View Poll Results: Who has tracked their car?
Voters: 154. You may not vote on this poll
Who has tracked their car?
#16
that`s video from NHMS novices day. it was a very slow event for everybody.
For me too as I it was first event I drove after winter break and all reflexes were off, but I was calmly working on my lines with instructor - and that is what DE is for - you get there, you work on what you think is important, get some feedback from your instructor and hopefully will get better after each session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49WolccPjo
nothing nearly dangerous there. just a calm steady pace driving. do not be afraid, do not stress yourself with 'do not track what you cannot afford to leave there' stuff, etc. also you can see - most of time you will spend trailing a car/s ahead of you as no one is allowed to do stupid stuff in instructed PCA groups.
For me too as I it was first event I drove after winter break and all reflexes were off, but I was calmly working on my lines with instructor - and that is what DE is for - you get there, you work on what you think is important, get some feedback from your instructor and hopefully will get better after each session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49WolccPjo
nothing nearly dangerous there. just a calm steady pace driving. do not be afraid, do not stress yourself with 'do not track what you cannot afford to leave there' stuff, etc. also you can see - most of time you will spend trailing a car/s ahead of you as no one is allowed to do stupid stuff in instructed PCA groups.
#17
Based on my admittedly limited DE experience, highway driving on the same roads as text-messaging, latte-swilling soccer moms applying mascara while listening to Rush Limbaugh pondering their next pedicure, is far, far more dangerous.
Plus, it really doesn't matter if you destroy it, that's what insurance is for and Porsche is gonna make more, and they aren't making them any slower.
Plus, it really doesn't matter if you destroy it, that's what insurance is for and Porsche is gonna make more, and they aren't making them any slower.
#18
Don't be concerned about wiping out. It is extremely difficult to completely lose control of these cars; you have to be making a serious effort to push hard to the limit. The instructors will not let you get anywhere near there your first time out.
And a well run event will not tolerate yahoos at the wheel, and should allow you to be adequately spaced from other cars, so I would not be concerned with other drivers, either. You are in closer quarters, with far less attentive drivers, on public roads.
Go and have fun. Just leave your ego at home.
And a well run event will not tolerate yahoos at the wheel, and should allow you to be adequately spaced from other cars, so I would not be concerned with other drivers, either. You are in closer quarters, with far less attentive drivers, on public roads.
Go and have fun. Just leave your ego at home.
I feel more insecure on a busy public highway during rush hour than on the track.
#20
that`s video from NHMS novices day. it was a very slow event for everybody.
For me too as I it was first event I drove after winter break and all reflexes were off, but I was calmly working on my lines with instructor - and that is what DE is for - you get there, you work on what you think is important, get some feedback from your instructor and hopefully will get better after each session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49WolccPjo
nothing nearly dangerous there. just a calm steady pace driving. do not be afraid, do not stress yourself with 'do not track what you cannot afford to leave there' stuff, etc. also you can see - most of time you will spend trailing a car/s ahead of you as no one is allowed to do stupid stuff in instructed PCA groups.
For me too as I it was first event I drove after winter break and all reflexes were off, but I was calmly working on my lines with instructor - and that is what DE is for - you get there, you work on what you think is important, get some feedback from your instructor and hopefully will get better after each session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49WolccPjo
nothing nearly dangerous there. just a calm steady pace driving. do not be afraid, do not stress yourself with 'do not track what you cannot afford to leave there' stuff, etc. also you can see - most of time you will spend trailing a car/s ahead of you as no one is allowed to do stupid stuff in instructed PCA groups.
#21
I agree, but I actually live mostly in the burbs, so I am typically on backroads. Knowing my NASCAR on track experiance has me itching to do this in the P-car. My smile was a mile wide when I was done w/ my 10 laps. One of the greatest experainces and appreciation of what a car can really do and the forces the drivers feel, etc.
#23
#24
Do it!
At least try it out.
If you're worried about scratched on your bra or car just tape the crap out of it with painters tape for your peace of mind.
You have the car for it.
Check your ego at track out (However, as soon as you get out of the car you can speak FLATOUT, once the track goes cold, the more beer the FLATOUTER you may become.) and listen to your instructor at all times. You pilot, he captain :-)
I'd say you have zero chance of hurting yourself or the car. Check the brake pads, bleed the brakes and you are good to go for the first few weekends. It's a Porsche, it will love the excercise!
At least try it out.
If you're worried about scratched on your bra or car just tape the crap out of it with painters tape for your peace of mind.
You have the car for it.
