Until a few years ago I was quite happy with the performance with my 996 Cabriolet and the stock 298 hp it produced. Now im getting back my baby with at least twice that many hp with the newest upgrades put in it. It really didn't occur to me that my driving skills has not doubled. I singed up for an performance driving class not to far from my house at Buttonwillow raceway. Has anybody took and simular courses? It sounds like a blast. Hummm, maybe I should go all out and do something with the suspension also prior to the class

 

If you have no road course experience, leave the car stock. I can almost guarentee you that even with a stock 996 Cabriolet you will have a blast and learn more than you ever could about driving the car. Modifications are find and dandy, but for a first timer a stock car works great, it will help you appreciate the car and it's driving dynamics and allow you to understand and be educated about how your modifications are helping.

That being said you'll probably also want to save your money, once you get hooked you'll likely be spending much more time and money enjoying the car for what it was build for.

 

Don't bother with the suspension until you get some seat time and can push the stock parts to thier limit. That'll be a while. Rather than take a one time class, I'd suggest joining your local PCA and attending DE events - assuming something is available near you. Great instructors, lots of new friends, plenty of advice, and CHEAP compared to a driving school.

 

Ditto on joining your local car club and doing multiple DE events.

I did a weekend at Bondurant (as a first timer) in '05.

Loved it! Then, joined my local Audi Club and started doing DE with my Audi. I've learned a ton more with lots of seat time with instructors.

I think a one day deal is good to find out if you like it. After that, you're best bang for the buck will be DE stuff in your local area.

 

Most of the pros do this every year in off season. Probably the most effective performance mod you can do to shave lap times in your car. If you added 100hp you might shave 2 sec. at BW. After PDS you will probably shave 5-8 sec. Good stuff.

As long as your suspension is not broken just leave it alone and go drive the car. Bone stock is plenty good enough for PDS. You will have a blast!