Should I go to driving class?

RJ Gilliam · 12-26-2001, 11:09 AM

Hello all, the local PCA is having a driving school at Firebird raceway and I was wondering is this something I should go to? I have only been a P owner for a month or so and Mamma bear is WORRIED that I am going to HURT the car.... Any comments? They said it will be like DE (whatever that is ) and also in car training by a trained instructor. Suppose to get a least 4 20 minute runs.. I have a 911 Turbo....

Also what can I expect if I do go?

Any and all advice welcome..

RJ

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

Heck yeah you should. You will have a blast. Don't worry about the car, their made to be driven hard. You will learn so much it will amaze you. Listen to what the instructor has to say and all will be fine. Do you have a helmet? You might want to check on insurance-does your carrier cover events like that and what not. Make sure you have enough gas, tire pressure is right, take all the stuff out of you car that can roll around and distract you, adjust seat so it is in a upright postion, wear comfy shoes, i love using gloves, etc...
This will be good time to meet all the other members and check out all the cool cars. The first time I did one I had the instructor take me for a ride in his car and then he drove my car. Couldn't believe how hard my car could actually be driven. I would suggest this.
Have fun

Superman · 12-26-2001, 12:55 PM

It does not get mentioned much, but I believe our P-cars are not easy to drive. You can't just get in one with no experience and drive competitively. The controls (gas, brake, clutch) are different and the car's weight bias is VERY different. So, I very strongly suggest taking advantage of PCA's most awesome training resources.

Besides, it's a chance to drive the piss out of your car without getting a ticket. And no, it does not hurt the car.,

MelissaM · 12-26-2001, 04:26 PM

Should you go?! ABSOLULTELY!!!!!!

Tell Mamma Bear that she should worry about the p-car getting hurt if you don't go. A DE (Driver's Ed) is one of the best ways to get to know your p-car. You can find out how it reacts at its limits in a controlled environment, all under the supervision of a trained instructor .

What to expect? Well, it varies by the organization that runs the event. I would definitely call and ask what type of helmet to bring (SA or M), and if there are any other safety requirements that you should know about. You might ask them to give you a rundown of the events of the day -- are there any exercises where they show you the line of the track?

Advice: check your ego at the door and be prepared to learn as much as you can. If you have a choice between being smooth and being fast, pick being smooth! Easier to add "fastness" to smoothness than the other way around. Ask lots of questions!

Stay safe & have fun!

-- Melissa

gchappel · 12-26-2001, 04:28 PM

Absolutely--GO
You will find a DE event a very educational experience for you and your car. You will not be asked to do anything with your car that you don't feel comfortable with. You will not -certainly not your first day (I hope) be driving anywhere near the edge. Rather, you will be driving pretty fast in a controlled environment with an instructor that knows how to do this. Be honest - you are going to want to go fast in this car sometime. Do it safely on the track, you learn how to do it and you get it out of your system. Your car will look the same when you are done. You won't though- it takes time to wipe the silly grin off our faces

Been there, done that.

makaio · 12-26-2001, 06:37 PM

Yes you should go! The only negative, is that it is highly addictive. You will soon be finding yourself thinking about it all the time, and spending all you spare $ on extra goodies to go faster and be safer.

curtisaa · 12-26-2001, 07:47 PM

Either sell your car or do not take this class... your family is MORE important than the disention you will create in your home by having too much fun...

Jeolousy is a very powerful advisary........................

Do the "right" thing...seriously

patalive · 12-27-2001, 03:24 AM

Ditto to EVERYTHING posted above! Do it!
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The Northeast Region PCA web site has some very good documents for first-time DEers. Have a look at:
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http://www.porschenet.com/driving.html
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Chuck

Don Wohlfarth · 12-27-2001, 07:06 AM

Of course you want to try a DE.
It will be the cheapest investment you will ever make, well at least the first DE is the cheapest.

Drivers are grouped according to their skill and experience level. Simply means that the people on the track with you are begining DE students with limited experience. An experienced instructor will ride with you. Safety will be your primary concern, not speed.
Try to relax and listen to your instructor.
There will be a thousand things going on while you are driving. Your instructor is well aware that this is your first track day. He is there to help you with safety, courtesy, and car control skills.
When you get home and Momma bear askes about your day, try and control your enthusiasm and just say that it was OK and you might want to try it again. This will be difficult. Before you have that conversation you may want to beat your head into the wall once or twice to get that dumb silly grin off your face.

Oldporsche · 12-27-2001, 07:32 AM

If you are asking about wheather you should go or not, you need to go.

I agree that the 911 is not an easy car to drive. You will learn a lot at driving school.

WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING WARNING

This is addictive!

Good luck,
David Duffield

schubee · schubee's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by RJ Gilliam

Also what can I expect if I do go?

RJ

..........pure ADRENALIN! Oh, like someone mentioned, it is addicting. This is one way you can learn to drive the car like it's meant to in a safe environment.......well at least safer than public roads. Have fun!

Will · 12-27-2001, 07:51 AM

Regarding hurting the car, it's the drive to and from the track that is the most dangerous part. There are a lot of nuts on the highways, but the people at track events tend to be quite sane and careful. Enjoy!

John Brandt · 12-27-2001, 07:59 AM

DON'T DO IT MAN!

You'll definitely ruin your car and probably crash and hurt yourself

In fact I'd recomend that you sell that car. Porsches are very dangerous

BKOMAR · BKOMAR's Garage

I attended my first DE last year and I still grin and giggle when I think about it. I got a ton out of it but, first and foremost, I found out that my car can withstand some SERIOUS hard driving and keep on ticking. I first thought that my car was very fragile, but driving at or near redline all weekend and the car ran better on the way home than it ever had. I have gone to be a spectator at several other DE's since and have been awed by the cars and the camaraderie. I have been socking away a little each paycheck to cover next years events. I must say that it is SOOO worth it! BTW...at least at our events...when you graduate from the DE, you get a cool diploma, I have mine framed on the office wall! Brian