Ok, spent a day at Porsche experience and did the 1.5 Hour in Carrera S.

First the videos that I have were shot from the tower and are not useful in this post. So Pictures not included.

First in the garage on full display was a 918 Spyder. Nice to see my Lottery dream up close. They also had the 918 prototype on display.

So my sister did the 1 h simulator, thought it was very much fun. I did not have time to do it and went straight to my 991. First a slower pace tour around the track. I am driving, have the instructor in car at all times. After a few laps to get feel of car it was to a salom course, nothing great but a chance to get feel of car. Then off to use launch control 4-5 times and really get on the brakes. having never used LC, this was a lot of fun.

Then off to the super smooth wet section. The idea is you drive slowly onto course and a kick plate ( 1 of 2 in the world) kicks rear end left or right. The idea is to quickly recover. You get multiple tries at this with all traction assist on and finally nothing left to save you. I did ok with some traction on but ended up in a 360 spin at end with nothing on to save me.

Then off to skid pad, wet, and idea is to hold the circular line going fairly fast and then give the gas a kick , break out rear end and recover. They do this with traction on/off sport/sport plus.
Then off to a section of inner track where there are some tight turns and they want to get the throttle kicked til 5000 RPM and see what happens when rear is kicked out and how well you recover.

Then off to lapping the track. The instructor may take you for 1-3 laps at his speed. Otherwise I was driving and he always pointing out braking point/turn in, areas to let car drift out closer to barrier. Some turns were pretty well, others I braked too late and missed my turn. O well, I got better each lap and had fun. Top speed was about 95 MPH, the GT3 much faster, other cars I passed.

So it lasts 1.5 h and does not stray from that. Afterwards I had a lunch at the café, pretty nice but a lunch selection was kind of lacking but overall enjoyable.

If you damage car/track you have a $10000 liability unless you pay $50 waiver fee and then accept $2000 liability. Need less to say I paid the $50 and suggest all do. Instructor mentioned a $35000 incident in the past. There are areas on the track that if you got out of control, there could be significant damage to car.

So I had a great time. My sister lives there and would do it again or do the California site in 2017. Cars on display were nice, some muesum cars, other seemed to be likely local owners cars. About 20 cars on display total. 550 Spyder to 991 to speedsters to a 914, 930.

Wish I had pictures but sorry. the track is right at the end of the Atl airport runway. In the area plan on making the most of it, do the simulator, a 1.5h session, tour the place. have lunch, definitely worth the day. Cost me $400, I will do it again. A Boxster a little less, a GT3/turbo more.

Thinking about a 991, that's why its posted in this section.

chuck
87 911

 

Thanks! I'm going next Tuesday!

 

Thanks for the detailed write up. I was there Sep 5th for lunch & tour. Loved watching the cars below on the track while dining. I didn't have time for the track myself but would love to come back. They said next year we may be able to drive our own cars. Stay tuned. Very nice facility for sure.

 

Did it in a GT3 for $600! Greatest experience on the track except the instructor kept pointing me to rails that I did not want to hit at 90 mph. On the kick plate I took it 12 times. The name-of-the-game is to overcome the kick (i.e. not go into the spin). I did it 12 times and was never able to prevent multiple 360 degree spins. After 12 times I had to get out of the GT3 and sit in the shade with a bottle of cold water to let my stomach and head become reacquainted. I also did the skid pad 12 times and conquered it 8 times. They also have a straightaway that tests "launch control" and braking. I cannot understand the virtue of launch control but it was neck-snapping excitement. Braking, on the other hand, after you are about 100 mph in launch control is an exciting challenge and really demonstrates the fine brakes of a Porsche. Overall, The Porsche Driving Experience is well worth it. There is a very nice Best Western directly across the street. Besides the 356 Grill at the Center, there are superb restaurants in the vicinity. You can even use your own Porsche for $60.

 

Yes I know exactly what railing you are talking about. My instructor wanted me lost to that barrier and let it drift.
That GT3 was impressive, whoever had it last Thursday morning could drive pretty well.

Chuck

 

I just did the GT3 /Turbo Course and it was my second time to the PEC. Highly recommended and a great experience. Plan to go back and have my wife take the Cayenne off road/race track course in the spring.

 

I plan on going in the near future. Don't want to take my 991 on track when I have a dedicated racecar, but want to sample one of theirs. Also, my friend (Tyler H., if any of you had him), is an instructor there.

 

looking fwd to the L.A experience ctr opening!

 

VW Group is cutting expenses by billions based on the diesel fiasco. The LA Center may be included in one of the cuts.

 

Sounds like a lot of fun. Just out of curiosity were there other cars on the track passing?

 

deleted

 

yes there are passing zone but # of cars limited, not all on track at same time. Not much passing going on.

chuck

 

The instructor asked me to look for cars ahead with right turn signal flashing so I could pass on the left.

 

from what I have seen from the cockpit flying in to RW26R, there are rarely more than 4 or 5 cars out at a time anyways.

 

Thinking about giving this a try in Atlanta. Any other input or comments appreciated.