Porsche Driving Experience - New Event - 13th February

Have to be on a Saturday or Sunday for me at the moment providing I'm not in sunny Nigeria

I tried posting in the 993 area earlier this week but I don't think they have a date in mind yet. When I looked at the PDE website it states this course runs on Saturdays from Autumn this year. I guess Summer is over as it's past 'Labor Day' (Sorry back in the UK now) so it maybe worth giving the centre a call.

EDITED 24/11/09 - see latest post for details of a new event on 13th February 2009 http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=508130 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Sorry for this, but I have just had another email from Natalie at Driving Experience. They would like payment by the end of the week in order to secure your place. I have given her the following list of names: Richard Hamilton - Paid Nick Pike - Paid Edwina Pike - Paid Andy Watling - Paid Chris Valentine - Paid Richard Hall - Paid Tony Daniel - Paid Rod Naghar - Paid Marco Tibaldi - Paid Alan Sweeney - Paid Mark Tredwin - Paid Tony Smiley (& passenger) - Paid Ian Galloway - Paid David Burlow - Paid Mike Pink - Paid Dan Eccleshare - Paid Paul Ebbs - Paid Andy Mair? - Paid? Please 'phone her on 08443 573 911 or 08443 575 911 as soon as possible. Please mention that you are in the group booked by me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I saw this on the 993 forum, but as the subject came up here a few months ago (but was prohibitively expensive at that time) I thought it might be worth seeing if anyone is interested in this: http://www11.porsche.com/all/media/pdf/Porsche_Driver_Skills_Flyer.pdf It is a half-day course with tuition, using your own car for most of the session, and 30 minutes in the latest 997.  The cost of £165 (INCLUDING lunch) seems very reasonable to me. So far, the list is: Me - YES (Possibly +1 other) Nick_USA & MrsNick_USA (2 places) - Nick & Ed Pike - YES & YES watlina - Andy Watling - YES sypderman - Chris Valentine - YES richard hall - YES Tony Daniel - YES Rod Naghar - YES mt0859 - Marco Tibaldi - YES C4S al - Alan Sweeney - YES Aviator29 - Mark Tredwin - YES (& passenger?) TonyS - Tony Smiley - YES  (& passenger?) IanG - Ian Galloway - YES David - David Burlow - YES Mike Pink - YES Steve777 - Steve Holyoake  - Mark Elder - deccle - Dan Eccleshare - Latest News: (24/09/09) Good Morning Richard, Many thanks for this, I have currently put 20 spaces on hold against your name as this event is filling up. With regards to payment we will need each payment received beforehand to confirm their spaces. The cost is £165, please note lunch is included on this date as it is the pilot event. If you could ask them to quote your name when they call us that would be helpful. For insurance purposes, before I complete the booking I will need each driver to answer the below questions: Do you have any convictions on your licence? Have you been disqualified from driving within the past five years? Do you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive? Have you been refused insurance or had special terms imposed? Have you been involved in any accidents in the last three years? Please confirm you are between the ages of 21 and 75. We will need to see both parts of the licence on the day. We advise that each attendee gets track insurance however you will be required to sign our indemnity form on the day and will be taking part at your own risk on the day. Track insurance is not a requirement as such but we advise you get it. Full details including times etc will be giving in the confirmation details when we receive payment. The approximate start time will be 10am. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Best regards, Natalie Note: You can answer the questions when you make the payment, and I will give a contact name and number at the weekend, after I have sent them the complete list.  As for insurance, it's up to you.  Personally, being a highly organised event under controlled conditions, I am not going to take extra insurance, but it really is your choice. More news for guests/passengers: "There are a couple of options with regards to guests. You can pay £18.50 for someone to have lunch and watch from the restaurant or pay an additional £30 and they can be passenger guests and even share the drive in their own car." (23/09/09): I have just had an email to say that this is the launch day for YouDrive@Porsche and will feature the following: Driving: Driving your own car on the unique low friction surfaces, take on the Kick Plate and Ice Hill to see how you and your car react when faced with hazardous situations Theory: Advanced Theory session with Vicki Butler-Henderson and Gordon Robertson, Chief Driving Consultant for Porsche GB Performance: Human Performance - test your reaction speed and vision in our state-of-the-art laboratory and compare yourself to F1 driver Mark Webber! Experience: Take to the wheel of the latest Porsche 911 around our purpose-built Test Tracks with one-to-one instruction with a Porsche Driving Consultant The launch day is being handled on a first-come-first-served basis so  I REALLY need a definite number to give them by the end of this week so we can get this buttoned up as soon as possible - Yes or No please N-O-W !! Another small flyer to wet your appetite: https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy/clientftp/Register/996/events/youdriveatporsche.pdf

Yes, I was already thinking along the same lines so put me down for it There's an article in the Autumn 09 Porsche Centre Update where they call it YouDrive@Porsche [link=http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience-overview/experience-youdrive/]http://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience-overview/experience-youdrive/[/link]

I'm well up for it. Want to do the three generations of 911 too.

