Quote:
Originally Posted by Howi
Karel, all sorted for tomorrow? dont forget to post up your experiance.
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Well a beautiful day, to start with, met my Instructor - Richard Bott a delightful young gentleman from Cheshire who races Formula Ford 1600 - Had a full English Breakfast and discussed what we were doing today.
I had done the course previously last year, so asked about driving bends smoother. I described my understanding (Brake hard to the turn in point, then on the gas and balance the car past the apex, when you hit the gas full on to accelerate out of the bend) - obviously an old technique....... ANd my recent track day experiences.
Richard Bott discussed 'Trail Braking' a Gentler form of Braking right up to the Apex to keep the entry speed up and then of course accelerate out of the Bend.
We went out to Millbank, me driving, then Richard took us to the Alpine Course, went around it describing the Trail Braking Technique....... one loop, very smooth.
Then my Turn....... I sort of remembered the course and started off as instructed but as I got more confident and with more speed reverted to my 'normal' mode at the end of the run........ Richard was not phased that I controlled the car less smoothly than him, (he is a professional after all) and giggled at the little twitches I made, as I had, when he had inadvertently introduced them on his later run.
I got to feel the car (unfortunately a Tiptronic), on that first run and then did about 6 or 7 more - getting smoother all the time with longer gentler braking and a smooth transition into accelleration. We parked up for a discussion and I asked Richard to show me again so I could feel the difference. On his second run, he went faster, some bends smooth as silk and then the occasional twitch. But all in all great fun............ Then I took over for the next run to try to smooth out my technique.
Bend 1 smooth, but not fast, Bend 2 oops parked car (slow down completely) Bend 3 nice entry, but not as fast as before, Exit fine up to Bend 4 a long Left Hander following a compression, at a modest speed following the previous parked car.
Brake.........Brake......... (No Brakes) Brake to the floor and hard left lock - complete understeer.......... ABS/
PSM non functional warning lights -
Slide away sideways off the track, across the grass verge, across the Ditch filled with coarse shingle, and broadside (slightly nose first) the Muddy Bank -Come to rest with a 'crunch' - Ooh Dear.....................
We both checked we were allright - No problems for an old walrus like me - I managed to get out of the drivers door, (just) and surveyed the damage.
Front Bumper slightly displaced by the front of the wheel, Wheel/Brakes full of mud and Shingle, some scratches on the underside of the car, (no metal bent) and muddy Rear wheels.
Richard said 'You Didn't Brake!' I said I did!, full to the floor! and full left lock! and pointed to the skid marks on the Track before the bend, and the break before we hit the grass, Complete continuous lines, no interruptions = No ABS and No
PSM (
PSM warning message on the dashboard) Ooh Dear.....
So the end of my event - We got the Cayman off the bank, under it's own steam, but had to pull a multitude of stones out of the wheels/Brakes, Tyres/Wheels not happy.. Drive it to the control centre to await the RAC to trailer it back to Reading.
Took a ride in the back of a 911 cabriolet (must uncomfortable) to my own car.
Richard acknowledged that there was no ABS/
PSM input into the car as he noted that he heard nothing from any of the pumps/switchgear. So Brake Failure must have been present, Our speed was moderate and my previous control fine.
Well a sorry end to a beautiful day......................
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PSM - Porsche Stability Management
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While it can’t overcome the laws of physics, the revolutionary Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system does lend an added degree of balance and control to the Cayman’s mid-engine driving dynamics, inspiring surefooted confidence in corners and extreme situations.
A standard feature on the Cayman and Cayman S, PSM continuously monitors steering input, road speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration to calculate the actual direction of travel. If the car begins to steer off line, PSM instantly intervenes with precision brake inputs on individual wheels to help bring the car back onto the driver’s intended path.
If braking alone isn’t enough to correct the vehicle’s cornering line, PSM then calls on the Cayman’s engine management system, adjusting engine output as needed to help stabilize handling. PSM can also compensate in an instant for mid-corner changes in load resulting from deceleration or braking. When Sport mode is selected with the optional Sport Chrono Package, PSM’s threshold for intervention is raised, allowing for greater driver involvement. If you prefer driving without automatic PSM assistance, the system can be set to standby at any time. In this case, it will only intervene under heavy braking, where both front wheels exceed the ABS threshold.
For all of its technical ability, PSM goes virtually unnoticed in everyday driving situations, preserving the Cayman’s natural agility. |
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Discussion for members in the UK & Ireland, local events, etc.
Who wants a Porsche driving experiance day?
