[Jdub679]

First of all, it was amazing. I want to get that out of the way. I had a Pro with me the whole time (Thanks Zack) and he was informative, patient, just an all around great guy.

The car itself, I mean what can I say that hasn't already been said? From my amateur POV, it is a SAVAGE BEAST. I mean, it is BRUTAL. Fun is not the word I would use to describe it. It is a WEAPON. I joked with the Pro driver about how he must get a bunch of people who come to him with "I've driven a few quick cars in my day," but the GT3 was so much above and beyond any vehicle I've ever driven (or been a passenger in).

We started the day off with some car control activities, basically a low friction circle and a kick plate low friction course. Both are low speed activities designed to show you how to recover in a spin (and personally, to knock your self confidence down a notch or two )

We progressed to a short inside course where we performed a few full throttle launches with the launch control engaged, followed by rapid deceleration (all in a straight line). I think I felt my peripheral vision closing in the first time I launched it. I lifted about 80% of the way through the first time - probably my sense of survival kicking in. Funny how the GT3 isn't even Porsche's fastest straight line car. Those carbon ceramics REALLY haul the car down in a hurry. It's unbelievable how fast this thing stops. AND THE SOUND!!

We did the left side acceleration course next, which includes a little carousel at the end (a la Nurburgring). This starts with a full throttle launch, down to the end, tap the brakes to scrub some speed, then enter the 30 degree? banked carousel, and then full throttle out and back down the same direction you came, followed by a hard brake at the end. SO. AMAZING. This part really makes you feel like a hero.

Lastly, there's a handling course in the middle where everything is tied together. The Pro drove first. Easy on the first lap, and then he turned it up to "medium fast." I literally couldn't think fast enough. It really showed what the GT3 was capable of. As you're barreling in towards a turn, you really start thinking that we should be braking, but he continues full throttle, then hauls it down, and the car just pulls through the turn with so much mechanical grip. Those Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s were STICKY at the end. Literally, sticky. You could push your nail into them.

What a fantastic experience. And in my opinion, money well spent.

[Alfisti]

Want.

[WestRace]

The first time I drove the RX7 on a track and the experience was ... well I wouldn't say, at least at first, that it was fun but more like brutal. The GT3 is a much more serious car compared to the RX7 so I was not surprised that you characterize it as "savaged".

[WreckerX5d]

The GT3 is such an awesome car, and the PDK is excellent. I rented a RS in Vegas for a day and it was an absolute blast.

[dgoldenz]

I did the same experience, worth every penny. The restaurant there is also incredible.

[to_riffic]

I did the 3-day Track Experience in Alabama. Worth every penny. Hope you can enjoy that one day. It was a blast.

[b92]

Sounds awesome. Did you have any track experience prior to this or was this your first time?

[86Zed]

Always fun to flog somebody else's car, what did the experience run and total seat time in the car?

[Jdub679]

Originally Posted by b92

Sounds awesome. Did you have any track experience prior to this or was this your first time?

This is my first track experience. Nice thing is that it's totally individualized.

[Jdub679]

Originally Posted by 86Zed

Always fun to flog somebody else's car, what did the experience run and total seat time in the car?

All the prices are posted on Porsche's Experience websites, but the GT3 experience is about $900. You get 1.5 hours of seat time.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by Jdub679

All the prices are posted on Porsche's Experience websites, but the GT3 experience is about $900. You get 1.5 hours of seat time.

Great value. The problem is once you spend the $900, then you do the experience, then you decide you need to spend $100k+ on a GT3. That's what I did.

[Jdub679]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

Great value. The problem is once you spend the $900, then you do the experience, then you decide you need to spend $100k+ on a GT3. That's what I did.

Honestly man, props to you for owning one. I always thought it was a beast and now I know it. I'll be happy if I can find a 997 or 991.1 Carrera S.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

Great value. The problem is once you spend the $900, then you do the experience, then you decide you need to spend $100k+ on a GT3. That's what I did.

So you mean the wiser decision is to apply the $900 towards the purchase? Save half a payment? (or 1/4 payment, haha)

Jdub! Thanks for the write up.

[Flacht3]

A regular track day costs me about $1,500 PLUS consumables (tires, fuel, maintenance)...

Looking at about $1k for track insurance (unless you have the balls to skip, on a $200k car I certainly don't) and at least $500k in track fees.

Even though the PEC track is a bit neutered, I'll happily spend the $900 for that experience. Come out $600 on top and enjoy it even more since I'm not holding anything back for fear of wrecking my own car.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by PoorLurker

So you mean the wiser decision is to apply the $900 towards the purchase? Save half a payment? (or 1/4 payment, haha)

Jdub! Thanks for the write up.

Still wise to do the experience, can’t do most of that stuff on regular roads. Really fun experience.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by Flacht3

A regular track day costs me about $1,500 PLUS consumables (tires, fuel, maintenance)...

Looking at about $1k for track insurance (unless you have the balls to skip, on a $200k car I certainly don't) and at least $500k in track fees.

Even though the PEC track is a bit neutered, I'll happily spend the $900 for that experience. Come out $600 on top and enjoy it even more since I'm not holding anything back for fear of wrecking my own car.

X2 on this, good points. Tracking is fun but it ain’t cheap.

[BMW F22]

Which airport did you fly into? Thinking of doing PEC LA this Friday and thinking about the logistics. Just wanna fly down, have breakfast or lunch, and do PEC at 2 PM, maybe grab dinner and fly back.

[Jdub679]

I'm local. 30 minute drive from Orange County. PECLA sits between Long Beach Airport and LAX. Personally, I avoid LAX as much as I can. Have fun and let us know how your experience goes.

[jmg]

I've been wanting to do this for quite awhile. I've done several track days in my F80, a 1 Day M School, the 2 Day M School and an M Track day.

Any one know how this compares to M School? I've also done a private track day where I was able to do 70+ laps at Willow Springs for much less than $900, but that was without insurance and in my own car. Is it worth it?

[Flacht3]

Originally Posted by jmg

I've been wanting to do this for quite awhile. I've done several track days in my F80, a 1 Day M School, the 2 Day M School and an M Track day.

Any one know how this compares to M School? I've also done a private track day where I was able to do 70+ laps at Willow Springs for much less than $900, but that was without insurance and in my own car. Is it worth it?

I've done both, here's my 2 cents:

Checking my Porsche-fanboy bias, I can openly admit there's one thing I strongly preferred about M School...You're on a real track.

The PECLA experience is amazing but the track is very much a baby track (I can't speak to the ATL track as I've never been). The M School I did at Thermal is well, at Thermal, a wildly more involved track experience.

However, the instructors, level of detail and general thrill was better at PECLA vs. M School due to the general quality, atmosphere but also GT3 vs. M4 takes it to a different level.