I am interested in pushing the limits with my 911 S from 1971. However, I didn't want to do it on the country road and risk my driver's license / health or that of the 911.
Uli (UAI) contacted Moritz Leidel (who organizes Porsche events, among other things) at the end of July 2021, giving me the opportunity to take part in driver training at the Porsche Experience Center (PEC) Hockenheimring. Since I had never done anything like this with my Porsche, I registered. To my delight, Uli came with me as a co-pilot.
The PEC is located in the middle of the Hockenheimring. There is a handling track (approx. 2.8 km) as well as various dynamic areas (e.g. slalom area, sling plate, lane change track, braking area and low-friction handling course as well as circular lanes.
If you want, you can also hold a meeting with business partners in the PEC's premises and, after the signatures have been made on the contracts, you can do a few laps with a current Porsche on the track.
During our driver training, the drivers were divided into groups of 4-6 vehicles and the pilots were given various tasks to “work through” such as: B. Slalom, brake and avoid an obstacle, intercept the vehicle on slippery surfaces and "drift". There were hints from the instructor assigned in each case. Only Porsche could take part.
The field of participants was mixed, from vehicles from the late 1960s to current models. The drivers were divided into a group based on their experience (that is, I was with the less experienced drivers). To "loosen up", several laps were driven on the handling track. That was a fine thing.
As a side program there was a delicious lunch in the restaurant of the PEC, with a great view of the race track. Various Porsches from the Porsche Museum were on display in the PEC building, from Speedsters to current racing vehicles. The 917/16 Spyder impressed me most of all. On the one hand by the very imposing appearance as well as the impressive technical data and on the other hand, the sad fate that before the car was used, the next stage of development with the turbo, which overtook older siblings. Somehow crazy, in autumn 1971 the 911 S oil flaps came onto the market (and also my Porsche) with a displacement of 2.4 liters and 190 hp and the 917/16 with 6.5 liters and 800 hp was called the "old iron” and pushed into the museum.
Overall, it was a very entertaining afternoon for me.
The starting line-up of the groups
A selection of the Porsche models available at the PEC
On the sling plate [Photo by Moritz Leidel]
On the inclined circular path and trying to drift, "my" group in the background [Photo by Moritz Leidel]
The handling route (approx. 2.8 km)
917 PA and the next 2