by jameslb101 » Sun Sep 07, 2014 10:20 am
Well timed thread - went there yesterday for the 'YouDrive' programme. This is very similar to their normal experiences, but using your own car rather than one of their Porshces. As well as keeping the cost down, this makes it a great way to get a feel for your own car. In terms of the day's format, it was broken into four, 45 minute sessions; two on track and two in the 'classroom'.
As described in the video, there are five circuits:
-2 x medium speed handling circuits. These are at 2nd / 3rd gear speeds (in a normal car) and your "Porsche driving consultant" (or PDC, basically their arsey name for an instructor) helps you focus on steering, cornering and braking techniques. However, their policy means you won't be allowed to turn off your car's driver aids, so your learning is defined by this restriction.
-Low grip circuit. Highly polished surface on tight 2nd gear corners, connected by normally surfaced straights. Here you are allowed to turn of the stability systems, so it's interesting the feel the differences between driving with and without them.
-Kick plate. This is driven over at 20-25mph and, as the rear wheels pass over, it shoots to one side, putting the car into a spin. It's direction of movement is completely random, so not even your PDC knows which way you'll be pushed. Here the difficulty greatly depends on the vehicle in question and read and mid-engined cars (embarrassingly, mostly Porsches) were struggling compared to front engined models (mainly BMWs).
-Ice hill. Possibly my favourite part. Rather than me try and describe this, just have a look on YouTube. Again, you enter at around 20mph, but the fact you're driving down means gravity is working against you and the car wants to run away.
Overall, an interesting morning. If you enjoy going fast on the limit then you might do better elsewhere, but for me the value lay in the unique facilities like the kick place and ice hill. And the food's excellent too!