Driver Training with Porsche - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Well....I have finally committed to my 718 Spyder purchase (as in paid the £) and am now thinking about driver training. Coming from a succession of BMW M3s, I have had a huge number of M-based training courses (mainly on the Nurburgring - Nordschleife and GP, numerous also at Spa). So I know that platform inside out, and it is time to learn new stuff, the easy way (not on the road), rather than the hard way. I have also done many Audi R8 training courses. Any recommendations on Porsche-delivered training, preferably where they provide the car? I have had 2 sessions at the PEC, one in a 991.2 GTS and one in a 981 Spyder. Thanks in advance!

If you want to move to a higher level than PEC https://www.porsche.com/specials/en/international/...

Join PCGB www.porscheclubgb.com for discounted training via their partners.

The Precision Day at the PEC is very good…it’s a whole day mixing use of the PEC tracks and the main circuit. They only have about 10 cars running all day so there’s plenty of space. Really good format and you can hire a GT car for the day (or anything else I am guessing) if you want to.

While you are at it, take the time to make the most of the PEC 1/2 day that comes with your car. Let the instructor know your level of experience, and what you want from the day (for me it was car control at the limits of adhesion last time). My experiences so far have been that they know how to make sure you expand your horizons and enjoy the day. I race karts relatively seriously as a hobby, and weird as it may seem, I have taken something transferrable away from those sessions every time. I also do the odd road car track day, and it has helped immensely with that too. I have a PEC "Precision" day booked in my own GT4 for this year, and will no doubt also get a Cayman GTS 4.0 1/2 day when my order is closer to delivery. The completely ordinary 1/2 days that come with a car order on short closed tracks at PEC Silverstone have always been worth the trip so far. From the 3 I have done, outstanding instructors with plenty of race experience, and a willingness to go back round again for specific practice. I only occasionally have to be reminded that most other customers aren't used to being on a track rather than a road, and I recognise that it's my failure rather than theirs when I am reminded. Most of all, just a friendly time out with knowledgable and experienced instructors that don't have heart attack if I say I'm going to see what happens if I go a little deeper into a bend. If I have over-sold it, let me know. I'll do the same if the "Precision" day is less than I expect. Food was pretty amazing last time too. Liam

I've done 3 PEC's at Silverstone and have to agree with the comments above. You do learn a lot about the cars handling characteristics and overall performance capability including hard launch acceleration, emergency braking, skid control and anything else you'd particularly like to focus on. The instructors are all very experienced and are normally ex Racers or ex Traffic Police, many of which are motorcyclists too, and all seem like proper petrolheads. And the good thing is, you put their car through the paces and not your own. Edited by Schuey_911 on Friday 20th January 08:16

Contact PEC @ Silverstone for one of their products or maybe they can facilitate you onto the larger programme offered on the continent… Porsche Track Experience as per Geneve https://experience.porsche.com/Track/Track-Experie... Edited by TDT on Friday 20th January 08:29

CAT Driver Training at Millbrook was excellent but c £1k for a day.

Snowy999 said: CAT Driver Training at Millbrook was excellent but c £1k for a day. Colin would probably be less for a one-to-one on a track day.

I used Colin for a day at Silverstone too, excellent there too.

Snowy999 said: CAT Driver Training at Millbrook was excellent but c £1k for a day. I’ve done Milbrook with CAT/PCGB and also with a Private Instructor…the latter is better and cheaper than the PCGB day which had a lot of waiting around on it.

Colin's days at Millbrook are excellent, you learn a lot in the time available.

LiamH66 said: While you are at it, take the time to make the most of the PEC 1/2 day that comes with your car. Let the instructor know your level of experience, and what you want from the day (for me it was car control at the limits of adhesion last time). My experiences so far have been that they know how to make sure you expand your horizons and enjoy the day. I race karts relatively seriously as a hobby, and weird as it may seem, I have taken something transferrable away from those sessions every time. I also do the odd road car track day, and it has helped immensely with that too. I have a PEC "Precision" day booked in my own GT4 for this year, and will no doubt also get a Cayman GTS 4.0 1/2 day when my order is closer to delivery. The completely ordinary 1/2 days that come with a car order on short closed tracks at PEC Silverstone have always been worth the trip so far. From the 3 I have done, outstanding instructors with plenty of race experience, and a willingness to go back round again for specific practice. I only occasionally have to be reminded that most other customers aren't used to being on a track rather than a road, and I recognise that it's my failure rather than theirs when I am reminded. Most of all, just a friendly time out with knowledgable and experienced instructors that don't have heart attack if I say I'm going to see what happens if I go a little deeper into a bend. If I have over-sold it, let me know. I'll do the same if the "Precision" day is less than I expect. Food was pretty amazing last time too. Liam This ^ I've done a few days at the PEC and for my previous Boxster session the instructor taught me how to do precision donuts on the low friction bowl for about 30 minutes. Totally childish, huge fun and worth every penny

The universe is listening… Porsche put out this new little video today.

TDT said: The universe is listening… Porsche put out this new little video today. I saw this video earlier too and got me thinking.. Looked at the website and the first 'Precision' course, which is a pre-req before you get onto the more interesting stuff just seems like a very expensive PEC day! Doesn't seem to be much information on what is included within that on their website. I've already done 3 PEC half days at Silverstone so I'm not sure what value the 'Precision' one would add. Also, no UK events are listed, but other European countries are, looks like UK has been excluded this time. However, I guess part of the fun on something like this is going abroad for the full experience.

