Porsche Experiences (Silverstone)
Discussion
Has anyone done one of the Porsche Experiences at Silverstone fairly recently, and would you be able to tell me what you thought of it?
I’m approaching 40, and am considering a driving experience as a way of marking it. I’d love to have a 911, but have never so much as driven one, and this is part of my motivation. You’re able to buy an experience with GT3 RS involvement though, so I worry that what you’re allowed to do behind the wheel will be limited, to limit the risk of damaging a valuable car. Is this so?
I’ve done other stuff before: a Prodrive day in Impreza STIs, driving an E63 AMG at MB World, and a Phil Price Rally School day. I don’t want to do something that seems a bit half hearted in comparison to, say, PPRS.
The other idea would be Palmersport.
Cheers for any insight.
I’m approaching 40, and am considering a driving experience as a way of marking it. I’d love to have a 911, but have never so much as driven one, and this is part of my motivation. You’re able to buy an experience with GT3 RS involvement though, so I worry that what you’re allowed to do behind the wheel will be limited, to limit the risk of damaging a valuable car. Is this so?
I’ve done other stuff before: a Prodrive day in Impreza STIs, driving an E63 AMG at MB World, and a Phil Price Rally School day. I don’t want to do something that seems a bit half hearted in comparison to, say, PPRS.
The other idea would be Palmersport.
Cheers for any insight.
Morning,
Not actually done the Porsche day as I run a lotus and do trackdays as find experience days very limited as you say on what you can do and seat time, from watching it going on when we were at the festival the track they use seems interesting but , little run off and close barriers so maybe not much in the opening up exploring the car’s capabilities is allowed , but you’ll get the idea of the handling, depends on what your looking for
Palmasport is possibly the exception, did that on 2010 and was a great day
For similar money you can do a full open Pitt track day and hire a car, much better value in my opinion
We hired the r400 from Steve at SW as we decided on our first track orentated car, was a great experience , they have a few different cars to hire
http://www.swracecarhire.com/Racecar%20Hire.html
Dave from open track has what is possibly the best value option with his hire car package
https://opentrack.co.uk/car-hire
There will be plenty of other places that hire out either track prep cars or race cars.
Not actually done the Porsche day as I run a lotus and do trackdays as find experience days very limited as you say on what you can do and seat time, from watching it going on when we were at the festival the track they use seems interesting but , little run off and close barriers so maybe not much in the opening up exploring the car’s capabilities is allowed , but you’ll get the idea of the handling, depends on what your looking for
Palmasport is possibly the exception, did that on 2010 and was a great day
For similar money you can do a full open Pitt track day and hire a car, much better value in my opinion
We hired the r400 from Steve at SW as we decided on our first track orentated car, was a great experience , they have a few different cars to hire
http://www.swracecarhire.com/Racecar%20Hire.html
Dave from open track has what is possibly the best value option with his hire car package
https://opentrack.co.uk/car-hire
There will be plenty of other places that hire out either track prep cars or race cars.
Edited by matt5964 on Thursday 3rd October 09:02
Is your long-term dream to own a 911 OR to do track work?
In my opinion, a non-RS road 911 is more than capable on track, but a track car (Caterham etc etc) is far more rewarding for track work.
I haven't done the Porsche Experience. Think hiring a car, open track and Palmersport are all good ideas. If I were doing a Palmersport day (again) I'd want to focus on just one car over jumping between different ones.
In my opinion, a non-RS road 911 is more than capable on track, but a track car (Caterham etc etc) is far more rewarding for track work.
I haven't done the Porsche Experience. Think hiring a car, open track and Palmersport are all good ideas. If I were doing a Palmersport day (again) I'd want to focus on just one car over jumping between different ones.
Porsche experience centre, Silverstone - it's all corners
Porsche experience on track at Silverstone - I've done Silverstone but not in a Porsche. I imagine it's a good one in a Porsche, so long as you're not speed limited.
Brooklands experience centre - another one that's all corners
Track experience at Thruxton - absolutely brilliant, one of UK's quickest real circuits.
Track experience at Goodwood - speed limited
Porsche experience on track at Silverstone - I've done Silverstone but not in a Porsche. I imagine it's a good one in a Porsche, so long as you're not speed limited.
Brooklands experience centre - another one that's all corners
Track experience at Thruxton - absolutely brilliant, one of UK's quickest real circuits.
Track experience at Goodwood - speed limited
I did the GT3 day earlier in the year. Drove a 992 Carrera, 997.2 GT3 RS, 997 GT2 & 991 GT3 (PDK). I really wanted the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the 997s and realistically, where else will you get this opportunity. For that, it was a good day. That said, the track is pretty tight with mostly 2nd gear turns - it’s not like the main silverstone circuit or even the Stowe circuit unless you book one of the performance courses which I think are about £4k.
The instructors were pretty relaxed about letting you push on but the course is tight enough that it does limit you from doing anything too stupid. You’re also on track with various other cars (incl. Taycans, Macans etc).
I’m glad I did it but not sure if it was really worth what it cost.
