I went to my first PCA meeting last night. Met a bunch of nice folks!

Most suggested I try a DE, said it was tons of fun.

I have a 2014 C4S Cab. I understand that some tracks allow a 991 Cab without a roll bar installed while others require a roll bar or have the bars popped up.

Looking for some answers:
1 - Any issues with using a leased car in one of these events? I know I need a tech inspection - do I bring it to the dealer or am I better off using an independent shop so the dealer doesn't know about the track use?

2 - Any one know how easy / how much it is to pop up the bars and them have them lowered?

3 - Does insurance cover a DE event? It's billed as a driver training, not a race. As a newbie I'd have an instructor ride along with me at all times.

 

3. You need to review your insurance policy carefully. Mine specifically excludes "any activities on a race track directed at improving driving skills."

 

Jeff, you should give Bill Rudtner a call, he's a very good source of info. Tell him Jeff Lanka told you to call him. I plan on doing DE with him this year maybe we can go to the same event(s).

I meant to go to that Metro dinner last night, but wasn't able to. Too bad, next time.

http://www.rudtnersracing.com/

 

They are tons of fun and very exhilarating.

Your track should have the rules posted on the website. For insurance purposes it is common to not allow cabs with the roll bar behind the passenger seats (911). So in this case it would not matter if you "popped it up" It is also common for them to waive this rule for a PCA DE. Because PCA has their own insurance.

You can get track insurance and can usually get a discount thru your local PCA chapter. It is not cheap and you have to ask your self if you can afford the insurance or can you afford to total the car with out it. If the answer is no to both then I would not go to the track.

You should also be aware of how much wear you will put on your tires and brake pads. When you add up the cost of everything the event registration is just a small part.

 

Very true. Most major carriers are adding this exclusion. You can get track insurance though, and if I was putting a 2014 C4S on track, I'd certainly spring for it!

Don't worry too much about the tire and brake wear though, not in your first event anyway.

I wouldn't hesitate to take the car to the dealer for a pre-track inspection. They see that kind of stuff all the time, and they don't care. It won't void your warranty.

I remember a school once where some poor girl had a problem with her car and called BMW roadside assistance to come fetch the broken car and have it repaired under warranty. No issues.

Rollbar restrictions are subject to both the organization putting on the school and the track. Double and triple-check before you sign up!

But you will have a blast, I promise you. Great fun.

 

You'll be better off anyway starting with Driver Skills or Autocross. Especially with DS there will be all the learning opportunities with virtually none of the risks of DE. Autocross will have the same quality instructors, however they will be focused on, you know, autocross. But if you ask and let them know you're interested in learning car control basics- threshold braking, controlling weight transfer, etc- it should be easy finding someone willing to take you on. Its so common for guys to fixate on DE when what they really need is Driver Skills. And yes it is tons of fun...