[pjs]

I was lucky enough to enjoy a great afternoon yesterday courtesy of the half day Palmersport 'GT' programme. In terms of organisation, slickness & professionalism it was first class. Keeping it as brief as possible,drove 911, Clio Cup, M3 and Caterham.

Funniest moment was seeing a 911 join the track just in front of a clio at full speed towards the end of the straight, the driver of the clio having to take massive avoiding action and bouncing off accross the grass. Many drivers were quicker in the clio than the 911.

The M3 was the best drive, 7 laps of a 1.5 mile circuit. Within seconds you realise the steering, ride and handling are superb and the dct box is so, so smooth, especially after the paddle shift in the clio.

The instructors certainly encourage you to go for it, but my lack of talent was cruely exposed on many occasions, lacking smoothness and 'progressive throttle' especially. I've only had one go on a track many years ago at croft. My lap time in the M3 was 'mid table' is all i'll say.

For an extra £17 you got a 'dongle' of your time in the M3, watching it back is fantastic. For the stattos, 50-100mph takes 5.8 seconds. Check out their website to watch a flying lap.

If you thinking of doing this for business, for a present or for yourself, i'd heartily reccomend it. Enjoy the pics.

[- Paul -]

I want to see your lap!!!....

[SiKkBaSs]

"Places are available for £355 + VAT per guest."

/cry

[NFS]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

"Places are available for £355 + VAT per guest."

/cry

You'll want to add their optional insurance as well. I know someone who crashed one of the cars and if you don't have cover they will bill the person who paid for the place.

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by NFS

You'll want to add their optional insurance as well. I know someone who crashed one of the cars and if you don't have cover they will bill the person who paid for the place.

What a load of tosh!!

Who pays for this s***???!!!

Having to worry about paying for the event, then insurance as well. It's cheaper to go to the facking 'Ring!

[beemerbird]

Paul, how much was this event all in? PM if you prefer.

I would like to take the 911's around a track as it would be rather enjoyable as an understatement! Could of done it in the 997 Turbo but didn't fancy using mine around a track, tyres - ahem! Mind you least you can just turn up and do it without voiding any warranties and the car will do exactly what it's supposed to do.........did I just say that.

Might get a stab around Cadwell, but that would be in mainstream cars ie. Audi's. Rather drive the Porsches, purpose built etc.

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Paul, how much was this event all in? PM if you prefer.

I would like to take the 911's around a track as it would be rather enjoyable as an understatement! Could of done it in the 997 Turbo but didn't fancy using mine around a track, tyres - ahem! Mind you least you can just turn up and do it without voiding any warranties and the car will do exactly what it's supposed to do.........did I just say that.

Might get a stab around Cadwell, but that would be in mainstream cars ie. Audi's. Rather drive the Porsches, purpose built etc.

What tyres was your Porsche sitting on and how much was a tyre?

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

What tyres was your Porsche sitting on and how much was a tyre?

Fronts: 235/35 ZR 19
Rears : 305/30 ZR 19.

I only ever had a set of rears fitted which lasted about 5k miles. £285 per tyre fitted, balanced and ensuring the TPM sytem worked correctly at OPC. KwikFit were about £278 per tyre fitted and balanced.

That was for Pirelli P Zero Rossos - VERY 'sticky' tyre.

[SiKkBaSs]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Fronts: 235/35 ZR 19
Rears : 305/30 ZR 19.

I only ever had a set of rears fitted which lasted about 5k miles. £285 per tyre fitted, balanced and ensuring the TPM sytem worked correctly at OPC. KwikFit were about £278 per tyre fitted and balanced.

That was for Pirelli P Zero Rossos - VERY 'sticky' tyre.

Eek...I would of still just bit the bullet and taken her on the track and not have to worry about anything. That's kinda cool, active encouragement of track use

[NFS]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

What a load of tosh!!

Who pays for this s***???!!!

Having to worry about paying for the event, then insurance as well. It's cheaper to go to the facking 'Ring!

It's aimed at the corporate hospitality market.

It's a cracking day out. But expensive if you actually pay yourself.

[pjs]

Originally Posted by SiKkBaSs

What a load of tosh!!

Who pays for this s***???!!!

Having to worry about paying for the event, then insurance as well. It's cheaper to go to the facking 'Ring!

Who pays for it?, mainly businesses entertianing cleints. There were also a few a met having it as a birthday present. It might be cheaper to go to the ring in a small diesel hatchback, get a cheap ferry and then watch the action.

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Paul, how much was this event all in? PM if you prefer.

I would like to take the 911's around a track as it would be rather enjoyable as an understatement! Could of done it in the 997 Turbo but didn't fancy using mine around a track, tyres - ahem! Mind you least you can just turn up and do it without voiding any warranties and the car will do exactly what it's supposed to do.........did I just say that.

