My driving thread
Discussion
As I finally figured out how to put up a thread, I figured I would try to do something driving related and ignore values of cars and all that stuff. I am not sure where to post this, but figured GG is as good as any place. It will take a while to put relevant content on this as I do it while I try to actually drive cars and I am usually really bad at taking pictures or videos. I apologize in advance if this is boring, but at least then there are plenty of other threads to read.
So we are starting with last weekend at the Red Bull Ring - I had high hopes for the weekend as it was the second time driving my new car (which I bought in January and then had shipped over from the UK, but COVID made getting it on track difficult). Only managed 10-15 minutes, then blew out a wet tyre (and after trying slicks in the damp, I decided to call it a day) ....
First time spinning a car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CngJSichfHc
First time blowing out a tyre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWugUcmGSuE
I don’t have pictures of the day but will add some going forward
Now back at the RBR and the GT race is on tomorrow, so hopefully I can get some pics or video to post And then add more on Monday when I am on track again
I will be going on a trip across the alps with a couple of road cars next weekend, so then hopefully a few pics and driving impressions will follow
So we are starting with last weekend at the Red Bull Ring - I had high hopes for the weekend as it was the second time driving my new car (which I bought in January and then had shipped over from the UK, but COVID made getting it on track difficult). Only managed 10-15 minutes, then blew out a wet tyre (and after trying slicks in the damp, I decided to call it a day) ....
First time spinning a car
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CngJSichfHc
First time blowing out a tyre
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWugUcmGSuE
I don’t have pictures of the day but will add some going forward
Now back at the RBR and the GT race is on tomorrow, so hopefully I can get some pics or video to post And then add more on Monday when I am on track again
I will be going on a trip across the alps with a couple of road cars next weekend, so then hopefully a few pics and driving impressions will follow
And copied from another thread I posted in a few days ago
Now that I have driven the GT3 a little bit (not had in on track yet, so only road driving comparison for now), I think it is ultimately as I had expected a more satisfying driving experience than the Scuderia. While I do like the F1 box and think it is overall quite fun for a paddle shift transmission, it is still so much less “interactive” than a good manual. While heel and toe downshifting might be second nature to better drivers than I am, it still gives me one additional thing to think about and focus on, so just adds that little bit extra.
In terms of sound, I think the GT3 actually sounds better than the Ferrari - at least from inside the car. The Scuderia makes more noise and is overall a much louder car thanks to - I think - even less sound insulation and the borderline anti-social exhaust with the flaps open, which on the one hand is quite fun but on the other hand can get a little tiring over longer distances. Can’t really hear the radio in either car once one is higher up in the rev range.
The Porsche feels harder in terms of suspension and the wider tyres tramline more and require more caution in the wet (both are on Cup 2).
Given I haven’t had the Porsche on track yet, I can’t really opine on ultimate road holding, but it doesn’t feel like it would be slower around a track.
I prefer the weighting of the steering in the Porsche - it communicates more information than the over-servoed Ferrari rack. Ferrari steering always seemed a little too light And remote to me until you fully load it up under hard cornering (again not something you really experience on the road).
In terms of acceleration I am not sure which one is faster - the Porsche certainly does not feel slow on the autobahn - I suspect the Ferrari is faster at higher speeds, but will need to drive them back to back to better judge it.
I much prefer the seats in the Porsche, they hold you in place much better - maybe it is also a body shape thing as I have a relatively narrow torso/am quite small. It is also nice to have the option of a 3-point belt as the 4-point harness in the Ferrari can be a bit annoying when trying to turn out of streets (and on track the 4-point is still not as good as a proper 6-point harness - so arguably it is the worst of both worlds).
The lack of air con is actually not as bad as I thought it might be, I tend to drive with the windows open anyway. It does get hot though.
The Porsche is easier to place on the road and the narrower body does make a difference -
Finally in terms of cost - i am less worried about the Porsche throwing a big bill than the Ferrari (which manages to cost an arm and a leg on a regular basis) and I am always worried about the clutch eventually packing it in when sittting in a traffic jam for longer periods of time, esp when going uphill. The Ferrari also costs c 50% more in terms of insurance.
Will do a driving trip with a couple of friends in a few weeks when I will be able to drive the 2 cars back to back (and the above M Coupe, which belongs to my brother), so should be able to add additional thoughts then. I feel both cars are a little too fast for the road assuming you value your license / stick to speed limits, but with the Porsche you at least have more feedback and more interaction, which makes it a more pleasant road car for me. To really experience these cars properly, I think a track is the only way to go.
I suspect - from where I am at today - the Scuderia will be sold next year Tas I can’t really afford to keep all my cars. As usual, it will probably be at the worst possible time / the lowest achievable value for the next decade or so - people should buy when I sell something - usually a good indicator for the best time to buy.....
Now that I have driven the GT3 a little bit (not had in on track yet, so only road driving comparison for now), I think it is ultimately as I had expected a more satisfying driving experience than the Scuderia. While I do like the F1 box and think it is overall quite fun for a paddle shift transmission, it is still so much less “interactive” than a good manual. While heel and toe downshifting might be second nature to better drivers than I am, it still gives me one additional thing to think about and focus on, so just adds that little bit extra.
In terms of sound, I think the GT3 actually sounds better than the Ferrari - at least from inside the car. The Scuderia makes more noise and is overall a much louder car thanks to - I think - even less sound insulation and the borderline anti-social exhaust with the flaps open, which on the one hand is quite fun but on the other hand can get a little tiring over longer distances. Can’t really hear the radio in either car once one is higher up in the rev range.
