Thinking

So, you're thinking about doing something exciting with your car...a high-speed driving event.

The Fundamentals

Investigating the PCA or any motorsports club is a great first step. The decision to take the leap and actually drive a sportscar in the way that it was intended is naturally difficult. In the American culture, we're taught to revere the car - we are ever mindful about its dollar value and reliability. We want to protect our car we expect our car to protect us.

Often, we select a car for how it looks or the statement it makes about us. We consider performance and handling part of that decision, but only insofar as the car remains affordable. Advertisers work to construct a persona for each car and our culture follows right along. A minivan or a Prius or a Corvette or a Porsche conveys a message to the world about the person driving the car.

First, motorsport fundamentally changes the way you see the car. A car is a machine. It is a machine designed for a purpose. Decades of engineering and racing heritage are manifest in the modern sportscar. When driving a real sportscar through a challenging course or racetrack, you will begin to sense the marvel that modern automobiles have become. In particular, the Porsche is delivered to you track-ready. Once you've taken the car on a course, you regard the car as a partner, a co-participant in the fun.

Second, motorsport changes how you see yourself. One would think that a person found walking around town wearing a parachute is just pretending to be a skydiver. What then, are we to think of people who drive around town in their garage-kept racy "sportscars?" Motorsport, at any level, makes you genuine. It can start with autocross or high-speed drivers ed and it can progress to road racing and club racing. No matter the the venue, motorsport will build your self-confidence and your driving skills. Complete your sportscar ownership experience by driving the car in a way that it was intended. Motorsports clubs work to provide an environment where that is accomplished in the safest manner possible.

Finally, motorsport changes how you see other drivers. The rapid increase in your driving skills translate directly to defensively driving on the streets. Most motorsport partipants use on-track techniques to maintain vehicle spacing and position on the road. Often, we end up the least-agressive and most cautious drivers. We realize that few others share an understanding of car control. And because we've been working on perception and reflex, we're ready to act quickly if need be.

The Nitty-Gritty

Safety, costs and liabilities of motorsports should be addressed candidly.

Safety - There is no such thing as a perfectly safe motorsports event. That is why we wear helmets, seat belts, and we have fire extinquishers at hand. At high-speed events there are tow trucks and ambulances on-site. Mechanical failure and human error can occur with catastrophic consequences. Like all clubs, we earnestly try to minimize the occurance and consequences of incidents. As an adventure sport, from kayaking to skydiving, there are risks of injury and possibly death. You will be asked to sign a waiver at any PCA event and you accept any risk of injury.

Cost - Driving fast wears out tires and brakes. Running the engine at sustained full throttle will accelerate the wear of many engine components. Changing oil regularly and having the car serviced properly will slow the wear on the engine. Going 100+mph on the road with other cars will result in small chips in paint and windscreens. A person struggling to make car and insurance payments should consider the real cost of motorsports - costs above the fees and travel accomodations. Most people simply moderate their participation to control costs because few can afford going to the track every month.

Liability - Organizations obtain insurance to cover the liabilities associated with having an event - primarily this covers damage to the facility or injury of a participant or bystander. This DOES NOT cover damage to a car. On track collisions between cars or damage done to a car that drives off track is the driver's responsibility. If cars collide, the club will not assign fault to one car or another. In general, each driver should consider themselves self-insured in a no-fault circumstance. Read your auto insurance policy thoroughly or talk to your agent to determine if you may actually be covered at an event. Remember, our events are non-competitive and they ARE NOT races.

Warranty Claims - Your new car warranty may specifically exclude track events, even Porsche Club DE's, from specific or general coverage. You should be familiar with the warranty conditions of your make and model of vehicle. Beginner drivers in newer cars rarely experience mechanical or warranty-covered problems on track. Tires, brake pads, and brake rotors are not usually covered under a new car warranty and they will wear out quickly as you go faster. Understanding your warranty coverage and rights are vital when presenting potential warranty-covered vehicle problems to your dealer.

Discussions of these issues are not intended to scare you off, but you need to understand the reality of motorsports. Most drivers find the costs and risks well worth the satisfying rewards and make motorsports a lifelong hobby. It is up to each driver, seasoned or beginner, to determine their personal readiness to participate in this exciting sport.

So, when you're ready, come check us out!!!

The best way to "check out" an event is on-site. You may view an event for free. Often, those interested in future participation can experience a slow lap with an official or instructor. Or...just sign-up and try us. Most beginner sessions run at relatively slow speeds.

If you have any questions, please contact the club at cbrpca@swbell.net