The 911 Turbo is stupid fast, but that’s a good thing.

A first-time track driver takes on Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in a bevy of Porsche’s hottest models, and learns that speed isn’t everything

SEPANG, MALAYSIA — Managing emotions can be one of the most challenging aspects of motorsports. The mental game is such a critical part for proper focus; it allows peak physical performance to occur in almost any activity.

Take pre-race pressure as an example. Typically, a young driver can be very anxious or nervous, leading to distraction from the real task at hand.

“So, we’re going to do three laps basically. Important to keep your hand 9:15, like this. Don’t move your hand down the steering wheel. We keep the same position on track. It is important,” says pro racer Benjamin Rouget, sitting next to me.

My heart races. My face turns bright red. “We’re good to go” says a voice over the walkie-talkie. Rouget and I slowly approach the pit exit and zoom off. How on Earth did I get here?

Well, all this was taking place at the Sepang Formula One Circuit in Malaysia. I was among the lucky few who were invited to take part in this year’s Porsche Driving Experience that took place on June 9th and 10th.

For best results, leave the top down: the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet at Sepang International Circuit.

The assemblage of cars included the 911 Turbo, 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, Cayman GTS, Panamera S, Panamera and Cayenne S E-Hybrid. Or basically a garage fit for a king, or someone who has an excess of $3 million.

My first test car was the 911 Turbo. Rather than being nervous about being behind the wheel of a car that has 520 horsepower, goes from 0 to 100km/h in only 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 315km/h, I started to think about what I could do to make the most of my on-road driving experience.

But here in Porsche-land, I had traction control to not only to keep me out of a ditch but also to make me faster around the track. So the car pretty much did most of the driving for me.

The 911 Turbo was always in the right gear. Want an apex? Point and shoot. Like the GT3, the 911 Turbo uses rear active steering for more maneuverability at low speeds and more stability at high speeds.The car makes you believe that you are a better driver than you are.

I aim for the shortest possible line, clip at the apex of SIC’s Turn 9 and then get progressive with the power and accelerate. This is the slowest corner of the circuit, a tight, uphill left-handed hairpin.

It’s a mid-engine love affair with the Cayman GTS.

“Unlike the GT3, the turbo is powerful but not hard to drive,” says Rouget as he lets me enjoy the car. And that was something which I did. Even as a Panamera (310bhp, 0 to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds) behind me began to overtake, I reminded myself that speed wasn’t everything.

Rouget was calm and composed the whole time we were on the track. I on the other hand, was yelling, whooping, laughing, and generally scaring myself silly in the slick conditions — “thrilling” barely begins to describe the experience I had.

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After a few back-to-back hot laps, I started to feel pressure around my temples. By now I was in my fifth car, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid. Because of the vehicle’s high centre of gravity, this gave taking a car out for a spin a whole new meaning.

The Cayenne S E-Hybrid’s claimed 0 to 100km/h time has improved by 0.6 seconds over the the old Cayenne S Hybrid at 5.9sec. Top speed has also increased incrementally at 243km/h. And for a vehicle that weighs 2350kg, acceleration is instant.

I spun out of control momentarily while in the Cayenne tackling Turn 9. There was a bit of smoke as my rear wheels hit the edge of the track ripping out a small chunk of grass. I put my foot to the brakes before straightening out and accelerated too soon, my instructor explained to me while I straightened myself out.

Head-spinning fun: The Cayenne S E-Hybrid, a gargantuan go-kart with real cornering swagger. 

By the end of my three laps in the Cayenne, I was forced to take my helmet off by what had now become a throbbing headache. Pro racing drivers have their helmets uniquely tailored to their measurements. This is done by first scanning the driver’s head and then creating a life-size mould out of it. Isn’t technology great?

Standing by the paddock, I took a minute to appreciate the pain. And then I took another to breathe in the burnt rubber on tarmac before hopping into the Cayman GTS.

The Cayman was to be the last car I drove that day. By then, I had done 15 laps and was altogether more familiar with the track. I was used to going at 200km/h without having to worry about on-coming traffic or a sneaky speed camera. But more important than any of that, was the simple thrill of it all.

Being a mid-engine sports car, the Cayman was agile, fun and involving to drive. The feel through the brake pedal, steering wheel and even the seats lets you know how much grip there is. The Cayman puts out 340hp, can reach a top speed of 283km/h and can go from 0 to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

Mind you, the Cayman GTS is by no means the fastest Porsche around. It is however full of vim and vigor, handles extraordinarily well, and is spritely, making it my favourite car of the lot.

If you’ve never driven in the close confines of a track, you might find this experience claustrophobic. But if you were born with that need for speed in your bones, then well, this is just the place to break bad.