One of the most compelling aspects of being a Porsche owner is the opportunity to join the Porsche Club of America (PCA), which sets up a number of track days for Porsche enthusiasts throughout the year. The Rennsport region (http://rennsport.ca/) of the PCA includes all of Quebec, as well as Southeastern Ontario.
So, I decided to take part in a two-day, advanced driving lesson at Circuit Mont-Tremblant along with Rennsport members.
Each new participant is paired up with an instructor who rides shotgun until the novice driver can prove they're ready to handle the track by themselves. This mentoring approach serves as a huge confidence booster that makes the event extremely fun and safe. Novices learn a whole lot from the savvy and seasoned pros.
It must be said that PCA Rennsport is not a racing club. One of the most important rules is that you can only pass other drivers on straightaways when they give you the signal with their hand out of the car. Another is no timed laps. The idea isn't to drive the fastest, but to challenge yourself and see how much you can improve your skills, control the car, and test its limits.
My first stint on the track was far from fun and games. I had to learn all the correct lines, assess braking points, determine the proper gear to select, and the proper speed to maintain, keep my eyes up, yet be mindful of other drivers behind me. It's kind of like learning to play golf: You first need to master your swing before you can add power to it.
Slowly, but surely, most of the techniques became intuitive and my actions behind the wheel became smoother. As my instructor taught me: being fast requires finesse first and foremost. You must aim for the highest possible level of grip at all times, and never put too much pressure on the car. Ideally, you should be able to drive with just two fingers on the steering wheel.
At the end of the day, club members gathered around a well-deserved beer. After spending 80 minutes on the track, I realized just how exhausted I was, both physically and mentally. My instructor told me that almost all participants are faster on Day 2. I spent the entire night sleeping with one eye open and reliving my experience -- every corner, every acceleration and every braking manoeuvre.
When I got up in the morning and returned to the track, the jitters came back, almost as if I had to start all over again. I managed to shake them off early in the first session, gaining more and more confidence in my abilities and the Cayman's. I must admit to getting a big kick out of keeping pace with cars that cost twice as much as mine!
Ultimately, these were easily two of the best days of my life. I met extraordinary people and developed a passion for track driving. Every Porsche owner should definitely give it a try.
So, I decided to take part in a two-day, advanced driving lesson at Circuit Mont-Tremblant along with Rennsport members.
Each new participant is paired up with an instructor who rides shotgun until the novice driver can prove they're ready to handle the track by themselves. This mentoring approach serves as a huge confidence booster that makes the event extremely fun and safe. Novices learn a whole lot from the savvy and seasoned pros.
 |
| Photo: Porsche |
It must be said that PCA Rennsport is not a racing club. One of the most important rules is that you can only pass other drivers on straightaways when they give you the signal with their hand out of the car. Another is no timed laps. The idea isn't to drive the fastest, but to challenge yourself and see how much you can improve your skills, control the car, and test its limits.
My first stint on the track was far from fun and games. I had to learn all the correct lines, assess braking points, determine the proper gear to select, and the proper speed to maintain, keep my eyes up, yet be mindful of other drivers behind me. It's kind of like learning to play golf: You first need to master your swing before you can add power to it.
Slowly, but surely, most of the techniques became intuitive and my actions behind the wheel became smoother. As my instructor taught me: being fast requires finesse first and foremost. You must aim for the highest possible level of grip at all times, and never put too much pressure on the car. Ideally, you should be able to drive with just two fingers on the steering wheel.
At the end of the day, club members gathered around a well-deserved beer. After spending 80 minutes on the track, I realized just how exhausted I was, both physically and mentally. My instructor told me that almost all participants are faster on Day 2. I spent the entire night sleeping with one eye open and reliving my experience -- every corner, every acceleration and every braking manoeuvre.
When I got up in the morning and returned to the track, the jitters came back, almost as if I had to start all over again. I managed to shake them off early in the first session, gaining more and more confidence in my abilities and the Cayman's. I must admit to getting a big kick out of keeping pace with cars that cost twice as much as mine!
Ultimately, these were easily two of the best days of my life. I met extraordinary people and developed a passion for track driving. Every Porsche owner should definitely give it a try.
 |
| Photo: Porsche |
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