The Porsche feels harder in terms of suspension and the wider tyres tramline more and require more caution in the wet (both are on Cup 2).
Given I haven’t had the Porsche on track yet, I can’t really opine on ultimate road holding, but it doesn’t feel like it would be slower around a track.
I prefer the weighting of the steering in the Porsche - it communicates more information than the over-servoed Ferrari rack. Ferrari steering always seemed a little too light And remote to me until you fully load it up under hard cornering (again not something you really experience on the road).
In terms of acceleration I am not sure which one is faster - the Porsche certainly does not feel slow on the autobahn - I suspect the Ferrari is faster at higher speeds, but will need to drive them back to back to better judge it.
I much prefer the seats in the Porsche, they hold you in place much better - maybe it is also a body shape thing as I have a relatively narrow torso/am quite small. It is also nice to have the option of a 3-point belt as the 4-point harness in the Ferrari can be a bit annoying when trying to turn out of streets (and on track the 4-point is still not as good as a proper 6-point harness - so arguably it is the worst of both worlds).
The lack of air con is actually not as bad as I thought it might be, I tend to drive with the windows open anyway. It does get hot though.
The Porsche is easier to place on the road and the narrower body does make a difference -
Finally in terms of cost - i am less worried about the Porsche throwing a big bill than the Ferrari (which manages to cost an arm and a leg on a regular basis) and I am always worried about the clutch eventually packing it in when sittting in a traffic jam for longer periods of time, esp when going uphill. The Ferrari also costs c 50% more in terms of insurance.
Will do a driving trip with a couple of friends in a few weeks when I will be able to drive the 2 cars back to back (and the above M Coupe, which belongs to my brother), so should be able to add additional thoughts then. I feel both cars are a little too fast for the road assuming you value your license / stick to speed limits, but with the Porsche you at least have more feedback and more interaction, which makes it a more pleasant road car for me. To really experience these cars properly, I think a track is the only way to go.
I suspect - from where I am at today - the Scuderia will be sold next year Tas I can’t really afford to keep all my cars. As usual, it will probably be at the worst possible time / the lowest achievable value for the next decade or so - people should buy when I sell something - usually a good indicator for the best time to buy.....
Julian Thompson said:
Hi thanks for the thread can you give us an idea which GT3 you have and what spec your scud is because it looks more like a challenge car to me and so I can’t make sense of what you’re saying. Sorry if I’m being a bit thick.
Bit of info in the OP’s garage...which contains a great selection of cars! Very envious 
A G63 as a tow car too 
Julian Thompson said:
Great stuff yes I do tend to agree that the Porsche GT cars make that super high performance feel reliable and repeatable in a way that the Ferrari can’t.
I think I’d take the GT3RS overall but it would be a tough call!
Ferrari just feels more special (road cars)I think I’d take the GT3RS overall but it would be a tough call!
I will post my thoughts on the challenge on Monday / Tuesday
and then the RS on the road next weekend
couple of driving videos from the day below - lots of room for improvement
Left ASR on the entire time, which cuts throttle in a very much on/off fashion, but having spun the car last time, I was keen to keep it in one piece and not be the reason for a red flagged session. Coach said it teaches me to straighten the car up as quickly as possible (which I failed quite miserably at in one of the corners ...). I now got some kind of certificate that enables me to do the first race license, which might come in handy in the future (even if I definitely can't afford to race the Challenge)
I did roughly half the day and overall a lot of fun - I absolutely love the Red Bull Ring and the fact you have a hotel next to it, a great restaurant with view of the main straight and a great rack with lots of run off if the worst happens.
Some great cars around, was overtaken a few times by a very nice Audi - not sure what it was, but probably a GT3 car.
In the road car session there were a Cayman GT4 and a Lotus that sounded great (plus a Performante, which also was very nice to listen to). If anybody plans to do track days on the continent, I can recommend ZK Trackdays and Pistenclub - both seem very well run imo.
unfortunately due to the sun, you can't see all that much of the track. I might have to get a second camera to put on the outside of the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUIh6NsXmDo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDY-wj0eBNU
Leaving Friday morning for the Alps road trip, so will post my thoughts on the road cars sometime over the weekend.
Happy to add more detail on anything if somebody is interested.
Left ASR on the entire time, which cuts throttle in a very much on/off fashion, but having spun the car last time, I was keen to keep it in one piece and not be the reason for a red flagged session. Coach said it teaches me to straighten the car up as quickly as possible (which I failed quite miserably at in one of the corners ...). I now got some kind of certificate that enables me to do the first race license, which might come in handy in the future (even if I definitely can't afford to race the Challenge)
I did roughly half the day and overall a lot of fun - I absolutely love the Red Bull Ring and the fact you have a hotel next to it, a great restaurant with view of the main straight and a great rack with lots of run off if the worst happens.
Some great cars around, was overtaken a few times by a very nice Audi - not sure what it was, but probably a GT3 car.
In the road car session there were a Cayman GT4 and a Lotus that sounded great (plus a Performante, which also was very nice to listen to). If anybody plans to do track days on the continent, I can recommend ZK Trackdays and Pistenclub - both seem very well run imo.
unfortunately due to the sun, you can't see all that much of the track. I might have to get a second camera to put on the outside of the car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUIh6NsXmDo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDY-wj0eBNU
Leaving Friday morning for the Alps road trip, so will post my thoughts on the road cars sometime over the weekend.
Happy to add more detail on anything if somebody is interested.
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