[rhudeboye]

I’m on the east coast and looking for an enjoyable and educational experience. So as w/ everything Porsche related, I come to you guys <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> . All experiences (good and bad) and suggestions are appreciated.



Thanx

David

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jim Child]

I'd start with your local PCA chapter's DE program. I'd say that's where most of us on this board learned high performance driving.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[JWahlsten]

PCA has great classroom instruction as do the BMW Club and NASA. For my dollar I found that the PCA instructors were the best in the car, but I got the most tracktime with NASA when solo. The Schattenbaum region also offers a lot of track time.



The BMWCCA costs more as they let their instructors in for free. Well, nothing is really free, they do a lot of instructing.



Have you looked into Friday at the Track at Summit or Tracktime?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

Chin Motorsports has an event at WGI on May 14-15th...there might be some room left. Lots of driving time, but not much else. This kind of event is more geared to somebody who is looking for seat time, as opposed to classroom time.



They don't have much, if any, classroom instruction time. To get that I would agree with the others and go to PCA, NASA or some other organization.



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[vnarma]

I would concur. PCA is excellent for DE events,and a great primer. PDA/NASA have joined forces on the East coast and now offering more detail and intense training on and off the course. They cost a bit more, but generally have smaller number of cars, and therefore more track time. I do both. If you are in the New York Area, come out to the MSNE/PDA event on Pocono East. Great course to start with. Lots of runoff and the design was done by Bertil Roos. The first one is May 22nd (Tuesday) $250 for 2.5 hours of track time. Very small group (25 drivers), and there is a Time Trial at the end as well. PM if you have questions.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

[quote name='JWahlsten' post='34834' date='Apr 30 2007, 11:40 AM']Have you looked into Friday at the Track at Summit or Tracktime?[/quote]



I looked at summits schedule but was looking for both class and track.



Would you recommend track time before a person has been run through the fundamentals of high speed driving? I know I wouldn’t kill myself, as the track is probably safer then any road that I’ve driven, but I don’t want to look like a fool either.



[quote name='Vaino' post='34870' date='May 1 2007, 03:39 AM']If you are in the New York Area, come out to the MSNE/PDA event on Pocono East. The first one is May 22nd (Tuesday) $250 for 2.5 hours of track time. Very small group (25 drivers), and there is a Time Trial at the end as well. PM if you have questions.[/quote]



Sounds great. YGM

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[JWahlsten]

[quote name='rhudeboye' post='34871' date='May 1 2007, 07:24 AM']I looked at summits schedule but was looking for both class and track.



Would you recommend track time before a person has been run through the fundamentals of high speed driving? I know I wouldn’t kill myself, as the track is probably safer then any road that I’ve driven, but I don’t want to look like a fool either.

Sounds great. YGM[/quote]



I would head to a couple of DEs with an established region with good classroom instruction prior to heading out on my own. You may not hurt anyone, but you'll likely end up teaching yourself bad habits. An instructor can teach you the right way to accomplish actions right off of the bat.



You've obviously got your priorities straight by asking the right questions...

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

[quote name='JWahlsten' post='34872' date='May 1 2007, 05:11 AM']An instructor can teach you the right way to accomplish actions right off of the bat.[/quote]



Thanx J.



Is it safe to say that no one has felt that the instructors were a waste of money? Many of my co-workers tell me that but these are wanna be car guys.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[coloradocab]

[quote name='rhudeboye' post='34878' date='May 1 2007, 07:50 AM']Thanx J.



Is it safe to say that no one has felt that the instructors were a waste of money? Many of my co-workers tell me that but these are wanna be car guys.[/quote]



I have found that PCA instructors are excellent, and a DE definitely offers top bang for the buck in terms of instruction. You also have the advantage at PCA DEs of progressing through instructors as your skill improves. Quite beneficial to get input from more than one source, in my experience.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[vnarma]

Fast street driving skills are very different that proper track skills. Having a qualified instructor makes a huge difference. PCA and PDA/NASA have qualification programs for their instructors in place. These are skilled drivers, who are also skilled at bringing a student up to proper skills. There is a very different flow on the track than the street. As to looking like a "fool", don't worry. The only ones that look like fools are the drivers who come out thinking they already know everything. Trust me, there isn't a single experienced driver who doesn't feel there are still skills to learn and fine tune.