I would be interested, I was very fortunate in that hen Porsche GB used my 996 for the recent Evolution event on delivering my car to them at The Driving experience I was taken around all the tracks. I have to say it was very very impressive.

Hi Richard if you are looking to get a list together please add my name this price seems a lot more reasonable than the last one you looked at

I believe they run two sessions, (am/pm) with an option of lunch before or after. May I suggest the am (Morning) session then the optional lunch for those who would like it. That way it's better for the concentration etc.

Looks fun, I'd be interested in this Richard.

I've started a provisional list in post #1. Post a reply if you want me to add your name. I was thinking in terms of a morning session on Saturday 10th/17th/24th October, but we'll just have to wait and see what's available, and how many they can accommodate at once. Nick - are you interested in one place or two?

Two places, two cars and all of the dates work for us at the moment

Got this in the post this week, looked too good to be true! I'm definately interested all 3 dates look good.

I should have my C4 delivered by then. I am very interested and it seems ideal way to understand limits of a new car and compare with difference with a new-ish 997. Please put me down. 24th works best for me, but 17th would be ok also. Thanks, Steve

I would be very interested too but I cannot do the 24th October as I will be in sunny Cornwall (ho ho).

I think I can make pretty much any weekend in October.

Richard, are 993s allowed?[ ] I'd like a space please - not 100% about all of those weekends but lets see what the circuit has available.

No problem Mark. I spoke to them this morning, but they are not taking bookings yet, as they haven't finalised the course details. It seems that they will be able to handle fairly large groups, although they couldn't give me numbers yet, or when the start date would be. I have registered our interest with an email to them, so we'll just have to wait and see. Meantime, if anyone else is interested, please post a reply to this thread.

You lucky thing - they used mine too but I only got a cup of tea! Richard, I would be interested in this and have a "plus one" with a 964 who is also keen. I can't manage all October dates but will keep an eye out and see what is on offer!

Most strange as it features on both their website and in the latest PDE brochure. Lets hope they get in touch soon.

i'm v interested and would love to go, could do any weekend (or weekday at the mo as it happens) apart from 24 Oct. please add me to the provisional list

Hi Richard, I would also be interested in this, please put my name down. All dates look good however my life is subject to change with work commitments but will confirm once date is agreed. Alan.

If you can organise it for a weekend I would be up for it as well. Mark

I too would like to show an interest. i have just joined the forum and have recently bought a C2 cab, and would love to do the low traction bit in my own car. Due to work commitments i can be sent worldwide at the drop of the hat, but if i have a firm date (the ones in Oct on Sat Morn are fine) i can plan any trips. dan

I would love to come please! Tony

Driving Experience have just sent the following: Good Afternoon Mr Hamilton, I can confirm we have just released a date of 10 October for YouDrive@Porsche (formally known as Driving Skills Academy). Please let me know if this date is suitable or not. Look forward to hearing from you again soon. Best regards, Natalie So I need a definite number to give them for 10th October - Yes or No please as soon as possible!

Very sorry, but am afraid I can't do the 10th. Have a great day, I am very envious!

10th is good for me. I'm in

Damm, we have already got something booked for that day.[ ]

Oh yes please! I'll no doubt be the only Boxster there - just to give you something to laugh at!

I'm sure you won't. If Nick and his wife can make it there will be two other playmates. Could you email or PM me with your surname.

Put my name down please. Very interested for any Saturday in October.

See post #25. It is definitely on for Saturday 10th October. Is that OK with you?

99% sure I will be fine, Just let me 100% confirm tomorrow.

I'm sure a few others will have to check with Management too. [ ] [ ]

How did you guess?? [ ]

Brilliant, 10th is fine for me, I'm in!

Great! Marco, could you let me have your surname, as they will want it when I give them the final list.

hi Richard 10 th is good for me

The 10th works for the both of us. (Boxster take-over [ ]) btw Did you get any indication of am or pm ?

I've asked for am, as it seems to be most popular. I have asked a few other questions, so hope to be able to confirm the details in the next day or two.

PCGB discount and perhaps a GT2 loaner works [ ]

Yes, Richard The 10th is good for me. Cheers Andy

10th good for me regards dave

Hi Richard Put me down 10th is good for me, looking forward to it after the day I have had to day!!! Regards Alan

Hi Richard, Sorry can't do 10th. Would like to be involved if it is organised again in future. Thanks, Steve

Can't do it I'm afraid - now got visitors that weekend tihS (Strictly speaking it is OK for me but probably very unwise..............)

Richard, sounds excellent, please put me down for the Silverstone driving session. Will you be contacting us re. payment once they've confirmed the date? Many thanks for your time in all this Tim[&:] 993 cab, 3.2 Carrera, resting

Hi Tim - welcome to 'the dark side'. [ ] They have confirmed the date, but I have asked them about arrival times, methods of payment, and if they have any insurance options available for those who want it. They aren't the fastest to respond though. As soon as I have details I'll post them here, and send out emails to all who have confirmed. ps: Could you let me have your surname.

