going to the track

Three weeks into porsche ownership, I'm beginning to think that while my weekend trips in it are highly enjoyable, I'm wasting the greater part of my car's talents. So, where do I begin? I'm guessing the first step is to join the local pca. After that would you recommend a driver's education or an autocross first or does it not matter? I have no off-street experience. Normally, I'd say I'm a rather smooth driver in my inputs. I just started practicing heel/toe, which seems to be not too hard with the porsche pedal setup. But of course I'm not under performance pressure and am rather relaxed when I practice.

I would suggest PCA then a D-Education couldn't hurt...

Definetely join PCA. Participate in whichever event (DE or Autox) comes first. They're very different. Make sure your PCA chapter has instructors in the car with you at a DE, and a classroom session or 2 wouldn't hurt either. Autox is easier, but much more technical. At those, you might be able to ride along with a more experienced driver for a run or two. Remember at a DE your goal is to be able to drive home in the car you tracked! Good luck and have fun!

I would recommend a 2 day "Porsche Driving Experience" Expensive? kinda. But you get top notch instruction from ex-factory drivers, in new 911s on a nice track.

equ Congratz on taking it to the next level! I just started DE/autox this year and oooh Damn!! I truly thought I new what spirited driving was but....the track is out of hand!!! Driving at the edge of what your car can do for 30 minutes straight is out-of-hand! I have thought of doing a pde but can't wrap my head around the $2600 price...especially when i can do a 2 day de for $250. I second riding with the instructors. My PCA has some outstanding instructors and I try to ride with them or have them ride with me often. One unexpected consequence of tracking my car is I drive a lot slower now around town....not sure how that happend! good luck

For the sheer pleasure of it, the ease with which you immediately drive fast, and the rapidity with which you learn to drive even faster, I would say go do the DE first. Autocross is a lot more technical, staying in 1st and second gear mostly, usually in a huge parking lot, and you learn about car control. DE gives you a true race track, and speed. At DE, you will learn very quickly that the the biggest limiting factor to driving a Porsche fast is the driver, and that the cars capability is beyond anything that can be done safely on a public street. Don't miss out on doing autocross. It's the safest way to find the car's limits,by exceeding it. Do DE and autocross, but do the DE first. It's almost an absolute guarantee you will be addicted after your first day.

Hey Jason, Do you do events with groups other than the PCA? I am relatively new to this board, but have been doing track events since '98. Currently I am a member of ASRA, NASA and PAS. Unfortunately, it is just too hot to do any events during the summer. Anyway, my father's C4S Cabrio should be coming in to North Scottsdale around the 29th. I look forward to seeing the difference between my '03 M3 and that, on the track.

Gnaluzu I looked at the asra and nasa calenders and could never find an event that worked with my schedule...I have not heard of PAS?? should I join all three you think? All the stuff I have done has been with the PCA I will PM you so we can exchange more info Thanks!!

I disagree with most of you. I recoomend doing a few autocrosses before your first DE. You will have a good handle on car control at low speeds and will be more prepared for when something goes wrong on the track.

I would suggest try your hand at karting-I would say this would provides gobs of what your limit is and you get tons of feedback without much risk and it's cheap. Autocrosses never did much for me and though others swear by it I swear it's kinda a shame to only use 1/2 shifting. The DE's are great setup but like others the PDE sounds great on paper but it's dollars versus $149-300 DE's. I like NASA myself and gone to many of their events and I like their program to eventually get a provisional competition license. But watch out-it's addicting and you'll be wanting to mod this and that. Regards. Mike

Thanks to all for the good feedback. Looks like I'll do karting for a bit (I've done that a long time ago), then sign up and do whatever comes first.

Definately karting! I realize this is a Porsche forum, but I started racing karts last last summer and there is nothing like it especially when factoring in $$$. DE's are great but if you want to go wheel to wheel and bumper to bumper with multiple people karting is where it's at. Unless you have unlimited funds of course. Bottom line is they're all fun but if I had to choose only one it would be karting hands down.

Be sure & look at tracquest.com. Todd Serota runs very good, safe DE's at tracks around the country.