PEC Silverstone Precision track experience - 981 GT4
Discussion
After a brief chat with Twinfan of this forum at Anglesey last year, I decided to book the Precision experience at the PEC. Waited a while after paying online before they got back in touch with actual dates (hadn't realised it was seasonal, but makes sense), but got one of the earlier bookings and was out with them last Thursday. Hopefully will help some here to hear about the experience.
Preparation for getting the best from my 981 GT4 included new discs and pads all round for the occasion, a check over with Jasmine Porschalink to make sure nothing seemed amiss, at the same time as the annual MOT. I also got Suspension Secrets in Knutsford to do a full "road and occasional track day" setup to see if that improved things from track days in it so far. The weather was predicted to be wet most of the day, so the Cup 2s stayed at home, and I went with a set of relatively unworn P Zeroes that get me about when summer tyres aren't the best. Glad I did, as there were plenty of wet tracks on the day.
Usual excellent breakfast, followed by meeting the instructor (Oli). It turned out that not only was the "International" circuit only being used by the PEC for the day, so essentially open pit lane, but that the morning on PEC tracks followed by afternoon on the race circuit is negotiable, and that we'd get out onto the track proper in the morning if everything was going smoothly. (And reading between the lines, if I appeared to be able to drive safely and mainly within my limits).
We got out onto loop 1 early, but only did 5 or 6 laps before traffic appeared, and Oli started asking about suspension setup. Relatively neutral, but seemingly more oversteer than understeer. Oli expressed amazement at how nicely the car seemed to handle, and I must say I was quietly pleased, although not ready to run myself out of excuses too early in the day. Once there were cars to follow or overtake, we moved to loop 2, where the bomb hole adequately demonstrated the need for opposite lock to correct the oversteer of the person that has left it all a bit late. We then messed about on the low friction surfaces long enough for me to discover that I can control a slide more easily with the old 981's stability and traction control turned off - surprisingly unsophisticated feeling compared to the 718 PSM. Early coffee, helmets, intercom, and out to Silverstone's "International" circuit, which is essentially part 2 of the GP circuit.
First session was on a properly wet track in most places, with dry bits appearing. I've never driven on a race track quite as wide before, so had to make some mental adjustments for judging lines and braking points. The car felt very balanced, and while not egged on to try harder, my instructor was keen for me to find the limits of grip and explore the car's handling when everything had got a bit loose. Always good to try these things out at lower speed in my mind anyway. Session 2 was getting drier, and the tyres were getting warmer and in need of losing some air.
Having mentioned that I have a Cayman 4.0 GTS on order, it was decided that we should try to get an early lunch and see if we could steal a few minutes in one of the PEC cars before heading back out to the race track. Great lunch followed by a slightly "stolen" test drive. GTS 4.0 was a massive contrast with the 981 GT4 of course, but the thing they both have in common is that the PEC tracks are a little bit too little for them really. I'm still looking forward to the half-day PEC experience in a 4.0 GTS though!
Dropped a lot of air out of the tyres before heading back onto pretty much dry race track for the afternoon (-3 psi front, -6 psi rear). Turned out to be about ballpark, although could have gone a pound or 2 lower without harm. P Zeroes tolerate this, but lack ultimate dry grip as a consequence. The rest of the day was much about refining lines and braking points, and getting braver with getting the throttle fully open smoothly but swiftly even if still carrying a bit of oversteer at the apex in the first corner - it's quick, and not for the faint hearted. The bit that got the loudest chuckles over the intercom was just how well the car handles now, with a lot of front end bite, and provokable understeer followed by oversteer in a way the car set up as standard could not get close to. I know most don't rate P Zeroes, and I know the Cup 2s would have been a bit quicker in the afternoon, but that would only be if I hadn't gone off in the morning and ended my day out early.
I think the most cars on track all day was 5. Everyone was courteous (although not all keeping an eye on their mirrors all the time
, but with so few of us, not really an issue). I couldn't quite believe the unlimited track time, and of course excellent instruction. The hospitality, food and facilities were at their usual excellent standard. They even let me use their workshop to pump my tyres back up to pressure for the long drive home.
If you're thinking of doing this one but feeling intimidated, then don't. It was the usual standard of accepting all abilities and coaching appropriately that I have come to expect from the PEC over the years - the first and best question is always "What are you hoping to get from today?" If you are thinking it might be a bit lame compared to "track days proper", think again. Open pit lane and pretty empty track, with a good instructor, and a couple of good meals to boot. I'll be surprised if I feel I get better value for money on track anywhere else. Not cheap, but very much worth it.
Liam
Preparation for getting the best from my 981 GT4 included new discs and pads all round for the occasion, a check over with Jasmine Porschalink to make sure nothing seemed amiss, at the same time as the annual MOT. I also got Suspension Secrets in Knutsford to do a full "road and occasional track day" setup to see if that improved things from track days in it so far. The weather was predicted to be wet most of the day, so the Cup 2s stayed at home, and I went with a set of relatively unworn P Zeroes that get me about when summer tyres aren't the best. Glad I did, as there were plenty of wet tracks on the day.
