Track driving is one of the most thrilling experiences for an automotive enthusiast, regardless of the vehicle. Having the opportunity to not only spend a weekend driving at Barber Motorsports Park, but do it in a field of new Porsches took that to an entirely new level.
Day 1
Day 1 started with Kris and I getting to the airport. A lack of sleep and shuffling of cars made it difficult, but the excitement for the weekend vastly overshadowed all of that. It didn't quite feel like we were actually leaving at that moment, we had been planning the trip and getting everything ready for a few months and it was finally go time. One layover in Atlanta that was just short enough to require us to "Home-Alone" it through the concourse. After a short connection to Birmingham we had finally arrived and were greeted by a man holding a paperboard sign with the Porsche crest on it. Things just got more real.
Months prior I had entered an essay competition through Porsche of America in celebration of 60 Years of Porsche. Of the 3500 entrants my essay was voted in the top 20. Those 20 went on to a week of public voting. The top three won the grand prize: a $7,000 trip for two to the Porsche Sport Driving School in Birmingham Alabama. I chose to bring my good friend Kris.
Day 2 was Non-Stop
First, a 40 minute shuttle out to Barber Motorsports Park. When many of you see the name "Barber" and the word "Motorsports" you think of Skip Barber. Well... this was George Barbers place, and this guy is my hero. He wanted to build a museum for all his cool motorcycles and cars, plenty of both to be consumed for hours while dribbling all over yourself, with a small test track out back. One thing lead to another and it became one of the best tracks in the US. Excellent elevation changes, relatively small straights, and G-force inspiring hairpins make this track and absolute riot to drive.
We started with a short classroom session going over basics, and eventually led into everyone stating their history. I was going to try and keep it a secret that I had never even driven a 911, or any Porsche outside of a late 80's 944 for that matter. With much humility I explained that I won the trip, have no actual track experience, (only Auto-X, video games, and carting) I don't own a Porsche, and wouldn't have the means to for many years. I could almost hear the other participants filling their alligator skin underwear.
Money doesn't buy talent
The next two days would have several sessions, from a special skidpad to practice oversteer, to an Auto-Cross track lined with cones that supposedly housed baby kittens, to actual track time being coached by professional Porsche race drivers. All while behind the wheel of Porsche’s finest, I was able to drive a 911 S, Cayman S, Boxster Spyder, and took the ride of my life in a 911 GT2 RS. In the end, yours truly hit the best time in the Auto-X, and Kris and myself were the quickest at literally everything. Proof that money doesn't buy talent, but the drive to be the best will pave the way for it.
What's your best track experience?
About the Author: Glen Cordle
Glen is a mechanical designer from Minneapolis Minnesota. An old-school motorhead at heart, he respects anything that's had passion poured into it. A jack of all trades, master of some.
