GT3 - Driver training
Discussion
I've just bought a 991.2 GT3 and want to get the best out of it. I'd say my driving skills are pretty poor, especially after my visit to PEC last week. Where I drove a 991.2 C4 GTS for all of 10 minutes, before the coolant gauge went bananas, and they swapped it out for a 992 C4S.
It made me realise I have a lot to learn. After talking to the instructor, he mentioned their open drive days where you can take your own car and have a 90 min session with an instructor for £175.00.
Ideally I'd like three or four days back to back to really learn as much as I can, as it's a long journey to Silverstone. Does anyone know if this is possible? Or have any other advice in regards to driver instruction in a GT3, either in my own car or otherwise? Any recommendations for Yorkshire/North West?
It made me realise I have a lot to learn. After talking to the instructor, he mentioned their open drive days where you can take your own car and have a 90 min session with an instructor for £175.00.
Ideally I'd like three or four days back to back to really learn as much as I can, as it's a long journey to Silverstone. Does anyone know if this is possible? Or have any other advice in regards to driver instruction in a GT3, either in my own car or otherwise? Any recommendations for Yorkshire/North West?
Lots of instructors here: https://www.ards.co.uk/instructors/
Rather than back to back days , best to do different things , and gaps between to think about it , when learning a new track say Daytona , rather than pound around you do a few laps and chill and think about it before going again .
So Maybe PEC .... only 1 day but good to learn drifting and skid pan .
1 day with instruction at SS GP circuit .
Finally
Ice driving in Finland at the Porsche site , for good low grip experience
So Maybe PEC .... only 1 day but good to learn drifting and skid pan .
1 day with instruction at SS GP circuit .
Finally
Ice driving in Finland at the Porsche site , for good low grip experience
PMacanGTS said:
I've just bought a 991.2 GT3 and want to get the best out of it. I'd say my driving skills are pretty poor, especially after my visit to PEC last week. Where I drove a 991.2 C4 GTS for all of 10 minutes, before the coolant gauge went bananas, and they swapped it out for a 992 C4S.
It made me realise I have a lot to learn. After talking to the instructor, he mentioned their open drive days where you can take your own car and have a 90 min session with an instructor for £175.00.
Ideally I'd like three or four days back to back to really learn as much as I can, as it's a long journey to Silverstone. Does anyone know if this is possible? Or have any other advice in regards to driver instruction in a GT3, either in my own car or otherwise? Any recommendations for Yorkshire/North West?
I've done it several times. Its great fun and a great day out, and one of the few ways you'll get to safely deal with 'kick plates' and low friction surfaces.It made me realise I have a lot to learn. After talking to the instructor, he mentioned their open drive days where you can take your own car and have a 90 min session with an instructor for £175.00.
Ideally I'd like three or four days back to back to really learn as much as I can, as it's a long journey to Silverstone. Does anyone know if this is possible? Or have any other advice in regards to driver instruction in a GT3, either in my own car or otherwise? Any recommendations for Yorkshire/North West?
So I'd highly recommend it. They are very good instructors and will teach you a lot of very good skills. I'd only do it once though.
Other than that, you'll need a good instructor to take you round a track somewhere else and teach you all the skills you'll need to know.
Is your driving more road or track orientated?
If road I did this shortly after buying my Exige: http://www.high-performance-course.com/
It has improved my driving, on road and track no-end
If road I did this shortly after buying my Exige: http://www.high-performance-course.com/
It has improved my driving, on road and track no-end
Have to say, I wouldn't get so hung up about only getting a 'PEC instructor' and/or only doing PEC courses. While Porsche clearly do set minimum requirements for their instructors, you end up paying a significant Porsche tax as well for that which could be better spent on actual driving instruction.
Similar to what hunter says, would suggest doing a couple of the car control/drift type days at Millbrook or Bruntingthorpe instead to get used to what the car does (or doesn't!) do when it's out of grip. Then when you're more confident in what to do, get a good instructor (plenty here can suggest some I reckon) on a trackday next time out (or better yet split with a friend as tbh I find a full day with an instructor a bit much to take in especially earlier on and it's easier to process with some down time over the day) and pick a nice safe circuit with lots of runoff for that (rather than say Brands GP or Oulton!).
Similar to what hunter says, would suggest doing a couple of the car control/drift type days at Millbrook or Bruntingthorpe instead to get used to what the car does (or doesn't!) do when it's out of grip. Then when you're more confident in what to do, get a good instructor (plenty here can suggest some I reckon) on a trackday next time out (or better yet split with a friend as tbh I find a full day with an instructor a bit much to take in especially earlier on and it's easier to process with some down time over the day) and pick a nice safe circuit with lots of runoff for that (rather than say Brands GP or Oulton!).