The instructors were pretty relaxed about letting you push on but the course is tight enough that it does limit you from doing anything too stupid. You’re also on track with various other cars (incl. Taycans, Macans etc).
I’m glad I did it but not sure if it was really worth what it cost.
Thanks for the replies, they’re really useful. I might have slightly confused the issue by mentioning I've fancied a 911 for a while. This isn’t intended as a intro to owning one - that’s not on the cards at the moment at least - more just to see what they’re actually like and get to drive a GT3 since I’m unlikely to ever be able to own one.
I forgot to mention I’ve got a GT86 and have taken that on a drift day (tight circuit that’s very slippery and wet). Driving a larger, heavier car that you’re less free to dick about in on a similarly tight, dry circuit might not be worth ~6 times the money. But then as another poster said, where else can I sample driving a GT3?
I think I’m leaning more towards Palmersport at the moment.
I forgot to mention I’ve got a GT86 and have taken that on a drift day (tight circuit that’s very slippery and wet). Driving a larger, heavier car that you’re less free to dick about in on a similarly tight, dry circuit might not be worth ~6 times the money. But then as another poster said, where else can I sample driving a GT3?
I think I’m leaning more towards Palmersport at the moment.
You won't really get anywhere near the limits of a GT3 on the handling track, if you want to see what they can do you're better off going for a Ring taxi ride (although you won't be driving obviously).
If your aim is to try out some GT cars then by all means go for it, I don't think it's bad value at all considering the cost of the cars. But overall it's a bit of a tame experience imo.
If your aim is to try out some GT cars then by all means go for it, I don't think it's bad value at all considering the cost of the cars. But overall it's a bit of a tame experience imo.
you could mark your 40th by doing a trackday... then you can drive your own car as fast as you like around a proper race track, with the only real downsides some accelerated wear on your brake pads and maybe tyres.
get some instruction on the day as well, and by the end of the day, you'll be lapping your own car way faster than you'd drive a GT porsche on an experience day...
get some instruction on the day as well, and by the end of the day, you'll be lapping your own car way faster than you'd drive a GT porsche on an experience day...
I did the PEC half day session. Chose a standard 911 Carrera (might have been a S) and I didn’t get near the limits of that on the handling circuit.
I told the instructor I wasn’t in the market for a new 911, but wanted to gain a bit more insight into driving a 911 quickly (I have a 996).
Instructor was okay with that, we turned off (or maybe just down) the level of stability control and I had a great few hours pushing the car round the circuit, instructor picked me up on a few bad habits I had and I worked on those.
At no point was I told to calm it down or to slow down (I guess I am not as fast as I like to think I am
).
Overall an enjoyable and useful half day and I left with a fair bit more insight into my driving and the 911.
I told the instructor I wasn’t in the market for a new 911, but wanted to gain a bit more insight into driving a 911 quickly (I have a 996).
Instructor was okay with that, we turned off (or maybe just down) the level of stability control and I had a great few hours pushing the car round the circuit, instructor picked me up on a few bad habits I had and I worked on those.
At no point was I told to calm it down or to slow down (I guess I am not as fast as I like to think I am
).Overall an enjoyable and useful half day and I left with a fair bit more insight into my driving and the 911.
Did a half day session there the other Friday (as a sorry we f*cked up looking after your car 3 times in a row).
Did the morning session and took the wife and split the instruction between the two of is. The food is great in the upstairs restaurant, and you get your own personal instructor for the session. Within reason you are able to say/ask what you want to learn/do. The wife spent her time improving her confidence, and I spent my time on both tracks.
All in all it was a very enjoyable morning.
Did the morning session and took the wife and split the instruction between the two of is. The food is great in the upstairs restaurant, and you get your own personal instructor for the session. Within reason you are able to say/ask what you want to learn/do. The wife spent her time improving her confidence, and I spent my time on both tracks.
All in all it was a very enjoyable morning.
I did a recent day in a 911 Carrera T and it was fantastic!
My instructor was very good and we completed all the activities and with the remaining time I chose to lap the larger handling circuit until the time ran out. You are allowed to go as fast as you'd like, I was encouraged to overtake GT3s and 911 Turbos that we were outpacing. It's a very worth while day that i'd repeat again in a heartbeat.
My instructor was very good and we completed all the activities and with the remaining time I chose to lap the larger handling circuit until the time ran out. You are allowed to go as fast as you'd like, I was encouraged to overtake GT3s and 911 Turbos that we were outpacing. It's a very worth while day that i'd repeat again in a heartbeat.
So, I recently did one back in May - it was a Cayman S day and I wanted to make sure I could hustle the thing properly before going in on a purchase as a replacement for my truck/trailer/track car combo.
It was a great experience, instructor got my level really quickly and it wasn't long before we were overtaking 911s going too slow on the same tracks (this is Silverstone BTW) - the experience fully solidified my desire for Cayman and even thought the day was with the 718S, I bought a 981 GTS with X73 and LSD instead because I prefer the noise.
I doubt I'd have bought the car if I hadn't really pushed it to its limits, because for all the reading and videos you may watch on a car, there's no substitute for how you feel in it. I plan on doing a full day at PSE with all the trimmings next year for my 50th.
