We tested practically the entire range of Porsche sports cars at the Estoril Autodrome. It was a kind of return to school at a very special school, Porsche Sport Driving School Portugal.
Stepping on the asphalt that was once trodden by legends such as Ayrton Senna is always a unique event, however often our professional “responsibilities” lead us to do it several times a year, over and over again. We are talking about the Autodromo do Estoril, the national cathedral of motor sport.
When we add worship cars to this place of worship, tailored to get smiles off our faces and drops of sweat on our foreheads, then we have material for memories that will have to be mandatorily(!) told to our grandchildren.
He was part of a group of national journalists who traveled to Estoril to spend a whole day on the Porsche sports car range: 911 4S; 911 Turbo S; Cayman GTS; and Boxster GTS. More than testing the cars, the purpose of the event, integrated into the Porsche Sport Driving School Portugal, was to improve our driving skills.
“Two notes: my driving skills are effectively more in tune than ever and I demand a Porsche 911 GT3 for Christmas.”
We open to hosts with the Porsche Boxster GTS. Tireless brakes, approachable handling, (very!) capable engine and wide smiles. At the limit, it is extremely easy to take, even with electronic aids in the most permissive mode. And no… it's no less a Porsche than a Porsche 911. It's a member of the Stuttgart family in its own right.
After they had me evicted from the Boxster's interior in tears (it took me too fast, I know…) it was a consolation for me to have a 911 Turbo S on the other side of the pit-lane waiting. I wiped away the tears and started to smile. The 560hp of the flat-six engine equipped with two turbos has this effect.
The Estoril straights shortened drastically and braking changed the place of some organs for me – I think I even wrinkled the asphalt. If I did, the circuit administration sends the bill to Porsche, say they're going to do it on our part.
But the best was saved for last: the Porsche 911 GT3. What machine! With the others I had already had the opportunity to deprive in other occasions, but with the GT3 it was an absolute debut. White, with roll-bars, XXL brakes and at the back (right behind…) an atmospheric 3.8 engine with lung to happily surpass 8,000 rpm. Driving took on another dimension.
The GT3's chassis reacts to the slightest variation in the steering wheel, brakes or accelerator. It is a car that is fully alert to our requests, responding with disconcerting sharpness to every movement. The Porsche Sport Driving School Portugal instructors' tips were worth more than 200 km/h. At this speed, errors pay dearly…
At the end of the day, two notes: my driving skills were effectively more in tune than ever and I demand a Porsche 911 GT3 for Christmas. If after this they also felt like going back to school, know that a day like this with the Porsche Sport Driving School Portugal costs just over 1000 euros. If it's worth it? Of course it is. I was even tempted to fail just to repeat the chairs…
Stay with the gallery of images of this day of high-speed classes:
Images: Gonçalo Maccario