So the day finally came that I went to the Porsche Sport Driving Experience in Birmingham this past weekend. I thought I would share my experiences.
First, what an awesome time!!!!
Getting to Birmingham is a bit of a pain but was done so that i got there the evening before. The place that they recommend is about 40 minutes from the track...I am not sure why the Hampton Inn 5 minutes from the track isn't used...The Renaissance Ross Bridge was fine but it made no sense to me why we were there especially when it was so far away...I am sure they have a reason why that is where they recommend you stay, but it certainly escapes me.

Day one is filled with introductions...short class time on under and oversteer...then it is off to the track. One group is on the track, the other is doing skidpad and autocross. We had a new Boxster Spyder to play with on the autocross and it was awesome! Skidpad for someone growing up in the snowy northeast was what i learned to do in a parking lot, except that i wasnt in a 911 Carrera S.

The track experience is amazing. These are bone stock 911 Carrera S and Cayman S cars...they perform flawlessly. It is a testament to how these cars are built to see what they can take. The instructors lead in Turbos...there was one special lead car there that they were breaking in...a new GT2RS...it was just so sick to see out there. The track is awesome and difficult, lots of elevation changes, lots of turns, a great mix of anything and everything. Day one was tiring.

Day 2 was tons of track time and the timed events on the skidpad as well as autocross. There was also a heel-toe session, as well as offroad with the new 2011 Cayenne...i must say that was impressive. We also got to autocross a 2011 Cayenne Turbo, and that was very impressive. Instructor rides were at the end in 911 Turbos and Panamera Turbos...all in all an amazing experience showing off what Porsche is all about.

The cars are used for about a year, then reconditioned and sold to dealers...the instructors said that the dealers covet these cars because they are so well maintained...i would pass.

The best instructor as a whole was Daniel Eastman, a Brazilian guy who could be related to Fittipaldi...amazing personality and a wealth of information.

I would encourage all of you whether you own a Porsche or not to go...I have a new appreciation for what my Turbo can do, so much that i am going to do the Masters course.

handdoc

 

Sounds like a blast! Thanks for the write up!

 

They don't use base Carrera's anymore?

 

Excellent, Peter! Glad you had a good time. My turn is up in April. Can't wait!

 

track time is in PDK Carrera S, 6 speed carrera S, Cayman S PDK or 6 Speed

 

Interesting they moved out the base carrera's. Yeah, I stayed at the Ross bridge the 1st time I went. Next time, I stayed 5 minutes from the track. That 40+ minute ride to/from the track in the van was a bit much.

May do masters again in the spring and maybe i'll drive down and combine it with a visit to Tail of the Dragon, blue ridge parkway etc.

 

I was there in Oct. I would agree with everything you said. I hope you had good weather...we had heavy rain the second day which limited our track time and speed. But going 80-100 on a wet track is a whole new experience.

The instructors are all awesome guys. Daniel was probably my favorite. Very funny dude.

The CS2s do go to dealers after they finish their year or two on the track. FYI they are all white, buyer be ware!

See you at the masters!

 

The only reason I can imagine... is that it is the nicest hotel in Birmingham. They cater to a certain clientele and they/we expect the best. The 40-50 minutes each way to get there was the worst part.

 

you will be amazed!

 

Yup, i will definitely stay at the Hampton Inn next time...the extra sleep would be worthwhile alone

 

skip barber is excellent also!!! they use carrera's also

 

What? No pics?!?

 

Thanks, you got me so excited. Two other 6speeders and myself are going for Feb 19&20. Sounds like an identical curriculum of the M school except I get to drive sports cars not cars that are sporty.

 

I've done every version of the school they offer, the race school is the best by far. hurley runs an awesome show to say the least.
Personally, I enjoyed the Ross Bridge hotel, but I drove the turbo so it was a pretty quick trip to the hotel and back.
Everybody should do that school just to see what the bone car/stock suspension is capable of in 'trained' hands. it will make you rethink any mod beyond an exhaust.

 

I couldn't agree more chris, even in untrained hands they are awesome cars out of the box.