When I bought the Cayman, I did a deal to include a 1/2 day Porsche experience day at Silverstone.
Well today was the day. And what a day! Pitched up at 0830 had a mini Full English (that's what they called it!) a couple of Coffee's and met Mike (trainer for the morning).
Bit of a track briefing and away we went.
The car I drove was a Cayman S manual with GT2 Seats (£3250 EXTRA) and Ceramic brakes (£6000 extra). I was a bit sceptical given the weather, but away we went.
We started on the handling circuit, nothing too high speed, maxed out about 75mph, but it is a series of bends, some sweeping, some sharp, some off camber, but all designed to test your smoothness out, and show you what the car can do.
We set the seat up, and checked the circuit was clear and off we went, Mike showed the lines, and F'in hell he was so smooth and quick. I swapped seats (what an option BTW) - Google pic (I forgot to take one!)
and off we went, we left the car in 3rd, it will pull from low down right up to 100+, so no need to change.
Lots of laps followed, and I got the hang of things, the main thing that impressed me was how composed the car was. I was behind a Turbo S for quite a few laps, and whilst he got away on the straights, we clawed him in on the bends. The ceramics came into their own, and were fantastic (have i got a spare £6K? Had a look and sadly no!) Truly face pulling off stuff!
The Turbo driver pulled in and we had a go at the Ice Hill,basically a plastic tarmac road covered in water jets, designed to mimic a 7% downward icy slope, I used the car with Porsche Stability Management off an on, and tried to avoid a simulated obstacle, controlling the car off and on the brakes using the accelerator, what a buzz when it all came right!
^^^ the centre does cater for any cars............
Then we had a go at the Kick plate, which as it sounds is a hydraulically actuated plate built into the plastic low friction tarmac. When you approach at about 25mph, it kicks the rear wheels of the car to start a slide which you have to react to counter. You then balance the car on the throttle and steering inputs, until you get out the end. I pirouetted a few times and then it all came together. Fantastic!
There is another stance which is again low friction, and designed to show how the car reacts on the throttle (foot to the boards) holding it in a power slide with minimal steering inputs. The Cayman is happiest doing this due to its good weight distribution.
Another go on the Handling circuit, aware people were watching, chasing the Turbo again, really good fun, but really hot work. The session was finished off with lunch (Stilton soup/Pork tenderloin and Panna cotta washed down with Dandelion and Burdock!)
Anyway took a few pics of the cars and the centre.................. some good, but please excuse the Phone pics. And spot the new model (give you a clue..............997 GT2RS
Oh and something James Dean had one of!
The Red Cayman S I drove is Bottom of pic, you can just make out the Yellow front caliper.
Great great day, they do a own car sessions for about £170, Human performance sessions, off-road sessions, and lots more besides, including Pre-Order Test drives (do I want the GT3 or GT3 RS? Well lets test them both!)
Note - Not all pictures are mine. Some you tube vids are below. oh and the centre is also sponsored by Michelin! The Red Cayman had 3 new tyres (Pilot Cups) on this morning, and they were fairly well knurled up at the end of the morning!
