NASA HPDE 1 Question

[trilobite]

So, I am a new Porsche owner as of this month. I really enjoy driving the 986 a ton, but I can't help but feel as though my daily driving is holding it back. It feels like it wants to be in 5th from the time it starts up until I shut it off in my driveway.

I've been considering doing the NASA HPDE 1 event to maybe start letting it stretch its legs a bit and run with the wild Porsches, but I have a few concerns.

First and foremost, I have a TT. Is it even worth the price of admission to bother taking a high-performance anything with an automatic?

Second. I have only had this car for about a month, and although it has decent service history and no deferred maintenance, I am not made of money. What are the chances that I track this car once, and the whole thing just spontaneously and catastrophically bombs out on me? (I think the Mrs. would have me sleeping in the roller in the garage if I blew the motor, or anything for that matter, on this car this year.)