Porsche Cayman S at Portimao
Discussion
Me and my Wife were lucky enough to book a holiday for a week in The Algarve and we set off last Sunday.
We touched down safely and on the connecting bus to our Hotel the lady said over the microphone "We're now passing through Portimao." I instantly recognised the name from Chris Harris's YouTube videos along with various races over the years. I started getting giddy, extolling the virtues with my Wife about the track and after 10 or so minutes, we both knew where this was heading.
After a few emails back and forth, during sunning ourselves by the pool, I booked a Porsche Cayman S for a few laps half way through our holiday and could not have been more excited.
It was hilarious turning up as everything I heard about the track is true. Pulling up in the Taxi, the entrance road and car park is huge yet, not a single soul is there. We stepped out and then attempted to work out how you get in! All the shops are shut, all doors are closed and after some time, we realised their was an escape road guarded by a lovely bloke who worked in a concrete bunker. He spoke perfect English in comparison to my terrible Portuguese and told us we just missed McLaren who were out testing. He then guided us through into the complex and we were the only couple there!
We meandered around, looking at the empty pool, walked up grandstands where no one was watching and stopped for a bit to watch, what I believe, were some teams from the TCR Asia series do some testing around one of the most beautiful race tracks I've ever visited.
The track is a proper race track. It reminds me of Brands Hatch with tonnes of undulation and camber changes but the track is so side and long, it's more like Silverstone. After getting a feel for it, we found the reception, got a helmet, tried frantically to learn the track on an A4 piece of paper and was then taken around by the racing instructor. Afterwards he handed the keys to me and I set off.
Out on the track I had the time of my life! Despite liking to think of myself as a precise track driver, my instructor encouraged me to drift but I was not initally comfortable. I've never drifted cars before simply because the tracks I've been on are narrow and punishing, but as Portimao is so wide, the instructor kept encouraging me to push it on the exit of corners. Before this, my experiences of oversteer was to immediately catch it then continue so it took some time to let the car go, hold the angle and then straighten out. But as the laps went on, I felt more happy with the sensation and was really enjoying learning dramatic oversteer that I had never explored before.
The Cayman S I drove was lovely too. It's the first time I've ever driven a Porsche and considering I'm thinking of buying a Cayman (2010) it was a great introduction. This model had the PDK gearbox and aside from a McLaren MP4-12C, I've never used such a quick shifter in all my life. Considering the McLaren is a lot more expensive than the Cayman S, it's an impressive bit of kit!
Talking of corners, I have to say how much I adore the track. I've been privileged enough to drive at several test tracks along with Brands Hatch Indy, Goodwood and the Goodwood Hill Climb but Portimao is in another league. My biggest bug bear with new race tracks is how flat, lifeless and boring they are, yet this just gets it all right. 2 blind corners, terrifying camber changes and it's set in probably the prettiest location I've ever seen.
It was a once in a life time experience and I now understand why Chris Harris always used the track for his Drive videos. If you get a chance, please visit the place, walk around and take a car out. I don't think there's a better track out there. Now, I have to visit Spa and the Nurburgring!
We touched down safely and on the connecting bus to our Hotel the lady said over the microphone "We're now passing through Portimao." I instantly recognised the name from Chris Harris's YouTube videos along with various races over the years. I started getting giddy, extolling the virtues with my Wife about the track and after 10 or so minutes, we both knew where this was heading.
After a few emails back and forth, during sunning ourselves by the pool, I booked a Porsche Cayman S for a few laps half way through our holiday and could not have been more excited.
It was hilarious turning up as everything I heard about the track is true. Pulling up in the Taxi, the entrance road and car park is huge yet, not a single soul is there. We stepped out and then attempted to work out how you get in! All the shops are shut, all doors are closed and after some time, we realised their was an escape road guarded by a lovely bloke who worked in a concrete bunker. He spoke perfect English in comparison to my terrible Portuguese and told us we just missed McLaren who were out testing. He then guided us through into the complex and we were the only couple there!