Hi Richard, All now squared off with Management, we have the green light for the 10th! Pop my name on the list please Thanks, Ian

Yes from me! Will anyone else be considering bringing their other half as a 'passenger guest'? Tony

Latest News: I have just had an email to say that this is the launch day for YouDrive@Porsche and will feature the following: Driving: Driving your own car on the unique low friction surfaces, take on the Kick Plate and Ice Hill to see how you and your car react when faced with hazardous situations Theory: Advanced Theory session with Vicki Butler-Henderson and Gordon Robertson, Chief Driving Consultant for Porsche GB Performance: Human Performance - test your reaction speed and vision in our state-of-the-art laboratory and compare yourself to F1 driver Mark Webber! Experience: Take to the wheel of the latest Porsche 911 around our purpose-built Test Tracks with one-to-one instruction with a Porsche Driving Consultant The launch day is being handled on a first-come-first-served basis so I REALLY need a definite number to give them for 10th October so we can get this buttonned up as soon as possible - Yes or No please N-O-W !! We may have to restrict this to 20, so be quick!!! Another small flyer to wet your appetite: [link=https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy/clientftp/Register/996/events/youdriveatporsche.pdf] https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy/clientftp/Register/996/events/youdriveatporsche.pdf [/link]

I will start the list of 20 then! 1. IanG - Yes 2. Nick_USA - Yes plus guest

Awesome and yes we are still coming .... and to answer an earlier question my wife is also attending ... but as a driver and let it be known she is also known for her drifting ability!!!!

If you check post #1 in the thread, it shows all those who have confirmaed.

Cheers Richard, I've now seen post #1 in the thread.

I'd like to take part [ ] - prefer pm on the 10th though if possible. Bit miffed that I find out about this day via the forum as I contacted Reading directly about a month ago and have heard nothing since....[8|]

The power of the Internet...... We have asked for a.m., I'm afraid, although it hasn't actually been confirmed. Do you want me to put your name on the list as a definite 'yes'?

Hi Richard, I have sent an email confirming I would like to come along. Having done that I now find myself needing to know what is the situation regarding passengers? Mark

Mark & Tony The original flyer in post #1 says that passenger guests are charged £30 (to include refreshments), and I assume this is still the case. HTH

I believe that should you also wish to take lunch afterward it is around £18.50pp

LATEST NEWS: Good Morning Richard, Many thanks for this, I have currently put 20 spaces on hold against your name as this event is filling up. With regards to payment we will need each payment received beforehand to confirm their spaces. The cost is £165, please note lunch is included on this date as it is the pilot event. If you could ask them to quote your name when they call us that would be helpful. For insurance purposes, before I complete the booking I will need each driver to answer the below questions: Do you have any convictions on your licence? Have you been disqualified from driving within the past five years? Do you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive? Have you been refused insurance or had special terms imposed? Have you been involved in any accidents in the last three years? Please confirm you are between the ages of 21 and 75. We will need to see both parts of the licence on the day. We advise that each attendee gets track insurance however you will be required to sign our indemnity form on the day and will be taking part at your own risk on the day. Track insurance is not a requirement as such but we advise you get it. Full details including times etc will be giving in the confirmation details when we receive payment. The approximate start time will be 10am. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Best regards, Natalie Note: You can answer the questions when you make the payment, and I will give a contact name and number at the weekend, after I have sent them the complete list. As for insurance, it's up to you. Personally, being a highly organised event under controlled conditions, I am not going to take extra insurance, but it really is your choice. As you can see, lunch is included, so that's another bonus!! IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEM THE FINAL NUMBERS AND NAMES BEFORE THE END OF THIS WEEK, AS THEY WILL NOT HOLD THE PLACES OPEN INDEFINITELY. CHECK THE LIST ON POST #1 TO MAKE SURE YOUR NAME IS DOWN.

Paid. VB-H Free lunch Track time at Porsche circuit. What more can a man want I ask you? Thanks for organising this Rich!

Please ! [ ]

More news for guests/passengers: "There are a couple of options with regards to guests. You can pay £18.50 for someone to have lunch and watch from the restaurant or pay an additional £30 and they can be passenger guests and even share the drive in their own car."

Sorry for this, but I have just had another email from Natalie at Driving Experience. They would like payment by the end of the week in order to secure your place. I have given her the following list of names: Richard Hamilton Nick Pike Edwina Pike Andy Watling Chris Valentine Richard Hall Tony Daniel Rod Naghar Marco Tibaldi Alan Sweeney Mark Tredwin Tony Smiley (& passenger?) Ian Galloway David Burlow Mike Pink Please 'phone her on 08443 575 911 as soon as possible. Please mention that you are in the group booked by me. I have sent an email either direct, or via the forum mail system, to everyone on the list in post #1.

