So for my 26th Birthday I was able to do something I've dreamed of doing for years: driving a track/course/go fast! Don't know why it took me so long to do this.
Went to a AutoX event this past Sunday and even have an instructor with me. Met a lot of people and learned so much from the car that I could never grasp by just reading books on high performance driving. I had a blast.
Learned what the car could do (and what I can't) and got a better understanding of understeer, weight , throttle and steering input that I couldn't never have on the street or by just plain reading. I'm hooked.

Realized my car doesn't need any suspension mods (yet) . Just needs driver mod- I need more practice!!!)



Had no idea it would get so dirty !

 

Nice! I remember being pretty intimidated by the field of cones my first ax. Sounds like you had a blast!

You may want to invest in some blue painters tape or spray-on removable paint protector...the black paint tells the story of every cone you hit.

Did you do a ride along in an instructor's car? If not, buddy up with someone with an older 911...a ride with someone who really knows how to handle a pre-PSM 911 is an eye-opener, and it will give you even more appreciation for the 996 and the fact that it's not actively trying to kill you. Those guys have to work a lot harder to ensure that the back end doesn't abruptly become the front.

 

Warning it gets adictive and yes if the best way to understand your car based on your driving skills, you will become a better driver.

 

Autocrossing 911s is very different for sure. If you're having trouble getting turned in or understeering, try a little trail braking , mine seems to like that.

 

My 996 had its first Autox this weekend as well and it was also my weekend birthday treat. I have been running Subaru's for the past 15 years and really enjoyed the change in layout. The Subaru AWD layout is very forgiving and had become second nature for me. It was a completely different experience in the 911. I must say it was more enjoyable. I didn't push as hard as I normally would at first as I was way outside my comfort zone but once she started talking to me, we began a beautiful dance together.

I really enjoyed the dynamics of the rear engine, RWD layout. Using the pedals to balance the car seemed much more pronounced and enjoyable than I am used to. What a blast. Can't wait until summer is over and I can throw on some proper tires and begin the fall DE season.

 

Forego the painter's tape. Nothing says "noob" at an autox like painter's tape. The cone marks wash / peel off. Having the car clean and waxed before hand will help too. Also don't put on tire shine...
Glad to see more young 996 owners getting into autox. Check out the autox forum on here sometime.

 

I'd rather have the painter's tape say "noob" than chip off another quarter-size paint flake courtesy of a slalom cone...

 

My first AutoX was in her e90 328xi while she drove the 996 C4 at a BMW CCA AutoX school. It changed my mind for the better about the BMW and the lap I did in the 996 was something too.

I actually didn't get hooked on it though and am rather meh about doing it regularly (and I haven't), but I did appreciate how applicable to real world emergency situations it is though. Since then I've said I'll take any new car through a day of AutoX so that I know how it will perform.

Luckily PCA puts their money where Porsche's mouth is so I took my Cayenne to the first event (class) after I bought it. Oddly enough I enjoyed it more than either the e90 or 996. It really ate it's tires though and I can't justify a couple sets of tires each season and what it really needs is bigger wheels with lower profile tires so I don't have to blow them up so much to reduce the sidewall roll...

You know Schnell, the object is to not knock over the cones. Maybe if you focused on that you wouldn't need the noob tape

 

Wait...what?!?

 

This changes EVERYTHING!

 

Autocross is great fun and and excellent way to learn about your car and your driving skills. If you don't use your sports car for sports, it's just a car.

 

I haven't lost any paint yet, but I HAVE destroyed two fender liners. That was part cone hit, part enormous R-comp tires.

I always just tell myself, "patina."

 

The track is always a great place to go to figure out what your limits and the cars limits are. Hope you enjoyed and will bring her back out for more fun!

-Luccia

 

just wait until you do a DE event at a race track with continuous lapping. As much fun as AX is, the track is way better.

Its a very slippery slope

 

OP, look around to see which car clubs near you host track days. Autocross is a blast, but attending a club's track day will get you a couple of hours of track time for around $200...