Getting ready for my first DE - Roebling in Savannah, GA Sep7-8th

[mmporsche]

Good luck!

[steved0x]

First DE weekend is complete and I am safely back home.

The good: it was a lot of fun. I had several good runs; each better than the one I had before.

My instructor was Roger Janson, he had (I believe) a 2005 Speed Yellow Boxster S which was very sweet. He was great to work with and I am going to request him (at his invitation) the next time I go back.

The bad (maybe not too bad)

On my 3rd run on the first day I was going really well, coming out of turn 9 onto the long straight at Roebling at maybe 80 and then accelerating through 100 with WOT the power dropped out for a second or two, the CEL blinked a few times, and I dropped a *huge* plume of smoke out the back lasting for a few seconds. Power came right back and the CEL went off, but I went ahead and came into the pits early after turn 4 as a precaution. Luckily nobody was immediately behind me, but during my limp to turn 4 to pit I probably aggravated the folks behind me (sorry folks!).

I have a new thread on troubleshooting/sorting that out here:
http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/48301-troubleshooting-sorting-possible-aos-issue-maybe-something-else.html

For this thread I wanted just to say:

After the first run I was terrified. I was easily the slowest car on the track but I felt like I was going way to fast...

During the second run I actually felt some lateral G-Forces and realized how slow I had been going the first time

The third time I think I actually hit one or two of the corners correctly and took the right line

I had a great time, I will definitely be back, and there is definitely a lot to learn at these types of events.

Thanks to everybody for the advice on getting ready for this event.

Thanks,

Steve

[jb92563]

Great to see you had so much fun.

One of these days I'm going to have to try one myself and see what those speeds feel like.

It must have been a shocker to see that cloud of smoke suddenly, and I'm interested to see what caused it, so thanks for starting a thread about that too.

I have heard other first timers on the fast tracks as well and they loved it but at the same time where more than a little scared at times and of course worry about their car holding up.

It certainly is a thrill no matter how you look at it.

It sure is reassuring though to have an instructor in any case, although when you ride along in their car it will likely take your scared to a whole new level.

I was astounded in an Auto-X ride along so I can't imagine what the full speed ride along would be like, but if you get the chance, take it!!!

[steved0x]

I believe you can ride with an instructor in one run group above yours. Unfortunately the timing didn't work out for that or else I would have loved to do it. One thing I would really like to do is one of the performance driving schools that has a skidpad; I think taking the car past the limits would help me to recognize what it feels like when you get close and what it feels like when it lets go. I am pretty sure I was not even close to that point during my drive Mostly because I think I was afraid that something would happen..

[steved0x]

Some pictures from this weekend:

My run sticker.


My son James that went with me and the car.


There were a lot of really neat cars there. My son James has most of the pictures so once I get them I'll post, but one really neat car was a Miata owned by one of the instructors named Scott Wrigley. My other son has a Miata and Scott gave a lot of good tips and advice about those cars. Right behind the Miata is a 2014 Cayman, that thing was awesome!


There were a lot of 911s, a few Corvettes, Miatas, Caymans, Boxsters, a Cobra, a GT2 (maybe a couple GT2/GT3s), and a *ton* of 944s. My son James is angling for a 944 and so he loved those!


This last one is me and Roger Janson (on the right), my instructor for the event. Thanks Roger!

[jb92563]

A performance Driving school is highly recommended and will give you a lot of confidence knowing the limits of the handling/tires in a variety of situations, wet,dry and under some G's.

I've been to one and its totally worth it to go.

Its guaranteed that you will be a better driver because of it and the racing line theory part of it is priceless as there are a number of counter intuitive things you can do to get around the track faster, and understanding it will make you a better driver/racer.

Its also so much fun that some people go more than once.

[steved0x]

I just found this video which is an interview with Frenchie, the master mechanic that was helping me at the track:

A Day at Roebling Road Raceway with Porsche of Hilton Head- Meet "Frenchie" - YouTube

It is a pretty cool video. Thanks Frenchie!