Hehehe... you haven't driven some of the crap cars I have then! There is MUCH more than "seat of the pants" evidence to back up the use of strut braces on MANY cars. There's a reason the FRP's (and tons like them) come with them from the factory... it's because they've been proven to not only work, but to actually be necessary on the track, in that platform. BUT: you are SO right, that most strut braces are simply posing. this goes hand in hand with Silver's comment about the exaggerated claims of the aftermarket parts industry. So Right On.
As to Driver's Education: absolutely no question that good education provides better bang for the buck than any modification one could make when starting out at the track. I said so above, as well. So can we please let that sleeping dog be? haha.
Seriously: this is an age-old statement that comes out every time anyone on any enthusiast forum says they want to track their car. it should ABSOLUTELY be a person's FIRST investment. But to suggest that it remains the best bang for the buck, regardless of how much training or track time a person has is simply false. A person reaches a point where performance upgrades to the car outweigh the "bang / buck" ratio of education. Not that one shouldn't continue to learn; they must. But the cost of that time becomes more expensive than the upgrades. WHERE that point occurs has EVERYTHING to do with how expensive the improvements are, and how much track time and education a person has.
I can tell you that, as a former racing instructor (Superbikes, not cars) it becomes very, very frustrating trying to teach someone advanced skills when their equipment isn't up to the task.
I've watched and watched for years, and I hate to say that I've noticed a trend on the internet (and even to some extent in the paddock) where a newcomer arrives and expresses an interest in going racing (or just HPDE's), and so many people hit him with the negative vibe that he crawls back away and goes back to street-racing. I was always the guy who'd see those squids and quickly gather them in and tell them how awesome their modifications looked, and then tell them how simple it is to get to the racetrack to try them out. Of course, the very first thing we hit them with then is the cost/benefit of rider training versus putting a pipe on their bike, haha, just like you have, JFP! :-) But I don't tell them not to improve their brakes, or buy a steering damper, or GET A HELMET! haha. Let them spend their money where they want. And if I know their bike, and I know what it responds to, I'll tell them that too. As long as they're planning to do the education as well, why no let them improve their equipment?
frankly: anyone getting on the track will immediately understand the difference between those who can / can't. It's much more obvious than the difference between those who have / haven't. haha.
Thanks for all your help, y'all. I'm going to spend a little more time cruising around the forum. There's got to be some people on this forum who've turned their own wrenches on these things, and know what they respond well to. And should I be so lucky to have purchased the ONE CAR in the HISTORY of CARS that doesn't have any flaws when you push it hard.... then I'll be a Porsche-guy for life! :-)
Thanks Y'all!