The Porsche Centre Downtown (PCDT) driving tour kicked off with an enthusiastic group of UCR members ready to embark on a unique adventure. This year’s tour started at the PCDT site right on Lakeshore, where all were treated to their fill of coffee and trays of decadent baked goods – the time lending itself raucous exchanges with familiar faces. The driving segment commenced a bit later than usual, at 10 am, due to parking logistics at HIP Motorsports (more on that a bit further on), but the excitement in the air was palpable as 35 Porsches rolled out of the PCDT parking lot.
From the get-go, the route was designed to blend cityscapes with open roads, taking participants from downtown Toronto through scenic Lakeshore streets and up to Steeles Avenue. The convoy cruised along Steeles, surrounded farther East by wide-open fields, showcasing the beautiful contrast between the urban core and the surrounding countryside.
The route then transitioned to more liberating sections, allowing drivers to experience the power of their vehicles. As Matthew Held – the event organizer – explained, these stretches were chosen to allow participants to “open the throttle and truly feel the thrill of driving a Porsche.” It was here that everyone’s enthusiasm heightened.
However, the tour was not without its surprises. As Held pointed out, “With the course all set up three days before the planned date, invariably there was the surprise with one of the segments being completely closed. The ensuing challenge posed an interesting array of contingencies by each group leader.” Despite this unexpected detour, the group leaders successfully guided participants through alternate paths, ensuring the spirit of the journey remained intact.
The convoy continued southward, passing by the future site of the Porsche Experience Centre (PEC). Although a stop at the PEC had initially been planned, the schedule was a bit tight, so the group proceeded directly to their next destination – HIP Motorsports.
Arriving at HIP Motorsports, participants were greeted with a buffet lunch featuring a variety of options. This definitely helped set a welcoming atmosphere as drivers enjoyed their meal, and exchanged stories about the morning’s highlights. It was a moment to relax and recharge before the next activity—the highly anticipated sim racing competition.
The idea for including sim racing came from a discussion with the team at PCDT, inspired by a previous event for dealer staff, and it proved to be a perfect fit for the driving tour. In turn this became the impetus for their generously sponsoring the entire afternoon of sim time for the group. After lunch, participants were split into three groups to take turns on the simulators. For many, this was their first experience in a racing simulator, and the thrill of virtual racing provided a whole new set of challenges compared to driving our real cars. The steering, braking, and acceleration all required finesse, and while some struggled to adjust, others thrived, taking on the virtual track with competitive zeal.
Following the test of driver skills and endurance, the top honours for the sim racing competition went to Lee Wipper, whose smooth handling and strategic approach made him the fastest on the track. Close behind in second place was David Ip, who impressed everyone with his fearless driving style. Rounding out the top three was Nassim Darbal, whose consistency earned him a well-deserved spot on the podium.
As the day ended, it was clear that the Porsche Centre Downtown driving tour offered more than just a journey through scenic roads. It provided a perfect blend of camaraderie, driving thrills, and a fresh experience with sim racing that left everyone with lasting memories. Whether on the open road or in the virtual world, the spirit of Porsche passion is alive and well. With smiles all around and new stories to share, participants left with a sense of excitement for the next UCR adventure. </>
Story by Marc Etherington / Photography by Tour Participants
