Porsche Experience
Discussion
I went around ten years ago and although the car (991s) and venue staff were great, the instructor wasn't. I was made aware that they didn't usually get people like me (working in a bike shop earning minimum wage) attending.
As I did enjoy the actual experience and I'm now actually looking a Porsche I decided to go again, and take my wife in the hope that she's see why I wanted a Porsche.
As usual the staff and the cars were great, my wife was in 718S and I was in a GT4. This time however the instructors were what made the day. We couldn't have asked for two more knowledgeable and more friendly people. I had a guy called Chris who raced 944's and my wife had a chap names Pete who raced endurance cars. The conversation alone was worth the money.
My wife now understands why I want a Porsche so that's mission accomplished
It surprises me how few people actually do the experiences, they're so far about the usual "5 minutes in a Ferrari on an airfield" stuff.
As I did enjoy the actual experience and I'm now actually looking a Porsche I decided to go again, and take my wife in the hope that she's see why I wanted a Porsche.
As usual the staff and the cars were great, my wife was in 718S and I was in a GT4. This time however the instructors were what made the day. We couldn't have asked for two more knowledgeable and more friendly people. I had a guy called Chris who raced 944's and my wife had a chap names Pete who raced endurance cars. The conversation alone was worth the money.
My wife now understands why I want a Porsche so that's mission accomplished
It surprises me how few people actually do the experiences, they're so far about the usual "5 minutes in a Ferrari on an airfield" stuff.
It's a great half day IME.
A lot of the instructors have quite serious pedigrees when it comes to driving cars quickly and are good at pitching the day towards the individuals ability and what they want to get from it.
Circa £500 for about 2 1/2 hours in the car might sound expensive to some, but even if you are paying I think that's reasonable. Best part of a tank of fuel, a decent chunk of rubber and driven hard.
Also a good way to help decide between 2 models by switching at "half-time" and driving them back to back.
A lot of the instructors have quite serious pedigrees when it comes to driving cars quickly and are good at pitching the day towards the individuals ability and what they want to get from it.
Circa £500 for about 2 1/2 hours in the car might sound expensive to some, but even if you are paying I think that's reasonable. Best part of a tank of fuel, a decent chunk of rubber and driven hard.
Also a good way to help decide between 2 models by switching at "half-time" and driving them back to back.
I have been about a dozen times - thankfully all courtesy of Porsche ! Yes a very enjoyable day and Some valuable tips always available ! In my experiences the instructors were always amenable to tailoring to your requirements - more lap time as opposed to ice hill/ kick plate etc or vice versa - as you wish.
I've never had a bad day and I've done it a few times. 911 Turbo S and Taycan Turbo S being the last 2. I've also had Chris so I know exactly what you mean. Food isn't bad either.
My embarrassing story is that I'm the only one who's had to be rescued after crashing
Macan had to come and get me, with people watching out of the window as I gingerly got back and went upstairs for lunch.
My embarrassing story is that I'm the only one who's had to be rescued after crashing
Macan had to come and get me, with people watching out of the window as I gingerly got back and went upstairs for lunch.
I've been several times last time was for the Macan EV. We did all the usual stuff however you can't take the Macan EV on the off road section which is why I went however they took me out in a Cayenne which was great. I also did a section on the roads around Silverstone which was also very informative.
It's a two hour drive across country for us and would still go again.
It's a two hour drive across country for us and would still go again.
Had a great half-day there last May (self-funded) - was suprised to see people being slightly negative about it on previous threads.
Can't remember what my driver did before (not sure I asked), but my brother in law's was an ex-police high speed driving instructor. Both were very good.
The half day felt like a good amount of time to get a feel for the different sections and ended at good point, but maybe that was just me running out of driving stamina by then.
I'd pay to go back and do a more focused session for sure, but would maybe only do the standard half day (going round the five or six areas) if Porsche were paying.
Can't remember what my driver did before (not sure I asked), but my brother in law's was an ex-police high speed driving instructor. Both were very good.
The half day felt like a good amount of time to get a feel for the different sections and ended at good point, but maybe that was just me running out of driving stamina by then.
I'd pay to go back and do a more focused session for sure, but would maybe only do the standard half day (going round the five or six areas) if Porsche were paying.
Good experience overall & certainly good value for money. Better to get a freebie through the OPC though!
Porsche need to invite customer feedback on the instructors though. It's a complete lottery who you get & if you don't get on with one, there's no chance to switch. Unfortunately had a poor experience - maybe caught on a bad day. But has made me think twice about paying for it again.
Thankfully next time I went was freebie through the OPC & instructor was brilliant
Porsche need to invite customer feedback on the instructors though. It's a complete lottery who you get & if you don't get on with one, there's no chance to switch. Unfortunately had a poor experience - maybe caught on a bad day. But has made me think twice about paying for it again.
