Calling it a Porsche Experience Centre sounds a tad boring, but if given the liberty we’d rather called it a Porsche Theme Park which the iconic sports car manufacturer has inaugurated at a cost of US$ 100 million. Built over an area of 27 acres, the Porsche Complex is located on the north east corner of Atlanta International Airport which Porsche assumes to be lucratively placed to attract 30,000 visitors every year.
Once inside the Porsche Experience Centre, visitors could make their purchases on Porsche accessories from a Porsche Exclusive- Personal Design Studio and in the meantime the billing formalities are complete- one can take a quick bite or satisfy their appetite leisurely at the Carrera Cafe’ or Restaurant 356.
Then there is the Classic Car Gallery & Restoration Center with a workshop and lounge area where Porsche owners could park their cars to the legendary lineup while at the same time make high-end storage purchases to add to their collection. A Mini Porsche reference library would add to your overall knowledge about the heritage including history and whereabouts of all of vintage Porsche cars on the planet.
But the best part of the Porsche Experience Centre has to be the 1.6 mile track where visitors can choose from 77 various models of Porsche to drive around. The circuit is rather more technical with its tight corners than a flat out race track and it would the drivers and their skills to test. Porsche has also thrown in a skid pad, a kick plate, a dynamic area, lower friction handling curves to add to the thrill factor for the drivers. If that wasn’t all, there is an off road section where one could put something like a Porsche Cayenne to test. An hour and half of driving time around the track would cost you anywhere from $300 to $350- which we feel is still a bargain. At present, the drive is already overbooked by four months and it’s obvious to expect the waiting list to go higher. Hence in case you are planning it yourself- we’d say do it immediately.
Here’s a demonstration of what driving would be like:
For non-driving enthusiasts, there is an ever cheaper option. A $35 for half an hour’s time- visitors could try their hands at the Porsche’s Driving Simulator Lab taking virtual laps of the 917, 919 or a 911 RSR on a series of track with different driver assists and weather conditions.
Also visitors can drop in at the Porsche’s Human Performance Center where one could find out as to the rigorous regime that Porsche’s factory drivers have to undergo to stay fit.
But before you pack your bags for this Porsche Pilgrimage, we’d suggest you hold back. Reservations need to be made in advance online. But we’d say it would be worth a visit- at $35 to get you inside the premises and play around on Porsche’s advanced simulator, it’s nothing less than a bargain.