First Time Driver Skills

[Jeff Higgins]

I'm a brand new Porsche owner ('72 911T). I've signed up for a driver skills class through the local PCA chapter. They do a great job on their web site explaining the course curriculum for the day, but I was wondering if any of you folks would have any tips for a newbie. You know, the kinds of things that halfway through the day I'll be wishing I would have brought along, done to the car, etc. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[masraum]

Wow, you'll get lots of info here, you may also want to try using the search button up top as sometimes something brought up in one thread won't make it into another later thread.

I haven't gotten to the track myself, so I'm probably not the best, but what I remember coming up from past threads, lots of water, some basic tools, possibly some new brake pads, some snacks in a cooler, sun block, sun glasses, a hat, a folding chair of some sort, tire air gauge, tire pump or air tank, comfy clothing.

Like I said, others will chime in with better info, and if you do a search or two you'll be reading for the next three days as this comes up regularly.

[SandyI]

You may want to consider purchasing a helmet if this is just the start of your track experiences. A tire guage is a good idea because you'll want to monitor your tire pressure during the day. Definitely bring your sense of humor. My first POC DE event was filled with mistakes. And I've never had so much fun in my life!

[svandamme]

don't brake in corners witha 911

do try it on a big parking lot once, so you will know why not to brake in corners...

[tobluforu]

Good job on the car choice. 72 is the best year by far!
Will you be on a track or a big parking lot. I have taken a type of course like this in a huge parking lot, and there is no way to wreck your car. If this is the case, have a blast. If it is on a track, your instructor will show you the way. Let him drive your car. If he is good, you wil be amazed at what your car can do.
Make sure the tire pressure is spot on, bring a small cooler with food and drink and bring some tools just in case. Although there will many that have them to lend. Take any loose things out of your car and leave them at home. Since this car is new to you, leave it the way it is. If you get the "bug", this site is here to help upgrade all sorts of things to get it to handle better.

[zotman72]

Well you have an excellent platform to learn the dynamics of driving an 911. Make sure you know how to shift your car correctly and accurately. The long throw of the '72 shifter can not be hurried. Rebuild your shift components if needed (socket, coupler, etc.) Do not use use your gearbox as means to slow the car down, as this only provokes accelerated wear on your 915 gearbox. Learn how/where your brakes grab, the threshold point right before they lock, if they need rebuilding, do it. New brake fluid makes a difference. Dump your OEM wheel if you still have it, get a smaller one as this alone makes a hugh upgrade in steering. Save the wheel of course for purity sakes! Make sure your tires are in good shape and matched as to their brand/model. Get Hank Watts book on Solo Driving. I remember well when I started performance driving in my '72T. It is a slippery slope you are about to descend. HTH.

[Sonic dB]

don't brake in corners witha 911

Anyone see that Porsche commercial where the father is telling his son to "accellerate through the apex". Course that is a Cayenne commercial.

[addictionMS]

http://www.bellmotorsports.com/

follow the school tips link

enjoy your day!

Jim

[Grady Clay]

Jeff,

Don’t let the situation overwhelm you. A common phenomenon is a new participant has so much going on that they can’t take it all in and loose sight of the really important stuff.

Keep yourself mentally under control.

If you think you are overwhelmed by the amount of information, the event, noise, stress, adrenalin, testosterone, etc. then step back, slow down, and take a break somewhere quiet.

Don’t try to learn everything in one event, it’s not possible. I’m still learning after 35 years of this silliness.

Don’t focus on the car, a good 911 will take care of itself. Show up with the car ready to go.

Keep your body functioning properly. Don’t pull an all-nighter getting ready. Drink lots of liquids and eat properly as normal. If you don’t have to pee a couple of times during the day, you aren’t drinking enough.

Get all the pre-registration, pre-tech, and your organization done so you don’t have to do it at the event.

Show up early, be first at everything. If you find yourself having to rush around, you are doing something wrong.

