I am thinking of going to this two day class in alabama, but wanted to know from folks who have gone to this if it was worth it?

ps - way of background - i have a 2000 996 (6spd) and i feel like im only scratching the surface of this car so i wanted to sign up for some form of driving class. the other option i guess was to sign up for some porsche club and go to a track day.

pss i have been to buttonwillow couple of times and felt w/o instruction i was just driving.

thx

 

I highly recommend PDE. Great instructors and a great 1st step into tracking a Porsche. If no further interest in DE's or Racing, still helps you appreciate what a Porsche can really do and how good the Sports Car racers you watch on TV really are. I completed regular and Masters PDE and Panoz Race School. All were great in helping accelerate the learning curve to race PCA/PBOC.

 

I absolutely LOVED it. My dad actually took me for my high school graduation b/c he has a 996 turbo and hasn't really had a chance to see what its capabilities really are (probably an excuse for him to go) but either way it was amazing. Great instructing, fast cars, and some good competition.

Everything is a competition and it was especially fun competing with my dad in these events. I'm actually going back for the masters course next year with my dad as he takes my younger brother for his graduation present. It honestly was one of the best experiences of my life. Everybody I met there was just awesome and the instructors just love teaching and really understand these cars. I can't say enough good things about this course.

 

I plan on going next year, along with a couple of Skip Barber courses. Can you say tax return?

Once I pick some dates, I'll post them in case any other 6speeders want to link up there.

 

I am glad I used the SEARCH button!

I am very interested in PDE and LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE THIS MACHINE!!

I will probably save my pennies for the 2 day course. The course is $3K. Can anyone breakdown additional cost?

Airfare from LA? Hotel? Rental car needed? Food? Entertainment in the evening?

I would appreciate any info that someone that has done it can provide.

Also do they provide pics? or video of you driving around?

I have done several trackdays when I had my motorcycle..and thats it.

 

Please do...maybe the stars will align and I can hook up with you for the course! Who knows...maybe the tax return is my ticket too....

 

I haven't done PDE but I can tell you about Barber Track in Leeds, AL. I have done a few DE's at Barber, and I must say it is a truely awsome track! About 1.9miles with 16-17 turns. Lots of blind corners, off camber apexs and elevation changes. The facilities are first rate, the grounds look like a golf course/country club. Don't miss the Barber Museum. There are no decent hotels close by, but Birmingham is only 20min away.
I wish I had done PDE years ago before I started DE's, now I think I would be a little bored with the pace as most students are beginners.

 

Personally, I think that PCA DE's are a much better value for the money. As a beginner, there's so much to learn that spending a fraction of the money allows for what is really more important - seat time! There is a limited amount one can learn in a day. I'd rather go do 4 PCA DE's than spend for one PDE from a strictly value standpoint.

 

I totally understand the value for money argument. The reason I want to do the Porsche school is to have "done it". I hope to do the Barber sports car school and some car control schools - I really want to get my skills up before I drive my car in anger.

 

I think you will have a better basis for learning at the PDE and other schools with pro instructors when you have a background that will allow you to really take advantage of their knowledge and experience. The Barber schools are good also, but about 3-4 PCA DE's would allow you to better understand what you don't know yet...

Of course, the advantage of those schools is that they provide the vehicle (which I guess can also be a disadvantage since it might be better to learn your own car's characteristics).

Of course, if money isn't really a big deal, then there are several levels within the Barber and PDE training track.

 

chris,

let me know. i might want to go too. I have been looking at the PDE for a while but did not take the plunge.

 

Raja - I'll let you know... I need to check the 2007 schedule and pick a date. I also want to do a couple of Skip Barber classes @ Laguna Seca, too.

 

The PDE does offer pictures, a certificate upon completion and an in car video of the Carrera S doing 2 laps around the track

The facilities at the PDE are AMAZING, everything's brand new, the paddock is ridiculous. When I was there they had a CGT that they fired up in the garage and OMG did it sound ridiculous. The lunch they serve is really good and the hotel that they recommend you stay at is top notch (sorry, the name is slipping my mind). They have a restaurant that I believe is Don Shula's and it is delicious. The hotel is connected to a mall if you're thinking of bringing the wife. I believe they have valet as well as a really nice bar.

I don't have a single complaint about the PDE and even as a fairly experienced driver you can still learn just that much more spending two days in these works of art. I have a new appreciation for the Carrera S after the PDE. I think I'm blabbing now but hopefully this offers a little more insight. I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to go back for the Masters course next year. Hope all that helps.

 

I went in the spring of 2005 - it truly is amazing. The cars, the staff, the instruction from the world famous drivers, and just the way the program is run really is top notch. It's not cheap, but it's worth it.

 

I again am a firm believer that PDE is the best 1st step. I've now raced for several years (probably 22 races) and still recall the lessons taught at PDE that I use today. The level instruction should be better than a local DE and it's a fun experience to boot. Barber is a very technical track and the instructors are somewhat lenient if you prove can you handle the car at a quick pace. It's also great experience if you should ever race there. Barber is the hardest track to learn how to get around quickly for me and most of my friends.