getting better
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
getting better
After a week with my Cayman S I have realized just how unworthy of the car I am. I must become a better drive. More skilled at the clutch, the stick, the wheel, and the whole symphony of it all.
I am going to do some Porsche track days this summer but what can I do right now to become better? Any sources of learning/advice you can point me to?
I am going to do some Porsche track days this summer but what can I do right now to become better? Any sources of learning/advice you can point me to?
#2
Rennlist Member
If you are not worthy to drive a cayman on street what possesses you to believe you should take it to the track? Something tells me this will not end well.
You should find some empty country roads to drive on and do everything slowly and meticulously for now. Or you could buy a Honda .
S
You should find some empty country roads to drive on and do everything slowly and meticulously for now. Or you could buy a Honda .
S
#3
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
If you are not worthy to drive a cayman on street what possesses you to believe you should take it to the track? Something tells me this will not end well.
You should find some empty country roads to drive on and do everything slowly and meticulously for now. Or you could buy a Honda .
S
You should find some empty country roads to drive on and do everything slowly and meticulously for now. Or you could buy a Honda .
S
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Toronto, Canada, Outside Turn 2 Mosport
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If you want to gain car control and some better driving techniques, you can contact Gerry Low at driveteq.ca. They have some winter schools going on. We will look forward to seeing you at the PCA Drivers Ed days (insurance companies like it better when we don't call them track days ) or any of the numerous events throughout the season
Cheers.
Cheers.
#5
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
If you want to gain car control and some better driving techniques, you can contact Gerry Low at driveteq.ca. They have some winter schools going on. We will look forward to seeing you at the PCA Drivers Ed days (insurance companies like it better when we don't call them track days ) or any of the numerous events throughout the season
Cheers.
Cheers.
#6
Burning Brakes
After a week with my Cayman S I have realized just how unworthy of the car I am. I must become a better drive. More skilled at the clutch, the stick, the wheel, and the whole symphony of it all.
I am going to do some Porsche track days this summer but what can I do right now to become better? Any sources of learning/advice you can point me to?
I am going to do some Porsche track days this summer but what can I do right now to become better? Any sources of learning/advice you can point me to?
As a start, I might suggest not trying to shift too fast (some have a tendency to try to rip it from one gear to the next as fast as possible) - think more relaxed and smooth. I find the Pcars are smoothest at the higher RPM range too - so if you're puttering around, it may be a little more jerky as compared to a 2-3 shift at high RPM on an on-ramp...
Now, if you're playing around with heel-toe technique, that's a whole other story and is best for driver ed days with an instructor (IMO).
Good luck, enjoy!
Check out this video of Hurley Haywood teaching someone heel-toe in a GT3...
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Im not new to driving a manual transmission but am not the best at it. No missed shifts and not jerky. Most of my shifts are good but I certainly feel I could be smoother with the clutch. I am a bit of a perfectionist and slightly neurotic.
I can heel toe but not great at it, am practicing.
There is a smell from the car that I notice after parking and at first I freaked but I brought it to the attention of my buddy who is a porsche salesman at pfaff and he said the smell is normal. Apparently these cars have a distinctive smell after driving, is that the general consensus? I don't think I'm riding/slipping the clutch at all.
I can heel toe but not great at it, am practicing.
There is a smell from the car that I notice after parking and at first I freaked but I brought it to the attention of my buddy who is a porsche salesman at pfaff and he said the smell is normal. Apparently these cars have a distinctive smell after driving, is that the general consensus? I don't think I'm riding/slipping the clutch at all.
Can you expand on your "unworthiness"? Jerky shifting, missed shifts, burning rubber (clutch) smell at the end of the day, stalls?
As a start, I might suggest not trying to shift too fast (some have a tendency to try to rip it from one gear to the next as fast as possible) - think more relaxed and smooth. I find the Pcars are smoothest at the higher RPM range too - so if you're puttering around, it may be a little more jerky as compared to a 2-3 shift at high RPM on an on-ramp...
Now, if you're playing around with heel-toe technique, that's a whole other story and is best for driver ed days with an instructor (IMO).
Good luck, enjoy!
Check out this video of Hurley Haywood teaching someone heel-toe in a GT3...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqYeusE8ksk
As a start, I might suggest not trying to shift too fast (some have a tendency to try to rip it from one gear to the next as fast as possible) - think more relaxed and smooth. I find the Pcars are smoothest at the higher RPM range too - so if you're puttering around, it may be a little more jerky as compared to a 2-3 shift at high RPM on an on-ramp...
Now, if you're playing around with heel-toe technique, that's a whole other story and is best for driver ed days with an instructor (IMO).
Good luck, enjoy!
Check out this video of Hurley Haywood teaching someone heel-toe in a GT3...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqYeusE8ksk
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#8
couple of tips...look where you want to go, smooth inputs(steering, gas, brake, clutch(quick off the clutch-not dragging or slipping it at all), letting the trans. sychros do their thing and not rushing them), practice heel-toe, thereshold braking, accelerating fastest you can without breaking traction and 'hitting' the apexes where safe(and of course legally) to do so
#10
Burning Brakes
I know the smell you are talking about after a good run - and it is different (not as pungent?) compared to a clutch smell.
I tend to have a hard time with heel-toe, I blame my size 13 waterskis - so I do more of a big toe little toe thing!
Sounds like you are doing pretty good to me! Just more time behind the wheel now...
I tend to have a hard time with heel-toe, I blame my size 13 waterskis - so I do more of a big toe little toe thing!
Sounds like you are doing pretty good to me! Just more time behind the wheel now...
#11
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
couple of tips...look where you want to go, smooth inputs(steering, gas, brake, clutch(quick off the clutch-not dragging or slipping it at all), letting the trans. sychros do their thing and not rushing them), practice heel-toe, thereshold braking, accelerating fastest you can without breaking traction and 'hitting' the apexes where safe(and of course legally) to do so
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I know the smell you are talking about after a good run - and it is different (not as pungent?) compared to a clutch smell.
I tend to have a hard time with heel-toe, I blame my size 13 waterskis - so I do more of a big toe little toe thing!
Sounds like you are doing pretty good to me! Just more time behind the wheel now...
I tend to have a hard time with heel-toe, I blame my size 13 waterskis - so I do more of a big toe little toe thing!
Sounds like you are doing pretty good to me! Just more time behind the wheel now...
Thanks, yah. Anyone know what the smell actually is? (good to know it is normal!)
#13
Rennlist Member
Geez, dude. Take a chill pill much? I was being facetious. I am a good driver, I just want to be better. The car is amazing and only someone like a professional race driver would be likely to bring out the best in it. I want to be as good as I can to bring out the best in the car.
#14
Rennlist Member
That smells is probably hot brake pads.
#15
I also recommend Gerry and Rick at Driveteq.ca.
Gerry is a master instructor in all aspects of driving in all conditions. I've had the benefit of Gerry's expertise for years and it has really paid off on both street and track. He's also a thoroughly enjoyable companion in and out of the cabin.
Gerry is a master instructor in all aspects of driving in all conditions. I've had the benefit of Gerry's expertise for years and it has really paid off on both street and track. He's also a thoroughly enjoyable companion in and out of the cabin.