This time, I participated in the official Porsche driving school, the “Porsche Track Experience (PTX)” with my 718 Cayman T, and I’d like to share the full story.

Introduction – What is the Porsche Track Experience?

The Porsche Track Experience is Porsche’s official driving school.
It offers courses at various levels, allowing participants to join according to their driving skills, from beginner to advanced.

Recently, I joined the Master Course of the Porsche Track Experience for the second time. My first time was before COVID, so it had been a while.
Since the course content has changed and become even more fulfilling, I want to share my experience.

Changes to the Master Course – Enhanced Content and Small Group Format

The Master Course is currently the most advanced course offered in Japan’s Porsche Track Experience. To participate, you must have completed other courses beforehand.

This time, the Master Course had undergone significant changes compared to before.
The price has increased to about 330,000 yen, but the number of participants has been reduced, giving each person more driving time.
I found this to be a very attractive improvement.

The course content has also changed dramatically. Previously, the focus was on cone exercises in a large parking lot, but this time, the training centered on using a short course and gymkhana course for more authentic practice.
This made it easier to visualize corners and racing lines, and allowed us to learn more practical techniques.

Practical Training – Mastering the S-Curve

Before running on the circuit, the Master Course includes various training exercises. What left the strongest impression on me was the S-curve practice.

You accelerate at full throttle, brake, then enter the S-curve at full throttle. Switching between left and right corners, you finally accelerate again at full throttle to exit the curve.
This S-curve is extremely challenging and physically demanding.

There are many other training exercises, and we drive intensively from morning till evening. Although we take breaks, there is hardly any rest as we keep driving all day.
At the end, we get to run on the main course exclusively, but by then, I was completely exhausted.

Thanks to the driving school, I shaved about 1 second off my lap time compared to the March track day, and I can now consistently hit my best lap. I’ve improved a bit but still make many mistakes—time for a wake-up call! #718CaymanT pic.twitter.com/icU1TvddcP

— Hiro@Welcome Home, PORSCHE (@boxster_gts) May 31, 2024

Still, my heart was filled with a sense of fulfillment.
Because I could clearly feel my driving skills improving.

Astonishing Professional Techniques – The Secrets of Cornering

Another highlight of the Master Course is the ride-along experience with a professional instructor.

You get to ride in the same model Porsche you drive, while the instructor takes you around the circuit.
Experiencing the instructor’s driving skills up close is an unparalleled luxury.

What impressed me most was the early timing of steering inputs and the corner exit. The instructor’s throttle application was perfect, completely different from how I drive.

By the time the car exits the corner, it’s already straight. Stepping on the accelerator results in incredible acceleration toward the next corner.
In contrast, I was still mid-corner, wobbling as I pressed the accelerator.

From experiencing the instructor’s driving, I learned that the key to cornering lies in the exit acceleration.
This requires calculating everything perfectly from the moment you enter the corner.

What I Gained – The Mindset and Skills Needed for Circuit Driving

Participating in the Master Course made me deeply appreciate the complexity of circuit driving. It requires not only skill but also strong mental fortitude.

It’s physically demanding, and you must maintain concentration at all times.
But I believe that challenging your limits like this definitely helps you grow.

What I gained from the Master Course was the mindset necessary for circuit driving and a wealth of driving techniques.

The cornering methods, in particular, were eye-opening.
I feel confident that if I make the instructor’s techniques my own, my driving will surely improve.

I believe participating in the Master Course is essential for anyone who drives on circuits privately.
Opportunities to receive direct instruction from professionals are rare.

It’s a privilege for Porsche owners. I hope many people get to experience it.
It will surely open up a Porsche world you never knew existed.