So my local dealer invited me to a Porsche Driving Experience lead by PSDS intructors. It was held at Pike's Peak Int'l Raceway. This racetrack is primary for Nascar type races, basically a huge oval but does have a 1.3 mile road course in the middle.



It started out with a sales pitch, there were the C4 cabriolet, the Cayenne, the Panamera S, C4S with an aerokit, and the Cayman S.





After the sales pitch, we walked out to the track, lead by the instructor in the C4 cabriolet. We had the chance to drive the Cayenne S, C4 Cabriolet,
Cayman R, and Panamera turbo. All the cars were PDK. I drove them in sports and sports+ mode. I have to say the PDK shifts pretty fast, keeps you in gear (sports+), and is quite competent. It took shifting out of the equation so you can concentrate on your braking and proper lines. Even with the paddles, it just doesn't feel quite as involved as a manual. Wished they had at least one with a 6speed. It was still fun.










After the road course, we moved on to an autocross track that the instructor had setup. There we were able to test drive the C2S with Aerokit, C4S cabriolet, Cayman S, and Panamera 4. The autocross was fun but of course isn't as fun as the road course.






I had a great time, what is there not to like, you get to test drive and abuse Porsche provided cars. I really like the Cayman R, the sports exhaust sounded great and it handles like it's on rails. That was probably my favorite car to drive, it's quite a surprised since I've never really like the Cayman. (styling). The Panamera turbo was another surprised, if they would had blind fold me and put me in the car, I would had never quess, it is a 4,000lb plus luxury sedan. It feels very sporty. There is no doubt Porsche makes great cars, glad I had the opportunity to drive some of the models. My local dealer is also sponsoring an all day Autocross tomorrow, unfortunately, I can't keep taking days off to drive Porsches. Hope you guys enjoyed the little summary of my experience and the pictures. I didn't get to take to many, too busy making new friends and having fun.

 

Those are always fun.

I'm told they avoid bringing manual trannies as they usually get them destroyed by drivers who claim being capable of driving stick... Given the number of posts reporting worn clutches it does not surprise me a bit.

 

I have not been to an event where they had manuals. I am a stick guy, but I have been thoroughly impressed with the PDKs. On the autocross they make for less work and allows you to concentrate or focus on the lines, throttle and braking areas...heck, it is the latest technology and it does it faster any any of us knuckle heads could ever do. I would seriously consider a PDK for the next generation.

I test drove the Boxster Spyder and the Cayman R and these are fantastic cars. I leaned toward the Syder which had the sport buckets - glue to the seat and the car handled just a bit better better than the Cayman R. The porsche driving instructor said that it had to do with the rigid chassis and the lowering of the center of gravity from the soft top...makes total sense. I guess that is one major reason why the speedsters are so popular and hold so much cache.

Cant wait for the next factory sponsored event! When are the 991 release parties going to start!?! Soon after purchasing my C4s, the Panamera came out and the dealer had an unveiling party - food, drinks and then invites handed out for the driving events!!

 

Damn I miss Colorado.
Your last couple of posts with pics are killing me.

 

thanks,,,great write up.

 

We did this back in June in Atlanta. It was a lot of fun, and the instructors were excited to hear I had a GTS (I got a lot of stares pulling into the parking lot - the police directing traffic waved me to the area where the PDE cars were, thinking I was with PCNA ). We drove the Boxter S, Boxster Spyder, Cayman S, Cayman R, C2S, C4S, and C2.

 

Fun indeed, I'm glad I drove 1.5 hour to Fountain to enjoy it. That would make sense, it's not cheap replacing tires. Most of them had brand new tires then add clutches to the cost.It's understandable.

Most autocross courses, you can keep it on 2nd gear in manuals, not a whole lot of shifting anyways, maybe to 1st on 90 degree turns. But I agree, I can understand the need for PDK in major cities.

I wished they had the boxster, I was kinda looking forward to driving it. The Cayman R had sports buckets as well. It was a bit different getting in and out after driving the other cars. My partner, an older gentlemen complained about the buckets being a bit rough.

There are quite a few driving events I was told by the others there. There is an autocross event today with similar cars. Should had called in sick.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.

That's great, don't you wished they had this all summer? There were a lot of nice cars in the parking lot. I should had snapped a few pictures. I was going to take a few shots after the event but ended up being the last few people out and the parking lot was nearly emptied.

 

Looks like a ton of fun, thanks for the write up and pics. I wish my dealer would invite me ...

 

I just participated in a similar even in Minneapolis.
We drove all base cars with PDK.
Carrera, Panamera (6cyl), Cayman, Boxster.

Wet skid pad in the 911 and Cayman.
Short autocross in the Boxster.
2.8 mile track in 911 and Panamera.

My take-aways:
1) My next car must have ventilated seats. It was 95 degrees out and the seats felt great.
2) I just might get a PDK yet. I actually found them fun to drive and added to the enjoyment of driving the track. I could just focus on line and breaking. The paddle shifters still kept me involved. I track my car with 6spd currently, but my mind is opening up to the PDK.
3) The Boxster was a lot of fun in the autocross. Nice chassis for a convertible. Wish we could have tried the Cayman here.
4) The Panamera is a capable car. Huge! But capable.

Fun day and a nice event put on by the national guys + local dealers.

 

Nice pics and story, Ynot. A friend of mine did it in Atlanta and decided to buy a Cayenne Turbo based on the experience! I haven't done one of these yet - time to start kissing up to the dealer!

 

I don't know what you have to do there but all I did was took my free oil/filter change service coupon to my dealer and I was added to their list.

 

Cool. Can you remind me about where the coupon came from?

 

Every dealer is different, mine had it on their service webpage.

 

Very cool. Looks like a lot of fun. Need to start clipping those dealer coupons more often.