Done. Note that their phone line is pretty busy and you might get redirected to Porsche GB, who will take your details and get the Driving Experience to phone you back.

Tried several times but have now left a message with PHQ for a call back.

I am alos up for it, as long as i have not left it too late!! (been away on business) so will try tomorrow morning. Dan

Richard, Thanks for organising - I'm having to reluctantly say "no" (because of a family commitment on that date - have been trying to get out of it for last 36 hours but it's not going to work - doh!) Have fun everyone - take some pictures Mark

Left a message as well, has anybody had a call back yet?

yes, i rang yesterday and got my call back this morning

Yep, just had the call I'm booked in[ ]

I got straight through this morning, and Natalie said she had a list of people to call. If you don't hear by mid-afternoon, try again. She normally goes home about 4 o'clock, by the way. As a safety net, she said she would email me a list of anyone she hasn't heard from by this evening. I will then circulate an email to those people, who will have to get in touch first thing on Monday. If I haven't got your email address I will use the forum mail system, so make sure your email address is up to date in your profile.

Paid [ ]

That's me paid up ;-) What a game getting through to them. I'd been trying no and off since yesterday afternoon. If they're busy at the Experience Center (which seems to be permanently) the stupid phone goes straight through to Porsche HQ who can't help but who will then try and get the Experience Center to ring back. Why can't they just have busy tone or voice mail at the Experience Center? I did get the number 08443 573 911 to call which does actually mention the Experience Center when you ring but will again fairly quick divert to PHQ.

Hi Richard just to let you know like the rest Natalie is proving rather elusive I am awaitng her return of call how long does it take to phone 18 people?

Paid x 2

I take it all back what a nice young lady Paid x1 [ ]

I'm all paid up now. Natalie called me back at lunchtime. See you all on 10th!

After all morning of not getting through, i have had a call and have finally paid. see you all there! Dan [ ]

Just waiting for Natalie to get back to me and then i will be all paid up. Mark

All paid. Should be good. [ ]

I'm waiting but she hasn't got back to me...[ ] I'll call tomorrow..... Tony

Also try the 08443 573 911 number Andy listed. It seems to work a bit better. If you can't get through over the weekend, drop an email to [email removed] and ask her to call you first thing on Monday to sort out payment. She hasn't sent me a list of those who she hasn't heard from (yet) but I have been marking up the list in post #1 as you have all been replying to this thread. I'll send out reminders tonight, just in case, but let me know if you have paid (or have left a message and are waiting for a call back) and I haven't marked you on the list.

I got the pack through today[ ], and the small print says that you need a minimum of third party insurance - how does that work as we are off the public highway?? Is anyone else with Manning UK (Zurich) for insurance? They cover PCGB track days, but I'm wondering if they will cover this too as it is under professional instruction and (probably) less risky [8|] than a typical track day. I may call them to enquire.

When I did the R10 taster session at Millbrook, Porsche Club insurance (Norwich Union via Marsh) treated it exactly the same as a track day. So long as its organised through the club, you're covered. Obviously check with Manning though as "your mileage may vary"!

Sorted - just paid [ ] . My lad is coming too (not really a lad - he's 25!) See you all there.

I've asked them the question - I'll post a reply when they answer.......

Well, it's as clear as mud: "Hi Richard Apologies, Natalie is off sick at the moment so apologies I have not replied sooner. I can confirm that Mr Smiley has called and booked and I will take Mr Holyoake off our booking sheet now, thank you for the information. With regards to insurance, all insurers are different so make sure they check that they have track day insurance for their vehicle. We do advise you to insure your vehicle for track use however this is completely your decision and not necessary. Also with regards to tyres, they must be road legal. Look forward to seeing you next week. Kind Regards Vikki Dawson [color=#000099 size=2] Porsche Driving Experience" [/color]

Sounds like the safest bet for insurance purposes is to treat it the same as any normal track day, quote organised through PCGB . I rang Marsh and my cover note is on its way (post situation permitting).

I’m in too! Just booked and paid for the last place. Look forward to seeing you all on the 10th Oct - should be great[ ][ ]. (Richard - have PM’d you)

Excellent! Look forward to seeing you there - I tried a PM reply, but you haven't got it enabled in your profile.

