My wife asked to drive my car on the track this afternoon during a Porsche dealer track day. I am nervous. Good idea or bad, bad idea? She can drive but never on a track. Will be very few cars out at a time. I like her enthusiasm but I also like my car-a lot.

 

If I were you I would express my concern about "HER" safety to her... this allows her to realize you care about her... as much as you are concerned about "her" safety if she is safe then the car is definitely safe ..

you catch my drift... ?

 

I did. Probably one of the better decisions I've ever made. She understands the car a LOT better... Why it rides the way it does, why those controls are HERE and not THERE, what it feels like to be 100% on throttle, and 100% on brakes. How to look ahead, hold the wheel, use the mirrors, etc... She forgets a lot, and her distance perception is still different than mine, but I still feel she became a better driver overnight because of it.

She is no track junky, but she understands why I like it so much. She still attends a few events each year with me (she even helps with track maintenance - brakes, fluids, wheel torque, etc...).

*edit: My wife's biggest concern is that she did not want to crash the car. And I feel that she didn't have as much fun as she should have had. I first stressed to her the importance of safety and track awareness, but I think she took it too far, because she was going so slow, she didn't allow herself to enjoy the ride. I then stressed the importance of having fun. Her third session out, she loosened up a little, and ran some decent laps (25 secs slower than mine around VIR, but still decent for a first timer).
Her second day was a polar opposite, she dropped two wheels off corner exit, and had an absolute BLAST!

If the two of you decide she should go, I hope you both enjoy the experience.

 

My wife did two track days so far. Not in the RS but in her MX-5. I would let her drive the RS though. She is very conservative about her driving in terms of what she can or cannot do.
I think it is important to get the wife / GF involved with our hobby. (it is easier to get new "updates" forthe car if the wife / GF understands what you are doing)

 

+1111111

I now justified a purchase for an aftermarket lip (with holes for brake ducts), second set of wheels with track tires, and a trans cooler.

She completely understands...

I also got permission to purchase a second dedicated track car (which, of course, I voluntarily put on the back burner, until her kitchen is done).

 

Since you live right there is S.carolina, send her to the BMW driving school for women. They will teach all the basics of car control and she will have a blast doing it. Then if she still wants to track your car both of you should feel more confident of her skills and safety. And I agree with the other that it will make things better if she is part of your passion.

 

Do it. Mine did SCCA EVO autoX school and a track day. I would just make sure that you completely trust the track organizer to run a strict safe program. The organizer she ran with committed a major safety faux pax that scared her at the end of the day. Overall I think it's a great experience for our S.O.'s to understand why we're so rabid about our hobby.

 

I'd share the ride. Worst case is she enjoys it enough that you have to spend more time at the track!!

 

I would do it. As already said it will make her a better driver. Do you let her drive the car on the street? The street is a lot more dangerous.

 

I would do it, for sure! My wife and I used to co-drive a 911 at DE events before we had kids. We really enjoyed spending that time together.

She was a lot safer and more precise than me, and a good bit slower. In the end, I'm the one who crashed that first car. Anyway - I was always more worried about me than her.

She went out a few times preggo with #1, and then again with #2, but then she hung up the helmet, about 7 years ago.
But - she won't let me sell the track car as she wants to get back into it eventually.

 

Of course!

Also - you are married; there are 'our' cars now, not 'mine' and 'hers'.

 

My knee-jerk reaction was to say no, but after reading the thread and all the positive results, I am swayed to agree. My wife cannot drive a manual, so it is a non-starter for me, but I am convinced of the benefits just the same.

 

Absolutely yes. I can't get mine to get on the track again, even after two days at Bondurant several years ago. Lucky you if she likes it, cause it will be easier for you to attend more track events, either with her or because she will be more understanding. Also, maybe that way you can justify even another Porsche.

 

Dude let her drive it! When i get married (yea right) someday, i would want a girl thats into cars and wants to do track days.

 

I can only wish that my wife ever showed some interest in doing this. Although, I would require (if not assume) that there would be a driving instructor with anyone for their first efforts on a track (including myself) for everyone's benefit.