First DE

[Schrup]

Well, after waiting nearly a year & spending all winter preparing my car, I finally made my track debut. To say the least, I am a slow learner, way too aggressive, & have some sort of ADD. It took me most of two sessions to learn some of the lines, then after, I proceeded to drive too fast, lose my concentration & completely blow the apex on half the corners. It became apparent to me at the autox I attended a couple weeks back that I didn't look ahead nearly enough & it carried over into today.

I am grateful for the PCA, an all of the great people that make these events possible, especially the instructors that risk their lives riding with me. The instructor assigned to me had a new GT3. The first ride he showed me the line & didn't push it too hard. The next ride I asked him to show me his skills, be careful what you ask for. The thing about his car that impressed (& nauseated) me the most was his brakes, talk about the hand of God. Now I now how my daughter feels when she complains about my driving making her sick.

Last run of the day our own Randy Wells drove my car a few laps then observed me flounder around a few more. After it was over he reiterated pretty much the same thing my first instructor told me; my line sucks, I don't look ahead enough, & I'm too aggressive. He also made some interesting observations about my car, but I think they were mainly due to the over inflated street tires. We shall see.

I am registering Monday for the next one & requesting Randy, he had already been spoken for for today's event. Next DE I'm going to try & focus on smooth lines (less speed) & keeping my eyes up. I think Randy summed it up pretty good when he said "Your car is Superman, but your still Clark Kent".

Here's some pics.


Here is my instructors car.

My wife & son.

This pic sums it up, note the instructor fleeing.

[ricwon]

Great pictures Paul! How did the clutch hold up? I like that last pic. It looks like you're saying don't leave yet, it can't be over this fast. Ric

[Schrup]

Ric, the clutch never once crossed my mind today untill you mentioned it. The last pic is after my first run. Are you coming out for skills day next month?

[ricwon]

Yes, I've been thinking about doing a skills day. I need to do something to improve my driving and this looks like a lot of fun. Ric

[1973911s]

Paul,

Is that blue hair?

[k9handler]

WOW Paul, your hair really goes well with your wifes dress! LOL

Just messin with ya...at the end of the day you look back and you had fun, and learned something so all in all it was worth it.

[bigrubberjeep]

Let's see those "gold" fuch's from up closer

[aigel]

Glad you had fun Paul!

You may want to go autocrossing some more. It really helped me and it is a lot cheaper than DE.

I think the instruction you get at PCA is first class. You'll improve very quickly, especially in the beginning, it's all about seat time!

George

[jbryant]

Do not worry Paul, it takes a few times to get comfortable. Try drawing a line across the middle of your windshield. Then do not look below it. That will help with the looking further ahead issue.

[Jim Richards]

One down, and countless more DE days to go.

[trj911]

Did Clark Kent have blue hair? A year from now you'll be so much better you'll be giving advice to the rest of us.

[Jim Smolka]

Glad you had fun at your first DE. Carefull, track time becomes addictive .

The best $ to spend on your car is track time, then safety stuff, tires/wheels, then suspenstion, gear box, and last is HP. IMHO.

[Schrup]

Thanks guy, yes my hair is blue. Thanks for the tip jbryant, I will try it at skills day next month. George, I plan to attend as many autox events that time will allow over the next six months, our local chapter has a skills day that helps as well. Lots of seat time for only $40. I have to be patient, most of the guys I spoke with said it took a few years to "get it".

BRJ my wheels came from the factory painted "Platnium". Here's a pic of one right after I repainted them, but before I clear coated them.

[89911]

Being that you feel humbled and frustrated at your first event is a good sign. I've always wondered about those drivers that claim to "own the track" after one DE. DE's are not for everyone and much of it depends on what kind of driver you are and past experiences you bring to the track. If you enjoyed it, keep doing them. There are also lots of one time only DE'ers around that didn't like the risks they are taking. For me, it is the ultimate 30 minute vacation on the planet.

[350HP930]

Don't give up man, practice makes perfect.

[lowyder993s]

I finally made my track debut. To say the least, I am a slow learner, way too aggressive, & have some sort of ADD.

Don't beat yourself up...the 2 most important things are that you LEARNED (as opposed to repeating the same mistakes) and that you know what you need to do to improve.
I was the EXACT same way...thought I'd own the track and other drivers after my 1st time. After getting my a$$ handed to me, I began using multiple instructors for the same DE...(everyone has their favorite corner @ a track, and if pick three brains and pick up a sec. @ ea. corner...you've just dropped your lap time 3 seconds...that's huge).
Then come the mods...you know...2.5 sec w/ Hoosiers, upgraded suspension, wing, etc. Then you're thinkin' now I can be a contender in the med. group. Next are a few more days and mods...now you're runnin w/ the red group...now it's time to think about club racing...Oh sweet mother of God, when will it end? But man, what a blast! Congratulations...you did just what you were supposed to do.

[ted]

Originally posted by Schrup
I think Randy summed it up pretty good when he said "Your car is Superman, but your still Clark Kent". [/img]

That's funny, but true. It relates to most 911 drivers that have never attended a driving school, DE or AX.

Going to the track is the best way to truely enjoy the potential of your 911 while improving your driving skills.
Good choice getting Randy for an instructor!

After you get the basics you will be amazed at how quick your lap times will drop.

[bigrubberjeep]

That gold color fuch's would probably look real good on my black car.

[Todd Simpson]

I thought your post about substituting track time for more mods was cool. My brother has spent 3 years building the ultimate track car, missing all that seat time along the way.

What was too aggressive, your inputs?

[Schrup]

Originally posted by Todsimpson
What was too aggressive, your inputs?

Basically I'm trying to run before I can walk. I drive an easy lap, think I have the line, speed up & completely blow it. I need to work on driving the line at a comfortable pace till I'm good on the line & then slowly build speed. Perhaps it's not that I'm too aggresive, but rather that I lack patience.