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Porsche Club of America
The Northeast Region

Upshifting

By Bruce Hauben, Bruce993@PorscheNet.com
NOR'EASTER Online - January 2003
Northeast Region Logo
  • The track rats among us are already well on the way to having our 2003 track schedules put to bed. Sure, it's always a 'work in progress', and there are always changes made as the weeks pass, but the more track days one drives and the more complicated one's life is the more comfort one finds in early scheduling.

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    I doubt that our 'problems' are any greater than many of you, but with Joyce scheduling 'can't miss' meetings and out of state conferences six to nine months in advance and driving DE events, and my track commitments as NER Chief Driving Instructor and loving Club Racing, there are more events than time or money will allow. It's very difficult to pare down the track days. With unlimited funds and time one could be driving 10-15 days a month for 6-8 months of the year...actually, you could drive 12 months of the year by going to Atlanta, Florida, California etc., and while you may think I'm crazy with 35-40 track days a year, that's over the top...maybe someday.

    Where is all this leading you may ask? It's not too early to look at our NER schedule and begin planning, and for good reason as you'll learn below. We have a full and exciting schedule this year:

    • June 2-4  Mt. Tremblant
    • July 12-14  Mt. Tremblant
    • July 30-31 Watkins Glen
    • August 9-10 Mt. Tremblant
    • August 24-25 BeaveRun
    • September 8-9 NHIS
    • October 3-5  Mosport
    A new procedure this year will open the registration process for ALL NER track events on March 1 and you may register on line. However, your check must be mailed and the postmark date on the envelope bearing your check will determine your position in the queue. If history is any indication, we may have room in the signed-off run groups a month prior to an event. BUT, it's another story for you folks not yet signed-off to drive solo. While the Track Committee has been working to build up our instructor corps without sacrificing quality, we still have more drivers requiring an instructor than instructors signing up for events. So while I urge everyone to register early, it is particularly important that you drivers needing instructors get your checks in the mail on March 1. Elsewhere in this issue and succeeding issues as well as on the web site you'll find detailed information about the registration process including fees, dates and requirements.

    My initial concept for this month's column was to discuss the various reasons one might want to reach the level of signed-off driver. There are many, good and bad, realistic and unrealistic, and above you have one of the more pragmatic reasons. When you've been signed-off your admission to an event is not dependant upon the number of instructors at the event. With that said, there is a distinct advantage to taking your time and not rushing to get signed-off to drive solo. The more time you spend with an instructor in your car the better driver you'll be. Every instructor has their own points of emphasis and the more different instructors you drive with the broader will be your education and driving experiences. We always urge newly signed-off drivers to ask an instructor to ride with them at every event as well as riding with the instructor in their car. This cannot be over emphasized.

    A great way to begin your track season is by signing up for the NER DE Ground School on Feb. 23. You'll find full details in the December 2002 Nor'easter as well as this issue. Our Chief of Novice Development, John Ktistes, conducts and outstanding multi-media session assisted by Instructor Paul Avery, Safety Chair and Scrutineer Mark Hald, and Fran Taussig presenting the female perspective. Yes, for you newer female members the track is a great equalizer. The New England Region has many husband/wife/significant other driving teams, and several fantastic female instructors.

    John and his crew will give both new drivers and 'newer' drivers who've done a few events the entire picture of our DE program from the registration process, to what to expect when you get to the track, car control, how to properly progress up the run group ladder and how to asses your strengths and weaknesses. If you have any thought of driving on the track, this is a seminar not to miss.

    In closing, don't hesitate to contact me with any questions about the NER Drivers' Education track program. I want every member to experience the track with your Porsche at least once. You have no concept of what you and your Porsche can do until you get on the track! 

    Points to Ponder!!

    • Just think how much deeper the oceans would be if sponges didn't live there.
    • If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that a hostage situation?
    • What is the speed of dark?
    • Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?
    • Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?
    • When it's tourist season, can we shoot them?
    • Why do people press harder on a remote control when they know the battery is dead?
    • If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat?
    • Why is it, when a door is open it's ajar, but when a jar is open, it's not a door?
    • Tell a man that there are 400 billion stars and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint and he has to touch it.
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