Working with a good instructor is well invested money.
Especially when you are a novice it makes sense to go for instructor who is good at instructing as opposed to the fastest driver out there. You want to learn the basics in a digestible way. A good instructor focuses and times his/her suggestions such that you can absorb and apply them during - what you at least will consider as - very quick driving.
Once you went past the basics, check-out the drift training at Sachsenring in Germany near Berlin. The highlight is in the afternoon when they "water" the track and you can drift the GT86s they use for training around most of the circuit. Lots of fun and excellent car control training
Especially when you are a novice it makes sense to go for instructor who is good at instructing as opposed to the fastest driver out there. You want to learn the basics in a digestible way. A good instructor focuses and times his/her suggestions such that you can absorb and apply them during - what you at least will consider as - very quick driving.
Once you went past the basics, check-out the drift training at Sachsenring in Germany near Berlin. The highlight is in the afternoon when they "water" the track and you can drift the GT86s they use for training around most of the circuit. Lots of fun and excellent car control training
If you had a pre-991 GT3 I would recommend a specialist 911 instructor - they need a particular driving technique. A 991 will - just about - lend itself to a mid engined technique so pretty much any Ards qualified instructor will be fine.
In the unlikelyhood that you are looking to get the last few 10ths out of the car you will need to revert to a specialist. As said earlier, if you are not confident driving to threashold, you will be better served starting with some limit handling instruction.
In the unlikelyhood that you are looking to get the last few 10ths out of the car you will need to revert to a specialist. As said earlier, if you are not confident driving to threashold, you will be better served starting with some limit handling instruction.
Barry Homo said:
I did a CAT driver training day on Saturday and it was fantastic. If you read the Porsche owners forum you'll see a lot of Porsche guys specifically rave about them too 
I did a day with them recently with PCGB at Milbrook and thought it was very good, although I think the guy that runs it is the better instructor. I was lucky I got him! I’ve also hired a PEC instructor privately and done a half day at Bruntingthorpe to learn high speed/track handling. Lots of run off, high enough speeds that you can really push yourself and the car. I’m doing another half day at the end of the month with the same instructor and then will follow up with a Precision Day at the PEC which is split between the main track and the PEC, because I know the instructor it’ll mostly be on the main track.
If you want the instructors details drop me a PM.
PEC is is very good, but has its limits, mainly because the track is not of the same size and speed as a proper circuit.
Having a good instructor on a track day will give another level of experience.
As Cheib says, an instructor at an airfield type venue can actually bring another dimensions again to the speed/handling. Other GT3 guys have done similar and found it beneficial. It is probably next my my list.
The other thing, on Porsche track days, is getting passenger laps. This can give a lot better idea of lines and performance limits.
Congrats on the new car! Welcome to the club.
Having a good instructor on a track day will give another level of experience.
As Cheib says, an instructor at an airfield type venue can actually bring another dimensions again to the speed/handling. Other GT3 guys have done similar and found it beneficial. It is probably next my my list.
The other thing, on Porsche track days, is getting passenger laps. This can give a lot better idea of lines and performance limits.
Congrats on the new car! Welcome to the club.
PMacanGTS said:
Thanks to all the above. Lots of good advice and plenty for me to think about.
I did this a few years back. Immensely valuable. https://catdrivertraining.co.uk/
Cheib said:
I did a day with them recently with PCGB at Milbrook and thought it was very good, although I think the guy that runs it is the better instructor. I was lucky I got him!
I’ve also hired a PEC instructor privately and done a half day at Bruntingthorpe to learn high speed/track handling. Lots of run off, high enough speeds that you can really push yourself and the car. I’m doing another half day at the end of the month with the same instructor and then will follow up with a Precision Day at the PEC which is split between the main track and the PEC, because I know the instructor it’ll mostly be on the main track.
If you want the instructors details drop me a PM.
Thanks. The CAT driver training looks good. I think I’d start with the road use first, before doing a track course.I’ve also hired a PEC instructor privately and done a half day at Bruntingthorpe to learn high speed/track handling. Lots of run off, high enough speeds that you can really push yourself and the car. I’m doing another half day at the end of the month with the same instructor and then will follow up with a Precision Day at the PEC which is split between the main track and the PEC, because I know the instructor it’ll mostly be on the main track.
If you want the instructors details drop me a PM.
It would be good to get some private tuition from a PEC instructor too, I’ll drop you a pm.
I’ll drop you a pm, thanks.
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