That is true . With two cars though I kinda like the idea of trying both and then figuring out which . I think it woild be good to learn both too.

This video had a blend of the two . These cars are moving .. not at turbo speed .. but very fast for the track they are on. The RS looks amazing. These skills look like it took years on the same track by these guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jdYcrgo0uc

 

since everyone has "what to do" covered, I'll take a crack on "not what to do".

1. do not have your entire car wrapped up with painters tape just in case you get a nick.

2. do not wear driving gloves or wear piloti shoes if its your first time at the track, and esp dont wear full tracksuit.

3. dont bring the car shine and glass cleaner and start cleaning the car immediately after getting off the track.

4. do not tailgate if your brakes are getting spongy...newbies with high HP cars tend to fly by people at the end of straightways after 5-6 laps when the brakes go.

5. let the better drivers pass you even if he is in a Yugo.

6. understand the words understeer and oversteer before you go to track...learn the proper lines...know what the apex is.

7. if its raining, turn back and go home.

 

Sure, the Ring is the type of road I like. Plenty like it where I live, except with 2-way traffic... A Turbo does well there, but the Turbo was built mostly for the open autobahn. I have driven turbos and torque monsters, but I prefer the NA any day of the week, but that is me. Many people swear by the kick in the back, so if that is you, try 1-mile events.

 

I noticed your comment which I have emphasized above - 'not turbo speed'. What is turbo speed? Sudden surge, missile-like, acceleration? That is not the modus operandi of race track driving, unless... you drive a ground effects car, such as 962 or a 917K.

On a curvy demanding track the Turbo has no advantage over an RS, even if its suspension was tightened. Smooth progressive linear acceleration and smooth driving it's what's all about for high-speed track driving - it's not a sudden-kick, on-off, digital world out there.

 

Larry, do 1 DE event at a track. See if it is your cup of tea. It will only cost you about $300. (plus the clear bra, which I would suggest for every car whether they're tracked or not)

It's not like you need to mod your car for a simple DE event...

 

Word...

 

Turbo Speed = Most stock 997.1 Turbos are not that extremely fast.
They can climb to fast speed but it's so quiet and the suspension is so squishy that one might think it's an AMG Benz.

That changes dramatically depending on what one does to upgrade . The jump to the modified Turbos on a tight suspension uprade produce an all out face smearing effect . .

I realize that you feel its not linear or seamless but that is not true with a modified one .

Many point to "turbo lag' . In the stock car .. it's very present . In a modded car the pause is so slight that its almost like an NA car but with massive Hp.

 

But Adias --
I really would like to try the track . I've been drawn to the 997S as a street car yet i see that a lot of guys here do in fact track them . I just never thought i would have interest until I saw the Gt3 and Rs cars of this 997 line .

I like the fact the Turbo is a different car . There's dual abilty with the different cars .
I just want to see if I'd like driving a track . I really don't know .

Everyone is a "noobie" at some point . I am not new to Porsches . but the idea of racing down track curves was something I had not considrered until now.

 

I do think you should track. Both cars actually. I look forward to your feedback.

 

Larry, the tracks I drive on are very clean so I do not know why people keep saying you will get the car nicked up....it doesn't happen anymore than going down the highway....actually the public roads are a lot more dirty than any track I've ever been on.

 

The worse part about it are the rubber tire ***** that get thrown up, but those are easy to remove. I have a few small nicks on my car, but there are a few sections that of the track that get dirty when some one goes off track, and brings it with them when they are entering it again.

 

i agree...the blue tape stuff is over kill...and it fit gets wet and then dries...watch out!

stay online and you will have very clean pavement

 

Hey all, new member, I will be sure to introduce myself in another post.

I picked up an '02 C4S 3 or 4 months ago. It is my daily driver, but I am really looking forward to doing some DE and getting in some track time. I have been checking the regional PCA site from time to time, but don't see a great deal of info for local events. Is summer a cool down period or is the site not frequently updated?

The car is at Bert Smith right now getting an alignment, I had a nasty run in with an aluminum ladder lying in the middle of an on ramp that cost me a new set of PS2's for the rear. I am hopefully getting the car back this afternoon, and will be taking some pictures after it is detailed.

It is a stock c4s, meridian metalic, but the car was a former garage queen (36k miles) and looks fantastic in my humble opinion.

 

Larry, as others said just give it a try. Also, forget about getting a 3/RS because you think you might want to track.

