Porsche experience day. Thoughts?
Discussion
I went a few weeks ago albeit for a 911
Instructor establishes what you want from your session then off you go. Took me round every aspect of the centre; ice hill, skid pan, kick plate, handing circuits first then once we had done each one I could choose what I wanted to repeat. Full details of what each aspect is are on the website.
90 mins doesn’t seem long but it’s all driving so was enough for me
I’d go again
Lunch was nice as well
Instructor establishes what you want from your session then off you go. Took me round every aspect of the centre; ice hill, skid pan, kick plate, handing circuits first then once we had done each one I could choose what I wanted to repeat. Full details of what each aspect is are on the website.
90 mins doesn’t seem long but it’s all driving so was enough for me
I’d go again
Lunch was nice as well
It's brilliant. Just do it. And as I mentioned in another thread related to the same matter, in the last 10 minutes of your 'experience' make sure to ask the instructor to take the wheel and show you what the car can do. You have never experienced anything like it! Well, you may have of course but I hadn't and what these cars can achieve, in the rights hands, is sublime!
Just to add to the chorus of approval - definitely do it!
You'll be able to choose any car you like (excluding the GT cars) in that price.
We went at the beginnning of 2022 - I did it in the same type of car I was buying (C4S), due to a cock-up on the OPC side, my wife got a free experience in a Macan S and we bought our boys (18 and 20 at the time) an experience each for Christmas - they both chose a C2S.
We all had very different instruction based on what we wanted to acheive from the day (eldest son wanted to learn about track driving as he was just about to go on his first track day in his Golf R, youngest son wanted to hoon
). Instructors were all excellent.
You'll be able to choose any car you like (excluding the GT cars) in that price.
We went at the beginnning of 2022 - I did it in the same type of car I was buying (C4S), due to a cock-up on the OPC side, my wife got a free experience in a Macan S and we bought our boys (18 and 20 at the time) an experience each for Christmas - they both chose a C2S.
We all had very different instruction based on what we wanted to acheive from the day (eldest son wanted to learn about track driving as he was just about to go on his first track day in his Golf R, youngest son wanted to hoon
). Instructors were all excellent.Paulsd said:
I did it in the same type of car I was buying (C4S).
I wasn’t aware you could pick to that level, I just went as a punter (not a new car buyer) and selected 911 (not GT or Turbo). I bought a 991 C4S a few weeks before and got a 992C4S on the day so similar enough to be relevant.If I go again I will have to see if I can ask for a C2S for added slide and skid control fun
Heard really mixed reviews from friends that have done this kind of thing. The really car focused guys seemed to get the least out of it especially when being told they're not allowed out of 2nd, not allowed full throttle etc.
I bet you'd get more out of the Porsche and specifically this 'experience' than the Ferrari/Lambo days because the car's a bit more accessible/cheaper and also this seems a bit more up market at almost 500 quid.
I bet you'd get more out of the Porsche and specifically this 'experience' than the Ferrari/Lambo days because the car's a bit more accessible/cheaper and also this seems a bit more up market at almost 500 quid.
We've done it a few times and really enjoyed all of them. I spent the last 20 minutes of the last time we were there learning how to do donuts on the low friction surface in a 4.0 Boxster which was a huge giggle. All the instructors I've had were brilliant and most worked out my limited capabilities within minutes of getting behind the wheel but in my experience this never felt like it restricted how far I was able to push my limits.
If you do the half day session go in the morning as breakfast and lunch is better than lunch and tea and you can stay on a little longer in the afternoon and watch the afternoon session if desired.
All in all a brilliant experience and I think would be well worth the money if you've never done it before.
If you do the half day session go in the morning as breakfast and lunch is better than lunch and tea and you can stay on a little longer in the afternoon and watch the afternoon session if desired.
All in all a brilliant experience and I think would be well worth the money if you've never done it before.
TikTak said:
Heard really mixed reviews from friends that have done this kind of thing. The really car focused guys seemed to get the least out of it especially when being told they're not allowed out of 2nd, not allowed full throttle etc.
PEC is nothing like that. You can push the cars to the limit (of your abilities at least) TikTak said:
Heard really mixed reviews from friends that have done this kind of thing. The really car focused guys seemed to get the least out of it especially when being told they're not allowed out of 2nd, not allowed full throttle etc.
I bet you'd get more out of the Porsche and specifically this 'experience' than the Ferrari/Lambo days because the car's a bit more accessible/cheaper and also this seems a bit more up market at almost 500 quid.
