Slipstream - September 2004

Photo by Bob Benson
Photo by Bob Benson
DE drivers enter the infield straight braking zone
person, head of Porsche AG. Tell me about his driving.”
Mr. Sandusky: “Well, I can tell he is ready to go. He and
Jutta get to the grid area 20 minutes before the Blue session
is about to go out. The White group had barely left. I meet
them up there and get in the driver’s seat of the Cayenne
with Peter in the passenger seat. I’ll do a couple of familiarization
laps in the Cayenne before turning it over to
Peter. We have time to talk about the track and his experiences.
We talk about his childhood experiences with his
father, and going to race tracks, and 914s with 8 cylinder
engines, and the new 997 coming out. He tells me the 914/8
is the only car he has taken to 300 kph. He says that is too
fast on the Autobahn, and that too much can happen at
those speeds. He also tells me this is only the 3rd track he
has ever been on. He was on a track outside of Boston and
the track in Estoril. He has never been on banking before,
either. Time flies, and the White group is coming off the
track. Soon we have our helmets on and we’re ready to go.
We get waived out first, and I take to the track, explaining
the parts of the track that we’ll be using as references. He
pays astute attention to what is happening. I do a couple of
laps and then bring the Cayenne onto the hot pit so we can
change drivers. Once traffic clears, we are onto the track
and he is quickly up to speed. He remembers the track like
he has been here a hundred times. Soon we are catching
others in the group and passing. He is tentative on the
banking, but that is natural for people the first time there.
Everywhere else, he is aggressive and confident. He pushes
the Cayenne and is clearly enjoying the experience. Quickly,
the session is over and they waive the checkered flag. On the
cool down lap I tell him he has done very well and I can tell
he is enjoying this.”
Sgt. Friday: “And that’s it? It’s over?”
Mr. Sandusky: “Not quite. He looks over to me and
says, ‘We can go again, yes?’ ‘Yes, of course.’, I say. ‘We’ll go
back to the grid and go out with the Yellow group.’ The
Yellow session is a continuation of the previous session. He
makes a little more speed on the banking, coming out of
NASCAR turn 4 I see 110 mph the last few laps. He takes
the chicane at 80, but only once. Most times, he is taking
Doc Bundy drove a few visiting dignitaries for parade laps too
the chicane at about 70 mph and using the entire width of
the chicane with impressive precision. We pass a couple of
more cars. He is quite natural driving the Cayenne, pushing
it, squealing the tires. Soon, that session is over as well. On
the cool down lap I tell him he is really doing well, and that
I saw him hit 110 on the banking. He is proud, but he
looks over and says, ‘But you were hitting 130.’ I told you
he was observant of what was happening, even when I
drove the Cayenne.”
Sgt. Friday: “Quite impressive.”
Mr. Sandusky: “Not really. I think I could have hit 140.”
Sgt. Friday: “No, not the speed. The story.”
Mr. Sandusky: “Oh, sorry. And, thank you. That was a
thrill meeting Peter Porsche, and being able to be his first DE
instructor. I’ll always remember that from the 49th Porsche
Parade. I hope someone took pictures.”
Sgt. Friday: “So that was it? The end?”
Mr. Sandusky: “Yes, that was the extent of the driving. I
did hear that on the way back to the hotel, Peter could not stop
talking about driving on the track. He told them, ‘John said I
hit 110 on the banking. How fast is that in kilometers?’
Ah…about 180kph they answered. ‘Yes!’ Peter said.”
Sgt. Friday: “I think I have all the information I need.
Thanks for your cooperation.”
Mr. Sandusky: “It was nice talking to you, Friday.”
Sgt. Friday: “Really?”
Mr. Sandusky: “Scout’s Honor.”
Photo by Bob Benson
The Carrera GT was on prominent display in the infield
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