Webmeister's Note: The August 2009 edition of Über Alles included this wonderful story by Jill Myers-White about driving Grattan for the first time. We shamelessly stole it and reproduce it here, without apologies.
Drivers Education (from a Novice’s Point of View)
I was so excited when I finally got my Porsche, a 1990 911 C4. She is small, sharp and fun to drive, needed “a little work” but overall I was in love. Of course my excitement led me to the internet and during the first of many searches I discovered PCA, along with Pelican Parts. My number one search site, which had been Neiman Marcus, was immediately replaced by Pelican Parts.
I spent countless hours washing and waxing her while bugging my husband to make sure all the gauges worked and that the oil pressure was right, making sure to specify for him all the lights and little details that I wanted fixed.
I had the car a year and would drive AMAMA (as much as Michigan allows).
While reading through Über Alles one month, an article stood out, “Drivers Education”, I thought it sounded kind of fun, but I already knew how to drive! For some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So I signed up out curiosity, wondering what a “Tech” check was and why would I need a helmet?!
The article I had read said to go the day before to kind of get the feel for things and help out a little. My heart started racing as we pulled into the Grattan track and suddenly I realized that maybe I was the one that needed “a little work!” After watching a few Porsches fly by, and hearing the deep exhaust sounds that were completely over the top, they let us cross the t rack. We walked toward a tent and Amber pops out and warmly says, “You must be Jill! ” Feeling an immediate sense of camaraderie, Amber walks us around to meet some people and get a feel for what I am about to experience.
I became awestruck walking between all the beautiful Porsches parked near the track. After strolling around we head to the Grattan bar . WOW, nice people, great fun, food and lots of talk about cars.
Saturday morning I show up for the drivers meeting. I think that’s cute we’re probably going to talk about a few rules. As the instructor begins talking I think “WHAT, my car needs to be ‘teched’”?? If I go off the track I have to go back to the Tech area? WHAT? OK…breathe… I tell myself to settle down. I find out my personal instructor is Terry, bonus that he’s the head instructor, whom we met at dinner the night before. I am hyper beyond and he seems laid back… this will work out perfectly.
Terry tells me to get in because it’s our turn to go out. I get in, Terry starts my car, but hey this doesn’t feel like my car, my car jerks a little when going in reverse. We approach the grid and get released into the first curve. My heart pounds as I think that this totally is not my car… my car can’t pull these kind of G’s in a turn. It’s 90 degrees, my heart is racing and the Porsche is reborn! I had no idea my car had these capabilities. This simply was not doing 90mph on I-96 with my radar detector. I can’t stop smiling with excitement as we make our way to the 90 degree turn. Just raw hard cool! I realize at that moment that this car that I had never really driven the car I had owned for 2 years.
Now it’s my turn to drive and I now knew this was not going to be easy. Still in shock that my 19 year old car could “shake it up” I shook inside. After about 30 turns, I hear “Jill where are you?” referring to my place on the track. Next thing I know it’s “GO!” and “keep your hands on the wheel!” Then the one thing that Terry dreads, “let him go by.” (My left arm was developing a bicep from letting others go by!)
After what feels like a thousand turns, Terry says I’m ready for him to sign me off. This translates to “Jill is aware of other drivers and not a danger.”
On the last run I walk up and say I am not driving, Terry is shocked and confused at first but I explain “I need you to drive my car but this time like you want me to drive.” I know that this example will be my best teacher. I would never change that decision. He knows the cars capabilities and I obviously don’t have a clue. With Terry at the wheel I started to realize the true potential of this machine on the track.
As my husband and I drive home on Saturday, I am exhausted and in love with my car, wondering if I could do this tomorrow.
Sunday arrives and as I am getting ready to go to the track I can feel the adrenaline rush. I love the smell of brake fluid in the morning. I look at my car with a whole new respect. My first run on the track is a lot better and I decided I’m ready to do it by myself. I pull up to the “grid” and they let me go. I drive into the fir s t turn and think, “Don’ t brake until you see God” ( I think I might have); now line up with the tree; that hill is going to fall out in front of you---God, trees… hills… almost sounds like a nature retreat.
Well, I make it and as I get out of my car, Terry says I can do the time trials. TIME TRIALS!!! I’m so excited! As I sit in the time trial meeting with al l the seasoned drivers, I look around and think Let the Big Dogs eat, just knowing that I could was enough for me so I opted not to do the time trials (Hey, don’t laugh, it won me a hug.).
DE class is great once but i t has got to be over the top the second time! I tell myself Jill needs to marinate for a while. I have never driven the same since. I am a much better, safer and confident driver.
I am confident that anyone who owns a Porsche WILL NEVER OWN IT UNTIL THEY HAVE DONE A DRIVERS EDUCATION COURSE.
See you at the track!
Jill Myers-White
