Passion: Something we all wish we had in life, something we all strive for, and something very few actually have. Passion is almost a luxury in today’s society, something only a select few get to experience and revel in. From passion at work to passion between lovers, it’s an emotion and experience we as human beings crave.
When it comes to the automotive industry, I know that all manufacturers have passion but only a few exude it truly through their product and what their products stand for. Porsche is one such company, and events like their World Roadshow are proof of that passion.
What is the World Roadshow? Well, it’s just that: Porsche travels the world over with their current lineup in tow (from the Boxster up to the Panamera and everything in between including the Cayenne), and they visit various track locations the globe over, inviting Porsche owners and enthusiasts alike to drive their vehicles. That’s right: Anyone can do it.
That’s part of Porsche’s passion, and part of what makes drive programs like the World Roadshow so amazing. Here’s a company with millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles parked on track starting gridlines, and they’re opening the car doors to average, everyday drivers and encouraging them to experience what makes their cars truly fantastic.
To say I was excited about the World Roadshow was an understatement. With the Canadian Tire Motorsport track outside Toronto, Ontario as our playground for the day, the sun high in the blue sky, and a brand new 2014 Porsche Cayman S (amongst others) calling my name, it was hard not to be.
It wasn’t just about track driving though -- of which we got to do much of in 911s, Cayennes, Panameras, and Caymans -- we also got to experience Launch Control, a slalom course, and off-roading. Of note, at each Porsche World Roadshow stop, the 911 Turbo S selected for the Launch Control/hard braking exercise will do approximately 1,800 Launch Controls over the course of a two-week stop. That’s a bit ridiculous and proves, once again, the passion Porsche has for its product and the ability of said product.
From hitting well over 200km/hr in a 911 on the back stretch of Mosport to vertical, muddy climbs aboard a Cayenne Turbo S, a thought struck me: Here’s a company that’s able to design and engineer track-ready vehicles as well as off-road beasts, one of which could potentially do both on the same day. To say that’s impressive doesn’t seem like enough.
On more than one occasion throughout the track day, a Porsche instructor coaxed me to push harder, give more, turn sharper, brake later. Porsche vehicles constantly want more. Even with the throttle fully depressed on the back stretch, it didn’t seem like enough.
Passion can change everything, and Porsche understands that which is (in my humble opinion) what makes their products so amazing to pilot. Not only are they well built with fantastic performance figures and abilities, but they are purpose-built to be pushed, to be driven and to be enjoyed.
When it comes to the automotive industry, I know that all manufacturers have passion but only a few exude it truly through their product and what their products stand for. Porsche is one such company, and events like their World Roadshow are proof of that passion.
What is the World Roadshow? Well, it’s just that: Porsche travels the world over with their current lineup in tow (from the Boxster up to the Panamera and everything in between including the Cayenne), and they visit various track locations the globe over, inviting Porsche owners and enthusiasts alike to drive their vehicles. That’s right: Anyone can do it.
That’s part of Porsche’s passion, and part of what makes drive programs like the World Roadshow so amazing. Here’s a company with millions of dollars’ worth of vehicles parked on track starting gridlines, and they’re opening the car doors to average, everyday drivers and encouraging them to experience what makes their cars truly fantastic.
To say I was excited about the World Roadshow was an understatement. With the Canadian Tire Motorsport track outside Toronto, Ontario as our playground for the day, the sun high in the blue sky, and a brand new 2014 Porsche Cayman S (amongst others) calling my name, it was hard not to be.
It wasn’t just about track driving though -- of which we got to do much of in 911s, Cayennes, Panameras, and Caymans -- we also got to experience Launch Control, a slalom course, and off-roading. Of note, at each Porsche World Roadshow stop, the 911 Turbo S selected for the Launch Control/hard braking exercise will do approximately 1,800 Launch Controls over the course of a two-week stop. That’s a bit ridiculous and proves, once again, the passion Porsche has for its product and the ability of said product.
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| Photo: Philippe Champoux |
From hitting well over 200km/hr in a 911 on the back stretch of Mosport to vertical, muddy climbs aboard a Cayenne Turbo S, a thought struck me: Here’s a company that’s able to design and engineer track-ready vehicles as well as off-road beasts, one of which could potentially do both on the same day. To say that’s impressive doesn’t seem like enough.
On more than one occasion throughout the track day, a Porsche instructor coaxed me to push harder, give more, turn sharper, brake later. Porsche vehicles constantly want more. Even with the throttle fully depressed on the back stretch, it didn’t seem like enough.
Passion can change everything, and Porsche understands that which is (in my humble opinion) what makes their products so amazing to pilot. Not only are they well built with fantastic performance figures and abilities, but they are purpose-built to be pushed, to be driven and to be enjoyed.