Might get a stab around Cadwell, but that would be in mainstream cars ie. Audi's. Rather drive the Porsches, purpose built etc.

Pricing is no secret, its on there website, just under £400 per head. If you just wanted to drive the 911's you'd be dissapointed at the amount of track time though. Incidentally, many people, myself included, were quicker in the clios then the 911 on the samw circuit!

Originally Posted by NFS

It's aimed at the corporate hospitality market.

It's a cracking day out. But expensive if you actually pay yourself.

Spot on

[TMP]

Originally Posted by pjs

Pricing is no secret, its on there website, just under £400 per head. If you just wanted to drive the 911's you'd be dissapointed at the amount of track time though. Incidentally, many people, myself included, were quicker in the clios then the 911 on the samw circuit!

I managed to go quicker in the 911

Couldnt get over the contrast with the clio, which you grabbed by the scruff of the neck and forced it around the corners. Had to show the 911 much more respect with fluid driving and progressive power.

Think I had more fun in the clio, but was more rewarded by the 911 if that makes sense.

[beemerbird]

Originally Posted by pjs

Pricing is no secret, its on there website, just under £400 per head. If you just wanted to drive the 911's you'd be dissapointed at the amount of track time though. Incidentally, many people, myself included, were quicker in the clios then the 911 on the samw circuit!

Fair enough and each track suits different cars, but it's the whole experience of driving the 911's. Hard to explain. Mainstream cars you can get in and pretty much drive and rag about. Porsche's take time behind the wheel before it all makes sense.

Originally Posted by TMP

I managed to go quicker in the 911

Couldnt get over the contrast with the clio, which you grabbed by the scruff of the neck and forced it around the corners. Had to show the 911 much more respect with fluid driving and progressive power.

Think I had more fun in the clio, but was more rewarded by the 911 if that makes sense.

Hey Tim - nice one.

I believe you've hit the nail on the head there with your comparison between the Clios (I call them something else lol) and the 911's.

Fluid driving is the key to fully appreciate the 911's and the Cayman S for example. In my humble opinion they are those rare cars that 'teach you' things almost on a daily basis and a few laps around a track doesn't necessarily provide the whole picture and experience.

Go with the Porsche and it will reward you, it's like a leap of faith almost, the car will do what you ask of it. I wonder if it takes time to adapt to this type of car because in all honesty, the vast majority of us are and have been used to driving cars that are different if we're honest ie. not single minded like the Porsche.

I've never felt as 'at one' with a car before owning either Porsche. A feeling normally the preserve of riding a motorbike tbh.

[NFS]

I found that the main issue with the 911's was to understand weight shifting.

The feeling of the rear loading up under acceleration and the back end going light under braking is more pronounced than with any other car I've driven. You need to be very aware of that front / rear balance when cornering.

The first time I drove them I was terrible. Last time I got a really fast time.

Ps - I also span at about 90mph .... lol

[willhollin]

Looked like a great day Paul, are those the M3s Evolve worked on?

[TMP]

Yeah, the 911 is an awesome car and I am sure I only tapped small part of the potential. Would really like drive one on a normal road as well.

The biggest thing that puts me off the 911 is the stigma (dont want to stereotype, and Helen excluded) but most people I see driving them are c@cks and drivng them like c@cks.

I guy near me, has a Carerra 4s 'vert. Drives way to fast in 30 (overtook my wife), uses his phone without a handsfree and to top it all off has just put a cheapo private plate with mis-alligned spacing

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by TMP

Yeah, the 911 is an awesome car and I am sure I only tapped small part of the potential. Would really like drive one on a normal road as well.

The biggest thing that puts me off the 911 is the stigma (dont want to stereotype, and Helen excluded) but most people I see driving them are c@cks and drivng them like c@cks.

I guy near me, has a Carerra 4s 'vert. Drives way to fast in 30 (overtook my wife), uses his phone without a handsfree and to top it all off has just put a cheapo private plate with mis-alligned spacing

Bit like some BMW drivers then

[TMP]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Bit like some BMW drivers then

Lol, clownage BMW drivers yeah

[beemerbird]

Tim - I'd love the opportunity to be a cock again.

[themetz]

nice write up - looks like a great (half) day

[pjs]

Originally Posted by willhollin

Looked like a great day Paul, are those the M3s Evolve worked on?

Originally Posted by themetz

nice write up - looks like a great (half) day

It was Will, and yes I guess they were

Cheers Metz

[TMP]

Originally Posted by beemerbird

Tim - I'd love the opportunity to be a cock again.

I did say excluding you

But you know what I mean, there are just some people who shouldnt be aloud to drive as they give the car they drive a bad rep.