Whats envolved in a DE event?....
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,116
Likes: 68
From: Burlington CANADA
While I have not done a DE in road atlanta, I'm sure some of our members have and will give you details abouit the place.
I have done 6 of them so far and it is highly addictive. What should you expect? To become a better (safer) driver and to start to get to know your car better. My advise for you is not to get hung up on ultimate speed, this will come eventually.Most importantly do not go over your head and go at a speed that is not comfortable to you. Some instructors will push you to go faster do not go if you are not confident enough. The DE is not a race although some people treat it like it is but you should not be bothered and it is not a shame to go slow. Ask for an instructor that has experience driving a 911. This is crucial in my book as the instructor will show you how to built up your speed and confidence because you are going to experience new sensations from your car as you are going to drive it faster that you had before. On my first DE my instructor drove my car for the first 3 laps and the speed I we were doing blew my mind!!! I could not believe how fast we were taking the turns!
Other than the above make sure you do the following:
Besides the mandatory tech inspection:
1.Have good tires on,
2. Check your brake pads, flush your brake fluid.
3. Check your oil,I prefer putting new before an event like that.
4. Have a good tire gauge
5. Bring and drink lots of water, I drink about 5 to 6 liters per day.
6. Bring light snacks like light sandwiches etc. Some indulge on burgers and stuff, I cannot see how they do it!
7. Most importantly have FUN! It is a great experience and you will appreciate it on the streets as you will learn valuable lessons about you as a driver and your car.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
I have done 6 of them so far and it is highly addictive. What should you expect? To become a better (safer) driver and to start to get to know your car better. My advise for you is not to get hung up on ultimate speed, this will come eventually.Most importantly do not go over your head and go at a speed that is not comfortable to you. Some instructors will push you to go faster do not go if you are not confident enough. The DE is not a race although some people treat it like it is but you should not be bothered and it is not a shame to go slow. Ask for an instructor that has experience driving a 911. This is crucial in my book as the instructor will show you how to built up your speed and confidence because you are going to experience new sensations from your car as you are going to drive it faster that you had before. On my first DE my instructor drove my car for the first 3 laps and the speed I we were doing blew my mind!!! I could not believe how fast we were taking the turns!
Other than the above make sure you do the following:
Besides the mandatory tech inspection:
1.Have good tires on,
2. Check your brake pads, flush your brake fluid.
3. Check your oil,I prefer putting new before an event like that.
4. Have a good tire gauge
5. Bring and drink lots of water, I drink about 5 to 6 liters per day.
6. Bring light snacks like light sandwiches etc. Some indulge on burgers and stuff, I cannot see how they do it!
7. Most importantly have FUN! It is a great experience and you will appreciate it on the streets as you will learn valuable lessons about you as a driver and your car.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,865
Likes: 299
From: san francisco
Also NEVER use the E-Brake after a lap session-it'll warp your rotors and always bring a quart of oil/tools and check oil/tire pressures after each lap session. Drink alot of fluids. It's a blast. Regards. Mike
Addict & Guru
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 3
From: St. Louis
Rolo
I'm not too far past my 1st DE (3 DE weekends), but I'm already hooked. I'll offer some thoughts which I've posted before:
Leave your ego at the gate. You will get passed by faster drivers in slower cars, so don't get spooked, pushed, or goaded into exceeding your abilities. Progress in baby steps.
BTW, you will learn more, have more fun & be more physically & mentally exhausted than you expect.
I'm not too far past my 1st DE (3 DE weekends), but I'm already hooked. I'll offer some thoughts which I've posted before:
Leave your ego at the gate. You will get passed by faster drivers in slower cars, so don't get spooked, pushed, or goaded into exceeding your abilities. Progress in baby steps.
BTW, you will learn more, have more fun & be more physically & mentally exhausted than you expect.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 982
Likes: 93
From: Atlanta
Rolo:
Others have posted some pearls of wisdom. I have a few more. Try to find the instructor you are assigned to as early as you can. Discuss with him or her that this is your fist DE and be honest about what you would like to get out of it. I would suggest that you get a ride from your instructor in his or her car as early as possible. Do a little reading before going to the track. I recommend the book Going Faster. You will learn some nomenclature and concepts that will make teaching and learning much easier and faster. Study a track map and try to get a feel for the layout of the track, pits and paddock. The most important thing you must do is have fun – lots of it!