Usual excellent breakfast, followed by meeting the instructor (Oli). It turned out that not only was the "International" circuit only being used by the PEC for the day, so essentially open pit lane, but that the morning on PEC tracks followed by afternoon on the race circuit is negotiable, and that we'd get out onto the track proper in the morning if everything was going smoothly. (And reading between the lines, if I appeared to be able to drive safely and mainly within my limits).
We got out onto loop 1 early, but only did 5 or 6 laps before traffic appeared, and Oli started asking about suspension setup. Relatively neutral, but seemingly more oversteer than understeer. Oli expressed amazement at how nicely the car seemed to handle, and I must say I was quietly pleased, although not ready to run myself out of excuses too early in the day. Once there were cars to follow or overtake, we moved to loop 2, where the bomb hole adequately demonstrated the need for opposite lock to correct the oversteer of the person that has left it all a bit late. We then messed about on the low friction surfaces long enough for me to discover that I can control a slide more easily with the old 981's stability and traction control turned off - surprisingly unsophisticated feeling compared to the 718 PSM. Early coffee, helmets, intercom, and out to Silverstone's "International" circuit, which is essentially part 2 of the GP circuit.
First session was on a properly wet track in most places, with dry bits appearing. I've never driven on a race track quite as wide before, so had to make some mental adjustments for judging lines and braking points. The car felt very balanced, and while not egged on to try harder, my instructor was keen for me to find the limits of grip and explore the car's handling when everything had got a bit loose. Always good to try these things out at lower speed in my mind anyway. Session 2 was getting drier, and the tyres were getting warmer and in need of losing some air.
Having mentioned that I have a Cayman 4.0 GTS on order, it was decided that we should try to get an early lunch and see if we could steal a few minutes in one of the PEC cars before heading back out to the race track. Great lunch followed by a slightly "stolen" test drive. GTS 4.0 was a massive contrast with the 981 GT4 of course, but the thing they both have in common is that the PEC tracks are a little bit too little for them really. I'm still looking forward to the half-day PEC experience in a 4.0 GTS though!
Dropped a lot of air out of the tyres before heading back onto pretty much dry race track for the afternoon (-3 psi front, -6 psi rear). Turned out to be about ballpark, although could have gone a pound or 2 lower without harm. P Zeroes tolerate this, but lack ultimate dry grip as a consequence. The rest of the day was much about refining lines and braking points, and getting braver with getting the throttle fully open smoothly but swiftly even if still carrying a bit of oversteer at the apex in the first corner - it's quick, and not for the faint hearted. The bit that got the loudest chuckles over the intercom was just how well the car handles now, with a lot of front end bite, and provokable understeer followed by oversteer in a way the car set up as standard could not get close to. I know most don't rate P Zeroes, and I know the Cup 2s would have been a bit quicker in the afternoon, but that would only be if I hadn't gone off in the morning and ended my day out early.
I think the most cars on track all day was 5. Everyone was courteous (although not all keeping an eye on their mirrors all the time
, but with so few of us, not really an issue). I couldn't quite believe the unlimited track time, and of course excellent instruction. The hospitality, food and facilities were at their usual excellent standard. They even let me use their workshop to pump my tyres back up to pressure for the long drive home.If you're thinking of doing this one but feeling intimidated, then don't. It was the usual standard of accepting all abilities and coaching appropriately that I have come to expect from the PEC over the years - the first and best question is always "What are you hoping to get from today?" If you are thinking it might be a bit lame compared to "track days proper", think again. Open pit lane and pretty empty track, with a good instructor, and a couple of good meals to boot. I'll be surprised if I feel I get better value for money on track anywhere else. Not cheap, but very much worth it.
Liam
Cheers for taking the time to write it all up, sounds like a worth while day. I've had my 718GT4 for just over year now, not made it to a track yet (not the easiest from NW Scotland). Would love to a trip south to do the Precision Experience and then a track day somewhere a day or two after but sounds like getting dates to line would be pretty hard.
A pleasure to write about it really - it was a great day out, glad you found it helpful. It's an overnight for me to do a full day at Silverstone, but appreciate you'll need to spend a day travelling in each direction realistically. I promise it will be worth it - but might take a little organising to take in more than one circuit in a single trip.
If it makes you feel any better, I'd had my 981 GT4 for nearly 3 years before doing my first track day in it, and 4 1/2 years before I got to the PEC Precision experience with it.
Liam
If it makes you feel any better, I'd had my 981 GT4 for nearly 3 years before doing my first track day in it, and 4 1/2 years before I got to the PEC Precision experience with it.
Liam
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