Show off your GT, past and present...
Discussion
AlvinSultana said:
I dont enjoy trackdays in it too much because I dare not drive it anywhere near its capabilities. Neither do I enjoy the hoards of faster cheaper disposable cars being thrashed around the average trackday.
On the right trackday, they are great fun.If you do a PCGB track day, you remove the "have to overtake a Porsche at any cost" loons. If you do Silverstone then, bar a couple of corners (an especial case being Woodcote), you have enough run off not to be too worried.
AlvinSultana said:
+1.
If you want to drive the car there is no point buying one that you dare not drive.
I have a 997.2 GT3, bought 3 years ago with 20k miles, now showing 30k miles.
Most of those miles have been on Euro trips; Barcelona, Le Mans, etc.
I dont enjoy trackdays in it too much because I dare not drive it anywhere near its capabilities. Neither do I enjoy the hoards of faster cheaper disposable cars being thrashed around the average trackday.
For me these older cars are now in their element as a GT car rather than a track car. They are too slow if stock, and you will not compete with the guys with a £10k car on track tyres and suspension who arrive with the car on a trailor and may or may not get the car home in one piece.
So if you pay top dollar for a low miles car that you dare not drive for fear of the miles ticking over, neither will you be able to modify it for the track for fear of losing its originality and labelling it as a track slag.
As others have said, get the best car you can based on the care of previous owners rather than mileage, and my personal preference is blasting around Europe rather than trying to corner like a Clio on slicks.
This. 100%.If you want to drive the car there is no point buying one that you dare not drive.
I have a 997.2 GT3, bought 3 years ago with 20k miles, now showing 30k miles.
Most of those miles have been on Euro trips; Barcelona, Le Mans, etc.
I dont enjoy trackdays in it too much because I dare not drive it anywhere near its capabilities. Neither do I enjoy the hoards of faster cheaper disposable cars being thrashed around the average trackday.
For me these older cars are now in their element as a GT car rather than a track car. They are too slow if stock, and you will not compete with the guys with a £10k car on track tyres and suspension who arrive with the car on a trailor and may or may not get the car home in one piece.
So if you pay top dollar for a low miles car that you dare not drive for fear of the miles ticking over, neither will you be able to modify it for the track for fear of losing its originality and labelling it as a track slag.
As others have said, get the best car you can based on the care of previous owners rather than mileage, and my personal preference is blasting around Europe rather than trying to corner like a Clio on slicks.
I stopped enjoying going round in circles with no real purpose (not racing or timing) a few years ago with the prevalence of track days being used as race-car test sessions, and chest-beating proving grounds. In a £70k+ road car I'd much rather head to the Alps.. or Yorkshire.
Steve Rance said:
To counter that all GT cars are built to endure regular track use and their performance windows cannot be pushed anywhere near thier capabilities on the road. There is nothing like driving a GT Porsche on the circuit.
Without doubt.Same could be said of most of the previous cars I've tracked. Maybe I've been unlucky, chosen providers unwisely of late, or got old, but track days just don't do it for me anymore. Depending on the track, the journey there and back has often been more enjoyable for me. Perhaps we're attempting to compare road trips with track days for enjoyment, and this speaks volumes about the broad capabilities and appeal of GT Porsches, and the fact that we're all different in the way we derive pleasure. I for one would certainly enjoy track days a lot more if they were less densely populated, didn't allow race cars, and enforced driving standards more diligently.
The 997 will get an outing or two this year (if I can find something suitable that isn't booked-up already!) - if only to test whether I've been unlucky and whether my feelings towards track days are the same with this car. If anyone has any recommendations as to which organiser to go with I'm all ears.
Sounds daft, but I have said it before, one of the most enjoyable half days I had on track was on the PEC Silverstone, in my own car.
Using all of the low friction and skid type setups, in parallel with the tracks was a completely different sort of learning curve to merely being on track (which in itself I really love) and sort of fast tracked your seat-of-the-pants feel for the car.
FWIW, I think others on PH have done similar stuff at places like Millbrook.
Using all of the low friction and skid type setups, in parallel with the tracks was a completely different sort of learning curve to merely being on track (which in itself I really love) and sort of fast tracked your seat-of-the-pants feel for the car.
FWIW, I think others on PH have done similar stuff at places like Millbrook.
Digga said:
Sounds daft, but I have said it before, one of the most enjoyable half days I had on track was on the PEC Silverstone, in my own car.
Using all of the low friction and skid type setups, in parallel with the tracks was a completely different sort of learning curve to merely being on track (which in itself I really love) and sort of fast tracked your seat-of-the-pants feel for the car.
FWIW, I think others on PH have done similar stuff at places like Millbrook.