I remember my first instructor led DE. I was very nervous, and concerned I'd "screwup". In the end, everything was fine, I realized how much I needed to learn, and have enjoyed such events every since. I still have plenty to learn. When you do your first DE, you'll realize the Instructors often co-drive in other instructor's cars, to continue their education, and skillbase. It is a life long development.



Remember, you car must have all the basic safety items check before a DE. "Legal" seatbelts, no loose items in the car, sound tires, etc.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[bob blackwell]

If you are interested in the professional driving schools I had a good experience with the Panoz Racing School at Road Atlanta. Expensive ($3000 for 3 days) but worth it to me. I wish I had been able to attend this or another professional driving school about 30 years ago! The PCA and NASA schools are a great value for a one-day experience. good luck, Bob Blackwell.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Dave]

We just ran a National PCA Driving Instructor Certification yesterday in the Chicago Region. We are blessed to have quite a few track rats and club racers in the region.



Low pressure and a wide variety of personalities to work with too.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

[quote name='Vaino' post='34891' date='May 1 2007, 12:57 PM']Remember, you car must have all the basic safety items check before a DE. "Legal" seatbelts, no loose items in the car, sound tires, etc.[/quote]



Is this pretty much a visual check? Id hate to travel up for an event and be excluded. Suppose I could have IMA give it a once over to be on the safe side.



[quote name='bob blackwell' post='34896' date='May 1 2007, 02:06 PM']If you are interested in the professional driving schools I had a good experience with the Panoz Racing School at Road Atlanta. Expensive ($3000 for 3 days)[/quote]



Bob-

Sounds like a top notch experience. It also works out in the end as there’s no money left for the divorce <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> .

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mike]

[quote name='Jason Judd' post='34836' date='Apr 30 2007, 02:45 PM']Chin Motorsports has an event at WGI on May 14-15th...there might be some room left. Lots of driving time, but not much else. This kind of event is more geared to somebody who is looking for seat time, as opposed to classroom time.



They don't have much, if any, classroom instruction time. To get that I would agree with the others and go to PCA, NASA or some other organization.



Jason[/quote]



Jason is correct about getting lots of seat time at a Chin Event. And Chin Motorsports events DO have 2 classroom sessions per track day and can provide excellent novice instruction. While I personally started with PCA DEs and I highly recommend them, I would not hesitate to recommend Chin for your first event as well. I obviously have a bias towards Chin, but if you ask around, I think the majority of the responses that you get will be positive. Also, as Jason alluded, the WGI event for novice drivers is full at this time. However, Chin Events run year round on more tracks in the East than any other organization. You can find out more about Chin and the event schedule here. I wish you luck wherever decide to go and just remember that it can be very addictive.



mike dayton

PCA Instructor

Chin Motorsports Chief Driving Instructor

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[vnarma]

Is this pretty much a visual check? Id hate to travel up for an event and be excluded. Suppose I could have IMA give it a once over to be on the safe side.

Here are the link's to a fairly standard car pre-check.



NNJR-PCA DE Tech Form



PDA Tech Inspection



NASA Tech Inspection



Most PCA events have a "tech" session to inspect the car prior the event. Usually, a week to ten days before the event. PDA/NASA/CHIN, publish the requirements, and you need to have the car inspected by a mechanic. It's in your best interested to know that your car is up for the task.



Whatever group you choose, an instructed DE event is a great way to learn. It's also a great place to meet folks who are like minded about cars and driving. I would also recommend, you attend a couple of local instructed Autocrosses. Safe, easy and will get you to learn the "feel" of the car at the limit. Also, it is much easy to learn/experience how to handle a spin on a parking lot at an Autocross event, then at a track. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



Where in the "East' are you?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

[quote name='Vaino' post='34920' date='May 2 2007, 06:14 AM']Here are the link's to a fairly standard car pre-check.



NNJR-PCA DE Tech Form



PDA Tech Inspection



NASA Tech Inspection





Where in the "East' are you?[/quote]



U Guys ROCK <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ! I'm once again impressed by the fast helpful advice and support of this forum.



I'm in MD. within the DC metro area

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Jason Judd]

My mistake about Chin's classroom instruction...I appologize for giving out the wrong info!



It is a well run and relaxed event...a very nice combination.



Jason

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.