We meandered around, looking at the empty pool, walked up grandstands where no one was watching and stopped for a bit to watch, what I believe, were some teams from the TCR Asia series do some testing around one of the most beautiful race tracks I've ever visited.
The track is a proper race track. It reminds me of Brands Hatch with tonnes of undulation and camber changes but the track is so side and long, it's more like Silverstone. After getting a feel for it, we found the reception, got a helmet, tried frantically to learn the track on an A4 piece of paper and was then taken around by the racing instructor. Afterwards he handed the keys to me and I set off.
Out on the track I had the time of my life! Despite liking to think of myself as a precise track driver, my instructor encouraged me to drift but I was not initally comfortable. I've never drifted cars before simply because the tracks I've been on are narrow and punishing, but as Portimao is so wide, the instructor kept encouraging me to push it on the exit of corners. Before this, my experiences of oversteer was to immediately catch it then continue so it took some time to let the car go, hold the angle and then straighten out. But as the laps went on, I felt more happy with the sensation and was really enjoying learning dramatic oversteer that I had never explored before.
The Cayman S I drove was lovely too. It's the first time I've ever driven a Porsche and considering I'm thinking of buying a Cayman (2010) it was a great introduction. This model had the PDK gearbox and aside from a McLaren MP4-12C, I've never used such a quick shifter in all my life. Considering the McLaren is a lot more expensive than the Cayman S, it's an impressive bit of kit!
Talking of corners, I have to say how much I adore the track. I've been privileged enough to drive at several test tracks along with Brands Hatch Indy, Goodwood and the Goodwood Hill Climb but Portimao is in another league. My biggest bug bear with new race tracks is how flat, lifeless and boring they are, yet this just gets it all right. 2 blind corners, terrifying camber changes and it's set in probably the prettiest location I've ever seen.
It was a once in a life time experience and I now understand why Chris Harris always used the track for his Drive videos. If you get a chance, please visit the place, walk around and take a car out. I don't think there's a better track out there. Now, I have to visit Spa and the Nurburgring!
Brilliant news, I like your opportunism!
I worked there a few times and it's a great circuit with superb facilities. Sadly it's also still a massively under-used white elephant - hopefully F1 will eventually get there, and probably a bit quicker than expected if the Port gvt have their way...
I worked there a few times and it's a great circuit with superb facilities. Sadly it's also still a massively under-used white elephant - hopefully F1 will eventually get there, and probably a bit quicker than expected if the Port gvt have their way...
nickfrog said:
Brilliant news, I like your opportunism!
I worked there a few times and it's a great circuit with superb facilities. Sadly it's also still a massively under-used white elephant - hopefully F1 will eventually get there, and probably a bit quicker than expected if the Port gvt have their way...
Thanks! I have a very understanding Wife so the request to travel to the circuit was taken well. I worked there a few times and it's a great circuit with superb facilities. Sadly it's also still a massively under-used white elephant - hopefully F1 will eventually get there, and probably a bit quicker than expected if the Port gvt have their way...
What was it you done at Portimao?
I hope the circuit gets noticed more than what it does now. It's super modern, has tonnes of room, a beautiful track layout that would make the most of any Formula or race series and it's set in such a beautiful location. Walking around it was otherworldly as you weren't hemmed in like other UK tracks. Everyone was open and people wanted to talk to you as no one else was there!
If F1 visited along with some of the big boys, I feel the track would flourish.
AshBurrows said:
How much was it? We're at a wedding in Portimao in September and I'm sure I could fit this in! 
It was 149 Euros for a 2 lap drive in the Cayman S. Be aware that 1 of those laps is driven by the instructor and the other is by yourself. 60 Euros extra per lap so if you have the cash, throw a few on there. 
Wools said:
Beautiful work Nick, seriously stunning! Hope you don't mind me asking, are you still a photographer or have you moved on?
Yes I moved on - I probably shouldn't have but the reality is : there is not much money in it.Glad you selected that pic, it was the most difficult technically as I was shooting blind. I had to guess where the car would be by noise when deciding to trigger as the reaction time would have been impossible to overcome, had I waited until I see it.