I've done the Silverstone thing 3 times, but never in my own car - which I can imagine would be both very entertaining, and also educational/more pertinent. I'll look into it.Using all of the low friction and skid type setups, in parallel with the tracks was a completely different sort of learning curve to merely being on track (which in itself I really love) and sort of fast tracked your seat-of-the-pants feel for the car.
FWIW, I think others on PH have done similar stuff at places like Millbrook.
ChrisW. said:
Any PCGB day ?
Coaching is available, the cars are exciting and in normal times there are passenger rides ....
Cadwell Park is tomorrow ... organised through MSV ...
Thanks. Sadly I'm not able to drop everything for this tomorrow, but I have looked at further PCGB availability and there's not much left! Donington on the 17th of August is looking favourable though. Are the PCGB events exclusive to PCGB members or are they "tagged on" to general MSV track days such they then represent a majority? Noise issues? I have previously done the no noise limit days at Donington but I cannot see information on the PCGB site about the noise limits for this particular event. My car is louder than standard, and having been denied an outing at Castle Combe I'm not keen to repeat that exercise, so will do some more research before committing.Coaching is available, the cars are exciting and in normal times there are passenger rides ....
Cadwell Park is tomorrow ... organised through MSV ...
By the looks of it though I'll need to be quick to book.
My general experience of PCGB days is that the courtesy between drivers - slower drivers watching their mirrors and faster drivers not tailgating and bullying their way around - is excellent.
The days are strictly PCGB and almost entirely Porsche. I think, if memory serves, if you've booked but can;t use your Porsche for some reason you are allowed to use an alternative, but it's an exception.
The biggest problem, with most open track days, is the "must overtake a Porsche" nutters, who will use any opportunity and area on the track - even the corners where they aren't supposed to - to get one over on you. This is normally, IME, when you have already had to slow, in order to politely wait, for a safe/legal place to pass another car, they they steam into the the braking zone and pass two cars by the apex.
I have no experience, but imagine this issue also affects other brands, Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini too.
The days are strictly PCGB and almost entirely Porsche. I think, if memory serves, if you've booked but can;t use your Porsche for some reason you are allowed to use an alternative, but it's an exception.
The biggest problem, with most open track days, is the "must overtake a Porsche" nutters, who will use any opportunity and area on the track - even the corners where they aren't supposed to - to get one over on you. This is normally, IME, when you have already had to slow, in order to politely wait, for a safe/legal place to pass another car, they they steam into the the braking zone and pass two cars by the apex.
I have no experience, but imagine this issue also affects other brands, Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini too.
A GT car of any flavour is capable of keeping pace with the more modern stuff if driven well. The best thing about GT Porkers is you’re always learning about them. At their limits they come alive even more so and demand more of their drivers. Road trips are enjoyable, no doubt, but these cars deserve to be unleashed on track where they shine and you appreciate the Porsche GT magic dust.
Reality is that there is a variety of abilities of both car and driver at trackdays. I’ve always been happy enough to go at my own pace. Some days I might be amongst the quickest. Other days with race drivers and the like, definitely not so much! There’s even a skill to learn at keeping the pace up whilst being overtaken safely and at a place on the circuit of your choosing whilst not slowing down your fellow track day punter. It’s true that there would be the odd guy looking to scalp a Porsche, but just back off and let them on their way. Don’t let it keep you away and do find a Track Day Organiser that you trust and enjoy the set up. For example Goldtrack for the excellent driving standards or maybe Goodwood for a more relaxed sessioned event (less traffic).
I’ve been the guy in the stripped out 172 Cup as well as the guy in the GT3 so can see if from both perspectives. It’s ultimately about having fun in a reasonably safe manner and not racing one another but different driver and vehicle abilities should be able to co-exist just fine with a well organised TDO.
Reality is that there is a variety of abilities of both car and driver at trackdays. I’ve always been happy enough to go at my own pace. Some days I might be amongst the quickest. Other days with race drivers and the like, definitely not so much! There’s even a skill to learn at keeping the pace up whilst being overtaken safely and at a place on the circuit of your choosing whilst not slowing down your fellow track day punter. It’s true that there would be the odd guy looking to scalp a Porsche, but just back off and let them on their way. Don’t let it keep you away and do find a Track Day Organiser that you trust and enjoy the set up. For example Goldtrack for the excellent driving standards or maybe Goodwood for a more relaxed sessioned event (less traffic).
I’ve been the guy in the stripped out 172 Cup as well as the guy in the GT3 so can see if from both perspectives. It’s ultimately about having fun in a reasonably safe manner and not racing one another but different driver and vehicle abilities should be able to co-exist just fine with a well organised TDO.
