Porsche Driving Experience days

[Alex L]

Hi guys

Posted this on the 'Track Day' forum, but not sure if the 997 forum would be better suited....

Sorry if this is a silly question, but being new can anyone please tell me if PCGB members can get discounts on the Porsche Driving Experience days?

http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/sportdrivingschool/

Either way, does anyone have any feedback on the events they have been to? There are 3 events I am currently looking at:

PDE intro day: Get free with 997 purchase, Millbrook Track in Bedfordshire, use demo cars
PDE Performance: £650, Mira Track in Warwickshire, use own car (or hire car)
Sportfahrschule International driving school: £???, Location ???, use own car (or hire car)

Many thanks,

-Alex

 

[Geoff_Fields]

Millbrook freebee is brill!
If you do a search for keywords such as millbrook you will find other threads on this topic.

 

[bobfair]

The PDE Intro day is a must do. Fantastic fun

 

[Nigel Mitchell]

Slightly off topic but I did the Porsche Camp4 up in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. It was was brilliant, minus 30c but brilliant! I've always heard very good things about other Porsche Driving School events.

 

[bobfair]

Nigel
If you do not mind me asking what did they charge you for Camp4 it looks enormous fun
Thanks

 

[YvesD]

Is there a time limit on doing the new car 'freebie' day out ?

I have had my car nearly 10 months now and still havent got round to it. Definately want to though.

Yves

 

[m4ttc]

ORIGINAL: YvesD

Is there a time limit on doing the new car 'freebie' day out ?

I have had my car nearly 10 months now and still havent got round to it. Definately want to though.

Yves

I think it is 12 months. Says so on my invite to the Cayman PDE.

For the record...should I go for Milbrook or Mira? Mira is nearer as I live in the NWest

 

[Delbox]

You don't get a choice; the 'freebie' is at Milbrook.

 

[m4ttc]

ORIGINAL: Delbox

You don't get a choice; the 'freebie' is at Milbrook.

Not according to the invite I have got in front of me that I received on Tuesday. It is a choice. Describes each track and what they have to offer

 

[Delbox]

My apologies; perhaps things have changed. When I had my freebie, it could only be taken at Milbrook; however the subsequent courses, which the customer pays for, were only available at MIRA. Sorry for any confusion.

Del

 

[m4ttc]

ORIGINAL: Delbox

My apologies; perhaps things have changed. When I had my freebie, it could only be taken at Milbrook; however the subsequent courses, which the customer pays for, were only available at MIRA. Sorry for any confusion.

Del

No worries Del. Any idea what is the best venue?

 

[Nigel Mitchell]

Bob, we went in 2002 so can't remember the cost but the Porsche site currently quotes 3,200 euros. The package has changed a bit since we went, not cheap but well worth it for the driving and the whole experience. See here http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/travelclub/drivertraining/camp4andcamp4s/

 

[bobfair]

Thanks Nigel I am tempted seems like a unique experience

 

[Alex L]

OK, I found out that despite being promised both verbally and in an email that I had the freebee Experience Day booked, apparently I am not entitled to go as I didn't buy my car from new.

SO, I have been looking at these two PDE events:

Precision: http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/sportdrivingschool/drivingexperience/level2/ (£470 for 4 hours)
Performance: http://www.porsche.com/uk/motorsportandevents/sportdrivingschool/drivingexperience/level1/ (£650 for 6 hours incl lunch)

I have got a quote for insurance with 'T L Clowes' Insurance firm who PDE recommended (tel: Chris on 01159416146) - just under £200 for the day with £7500 excess. This includes a 50% insurance discount for PDE days with them. Would be £120 if I wanted to cover the car for £35k damages.

Anyway, so now I just have to work out which one of the 2 courses I should go on. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

-Alex

 

[Alex L]

Eventually went for the Precision course, which I have set for next Fri.

However, today, after being told by PDE that I wasn't entitled to go on the free 'Test Drive Plus' day ... I received an invite to the event in the post set for the 8th Aug in a Carrera 4S Tip.

So looks like I'm now down for both!! []

Will give you all full reports after each one...

-Alex

 

[simonm]

ORIGINAL: bobfair

The PDE Intro day is a must do. Fantastic fun

I have one of these.

When coming to Porsche/911 from something completely different, is it better to do it before you take delivery, or wait until you have had your 2CS for a month or two?

 

[blaine54]

This post got me around to talking to the experience people yesterday (as nobody from the OPC had mentioned how to go about getting my invite). It looks like their policy is for post delivery experience days. I picked my car up on the 1st of June & was told not to expect a date to come through until mid August []. A little strange as it would've been a golden opportunity to squeeze some more cash on other options pre delivery. That said, I'm really looking forward to booking myself in, by all accounts it sounds a pretty good day out[]

 

[Alex L]

From my understanding the free 'Test Drive Plus' day is there for Porsche to:

1) Introduce you to the cars capabilities (and scare the ***t out of you in the process!)
2) Try to get you to choose more options for your new 911 on order, or just test out those options you already have (to which end they try to match your car for the day with the spec you have on order).

So I believe you are supposed to go on the day BEFORE you have taken ownership of your new car, although for a lot of people this isn't the case (like me!)

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: blaine54

This post got me around to talking to the experience people yesterday (as nobody from the OPC had mentioned how to go about getting my invite). It looks like their policy is for post delivery experience days. I picked my car up on the 1st of June & was told not to expect a date to come through until mid August []. A little strange as it would've been a golden opportunity to squeeze some more cash on other options pre delivery. That said, I'm really looking forward to booking myself in, by all accounts it sounds a pretty good day out[]

PDE are sometimes not aware of any booking Porsche GB have made for the 'Test Drive Plus' free day. I rang them and they said I wasn't on it, despite me getting a letter yesterday telling me all the details of my booked day!

Apparently Porsche GB only sends out letters 1 month in advance before you actually do the day. So may I suggest that instead of talking to PDE people that you contact the Sales person that sold you your car? That's how I got mine. PDE are seemingly only good for booking 'Precision' or 'Performance' (which next year will become 'Master') courses.

 

[YvesD]

Just booked my day out for PM 29/08/06 which will be two days short of my first full year of Porsche ownership !

Anyone else booked in for then ?

Yves