I signed up for some driving instructions at the Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd MN last Friday. This was through the local (Nord Stern) PCA club. It was all about car control and smoothness. It was also about speed as this race track has a one mile straight away. (made it to about 145 before chickening out) Absolutely had a blast. One of my favorite days of my life really. Learned a LOT about my car. Everyone was super cool. It wasn't about racing, just how to control your car at any speed.

If you ever get the chance to learn from the pros, do it. It's so worth it. I had NO idea your could throw these cars into a corner at crazy speeds and they just stick and come right out. It's AMAZING. The PDK was super awesome at this. Now I get Sport Plus mode.

Attached are a couple shots of the track, my instructor Paul (great guy) and his 968, and one of the many not so street legal 911's that were there.

Totally recommend this if you can swing it.

thanks-
alec

 

Congratulations! Now you're hooked! Tracking is a great way to learn more about your vehicle and how to control it.

 

Sounds great and lots of fun. I took the Porsche Sports Driving School about 10 years ago, it was awesome.

 

That's awesome!!! On my list of things to do one day!

 

I remember my 1st HPDE, hooked!!

 

Congrats! It's certainly addicting!

 

Jealous - congrats

 

Have been out on VIR a couple of times playing follow the pace car - the idea is to follow in the tracks of the pace car to learn the proper line. That actually works pretty good but I know that I am going to have to step up to the plate and get a little more advanced and go out with a good instructor. I realize they will be able to help me tremendously... your post is going to spur me on to doing that sometime real soon.....

 

Welcome to the slippery slope!

 

Be sure to read through your automotive insurance policy as it is likely to have language in it that excludes operating your vehicle on the premises of a race track, be it a school or not. In other words, you crash at the track its on you. A lot of guys just getting into track days assume they are covered - most do not and you would need to buy supplemental track day insurance.

Also if tracking a cabriolet, be sure to put the top down while doing laps. Have fun but also know there are some "gotchas" when doing track days.

 

Yeah, sat up the night before worrying about that. Then got up and bought the (expensive) one day track insurance. Slept like a baby after that.

And yes, the cab is a cab and not a race car. Top was up but I won't be tracking that car again. Fun but a little hard on the car. Especially a cab. Maybe I'll find a cheap beat up 944. One of the instructors told me he'd never race a car he wouldn't push off a cliff. Probably good advice.

alec

 

Thanks for the advice and I was already familiar with track insurance - used it when I took my Shelby Mustang up to the Pocono's.

When I ran at VIR earlier this month they told me I had to have the top up -- now assuming that the rules may vary by track and /or sponsor.....

 

Alec, I enjoyed being on the track in the "pace car group" and did not really feel like I was abusing the car all that much. I realize that this is a much different pace than running a full fledged DE and that is probably why I have stayed away from them with either of my Porsches. Being in the pace car group allowed me the opportunity to really push it around some corners and get it up to triple digits on the straights (and not have to worry about a LEO).

My biggest concern about a DE is that I (probably) won't be willing to push my Cab as hard as everyone else is willing to push their cars and I'll constantly be in someone's way. Would not make for a very fun day for me (or anyone else for that matter). Something I'll just have to continue to think about and resolve

 

I think you can push it pretty hard. I sure did! I was one of the faster ones I think. So it's totally doable. I just don't think I'd make a habit out of it. Rather buy a cheap older Cayman and beat that up. Keep the pretty one pretty. But for a one-off day of DE why not?

alec

 

Wish I could have joined you at BIR but my daughter was getting married in Puerto Rico that weekend and I had to bring my wallet there

I hope you joined Nord Stern!