Track Time in a Cayman: A Day to Remember at Thruxton

I was at Thruxton Circuit, the UK's fastest racetrack, for a Porsche Cayman driving experience.

This wasn't a leuisurely cruise. It was a chance to explore what a mid-engined sports car can really do when freed from the limits of public roads. It was also a chance to prove my own driving skills.

I expected it to be fast- but I didnt expect how much it would teach me about driving. What followed was part adrenaline, part education, and completely unforgettable.

Driving into Thruxton, the first thing I noticed was how open the circuit feels- fast straights stretching out under wide skies. The pit area was bustling with activity: groups of eager drivers and instructors, Tiff Needell being one of them.

Inside the welcome centre, we were greeted by friendly staff who gave me a racing pack, with all the information I needed for the day.

Next came the safety briefing. It was short, but thorough covering the layout of Thruxton, the basics of racing lines, braking zones, and- most importantly- how to listen to the instructors. "Smooth is fast" they said, and that stuck with me.

I was then given a sighting lap in a Ford Puma. Information taught in the briefing was shown first hand on the track, preparing me for the real thing.

Thruxton Porsche Cayman One to One

Sliding into the Cayman's cockpit, it enveloped me like a glove. The seating position was low but comfortable, with a clear view out the front. The steering, pedals and paddles fell to hand very easily. I then exited the pitlane.

The first few laps were about building confidence. The car felt tight, responsive, but not intimidating. The brakes had bite, the throttle response was crispt, and the steering gave back every ounce of road texture.

My instructure calmly guided me: "Brake earlier, then ease off into the corner... eyes up... now feed in the power." Each lap, I felt a littler smoother, a little braver, a littler faster.

Thruxton's layout is a dream for this car: fast curves, long straights, and just enough technicality to test your nerve.

After each chicane, I gunned it and the Cayman responded with a sonorous grumble. I felt I was thrashing it, even though the Cayman wasn't even trying.

For all I knew, the instructure was actually scoring me on a variety of aspects. But thankfully he was impressed with my driving, claiming I was very smooth and in control of the car.

Overall, the experience was very rewarding. Seeing improvement in myself was very addictive, and I wanted to carry on all day. But I couldn't.

Unsurprisingly, the Caymen itself was very impressive. I had never driven a Porsche prior, but was everything that I imagined it should be.

It is an experience I would thoroughly recommend to anyone. Whether your a novice- or not- you won't be dissapointed.