Anyone attend PDE (porsche driving experience)

Thinking about attending the 2 day program, anyone attend this program? If so, what were likes and dislikes? Thanks, Bob

Bob, I attended the two day program in May, AWESOME! Up scale from beginning to end. Instructors are world class racers and real world guys. In addition to skid pad exercises with/PSM and without, we ran the autocross in a Boxster S and a Cayenne S, performed severe braking exercises, heel/toe exercises, and over the two days I put 150 track miles on the 996 I was assigned. Lunch both days was a treat. My only issue with PDE is with the Director who "scolded" me when the shifter linkage disconnected on the 996. I was told that they know that the only reason is abuse, give me a brake! I have been a racer for thirty years. I use the equipment, not abuse! My personal opinion is that the failure is related to track usage by many students, both experienced and inexperienced. The program is money well spent. As a bonus you will get to see the Barber Museum which may well be the finest motorcycle collection in the world, at least of those open to the public. In the basement of the museum you can see a pristine 550. GO FOR IT ! You will have a blast.

Agree with John and even better, the fee was 100% sponsored by Porsche Middle East. I found it a too basic but excellent for people that take their Porsche to the limit for the first time (we drove our own cars) or has no previous track experience. With no overtaking, I was simply just cruising the whole day in the GT3! It could be that they set the level differently depending on previous experience among the drivers that attended. Ciao, Johannes E.

The Porsche Driving Experience is fantastic! You will learn more in two days from instructors who race at the professional level and you will get more seat time than doing multiple DE's with PCA. This weekend is the Rolex 6hrs at the Glenn, PDE instructors who are entered in this race are: Jack Baldwin, Chris Hall, David Murry, Andrew Davis, Joe Fox. You will have a blast, as well as learn alot! It is money well spent. They tend to book-up month's in advance, heres a tip, call them and wait list yourself for an earlier date. In '05 they will have a new fleet of 997's Heres a hot lap with Cass and some other selections Hot Lap @ Barber Enjoy

PDE is absolutely awsome! Did the 2 day, then came back for the "masters program" Top notch instruction, in top notch cars.

Okay, I'm on the waiting list for an August 2 day program. The track is in Birmingham, Alabama and I'm considering taking the 996 on 1000 mile trip from NY. Thanks for the feedback it sounds great, I'm looking forward to it. Bob

Bob, You should really re-consider your decision. The downside to the PDE is that it is "habit forming" and "infectious" to boot! Even though you will have a grin on your face your friends may not appreciate you. It's a BLAST!

PDE is well worth it IMO. I was a bit skeptical going in, having been to many PCA DEs, but there is much to be learned for everyone. You can't begin to match the level of instruction at any DE, not a knock against PCA at all, but it's hard to find professional racing experience at the local level.

I live about 6 miles from the track. I've driven it with a Ford 150, a Ford excursion and 4 parade laps in my GT3; the track is awsome! I'll be attending the 2 day program Sept 8 and 9th. Which brings up a good issue; if anyone ever attending the one of the classes, wants to get together for a cocktail while in B'HAM, just PM me. By the way, what's the deal concerning video taping of the class? Are the cars setup with camera mounts? Do they supply a video camera? Can I bring my own? Thanks, Philip

It was a total blast!

Philip, When I took the course, the cars were not set up for any kind of videotaping. You can bring your own video camera, but I don't think they will allow you to mount it in their cars. I just held mine while an instructor was driving a "Hot Lap"