The obvious story is that the "Gives you wings" TR looks like taking off and echos the windfarm in the background.
Wools said:
AshBurrows said:
How much was it? We're at a wedding in Portimao in September and I'm sure I could fit this in!
It was 149 Euros for a 2 lap drive in the Cayman S. Be aware that 1 of those laps is driven by the instructor and the other is by yourself. 60 Euros extra per lap so if you have the cash, throw a few on there. N.
nickfrog said:
Yes I moved on - I probably shouldn't have but the reality is : there is not much money in it.
Glad you selected that pic, it was the most difficult technically as I was shooting blind. I had to guess where the car would be by noise when deciding to trigger as the reaction time would have been impossible to overcome, had I waited until I see it.
The obvious story is that the "Gives you wings" TR looks like taking off and echos the windfarm in the background.
That's a shame to hear but completely understandable. Once you've started doing something you love, progress but then realise either people are taking the mick or their is no money in it, you have to move on. I had something similar working in the Videogames industry; Started as a kid and loved it, progressed and made my way up but after awhile, you realise you have to leave and find something elsewhere.Glad you selected that pic, it was the most difficult technically as I was shooting blind. I had to guess where the car would be by noise when deciding to trigger as the reaction time would have been impossible to overcome, had I waited until I see it.
The obvious story is that the "Gives you wings" TR looks like taking off and echos the windfarm in the background.
Hope you moved onto bigger and better things but still photograph what you love in your spare time, you clearly have a knack for it.
nigelonich said:
Thanks for this post as this track is on the list but its so far away to take my own car. Where can I look at booking this in terms of a link?
N.
I emailed the track directly and then got through to a person who I organised it with. The contact part of their website should set you off! - http://www.autodromodoalgarve.com/Content.aspx?gui...N.
Wools said:
Me and my Wife were lucky enough to book a holiday for a week in The Algarve and we set off last Sunday.
We touched down safely and on the connecting bus to our Hotel the lady said over the microphone "We're now passing through Portimao." I instantly recognised the name from Chris Harris's YouTube videos along with various races over the years. I started getting giddy, extolling the virtues with my Wife about the track and after 10 or so minutes, we both knew where this was heading.
After a few emails back and forth, during sunning ourselves by the pool, I booked a Porsche Cayman S for a few laps half way through our holiday and could not have been more excited.
It was hilarious turning up as everything I heard about the track is true. Pulling up in the Taxi, the entrance road and car park is huge yet, not a single soul is there. We stepped out and then attempted to work out how you get in! All the shops are shut, all doors are closed and after some time, we realised their was an escape road guarded by a lovely bloke who worked in a concrete bunker. He spoke perfect English in comparison to my terrible Portuguese and told us we just missed McLaren who were out testing. He then guided us through into the complex and we were the only couple there!
We meandered around, looking at the empty pool, walked up grandstands where no one was watching and stopped for a bit to watch, what I believe, were some teams from the TCR Asia series do some testing around one of the most beautiful race tracks I've ever visited.
The track is a proper race track. It reminds me of Brands Hatch with tonnes of undulation and camber changes but the track is so side and long, it's more like Silverstone. After getting a feel for it, we found the reception, got a helmet, tried frantically to learn the track on an A4 piece of paper and was then taken around by the racing instructor. Afterwards he handed the keys to me and I set off.
Out on the track I had the time of my life! Despite liking to think of myself as a precise track driver, my instructor encouraged me to drift but I was not initally comfortable. I've never drifted cars before simply because the tracks I've been on are narrow and punishing, but as Portimao is so wide, the instructor kept encouraging me to push it on the exit of corners. Before this, my experiences of oversteer was to immediately catch it then continue so it took some time to let the car go, hold the angle and then straighten out. But as the laps went on, I felt more happy with the sensation and was really enjoying learning dramatic oversteer that I had never explored before.
The Cayman S I drove was lovely too. It's the first time I've ever driven a Porsche and considering I'm thinking of buying a Cayman (2010) it was a great introduction. This model had the PDK gearbox and aside from a McLaren MP4-12C, I've never used such a quick shifter in all my life. Considering the McLaren is a lot more expensive than the Cayman S, it's an impressive bit of kit!
