What a blast!

I just got back home after the one day PDS experience and my oh my... it was one day that I will savour for a long time. I loved it!

As has been mentioned before, the entire event was incredibly well organized. There really wasn't a moment when one didn't feel involved. The instructors are superb communicators and their driving skills are nothing short of genius. I learnt so much.

Barber is an amazing racecourse and museum. The place is kept manicured and I could not believe the pristine condition of the track, buildings and grounds.

The event included the following:

• Track time - drive the Panamera GTS, 991S, Cayman R, New Boxter S
• Off Road - Cayenne S
• Talk and intro to the GT3 Cup Car by Andrew Davis (Brumos driver)
• Panamera Turbo launch control, braking, and handling demo (amazing!)
• Test drive new Boxter S and Cayman R launch control, braking, and handling
• Hands on test drive 991S - braking and suspension loading
• Drive 991S on skid pad to test PASM (I was amazed at the effectiveness of PASM)
• Autocross in the new Boxster S
• Hot laps (in any P car of your choice) with instructors driving at race speeds! I chose to go in the 991S... MY LORD! I thought I was no slacker... in the right hands this car is an animal and its handling is UNBELIEVABLE !!!!
• Tour of the museum.

Just an awesome day!

I came away knowing that the best investment one can make when considering the options on your car is to sign up for a course at the Porsche Driving School. I'd go as far as to state that IMO if you really want to experience your P car, the driving school is a must. It's made me so appreciative of the engineering, technology and the Porsche package as a whole that I regret not doing this before. I am signing up to another class soon.

Some snippets of specific information that I came away with after chatting to some instructors:

- they love the Panamera GTS
- the new 991S is significantly better in almost every way than to its predecessor
- the issues about the 991 steering making one feel disconnected etc... its negligible
- PDCC and SPASM get it of you want GT3 like handling with the comfort and daily driving characteristics of a 991S. I spent a lot of time talking to different instructors about their impression of this option for a car that will spend more time on the road than on the track. Each felt that they would definitely go for it. Anything that helps keep four tires on the ground will aid performance and safety. I am glad I have opted for it. I know there are some here who think its use is purely for the track... wrong!
- The dynamic engine mounts offer a significant enhancement to the ride and vibration issues. Get the Sport Chrono.
- I heard the Sport Exhaust..... agree with others and it really is a MUST!!! It sounds sublime! and the blips...what can I say.

Yes I know that the instructors are porsche staff etc. and that opinions may be biased. What matter to me is that I am more comfortable and knowledgeable about the brand and the car than I was before. I am happy with my car of and options of choice and would not change anything.

I could go on and on but I better not. Here are a few pics.

 

Wow, nice write up and pics. I was there for the same event on Saturday and loved it all.
Thanks.

 

What color group were you in?

 

Looks like an excellent time....I need to get off my **** and do this.

I havent yet driven the new Boxster S.....I'd be curious to hear your opinion of that car.

 

The Boxster S was an odd one for me and one on which fjpgt3 may add to. On the autocross I found the car to be really well balanced and offered good road holding and with adequate power. On the autocross we would accelerate for relatively short distances and get up to speeds of 40 mph. It actually feels a whole lot faster. The brakes were good and power was sufficient.

On the track it was a different story and I noticed a couple of things that would put me off buying one. There was a noticeable oversteer and tail wag on bends that the Cayman and 991S took at speed. I thought it was my driving but when my parter took the wheel he felt the same and almost lost control altogether. Coming out of a corner with hard acceleration resulted in a noticeable lack of power and the car would struggle to catch up with the 991S in front. Bear in mind that I've never owned a Boxster and have only driven the previous version a couple of times. So I can't really tell you how the new one compares the old.

 

Haku, I was in the Blue group on Saturday.
I would agree with your opinion of the Boxster S. If I was 'into' autocrossing, yes phenomenal car. On track the power difference, relative to the others was down. Especially seen on the exit to the slower turns. The hairpin at 5 was one. The Cayman R did not show this. The older PDK seemed 'clunkier', on it though.
Panamera GTS, as foretold, was quite a surprise on track. Most impressive!

 

I was with the orange group.

Agree with your comments entirely.

The Panamera GTS... wow! It really was a huge surprise but what a car! Everything about it was astounding. It felt far more powerful than the 400 bhp it's meant to have. Road holding and effortless acceleration was sensational. It's certainly on my radar the next time we look for a saloon.

 

The GTS is on my radar now! Thanks for the write-up! Hopefully, the dealer I purchase from in Atlanta will still offer this.

 

That's awesome...great pics...I was there on June 15 and had the best time. I agree it is indispensable to any new Porsche owner to have the opportunity to attend the school and experience the 991 on the track with instruction. It made the wait for mine really painful though! I didn't get the chance to drive the panamera GTS though, I bet that car is amazing on the track...I did get the instructor lap in the turbo w launch control and thought I would have to dig my esophagus out of my rectum with the torque! My 991 arrived last week and it's amazing.

 

Congratulations on your new 991 !

I know what you mean about making the wait seem even more painful.
I got a ride in the Panamera Turbo and the launch control... I'm still trying find out where my danglies have disappeared to! What an insane car...and that sound was just magical.

Enjoy your car.

 

That just looks incredible ... is that the precision one day event ?

 

It was a dealer event, but may very well be the Precision day schedule.
Cayenne off road.
Autocross
Skidpad.
Track.
Hot laps with instructors driving.
Museum time.
Breakfast and Lunch included. A first class deal all the way.

 

wow!!