Hank
Others have posted some pearls of wisdom. I have a few more. Try to find the instructor you are assigned to as early as you can. Discuss with him or her that this is your fist DE and be honest about what you would like to get out of it. I would suggest that you get a ride from your instructor in his or her car as early as possible. Do a little reading before going to the track. I recommend the book Going Faster. You will learn some nomenclature and concepts that will make teaching and learning much easier and faster. Study a track map and try to get a feel for the layout of the track, pits and paddock. The most important thing you must do is have fun – lots of it!
Hank
Trending Topics
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines, Iowa
As much as I enjoy the driving, I've come to enjoying the hanging out between groups making new friends to be as much if not more fun. I've even had minimal regrets when rain or mechanical problems kept me from driving. Of course a war dry day is what I go for!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 721
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines, Iowa
By the way the probable format:
There will be multiple run groups of varying speeds. You will first meet with your instructor and will probably have a classroom session to acquaint you with the track.
Your instructor will drive your car for a lap or two to show you the way around the track and get acquainted with your car. Then you will switch places and you will drive with coaching. There may be more exercises and classroom sessions between runs. You should try to get a ride with an (your) instructor when it's their run group. Typically instructors have their own group.
Another thing to do when you're not driving is to go to various points and observe other groups.
Your instructor may be male or female. Either can be very good.
Probably by the second day you will get signed off and be able to drive solo. You will discover that driving can be an aerobic experience.
Be wary of trying to do too much. I find that by Sunday afternoon, I will be making little mistakes (fatigue overpowers concentration). I interpret this as the message that its time to stop, as the next mistake might not be so little, and a good day is one where the car goes home in substantially the same condition as it arrived.
There will be multiple run groups of varying speeds. You will first meet with your instructor and will probably have a classroom session to acquaint you with the track.
Your instructor will drive your car for a lap or two to show you the way around the track and get acquainted with your car. Then you will switch places and you will drive with coaching. There may be more exercises and classroom sessions between runs. You should try to get a ride with an (your) instructor when it's their run group. Typically instructors have their own group.
Another thing to do when you're not driving is to go to various points and observe other groups.
Your instructor may be male or female. Either can be very good.
Probably by the second day you will get signed off and be able to drive solo. You will discover that driving can be an aerobic experience.
Be wary of trying to do too much. I find that by Sunday afternoon, I will be making little mistakes (fatigue overpowers concentration). I interpret this as the message that its time to stop, as the next mistake might not be so little, and a good day is one where the car goes home in substantially the same condition as it arrived.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Portland Oregon
Rolo,
Here is Oregon PCA's write-up on DE events. It will give you a pretty good idea what to prepare for.
<a href="http://oregonpca.org/DriverEd/driver_ed.htm" target="_blank">http://oregonpca.org/DriverEd/driver_ed.htm</a>
Rick
Here is Oregon PCA's write-up on DE events. It will give you a pretty good idea what to prepare for.
<a href="http://oregonpca.org/DriverEd/driver_ed.htm" target="_blank">http://oregonpca.org/DriverEd/driver_ed.htm</a>
Rick
Track Day
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Rolo,
First off, you are going to have a blast. I just did my first DE about 3 months ago and have done 3 more since. I can honestly say it is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had.
I think the single best piece of advice I received was to focus on the line at first (if you don't know exactly what that means, you will very shortly.) There are a many techniques involving use of the throttle, the brakes and the shifter and all are important but without a good line the rest really don't matter. I find that working on a single component of track driving at a time makes it easier to learn.
I have been most impressed with how organized these events are. The other drivers are typically very friendly and, as I'm sure you are, very focused on not damaging their cars (not that it hasn't happened.) If you don't drive outside of your area of comfort, you and your car will be just fine.
Enjoy what I'm sure will be the first of many driving events.
First off, you are going to have a blast. I just did my first DE about 3 months ago and have done 3 more since. I can honestly say it is one of the most enjoyable experiences I've ever had.
I think the single best piece of advice I received was to focus on the line at first (if you don't know exactly what that means, you will very shortly.) There are a many techniques involving use of the throttle, the brakes and the shifter and all are important but without a good line the rest really don't matter. I find that working on a single component of track driving at a time makes it easier to learn.
I have been most impressed with how organized these events are. The other drivers are typically very friendly and, as I'm sure you are, very focused on not damaging their cars (not that it hasn't happened.) If you don't drive outside of your area of comfort, you and your car will be just fine.
Enjoy what I'm sure will be the first of many driving events.