At the track
As we pulled up to Mecaglisse's clubhouse, the 20+ Caymans and 911s were neatly lined up. Quite a sight to behold. The exact models went as follows: 997 911 C4 GTS cabriolet, 991 911 C2 and Cayman S. Among the lot of them, they shared 5,000 hp and a few million dollars. In very little time, we were split into three teams, each headed to a different event. After a briefing from our excellent team instructor, Frank Kirchoff, we were let loose on the cars.
Oval and Cayman
The first exercise had us driving the Cayman S through a mangled oval with a number of elevation changes, low-speed, super-slippery corners and a short slalom. After a few laps, we went from clockwise to counter, completely changing the perspective. The Caymans demonstrated their neutral handling even on the iciest portions of the track.
In fact, at some corners, only a generous prod of the accelerator would get the rear to come round. All cars were matched to the incredible PDK box, which allowed for two hands on the wheel at all times. Spins were aplenty, I being guilty of an overly active right foot... I never jammed the car in a snowbank though!
Car control was essential in this and every discipline. Starting off in the Cayman was a right proper way to be eased into "slideways" driving on snow and ice.
Donut and Carrera 4 GTS
After lunch, we went on to the next stage. Here, we were met by the AWD Carrera 4 GTS cabs and were given a first-hand demonstration of Porsche's torque vectoring plus system. Frank got behind the wheel and drifted a large skid pad with limited steering wheel inputs. In a simplified nutshell, torque vectoring gives more power to the outside rear wheel, essentially pushing the car into a corner.
Frank made it look easy but even the most experienced among us had a tough time drifting the cars under constant control. Once we all had a go at it, Frank opened up the second small skid pad and we tried our hands at figure eights.
Once again, the pros made it look easy. The most revealing element of the exercise was that the seamless transfer of torque front to back and side to side was as responsible for steering as was the wheel. Unwinding the wheel, the least intuitive thing to do, was the most efficient. We learn every day.
As we pulled up to Mecaglisse's clubhouse, the 20+ Caymans and 911s were neatly lined up. Quite a sight to behold. The exact models went as follows: 997 911 C4 GTS cabriolet, 991 911 C2 and Cayman S. Among the lot of them, they shared 5,000 hp and a few million dollars. In very little time, we were split into three teams, each headed to a different event. After a briefing from our excellent team instructor, Frank Kirchoff, we were let loose on the cars.
 |
| As we pulled up to Mecaglisse's clubhouse, the 20+ Caymans and 911s were neatly lined up. (Photo: Porsche) |
Oval and Cayman
The first exercise had us driving the Cayman S through a mangled oval with a number of elevation changes, low-speed, super-slippery corners and a short slalom. After a few laps, we went from clockwise to counter, completely changing the perspective. The Caymans demonstrated their neutral handling even on the iciest portions of the track.
In fact, at some corners, only a generous prod of the accelerator would get the rear to come round. All cars were matched to the incredible PDK box, which allowed for two hands on the wheel at all times. Spins were aplenty, I being guilty of an overly active right foot... I never jammed the car in a snowbank though!
Car control was essential in this and every discipline. Starting off in the Cayman was a right proper way to be eased into "slideways" driving on snow and ice.
Donut and Carrera 4 GTS
After lunch, we went on to the next stage. Here, we were met by the AWD Carrera 4 GTS cabs and were given a first-hand demonstration of Porsche's torque vectoring plus system. Frank got behind the wheel and drifted a large skid pad with limited steering wheel inputs. In a simplified nutshell, torque vectoring gives more power to the outside rear wheel, essentially pushing the car into a corner.
Frank made it look easy but even the most experienced among us had a tough time drifting the cars under constant control. Once we all had a go at it, Frank opened up the second small skid pad and we tried our hands at figure eights.
Once again, the pros made it look easy. The most revealing element of the exercise was that the seamless transfer of torque front to back and side to side was as responsible for steering as was the wheel. Unwinding the wheel, the least intuitive thing to do, was the most efficient. We learn every day.
 |
| The most revealing element of the exercise was that the seamless transfer of torque front to back and side to side was as responsible for steering as was the wheel. (Photo: Porsche) |