Driving enthusiasts polish skills at YouDrive@Porsche course

On Saturday 10 October, a group of 70 drivers and their partners arrived at Silverstone to put themselves and their own cars to the test at the bespoke Porsche Experience Centre facility for the launch of the first YouDrive@Porsche course offered by Porsche Cars GB.

YouDrive is a fun and action-packed half-day programme for drivers of all backgrounds. It incorporates car handling exercises on the IceHill, kickplate and low friction surfaces as well as well as a chance to try an iconic Porsche 911 sports coupe around the Centre’s outer handling circuit. A diverse selection of cars took to the tracks on Saturday including models from Aston Martin and Audi, a Honda S2000, Mazda MX-5, Nissan 350Z and a Volvo 440 as well as, of course, a number of Porsches.

The course combines the driving elements with an Advanced Theory session, hosted by TV presenter and race driving instructor, Vicki Butler-Henderson where participants can learn, share and discuss everyday driving techniques. Finally, the course involves a range of driver fitness tests at the Porsche Human Performance Centre, created in consultation with Red Bull F1 racing driver, Mark Webber.

Mark Webber has worked with the sports scientists at the Porsche Human Performance Centre and was on hand on Saturday to help launch the YouDrive course and endorse the benefits of physical attributes such as good hand-eye co-ordination, reaction speeds and upper body strength in road driving situations - as well as in a 200mph Grand Prix car. Also present to support the work carried out by the Human Performance Centre was Bradley Smith, a rising motorcycle racing star of the future and currently competing in the 2009 125cc Moto GP.

The YouDrive@Porsche course from the Driving Skills Academy at the Porsche Experience Centre costs £165 and will take place on selected Saturdays throughout 2010. Any car can be used on the course – the driver must be over 21 years old and have held a full driving licence for at least two years. Comprehensive Porsche insurance covers all aspects of the track driving activity. For more information, please visit porsche.co.uk/experience