Porsche Driving Experience

[BobToc]

Any recent feedback from the driving tuition? Was thinking of doing this with my air cooled and the thought of doing this with an "expert" appeals, but I wonder if simply getting track day tuition might be just as good (and cheaper).

[Gabby123]

I wouldn't go there for driving training. If you want to dick about in the new models and get a feel for them, great. But for performance driving, suspect there are far better options.

What would you suggest? I am interested for a days driving with the wifi.

[edo]

agree with Cmoose. Do a trackday at somewhere like bedford and pay for an instructor for the day or say the first half of the day.

[youngsyr]

I don't think track days are the best for driver training - there's little room to push the car beyond its limits/get it wrong, which in my experience is the best way of learning.

The best training I've had was actually at an airfield throwing my old car around cones with an instructor constantly pushing me to throw it in faster. Unfortunately those sort of days seems to be few and far between.

I hear good things about CAT driver training (no affiliation), but have never tried it.

Likewise www.carlimits.com, again no affiliation.

[Koln-RS]

Friend of mine did a day at PEC, Silverstone in a classic 911 and said it was excellent - especially the wet handling facilities. Nothing too onerous on the car, but a useful way to learn about it in a safe environment.

[Fezzaman]

I think the clue is in the name - Porsche 'Experience' Centre - it's about the whole package and environment as opposed to 'proper' track days - and ultimately the PEC is meant as a sales tool. Question is are you talking about the 'vanilla' stuff they do at PEC that owners/purchasers get sent on and for the average joe to try it out (for which it is more than worth it if you can wrangle a freebie from a mate or something as a +1) or the 'Porsche Sport Driving School' which seems a bit more serious (and costs a fair bit as well) and at the higher levels you get to use the proper SIlverstone track I think. Even with this though you're going to be paying for the Porsche experience/food etc that's part of the PEC. I'm going again later this month to try out a Cayman GTS and hopefully the new extensions will be built so can see if the 'vanilla' stuff is better value.

[BobToc]

Thanks all for the feedback. I'm talking about the Porsche Sports Driving School, sorry I should have been clearer but the website all seems to appear under the PEC section.

I have wangled a free Porsche Range Experience day separately, but I'm keeping my expectations low given some of the feedback on earlier threads!

[Pip1968]

I can recommend CAT Driver Training http://catdrivertraining.co.uk , Email: [e-mail]
Jo Mobile: [phone]
Colin Mobile: [phone]

A lot of people who are track day regulars have used them and I have never heard anything bad about them. I have been on three different sessions with Colin and he was excellent and is not precious about the use of his cars.

It will be interesting to get some feedback from your Porsche Sports day.

Pip

[hondansx]

The issue with training is that its only good if you continually invest. So for me, as long as you enjoy it, it's worthwhile.

The Porsche Driving Experience is more of a 'Red Letter Experience Day' rather than out and out training. You can do some quite customised days though, which can include the Silverstone circuit.

I've done an experience where I drove a GT2 and GT3 RS which was fun simply because they are dream cars. I've also done a custom day which entailed learning how to drift a GT3 which was enormously frustrating/rewarding and genuinely useful for driving development. I've even done their fitness days which involves running around the circuit! All recommended, but it sounds like track day tuition may suit best. Also far cheaper!

[youngsyr]

hondansx said:

The issue with training is that its only good if you continually invest.

I'm not sure that's true, at least not in my case.

There are certain skills and knowledge that you can learn and stay with you regardless, such as car positioning and balancing, changing gear at the correct time, etc.

Of course you need to practice other skills (heel & toe downshifts etc) to keep your skills sharp.

[static2010]

I've done the warm up before & loved it.
Learned some very useful info & techniques there.

I hear CAT is better if you want to use your own motor, but the facilities at Silverstone are second to none & won't cost you a set of tyres by driving at the limit.

Excellent day out & going back to do the next level this year.

[trawler]

Pip1968 said:

I can recommend CAT Driver Training http://catdrivertraining.co.uk , Email: [e-mail]
Jo Mobile: [phone]
Colin Mobile: [phone]

A lot of people who are track day regulars have used them and I have never heard anything bad about them. I have been on three different sessions with Colin and he was excellent and is not precious about the use of his cars.

It will be interesting to get some feedback from your Porsche Sports day.

Pip

+1 did one of the days with Pip.

Colin & Joe are fantastic. Also did a track day with Colin the other day.

[BobToc]

This is great feedback, thanks everyone. The advanced driving with CAT looks like it's be very useful indeed in a car without ABS!