Cabin Fever - Anyone taking NER DE Ground School?

[donv]

Had to break out of the "garaged hopes" syndrome and start planning for the car getting back on the road (and maybe the track) in the spring...

Just signed up for the <A HREF="http://www.porschenet.com/TrackProg.html">PCA Northeast Region Driver's Ed</A> Ground School session on Feb 23rd.

Anyone else here going?

[JT]

if its any consolation. the weather in the northwest has been spring like for a while and i predict a few ragtops will be peeking out soon.

[William Harris]

Well, I'm driving my car every day! Even during the 10 to 12 inches of snow yesterday. No problems, with the hardtop and snow tires mounted. I've never worried about the car being dirty, I just enjoy driving it and since I'm here in the Northeast, I'll just accept the weather and never let it stop me from enjoying the car.

Now about Driver's Ed. I have done a number of DE events in the past. In 1995 I totaled a new 993 coupe at Bridge Hampton. I reported exactly what happened to my insurance company (Commerce Insurance) and they promptly sued me to avoid paying the claim. Three years and $30,000 in lawyers fees later, the jury made them pay. Another year later, I collected my lawyers fees. In the mean time, the Massachusetts Standard Insurance Policy (everyone's policy in MA) has been amended to exclude coverage for all track events. Don't even think it will be paid. Look around for track insurance, if you can find it and afford it. Good Luck.

[CharlesGordon]

That's one hell of a story, William! I guess I've been taking more risks at autocross than I'd like to.

Actually at my first DE, at NHIS, I suffered some brain bonk. I'd read these stories about not using the parking brake on hot brakes, so I walked away from my car on "level" ground without even the shifter engaged (the later was an accident, not a conscious decision). Sure enough, when I returned I found the car had moved and and was scolded by the nice guy who had chased it down, jumped in, and hit the brakes! It was headed for some pretty embarassing damage.

[William Harris]

Charlie, the worst part was the attitude of the top executives at Commerce Insurance. First of all, they turned loose the "Special Investigative Unit" (SIU) to investigate my claim, even though I told them from day one in my recorded statement that the accident occurred in a Driver's Ed event. SIU is basically the Insurance Fraud unit. Then they make the claim in the lawsuit they filed against me not to pay the claim the DE is a secret racing program developed by PCA to train race drivers for Club Racing or other racing (this despite the fact this was my second DE event and my car was bone stock - hell I even had a car phone. Finally, I will never forget the comment from a Commerce Executive after they had taken my deposition at their lawyer's office "We are tired of paying claims for you rich guys to race your Porsches. We are going to stop this once and for all." So a word to the wise, unless you can afford to fix it yourself, get insurance or get a "beater" for track duty.