Porsche experience day in own car. - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I've been lucky to get a half day's experience in my Boxster 987.2S as a gift, couple of questions before I go, how hard is the PEC track on tyres, it's just got a fresh set of PS4S fitted though. Also is it worth getting trackday insurance?

Genuine question, why aren't you using one of Porsche's own cars? As much fun as PEC is, you'd probably get more out of a different track if you specifically want to use your own vehicle. Ultimately though I wouldn't worry about your tires or other people there, the numbers on track are fairly low, and its usually extremely sensible/controlled on track.

I took my 996 turbo there. Your track time won't amount to much, and it's tight and twisty so speeds are low. It's good experiencing the low surface areas in your own car so you know how it behaves.

I did the Precision course on the main circuit in a Turbo S (a PEC car) and the tyres were absolutely shot at the end of the day. Ultimately, it totally depends on how hard you push your car, as 'Fnumber1user' has said, why not use their car/fuel/tyres if poss? Edited by jh001 on Tuesday 6th September 12:12

It was a gift and I thought it was much better value as you get 3hrs instruction vs 90mins, also I would get to know my car better too.

Great present! I asked for and got a half day own car experience. Really enjoyed getting to know my own car’s capabilities. “Just” a 996 but it was really helpful to explore it’s limits in a safe environment. Instructor was lovely and not at all patronising - I think he enjoyed being in something a bit more analogue. It is a tight track, so more about car control than lap times, but that’s exactly what I was after. Like you, I has new tires and a full tank. Nothing else needed. Brakes were a bit faded towards the end but soon recovered. Enjoy!

Hi Rs4al I've recently taken both my old 986 Boxster and my 991.2 GTS to PEC. In both instances the instructors were cognizant of tyre wear etc and that fact that it's your car. My last instructor said that the Low Friction circuit (kinda in the middle of the area) was the worst for tyre wear but i could still do it if i wanted. The low friction has a special tarmac with something (can't remember) polished into the surface which he said is not kind to tyres. However, instead he suggested that they can do much of the same handling type exercises on the ice hill and kick plate hill which have water jets, hence reducing wear. They were careful to do cool down laps to cool brakes off etc. We did all the launch control and emergency stops on the straights and they leave it up to you how many times you want to do it. I came away from both days with not much wear on the tyres, but I wasn't hooning it around and going full on crazy badger. So in some ways, the amount of tyre wear is up to you. I took the view that i would rather put a bit of wear on the brakes and tyres having fun than on mundane day to day driving. Doing one of the precision courses, that would be a bit different in terms of wear. I did the GT course using PEC cars and that was way harsher. I didn't bother with insurance as the instructors keep you within your limits and my insurer wouldn't cover it anyway as they classed it as driver development and not a track day. Go figure. cheers Phil

Great gift! I had one in June which I got when I bought a car. It's not really a track day more a way to learn how to get the best from the car. Speeds are low, for example skid pan is only around 25mph. Anyway enjoy, it's a great experience.

I took my 968 CS there years ago after a suspension upgrade at Center Gravity, I found it very worthwhile and enjoyable. I was spotted by Gordon Robertson the Chief Instructor who asked if he could have a drive of my car in exchange for a few laps in a GT3, which I duly accepted. Sadly Gordon passed away last week I heard, an extremely nice guy that I met a few times over the years.

I’ve taken my GT3 there a couple of time on the Precision Day….it’s a fantastic thing to do in your own car. I didn’t bother with insurance and I don’t think you really need to worry about tyre wear if I am honest. The ice hill is brilliant for improving car control….at least I found that.

Thanks for the reply's, not taking my own car now, which is a story in itself. The experience centre are great though, they either offered to postpone FOC or I could rent a Boxster for £240 for the three hours, decided to do the latter, just a shame they didn't have any GTS 4.0 manuals available!

Sandy59 said: Sadly Gordon passed away last week I heard, an extremely nice guy that I met a few times over the years. Oh no, that’s said to hear. He had been up and down over the last few years…. But also had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times, lovely guy.