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What to Bring to your First Driver Ed Event!?

Written by: Bill Hawe, Bill930@PorscheNet.com

So, you signed up for your first PCA Driver Education Event. Now what!?

Well, here are a few thoughts on getting ready for your first driver's ed event. Hopefully, they will reduce stress and increase the fun. First of all, this is supposed to be fun. The purpose is to learn how to safely control your car in a safe, learning environment. This is not racing or race preparation! This is not an event to "show off" how great you can drive. The purpose is not to go fast. The purpose is to learn how to properly drive your Porsche and to enjoy it! 

Getting Ready

• when was the last time the brake fluid was flushed?
• do the brake pads have at least 1/2 or more wear left in them? 
• does everything work? 
• do the tires have tread to meet the event rules? 
• is everything in proper working order? 
• does the event require a fire extinguisher installed in the car? 

Get this inspection out of the way early and freshen up the car as needed. Then you will feel that everything is in working order. 

Do you have a helmet? Seems strange to ask that. But often this is overlooked until the last minute. Get a good helmet such as Shoei, Bell, or Simpson. Don't buy a used helmet. It may have been dropped (this can permanently damage them). Who knows what's happened to it. Helmets must fit properly. There are guides for measuring your head to assure proper fitment. If you are buying a new helmet now, check out our tech requirements at http://www.porschenet.com/DEtech.html.

Read the Driver Education Student's Manual. It contains lots of good information for what to do during your session on the track. 

Look at a video of the track. You can obtain driver education videos of what it looks like to drive around the track you are going to. Ask a friend. Chances are they have one you can borrow. This will help you know what things are going to look like ahead of time. This takes away the mystery and reduces information overload that first day at the track. 

Packing for the Event

First and foremost - pack a friend! What you say? Pack a friend? Yup. Basically, everything will go much better if you know someone else in the club who is doing this and you can hook up with them beforehand. Chances are, it was was someone else in PCA who got you to overcome your apprehension and sign up in the first place. Ask them to show you the ropes. They will be thrilled to do it. Really! Trust me on this one. They really will want to help. Someone helped them their first time and they still remember it. Ask them what they bring with them, how they prepare their cars, where they have them tech'ed, what time to leave to get there on time, etc., etc.. 

Pack Early

So, what to bring with you? Here are some thoughts: 
 

For Your Car

• paper towels and window cleaner 
• tire air pressure gauge 
• wrench to tighten wheel lug nuts, preferrably a torque wrench. By the way, those "soft sockets" which you use not to mar the finish on the alloy lug nuts will melt, litterally, if you attempt to losen/tighten lugs after having been on the track. Also, if you use a steel socket it won't melt. However, it will break off the alloy lugs nuts on the first turn. Then you will have your wheel stuck on your car. The broken lug can be removed without damaging the wheel. But it is major surgery.  So, if you have alloy lug nuts on your car then let the cool completely before attempting to losen them. Or, you can put on open ended  steel lugs and have no problem. This is what most people do. You can purchase these through aftermarket Porsche suppliers. 
• your car tool kit, jack, etc. 
• a cotton towel or two 
• white shoe polish in "wipe-on bottle" or thin duck tape for car numbers (You were assigned a car number when you applied for the event.
• Your entry confirmation which you received back in the mail has this car number on it. Did you find it and remember it!?) 
• gasoline! - It sounds funny; but make sure you car has a full tank of gas when you arrive a the track. I will admit publically that I almost ran out of gas on the track at my first event! 
• 1 or 2 quarts of oil 
• optional - racer's tape or duct tape to cover headlights 
• optional - 12v air pump (someone will probably have one at the track or the track will have an air pump in case you need air 
• a cavas bag or duffle bag or milk crate or box, etc. to hold all this stuff 

