I finally got my first DE event under my belt. I was very tentative about enjoying this event at first but the local Polar Porsche PCA guys ran a great event especially for a novice driver. By early afternoon I had put on quite a few laps with my instructor, Doug, showing me the ropes and was out on my own feeling confident (not too much though!). I was fortunate enough to get some passenger laps in Doug's new GT3 and Steven's (Trophy) 993. Both were exhilarating rides. Lets just say that I'll never be that good and what I was doing out there might be even be considered a different sport altogether. After many years of being on Rennlist I finally met some great Rennlisters - Steven, TargaMatt and Marc Shaw as well as many other great Porsche guys.

I've attached a pic of some of the 993s of the day including Steven's and mine.

 

Congrats. Once you've started it gets in your blood.
I took part in a bunch of DE's several years back. After moving to Santa Fe, NM where there is no local SCCA sanctioned track, I sold my 95 M3 and tried to put the DE's out of my mind. Unfortunately, I've officially lost the battle. The slippery slope started last summer when I purchased a leftover '08 911 Cab. It feels so good that I've found myself more and more wanting to track it, but being a convertible and all it's just not practical. So now I'm picking up a '95 C2 coupe, specifically to use for DE's and whatever else it might lead to. Decided on the 993 to finally experience the pinnacle of air-cooled Porsche-ness. Who knows, after owning the relatively cush 997 I might hate it, but I doubt it, and I feel like now is the time.

 

Learned MORE in four - twenty minute sessions around the track (Pocono South - Novice Day) -- about how to drive this car _properly_ ...than the 2+ years that I had it (prior to then) driving around the streets.

You did good!

Gerry

 

How come they let you out on your own on Day One? (Like I have any room to talk, Day Two for me was an SCCA race licensing school.)

 

Great pic Matt, It was great to finally meet you in person. Glad you enjoyed yourself. It really does get into your blood, next you know race seats, harnesses and a rollbar are in your future.....

 

You must be clairvoyant Steven! I'll have to learn how to get out of your car while having a helmet on first.

 

Sounds like you had fun. It is a really great way to really appreciate these cars!

 

Awesome Matt! DE's are a blast, and yes they are very addicting.

 

I was blown away by the handling and grip of Steven's 993 and the new GT3. Steven's car was extremely agile/nimble and the GT3 was awesome and rock steady. All from the passenger's perspective of course. If there was a track in town I might be half as good a driver by the time I retire. The other thing I realized is that I don't a GT3 at my skill level although I still want one.

 

I agree Matt; it was a fantastic day, and it was nice to get to meet you and Steven as well! Nice to see Marc Shaw as well, whom I've known for some time. I had a great time . . . I've only been to 3 or 4 track days, and every time I like it even more. I've been looking online to see if I can find another one for this season . . . hmmm.

I was glad to see you on the highway on the way home. I got to have a good listen to your exhaust when we were back and forth passing in the traffic - sounds great

and I agree about the ride with Steven in his car . . . WOW. Thanks Steven!

 

Yes, likewise. If I had known you were listening intently I would have given you a wider range of sound levels to hear

 

Hey Matt

Glad you enjoyed your DE track day. I have to warn you though, they can be addictive. I have done 7 this season with 6 more still scheduled. In fact we had a PCA DE track day today at Race City Speedway and I got tons of laps in. Plus the infamous Mr S Tory (aka the one known as Trophy here or Sparky in other circles) got some laps in driving my 993. As far as the GT3 is concerned ... dang I sure would like to know what driving one of those is like, but the 993 is an excellent track car for us amateurs. I sure am having fun with mine, I am not slow in it and it probably is more forgiving than the GT3. I but too would love to have the power of the GT3 in my hands for a DE track day.

 

No expert, but the 993 to me felt like it was on the limit long before it really was. You learn as you drive it at the DE where the limit is by learning that you aren't there yet and sort of sneaking up on it. The GT3 instills much more confidence all the way up...so much so that one might pole vault across the limit an then say, "whoops, that was it back there".

 

Welcome to the club! My first DE instructor said, "be careful, this is like crack cocaine"... unfortunately, I didn't listen to him. In the last two years, I've acquired a '95 993 coupe, spent untold sums upgrading it (seats, harnesses, roll bar are fundamental needs) and even more traveling from Road America to Barber Motorsports Park participating in a total of 13 DEs. Although my wife might disagree, I can't think of any better use of my time and resources.

 

Glad you enjoyed the ride, it really was a really great day. PM me your email and I will send you the details of someone you should call for a fix! (more track days.....)

Wow, I have never been called Infamous before, pretty cool.... Thanks for letting me drive your car today, it reconfirms how great these cars are no matter what mods, or lack there of.

The GT3 really is a fantastic car, it actually drives very like my car, just with alot more go under the right foot. I agree with JPS stock vs stock there is a big difference and you can get yourself in a whole lot of trouble very easily in a GT3....