Definitely do PEC, you'll have a great time and if new to track, I'm certain the instructor will benefit you greatly.

I've personally not had the opportunity to drive at PEC, but have done numerous PCA HPDE's over the past four years. PCA won't allow solo's on track at COTA until they've been signed off on by a qualified instructor. Based on the high speeds and danger involved, I whole heartedly agree with this policy.

I hadn't been on track in over 4 decades, so I was glad to have an instructor along until both of us were satisfied I was ready to solo. Now, I always get an instructor for at least one session during every COTA track weekend, ostensibly to ensure continued learning, but also to keep me from developing lazy, bad or dangerous habits. I always seem to learn something and to point, my PBR's each track weekend always seem to happen the first few sessions after the instructed session.

 

SCCA as well has events for beginners and novices using your own car. You get a lot more track time and there are people who can coach those with no track experience.

 

I did a session at PECLA recently (GT3 vs GT4) - it was a very fun experience and I learned a lot about vehicle handling and practical limits. PECLA has a number of driving modules and you work with your coach to decide how you want to split your 1.5 hr session across them. Modules include things like: track (driving lines, throttle/brake techniques, apex strategies, weight distribution vs grip, etc.), autocross, drift circuit (definitely recommend trying!), ice hill simulation, and drag strip (with a Nurburgring-style carousel at the end). I think there may be a few more modules I'm missing in this list, but those were the ones I dabbled in. Main thing to take away is that the coach will tailor your session to what you want to focus on.

I have spoken with others that have done sessions at PECLA in the past and it seems like there is some variability with regards to coach quality. I was lucky that I got paired up with a seasoned race car driver. He adapted quickly to my current skill level so I was able to start learning within the first few minutes of the session. He was great at teaching the skills and providing real-time feedback during my drives.

 

PEC is, in my opinion, the absolute best bang-for-buck intro to driving these cars quickly.

Cost argument: I paid $750 (700 + 50 to pay down the insurance deductible) for the 90-minute GTS 4.0 experience in May of this year. That's 90 minutes of driving time, with instruction, in a dedicated facility with multiple modules, in someone else's Porsche. I just signed up for a track day at Laguna Seca in my GTS 4.0, it is $450 for the day, then nearly $700 for insurance. I'll get 5x 20-minute sessions for a total of 100 minutes of driving, not counting out- and in-laps or any sessions cut short by problems on track. I'll be burning through my own consumables with no coaching. (but can you put a price on a photo of your car coming through the Corkscrew? Actually yes, I'll have to pay for that too :-/ )

Fun argument: you will learn an enormous amount in 90 minutes with a good instructor. The various low-friction modules (kick plate, ice hill, skidpad, etc) allow you to find and poke at the limits of the car at safe speeds. You will gain a huge appreciation for your 718 and what it can do especially when the instructor takes you on a demonstration lap of the handling circuit.

I'm attaching a couple photos below from my two visits: one at the PEC Atlanta in 2022, and the one to PEC LA in May of this year. You can read my full thoughts here and here from those trips.

 

Would you guys do a session with the car you currently have (i.e. I have a boxster S, would be cool to test the limits of a boxster S at PEC which is not my personal car…) or try something different (i.e. may never get to drive one of the more expensive/wild models). Trying to decide which I would rather do.

 

Seems like there are many different answers based on skill & experience levels here. If you have never done anything like this, in my experience/opinion, what "car" or cars you're offered & choose to use are the least important factors. If you haven't been on a track, and they turn you "loose" (that will/can come in many forms, some a lot more "progressive" and safer than others) you (or at least most of the people I know who done this) will be very busy, regardless of the car type/power etc., working on getting your self comfortable and up to speed. The last thing most people who've never done something like this need, is a more powerful car.

