Slipstream - December 2007

Photo by Wendy Shoffit
My First DE
by Cathy Walther
©2007 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of all traffic laws at all times.
You ask why a DE? After all, I don’t own a Porsche!
My experience was a birthday present from my boyfriend,
Mark Gluck. He arranged for both of us to
take the drivers’ education course at the Motorsport Ranch the
October 27 - 28 weekend. In preparation for the event, we
traded vehicles for almost three weeks; Mark drove my Lexus
RX 300, while I drove his 2000 Boxster S. Do you think he
was having withdrawal?
My adventure started on Saturday morning around 7:00
a.m. We arrived at the entrance to Motorsport Ranch in
Cresson, Texas. We registered Mark’s Boxster S and picked
up our drivers information packets. The number of Porsches
participating in the DE, all makes, and years amazed me.
We attended the daily morning drivers’ meeting. The
staff focused on what would transpire over the next two
days. Two things the staff discussed in detail: safety was
number one and having fun was the second. They reviewed
the procedures in case of emergencies and the various flags
used by the corner workers to communicate with the cars
on the track. I was glad to hear that drivers were assigned
to color coded run groups based on skills and experiences
to ensure drivers in a group have similar speeds and driving
abilities necessary for safety. Mark was in the yellow group
and I was in the less experienced green group.
I followed the other green students to the classroom,
while one of the advanced groups headed for the track. I
learned everything about the track, staying on the line, apexes,
braking points and car control, all before getting behind
the wheel. The classroom instructors were great, explaining
every detail about what we could experience on the track and
calming any fears that we might be experiencing.
Now it
was the green
group’s time
to report to
the grid, a
covered staging
area used
for drivers to
do a last minute
check on
their vehicles
Lisa Steele’s BOO Boxster
before entering
the track. I
met my instructor,
Dan Gage,
who was very
professional
and friendly.
We chatted about my driving experiences, or lack thereof,
while I waited patiently for the yellow group to finish on the
track. The first session on the track, we drove slowly and
without helmets. My instructor drove the vehicle at first
while I was his passenger. This allowed him to evaluate
the capabilities of the vehicle and for me to get to know the
track. Then it was my turn, we pulled into the pit and traded
places. I proceeded around the track several times, each
time remembering more of the track, the turns, changes in elevation
and the straight
portions of the track.
Later that morning,
I had my second session
on the track. This time
my instructor and I both
wore helmets, but I did
all the driving. My instructor
was great, talking
me through each
corner, “brake brake,”
and “gas gas;” yet he
remained surprisingly
calm, which made me
relax and enjoy the experience.
By the end of
the first day, I had cycled
through four times
and had almost two
Why does the tallest driver get
hours of driving. I have
the shortest insturctor??
to laugh though; each
time it was my turn on the track, Mark and I experienced
a modified “Chinese fire drill.” Two drivers, one vehicle
was challenging, especially when we followed each other.
Mark’s was car number 262 and I was number 622. Mark
pulled up to the grid and I got into the drivers seat, put on
the helmet, adjusted seat and mirror positions, inserted head
set into my helmet so my instructor and I could talk easily,
all while Mark switched the numbers on the sides and front
of the car. Then I gave the thumbs up signal to the grid
A thrill so extreme, it deserves to be done twice.
Experience two exciting Porsche Driving Events from Park Place.
Adrenaline-surging, heart-pounding racing action—who can ever get enough of it? Certainly not Park Place Porsch
Which is why we’re proud to invite you to not one, but two exciting Porsche Driving Events, following up on this
past August’s highly successful Pure Porsche Service Event.
First, take your Porsche for a few laps at MotorSport Ranch on October 27th and 28th. Then rev back up on
November 17th and 18th for the first-ever Porsche Driving Event at the new Eagles Canyon Raceway.
As the experts in all things Porsche, Park Place is proud to offer what promises to be a racing enthusiast’s wildes
dreams come true. After all, you didn’t get a Porsche just for the daily commute.
Schedule your Porsche Driving Event tech inspection at Park Place. Call 214.525.5400 or
visit parkplaceporsche.com today.
Photo by Wendy Shoffit Photo by Wendy Shoffit
Thank you to
P O R S C H E
for sponsoring our DE!!
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(214) 525-5400