For You

• completed Tech Inspection Form 
• directions to the track 
• your PCA membership card and driver's license 
• money!! 
• helmet 
• your watch 
• hat 
• sunscreen 
• umbrella (not red or yellow) 
• rain coat or jacket you could wear in the rain (not red or yellow). Always bring this. You will be glad you did when that summer thunderstorm comes through on what was otherwise supposed to be a sunny day.g sleve cotton shirt 
• T-shirt, sweatshirt, etc. as the weather demands 
•  long cotton pants (like blue jeans) 
• tennis shoes (not jogging shoes with their big, wide bulky soles) 
• small cooler with ice, and plenty of drinks - Drink lots while at the track. You don't want to get dehydrated. Adrenaline, sun, exercise, etc.
• all this excitement makes you need fluids. Don't leave home without them. 
• light lunch - there may be someplace to get lunch at the track. Some have it. Some don't. Know this ahead of time! 
• optional - a tarp to put over your stuff in case it rains 
• optional - a small folding chair 
• a cavas bag or duffle bag or milk crate or box, etc. to hold all this stuff 
• Finally, don't forget to leave your ego at home. You're there to be safe and to learn, not to impress anyone. 

When you Arrive

     Sign in - you will be required to sign an insurance waiver for the track and for PCA. There may be a small track entry fee to be paid (more taxes). Remember to collect all the forms they have for you. This will probably include the schedule for your run groups. 

     Park - find a place to park your car which is not in the way of everything. 

     Empty your car - Take everything out of your car. This means everything! Empty the glove compartment, the trunk or trunks, the door pockets, remove the radar detector, the cellular phone (If it's permanently installed turn it off! Yes, someone's did ring while driving around the track at speed!). Remove the floor mats. Remove the coke cans and empty coffee cups from underneath the seat. 

     Get in line for Tech Inspection - there will be a final tech inspection of your car and equipment. This is usually near pit lane. Bring your car, your helmet, your completed Tech Inspection Form and get in line. Get there early! Remember to have your car numbers put on your car before you get into line. When you received your application back for the event you were assigned a car number. Did you notice what it was!? Put the car numbers on with either white shoe polish or thin duct tape. I prefer the thin duct tape on the rear side windows since it doesn't wash off if/when it rains. Put the numbers on both sides of the car. 

     Get set for Driver's Meeting - There will be a driver's meeting prior to the event. This will take place after all the cars are inspected. Make sure your car is all set, your equipment is all set, and you are all set. Relax. Go to the driver's meeting and pay attention. Don't be late. They will tell you about the track, any special considerations, how the flags are to be used, etc.. 

     Meet Your Instructor - You will be assigned an instructor. You will probably be introduced to him/her at the driver's meeting. Get to know this person. Find out where they are parked. 

     Novice Meeting - Usually, beginners and novices attend a classroom session prior to driving. You will be told about this at the driver's meeting. Ask questions! 

     Get in line - Make sure you know when your group starts. Go to the bathroom (really). Get to the grid on time. Make sure your instructor finds you or you find him/her. Arrrange where/when to meet ahead of time. Have fun.... 

     Get to work - Changes are you will have to work in some capacity while at the event. Usually this consists of flagging duty at one of the corner stations. make sure you go to the bathroom before heading out there. (Sorry to nag about this but you'll be there for a while and you cannot leave your post at all.) Bring stuff to drink, your hat, jacket, etc.. Remember to close the sun roof (and perhaps windows) in your car before you leave for your assignment unless you are 110% sure that there will be no rain. Of course at my first event, a brilliant sunny summer day, I left my sunroof open and it rained in my car. Of course I had taken my keys with me so no one could close it for me, even though many people looked in the car to see if they could! Some nice soul finally put a tarp over the roof. Keys. Many people just leave their keys in their car while parked for eventualities such as this. I won't tell you to leave your keys in your car. It's probably all right though. But it's your choice. Sometimes I take mine. Sometimes I don't. 

Well, that's enough to get you thinking about what to bring. I hope this helps and doesn't cause your trunk to fill up with too much junk. But don't worry. If you forget something, there's always one of those "over the top" people who trailer their cars at the event. They bring all sorts of junk with them. They love to lend it to you because they feel so guilty for bringing too much useless hardware that they never use. (Been there. Still
doing it.) So, don't feel shy about asking to borrow something! Most of all have fun, be safe, and learn what Porsche's are really like...