Hey guys
Okay my dealer is having a track day on Sunday and has invited some of their customers to come out with their cars on their dime! Am happy about that and going to take my newly acquired 2009 C4S w/PDK to enjoy the afternoon. However 1) my wife thinks I am crazy and worries that I'll wreck the car (I do not!) But am not trying to do Steve McQueen's LeMans salute either, 2) I've never done a track day in a Porsche so am kinda nervous and worried about what to do, what not to do and what to expect. Will I be able to handle the car or get myself in trouble and my wife's predictions come true. I've done the BMW Performance Driving School x1 and their BMW 1-day M school so am not totally unfamiliar with driving a street legal race car on a track. But it was theirs (car) not mine! LOL

Anyway any advise on what to expect and to do especially from those who've done alot of track days or DE's would be appreciated! Any nuances of the C4S I should expect? Thanks...Md

 

You'll be fine. You've got plenty of initial experience...just don't get out of your comfort zone! Pretty difficult to spin out a C4S unless you drive erratic.

 

You most likely will have an instructor alongside and so just listen and learn the line and Tru to be smooth. You will be debriefed after each session with good feedback. You will have fun.

 

Not to worry, I have set up a fun day for track orientation that will allow you to explore some of the capability of your new prize yet do it safely. The goal, and well planned out, is to have everyone leave with a smile and the same great shine on their cars, plus improved driving skills and a greater appreciation of the PORSCHE brand. Look forward to seeing you Sunday.

P.S. To be technically correct, it is a Longhorn PCA event sponsored by The Porsche Center of San Antonio

 

consider DE insurance. Most auto policies have a disclaimer that accidents while on track are not covered. You may wish to consider the DE insurance, which should be about $150-$200 for the weekend.

 

This does not sound like an event at the Glen..too far to drive. Too bad..perfect late summer weather.

 

I'll see you there! I'm in the morning session, this will be my first time on the track. Being a novice, they will not let us push our cars enough to get into any trouble. We will only be doing the follow the leader sessions, with an instructor. The solo part of the event is only for those with some experience. Hopefully it will stay dry, definitely wouldn't want to be caught in that rain like we had yesterday morning, the commute was torture.

 

No 'HELP' nec, you will have fun!! Relax and enjoy. These cars are so capable that you really have to work at it to get into a worst case scenerio...

Advises:

1. good nights sleep
2. bring a lot of water, even if its rainy
3. bring a tire pressure gauge, esp if it turns out sunny and warm
4. if you have a question (like: what pressures should my tires be set to before the run?, or when hot?) ask your instructor
5. focus on learning the line first and foremost, forget about "speed" that will come with perfecting the line

And, be careful, it is hugely addictive...

 

Okay cool. Sorry didnt know who it was sponsored by or appropriately titled ownership wise! Glad to have a chance to enjoy the car other than on I-410! LOL See you there and nice to finally meet you. Md

 

So Rob, how did it go?

 

Hey Chris
It went great. The C4S ran like a charm and after some laps following the leader and also with an instructor I was cleared to drive solo with the guys running a Turbo and 2 GT3's! Of course I was in the rear of that little foursome! But at least I wasn't lapped! Lol

Longhorn PCA guys were great (esp F4plt and my instructor Dave C). Awesome guys. Great PCA chapter! Reallly made me feel welcome @ my 1st PCA event.

 

You must have been there in the afternoon, I saw that beautiful Mexico blue GT3 coming up the road as I was leaving. It was a great time, I posted a brief report in the Track section. Great that you got to run with an instructor and then run solo, I didn't have as much luck. Looking forward to the next event!

 

.. and we will have another. you can always join Harris Hill and run with Steve and I almost weekly Jack

 

Very tempting.

 

+100!

Also, the ONLY thing you wanna be careful with a rear-engine car vs. front-engine is to know when/how to get on the power.... so slow-in, fast out... make sure you smoothly get into a corner and get on the power when your wheels are straight and out of the corner (other words, don't get on power too soon)... after a few laps you can tweak it.

Today Porsche's are very forgiving and not like the old ones that needed 100% concentration at all time!