Talking of corners, I have to say how much I adore the track. I've been privileged enough to drive at several test tracks along with Brands Hatch Indy, Goodwood and the Goodwood Hill Climb but Portimao is in another league. My biggest bug bear with new race tracks is how flat, lifeless and boring they are, yet this just gets it all right. 2 blind corners, terrifying camber changes and it's set in probably the prettiest location I've ever seen.
It was a once in a life time experience and I now understand why Chris Harris always used the track for his Drive videos. If you get a chance, please visit the place, walk around and take a car out. I don't think there's a better track out there. Now, I have to visit Spa and the Nurburgring!
Thanks for this. I'm there in September on a BaT trackday also in a Cayman and it looks a great track.We touched down safely and on the connecting bus to our Hotel the lady said over the microphone "We're now passing through Portimao." I instantly recognised the name from Chris Harris's YouTube videos along with various races over the years. I started getting giddy, extolling the virtues with my Wife about the track and after 10 or so minutes, we both knew where this was heading.
After a few emails back and forth, during sunning ourselves by the pool, I booked a Porsche Cayman S for a few laps half way through our holiday and could not have been more excited.
It was hilarious turning up as everything I heard about the track is true. Pulling up in the Taxi, the entrance road and car park is huge yet, not a single soul is there. We stepped out and then attempted to work out how you get in! All the shops are shut, all doors are closed and after some time, we realised their was an escape road guarded by a lovely bloke who worked in a concrete bunker. He spoke perfect English in comparison to my terrible Portuguese and told us we just missed McLaren who were out testing. He then guided us through into the complex and we were the only couple there!
We meandered around, looking at the empty pool, walked up grandstands where no one was watching and stopped for a bit to watch, what I believe, were some teams from the TCR Asia series do some testing around one of the most beautiful race tracks I've ever visited.
The track is a proper race track. It reminds me of Brands Hatch with tonnes of undulation and camber changes but the track is so side and long, it's more like Silverstone. After getting a feel for it, we found the reception, got a helmet, tried frantically to learn the track on an A4 piece of paper and was then taken around by the racing instructor. Afterwards he handed the keys to me and I set off.
Out on the track I had the time of my life! Despite liking to think of myself as a precise track driver, my instructor encouraged me to drift but I was not initally comfortable. I've never drifted cars before simply because the tracks I've been on are narrow and punishing, but as Portimao is so wide, the instructor kept encouraging me to push it on the exit of corners. Before this, my experiences of oversteer was to immediately catch it then continue so it took some time to let the car go, hold the angle and then straighten out. But as the laps went on, I felt more happy with the sensation and was really enjoying learning dramatic oversteer that I had never explored before.
The Cayman S I drove was lovely too. It's the first time I've ever driven a Porsche and considering I'm thinking of buying a Cayman (2010) it was a great introduction. This model had the PDK gearbox and aside from a McLaren MP4-12C, I've never used such a quick shifter in all my life. Considering the McLaren is a lot more expensive than the Cayman S, it's an impressive bit of kit!
Talking of corners, I have to say how much I adore the track. I've been privileged enough to drive at several test tracks along with Brands Hatch Indy, Goodwood and the Goodwood Hill Climb but Portimao is in another league. My biggest bug bear with new race tracks is how flat, lifeless and boring they are, yet this just gets it all right. 2 blind corners, terrifying camber changes and it's set in probably the prettiest location I've ever seen.
It was a once in a life time experience and I now understand why Chris Harris always used the track for his Drive videos. If you get a chance, please visit the place, walk around and take a car out. I don't think there's a better track out there. Now, I have to visit Spa and the Nurburgring!
If you're in the area as well as the track, there's the N266 Monchique road. This is a spectacular road with (thankfully, as it's pretty narrow in places) almost no traffic. I believe it's an EVO favourite if they're testing cars at the circuit. I remember a section where I didn't get out of 2nd gear for several minutes due to the incessant bend / short straight / bend combinations.
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