Just tracked my car for the first time - wow
Discussion
So today marks the 1 year anniversary of 911 ownership for me. I bought my 996 C4S the day after returning from a challenging year of work in Canada as an early birthday treat. While I have generally enjoyed the car and the 911 experience I never felt I really bonded with the car - hence starting the thread a few months ago - do you find your porsche exciting?
Well today I took the car onto the track for the first time at Bedford for a thankfully under-attended open pitlane event at Bedford (which meant plenty of room to play). And despite a slippy and greasy start to the day (which gave me some great insight into the car's behaviours in these conditions) I had a thoroughly great day. The car is just so accomplished. It managed to out drag most cars down the straights (other than the 997.2 turbo!) and easily kept pace with some of the more dedicated track slags through the twistys.
But mainly, I really learnt a lot about the car and how it behaves when really pushed. and how rewarding it can be when you get it right. I have come away with a greater admiration for what it can do and have finally found that excitement that I was searching for. I'm quite content that 9 times out of 10 when driving on the road it will be a capable, but clinical car. I now know what this car can do and the emotions that it can evoke.
Sorry if this is gushing, but finally, after a year of ownership I think I have finally reached that point where I "get it". Which is great as I always longed to be a fan and so wanted to connect.
Well today I took the car onto the track for the first time at Bedford for a thankfully under-attended open pitlane event at Bedford (which meant plenty of room to play). And despite a slippy and greasy start to the day (which gave me some great insight into the car's behaviours in these conditions) I had a thoroughly great day. The car is just so accomplished. It managed to out drag most cars down the straights (other than the 997.2 turbo!) and easily kept pace with some of the more dedicated track slags through the twistys.
But mainly, I really learnt a lot about the car and how it behaves when really pushed. and how rewarding it can be when you get it right. I have come away with a greater admiration for what it can do and have finally found that excitement that I was searching for. I'm quite content that 9 times out of 10 when driving on the road it will be a capable, but clinical car. I now know what this car can do and the emotions that it can evoke.
Sorry if this is gushing, but finally, after a year of ownership I think I have finally reached that point where I "get it". Which is great as I always longed to be a fan and so wanted to connect.
Certain insurers cover track days. I am with Competition Car Insurance and they give 5 free trackdays cover with their policy. I was at Brands Hatch today in my Boxster Spyder. Fab day but if you prefer polishing and looking at your car more than driving it probably not for you. PS the excess with CCI is £1500!
I never assumed that my insurance covered me. It was at Bedford so the run offs are quite good. I did about 80 miles during the day and then put an end to it as didnt want to totally knacker the tyres/brakes.
I doubt I'll track it again - as said, the consumables are too cost prohibitive. Will have to get an alternative car for the track (cheap Boxster anyone?)
I doubt I'll track it again - as said, the consumables are too cost prohibitive. Will have to get an alternative car for the track (cheap Boxster anyone?)
Chambers68 said:
Certain insurers cover track days. I am with Competition Car Insurance and they give 5 free trackdays cover with their policy. I was at Brands Hatch today in my Boxster Spyder. Fab day but if you prefer polishing and looking at your car more than driving it probably not for you. PS the excess with CCI is £1500!
I suppose you have to tell them when you are going to a track to get clearance so they can monitor?skibum said:
Well today I took the car onto the track for the first time at Bedford
Good man - you may be about to embark on a journey that makes a crack addiction seem reasonably priced! 
Boxster/Cayman is a good shout and nicely balanced on track. I believe the sump extension kit is a good idea if tracking a lot, but I'm far from expert in these matters. Speak to RPM T if you do decide to go this route:
http://www.rpmtechnik.co.uk/csr/
Cheers
Slodge
Consumables if you do a lot of track days will be eye watering in cost and frequency of replacing, I don't think I'll ever take the turbo on track! much better in my opinion to get something track focused and really rag it! like an old 172 Clio, you can push them to the limit and know if it does come off and hit something you could almost walk away from it, crashing a porker would be very very upsetting financially and emotionally! I have seen quite a few dimwits on track days spin out when overdoing it and you can't help get involved in their mistakes, so no matter how well you drive you could easily have a major off....I bought a first xr2 race car, and used to regularly out pace much much faster and expensive machines...then again that did lead to 5 years of club Motorsport and literally no money, regular things like 'ooh the new AP racing clutch would give us 0.001 secs advantage' came up regularly.... Slippery slope indeed
slodge said:
Boxster/Cayman is a good shout and nicely balanced on track. I believe the sump extension kit is a good idea if tracking a lot,
Yes I've had the sump extension kit fitted to my Gen 1 CS, this, together with a low temperature thermostat and Millers Nanotech oil, is about the best you can do short of going down the Accusump route.
The Boxster comment was a bit of a joke - you're right in that while the cost of the car (and potential write off amount) is much lower, the running costs are no different really.
My whole family are very into motorsport so it's only a matter of time before I go that route. But, to start with I want to really start going to regular track days, probably 1 a month. Likely to start off with a clio 182 to start with and see where it goes from there.
My whole family are very into motorsport so it's only a matter of time before I go that route. But, to start with I want to really start going to regular track days, probably 1 a month. Likely to start off with a clio 182 to start with and see where it goes from there.
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