How to make the most of a 997

[paulmichele]

As a new owner (all of three weeks and loving it), I want to get the most from my car. Have scanned all the club forums (fora?) for tips and advice and whilst I am sure the nuggets I am looking for are there somewhere, I can't find them. I've had some advice from some of you folks (thanks!). But with apologies to old hands who have probably seen these sort of questions before.....

What is the best way for me to learn how to drive my car fast but safely (on the road).

The options seem to be (in order of cost because there's a budget)

- drive it around .. lots
- have a "track day experience" ( v sad that I missed the 997 day by not owning the car then [])
- attend the Drive your Own Porsche day
- attend a few beginners track days
- get some one on one instruction on the road
- get some instruction at a track day

Although I am certain [] that some of you will convince me I am plain wrong, I'd like to work out how to drive the car well on the road rather than learning how to drive on a track. Of course I'm quite aware that learning on a track is a far safer place []. I've not got much experience driving sports cars - despite trying to make our family cars perform like them!

I am particularly keen on hearing about the drive your own Porsche experience, again, wished I'd known about Saturday's event, and on recommendations for relatively local instructors (I live in Buckinghamshire).

Thanks for reading, advice appreciated.
Paul

 

[Alex L]

Number 1 on the list is the Porsche Experience "Precision" course - some road some track.

Number 2 on the list is to go out with big Jon at Drive Train (http://www.drivetrain.uk.com/) who is ex-police driver trainer and teaches the Police driving handbook called Roadcraft. He also personally drives a gen II 997 so knows all about the car. You will be surprised at how fast and how safe you go on the day.

 

[spyderman]

There should be some of us fresh from that PDE session at the pub meet on Tuesday night at The Five Bells. Mike Pink and I are doing it. There will be other guys who have done track days too. If PCGB do a novices' track day next year (I hope so - it was very popular) you should definitely attend.

 

[garyw]

Paul
I think Big Jon is very close to your vicinity.. thats where I'd suggest you put your money to start with followed by the Porsche day at Silverstone...
That way you'd learn a lot about the car and how you and it work together..

Personally I wouldn't suggest a track day to learn... no one else is there 'learning' as such and would not cut you any slack during the day, traffic passing quickly does not install you with confidence..
Thats my opinion, I'm sure others will be different...[]

garyw

 

[tscaptain]

"Fast" and "safely" on the road is more about how you drive rather than what you drive. One of the best days out I've ever had was with an ex police instructor trainer, if that makes sense! He trained the trainers. It was a whole day in a Honda CTR and even though I had been driving for 30 years I learned so, so much. Absolutely invaluable and I can hear his words now!
To make the "most" of your 997 though go on a track, with instruction, and then, apparently, book on the Porsche IOM weekend.[] You don't have to worry about people with more track time going faster, nobody would ever get started otherwise, and you will very soon pick up a good pace. You just need to be observant and let the quicker boys through! The club run days, despite being criticised for the price, are a good place to start - small number of cars and lots of track to yourself. The downside is that it can become very addictive and yet another drain on the wallet.[]

 

[spyderman]

Gary is quite right regards general track days, but the novices only one we had at Brands was good in that respect. But a handling/training course would be a sensible first priority.

 

[Mark Elder]

I'd echo the comments about John Cave. He'll watch you drive, then take you out on same route with him driving his 997 commentating all the way (better commentary than I've every seen any IAM person do - including from their videos), then you go back out with you trying to spot the same hazzards while trying to edge up towards a tenth of John's speed. Amazing day - worth the money for the fun alone. Really nice guy (although he only just squeazed into my 993!)

 

[911 turbo newbie]

how much is the 1 day course with john?

 

[Mark Elder]

From memory around £275 (I did it about 2 years ago)

 

[911 turbo newbie]

thanks, not a bad price, will have to consider[]

 

[paulmichele]

Cheers, see you then to find out more.
Paul

 

[paulmichele]

Thanks to all. That's all really helpful.

Looks like I should try to factor in John Cave, a Porsche 'day' and look forward to a novice track day next year sometime.

Paul

 

[bobfair]

I am still a big supporter of club track days which are safe and well run. If you go to the likes of Goodwood or Castle Coombe there are only a few cars on the track at any one time and you can use the real performance of your car with a qualified instriuctor alongside you. If you use the real performance on the road then thats illegal and antisocial. In my opinion you will have no idea of what your car can do unless you take it on a track or risk your licence. There is considerable skill in driving quickly but within the speed limits on the road but thats quite different to finding out what the car can really do

 

[Black80XSA]

Best accessory I ever bought for any car was a day with John Cave, learnt so much that I've used every day since. Makes you realise how bad UK driving standards are after !!

 

[paulmichele]

Thanks everyone, day booked in with John Cave in November (@£225+VAT, using my car), will report back!

 

[Alex L]

John will tell you to buy these 2 books:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Roadcraft-Essential-Police-Drivers-Handbook/dp/0117021687/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255620567&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-Highway-Code-Department-Transport/dp/0115528148/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b



Start reading early if I were you!

 

[911 turbo newbie]

ORIGINAL: paulmichele

Thanks everyone, day booked in with John Cave in November (@£225+VAT, using my car), will report back!

is that for a whole days tuition?

 

[Alex L]

Here was my agenda:

0800 Eyesight, licence and vehicle checks
0815 Assessment drive
0845 Demonstration drive by your instructor
0915 Instructional drives
1230 Lunch at a suitable location (i.e. pub)
1300 Instructional drives
1500 Course conclusion and de-brief

There are regular breaks during the day to cover theory topics and 'stretch legs'.

You'll be mentally shattered at the end of it though, trust me!

 

[911 turbo newbie]

ORIGINAL: Alex L

Here was my agenda:

0800 Eyesight, licence and vehicle checks
0815 Assessment drive
0845 Demonstration drive by your instructor
0915 Instructional drives
1230 Lunch at a suitable location (i.e. pub)
1300 Instructional drives
1500 Course conclusion and de-brief

There are regular breaks during the day to cover theory topics and 'stretch legs'.

You'll be mentally shattered at the end of it though, trust me!

is this one on one instruction, or is there a group?

 

[Alex L]

Just you and big John all day. Great value for money, should be a must do activity for any Porsche owner in my opinion.

Although you do have to put up with John chain-smoking thin cigars every bloomin' stop when you get out of the car. I had to clean all my leather interior afterwards to get rid of the smell [&:]

PS: I was even today thinking about what John taught me about grip. How you have a finite amount per wheel and you can either use for cornering grip or acceleration/deceleration. ie. constant speed through a corner gives you max cornering grip. Never really thought about it before the day with John...