Porsche Experience Day at Silverstone - Awesome experience!
Discussion
Well today I have been lucky enough to have a play at Silverstone on the Porsche Experience. I've had a fantastic time and the staff were truly excellent; top marks to all working there.
I was there to learn how to get the most out of the Panamera V6 PDK; the ability of this car is seriously good; I've never driven anything of this size that is so well balanced and agile. It is brilliant; I was told that the diesel is even better! The centre itself was cracking - I basically had the place to myself as there was one other guy and a few new Porsche staff having a training session. Everything about it is addictive; the kick plate especially. The track is nice and tight with varying surfaces and it was easy to get the back end out with all the safety aides turned off! I'm going to have to buy another Porker to get to play there again LOL.
I had the pleasure of being coached by Barry Horne; what a top chap he is; incredibly capable and his ability to teach is outstanding. I cannot believe how much I learnt and he kept me entertained throughout.
If any one wishes to improve their driving capability - whatever your level - then this is the guy to go to!
I was there to learn how to get the most out of the Panamera V6 PDK; the ability of this car is seriously good; I've never driven anything of this size that is so well balanced and agile. It is brilliant; I was told that the diesel is even better! The centre itself was cracking - I basically had the place to myself as there was one other guy and a few new Porsche staff having a training session. Everything about it is addictive; the kick plate especially. The track is nice and tight with varying surfaces and it was easy to get the back end out with all the safety aides turned off! I'm going to have to buy another Porker to get to play there again LOL.
I had the pleasure of being coached by Barry Horne; what a top chap he is; incredibly capable and his ability to teach is outstanding. I cannot believe how much I learnt and he kept me entertained throughout.
If any one wishes to improve their driving capability - whatever your level - then this is the guy to go to!
)
I found mine so-so.
The place itself was excellent (and I will spend my first million on developing one exactly like it on my estate); the facilities were very slick and the kick plate, ice hill and low friction circuit were brilliant (I could have spend days on there). Most of the staff were very helpful but there were one or two that came across a bit 'snooty'.
Where it really went wrong was with the coaching, which I would describe as average at best. As most of them probably are, the 'instructor' was a part-time/weekend racer, who undoubtedly had some skills (although did manage to spin the car himself whilst demonstrating how it should be done), however he was by no means a master of his art and didn't even have a very good teaching style. (Perhaps we just didn't 'gel')
The other downside was that there seemd to be too many other cars using the facility at the same time, which meant that, although I spent most of the time in the driving seat of the car, approximately 40% of that time was sat queuing waiting for others to get out of the way, and to really master these things, you need to get back on straight away.
I went to this experience fully planning to take my own 996t down to one of the YouDrive events later this year, but based on my experience, I don't think I will now. I think there are similar facilites (although perhaps not as slick) at the Prodrive place, so will likely take it there instead.
The place itself was excellent (and I will spend my first million on developing one exactly like it on my estate); the facilities were very slick and the kick plate, ice hill and low friction circuit were brilliant (I could have spend days on there). Most of the staff were very helpful but there were one or two that came across a bit 'snooty'.
Where it really went wrong was with the coaching, which I would describe as average at best. As most of them probably are, the 'instructor' was a part-time/weekend racer, who undoubtedly had some skills (although did manage to spin the car himself whilst demonstrating how it should be done), however he was by no means a master of his art and didn't even have a very good teaching style. (Perhaps we just didn't 'gel')
The other downside was that there seemd to be too many other cars using the facility at the same time, which meant that, although I spent most of the time in the driving seat of the car, approximately 40% of that time was sat queuing waiting for others to get out of the way, and to really master these things, you need to get back on straight away.
I went to this experience fully planning to take my own 996t down to one of the YouDrive events later this year, but based on my experience, I don't think I will now. I think there are similar facilites (although perhaps not as slick) at the Prodrive place, so will likely take it there instead.
My instructor took the sensible approach and got out on track asap - while everyone else was doing "comfort breaks". Then two laps of the circuit and onto the kick plate while it was empty. As soon as the next car tried to join us, we did some basic lap work until the ice hill was quiet, followed by the low friction circuit. This gave me a good feel for the car.
Then a mandatory 15 minute break before going for the main circuit big time with the delicate feel still from doing all the low friction work.
As you say, it depends on your instructor and how many other cars are there. But with a little care and checking what everyone else is doing, the space should be sufficient.
Then a mandatory 15 minute break before going for the main circuit big time with the delicate feel still from doing all the low friction work.
As you say, it depends on your instructor and how many other cars are there. But with a little care and checking what everyone else is doing, the space should be sufficient.
gsewell said:
My instructor took the sensible approach and got out on track asap - while everyone else was doing "comfort breaks". Then two laps of the circuit and onto the kick plate while it was empty. As soon as the next car tried to join us, we did some basic lap work until the ice hill was quiet, followed by the low friction circuit. This gave me a good feel for the car.
Then a mandatory 15 minute break before going for the main circuit big time with the delicate feel still from doing all the low friction work.
As you say, it depends on your instructor and how many other cars are there. But with a little care and checking what everyone else is doing, the space should be sufficient.
Wish I'd had him as an instructor. Sounds like it would have made the world of difference.Then a mandatory 15 minute break before going for the main circuit big time with the delicate feel still from doing all the low friction work.
As you say, it depends on your instructor and how many other cars are there. But with a little care and checking what everyone else is doing, the space should be sufficient.
monthefish said:
I found mine so-so.
The place itself was excellent (and I will spend my first million on developing one exactly like it on my estate); the facilities were very slick and the kick plate, ice hill and low friction circuit were brilliant (I could have spend days on there). Most of the staff were very helpful but there were one or two that came across a bit 'snooty'.
Where it really went wrong was with the coaching, which I would describe as average at best. As most of them probably are, the 'instructor' was a part-time/weekend racer, who undoubtedly had some skills (although did manage to spin the car himself whilst demonstrating how it should be done), however he was by no means a master of his art and didn't even have a very good teaching style. (Perhaps we just didn't 'gel')
The other downside was that there seemd to be too many other cars using the facility at the same time, which meant that, although I spent most of the time in the driving seat of the car, approximately 40% of that time was sat queuing waiting for others to get out of the way, and to really master these things, you need to get back on straight away.
I went to this experience fully planning to take my own 996t down to one of the YouDrive events later this year, but based on my experience, I don't think I will now. I think there are similar facilites (although perhaps not as slick) at the Prodrive place, so will likely take it there instead.
Funny how people's perceptions differ! I went on the "You Drive" last year and thought it was the best £165 anyone had ever spent on me! As the ice hill was out of action, I spent more time (30-35 mins) gradually pushing a 911 faster and faster round the handling circuit with hints / tips and encouragement from my coach! The place itself was excellent (and I will spend my first million on developing one exactly like it on my estate); the facilities were very slick and the kick plate, ice hill and low friction circuit were brilliant (I could have spend days on there). Most of the staff were very helpful but there were one or two that came across a bit 'snooty'.
Where it really went wrong was with the coaching, which I would describe as average at best. As most of them probably are, the 'instructor' was a part-time/weekend racer, who undoubtedly had some skills (although did manage to spin the car himself whilst demonstrating how it should be done), however he was by no means a master of his art and didn't even have a very good teaching style. (Perhaps we just didn't 'gel')
The other downside was that there seemd to be too many other cars using the facility at the same time, which meant that, although I spent most of the time in the driving seat of the car, approximately 40% of that time was sat queuing waiting for others to get out of the way, and to really master these things, you need to get back on straight away.
I went to this experience fully planning to take my own 996t down to one of the YouDrive events later this year, but based on my experience, I don't think I will now. I think there are similar facilites (although perhaps not as slick) at the Prodrive place, so will likely take it there instead.
In fact I enjoyed it so much I bought a 997 and I'm going back for the "911 Experience" this year .....
MM.
I've done YouDrive twice in my own Boxster and as with another poster, the Ice Hill was bust so we did more goes on the Kick Plate instead. Frankly I could spend 90 minutes just hacking round the Handling Circuit - but with the Armco so damn close I never felt confident to really push their shiney new 997.2. Contrast that with the little concrete handling circuit in the middle of Millbrook which has virtually no Armco at all and consequently I could really push the car to the grip limit.
I would still recommend YouDrive to all Porsche owners to give you a feel for what your own car is capable of and show you what happens when the back goes!
I would still recommend YouDrive to all Porsche owners to give you a feel for what your own car is capable of and show you what happens when the back goes!
Bluey Green said:
So how much of the 90 minutes `driving' is actually queuing then? I'm about to book one for my birthday in March.
Yes, in my case it was quite a lot. Between 30 and 40% overall.For example, when we were doing the ice hill and the kick plate, there were another 2 (or 3) cars also wanting to do that, so it was taken in turns.
Basic maths dictates that if there are 3 cars involved the maximum time you would be spending on it would only be a third, but in reality (with manoevring etc taken into account) it was less than this.
And less time still if there were 3 cars and not 2 (which was the case).
The other downside was that I wanted to spend some time (perhaps a solid 10 minutes) right at the start of the session on the low grip circles (just to get a feel for the handling, weight transfer of the car etc), but this isn't possible as, for some stupid reason, they've designed the low grip handling track so that it crosses these circles, and therefore if you stay on the circles, you block the low grip circuit.....
(see middle of picture)
Bluey Green said:
So how much of the 90 minutes `driving' is actually queuing then? I'm about to book one for my birthday in March.
I really do feel priveledged now as we were in the car for nearly 2.5hrs; of which I would say I was actually driving for 2hrs.... and I didn't queue at any point - to be honest I did actually wait for about 15sec for the ice hill to clear as a car span at the bottom - but that was it!I will be going back again!
SonnyM said:
I've had one really good experience there and one OK one. It depends on the instructor you get. Also the track is far to small to get out of 3rd gear and 7k rpm in a GT3 RS... So you can't experience the car to it's fullest (safely).
I was very impressed by the overall facility (And the food!)But the handling circuit is mickey mouse. Too tight for anything like a GT3 or a Turbo.
Actually becomes rather frustrating after a number of laps.
Low friction circuit was enormous fun, would build one of those in the back garden with my last pound!
monthefish said:
Yes, in my case it was quite a lot. Between 30 and 40% overall.
For example, when we were doing the ice hill and the kick plate, there were another 2 (or 3) cars also wanting to do that, so it was taken in turns.
Basic maths dictates that if there are 3 cars involved the maximum time you would be spending on it would only be a third, but in reality (with manoevring etc taken into account) it was less than this.
And less time still if there were 3 cars and not 2 (which was the case).
The other downside was that I wanted to spend some time (perhaps a solid 10 minutes) right at the start of the session on the low grip circles (just to get a feel for the handling, weight transfer of the car etc), but this isn't possible as, for some stupid reason, they've designed the low grip handling track so that it crosses these circles, and therefore if you stay on the circles, you block the low grip circuit.....
(see middle of picture)
Depends how many people are there on the day though. I spent quite a lot of time on the circles on one day.For example, when we were doing the ice hill and the kick plate, there were another 2 (or 3) cars also wanting to do that, so it was taken in turns.
Basic maths dictates that if there are 3 cars involved the maximum time you would be spending on it would only be a third, but in reality (with manoevring etc taken into account) it was less than this.
And less time still if there were 3 cars and not 2 (which was the case).
The other downside was that I wanted to spend some time (perhaps a solid 10 minutes) right at the start of the session on the low grip circles (just to get a feel for the handling, weight transfer of the car etc), but this isn't possible as, for some stupid reason, they've designed the low grip handling track so that it crosses these circles, and therefore if you stay on the circles, you block the low grip circuit.....
(see middle of picture)
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