Mike Love and I signed up for the CIRPCA HPDE scheduled for April 26, 27 & 28th because at the time we were signed up for Porsche Parade and it conflicted with KYPCA’s Summer Heat on June 7, 8 & 9th.
On April 5th, we also went to NCM Motorsports Park for the “Drive Towards a Cure” lead-follow laps. On the way home, Mike heat debris from a semi and it damaged his right front wheel and tire. His car was towed to Bluegrass Motorsports in Louisville.
We drove to Putnam Park on Friday morning and we stopped by Bluegrass to pick up Mike’s car. As we drove from Louisville to the track, Mike noticed a noise when he braked. To make a long story short, Mike was not able to take his car on the track that weekend. Bummer! He did drive my car on track during the lunch break.
We got to the track Friday afternoon and took our cars through Tech Inspection, then watch to fast guys do laps and said hello to some friends and past instructors. We were invited to join Lisa and Mike Martin for dinner at the Coach House Restaurant in Plainfield (highly recommended).
Saturday morning we had all-hands meeting at 8:30 then broke out into group meetings. I was in Group “C” Solo (Intermediate) this session, my first time without an instructor in the car with me.
On Saturday, I was able to do four 25-minute sessions, plus two classroom sessions. At the end of the day, Pizza and beer was served at the garages.
Sunday was more of the same an all-hands meeting at 8:30, then classroom and track sessions. One of my track friends, Jim Scarbrough, an instructor from the Central Indiana Region, rode with me for one of my sessions and said I did a great job.
I have been a sports car racing and Porsche fan since I was 16 years old. I started watch at Sebring in 1965 then the Daytona 24-hours and attended both every year until I transferred to Lexington in 1975. I still follow F1, Indy Car and IMSA racing.
Going to the track for HPDE for the first time when I was 72 years old was a dream come true! While I’m not racing, being on the track with others cars, going as fast as the Boxster will go (or as fast as I dare), is such a joy!
I will be going back in September for KYPCA’s Fall Fastival. I actually won the prize at our Holiday party and I really appreciate it!
If you ever think you want to see what you and your Porsche can do, I highly recommend signing up for a PCA HPDE. You and your Porsche will be safe and you will have an instructor with you plus classroom instruction. Find out how much fun it can be.
Article written by Larry Dukes