Thankfully next time I went was freebie through the OPC & instructor was brilliant
I’ve been 5 times now, the latest being yesterday in fact. All OPC funded or included with a car purchase
Overall, I think it’s great. It is NOT a trackday, but you do get to drive the cars hard within your own ability and perhaps do things you never would with your own car, trying launch control for example. They listen to what you want to get out of it and adapt the session to suit
I’d echo earlier comments though, the instructor makes a massive difference. I’ve had one bad experience and that was because the instructor was trying to impose stuff on me I had no interest in and was constantly scalded for not being inch perfect on lines, pace, braking, etc. I wasn’t there to learn how to track drive!
Food is good, but can be hit or miss depending on your level of “being a foodie”. Breakfast is always good though!
This time around I had a chance to try out the electric Macan. Not because I was thinking of buying one, but because I’d mentioned I’d never driven an electric car ever, Porsche or otherwise, so if there is something you’d like to try, just ask them but don’t expect to be given the keys to a GT3 RS unless you’re there to drive it in the first place
Overall, I think it’s great. It is NOT a trackday, but you do get to drive the cars hard within your own ability and perhaps do things you never would with your own car, trying launch control for example. They listen to what you want to get out of it and adapt the session to suit
I’d echo earlier comments though, the instructor makes a massive difference. I’ve had one bad experience and that was because the instructor was trying to impose stuff on me I had no interest in and was constantly scalded for not being inch perfect on lines, pace, braking, etc. I wasn’t there to learn how to track drive!
Food is good, but can be hit or miss depending on your level of “being a foodie”. Breakfast is always good though!
This time around I had a chance to try out the electric Macan. Not because I was thinking of buying one, but because I’d mentioned I’d never driven an electric car ever, Porsche or otherwise, so if there is something you’d like to try, just ask them but don’t expect to be given the keys to a GT3 RS unless you’re there to drive it in the first place
Went on Monday, my first time, and I thought it was fantastic.
I’d actually won the experience from my local OPC over a year ago and wasn’t really that bothered but decided ‘why not’ and got it booked before the voucher ran out and I’m glad I did.
Andy, my Instructor was great, I’d paid to bring Mrs Race for the food….which was excellent, but when we returned for a break mid morning she quipped that we didn’t look like we were going that fast, so he took her for a quick spin…quite literally
Would thoroughly recommend the day, especially as a freebee and hopefully I learnt something.
I’d actually won the experience from my local OPC over a year ago and wasn’t really that bothered but decided ‘why not’ and got it booked before the voucher ran out and I’m glad I did.
Andy, my Instructor was great, I’d paid to bring Mrs Race for the food….which was excellent, but when we returned for a break mid morning she quipped that we didn’t look like we were going that fast, so he took her for a quick spin…quite literally
Would thoroughly recommend the day, especially as a freebee and hopefully I learnt something.
raceboy said:
Went on Monday, my first time, and I thought it was fantastic.
I d actually won the experience from my local OPC over a year ago and wasn t really that bothered but decided why not and got it booked before the voucher ran out and I m glad I did.
Andy, my Instructor was great, I d paid to bring Mrs Race for the food .which was excellent, but when we returned for a break mid morning she quipped that we didn t look like we were going that fast, so he took her for a quick spin quite literally
Would thoroughly recommend the day, especially as a freebee and hopefully I learnt something.
Andy ? Don't suppose you got his surname, was he c6ft, fair hair, ex policeman into motorbikes?I d actually won the experience from my local OPC over a year ago and wasn t really that bothered but decided why not and got it booked before the voucher ran out and I m glad I did.
Andy, my Instructor was great, I d paid to bring Mrs Race for the food .which was excellent, but when we returned for a break mid morning she quipped that we didn t look like we were going that fast, so he took her for a quick spin quite literally
Would thoroughly recommend the day, especially as a freebee and hopefully I learnt something.
If so he is one of my best mates, i did half day with him last Friday in the 992.2 GTS was a cracking few hours, this weekend we fly to Brno for 3 days on circuit 28th the bikes.
If it was him will pass on your nice words.
raceboy said:
dibblecorse said:
Andy ? Don't suppose you got his surname, was he c6ft, fair hair, ex policeman into motorbikes?
Don't think this sounds like him, he didn't mention the Police or Motorbikes, he was semi retired, also did a similar role at Mercedes, was into AutoTrials in an SJ410. 
ThunderSpook said:
I presume those getting them for freebies from OPC are those who OPC is hoping will spend a tonne of cash with them?
Usually it's those that have already spent some cash, they are part of the new car package, so you get to drive what you have already bought or have on order, there was everything from Macans and Boxsters to GT3RS's going round. 
ThunderSpook said:
I presume those getting them for freebies from OPC are those who OPC is hoping will spend a tonne of cash with them?
I managed to negotiate one into my approved used purchase from Bristol a few months ago. Mid Sussex OPC offered me one as well if I purchased from them without even asking.
Haven’t used it yet but looking to get something booked in soon.
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