I've been to a bunch of schools/events but actually never tracked my own car. Not sure why, but i've always had some hesitation about "jumping into the pool". I"ve been a member of PCA for the last several years, but have never jumped in and done a DE. Finally did an event the other day as a guest of AWE at NJMP.

I guess since i've always done schools etc. I was always a bit concerned about taking my own car on the track - I don't have a sponsor and this is not my day job . I always figured that most people are driving 10/10 like their hair is on fire.

Secondly, I've always (incorrerctly) assumed everyone will be Schumacher and I'll be getting all kinds of dirty looks for holding everyone up etc. I know there are different run groups but felt that way nonetheless.

When I went to the event the other day one of the first things I saw was a tractor trailer unloading a fleet of fully prepped Ferrari race cars Drivers in full fire suits. Not to mention all the track prepped porsche's. A bit intimidating to say the least, even though I wasn't going to be on the track with them. I must say, I did feel a bit out of my element - like a noob. All these guys wrencing their cars in the garage, some with TEAMS of people. I tried to look competent by adjusting the air in my tires

I've been to PSDS multiple times (masters) and the thing I noticed the first time I went was how I can't even come close to driving a BASE carrera to it's fullest - forget my highly modded turbo. It's a bit humbling to say the least. So, I was VERY careful to not get on power too early the other day LOL.

PSDS would be a great way to start to see if you like it - plus the instructors are world class.

 

Lot of good advice has been posted here.

I am a certified PCA instructor as I am sure many others are here as well. For your first event, get the car tech'd, flush the brake fluid, pick up a helment (go someplace and try one on, don't buy online). Your helmet should be a minimum of an SA2005 (the 2000's will expire as soon as the new helmets come out next year IIRC). Do not buy an M2XXX helmet (motorcycle application). Some places will let you use them, but other organizations will make you have an SA approved helmet. Then get a track map of wherever you are going and memorize the corner numbers, watch some online video of the track if you can....anything to familiarize yourself with the track early is a big help. Other than that get a good night of sleep, show up, jump in with both feet, and most importantly have fun. Your first events make sure you do BOTH days. If you go out and do a day here and a day there, IMHO you will forget it just as fast as you learn it. Repetition makes it stick.



I can tell you that after instructing a lot of students, I have had guys who have had sports cars all their lives, dragged raced, yada yada yada, think they are an excellent driver, etc (i was exactly the same way when I started). 95% of them get on the track during the first couple of sessions and realize very quickly they really don't know how to drive. Some admit it right away and those are the best students who progress the fastest, and others let their ego get in the way and it holds them back from progressing. And that other 5% goes out on track and just seems to get it right away. Actually it is probably smaller than 5%.

In PCA we have 4 classifications of drivers: You start at stage I and advance upwards.
1. Incompetent incompetents (Beginner): These are drivers that don't know that they really don't know how to drive.
2. Competent incompetents (Intermediate): These are drivers that have had an event or two under their belt and know they don't know how to drive.
3. Incompetent competents (Advanced Intermediate): These are drivers that don't think they can drive, but really are pretty good....IE...they get it, they just are usually still timid.
4. Competent competents (advanced): These are the advanced level drivers who now know they can drive.

How long does it take to go from stage I to stage IV....years, and even at stage IV you are still learning every time you go out on track. I still have a lot to learn as an instructor as well. Once you stop learning, well.........

The point I am making, is it doesn't matter what your driving background is, how long you have had a sports car or have been driving....put it on a track and you are starting back at square one. That is what the instructors are there for, to teach you how to handle the car at speed, what the car will do (it will do way more than the driver can), etc. You will have an instructor for many events. There are good instructors and there are well....not good instructors. How people communicate is crucial. If you and your instructor aren't seeing eye to eye, go ask for a different instructor. It might not be anything wrong with you or your instructor, it just might be a difference in communication styles, and that is ok. Eventually you will get to the point where you will do some solo driving. Some people get signed off by their instructors late in the weekend and can go out and drive solo (though beginners should always have an instructor). Don't be in a hurry to get signed off because your buddy did once you get to that level, etc. Having that instructor next to you is not a sign of weakness, it will make you better. I really don't like going out solo in my run groups anymore, i find it boring to be quite honest. I'd rather take a student along with so I can do some teaching while I am the one behind the wheel. At your second event, make sure you get a different instructor. We all teach slightly differently and it is good to take from multiple perspectives.

P.S. I have never heard a BAD thing about the PSDS, I think that is a great program, especially if you own a similar vehicle. Everything I have ever heard about it has been positive.

I won't scare you with pictures of the front of my track car from debris.