Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/914685
DECEMBER 2017 48 With introductions over we moved to a model of the track where Toni pointed out the different events we would be running for the day. We were assigned a Guards red 991 Coupe with PDK. The first station we went to was a pad about 200 feet long and 50 feet wide where they had water running on it to simulate ice or black ice and you had to recover from any slide. The next station was a similar sized pad, but when you entered—at about 15mph—a moving panel under/on the road would throw the front of the car either to the right or to the left and you did not know which way it would move. The objective here was to upset the balance of the car and throw you into a spin from which you have to recover. We tried this several times before I was able to recover successfully. She pointed out that you cannot recover using the standard 9 o'clock 3 o'clock hands position on the wheel, but have to move the wheel quickly hand over hand. I finally got it. Next we moved to a very nice, short track with two straightaways, some gentle curves, a 90 degree curve, an off camber over a blind rise, and sudden drop on the other side of the 'S' curve. Needless to say this was absolutely the best experience. There were two passing zones on the straights for others who were going slower (no one passed me). We stopped the car adjacent to the staging area about 45 minutes out and she asked if I wanted a drink of water or a break. I told her, "No, this session is costing me $5 per minute and I want to use all my time on the track". We then progressed to the launch lane. This was a specially built single lane about 50 yards long, with a small replica Nürburgring tight, banked turn painted in black and white squares. I had never used "launch control," so this was very fun. After putting the car in sport mode (maybe sport-plus) you set a small wheel on the steering wheel, lock your foot on the brake, rev the engine to high rpms, and then let go of the brake. With no wheel spin you get immediate blazing acceleration. We did this several times before she asked me continued on next page Staging area with the Porsche Experience Track in the background. Location for the launch control at the Porsche Experience Track.