Just completed day one of the 2-day performance driving course and I'm exhausted! Most fun I've had in a very long time. The cars are all amazing - Panamera GTS was surprisingly nimble and fast and fun; the Cayman S is a blast but the real star is the Carrera 2S with PDK: going around the track in the C2S is just so much fun I urge everyone who can afford it to enroll in this course at Barber Motorsports. What an awesome track it is! So many elevation changes and twisties! I'm not track experienced but can't help but think this is one amazing track and the Porsche drivers/tutors are all so patient and engaging. Can't wait for tomorrow...

 

Nice! I'll be going in January. Did you drive any manual cars there?

 

Yes! I drove a manual Boxster, Cayman and 911 but on the track with the 911, once you get it into 3rd, you leave it there and I found that to be boring and not very quick. Driving the PDK on the track was just awesome. It's just so quick and responsive and frees you up to concentrate on braking, picking the correct line, etc. I came away feeling that the PDK is nothing short of brilliant, something I haven't experienced yet with my own car since I haven't had the opportunity to use it as it's meant to be driven.

 

Awesome! Can't wait to see what this car can really do. I'm also looking forward to taking the Cayman around the track. You got me amped up now!

 

Great to hear you are enjoying yourself so much!

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

The Cayman with PDK is awesome but the 911 is a beast. On the track in the 911s we kept on the tails of the slower Caymans but weren't allowed to pass. In an autocross I'd prefer the Cayman S but on the track the 911 is a lost faster. Both great fun to drive. You're gonna love it!

 

Thanks, Suzy. I'm glad to see you're having fun in Beverly Hills, too!

 

Hahaha thank you Shopping makes a woman always happy

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Anybody able to comment on the qualitative differences between PDS and PCA DE? I realize in the latter you are in your own car with experienced volunteers and in the former with professionals but I'm more interested in instruction and seat time--and speed!

 

While DE is very good and taught by other mostly non-professional drivers from your local PCA club, the Porsche school is staffed by all Professional Race Drivers/instructors. Also, you drive their cars, not your own as you do at the DE.

I went to the two day course in July, as others have said it was a total blast and I will be going again in the Spring for the two day MASTERS COURSE. Even if you never track your car, the course will teach you how to better drive your own car on the road.

HIGHLY, recommend and well worth the $3k cost.

 

Today was the second and final day at PDS and I'm exhausted! Sensory overload and the after effects of excessive adrenalin rushes. The highlights of today were using launch control on a Turbo and taking a hot lap with one of the instructors. It was very humbling to see that I'm using maybe 80% of the car's capabilities and in the process of doing so I literally work up a major sweat while these pros push the cars to close to their limits and do so effortlessly and relaxed.

Money well spent!

 

Thanks for the breaking action! When your back home, If you remember, could you tell us a little bit more details about the GTS? My SA over at Mercedes says I'll be happier with the CLS63. I'm leaning toward the GTS

Ciao

 

The GTS was the first car I drove on the track and it was a blast to drive and nicely appointed. But since then I've driven 991s too many times to count and my head is still spinning from all the turns and hills and valleys I drove at speed to be able to remember that GTS very well other than I was very favorably impressed by it. I'm sure the CLS63 is also an awesome car so you should probably drive them both and decide for yourself, though Mercedes doesn't offer a PDK and I'd opt for it over a regular automatic or a manual any day. The PDK is nothing short of brilliant!

 

The problem with them teaching you how to do Launch Control properly is now you constantly be looking for remote straight roads to do it in your own car .

 

For sure. And I have not found one yet!