Courtshark

Seems like way more than a year ago since I had my first taste of the track crack. It's an expensive addiction, or can be anyway. But if I'm having a bad day, I pop on one of these vids to tide me over.

I totally agree about street driving, too. Save it for the track!

Gary Knox

Jason Beck commented about street/highway driving, and I'll chime in as well. IF you are tempted like I had been for so long to experience the capability of your great car on the streets, THINK. It is a very dangerous place to do that - as you put other people at risk, as well as yourself, your bank account (fines) and your 'license to drive'.

Driving a 928 on a purpose built race track is so much safer. Traffic all going the same direction, nobody is texting or talking on their phone, nobody is looking for a CD to put in the radio, no young kids in the back screaming for attention, nobody is 'coasting' through a stop sign into your path. AND, all the drivers know the rules on this road, and if they don't obey them, their privileges are revoked pretty quickly and they go 'home'.

In 12 years and probably well over 10,000 miles of driving on various tracks, I have NEVER seen a two car incident. Can't say that for my street/highway driving over the same period of time! Yes - one car incidents can and do occur when a driver tries to defy the laws of physics, or the adhesion of tires to macadam (did that myself once). But, if your car is valuable, you can get track insurance through the PCA. For many of us, the car is worth as much in parts as it is assembled, so we 'self insure'.

Anyway, I strongly encourage any and all drivers who want to enjoy these cars to their utmost and to learn to be a better driver (yes, we all think we are well above average drivers when we first go to the track, then we find out we have a LOT to learn if we really want to be good drivers). I also will say that experiencing vehicle dynamics at something approaching the limit makes you a much better driver on streets/highways. I personally avoided THREE street/highway incidents over the past 10 years by using my learnings from track classroom and driving exposure.

As Courtshark said "take it to the track".

Gary--

jwbeck17

Thank you, Gary. I could not agree more with you. I actually wish everyone was required to drive their car on a track at some point, since your points become crystal clear then. Some key things I picked up from the track are:

- While it's fun to drive fast it's even more rewarding to learn to drive well. Being smooth at the wheel and on the throttle is not only more safe, but greatly increases your capabilities. You can accelerate faster, plus more safely as your car is always balanced.

- You see problems arise earlier and can resolve them even faster. I had some experiences on track that tested my decision making and made me better at it. It s always nice to be able to take evasive action so quickly and smoothly that your passenger never knew there was an issue to begin with.

- Your car is a better driver than you are. And I for one am happy about that. You quickly learn how well Porsches are engineered, and while you may never be able to test it's limits, you get closer on the track than anywhere else.

- You will love your car even more. I didn't think it was possible, but it's true. Driving home I felt way more safe and secure, knowing that the 928 could easily handle any issue thrown at it, and the only limits were my skill and trust, both greatly increased now in any car I drive. And when you learn to "dance" with your car on the track, you learn her unique personality and a bit of a bond grows at that point. One of the truly great joys of being a driver and 928 owner.

Track it. You'll never regret it.