Check your ego at track out (However, as soon as you get out of the car you can speak FLATOUT, once the track goes cold, the more beer the FLATOUTER you may become.) and listen to your instructor at all times. You pilot, he captain :-)
I'd say you have zero chance of hurting yourself or the car. Check the brake pads, bleed the brakes and you are good to go for the first few weekends. It's a Porsche, it will love the excercise!
#25
I've done twelve high performance driving schools over the last seven years, three of which were with my 911.
I believe the risks are worth the rewards up until the point where you need to go faster in order to get better. The PCA or CCA schools for first timers are extremely safe and, IMHO, safer than driving on the street to the extent it's a controlled environment.
Having said that, I am not doing any more schools primarily because I was at the point where the risks (of running in faster intermediate runs groups) were beyond my comfort level.
My advice would be to check out a least one high performance driving event...you and the car will be fine and it will be an experience you won't soon forget.
I believe the risks are worth the rewards up until the point where you need to go faster in order to get better. The PCA or CCA schools for first timers are extremely safe and, IMHO, safer than driving on the street to the extent it's a controlled environment.
Having said that, I am not doing any more schools primarily because I was at the point where the risks (of running in faster intermediate runs groups) were beyond my comfort level.
My advice would be to check out a least one high performance driving event...you and the car will be fine and it will be an experience you won't soon forget.
#26
In addition to clear bra, take a look at headlight protection:
http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp
My 997.1 headlights were pitted from the track debris. Got the Xpel clear covers for the 997.2.
http://www.xpel.com/products/headlight.asp
My 997.1 headlights were pitted from the track debris. Got the Xpel clear covers for the 997.2.
#27
Don't be concerned about wiping out. It is extremely difficult to completely lose control of these cars; you have to be making a serious effort to push hard to the limit. The instructors will not let you get anywhere near there your first time out.
And a well run event will not tolerate yahoos at the wheel, and should allow you to be adequately spaced from other cars, so I would not be concerned with other drivers, either. You are in closer quarters, with far less attentive drivers, on public roads.
Go and have fun. Just leave your ego at home.
And a well run event will not tolerate yahoos at the wheel, and should allow you to be adequately spaced from other cars, so I would not be concerned with other drivers, either. You are in closer quarters, with far less attentive drivers, on public roads.
Go and have fun. Just leave your ego at home.
Mike
#28
I've tracked my car quite a few times--the best, most fun recreational thing I've done in a while. It sort of validates my choice of owning a high performance sports car-- is it for looks, or do you really want to drive it like it was made for.
Porsche DE's are very structured for safety. You have driver's class time before you go out on the track. The DE rules, and the track's rules, are very clear and no nonsense. No passing except in certain pass zones. No passing without permission from the driver you are waiting to pass (he waves you around). Two wheels off, come in for a debrief. Two wheels off twice, you may be done for the day. They don't put up with any aggressive foolishness.
The cars are started with large gaps between cars, so they are not bunched up.
Your instructor values his life, and is in constant communication with you via mic/headsets you both wear.
It is a learning experience. It is a track experience, on a road with runoff areas. It is NOT a race.
I am comfortable doing a lapping day on the track. I would never race my 911 unless I had the money to replace it easily.
Tracking is waaaay different than racing. I watch the Spec Miata guys go at it in a race--3 cars fighting for position around a turn, about a foot apart. DE's and lapping days (tracking) are not like that at all.
Having done it, I can't think of owning a Porsche and not doing it.
And when you're finished, you drive home slower than usual because you are spent from the experience, and you got it out on the track, safely. It is fun, but I would not call it relaxing.
My 2 cents.
Porsche DE's are very structured for safety. You have driver's class time before you go out on the track. The DE rules, and the track's rules, are very clear and no nonsense. No passing except in certain pass zones. No passing without permission from the driver you are waiting to pass (he waves you around). Two wheels off, come in for a debrief. Two wheels off twice, you may be done for the day. They don't put up with any aggressive foolishness.
The cars are started with large gaps between cars, so they are not bunched up.
Your instructor values his life, and is in constant communication with you via mic/headsets you both wear.
It is a learning experience. It is a track experience, on a road with runoff areas. It is NOT a race.
I am comfortable doing a lapping day on the track. I would never race my 911 unless I had the money to replace it easily.
Tracking is waaaay different than racing. I watch the Spec Miata guys go at it in a race--3 cars fighting for position around a turn, about a foot apart. DE's and lapping days (tracking) are not like that at all.
Having done it, I can't think of owning a Porsche and not doing it.
And when you're finished, you drive home slower than usual because you are spent from the experience, and you got it out on the track, safely. It is fun, but I would not call it relaxing.
My 2 cents.