I gave them a ring about noise as I've got a sports exhaust with no switch so it's in loud mode all the time ;-) They say they have no restrictions. I'm not sure if that's entirely true as the Silverstone circuit it's self has a limit of 105dB for general testing so I'd guess as we're among the first to bring our own cars they just haven't yet had many cars with non-standard exhausts making a racket. I've wondered how load mine actually is so I've got the safety man at work coming out to the car park this dinner time with his calibrated dB meter to check. I just need to do a bit of digging on the correct methodology.

i believe there are normally 2 tests, a standard static one which is the noise level at 0.5m from the tailpipe at an angle of 45 degs at 3/4 max rpm (if you have two pipes, they take the loudest value) and driveby one which varies. unless you have a v odd exhaust, if you pass the static one, the driveby shouldn't be a problem normally

As per Marco's suggestion we followed what seems to be the standard test regime of :- ISO 5130:2007 Acoustics — Measurements of sound pressure level emitted by stationary road vehicles [link=http://www.unece.org/trans/doc/2007/wp29grb/ECE-TRANS-WP29-GRB-45-inf01e.pdf] http://www.unece.org/trans/doc/2007/wp29grb/ECE-TRANS-WP29-GRB-45-inf01e.pdf [/link] Most of the trackday setups appear to do it this way. [link=http://javelintrackdays.co.uk/jt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=11]http://javelintrackdays.co.uk/jt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=11[/link] [link=http://www.clubmsv.com/car-trackday-noise-limits.aspx]http://www.clubmsv.com/car-trackday-noise-limits.aspx[/link] Mine appears to be rather load. At a constant 5400rpm it was 108dB and if I blip it to the red line it would peak at 115dB. To me it sounds excellent ;-) but I guess I wouldn't get on many trackdays. So I think I'll take something to tie up the bypass valves just in case they get a bit funny about it. P.S. I'll bring my video camera to work and do these tests again in the near future then post it up on YouTube so we can all share the love ;-)

i'm not sure whether this helps or not, but at bedford where i've done my track days, they've always done my static noise test at 4.5k rpm, technically slightly below the 3/4 mark of 5.2k rpm or so (and i come out at 95/96 dB, partly why i chose the particular exhaust i did!), so at other events they may do similar, which would help if you're close to the limit

just on the measurement side for porsche's i was lead to believe it had to do be done at 1m this is to allow for engine noise which is not a factor with front engined cars

A good find by Rod Naghar: [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6dueFkBVKA&fmt=18]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6dueFkBVKA&fmt=18[/link]

Looks fantastic!! Can't wait to give it a go! [ ]

Just viewed the various videos and am really looking forward to it. Any one heading up from M3/M4 area? Mark

Anyone joining the M1?

I live in Lincoln which is a pain in the a$$ to get anywhere, I am comming down the A1, to A43 to kettering, then Northampton, A45, M1, then Back onto the A43 (i think! - look out for a lost Artic Silver cab!!) unless i can borrow a nav. Dan

Once you're on the A43, you can't miss it - well signposted with big brown signs!

I'll be across the tops from Stockport and joining the M1 from Chesterfield during the morning. Any Porsches I see will get a wave [ ]

Just had a mini disaster averted, AutoGlass have just managed to repair a large chip that had started to crack in the windscreen this morning. So I’m just setting off as I’m stopping over in Amersham Bucks tonight. See you all tomorrow.

I'll be joining the M1 at J25 and driving down at about 8:45. Regarding insurance....I don't have track day insurance at the moment, but based on what I have read it isn't required if I'm happy to risk it? I'll sort it out for the next proper track day, but I can't fix it now! Tony

I haven't got track day insurance either. I plan on playig it by ear. I can't imagine they are going to let 20-odd cars at a time onto the low friction surfaces to play dodgems. If they do, I won't be one of them! For those (like me) heading up the M40/A43, just before the Silverstone Circuit exit off the A43 there is a Truvelo speed camera, just over the brow of a hill. There is a camera sign just before it, so watch out for that. IIRC you go through the gate at the main circuit entrance and turn immediately right towards Stowe, and follow the perimeter track all the way round, past Stowe, to the Hanger Straight, and the Driving Experience is there.

i hope i'm not the only one ludicrously excited about this i had a bit of a moment yesterday where i checked my rear tyres, and decided it was marginal as to whether they would pass their inspection, so managed to sort myself out a new set for a good price within less than 24 hrs! nothing like cutting it a bit fine.... i also got my car washed and then i waxed it myself (much to the amusement of the guys that had just cleaned it!)....vain i know. and with typical luck, it been tanking it down in london this afternoon and some random white stuff off a nearby tree is now present in fine layer all over my hard work. still, at least it was lovely and shiny for a few hours. i'm with richard on the insurance thing, i stopped getting it after my first track day as i simply won't drive like a lunatic and refuse to partake in shenanigans with other cars on a track

having read and re-read the letter from Porsche, I think they will split us into groups and each group will do a different activity during each session. So, hopefully, there will not be twenty cars on the track at once! just looked at the insurance thread started in 2007 - I'm with Privelege, as you were then Richard, I cannot get a better quote anywhere, although I've never asked for track day insurance.... see you all tomorrow - I can't wait! Tony

Hope you all have a fabulous time. Make sure you post some feedback so those who couldn't make it can see what they missed!

Funnily enough, we did have a fabulous time! Vikki gives her introduction: The drivers tuck into their posh nosh: To start with, we were nearly outnumbered by the press: Some nice rare motors to look at in between sessions: More photos in my [link=http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/R10spyderman/YouDrivePorsche2009]Picasa gallery[/link]. Keep your eyes on the motoring press over the next month or so too! What did I think: in short, it was a great day. Big thanks to Richard for organising, and Vikki and co for showing us a good time - and how to drive sideways down hill!

