The academy is more for new Porsche owners who want to learn how to handle their respective cars and as such, in a very Germanic way, Porsche flies out its own instructors to each country that supports these events. So upon arrival at the Dubai Autodrome we were greeted by these rather clinical and intimidating-looking gentlemen who were to be our instructors. After five minutes with the instructors you’re put at ease, while they’re very professional they also want it to be a fun experience.
Various media houses from Africa and the Middle East were divided amongst the instructors and we went off to do various activities. The first activity was controlling under and oversteer on a skidpan, which I tackled with a 911 Carrera S. The first thing I noted about the 911 is how balanced it is; I know this cliché is old, but it does exist for a reason. The car lets you know as it’s about to underesteer while in oversteer situations it is insanely easy to control considering its rear-wheel-drive and rear engine layout. After a few minutes of instruction, Andy (my instructor) had me drifting around the circle; it was very satisfying.
We then moved on to the emergency lane-change, which I have done at many courses before. But there were tips and tricks that these instructors provided that not only had I never heard before, but had never even considered.
For example, I have a lanyard around my neck very often, they told me to ensure that it was outside my seatbelt when I strap myself in as in an emergency I could damage my neck. We attacked the challenge in the Cayenne SUV, which showed us weight transference, the importance of emergency steering inputs as well as the benefit of traction control in modern cars. The real difference I noticed is that the instructor will make you do the exercise until you’re competent.
We then moved on to a slalom competition, which rewards smooth steering inputs, precise throttle response and well-judged braking. We undertook this with the Boxster GTS; I simply love the sound of the GTS models - that flat-six howl is intoxicating. The car itself flatters the driver in this situation with direct steering, instant throttle response and of course legendary Porsche brakes. When the tool is correct it makes the procedure easier and in this instance the car was good enough to allow me to focus purely on my own driving.
After lunch we drove all the models around the shorter version of the Autodrome circuit. it was simply epic! First up was the Cayman and 911 range, which included a Cayman GTS, Carrera S and Carrera 4S. The instructors were all about teaching us the quickest line and the theory behind a perfect lap; the instruction certainly ironed out some kinks in my driving. I have to say that in terms of the entire experience, I preferred the smaller Cayman on track; the 911 feels insanely planted, whereas the Cayman brings a new agility and playfulness to the brand.
We then took the SUVs around, the Macan and Cayenne and while the latter is not at home on the circuit, the smaller Macan acquits itself far better than you might think. Is it a 911 on stilts? Not quite, but very impressive.
After an afternoon of hooning some serious German metal around for the afternoon it was time for certification. I even received a model of the Cayman GT4 for having the best driving technique in my group - I was properly chuffed with that!
But this wasn’t all about me or even about the event in Dubai, the bigger picture is that Kyalami will be completed soon, so expect the Porsche Sport Driving School to return to South Africa; it has been here before, but with the revamped circuit offering world-class facilities it will most likely make this the best advanced driving course in the country.
Oh! Before I go… my certification was for the Precision part of the course; I would still have to complete another four courses to be a certified FIA-licensed Porsche RSR racing driver.
These courses include: the Performance course, which you qualify for after the Precision and takes the training to the next level. After this you move on to the Master, which includes personal instruction from a Porsche works racing driver. After this you’re in to the racing zone with the Master RS, which then teaches you how to be a pucker racing driver. The pinnacle of the training is the Master RSR course, where you’re trained how to drive a Porsche 991 GT3 Cup car.