This is a great vid with a cup of tea , WRX was the States biggest seller after this .
https://youtu.be/DRg5Sp1iQMc
https://youtu.be/DRg5Sp1iQMc
Heathrow said:
I’ve been the guy in the stripped out 172 Cup as well as the guy in the GT3 so can see if from both perspectives...
I may once have overtaken two 911's through Copse, one round the outside on the entry and the other inside as he oversteered onto the outer kerb.If it sounds like I am bigging-up my driving skills, I'm not. Any fool could have managed it. I was driving a TVR Tuscan Challenge race car. 450hp, 850kg and slick tyres the trackday equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel.
Melvynr said:
What cones and trucks
Shame its a nissan, i bet the biker at the end had a moment when it squeezed in between the bike and cones.
Must come over sometime,nearly made it for the 3 hillclimb challenge.
Yellow491 said:
What cones and trucks
Shame its a nissan, i bet the biker at the end had a moment when it squeezed in between the bike and cones.
Must come over sometime,nearly made it for the 3 hillclimb challenge.
They put the cones down to stop the nutters , especially up at the Bungalow.Yes, I only posted the Nissan because it was a nice clear vid and to give some idea of a bit of fun you can have on the 9 mile stretch, sadly hasn't happened the last couple of years .You Got to watch the bikes with the white plates which are the Germans who get a bit mixed up at times with the left hand driving and racing line.Shame its a nissan, i bet the biker at the end had a moment when it squeezed in between the bike and cones.
Must come over sometime,nearly made it for the 3 hillclimb challenge.
You must come as anyone who loves driving will find it epic over the 2 week one way system, its also well policed and they will let you have your fun without being silly to drive at your own pace.I always used to go out at around 5 in the morning when its quiet to get a few runs in.
I looked into doing the hillclimb myself, But it wasn't as simple as I thought, due to getting a special license and insurance and what have you to enter.Still watch them though and they dont need to be going hard to appreciate some of the motors.
Its a fab 2 weeks and anyone looking to come over needs to book a year in advance for the ferry and accommodation .We will look after you, and happy to take your money, but most importantly hopefully put you back on the ferry the same way as you arrived.
D.no said:
AlvinSultana said:
+1.
If you want to drive the car there is no point buying one that you dare not drive.
I have a 997.2 GT3, bought 3 years ago with 20k miles, now showing 30k miles.
Most of those miles have been on Euro trips; Barcelona, Le Mans, etc.
I dont enjoy trackdays in it too much because I dare not drive it anywhere near its capabilities. Neither do I enjoy the hoards of faster cheaper disposable cars being thrashed around the average trackday.
For me these older cars are now in their element as a GT car rather than a track car. They are too slow if stock, and you will not compete with the guys with a £10k car on track tyres and suspension who arrive with the car on a trailor and may or may not get the car home in one piece.
So if you pay top dollar for a low miles car that you dare not drive for fear of the miles ticking over, neither will you be able to modify it for the track for fear of losing its originality and labelling it as a track slag.
As others have said, get the best car you can based on the care of previous owners rather than mileage, and my personal preference is blasting around Europe rather than trying to corner like a Clio on slicks.
This. 100%.If you want to drive the car there is no point buying one that you dare not drive.
I have a 997.2 GT3, bought 3 years ago with 20k miles, now showing 30k miles.
Most of those miles have been on Euro trips; Barcelona, Le Mans, etc.
I dont enjoy trackdays in it too much because I dare not drive it anywhere near its capabilities. Neither do I enjoy the hoards of faster cheaper disposable cars being thrashed around the average trackday.
For me these older cars are now in their element as a GT car rather than a track car. They are too slow if stock, and you will not compete with the guys with a £10k car on track tyres and suspension who arrive with the car on a trailor and may or may not get the car home in one piece.
So if you pay top dollar for a low miles car that you dare not drive for fear of the miles ticking over, neither will you be able to modify it for the track for fear of losing its originality and labelling it as a track slag.
As others have said, get the best car you can based on the care of previous owners rather than mileage, and my personal preference is blasting around Europe rather than trying to corner like a Clio on slicks.
I stopped enjoying going round in circles with no real purpose (not racing or timing) a few years ago with the prevalence of track days being used as race-car test sessions, and chest-beating proving grounds. In a £70k+ road car I'd much rather head to the Alps.. or Yorkshire.
Part of it is having mechanical sympathy for my now 11 year old RS which is on ceramics, but fundamentally I think I do prefer a good road trip over a track day. Apart from the obvious upsides of the scenery and the variety of corners, I really just love the discipline of getting past slower moving vehicles quickly but respectfully, and the car just eggs you on in the best way
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