Canada Car Review: Porsche Camp4

The concept of Porsche's Camp4 can find its roots back 16 years to the chilly nation of Finland, where a group of interested  Porsche owners assembled to test the cold weather abilities of their valuable machines. The event proved a resounding success, and Camp4 was born. The name Camp4 is derived from Carrera4, the all-wheel-drive variant of the 911 which first was first introduced to the public in the winter school setting. Porsche continues to operate Camp4 Finland and it now hosts as many as 1,500 students each year.

Last year a second Camp4 took shape at a little recognized motor sport facility in Notre-Dame de la Merci. Tucked into the wilderness just north of Montreal, Mecaglisse is comprised of two purpose built tracks and a large pair of icy skid pads. Loosely modelled after the Finland effort  Camp4 Canada will help 180 lucky customers discover how much fun you can have while exploring the inherent instability of winter driving in a high-performance automobile.

Classroom

The day begins with a brief classroom lecture where students are introduced to the Camp4 curriculum. The students are reminded of the basic elements of vehicle dynamics, including the principles of over-steer and under-steer, and how the physics change when travelling over snow and ice. The basic elements of proper car control are also examined including the importance of driver vision as well as when to apply driver inputs such as braking, steering, and acceleration.

A quick overview of the facility, track configurations and schedule of events is followed by a quick tutorial regarding the operation of the car's traction and stability control systems.

The goal is to equip the guests with the necessary knowledge and skill set to better handle a car on icy roads, a process that can only be honed through hands-on training behind the wheel in the relative safety of a controlled environment.

The 30 students are then divided into three teams, and each group is assigned an instructor and a spotter. Once paired up with a driving partner you are escorted to the paddock and assigned a car.

The schedule divides the day into three activities, each designed to introduce students to the outer limits of traction and control in an effort to help them recognize the moment when traction is lost. Through instruction and behind the wheel practice the students are taught what steps to take to regain control, and what inputs they can make to keep the car progressing safely forward rather than off the road.

These skills should help drivers become more confident in their winter driving skills. More experienced drivers can sign-up to attend Camp4S, a more advanced course which is also offered at the Mecaglisse facility where speed and technical difficulty are increased accordingly.

If winter driving makes you nervous consider attending Camp4 next season as you will emerge with a better understanding of what it takes to stay control of your vehicle when the going gets slippery, and the skills you learn will go a long way in helping you stay safe on the road. More about aftermarket car parts and car lighting, you can come to carpart4u.com.