Relax and have fun. You will meet lots of great people.

Best,
Grady

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Sonic dB
Anyone see that Porsche commercial where the father is telling his son to "accellerate through the apex". Course that is a Cayenne commercial.

nope, Porsche doesn't have any form of commercial advertising in Europe, never has done advertising as far as i can remember...

[SilverPoly]

Take out the fuse for the windshield wipers. They're just too easy to hit. Have fun!!

[TMH]

Bring a roll of 2" blue masking tape. If you are running on a track the school will want to make sure that you don't spill glass on the track from a rock to the headlight. Most will require you to tape up the headlights and fog lights for this reason. Can also be used for numbering your car (based on car color) if numbering is required.

Have fun,
Tom

[alf]

PCA NW skills days are a blast, did 2 of them myself. Low pressure, non-track based, great instructors. Except for a lunch break, you will be in your car pretty much the whole time doing drills or waiting to do drills.

Goal is simple, learn where the limit of your car is. That is typically achieved by loosing control and bringing it back

Bring a helmet
Something to drink
Something to snack on
Something to empty out the stuff in your car into
A tarp to cover your stuff
An open mind and that is about it.

And if you are up to it, do the mini track thing at the end of the day

[Jeff Higgins]

Wow, thanks for all the helpful (and quick) replies, guys. I realize this has the potential to be kind of a stressfull day, if I let it be, so the pointers on my own personal care and feeding are great. Windshield wiper fuse? Boy, I would have never thought of that one; thanks. I have read and heard all the "horror stories", if you can really call them that, about the throttle lift oversteer, so I'm looking forward to finding out about that in a safe environment. This will be held on an abandoned airstrip, so plenty of room to not hit anything (yes, it is a PNWR event; one of you mentioned how much fun you had with them). I'm actually no stranger to a racetrack, but the ones I used to frequent were really short. And straight. After a 20 year hiatus from performance cars, my tastes have changed, and I wanted to try something different. I fell in love with this little '72 on first sight, after looking for quite a long time. For me, at least, it had all my requirements; early body style, MFI, etc. I'm having a blast with it already, and am really looking forward to the class. Again, thanks everyone for the helpfull advice.

[Zeke]

Great advice here so far. I, too, never thought of the windshield fuse and I have hit the stalk. So embarassing.

Look your car over really well. That hasn't been stressed enough here. Take the wheels off and poke around. Try to find the source of any leaks and double check your brake components. Check your wheel bearings by spinning the tires and check for play in the bearings and the rest of the steering system. Do this now before it gets too close to track day in case you have to replace anything.

There's a lot more, I just can't think of it right now. That brings up another good idea: A check list.

[Lothar]

Jeff,

I can't add much more than you have already heard. However, it can't be stressed enough: It's not racing.

Go with nothing to prove and everything to learn. I always assume I know a lot less than I do and I listen to everything my instructor tells me.

Have a great time. The Porsche/track virus is about to infect another. There is no turning back. You may own the car, but you will soon feel like it owns you.

[Jcon]

Two things you must do.

1) Follow the advice listed above read thru all of it.

2) Start budgeting now! Halfway thru the day you will be thinking about
-Why did I wait so long to buy my car and get out here!
-How many more of these events can I get to!
-Maybe if I just upgrade my (insert unnecessary but very desirable porsche add ons) I can be even faster smoother etc.


This would all be funny if it wasn't true. Best thing (hobby wise ) I ever did was take my car the the track. Be warned - it makes crack look about as addictive as baby asprin.

Enjoy

Jeff

[rennch]

Here...some very helpful links on this page, courtesy of the local SCCA. Read all of them...they'll help a lot.

http://rmsolo.org/help.html

[rennch]

The "preparing for your first Solo II" link will probably be the most helpful.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by emptyo
The "preparing for your first Solo II" link will probably be the most helpful.

Thanks, emptyo; great information on that link. One week and counting.... This is gonna be great.