Anybody done a PCA DE?

[Matthew C Smith]

Hey everybody,

Has anybody ever done a Porsche Club of America driver's school? I've done a few BMWCCA schools and open lapping days, but haven't heard much about PCA school.

How are they run?
How much time do you get on the track?
How's the instruction?
How are the porch guys about non-Porsche cars?

[1996 328ti]

I've done some schools with First Settlers Region at VIR. Real nice bunch of people.

Instruction varies just as it does from CCA chapter to chapter. I do find that P-cars don't like to be passed by a BMW.
I have drag raced more than one down a straight and couldn't by.

[jderry]

Interesting, how did you allow the PCA school to let you in? I know Zone II for the PCA here is VERY adamant about NO non-PCA members going to the DE's ...

problem is -- you need a Porsche Vin # to become a member ...

p.s. -- matt, if you can, try to do an event with the Ferrari Club. I did it with the FWoW club at Summit point this past november. Man, it was fun .... passing Ferrari's with my car, they were like ...

Actually, they weren't because they knew their cars were like 5 times the cost of my car .. but, how many people get to say they were LAPPED by an F40 and ferrari challenge car ... hehe ...

They hit up tracks around you ... I'm thinking putnam and mid-ohio ...

[MCouper]

I have 3 PCA members in my neighborhood. One of them came to my house and yelled at me for driving to fast and my car being to loud. But 2 days later he is tuning his non-registered 911 up and down the street at 80mph. The other guy is an instructor for PCA and I stopped by his house one afternoon because I saw him washing the cars, he was very rude and impolite. So my take on the PCA guys is they frown on non Porsche owners. If they let you in go for it. Just to see the look on their faces when you open up a gap through a turn and they can't keep up.

[Matthew C Smith]

I can get in, but I haven't signed up yet.

I'd need to get an SA rated helmet as mine's an M. I could really care less if they're jerks so long as they're courteous while on track. That's no place to be dicking around with somebody.

How's the instruction? How many sessions?

The price is pretty good $225 for non members...

I've not heard of an Ferrari DE's around here, guess I'll have to keep my eyes open (I'd get spanked!).

[1996 328ti]

Originally posted by MCouper
I have 3 PCA members in my neighborhood. One of them came to my house and yelled at me for driving to fast and my car being to loud. But 2 days later he is tuning his non-registered 911 up and down the street at 80mph. The other guy is an instructor for PCA and I stopped by his house one afternoon because I saw him washing the cars, he was very rude and impolite. So my take on the PCA guys is they frown on non Porsche owners. If they let you in go for it. Just to see the look on their faces when you open up a gap through a turn and they can't keep up.

Depends on the region. First Settlers Region are from the Williamsburg area. I have always had an enjoyable time at VIR with them. I stopped going because they want to sign me off right away. A lot of Tidewater Chapter members also do there school. I guess since there was enough room for non PCA members, they did not mind. I haven't done a school with them in a couple years.

[SG_M3]

The PCA DE's here suck, they are so slow. They teach a slow line, and almost punish you if you don't fallow their lines. I didn't have a good time.

P-car owners really don't liked getting passed.

[Techno Violent]

I did a PCA event last year at Summit (JC). Was a lot of fun. Mixed bag in terms of the attitudes of the members. Generally, they have much respect for the e36 M3, though - after all, PTG did put the hurt on them. One particular instructor had a beef with me, though. Seemed he didn't like me lapping the P-cars . . . especially considering my line was less than perfect (was my first time on the JC course).

[sunir]

PCA is fine...instruction is very good and rules are more relaxed (better for more experienced levels at the DE's)...I've instructed for Zone 2, CVR, First settlers, Reisentoter, and other chapters and had good expereinces, PCA is more strict with non Porsche owners when it comes to students because they have so many Porsche driving students that they fill their events quickly, then they need more instructors so they often allow in only other instructors that drive BMWs...sure sometimes the older Porsche drivers don't like getting passed but they must learn to deal with it...and if your making a run on someone outta a corner they WILL know if you do it right...

[E30mademepoor]

I would say it depends on the region. I've run several PCA days and they were all great fun (the only problem was a canadian fellow with too much ego and not enough skill). I'd say go for it, worst case you don't go to another one. It also offers a different experience (ie. instructing, format, etc..) I enjoyed my experiences, hopefully you will too.
-Ted

[Matthew C Smith]

Thanks for the comments everybody! I'll see if I can rustle up a few people to go for it.