My wife has offered to send me (she'd go along on the trip too since the Hotel is a Spa)to the Porsche Driving Experience in Alabama for the 2 day Course.

It sounds terrific and it's something I always thought about doing since I've owned these cars for so long but I'm curious...what's your take on this? Has anyone ever done it?

I talked to my dealer and a customer of his that did it twice and he couldn't say enough good things about it. I called and talked to one of the instructors and I'm pretty much sold but was just wondering what you guys might think.

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,

Tom

 

I've been dying to go! Your wife knows how expensive it is and is on board?!? GO!!!!!

 

what a cool wife!

 

I attended twice this year, once for the Performance Driving school and once for the Masters school. Fantastic. I can't say enough good things about it. I plan on going back next year for the Masters Plus class. The instructors were fantastic and their teaching system builds confidence and speed at the same time. There are classroom sessions, track sessions, autocross training and skid pad training. There is also an off-road portion driving a Cayenne through water and up and down hills. Any specific questions?

 

Man you must've loved it!! It sounds like you get more than enough time in the cars. I don't have any specific questions but as a veteran is there anything I should know before I go or something you wished someone would have told you.

Also, is the dinner the first night fun or would you just skip it and go out with your wife? I can imaging that it might be cool but if not at least i'll have a heads up ahead of time.

Tom

 

Take comfortable clothing and driving shoes.

 

She is that! 20 years of marriage and it's still fun and I was single till I was 42 so I know the other side as well. She's terrific!

Tom

 

I've been twice and it's a great time. Do a search here, there are lots of posts about it. Member MJones has probably been there over 20 times - he has lots of threads about it.

The group dinner is nice and usually at least one other spouse there. Otherwise it's pretty much the group from the class. If you'd rather go out on your own you certainly can.

The hotel is nice but is about 45 minutes from the track. You can bring your wife to the track to watch some of the events. She'll also be allowed to take a hot lap with one of the instructors the last day if she's into it.

 

The dinner is held between the two sessions (i.e., after the first day of classes) and is great fun. You should not miss it. Lots of race and driving talk though; there is usually one or more of the instructors at each table. Your wife could also attend the track sessions for a modest fee and ride in the instructor's car. Pretty cool unless she gets motion sickness.

Have a great time!

 

GO! The school made me a much better driver.

 

I've been three times. The last for the 3 day masters plus, race license program. They are all worth every dollar. A real blast.
Your wife has chosen well.

 

Thanks Mike! I hope for the same results!

Tom

 

I went a couple of years ago and it was well worth it. I did the two day initial course and learned a ton. You get plenty of track time (and it is tiring) and it is very well organized so that there is no hanging about waiting for things to happen. And the venue is superb.

It's not a race school - 1st day you can only use 4th gear on the track, 2nd day 3rd and 4th. But I and most of the others were driving as fast as we could and still had a long way to go before getting to the car's limits. And I got a ride in a Carrera GT at very high speed. And Doc Bundy took 3 of us around the track in a Cayenne Turbo faster than we could drive the 911s. It's fun.

Anthony

 

I have not taken their courses yet, but have a professional affiliation with Porsche and as a result I've been to their school in Alabama, and seen the operations: how they teach in classroom, on track, the facilities, the hotel, the dinner, etc.

Let me share this: it is first class all the way. Students are treated like royalty. The hotel, Ross Bridge, is very nice, and if you are with PSDS they bend over backwards for you. The head of the school, instructors, and staff are ALL trained gentlemen and ladies.

Training on autocross, skidpad, track, and offroad are included in the 2 day course. Each are incredible! You will gain a whole new respect for the marque, and what your vehicle is capable of. It is an impressive brand emersion experience. After being there for 3 days, I was unable to think of any other brand, in any market, who could pull that off as successfully.

Just like all things Porsche, the more you peel back the onion, the more you respect it.
CATTMAN

 

I did the PSDS 2 day course about a year ago. Definitely recommend staying at the Ross Bridge resort and attending the dinner. They've got a nice golf course at Ross Bridge if you can extend your stay. I would definitely bring some warm clothes, as it can get chilly there.