porsche driving experience

thinkfloyd14 · 09-19-2006, 01:24 PM

I've been seriously contemplating attending a Porsche Driving Experience session pretty soon. I was wondering if my age would affect my experience at all. I'm 18 years old, my parents arent funding this, I would be myself. I own a 78 sc, my dad's a porsche guy; so naturally I became even more of a Porsche head than he is now.

So if I do decide to do this, do you think I'll stand out so much from all the old-timers that I wont enjoy myself, feel awkward, or do you even think the instructors or participants would be condescending at all towards me?

I've been into Porsche's since I was 14, which measns I've been reading this forum for 4 years, and I believe (no offense) alot of you guys are well past your "mid life crisis". I know the vintage Porsche crowd, I've been to shows. My dad doesnt even like going to them because he thinks the crowd just keeps getting older (He's 39, honestly looks around 32).

so i guess my question is, how will I be treated at this thing??
I'm sure i'm over thinking this way too much.

Thanks oldies.

haha joking

jorian · 09-19-2006, 01:36 PM

Overthinking? yeah
Enjoy yourself? definately
Instructors condescend? I doubt it - your a paying customer like everyone else
The vast majority of Porsche enthusiasts I've met are great. BTW I'm your Dad's age and wish I had your opportunity when I was 18.

cbeers · 09-19-2006, 01:40 PM

agreed.

You don't sound like an obnoxious teen ager who knows it all, that would be a very bad combo when working with instructors. You will have a blast. I am assuming that this "experience" thing you are talking about is similar to/the same as a DE?

Your Dad just needs to find other Pcar owners in his age group if that's a big deal to him. Most guys I know with Pcars are 30-50ish, but honestly, I like meeting all ages. Older guys tend to have a lot more experience and knowledge than I do and I love to learn

go do it, you won't regret it.

-Chris

carreraken · carreraken's Garage

I would think most P owners will treat you well - you are paying the same amount of $$ as they are and share the same passion as they do. In the outside chance that there might be a jerk or two, - don't worry about it - they can ruin your day only if you let them. Just go and enjoy the experience!

Brillo · Brillo's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by carreraken
I would think most P owners will treat you well - you are paying the same amount of $$ as they are and share the same passion as they do. In the outside chance that there might be a jerk or two, - don't worry about it - they can ruin your day only if you let them. Just go and enjoy the experience!

+1

sus911 · sus911's Garage

Your biggest lesson on the day will be that the rest of the crowd is irrelevant.

rs6er · rs6er's Garage

thinkfloyd-
My son is 19. I'm 59. He has a 300WHP WRX. I have a 180HP (well maybe more now) 911. We both work on his car together and sometimes he helps me work on mine. I go to his meets. He goes to mine. Nobody treats me like an old guy at the Subaru meets. No one treats him like a kid at the Porsche meets. He turns me onto music. I do the same to him. I work out in the mornings. he sleeps in the mornings. It's all about who you are and not how old you are. It only seems that way to you.

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

I did the PDE a while ago, it was fun, but looking back I would have rather gone to a school for a race license, or spent the money driving my own in DE's. It is not cheap. For me it was cool driving cars that I won't be able to afford for a few more (10+)years. I have a 74 911 and there really is no comparison. NO was condescending to anyone else, everyone there is a car guy/girl. Just lay down the fastest auto-x in a car you have never driven to quiet any doubters.

Chuck Moreland · 09-19-2006, 03:06 PM

A second that you will likely have more fun and learn more driving your own car at a DE. It will cost less.

On the age thing, you seem like a mature 18. The only give-away is that you care too much about what other people think. You'll grow out of that.

Go have fun and stop worrying.

Jims5543 · 09-19-2006, 03:42 PM

Why not attend a couple of Autocross driving schools first. Get some basic car control issues sorted out at lower speeds then move on up to Drivers Education Days.

Do not worry about what others think. Go and have fun, you'll find at Drivers Events it can be pretty hectic so stopping and wondering what people are thinking will never cross your mind. Once in the car with a helmet on and on the track no one can tell who is who anyway.