It was a great experience, instructor got my level really quickly and it wasn't long before we were overtaking 911s going too slow on the same tracks (this is Silverstone BTW) - the experience fully solidified my desire for Cayman and even thought the day was with the 718S, I bought a 981 GTS with X73 and LSD instead because I prefer the noise.
I doubt I'd have bought the car if I hadn't really pushed it to its limits, because for all the reading and videos you may watch on a car, there's no substitute for how you feel in it. I plan on doing a full day at PSE with all the trimmings next year for my 50th.
I did the PEC a few years ago and while I enjoyed myself I would’ve been disappointed if I’d had to fork out for it (was part of the deal on my purchase of a GTS). The handling circuit is very tight and the cambers make it interesting but not exciting, I got a little bored. The other facilities like the skid pan are interesting but again, only for so long.
The best part of the day was fast road driving, my instructor was an ex police driver (and accomplished rally driver) who taught me how the police make rapid, safe progress. I learned a lot about anticipation, road positioning and observation. Overall it’s ok but I’ve had better track days and experiences, the stand out being the Ferrari ‘Pilotta’ course at Mugello, but that’s another league entirely.
The best part of the day was fast road driving, my instructor was an ex police driver (and accomplished rally driver) who taught me how the police make rapid, safe progress. I learned a lot about anticipation, road positioning and observation. Overall it’s ok but I’ve had better track days and experiences, the stand out being the Ferrari ‘Pilotta’ course at Mugello, but that’s another league entirely.
I did one 2 weeks ago. Kids chipped in for my 50th. It was the 90 mins jobby in a GT4 (I own a 981 GTS).
I really enjoyed it. A very nice breakast (with the missus) and the 90 mins on their little circuit etc was awesome. Learnt new skills. Had some fun.
Some of the areas were out of action (low friction circuit and ice hill) and the kick plate didn't work. I had a decent instructor and got what I wanted from it.
Not sure I'd warrant paying the big dollar just to do it in a 3RS or similar. I loved the alpine circuit (reminded me of the Pyrenees which I'd recently done in June) and I was allowed to go at pace. I reckon you'd get just as much from it in a 718 Cayman / Boxster tbh, which is the base package I think.
I'm considering the full day in my own car package next.
I really enjoyed it. A very nice breakast (with the missus) and the 90 mins on their little circuit etc was awesome. Learnt new skills. Had some fun.
Some of the areas were out of action (low friction circuit and ice hill) and the kick plate didn't work. I had a decent instructor and got what I wanted from it.
Not sure I'd warrant paying the big dollar just to do it in a 3RS or similar. I loved the alpine circuit (reminded me of the Pyrenees which I'd recently done in June) and I was allowed to go at pace. I reckon you'd get just as much from it in a 718 Cayman / Boxster tbh, which is the base package I think.
I'm considering the full day in my own car package next.
Edited by SapperD on Tuesday 12th November 11:55
SapperD said:
I did one 2 weeks ago. Kids chipped in for my 50th. It was the 90 mins jobby in a GT4 (I own a 981 GTS).
I really enjoyed it. A very nice breakast (with the missus) and the 90 mins on their little circuit etc was awesome. Learnt new skills. Had some fun.
Some of the areas were out of action (low friction circuit and ice hill) and the kick plate didn't work. I had a decent instructor and got what I wanted from it.
Not sure I'd warrant paying the big dollar just to do it in a 3RS or similar. I loved the alpine circuit (reminded me of the Pyrenees which I'd recently done in June) and I was allowed to go at pace. I reckon you'd get just as much from it in a 718 Cayman tbh, which is the base package I think.
I'm considering the full day in my own car package next.
Any idea what they charge for the full day own car ?I really enjoyed it. A very nice breakast (with the missus) and the 90 mins on their little circuit etc was awesome. Learnt new skills. Had some fun.
Some of the areas were out of action (low friction circuit and ice hill) and the kick plate didn't work. I had a decent instructor and got what I wanted from it.
Not sure I'd warrant paying the big dollar just to do it in a 3RS or similar. I loved the alpine circuit (reminded me of the Pyrenees which I'd recently done in June) and I was allowed to go at pace. I reckon you'd get just as much from it in a 718 Cayman tbh, which is the base package I think.
I'm considering the full day in my own car package next.
I've done half-day PEC a couple of times due to buying cars (so were free), once in a 991.2 GTS and also in a 718 GT4. Both days were enjoyable but towards the end of each half-day I felt like I'd had enough as the courses are quite short so it does become a little repetitive. However, if you've not been on track before I think they'd be a great taster.
Although I've not done it myself, I know a few people that have done the Alpine A110 driving at Thruxton. £180-ish for 16 laps (38 miles) seems pretty good value and apparently they do encourage you to press on! They are very competent on track too
Although I've not done it myself, I know a few people that have done the Alpine A110 driving at Thruxton. £180-ish for 16 laps (38 miles) seems pretty good value and apparently they do encourage you to press on! They are very competent on track too
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff