Porsche driving experience days

[Yex]

I've just booked onto the 21st March (morning) driving experience day that came with the purchase of my Cayman S.

I'm told the course lasts for about 4 hours and I will be driving a Porsche GB supplied Cayman on some public roads, but mostly at Millbrook on a one to one basis with a Porsche instructor.

Has anyone been on one of these and care to advise me what to expect.

Cheers

Yex

[robmug]

Did one years ago. Was fantastic - an experience I've never forgotten. Milbrook has a great range of 'circuits' including an 'Alpine Route' which is essentially a twisty, hilly, road course...with nothing to hit and nothing coming the other way.

I'm sure someone else will pitch in with more up to date (and, er, relevant) experience!

[a993lad]

I had a day at Millbrook years ago (mid 90's) and enjoyed driving on the 'alpine course' that Rob mentions. Also used the high speed banked circuit, which I recall had marked lanes. Once you reach certain speeds in these lanes you can take your hands of the wheel and the car steers itself round the track. Reduce speed and you drop down a lane, increase speed and you rise up the bank to a higher lane.

Anyway, I met someone this week who claimed they don't let punters drive the cars on either the alpine course or the banking anymore because there have been so many accidents. He claimed you have to go round in the passenger seat with an approved driver behind the wheel. Not sure if this is true, but a bit sad if it is.

The day I visited Millbrook, they also laid on 6 two seater Robinson helicopters for us to try.

Happy days.

[tertius]

a993lad said:

The day I visited Millbrook, they also laid on 6 two seater Robinson helicopters for us to try.

And you said they accidents on the banked circuit ...

[doctorD]

I went to one in the mid-90s and had a good lark with the instructors, many of whom I still know today (Dario Franchitti, David Leslie, Richard Westbrook..). The high-speed banking was boring (did 163mph in a 968 CS), but the Alpine and Handling courses were good fun. A very worthwhile day for any petrolhead.

>> Edited by doctorD on Wednesday 18th January 12:42

[Raven Flyer]

I would think an accident is perfectly possible on the banked circuit.

Its not really designed for the speed of today's cars. The max speed you can take your hands off is around 130mph. By 140, you are turning downhill, by 155mph, it feels like quite a turn and the scrub is actually stopping you going much faster. Couple this with the fact that its not as smooth as it once was.

The Alpine Route is stunning, but a lot of it is walled by Armco and it would be easy to go off, as there are many blind, off camber bends. When I was last on it, I found myself sharing it with a bendy bus. I got bollocked to within an inch of my life for overtaking the bus

There is a short "handling circuit" which has nothing to hit and is a low friction surface.

[jjr1]

Did my test drive this morning at Mira and it was great fun. I have tracked cars and bikes before so there wasn't exactly anything eye opening but hey its a morning off work

[A3Targa]

I did a PDE in my BoxsterS at Mira (near Warwick) in May04. It was excellent; first because on the way to and from Mira I was given driving tuition by my instructor an ex-police driver; second because while at Mira being able to use the skidpans and braking without worrying about crashing helped me learn a helluva lot about the car (and about my lack of skill!). I hope to do one with the Targa one day. You'll have a great time; let us know how you get on

[allgonepetetong]

I'm just tying to picture this, being the rebel I am.

'I found myself sharing it with a bendy bus. I got bollocked to within an inch of my life for overtaking the bus '

Can you really get that severe bollocking when you don't feel you've done anything that wrong and you don't really care a toss for what the person administeing the bollocking is talking about as a concequence? you could always just walk away.

sorry, rebel moment over.