Discussion
As my recent photos have shown, I spent Good Friday at Bedford for a trackday. I went along with www.fastrakdays.com who had a very impressive clientelle list that included about 15 GT3RSs, 2 CarreraGTs and many other exotica, both Porsche and non.
I have been friends with Sean Dudding for a while and he had invited me along to experience not just his GT3RS but also those belonging to friends of his. He had told me to be prepared for a few fast laps with fellow PHer Steve Rance.
I've been mulling over the experience for the week or two since the event and I thought I'd put fingers to keys and do a post about what I learnt that day. If you're looking for a detailed review of how the RS drives, I can't help you there. I'm just priviledged to have been given some rides.
The single biggest thing I learnt from the day was how the 911 acts. Previously, I had believed that the rear engined nature was not ideal but after having the behaviour explained and demonstrated, the 911 magic is clearer to me. The weight transfer especially impressed me and how the driver can use this to his or her advantage was very impressive.
I also learnt what 'fast' means. I've been in some
fast kit but these have either been at an event like vmax which shows off the top speed and a short section of track, or on the road, where the full capabilities of a machine are not really shining through.
I could go on and on and describe each run I experienced, but I'll limit myself to just talking about my ride with Mr. Rance...
We left the pits and into the first left hand corner, the weight shifting of the 911 really shines through. From previous explanations, I knew how the driver uses this shift in weight to get the turn-in, then shift it back again to gain traction for leaving the corner. This weight shift is exagerated compared to say a front or mid-engined car. It really does fling you out of the corner.
This experience was shown time and time again on each corner. The RS just destroying everything else on track with the speed it was carrying through the corners.
However, although the handling is as close to perfect as I have ever experienced, the mindblowing element to the RS was the reliability of the cars. Steve and all the other RS drivers were punishing the cars with lap after lap of 10/10ths driving. Just a half lap to warm up and cool down each time, and the cars just sat there begging to go out again. Mightily impressive!
If you're still reading, I thank you for not falling asleep. I just wanted to get into writing, a view of the RS.
I have been friends with Sean Dudding for a while and he had invited me along to experience not just his GT3RS but also those belonging to friends of his. He had told me to be prepared for a few fast laps with fellow PHer Steve Rance.
I've been mulling over the experience for the week or two since the event and I thought I'd put fingers to keys and do a post about what I learnt that day. If you're looking for a detailed review of how the RS drives, I can't help you there. I'm just priviledged to have been given some rides.
The single biggest thing I learnt from the day was how the 911 acts. Previously, I had believed that the rear engined nature was not ideal but after having the behaviour explained and demonstrated, the 911 magic is clearer to me. The weight transfer especially impressed me and how the driver can use this to his or her advantage was very impressive.
I also learnt what 'fast' means. I've been in some
fast kit but these have either been at an event like vmax which shows off the top speed and a short section of track, or on the road, where the full capabilities of a machine are not really shining through. I could go on and on and describe each run I experienced, but I'll limit myself to just talking about my ride with Mr. Rance...
We left the pits and into the first left hand corner, the weight shifting of the 911 really shines through. From previous explanations, I knew how the driver uses this shift in weight to get the turn-in, then shift it back again to gain traction for leaving the corner. This weight shift is exagerated compared to say a front or mid-engined car. It really does fling you out of the corner.
This experience was shown time and time again on each corner. The RS just destroying everything else on track with the speed it was carrying through the corners.
However, although the handling is as close to perfect as I have ever experienced, the mindblowing element to the RS was the reliability of the cars. Steve and all the other RS drivers were punishing the cars with lap after lap of 10/10ths driving. Just a half lap to warm up and cool down each time, and the cars just sat there begging to go out again. Mightily impressive!
If you're still reading, I thank you for not falling asleep. I just wanted to get into writing, a view of the RS.
Rico, To be honest I think your thread title should be amended to "Steve Rance's ability in a GT3RS" I don't think it is quite a case of "they all do that sir" I cancelled an order on one last year, if I had actually got the car you would not be writing the above if I had taken you for a pax lap...believe me.
Yep, I think 911's are more driver dependant than most other cars, the difference between an average driver and a very good driver is much bigger for some reason.
The engine is in the wrong place too, when Porsche decided to make a quick one for GT racing they put the engine in the middle, 'nuf said
The engine is in the wrong place too, when Porsche decided to make a quick one for GT racing they put the engine in the middle, 'nuf said
clubsport said:
Rico, To be honest I think your thread title should be amended to "Steve Rance's ability in a GT3RS" I don't think it is quite a case of "they all do that sir"
Oh I'm certain that Steve's skill came into it. The other drivers who took me out were still blooming fast though. I think the RS allows the drivers skill to be used well.
I haven't driven a 911, let alone an RS so have no idea of their ability, just what I learnt from having a ride in one.
One thing is clear though. The cars are incredibly reliable for what they are put up to.
>> Edited by rico on Monday 4th April 23:34
rico said:
One thing is clear though. The cars are incredibly reliable for what they are put up to.
This is because production of the GT cars is controlled by the motorsport division of Porsche - which still hold true to the Porsche tradition of massive over-engineering for task. The GT cars (and TT) are based on the GT1-derived engine, so basically de-tuned for massive reliability and durability. This is what will make these cars hold their premium for a long long time - modern design/performance with old-fashioned reliability.
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