I started doing Autocrosses about 6 years ago at 34 and wish I had started at 18 like you. Have fun!!

Flyer88 · 04:43 PM

A friend of mine got to do a PCA DE with his son over the summer and they had a blast. I have met several others at the track who have had the same opportunity and one who even clubraces with 2 of his sons. I am 40 and hope to share this sickness with my boys (5 and 3) one day too. Drag your dad's A$$ out to a DE - you'll both ahve a blast and meet some great people of all ages!
BTW - you can both do 4-5 DE for the cost of one person at the Experience, and at least one club does a DE at Barber!

thinkfloyd14 · 09-19-2006, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the responses....I am over reacting, and I do care too much what people think. As for autox, my dad never took me to do that....just always took me to mountain roads. From there i learned the basics. Last year he and I rented a cayman s in germany and spent a day at the nordschleife. That was probably the most fun ive ever had besieds driving canyons. For some reason autox doesnt appeal to me much at all. I like the scenery aspect with driving the canyons. The only downfall is the danger that applies. So tracking would be my next option.

maybe ill do some track time first before deciding to do the PDE.

heres one question though, I live in LA. My two tracks closest to me are Willow Springs and Buttonwillow Raceway. Which one will satisfy my driving pleasures more.

Thanks,

Sammy

jorian · 09-19-2006, 06:39 PM

A lousy track is better than the best canyon.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I second to go start with autocross. The crowd here is actually fairly young (your dad's age!) and there are plenty of teens coming in with their parents as well. Autocross is cheap too and will give you great lessons in car control.

George

beamonk · 09-19-2006, 07:17 PM

Any chance to drive Barber is good. With that said, do the DE stuff or autocross. Much more bang for the buck.

StayGold808 · 09-19-2006, 07:42 PM

i'm 20 (got the car at 19), and i know exactly how you feel.... i've been to one porsche club australia meet, and yes... felt very out of place.. Everybody is old, and the only guy that was similar age was this rich daddy's boy that came along with his dad. To me he came accross as a bit of an ass lol...

These days, i don't really go to the meets unless the topic is something i'm really interested in (yet to come)...

But you should definately do the driver ed stuff. Instructors are always nice, and with a good car like that at your age, you have potential to become a really good driver.

Adam

WPOZZZ · 09-19-2006, 07:54 PM

A HPDE is the best money you can spend. If there are no PCA HPDEs, attend the BMWCCA ones. I run the BMWCCA HPDEs in Hawaii and we allow everyone to attend regardless of make or model.

Since you are 18, another venue open to you is the BMWCCA Street Survival School. It is an all day event and it is only $60 which includes BMWCCA membership.

tc-sacto · 09-19-2006, 07:55 PM

AutoX may not appeal to you now, but I believe nothing will teach you as much about car control as autoX. You don't have to do a hole season, but doing a few will get you the feel of throttle on off stering etc. Better yet, do an Autox School.

The skills you learn there will make you much better than the guys that just start out at DE only. Most racig/driving schools start you out doing autox...even Porsche Experience.

You will never, ever get anywhere near the skills you could learn at an autox vs. canyon driving. And we have some good canyons up here in the Sierras too.

I feel I am a much better racer having started at Autox, then moving to DE then to Time trial then to racing.

Also, this school looks like it could be beneficial.
http://www.drivingconcepts.com/

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Look for Porsche Owner's Club STS and Driver's Clinic. They operate at Streets of Willow (more fun that Buttonwillow for me).

http://www.porscheownersclub.org/

thinkfloyd14 · 09-19-2006, 09:00 PM

I am enjoying these responses so keep em coming. Looks like I'm going to have to consider doing Auto X based on what I'm reading. What I ultimately want to achieve is starting to enhance my driving skills at my fairly young age right now. So thanks.

as for the PDE....it just looks so sweet and tempting!!!

http://www.porschedriving.com/homevideo.htm

take a look for yourself