My first DE is coming up!

Hi My local PCA chapter is having a DE this weekend. Anything I should know? When I did my first autocross I felt like a big dork (trying to shift gears, running over cones, etc) I would like to go to the DE with a bit more knowledge of what expect. Should I put the hard top on? Thanks!

Does your local reqion's web page have DE rules, FAQ'a and links? That would be a good place to start.

Congrats on your first DE. You will have a blast. Your first DE day will be very busy and you will have a lot of information thrown at you so anything you can do to mitigate that is helpful. 2) Prepare your car. They have probably given you some information on preparing your car but just in case here are a few ideas. Remember, the more things you take care of ahead of time the fewer things you need to worry about at the track. Check your brake pads. If they are even close to getting low replace them. You won't have time at the track at your first DE. Check your tires. Make sure they are in good shape. Check tire pressures. You will do this again at the track but plan ahead for what cold and hot temps you expect. Bring along a good gauge. Torque your wheel bolts. Again, you will do this at the track. Bring your torque wrench. Get all of the junk out of the car. There should be nothing loose in either the cabin or the trunk. Remove the driver's side floor mat. Check your fluids. 2) Check your safety gear Make sure your helmet conforms with your club's standards. Make sure it fits properly. Check both driver and passenger seatbelts to ensure they work properly. 3) Prepare yourself I think it really helps to do a little research ahead of time so everything isn't brand new. For example: Learn the various flags and how they are used in your club. These should be in your DE rules. Learn basic track lingo. It will help your learning process if you come in knowing some basic terminology such as brake zone, turn in, apex, etc. Study the track map a little bit. You don't need to memorize it but a little study ahead of time will help you learn the track once you are on it. Learn it in terms of it's corners. Turn 1, turn 2, etc. I'm sure you already know most of this stuff but I thought I would throw in a few ideas anyway. A well prepared student is great to work with. Hope this helps. Have fun!! Jim

Sleep well the night before

Excellent advice from JimB! The right attitude is also key. Go there prepared to learn and have fun. No one is looking to scout the next F1 driver, and no one is looking to give the booby prize to anybody. Leave ego behind, listen to the instructor, no pressure to do better than what you can do. Don't feel like a big dork just because you are inexperienced or making mistakes. In novice class, EVERYONE is a big dork . I was one of them . Do the best you can at what the instructor is telling you, and have fun! If it's a two day event, sit down and imagine driving several laps in the evening between the days. It wll hep get the rhthm back quickly the next day. Don't forget to hydrate well during the DE day. Drink plenty of fluids, it's very easy to get dehydrated.

1. Be prepared to learn and leave ego at home, humilty and the ability to listen is going to benefit you long haul. 2. Drink lots of water... start form the minute you get up. The amount of adrenaline you will pump not to mention the stress even in colder wather can dehydrate you and make for a very dangerous situation from something so simple (not to mention wearing a helmet). If you feel yourself getting aheadache or kind of dizzy it is to late... don't let the simple things get to you. 3. Don't worry about going fast. Think about being aware of the track and your surroundings and getting used to the sensation of being smooth and consistant. Smooth = fast = safe. Speed will come with confidence of smoothness and knowledge of the track and what is going on around you. 4. I came over from autocross to the track. the one thing that got me for a while in my early times is that you will not throw the car around on a road course (or should not on your first day heh) It is all about smooth transitions. 5. Listen to your instructor well and really just get used to the experience. If you learn it the first day you are better than most. It is a really great time and you will enjoy it more if you are incident free and smooth. I had a tremendous feeling of satisfaction. 6. Is it cold where you are ? If it is then take this to heart.. I have seen it happen a couple times. DO NOT WARM YOUR CAR UP BY SITTING AT IDLE. This does the most damamge to your engine. Don't belive me ? Read your owners manual. I know everyone is going to have some input on this but I have spoken to people before that work on cars a lot and it seemed to make sense. the fact that my Porsche Owners manual says the same thing really sank it. ALSO .. just because your engine temp is warm does not mean the rest of you car is. Brakes, Tranny, diff, all the other components need to come up to speed also. I can tell you that on a cold day (say inthe 40s F .. ) I will run at least the first 5 minutes or so of my session at about 50-60% speed to allow the car to fully warm up (tires too). Other than that... be aware... check your mirrors..be courteous... if you have a gret instructor... go with it.. if you are having a hard time with yous, ask nicely if you can have a different one... it is an expensive hobby that brings me tremendous joy... I hope your experience is the same... I can think of a bunch more but I will leave that to your region and instructor... it is easy to think to much and overload... Enjoy it I hope you have a safe and great time... this is what the 996 is truly all about.

oh and one more thing... I would say yes to the hard top.. forget the weight thing..if some piece of debris flys up and hits the car it can do damage to the soft top. It is also a bit safer... FWIW

Wow thanks a lot guys your responses were fantastic! I will post my thoughts and pics early next week!

Not wanting to rain on your parade but does your local PCA allow cabs to run without a rollbar?You might want to check on this issue .good luck and have fun

Thanks to all that helped me prep for my first DE It was outstanding! Our DE was interspaced with PCA club racing ( 4 guys had straight off the circuit late model cup cars....out of hand!!!!) I lucked out and scored the head instructor for the AZ PCA (he is my new idol) He was absolutely fluid and managed to lap the entire field at least once in his late 80's 911SC!! I learned a ton! Most of which was patience. Patience in when to initiate a turn. Patience in letting your car settle into a long sweeper. Patience with yourself when you are driving like a dork! I spent all of the first day and half of the second driving with an instructor. The middle of the second day my instructor set me free. I proceeded to lap the entire field of DE beginers(including a 996TT!!) (passing only in areas where it was approved for my level ofcourse) I passed my instructor on a ride along twice and he told his student each time "thats my boy!" I am hoooooked! I am looking into future PCA NASA and ARSA events out of hand guys!! Pictures to follow! only thing now is I have to get new tires as i have sucked the last shades of life out of my pilot sports! should i stick with these? or something else?