Some notes on my day at the Porsche Center…
I finally got the opportunity to ride passenger side in a Porsche 911 Carrera for a demonstration lap at the Porsche Center. I really wanted to reserve a drift experience but they were all sold out! As you may have learned by now…. I need a thrill!
Firstly, my driver could have been no older than 20 years old. An adorable, blue-eyed kid who looked like he belonged in an Abercrombie and Fitch ad. When I stepped into the car, I fully expected to meet an, older, retired Nascar driver with facial hair and a country accent (talk about stereotypes…).
It was a scorcher that day but, when my driver asked if I wanted the window down during the ride, I said, “Definitely.” I wanted to hear the sound of the engine.
20 year old: How about your seat? Can I raise it?
Me: Uuh. Sure. (Good idea. I want to see clear over the dashboard).
20 year old: We might want to bring your seat closer to the front as well. When I break, you’ll want to brace yourself.
Me: Okay. Makes sense (I’m getting a little nervous now).
20 year old: Also, you’ll want to grab onto that door handle.
Me: (Oh, dear… ::grabs door handle::.)
20 year old: Ready?
Me: (Let’s out a girlish shriek before the roller coaster ride begins.)
Me, heading toward the race track in a Porsche 911.
Twenty Year Old tore off down that race track once he was cleared to go. Indeed, it was like being propelled away from the loading platform on a roller coaster.
As we went down the track, everything whirled by so quickly. I don’t even remember where the track ended or began. The only very clear visuals I remember are the curves. Because those were the moments when I thought the car would spin out of control. I’m not sure how fast we were going around the corners but it was very fast yet, the car never lost control. My heart would skip a beat, wondering if the my driver would oversteer but the 911 has so much control (our top speed during the ride was actually 110).
And I am 100% sure that at least one of the wheels on the right side of the car touched wet grass because I felt the car slide a little. But, the tires had excellent traction and the car very quickly caught it’s grip. I was legitimately scared. In fact, I kept yelling, “I’m scared! I’m scared!”. Over the sound of the engine. Twenty would yell in return, “You’re okay! We’re okay!” I think he enjoyed frightening me. It’s okay because the ride was fun. I just wished it was longer.
Porsche 911 GT3 Touring
I’ll wait while you catch your breath from seeing that beautiful image above…
Now…
After experiencing the power of a Porsche, do I want one? Yes. Specifically, a 911 GT3 Touring. Can I drive stick shift? No. But, that’s small potatoes. The real challenge will be coming up with the down payment…
The funny thing is that I was never really impressed by coupes. I don’t find small, fast cars attractive. I’ve always been drawn to bigger, longer, wider bodied cars: “manly” vehicles. But, after hearing the growl of the 911 engine, I have seen the light… Or, rather, the dark because there’s something seductive, raw, and animalistic about the sound of that engine. I actually found myself somewhat aroused after the demonstration lap. I want to hear the sound of that engine every day.
I’m actually looking forward to doing another demonstration lap at the Porsche Center. This would actually make a fun date. However, my next drive will most certainly be a drift demonstration, where the driver does donuts in the middle of the track!