| any people, owning and buying a car is just something | | | | know about driving and the world of Porsche. This |
| that you have to do. You need something that can get | | | | includes dedicated Porsche tracks where people can |
| you from A to B and back again, preferably without | | | | be taught all sorts of really useful skills, followed by a |
| breaking down in-between. This is why so many | | | | meal in the lovely Porsche restaurant. Lots of |
| people end up with economic yet boring cars, ones | | | | companies decide to use this sort of exciting place as |
| with big boots, lots of space and wipe clean seats. | | | | a team b8uilding or conference venue. I never got to |
| For those of us who want something more than a | | | | go anywhere near as exciting as that with my last |
| glorified tin can, driving and owning a car is a more | | | | company, but if you are lucky enough then it can be |
| important and well-planned experience. We research | | | | quite an executive day out or meeting. |
| for months, thinking about engine size and aesthetic, | | | | What I find particularly interesting about a day out at |
| and fuel type, before eventually settling on a car that | | | | the Porsche experience centre is that they |
| makes our hearts sing. For many people the end point | | | | don’t just focus on driving and technological |
| of this sort of decision making process is actually | | | | performance. Attendees can also concentrate on their |
| buying a used Porsche, or putting down the deposit on | | | | performance in the Human Performance centre, |
| a new one. It is a terrifying and exhilarating moment! | | | | developing a tailored training programme just for you |
| Many people worry that owning a feisty sports car like | | | | and noone else. |
| a Porsche 911 is about more than just turning the key | | | | If all you really care about is the driving, however, then |
| and remembering your driving lessons. They are | | | | you are in safe hands. The Grand Prix track at |
| probably right – in order to get the most out of a | | | | Silverstone has been home to some really famous |
| 911, and drive it as well as possible, you really have to | | | | races, and the Porsche tracks emulate this. With |
| know what you are doing. I am not saying that a | | | | specific areas for handling and low friction, alongside |
| novice couldn’t drive one, just that they may | | | | the “Ice Hill” and “Kick |
| miss out on some of the subtleties and nuances that a | | | | plate”. You could take an onboard lap around |
| finely tuned car like this offers. | | | | the circuit in a Porsche 911 GT2, or alternatively be |
| Perhaps to this end, Porsche have set up an | | | | really brave and try the off-road track where the |
| experience centre. Based out of the famous | | | | Cayenne gets put through the mill! |
| Silverstone track (which you really should have heard | | | | All in all there is something for everyone, and an awful |
| of if you know anything at all about racing and driving!), | | | | lot to be learned. |
| this is place dedicated to teaching people all there is to | | | | |