for my daughter in another year or so!
Don
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Don Plumley M235i memories: 87 911, 96 993, 13 Cayenne |
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07-13-2008, 06:54 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Higgs Field
Posts: 22,598
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Good work, Don. You will cherish this time forever.
My oldest son, Chris, is now in his second year of DE's with me. We kind of allowed him to go out on a limb and buy a '79 SC two years ago (with some mom & dad sponsorship), with the understanding that he would really learn to drive it. Our local PCA chapter has a wonderful program in place, and he took full advantage of it. I would heartily recommend this to any dad looking for a great way to spend time with their kids, and to any dad looking for some peace of mind when their kid is out somewhere behind the wheel. It's been an invaluable learning experience for my son, and it sounds as though it has been for yours as well. Very, very cool stuff.
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Jeff '72 911T 3.0 MFI '93 Ducati 900 Super Sport "God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world" |
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07-13-2008, 07:26 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NoCal
Posts: 2,416
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Speaking as a son here (I'm almost 40), I started doing track days with my Pop in 2000 or so. (Just did one a couple of months ago at T-Hill, as a matter of fact.)
After a decade or so of being somewhat disconnected from my father, it has been great getting to know him again doing something we both love. Brings me back to my childhood/teen days of going to the desert with the dirt bikes.Don, it looks like you've done a good job of teaching him to be a responsible driver who understands the limits of both himself and his car. You and your son will cherish these moments forever. Have a great time with it, and hopefully I'll see you both at T-Hill in the near future! Jim |
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07-13-2008, 10:25 PM
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1987 Porsche Carrera 3.2 
MazdaSpeed3
