How do you corner in your Cayman ?

[Spudwiser]

I haven't owned a RWD car in a long time and have to say, it has taken me a while to build my confidence when cornering. Truth is, I am still not there yet.

Unlike my previous car which was FWD with a Quaife LSD and would pull you out of any corner once on the apex and accelerating hard, the CS is a whole new proposition. The fear of uncontrollable oversteer worries me.

The weather today was glorious so I pushed the CS harder than I have before around the twisties. It felt good but I still wasnt travelling as fast as I used to in my old car.

I am still unsure as to where the limits are, or the reaction time of the PSM which frankly seems slow to me, especially in the wet.

A friend of mine (thanks Kev) concurred with me when he suggested you go slow into the bend and when the CS straightens up, and only then, do you floor it.

Anyone got any technique tips ?

Thanks

 

[dpoynton]

To me, it seems that the most obvious thing for you to do is to take a course here: [link=https://www4.pec.porsche.com/silverstone/en/pde/]https://www4.pec.porsche.com/silverstone/en/pde/[/link] Enjoy, you will. David

 

[jdpef356]

How Honest of you - not many would post what you have - like me they all know how to drive [] I would second David's recommendation. Better still do it in a Cayman car supplied by Porsche!

 

[dpoynton]

ORIGINAL: jdpef356 do it in a Cayman car supplied by Porsche!

Which is what my wife and I did at the 997 register "you drive" session a few months back for £50 extra, using their tyres, fuel, etc. David

 

[John H]

You could also enquire at your local OPC if they have a "Test Drive Plus" of the Cayman coming up, and could they find you a place. As the name implies this is a test drive, with an instructor, which also includes a short tutored session on a closed road (airfield or circuit usually). It is also free, and frankly you will be surprised how much you learn in a short time. In particular they demonstrate how PSM works, by allowing you to corner hard with it both off and on. The difference is remarkable, and something you are unlikely to encounter on the road, at least not safely. You are also likely to get a few laps to push the car as hard as you like in safety, which I suspect is just the thing you need right now. I have done both the the full Porsche Driving Experience, and several Test Drive Plus sessions. While the full experience is certainly more thorough, a good test drive plus session will almost certainly answer your cornering/PSM questions for less effort and at no cost.

 

[spyderman]

Echoing the above, get yourself on some kind of training and/or track day as only then will you realise just how much grip the car has. From experience I recommend [link=http://www.catdrivertraining.co.uk/]CAT Driver Training[/link] at Millbrook as the quality of tuition is excellent. Alternatively a track like Bedford has a huge amount of run-off - consider a half day track day with tuition in your own car.

 

[John Sims]

I agree with all of the above. You certainly shouldn't be looking to explore the handling limits of your car (and the capacity of your bag of skill) on the public highway. If you dip too deeply into your bag, and find it wanting, it can only end in tears. Phases like "floor it" don't instil me with confidence no matter how good Kev may or may not be. If Kev was taking about things such as "weight transfer" I might be more inclined to listen to him.

 

[Buddy]

To improve your cornering technique needs some track time no doubt and whether on road or track subtle control inputs are necessary, take a Porsche experience day and they will point out to you where you need to modify your previous FWD driving methods to get the best out of the Cayman. For anyone to give names to techniques may end up in contradiction whereas with an instructor he or she will not usually give titles to the changes in case of misunderstanding but will tell or demonstrate to you both what you are doing and what you need to change, I have never had any instructor title what they have taught me, just told me how and why. The Porsche experience centre is excellent and they do know the cars so best place to both get instruction and to practice the lesson. You have just under 300BHP and not long ago that was only available in the realm of the supercar, the PSM is not so intrusive as some makers such as Mercedes set theirs so keep it switched on but never rely on it saving you. On the kick plate or ice hill at Silverstone you will find the difference between PSM on and off, I promise you will not forget it. Mine is always set on, apart from when I check the light on the switch works.

 

[Spudwiser]

Thanks for the replies folks - very helpful. Sounds like a Porsche experience day will be on my Christmas present list !

 

[Alan Woods]

Definitely book the PEC. As for

A friend of mine (thanks Kev) concurred with me when he suggested you go slow into the bend and when the CS straightens up, and only then, do you floor it.

That sounds more like advice for one of those cars with the engine in the wrong place Even Porsche make them I believe.

 

[Peter_Bull]

I was always told with a 911 - fast in but faster out! But I am not good enough to try that out at the limit. I certainly need a day at the Porsche Experince Centre and some good instruction from those terrific guys there. Definately before my return to the Nordscleiffe next year.

 

[Nick_USA]

if you're into books this is a very good read: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Porsche-High-performance-Driving-Handbook-Elford/dp/0760327548/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1

 

[Buddy]

Excellent suggestion Nick, far more useful than the one line answers some want to give. Everyone's driving style is different and by far the best way is with an instructor tweaking the timing of driver inputs etc on track. Vic Elford is someone who knows what he's talking about and I'm putting it on my Christmas list for one. In fact I just sent the link to my son, a heavy hint I know but...

 

[Alan Woods]

+1 on the Vic Elford book, even has a Cayman on the cover

 

[david_yorkshire]

Sounds like you need to gain some confidence in the car; I'd suggest a one day limit handling course with Gary Marsh ( you may have seen him mentioned in Porsche Post a few times, especially if you browse the GT3 section) www.aneed4speed.co.uk Money very well spent David