The 2017 Porsche Media Driving Academy At Sepang

Porsche Asia Pacific recently hosted the 3rd Media Driving Academy (MDA) at the Sepang circuit. The company hosted journalists from 10 countries in the Asia Pacific region and this year’s event also gave the journalists the very first opportunity to drive the new Panamera Turbo and Panamera 4S on the race track. We also had a chance to drive other models from Porsche’s fleet like the Porsche 911 Carrera S, Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Porsche 911 Targa 4S, Porsche 911 Turbo, Porsche 911 Turbo S, Porsche Cayenne GTS, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Cayenne Turbo S, Porsche 718 Boxster, Porsche 718 Boxster S and Porsche Macan GTS.

Porsche’s objective of holding this Media Driving Academy is not just to let members of the media sample its cars’ performance but also to improve our driving skills in the safe environment of a race track, with the world-class Porsche instructors providing tips and guidance on car control and track driving.

The first MDA was held in 2015 at the Bira Circuit in Pattaya, Thailand; the MDA consists of 3 courses for different skill levels (Individual, Professional and Elite). The activities on the track (depending on the skill level) included such exercises as slalom, complex cornering, trail braking, and controlled oversteering. Additionally, we attended theory workshops, including a motorsports conditioning session, driving physics workshop and Q&A session with Porsche certified instructors.

We basically had a taste of what professional race car drivers go through in terms of driving and fitness training, and diet because racing isn’t just about getting into a car and driving the bolts off it; it’s also about improving skills, strengthening the body and mind, and eliminating caffeine from your life (among other things that need elimination).

Making quick switches to the different cars in the fleet was no easy task as one had to quickly get used to each vehicle’s characteristics and limits e.g. a 911 handles very differently from a Boxster, which handles differently from a Cayenne.

Present at the MDA for the Elite and Individual courses was Earl Bamber, one of the 3 drivers of the winning Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 at the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s longest-running endurance race, who gave us driving guidance and demonstrations, hot laps in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, and a taste of a day in the life of a Porsche LMP1 driver.

“Coming fresh off the 24 Hours of Le Mans and into the Media Driving Academy at Sepang, I am thrilled that I can share with journalists what an incredible experience it was. It is my second win at the legendary race and what can I say, I am still letting it sink in! I also had immense fun giving hot laps in the Cayman GT4 Clubsport and the road cars – Porsche truly has motorsports in its blood, and it shows in every one of its cars, including the new Panamera!” said Earl.

The Cayman GT4 Clubsport, a 385-horsepower mid-engined racer for motorsport
newcomers was also available for hot laps for the first time at this driving academy. This car is powered by a 3.8-liter flat-six engine mated to a 6-speed double clutch PDK with shift paddles, and a mechanical rear-axle locking differential. The spring-strut front suspension is from its larger 911 GT3 Cup brother, which competes in Porsche’s 20 one-make championships around the world, and the racing brake system is fitted with 380 mm steel brake discs. This Clubsport can be entered into GT4-category races and enquiries can be made at Sime Darby Auto Performance.

You can also experience Porsche cars on the track and learn from Porsche certified instructors by signing up for the Porsche Driving Experience at Sepang at www.porsche.com/driving-experience-asia-pacific.

Gallery:

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport