TRAKCAR

bruinmd

Great post and I completely agree and understand where you're coming from.

Many thanks to all the great replies in this thread, minus the few patronizing posts.

Let me be clear: I'm not new to this world, but am new to the PTX experience and this type of fantastic instruction. I completely understand the point of developing skills with lower hp cars that drive more like karts (miata being one of the best examples), and then progressing from there.
About 4 years ago, I had my first track weekend at a PCA sponsored event at Nola motor sports, at which time I took up my friend's offer to go with him to this event. I brought my 997.2 GTS vert for that event, and almost gave up on the idea of ever tracking my car again after it was done, b/c I felt pretty defeated. That event had no cones, signs, or anything, and no classroom time before I hit the track. It was not an event for a newbie like me, regardless of how it was sold. It was like taking someone who hadn't learned to crawl and trying to teach them to run. Having an instructor in the car didn't help that much b/c everything was moving way too quickly for someone like me who didn't even understand the basics of driving on a track. The in seat instruction wasn't horrible, but it was a lot to process when you had people in your group who done this at least a handful of times before that.

It was then that I learned (quickly) that I had no business driving a rear engine 911 on a track to 'learn'. I needed to start with track basics, do some autocross events (which I've since done), and get into a low HP car and progress from there.

I since sold my GTS and got a BMW M2 6mt that I've enjoyed (no autocross or track events in it) for the last 15 months or so. But something strange has happened the last year or so: I've developed mild motion sickness with sharp corners in the M2. This makes me wonder how I would fare in smaller, more nimble cars, especially those that don't sit low enough.

Enter the PTX experience last weekend: I took some dramamine both days and did great, until the last set up of laps in the 718 GTS. I loved that car, but it was the only one where a bit more body roll into and out of corners, which made me a bit symptomatic. I didn't feel that in the turbo S or 991 GTS.

I was hooked after the weekend, but realized that I may not be able to progress to serious track events or even racing. And I don't think I'm gong to do anymore autocross events (I haven't done any in over 2 years). Rather, it might be nice to find car that I love daily driving in and that can double down as fun track car for DE events that aren't crazy intense. All the same, it would be great to improve the skill set along the way and get better, whatever car I get.

I had no desire for a turbo S before last weekend. I only mentioned it b/c I was surprised at how it drove into and out of corners--as heavy as it was--but I agree with all of the comments here about how it's a hammer to a nail and not the right car for a relative beginner who is looking to get better and faster on the track. It's just that I may not be able to progress into more intense driving in lower HP, lighter, more nimble cars given the symptoms I've developed over the last year or so.
I may be resigned to the fact that track days for me may just be a good way to have some fun, while getting incrementally faster.

I'll be selling my M2 and getting a 2019 Shelby GT350, which is a car I've wanted as a long term keeper. It will come with Ford's performance school I believe, which will be nice to compare to the PTX event, and can only help to keep building skills.
Then, in about 18 months or so, I'd like to consider another p car, depending on how I feel physically. If the motion sickness has improved over that time, I agree with all here about stepping back a bit and getting a miata or track ready cayman (a 987 Cayman S was my first porsche but I did no performance oriented driving in it) and getting after it hard. If it doesn't, then a CPO turbo S might be great for DD and the occasional 'track day lite'.

jadski

gbuff

I lean towards motion sickness myself in the passenger seat (one reason why I don't instruct--would rather not take meds for it) but thankfully not while driving.....hope you get it sorted somehow.

If nothing else, this presents a great incentive to really smooooooth out your driving!

Gary

dgrobs

Mark Dreyer

anthony42hat

This. I have a sportfishing boat and run some offshore charters and the patch is by far the most effective for folks that get seasick and their experience is much better because they don't sleep the day away. Keep in mind my opinion is based off what I see in my clients, not what I have experienced personally as I have never had any sort of motion sickness.

Vadaredevil

ALE

If you can make it work, join the PCA AL Region @ Barber's for our DE over Father's Day weekend - June 15 & 16.
Registration for that plus our April & October DEs is at ClubRegistration.net.
For more info and links: http://ala.pca.org/2019-alabama-pca-hpde-schedule/
Doing the school and a DE back to back is highly recommended.

Gary R.

Couple of things. Why would you think you (or anyone else for that matter) "have no business driving a rear engine 911 on a track to learn"? What do you think approx. 75% of all PCA members learned in? As for your motion sickness I can sympathize as it hits me as an instructor in the right seat when i'm with a particulary "not smooth" student, but one thing I think I have in common with other sufferers is very few feel this while actually driving, and you are talking about driving a BMW on the street! As you state this just started fairly recently have you seen a doctor to have a look at possible inner ear issues/ongoing infection/etc.?

Hope you get it all sorted.

etchhead

bruinmd

No I haven't seen a doctor for it. I'm a doctor myself and am pretty familiar with inner issues. Some people are simply more prone to motion sickness than others, independent of inner ear problems such as BPV or Menierre's disease.

My answer to your question is simple: I think it's plain stupid to take a 997.2 GTS on the track with zero track track experience to learn on the fly......that's essentially what I did when I was 'encouraged' by a good buddy of mine. I would have been much better off in a front engine or mid engine car for a first time track event.
I realized that after I spun out on the first day coming out of a sharp turn b/c I didn't understand string theory, and that GTS made me pay for it. My instructor tried to explain it to me as we were driving, but it was a lot to process while focusing on 'going fast' for the first time.
Had it been a 991, I think it would have been far more forgiving. Anyway, you live and you learn.

bruinmd

NICE!!

My plan is to keep the shelby, sell my M2, and then add another P car in about 18 months or so. Maybe it will be the turbo S or maybe, just maybe, I'll consider a used 718 GTS (I don't think I'm going to surrender to the hype of the next GT4 or Spyder, but you never know : )

The new upgrades w/r to tires, wheels, brakes, and chassis on the 2019 GT350 are supposed to close the gap a bit b/w it and the GT350R. Consequently, the base price went up by about $4k or so c/w to 2016-2018.

Can I ask-- why didn't you keep your R?? Especially if you got it at sticker........ I think it will be true collectors car one day.

skxf430

For those that get motion sickness, try loading up on Ginger root pills or eating any type of ginger at least a week prior to your event. Ginger is a known remedy for motion sickness and it doesn't have any side effects like Dramamine or Scopalamine.

Gary R.

Doctors make the worst patients..
Unless you are an ENT specialist I would consult with one just for the sake of checking the box as you say this is a new issue with you. I also used ginger capsules when I was younger and the first computer video games made me ill, but ginger can act as a blood thinner so it's use may not be a good idea for some.

The issue was your instructor letting you drive way over your head, not the car's fault for being powerful. I started in a 997S and had no such problems because my instructors spent time with me before and between groups setting limits and expectations, made me aware of fundamentals, track layout, flag station positions, etc. etc. A good instructor (in CT Valley and NY Metro anyway) will contact the student well before the event to create a dialog establishing where the student's level is, and what he is expected to know BEFORE he arrives at the track for the first time. From what I read this was a Region or Instructor failure (or both), not the 997.2 GTS and it's a shame it went the way it did.