Ten Questions About Driver Education

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Created on Saturday, March 05 2011 14:15

Last Updated on Sunday, January 06 2013 03:01

Published on Sunday, March 06 2011 14:15

Written by Mike Roberts

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Understandably, you may be interested, yet apprehensive about taking your Porsche on the track. Over three years since my first outing at Thunderhill (which I admit was actually in an Infiniti SUV!), I have frequently talked with friends about experiencing over 25 tracks days since. These are the top ten concerns they and I have shared – if any of these are bugging you, hopefully this will help provide answers.

So, if you hear yourself saying “I’d like to do a track day but….” - read on!

 

 

10.”I’m not sure my car will handle it!”

If your car is in good mechanical condition for the road, with tires, brakes, wheels, suspension etc. in good shape and no leaks or obvious issues – and it‘s a Porsche, it can handle it! If it‘s not, you shouldn‘t be on the road, never mind the track!

9. “I don’t want to be a racer so why would it be useful to me?”

Actually you‘ll be learning new driving skills, good car control and how to think about your car in whole new dimension. Learning to go racing is a different thing…I‘m not interested in racing but I love experiencing more of what my car can really do.

8. “I drive fast on the back roads, that’s where I have my fun…”

With other people you don‘t know, in all sorts of vehicles, coming the other way? On the track you can put your foot down and not worry about the CHP taking an interest too…

7. “It’s dangerous and I can’t afford to damage my car!”

Absolutely! None of us want to put our car or ourselves in harm‘s way. I have never seen cars collide at a track day – yet, I have seen several accidents driving on the freeways each day. The road is a far more scary place…too much debris and too many bad drivers. Does your insurance still cover you? Well some will if you can show that it is not a timed event, which DE is not. You will need to look at your particular policy. If there is a concern, there are companies which offer cover on a one time or annual basis.

6. “I don’t want to devalue my car by tracking it!”

When we buy a used car, we all want to find the low mileage, always garaged example that has never been out in the rain. If you bought your car because of the way it drives…hey, it‘s a Porsche, it was built for this! That‘s why local Porsche dealerships actively sponsor DE/ track days. A good buddy of mine told me he was worried about wear on his car, yet he was regularly lending it to his 18 year old son. I had to ask him whose car was having the tougher time?

5. “I’m new so I would probably be in everyone’s way!”

Many people don‘t realize that drivers are organized into groups, so you don‘t go out and run with faster drivers until you are ready and comfortable. In fact, we won‘t let you out on your own until you are ready! By then you will have had lots of coaching time with our nurturing instructors who will make sure you know your way around the track and teach you about the safety rules, flags, signals to other drivers etc. – all the things which contribute to a fun and safe day.

4. “Track days are only for hard core drivers!”

Porsche track days are relaxed, convivial, friendly and fun events. You‘ll get to know other people quickly - they are sharing the experience too! Most people I meet at track days are there for the experience of driving their high performance car quickly in a safe and well organized environment. Everyone is asked to drive be-low their limit – this is not a race, there are no prizes, no places, and no glory. If someone is driving faster than you - then let them go by.

3. “It’s a guy thing - I don’t think I would find other women doing this!”

Actually many ladies drive in track days – among them are some of the best drivers I know.

2. “I’m a good driver, but it’s other people I don’t trust!”

Well, I can certainly relate to this out on the road. In a Porsche track day, you‘ll find that any reckless behav-ior which may endanger yourself or others is quickly addressed. There are radio-linked flag marshals de-ployed around the entire track while cars are running. They are ‗trained professionals‘, there to enforce safety and communication with drivers and the track‘s central control. If there any hazards, they will rapidly deploy flags to tell drivers where they are and what to do. They will also warn you if faster cars are coming up behind you, so you know when to let someone by.

1. “I don’t know what to expect….”

I remember my first track day and I was very apprehensive. When I turned up at Thunderhill, I didn‘t know where to park and many of the terms were unfamiliar to me – like where exactly is the `Paddock‘, and the `Hot Pits‘ were even less welcoming thought. Honestly, I was really nervous about driving with an instructor too – would he or she see just how bad a driver I really was? I turned up at the track and signed in at the gate. Then drove over to the covered garages and took a parking space that was available. From there I walked over to the main building to check in. After that, everything went smoothly, I need not have been concerned. What I was not prepared for was how much I learned and how much fun I had….

So, if you are interested, feel free to contact any of our DE team who will offer a listening ear and help you get involved. You‘ll be discovering a new dimension of enjoyment with your Porsche in a safe, well organized en-vironment where drivers of varying experience come together for a great time and learn skills which will also make them better drivers out there on the road.