I’ve also done 3 PEC 1/2 day courses and one Precision day, it was a big step up with most of the time spent on the GP circuit with one instructor for the day 1:1, a very good experience IMO.

jh001 said: I’ve also done 3 PEC 1/2 day courses and one Precision day, it was a big step up with most of the time spent on the GP circuit with one instructor for the day 1:1, a very good experience IMO. Thanks, that's good to know.

It was a PEC car too (Turbo S), I basically saved up a couple (or three) PEC days and exchanged them for a Precision day, OPC sorted it for me.

jh001 said: It was a PEC car too (Turbo S), I basically saved up a couple (or three) PEC days and exchanged them for a Precision day, OPC sorted it for me. That's great. Did you do a Precision day in the UK or was it Germany or elsewhere?

Silverstone

jh001 said: Silverstone Cheers

Schuey_911 said: jh001 said: Silverstone Cheers And did you drive the National Circuit or the full GP circuit? Thx.

I have been bought a 2 day "Performance" course as a gift, lucky me Planning on using my own 981 Spyder Given its on the Silverstone track (GP or other format not sure), I am thinking my current MPS4S wont be ideal ? 2 days even with loads of breaks, is a lot of track time Done loads of trackdays and prev had Race National B licence so will be interesting to see what this is like has anyone done this 2 day course and can report how much track driving it actually is (as opposed to chatting, theory, or classroom stuff) cheers

Haven't even done my 1 day Precision course yet, but from previous experience of PEC, wouldn't worry too much about the detail, as they'll be able to tailor the days to suit your needs I am sure. Give them a call/email beforehand if you have questions. They are generally really helpful. If you haven't spent any time on the ice hill, low friction circuit and skid pans, see if they can make it part of the 2 days. It's great fun, you get to hone your car control in different (but very helpful) ways, and most importantly you won't be killing your tyres and brake pads with endless laps of a full size race circuit. I have a set of Michelin Cup 2 on rims put to one side that I'm planning to finish off when I do my 1 day Precision course later this year (still waiting for 2023 bookings to open, but I've booked and paid). If the forecast is for it to be hammering it down, I'll leave the current P Zeroes on my 981 GT4. The Cup 2s have plenty of tread left, but have done a couple of very hot track days when I didn't let the pressure out early enough, so rubber will not be the best. But I'm unlikely to set any lap records, and they still seemed to work at least relatively well on track last time out... If there's tread for 2 days, PS4s will probably be OK. If it's wet, you may well regret fitting anything too much sportier. Just let enough air out that you don't get them too hot and you'll have a fab time I'm sure. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably be thinking about ordering a set of track tyres just in case it's dry. I'm sure you'll be spending 80% of your time on the tracks rather than chatting/eating/talking, etc. So relatively fresh tyres and brake pads would definitely be a good idea. Instructors have all been very experienced and race track savvy on my 3 previous visits to the little tracks, so I feel very relaxed about trundling around whatever layout of the race circuit they give us on the day, at the best pace the car and I can manage. I've been around race tracks and cars for the bulk of the last 50 years, and the Porsche Experience really is the most civilised way of doing it. (Least civilised includes early 90s North African desert rallies and late 80s rallycross. Never again!) Liam

LiamH66 said: Haven't even done my 1 day Precision course yet, but from previous experience of PEC, wouldn't worry too much about the detail, as they'll be able to tailor the days to suit your needs I am sure. Give them a call/email beforehand if you have questions. They are generally really helpful. If you haven't spent any time on the ice hill, low friction circuit and skid pans, see if they can make it part of the 2 days. It's great fun, you get to hone your car control in different (but very helpful) ways, and most importantly you won't be killing your tyres and brake pads with endless laps of a full size race circuit. I have a set of Michelin Cup 2 on rims put to one side that I'm planning to finish off when I do my 1 day Precision course later this year (still waiting for 2023 bookings to open, but I've booked and paid). If the forecast is for it to be hammering it down, I'll leave the current P Zeroes on my 981 GT4. The Cup 2s have plenty of tread left, but have done a couple of very hot track days when I didn't let the pressure out early enough, so rubber will not be the best. But I'm unlikely to set any lap records, and they still seemed to work at least relatively well on track last time out... If there's tread for 2 days, PS4s will probably be OK. If it's wet, you may well regret fitting anything too much sportier. Just let enough air out that you don't get them too hot and you'll have a fab time I'm sure. If I were in your shoes, I'd probably be thinking about ordering a set of track tyres just in case it's dry. I'm sure you'll be spending 80% of your time on the tracks rather than chatting/eating/talking, etc. So relatively fresh tyres and brake pads would definitely be a good idea. Instructors have all been very experienced and race track savvy on my 3 previous visits to the little tracks, so I feel very relaxed about trundling around whatever layout of the race circuit they give us on the day, at the best pace the car and I can manage. I've been around race tracks and cars for the bulk of the last 50 years, and the Porsche Experience really is the most civilised way of doing it. (Least civilised includes early 90s North African desert rallies and late 80s rallycross. Never again!) Liam Good information, thank you.

Schuey_911 said: Schuey_911 said: jh001 said: Silverstone Cheers And did you drive the National Circuit or the full GP circuit? Thx. The full GP circuit.

Thanks guys, good feedback. In a way I’d rather it was wet - far better for finding and exploring the limits

jh001 said: Schuey_911 said: Schuey_911 said: jh001 said: Silverstone Cheers And did you drive the National Circuit or the full GP circuit? Thx. The full GP circuit. It is pot luck as to which circuit you do….I’ve done it twice and done both the Full GP and National.. Depends what else is going on….I was told most of the time it is the shorter circuits.