Highlight of my day was having lunch with Vicki. What a lovely lady - really down to earth, very chatty, with none of the airs and graces of many 'celebrities'. I might even start watching 5th Gear again!! Other than that, I thought it was a really good day out, and excellent value. It would have been nice to have a few more runs on the kick plate and ice hill, and a bit more track time. Overall though, no cause for complaint at all, and it has made me think about going back for more sometime. Funniest thing was watching Rod trying to get any grip at all from his Toyo 888s. Never mind, the underside of his car got a good clean. And apologies to Andy, if it was me holding him up on the handling circuit. Sorry if I didn't get to chat to many of you, but I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Just made it back home, had a great day so a big thank you for organising the day Richard.[ ]

I wondered who it was who had dared sit with her! I've met - and shot - a few celebs in my time and she's certainly the most approachable of the lot! Unfortunately, being a photographer, I didn't really have the ability to get a photo of myself with her! I think we can safely conclude that orange has an influence on performance - it somehow causes Boxsters to go backwards down hill... It will be interesting to read what feedback we get on our individual performance. I'm certainly up for more courses in the future - it still took me at least four laps of the circuit to work out where to place the car - and when to brake!

I too would like to add my tyhanks Richard for an event well organised. Like others I find VBH to be an absolute darling, like wise both Mark webber and Bradley Smith who I got chance to talk with, all be it very briefly. All of whom agreed to provide photos for the kids at my school which was great of them. It would be good to go back again and spend more time on the track. I would also like a go on the low friction circuit. Mind you I really must try to remember to close the window next time. Oops!!! Odd thing was I didn't get wet. [ ] Mark

+1 Thanks to Richad Sorry I couldnt stay right to the end the slight overun form lunch forced me to make an early exit

It looks like she's slowly backing away...[ ]

I had a brilliant day today, learning about basic roadcraft, having great fun on the kick plate (watching a volvo do things I could only dream of![ ]). Then seeing Richard show us how it's done on the Ice Hill, getting sweaty on the Batack board and working out which way the gear changes work on the PDK'd car on the handling circuit. The highlight of the day for me was also having lunch with V-BH. She was funny and genuine and throughly lovely. I've always had a soft spot for her. Funniest moment was when I was trying to push a fork into a rebellious carrot during lunch, the carrot was having none of it and flew at top speed towards V-BH, but luckily just landing short of her chair...Phew! I don't think anyone on our table noticed, so I got away with it![8D] Richard getting 10/10 on the Ice Hill http://s192.photobucket.com/albums/z229/mousem40/?action=view&current=P1000719.flv At the kick plate Mark Webber Star of many Youtube Videos - V-BH Fun on the Ice Hill More fun on the kick plate

Yes, great day- well worth it, good fun... shame about the low friction circuit not being included, although I was pretty sh****t at the kick plate and hill[&:]! Need much more practice[ ]

i'd like to add my thanks to richard for suggesting and organising the day out. i would agree that a bit more time on the low friction surfaces and track would be good, and if the portion sizes for lunch were doubled that would be about right ( ) but it was definitely a fun change to a regular track day, and hopefully it'll have made me slightly quicker with all the info on car balance etc i enjoyed going round the handling circuit (i managed to blag the C2S to compare to my 996 C4S having never driven a 2WD 996/7), and was pleasantly surprised that i actually did notice a difference between how they handled i think. have to say that i wasn't a big fan of driving round with the pdk gearbox in auto to be honest, not manually doing the gears meant i felt like i lost a reference to my speed which seemed to make it more difficult. also, it could be my imagination, but i swear like the C2S felt like a bigger car to me than mine, maybe it's my mind playing tricks.... kick plate was a giggle, especially the first time through, i swear i had skidded through 90 deg with just a confused look on my face before i even reacted!! caught it with only a little pendulum-ing on the next two attempts though, was rather pleased with that the less said about the ice hill the better though i think i was a bit lame and only managed to talk to a few people from here (although i did spend all the low friction time in the line behind nick usa's orange boxster i believe, an easy car to remember ), so my apologies for being anti-social. for reference, i was the bloke that looked like a tramp in the bristol uni hoody!

It is not his Orange Boxster

oops! sorry! got a little confused with his posted pics! my apologies sir! will edit previous message now....

Count me in please!! I can do 24th!! Also, want to ask mt0859 a question....as a previous Masa owner like myself.....do you miss the Masa??

