Carpokes Porsche Forum

Our small group inaugurated the new configuration at Polecat Training Center yesterday, Sep 23rd. It's been mostly ready for about 6-months but was waiting on a few safety enhancements. More improvements on the way.

We've unofficially christened the two courses w/their new names: PTC Club and PTC Pro. Both layouts are fun and challenging. Good elevation changes, tight and demanding of full attention. The latest config eliminates four turns.

cool. where?

It's in Tennessee about 30 miles north of the AL border, sort of between Lynchburg and Fayetteville. It's in the middle of nowhere and is very peaceful and relaxing. Gorgeous area and a nice drive for me to and from home. (Takes me about 1.5 hours each way,)

https://www.ptcdriving.com/

Interesting looking track and the Formula Cars look like the old Bertie Roos Racing School machines. Are their future plans to develop more paddock space as it looks super limited and that would surely limit SCCA or NASA events, along with various Marquee ones, since trailer space looks awfully small. I bet the track is a riot though, with some good straight sections and with 120 ft of elevation it likely has plenty of character. I probably need to get down there some time as the two main tracks I run are just a bit over 2.1 miles long also. Thanks for posting, but I gotta ask, " Do you have any in car video of the course?"

Hi Bill. You read some of what I had posted about PTC back in August regarding the school, the cars and the origins. A few things about the training center are scattered about Carpokes in various threads.

A couple of those links:

viewtopic.php?t=1977
viewtopic.php?t=1986

The school's cars were obtained from Skip Barber & Bertil Roos, along with a few others.

There is more paddock space that is kind of hidden. Having said that, it is a small facility and a tight track. I don't see any SCCA or NASA-type racing happening there anytime soon but it could happen eventually as the facility grows. However, entry counts would be very limited in that scenario.

As you might have noticed, they are involved somewhat in LE and Mil driving instruction and that will continue to grow I think.

As for videos, those are posted in the racing sub-forum ("Post track videos here!" as linked above). You thanked and commented on some of that back in August so probably a bit redundant for me to re-post them here. I'll post some track laps of the new config from this past weekend in that thread when/if I get caught up.

Now remember, I am allowed at least one Senior moment each week and I will admit having done the Bertil Roos school years back I remembered the cars, and that prompted my quick response. Let's hope they do look into NASA or SCCA along with PCA for events, as that will really help the bottom line, but they have done some cool stuff and having a School in Southern Tennessee means they can have a fairly long School Schedule. I run a track that is somewhat similar to the configuration with the longer straight and it actually races quite well ---- it sure looks like there might be some solid braking zones for passing if they do eventually have a race.

Has the Regional PCA had a DE there yet?

WillyDaP wrote: Tue Sep 26, 2023 4:43 am Now remember, I am allowed at least one Senior moment each week and I will admit having done the Bertil Roos school years back I remembered the cars, and that prompted my quick response. Let's hope they do look into NASA or SCCA along with PCA for events, as that will really help the bottom line, but they have done some cool stuff and having a School in Southern Tennessee means they can have a fairly long School Schedule. I run a track that is somewhat similar to the configuration with the longer straight and it actually races quite well ---- it sure looks like there might be some solid braking zones for passing if they do eventually have a race.

Has the Regional PCA had a DE there yet?

Most of what's being done now is schooling, training and more or less private track days. No PCA events yet. Our region doesn't do DE's but another region was planning one but apparently backed out. No instructors for one, plus PCA's inflexible rules. I have enjoyed PCA events in the past but they can be a bit over the top in some respects, especially regarding DE's with their rigid rules, insurance and such. And they are always quite crowded.

Instruction at PTC is also an issue - none from PCA are qualified for the track. They sent an instructor for familiarization who was supposedly a great driver but as I was told this past weekend, his driving left a lot to be desired. (I'm sure it would have improved with more time.)

Regarding instruction, right seat is not always the best anyway in my opinion, especially once someone has had a few track days. Lead/follow is superior in many ways - it's what the pros do and it works. Unfortunately, PCA events can't or won't employ that method.

Polecat is best as a facility for those who have a bit of experience. If beginners, then they need to go through track days elsewhere first or better yet, go through PTC's open-wheel training classes. That's the ticket!

Looks like a great place to track a car! And some pretty nice cars in the area too! Not to highjack, but is that an orange GT4RS between the Lamborghini and Corvette? Any idea what color orange it it?

It's Pastel Orange - Ross is a friend and a huge Porsche guy.

Also Kevin's brand new GT4RS is in one of the the pics and is maybe Gulf Blue? (It's the 4RS next to the other greenish Lambo that was also brand new.) I'll try to find out for sure what his PTS was.

Tom, I verified that Kevin's GT4RS is Gulf Blue.