Slipstream - August 2008

You Deserve It! (and so does your Porsche)
by Jim Davis
If you have not yet treated yourself to a DE Event,
you need to move it to the top of your list. I have
just completed my first DE, and it far exceeded my
expectations in every way! I ventured out on April 12 and
13 for a DE with the Maverick Region at Motor Sports
Ranch (MSR) in Cresson. I hoped to begin learning to
drive my Porsche the way it was meant to be driven. I
accomplished this, but the weekend included many more
wonderful aspects than just driving.
First, and unexpected to me, was that the weekend was
like a great private car show! There was a beautiful array
of current day Porsches, from the entry level cars to
the twin turbos. There were beautiful, concours models,
and full-on race cars with stripped interiors, roll cages and
“enhanced” engines. There were vintage Porsches in all
shapes, sizes and ages.
Next, the weekend was a great social time, with opportunity
to meet people with similar interests, learn a
lot about cars, driving, and Porsche enthusiast resources.
Classroom time and driving time are spread out through the
day, and in between, you can wander about, making some
great contacts. From some very experienced owners and
drivers, I learned about which enhancements worked (and
did not work) on my car, and the best shops for modifications.
I chatted with the techs that work on the cars, and got
a real sense of their character, diligence, and enthusiasm. I
also met many funny, interesting and articulate people who
enjoy living life large and having a good time.
What about the meat of the weekend, the driving? That
was also a joy from beginning to end. After you sign up
on-line, you are given links to the DE handbook and other
information, which does a great job of detailing step-bystep
how the weekend works. If you are detail oriented, you
can memorize all this info. A lot of the new drivers also just
“showed up”, with very little preparation (given the weekend
as a gift, for example). The cheerful and experienced
instructors take it all in stride.
As a beginner, you start with classroom time, and then
have four 20 minute driving sessions spread throughout the
day. You will have an instructor with you at all times in the
car. Your pace is what you are comfortable with – you will
not be forced (or allowed) to do anything unsafe. I saw NO
incidents with the beginners. I did see one of the drivers in
an advanced group slide off the track into the grass, but then
he just waited for an open spot and continued. This track is
nice and roomy, with large, flat run-off zones at most turns.
You would have to work hard to have a real problem.
At the beginning of the first driving sessions, the instructor
will drive your car for a few laps to show you the
course. The MSR 3.1 mile course has many turns and elevation
changes. It is an exciting and challenging road
course. I would recommend spending a little time with the
track map, and watch the video here: http://www.motorsportranch.com/MSR-Video.cfm
to get acquainted before
your weekend. After a couple of laps, you are in the driver’s
seat, and back out on the track!
Your instructor will show you “the line”, the fastest
way through the course. As your comfort grows, you will
be able to take your speed up, lap by lap. While traveling
the circuit, you will be gently urged to stay on line, watch
the flag stations, watch other cars, and develop your shifting,
braking and cornering skills. Though it sounds like a
lot, you soak it up gradually. Your instructor, meanwhile,
is watching out for you. One very important safety habit is
to watch the flag stations, and know what the flags mean. I
guarantee, on your first day, you will see less than half the
flag stations because you will be so caught up in the fun and
excitement of driving. Not to worry – your instructor is
seeing them all, and will call your attention to anything you
should know. Similarly, if you are carrying too much speed,
or are off line, your instructor will let you know in plenty of
time to get the car where it needs to be.
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