I've been doing DE/instructional driving since I attended the Federal Police Acadamy in Georgia in 1986. I have well over 100 days on tracks, running with a number of clubs and the best group I have run with, by far has been with CHIN. It's an expensive 2 days, but you'll get far more track time and a very progressive instructional program where you learn to manage traffic.

There simply is nothing like open passing EVERYWHERE if you're capable of handling it... PCA doesn't even allow that...

That said, PCA ZONE TWO and First Settlers event at VIR held every March and May (they're there this weekend) are two of the best I attend annually. We bailed on tracking our Porsche this year while we focus on final development of our track car.

Mike

 

My patience with PCA is wearing very thin at this point concerning the DE events. As I patiently await their reply to my 5/5 registration for the DE events this summer, I still cannot get into their site to check, verify, confirm or even register today. Their last response to me was 'we have your request and the registrar will contact me'. That was on 5/5.

Today I will go through another chapter for the Watkins Glen event as the Potomac group seems to be.........never mind.

The event yesterday at the Bi-plane show was, how shall I say, lame. Nice showing of some cars. I couldn't tell who was part of the group and when the show was over there was a special Porsche drawing announced and the emcee was asking ME what the drawing was for and who was heading it up!!!!! Everyone including th organizer had taken off!!!!!!!!!!!

Berk, the MAMC better get cookin with an events schedule. I am itchin for track time and looks as though we can't rely on any true clubs out there to get us spots!!! I am also going to cruise the Benz and BMW events schedules and get in on their track times and dates.

 

^^^^Working on it bud!!!

 

[quote=Scott in SS MD;2398014]My patience with PCA is wearing very thin at this point concerning the DE events. As I patiently await their reply to my 5/5 registration for the DE events this summer, I still cannot get into their site to check, verify, confirm or even register today. Their last response to me was 'we have your request and the registrar will contact me'. That was on 5/5.

Scott, if you're trying to confirm your acceptance at an upcoming DE, they may not respond until the registration is closed or close to being closed. That should seems to be how their process work. Not sure how you have sent in your questions. If you have not tried contacting the DE Chair, Alan Herod, directly, you should give that a try. I have always gotten a response the few times I tried. Or you can PM me your questions, and I can try a different route for you.

 

I've been a PCA member for a few years now, and I absolutely love it. I do, not because of things like "fun runs" and their magazine (although I have been to one or two of their Saturday breakfast meetings and I do enjoy flipping through their club magazine). I do because of their DEs. As a couple of people have already said, the PCA DE is the cheapest way to get on a track and drive among other Porsche owners. It is also the safest. The PCA, maybe especially the Potomac Chapter, take driving instructions and safety very seriously. I'm not sayng every one of their instructors is great, but most are and the Instructor Corp program seems to be very well thought out and managed. Sure, some of the instructors and DE regulars may seem abrasive, but who cares?! That's how the real world is. Not everybody gives a $hit about how light our wheels are or how pretty our carbon fiber parts look. Another thing I enjoy about the DEs is it's another great opportunity to network. I don't exactly look for that, but it seems in every event I meet at elast one or two people I can seeing doing business with.

I have never done PCA's other events, like cruises, rallies, concours, etc., so I cannot comment on them. But for an organization that is completely run by volunteers, and given how little the membership fees cost, I feel I am more than getting my money's worth.

 

^^Al - all good points bud.

 

Alan, Ralph and the gang run a very tight ship. Although I believe that they have a safe DE program, I believe there are areas for improvement. That said, they seriously should consider the current state of DEs. There simply is no reason for one group to have a driver be asked to check out for Black run group and another to hold that same driver in BLUE... I've heard this same complaint over and over with PCA Potomac.

What eventually happens is that you get drivers saying "gee, I've got all these other groups I can drive with and get many of the same instructors to teach me. Or I can spend my money with this group again and run with a slower group that I won't be happy running with." Drivers are voting with their wallets. I'm sure that Alan and Ralph don't see it that way, but there are a lot of other options for students to learn with other clubs. The core group won't carry the cost of doing DEs. ( I know several of the instructors on a personal level and they've been having issues with even getting instructor fields to cover students) They've had issues selling out Watkins Glen and Mid Ohio, as well as Shenandoah. As household budgets contract, DE students and instructors will run with the clubs they have the most fun with and get the most enjoyment/Education out of... If PCA Potomac is that place for you, then great! For some, it simply isn't the case.

Mike

 

Got a Monday morning first thing response today from the DE director. Thanks to whomever made a call, or I will call it luck. Officially tagged and able to maneuver through the site and events now. I hope some of you 6Speeders are trying to make Summit the weekend of 6/6 and, maybe a reach, Watkins Glen, PA on the 6/27th weekend.

 

I have known a couple of the cheasapeake region for a few years so I finally joined this year. I have been to a couple their events and all of them seem to be really laid back guys from baltimore/harford county types. Not stuck up at all and have always treated me really well, like they like having a younger guy around. So far good for me, if I got treated like some of you had I probably wouldnt have considered it.

 

Glad you had a good experience with Chesapeake. Being a member in that region since 1989, I agree. When I joined the club, I remember the membership guy came up to me with an application in one hand and a beer in the other....figured I was in the right region with that welcome.

PCA is currently testing out passing anywhere with a point by in the instructor groups. So far it's been very successful.

The Potomac DE program is very popular and tends to sell out quickly for the Summit Point events. Ever since NJMP opened, I've been spending more of my DE time up there. Love Summit Point, but my schedule just hasn't worked out when PCA has had events there. Hopefully I'll be able to do the club race this year.

 

Couldn't get just a single day rate for Saturday at Summit as I have a 50th party to attend Sunday. Plan to make up for it at The Glen and will run all three days instead of 2.

Will most likely do the Midnight NYC Run this wekend and come back with Berk & Co. immediately after.

 

I've been a PCA member for two years and have really enjoyed it. Our zone is great and the people are really nice. I'm lean on the younger side as far as members go in our group. Plus, being a female that autox's, tracks, etc., helps. Yep, in our region too, the members tend to lean on the "older" side and conservative on tours. The PCA cars here tend to be pretty much stock. I'm kind of out there for them with the mods and calipers. Hahaha! It's all good though.