Porsche Experience Day

[wolfy689]

I have just enjoyed a fantastic afternoon at silverstone thanks to my OPC, we arrived late morning after a quick look around the dealership just down the road.

We were greeted and introduced to Gary from the OPC that supplied my car and were given coffee we then sat down to talk about how I was enjoying my first taste of Porsche ownership!

After a lovely lunch it was time for my drive I was introduced to Scouser Colin ( his words ) who would be my instructor for the allotted time, he asked me what car I drove and was told that today I would be driving a Gen 11 C2S with PDK so a little different from my current steed!

We got into the car and then Colin began to explain the differences between my car and the one we were sat in and also what was I looking to get out of the drive. I explained that I was new to this type of performance car and really wanted to explore what the car and more importantly I could do with it away from the public roads.

Colin was extremely helpful and very complimentary which in turn inspired and gave me confidence to brake later and accelerate harder on the tight and twisty track!

After this it was on to the skills area which was great, I really enjoyed the ice hill going through the water jets backwards was thrilling, only sorry that the kick plate was closed for maintenance.

Regarding the car I can IMHO say that the PDK is superb it just gets on and allows you to concentrate with gathering it up, slowing it down and point it in the right direction ready for the next blip so much cleverer than dare I say it any auto that I have driven before!

I have only had my car for six months but I am already trying to come up with a viable reason to change to a Gen 11 PDK[] but the gaffer has other ideas on that!

All in all just a great day with perfect weather, great food, great company and a brilliant car

JP.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: wolfy689

I have only had my car for six months but I am already trying to come up with a viable reason to change to a Gen 11 PDK

I know that feeling..........[]

Pleased you enjoyed the day and, yes, pity the kick plate was out of action. Presumably you got to try a launch or two? Completely pointless on the road but very grin-inducing![]

 

[wolfy689]

Hi

No launch I am afraid the car was not equiped with the sports chrono which I beleive is required ? but the instructor that took hold of the Turbo S did and my god that thing could shift!

JP

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: wolfy689

?but the instructor that took hold of the Turbo S did and my god that thing could shift!

Yep! In fact don't waste your money on a Gen 2 C2S (like I did)- wait a bit longer and get a Turbo/Turbo S(miles)[]

 

[pwebb]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

Yep!  In fact don't waste your money on a Gen 2 C2S (like I did)- wait a bit longer and get a Turbo/Turbo S(miles)[]

Steady on Alan - some of us love ours!! Seem to remember you did at the time as well..

 

[wolfy689]

Now that sounds like a plan and one that has crossed my mind[]

I think a little patience is required and a whole lot of scrimping and scraping and then maybe one day !!!!!!

JP

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: pwebb

Steady on Alan - some of us love ours!! Seem to remember you did at the time as well..

And you are quite right Peter, I did! (and still do) I didn't mean that buying one is a waste of money but the depreciation, when and if a year later you decide to go turbo, is quite painful.[]

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain
Yep! In fact don't waste your money on a Gen 2 C2S (like I did)- wait a bit longer and get a Turbo/Turbo S(miles)[]

I've only ever owned Turbo versions[]
To be fair I knew my own weakness so decided to go straight for the Turbo version.. I'm weak I know..
As far as the gaffer was concerned- she agreed I was weak and allowed me to buy the one I wanted []

I've driven most of the models and even a Boxster and I can honestly say I enjoyed them all- the Boxster for example was really light and chuckable..

garyw

 

[garyw]

JP, glad you went on the day and it seems as if it was worthwhile, its shocking how much you can lean on the car and how far above the average driver the car is..
I hope its inspired you to love yours even more [8D]

I called the Silverstone driving centre today trying to arrange something, in true Porsche style they didn't call me back -AGAIN!![:'(]

garyw

 

[Dylan1]

glad you enjoyed the day!!
i had colin too for my day and he was great value and a lot of fun-when he took the wheel of the C2S pdk for the last half an hour I felt pretty inadequate as far as driving skills were concerned!![]

 

[Monty2]

Hi Gary,
I was also at the Silvo centre on Friday, they were very busy and there seems to be less permanent staff about with what seems more contracted instructional partners. Yesterday was not crowded but queing was evident, but the loss of the kick plate (nice trick but ice hill transit down and now up the hill is better) was more than compensated by the use of the Silverstone dynamic circuit nestled within the main circuit offering a mini track day experience (superb as it has chicane on chicane followed by tight left hander feeding into right flowing bend onto a short straight into another chicane by the mini pit area) my driver partner Mark Shuck got me across onto this circuit well before everyone else and it was tremedous demonstrating why the Cayman exists, yes a turbo would be long gone on the straight but a GT3 RS couldn't get away in the bendy bits (could have been the driver of course before upsetting to many GT3 owners). I did persuade them to allow me a passenger ride in the 997 GTS as I'm intrigued by the wide body 2 wheel drive layout and how it compares to whats gone before, and was impressed how all the best bits are included as standard spec (sounds good with Sports exhaust) but came away with no clear impression as to whether I need to think about a swop from the Cayman S into a GTS as I don't think it would offer handling benefits over the longer wheelbase, mid engined handling prowess of the Cayman.
Another superb session at Porsche Silverstone experience, good instructor, good coffee and food, superb cars, does any other manufacturer do it better?.

Cheers

Paul

 

[wolfy689]

HI

Yes it makes sense now what you briefly explained after the New Year drive which is that the car is so much better than what I can do and I just need to have a little more confidence, this is easier though when you are on a track and not using your own car!

I am thinking that I may go again in the summer for a full afternoon rather than the 1 hour that was courtesy of the OPC.

JP

 

[spyderman]

Or consider a novice track day with instruction. PCGB have another evening at Brands this year (might go again myself) or Club MSV offer half-days at Bedford - which is great since there's massive run-off areas!

 

[garyw]

I've been trying to arrange another 'you drive' at Silverstone but organised more so in mind for us 997 owners.
As much fun as it is I don't need to have a session on the fitness centre or driving a 997 around the handling course [&:] I own one and I know I'm phsically knackered []
I'd like more of the sessions to be focused on driver skills...for a 997

So far they still haven't returned either of my calls, they must be busy already []

garyw

 

[rholyoake]

Funtastic day at Porsche Experience today. Here's the best bit...[]

 

[spyderman]

Was that you driving?!

 

[rholyoake]

Of course (not!!) []

 

[Monty2]

I did get stuck behind this a few times last Friday, a good thing really as theres something different about that particular Turbo S as the exhausts actually give it a howl like the GT3 or as I found out later in the morning ,the GTS.

Paul

 

[rholyoake]

They all howl the same way Paul! My instructor was telling me they put some of the GT3 pipework in the S version apparently.

 

[garyw]

Let me just point you in this direction http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=602098 for the chance to use your own car on the PDC facilities that you want to concentrate on.

garyw