PDE is simply the best!!!
You will learn more in two days there than anywhere else, from some of the best drivers in the country, who get paid to drive. I know of at least 4 instructors who will be in the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona, Hurley Haywood, David Donahue, David Murry, Andrew Davis...and they get a paycheck.

Sure you can do DE's but you won't learn as much, nor in many cases be taught the proper way. DE instructors are a roll of the dice as far as skill levels not to mention driving is a hobby, not their profession.

After the intro course, there is the Masters...where the fun really begins.
Myself and a two other people whom I know have atended PDE in excess of 30 times combined. We keep coming back, it is just that good.

Check out some various videos by me from PDE here:CLICK ME

Make the time to attend PDE
You will not regret attending

 

I did it about 2 years ago and loved it! I did the 2 day PDE and would highly recommend it to anyone. The Barber Motorsports museum is also truly incredible.

Pics of my PDE experience are here if you are interested in viewing:

http://homepage.mac.com/riozilla/PhotoAlbum58.html

Pics of the Barber Museum:

http://homepage.mac.com/riozilla/PhotoAlbum57.html

I also posted a video of a lap around the PDE Barber track which I ripped from the DVD they gave me when I was there:

http://homepage.mac.com/riozilla/iMovieTheater59.html

 

When the Cayenne first came out, Porsche had their training there.

The first half of the day, we spent driving Cayenne S's off road, which is located in the motorsport park. Very steep hills, lots of mud and challenging trails.

The other half of the day, we ran the autocross and drove on the track. 2 laps in the S and 2 laps in the turbo. I ran my 2 laps in the turbo pretty aggressively (of course ) and my instructor said you did great. Now it was his turn to drive. He took the course, one hand on the wheel and I was very impressed how he tossed the car around. I then found out my instructor was Hurley Haywood!! hahahah I didn't know who he was at the time, but DAMN he can drive... And we were in a Cayenne!!

Its a great track, it has all the fun parts of other tracks put into one.