Sorry, got over excited!! Seems like its all happened already and I missed it all!!

hi circleace, tbh, i miss all my previous cars in different ways, as they all had plus and minus points. why do i miss the Maser? It's style, looks, sound, relative rarity (esp compared to 911s) even here in london. the general answer in driving regards i give my friends is that if i had to drive to a ski resort in the alps as quickly as possible, i would take the Maser as far as the foothills, then jump in a 911 to go up the mountain! The ferrari-sourced V8 in it was just epic for high speed work - get above 130mph in 6th and you're cruising in utter comfort feeling totally stable with this thrumming, but not intrusive, V8 soundtrack, and at 100mph+ in top gear, you'll leave all NA 911s for dead i reckon. but then you'll know all this anyway oh, and 4 properly usable seats and a boot! negative points: fuel consumption (i averaged about 15mpg when it was £1.30/litre for super u/l), servicing costs and if something potentially went seriously wrong with say the engine or gear box, a truly horrific bill! and i never considered taking it on a track for that reason and finally, it turns out i'm not a massive of automated-manual gearboxes - i had the revised CC which was better than the pre-2003 cars and it was a novelty, but still missed doing the gears properly myself basically i switched to the 911 because i wanted something a bit more focused on the driving (more clinical?) with more peace of mind. how did you find your 4200? do any of my thoughts ring true with you? Marco PS: ideally i'd be incrediblly wealthy and be able to keep all my previous cars

Hi and good response!! For style, I think its beats even my 997. For rarity also! Loved the paddleshift and it was great to drive but must agree, when it went wrong...massive bills and in the garage for weeks, not days. The 997 is more clinical, as is your 996, a more rounded car in all ways. A bit twitchy at high speeds when you go to slow down but just could not beat it for exclusivebility. It just was not practical for daily use and did it drink petrol but the style was great. Sounds like you had a great day on the 10th!! Missed out!!

We did, but hopefully a repeat adventure will be on the cards at some point so we can all have another go and this time I can keep the window up! Mark

oh no! which exercise did you neglect to close the window on?! i spent the whole time paranoid as i kept on opening mine to get some fresh air in cos of the sunshine! (i hate using the climate control unless i have too. recipe for disaster there i think!). hope you didn't get too wet!

I spoke to both "start" and "end" instructors on every pass - so my windows were up and down like an, er, up-and-downy thing. I reverted to climate control on - we actually had sunshine! Wonder when we'll get our results...?

Good question...

It was on the kick plate, I was too busy trying to work out why my PSM had mysteriously switched itself off. [ ] Oddly enough though, I didn't get at all wet. I reckon it was 'cos I was so sideways the passenger door took the brunt of the water. Mark

i've decided that i want my own personal low friction surface area to drive on - hours of fun for limited tyre wear! [ ]

My results: Good overall, need to work on all inputs trying to be smoother. (rubbish in other words) Batack posn: 2nd Link (https://insidetrack.centres.porsche.co.uk/Prospects/Default.aspx?id={087f44b7-6d75-43a6-8891-dbd2a1322bd5})

They can't read my handwriting obviously. I had a cr*p score, and would have been at the bottom anyway, but think I could have been comatose and scored 15! How did you register, Rod, and did you get results of all the activities? More importantly, did Vicki rate her lunch experience? Nice pic of Nick on the Ice Hill too!

Hey Rich, Nope that's all the information I got, and I'm pretty sure it was from the instructor at the Handling course where I changed up/down instead of the other way round on the PDK 50 times lol. I don't think I registered, just gave my details on the phone when booking and my email address at the front desk like everyone else. Oh and Vicki's solicitors wrote to me looking for compensation for her near death experience with my rogue carrot.[8D] This is what I got in my email today:- How was YouDrive@Porsche? Dear Mr Naghar Thank you for joining us at the brand new YouDrive@Porsche event. We really hope you enjoyed the day. Your Porsche Driving Consultant wanted to pass on specific feedback to you, which is: Good overall, need to work on all inputs trying to be smoother. We want you to be delighted with your experience of Porsche, and to help us shape future events, we would really welcome your comments or suggestions. To give us your feedback and see how you stand in the BATAK leaderboard, please visit Porsche Inside Track. We look forward to hearing from you. Porsche Inside Track team

I got a mere Very good approach to driving, well done! By the freqency of their note-taking, I expected a lot more than that! Meanwhile poor Vicki has lost her presenting job as [link=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1221174/Vicki-s-career-stalls-Five-s-Fifth-Gear-driven-television.html]Fifth Gear's been binned[/link].

I reckon the BBC ought to employ her together with those blokes on Top Gear[ ] - she’d get their ratings even higher. But seriously, with her obvious enthusiasm and approach, she deserves her OWN car programme[ ]. Regarding the “feedback”, if that’s all there is, I think they need to do more in the future[8|], or the only people they’ll attract for similar courses will be Boy Racers or those with more £ than sense.