I've done it a few times and have never experienced that, on the contrary, they encourage you to drive as fast as you want as long as they feel safe.I bet you'd get more out of the Porsche and specifically this 'experience' than the Ferrari/Lambo days because the car's a bit more accessible/cheaper and also this seems a bit more up market at almost 500 quid.
Ragging around is someone else's Porsche on a track whilst getting top notch instruction, what's not to like?
jh001 said:
I've done it a few times and have never experienced that, on the contrary, they encourage you to drive as fast as you want as long as they feel safe.
Ragging around is someone else's Porsche on a track whilst getting top notch instruction, what's not to like?
I couldn't agree more. I was there last month, and it was an epic day out. My instructor positively encouraged me to drive the car as hard as I could, right to the limits and often out of my comfort zone. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Ragging around is someone else's Porsche on a track whilst getting top notch instruction, what's not to like?
OP - all experiences with key info is listed here: https://www.porsche.com/silverstone/en/experience/...
I've been a couple times. The instructors let you hoon the cars & the experience is tailored to what you want to do - track focused, handling (ice hill, skid pan, low friction plate), straight line speed (launch control) etc.
On rare occasions people haven't enjoyed themselves seem to be where people haven't gelled with their instructors or are very, very experienced - and maybe haven't learned 'much'.
The main consideration is likely to be what sort of driving you're looking for & possibly what else you've driven before. As mentioned above, it is tricky to get out of second gear - but remember that a Porsche is doing 70+ depending on the model so the corners are fast & come at you quickly.
I've been a couple times. The instructors let you hoon the cars & the experience is tailored to what you want to do - track focused, handling (ice hill, skid pan, low friction plate), straight line speed (launch control) etc.
On rare occasions people haven't enjoyed themselves seem to be where people haven't gelled with their instructors or are very, very experienced - and maybe haven't learned 'much'.
The main consideration is likely to be what sort of driving you're looking for & possibly what else you've driven before. As mentioned above, it is tricky to get out of second gear - but remember that a Porsche is doing 70+ depending on the model so the corners are fast & come at you quickly.
Did it last year, chose a 911 C2S.
Told instructor that I wasn’t in the market to buy but wanted instruction and tips on how to drive a 911 fast and smooth. Had a great time and was encouraged to push myself further and further. Finished the experience being able to drive their track much faster and more confidently.
Told instructor that I wasn’t in the market to buy but wanted instruction and tips on how to drive a 911 fast and smooth. Had a great time and was encouraged to push myself further and further. Finished the experience being able to drive their track much faster and more confidently.
130R said:
TikTak said:
Heard really mixed reviews from friends that have done this kind of thing. The really car focused guys seemed to get the least out of it especially when being told they're not allowed out of 2nd, not allowed full throttle etc.
PEC is nothing like that. You can push the cars to the limit (of your abilities at least) I did the 90 minute session in a GT3 and a GT2 (997's)
It was epic, 90 minutes of being encouraged to drive faster and faster. Could have done with a bigger track to move onto but really for that length of track time in someone elses 911 is hard to beat.
The ice hill is good fun but the kick plate I just could not get on with as its so false. When you loose the back while driving, you know what is going to happen before it happens and are already reacting before the car looses traction. On the click plate you have to wait, then respond and it felt so wrong that I kept on spinning so badly I actually left the wet bit, onto the dry bit and off that into the grass (maybe I was just going much too fast when I think about it now !)
But I really loved that 997 GT3, felt just like my 3.2 Carrera in the way it handled and transferred weight.
Just a lot faster.
It was epic, 90 minutes of being encouraged to drive faster and faster. Could have done with a bigger track to move onto but really for that length of track time in someone elses 911 is hard to beat.
The ice hill is good fun but the kick plate I just could not get on with as its so false. When you loose the back while driving, you know what is going to happen before it happens and are already reacting before the car looses traction. On the click plate you have to wait, then respond and it felt so wrong that I kept on spinning so badly I actually left the wet bit, onto the dry bit and off that into the grass (maybe I was just going much too fast when I think about it now !)
But I really loved that 997 GT3, felt just like my 3.2 Carrera in the way it handled and transferred weight.
Just a lot faster.
Mad Scientist said:
Your mate can share his driving with you if they want to. They may have done it before if they’ve got a GT4 inbound.
I’ve shared my day a couple of times. Don’t think I’d personally pay 500 quid for it.
No, this is his first time. He will be more than happy to do all the driving himself! I’ve shared my day a couple of times. Don’t think I’d personally pay 500 quid for it.
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