In my experience, it is undoubtedly the fastest, least expensive & probably safest way of making you faster in your car. Most people find they have a great time. I've met a few who are overwhelmed by the "speed" etc. and decide OSB (Other Sports Beckon)


PS I do not know about the track offerings at the two USA Porsche Experience Centers in LA and Atlanta, but the program at Barber is done on a full, certified 16 turn 2.33 mile track. Speeds in a well driven 992 GTS on "street" tires can come close to or exceed 130mph. Just saying

 

PC, can't speak to the PEC ATL events directly, mine have all been here in Germany at PEC Hockenheim and Nurburgring. I would echo the statements from all and include my general commments:

1. driving sessions on the dynamic sections (skid plate, slalom, advanced braking, etc.) were extremely beneficial to see how your model reacts
2. instructors are different and come with different strengths and weaknesses, but all are professional and know the vehicles
3. being open about your driving skills and what you want to get out of the sessions will really help (be prepared for some honest feedback)
4. recommend going with as close to your model as possible if you are not bringing yours, if you want to see how yours will handle (I know not all can do that, I am very fortunate living within short drives of multiple PECs and tracks)

The 'worth' can only be determined by you, but no one is ever going to lament having spent time at a PEC in a Porsche getting faster.

Enjoy whatever you do, take lots of photos, and have fun!

- Oz

 

The absolute most cost effective way to learn and enjoy the car.

we used it to determine which model we wanted to buy and even now after buying. We plan to go back and use their cars to really expand our comfort in the car for rally days in the mountains.

 

The absolute most cost effective way to learn and enjoy the car.

we used it to determine which model we wanted to buy and even now after buying. We plan to go back and use their cars to really expand our comfort in the car for rally days in the mountains.

I agree, I tried to book a session but they told me no manual cars so didn't do it. Since then they are offering the option to take your own car on the PEC track and want to do that but it's only on Thursday's so trying to find a good time to skip work. It terms of instruction, an SCCA beginners class would better bang for the buck, especially if you can get paired with an instructor that drives a Cayman or Boxster to get some of the extra mid-engine nuances down.

 

Thanks all, I booked a session or a GTS4.0, excited and will report back on my experience.

 

I've just done an experience at PCLA and absolutely loved it! Would highly recommend. I don't have much track experience but the instructor was amazing - very knowledgable and humble. Gave great advice. I wouldn't hesitate to do it all again the next time i'm in LA.

As an aside, my 19 y/o son was with me and of course he could drive the cars wayyyyy better then his old man and '..most of the instructors probably..'
Unknown to him we had bought him a hot lap in the GT3 - that alone was worth the look on his face when he got out the car...

Great cars, staff and instructors.

 

I went to PEC ATL in 2019 and found it well worth it. Drove a base Cayman and a Carrera 4S. Learned a lot about driving and those cars differences. Much fun and so worth it. I bought my first Porsche, a Cayman S right after that.

 

I'll have to see how my experience is. Supposed to test drive a 911 C4S and a GT3 in a month at PEC ATL.

 

Definitely. I recall that when booking my PEC LA experience that there as a place in the on-line booking forms asking what you wanted to get out of the experience. Filling out this optional part of the booking form will help them pair you with the right instructor for your 1.5 hours on track.

 

Absolutely worth it. Wish I could spend hours on in the wet skid pad to further develop my car control skills.

 

An alternative would be the Precision driving course at Barber motorsports in Birmingham AL. $2100 for all day you'll drive GTS's of various forms, 911 Turbo, Taycan. Skid pad, autocross, etc, and track time. At a PEC, you pick what you want, if it's a GT3, 3RS, 911's, 718's, for less money shorter seat time. Both excellent experiences. A 2 day HPDE will cost $2000 (all costs) or more if you trailer to different tracks. The neat stuff costs. Cool ain't cheap. Do all the performance driving courses you can, nothing beats instruction.
KR
PCA HPDE National Instructor 202010062

 

Highly recommend the Experience Center. I picked up my car at PECLA and have been hooked ever since. I've been back 4 times and am going tomorrow. I usually learn on the base Cayman since it actually makes it harder to do certain things (turbo lag, less power, different throttle response) than in my GTS. The only downside is that they don't have manual transmission cars like mine, but that's OK since the modules are really all gear 1-2 (with a little bit of 3 on the full track) experiences. As a bonus, I take my kiddo with me on these excursions and my usual coach is able to find some time to give her a few demo laps, feeding her inner budding automotive enthusiast!

 

I was lucky enough to take PEC delivery at Atlanta when it was a $0 option. Cost me $78 for a Southwest flight plus the hotel room & an Uber. Totally worth it, seriously considering doing it again for the EV Boxster.