I agree. Top Gear should be Clarkson, Tiff Needell and VB-H. I still love this report by Tiff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRxzbYAs8lU&fmt=18 I think the point of the handling course was to sell Gen2 997s. I didn't expect the feedback to be anything but complimentary, they're hardly going to say 'thanks for the dosh, you stank' or anything critical because on the day they were being far too nice. On the Ice-hill after I spun:- Me- I was rubbish, I spun. Him: Ah yes you did spin but all the best drivers spin, that's how you learn the limits of your car Me- Erm ok.[8D]

I really did enjoy the day but I'm very disappointed in the level of feedback All I got was " More practise required but would improve given time." They need to break it down way more than that to be any use at all. On the ice hill I had some lovely controlled slides going on and had the guy at the bottom saying 'nicely done' then just get that drivel as feedback. Has anyone managed to use the feedback form? Just above the BATAK scores I get " Thank you for taking the Survey " but I haven't.

Same here, I haven't filled in any survey

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed the day, especially the drive around the track - I think I was a bit too keen though, I kept catching the car in front and got told to slow down...comments were "Well done, good overall drive. Do not use too much power too early on the corner exit." can't be bad! I kept scrubbing the front tyres coming out of the bends. When is the next track day [ ] count me in - any advice on insurance would be appreciated. Tony

i just tried to click on the link they sent me for BATAK scores etc and it come up with an error saying i don't have permission to access the page.... oh, and my feedback was: "Good improvement, improve vehicle balance by braking accurately on approach and balance throttle"....unfortunately not many places to practice that in london!

We are now movie stars: [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml5nr4djNeQ&feature=player_embedded]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml5nr4d[/link]

Looks like Porsche screwed up the URLs they sent out - the ones you might have received yesterday no longer work and you should get another one shortly with a way to get to the survey...

and a few photos (one of which) [ ]

How/where did you get the photo?

It was an a press website .... and interestingly the photo has been used by Porsche on their 'Inside Track' survey webpage The photos: http://www.carpictures.com/vehicle/09JIB422900911.html

I'm never going near a Batak wall again having seen this. Now I want to see the out-takes! I've just picked up my feed back which like everyone else's appears to be disappointingly brief. "Your Porsche Driving Consultant wanted to pass on specific feedback to you, which is: A great attitude and quick to look ahead, just needs more balance." Anyone would think I had been drinking! How much more would it have cost them to set up a PDA with some scoring sheets on it and then combine the results for a more detailed feed back. Maybe I should offer to set it up for them? Mark

When is the next 996 forum day to PEC? Totally missed this one [ ]

I'm never going near a Batak wall again having seen this. Now I want to see the out-takes! I've just picked up my feed back which like everyone else's appears to be disappointingly brief. "Your Porsche Driving Consultant wanted to pass on specific feedback to you, which is: A great attitude and quick to look ahead, just needs more balance."   Anyone would think I had been drinking! How much more would it have cost them to set up a PDA with some scoring sheets on it and then combine the results for a more detailed feed back. Maybe I should offer to set it up for them? Mark [/quote] My (limited) feedback was no less disappointing " Learnt the lines quite quickly, fairly smooth drive ." (Even when I went from third to fourth gear when I was looking for second!!) Hardly going to help me improve...[8|] I did make the point on their feedback form. All the same, a great day out [ ], in good company, and I won't let that spoil it.

Guys, How much time did you get on the various activities? I'm keen to take my car on the low friction track to build up some skills and I'm going to have to drive down from Scotland to do the PDE so I'm trying to get a sense of whether I'm doing it for the learning, or doing it to have a fun day with a group of interesting people (both being worthwhile so suppose, so not sure why I'm asking the question!)

I got about 6 runs on the ice hill but just 3 on the kick plate in my Boxster (with tuition before and after each pass), then a good 25 minutes around the handling circuit in a Carrera 2 PDK. The low friction circuit is not part of this course. I believe this course represents much better value than the bulk of their courses, though - which are mostly only 90 minutes in total.

Blimey I never got close to 25 minutes, I reckon it was closer to 10 mins!! Mark

Apparently there's a few pictures from the day in Auto Express this week (issue no.1088)

For those who haven't yet found it, there is another session being organised on the 997 Members forum. Robert Prince has booked the complete session on 13th February, and is allocating up to half the spaces for non-997s. Club Menmbers only.

Already down for this one!!! Can't wait!!

Nice write-up in PP Chris! Well done on a 2-page spread!

For any club members interested in doing this, Robert Prince is organising another trip to the PDE at Silverstone on 13th February. Details here: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=506974

Already down for this one!! Can't wait!!

With the start of the new season of Top Gear I realised I'd missed the start of the new season of Fifth Gear so downloaded the first four and low and behold during the first one for the competition they have a You Drive @ Porsche giveaway then use some footage of our time there and there's Me, Richard and Rod along with the rest of our group being entertained by Vicky ;-)

Excellent find! Richard,Andy and I will be autographing our pictures at the next Cornbury house meet, £1 an autograph, all proceeds go to charity [8D]

Fame at last! Does that make us genuine celebrities? [ ] Also Nick Pike (Nick_USA) in the foreground (green polo shirt) enjoying himself too.