How does the GT3 cope with track days???
Discussion
Hi people,
Thinking of getting myself a GT3 in the new year, but I've heard some mixed reviews on how they stand up to being trashed on a track day. Has anyone got any experenices they can share with me, good & bad. I've heard as they are rather heavy, over heating brakes can be an issue??
Any comments much appricated
Cheers
Dan
Thinking of getting myself a GT3 in the new year, but I've heard some mixed reviews on how they stand up to being trashed on a track day. Has anyone got any experenices they can share with me, good & bad. I've heard as they are rather heavy, over heating brakes can be an issue??
Any comments much appricated
Cheers
Dan
I have been on a few Porsche club track days where Gt3 & other exotic porsche have been present..I have rarely seen a standard car there,most have been modified in terms of brakes or light wheels and semi slicks.
having had instruction on a few occasions,speaking to these guys and others who set up cars for competition,I have been left with the impression that the GT3 is a good car,but less suited to track days than the 993RS...I know where I would spend my money.
having had instruction on a few occasions,speaking to these guys and others who set up cars for competition,I have been left with the impression that the GT3 is a good car,but less suited to track days than the 993RS...I know where I would spend my money.
...both of which are easily sorted. It's a wonderful trackday car, easily up to the punishment and very quick, very confidence inspiring. Goes even better round corners if you fit the Michelin Pilot Cup Sport tyres that were developed for it.
Get a Clubsport, put the whole rollcage in rather than just the rear part, get some ducting for the brakes,change the pads and enjoy....
Get a Clubsport, put the whole rollcage in rather than just the rear part, get some ducting for the brakes,change the pads and enjoy....
Beaver, I may be changing to a GT3 Clubsport shortly (having a private sale one checked over in London next week). How do you find it performs on track compared to the Exige you used to have? I have an Exige at the moment and still love it after two years of fun 
Is the lightend flywheel a hassle on the road other than the extra noise? What do you reckon they're worth nowadays? 2000(W) - 12,000mls I'm thinking £60k tops in a private sale. Maybe less - hopefully.
Is the lightend flywheel a hassle on the road other than the extra noise? What do you reckon they're worth nowadays? 2000(W) - 12,000mls I'm thinking £60k tops in a private sale. Maybe less - hopefully.
Given that the GT3 was designed with no small degree of track use in mind, by possibly the premiere GT racing manufacturer and, as has been implied above, forms the basis of two successful Cup series, I think you have to acknowledge, whatever anybody says, it's pedigree and applicability for the job.
Suspension adjustability is the key thing, for sure but everything I've read, heard and seen (oh yes, driven too, just the once, mind) recommends it to me as hugely competent for what you're after.
A modern classic. Buy.
Suspension adjustability is the key thing, for sure but everything I've read, heard and seen (oh yes, driven too, just the once, mind) recommends it to me as hugely competent for what you're after.
A modern classic. Buy.
The GT3 is Ok for trackdays, provided you upgrade the brakes and sort the suspension to get rid of the dreaded understeer, but if you do a lot, you'll soon get fed up with the Caterhams flying by!!
Why not buy a used Caterham Superlight R: 400BHP/ton, way quicker than a GT3 round a track, tyres £60 a corner, service £175, and by a used 996 as a fast road car / everyday car / weekend toy.
I did 12 trackdays last year, first few in my old GT3 and then laterly in my Caterham; bought cos I was fed up of the Caterham space pilots flying past in the twisties. Much more fun, much faster,and way less to buy and run. Win, win
>> Edited by paulbellis on Wednesday 20th November 22:57
Why not buy a used Caterham Superlight R: 400BHP/ton, way quicker than a GT3 round a track, tyres £60 a corner, service £175, and by a used 996 as a fast road car / everyday car / weekend toy.
I did 12 trackdays last year, first few in my old GT3 and then laterly in my Caterham; bought cos I was fed up of the Caterham space pilots flying past in the twisties. Much more fun, much faster,and way less to buy and run. Win, win
>> Edited by paulbellis on Wednesday 20th November 22:57
until the superlight has an off, rolls and buries the driver into the ground?
If anyone saw the carnage from the Wheeltorque 'ring trip this year, you'd be looking to have a bit of tin and a full roll cage between your head and the road in the event of an accident. Never forget to consider the implications of "what happens if..."
How fast is a superlight in the wet, by the way? Do yourself a favour and buy a sorted GT3CS or tweeked 964/993RS or RSCS, drive it with confidence and don't worry for your life if you get it a little wrong, after all, we all make mistakes once in a while.
If anyone saw the carnage from the Wheeltorque 'ring trip this year, you'd be looking to have a bit of tin and a full roll cage between your head and the road in the event of an accident. Never forget to consider the implications of "what happens if..."
How fast is a superlight in the wet, by the way? Do yourself a favour and buy a sorted GT3CS or tweeked 964/993RS or RSCS, drive it with confidence and don't worry for your life if you get it a little wrong, after all, we all make mistakes once in a while.
A GT3 will also do 190 mph and sounds quite nice at full tilt too.
It also is a Porsche 911 and a rather sexy one at that so I don't think you can properly compare it to the track day specialists.
It's a kind of masterful jack of all trades, IMHO!
At the end of the day, it's real competition comes from the V8 stable in Maranello...and the bike sheds in Blackpool too, I reckons!
>> Edited by derestrictor on Thursday 21st November 12:27
It also is a Porsche 911 and a rather sexy one at that so I don't think you can properly compare it to the track day specialists.
It's a kind of masterful jack of all trades, IMHO!
At the end of the day, it's real competition comes from the V8 stable in Maranello...and the bike sheds in Blackpool too, I reckons!
>> Edited by derestrictor on Thursday 21st November 12:27
Your Maranellos etc are more for posing and euro jaunts.
????????
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=21784&f=63&h=0
manu said:
Your Maranellos etc are more for posing and euro jaunts.
????????
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=21784&f=63&h=0
How did I know the Tifotic Defender would strike thus?!
Fair play Manu, or at least that's what I will say when one of the videos finishes downloading sometime tomorrow afternoon.
Shame the F50 probably needed it's major 1K service after the session.
Having said that, when my 6 numbers come up I'll probably be reborn as JulianoTheItaliano.
Shame the F50 probably needed it's major 1K service after the session.
Having said that, when my 6 numbers come up I'll probably be reborn as JulianoTheItaliano.
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Beaver, I may be changing to a GT3 Clubsport shortly (having a private sale one checked over in London next week). How do you find it performs on track compared to the Exige you used to have?
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It's so much more solid than the Exige, perhaps not the same grip through corners but has the distinct advantage of decent power to eat up the straights. After a day at the track it still feels the same as the car you drove to the circuit, i.e no bits fall off, the brakes still work and nothing rattles.
It's a good car to learn to drive fast on track, and the understeer issue hasn't bothered me too much, once I have become more confident with it I may have it dialled out with neg camber, but at the moment it suits me ! (I'm still slightly suspicious that the engine may be in the wrong place)
As for the light flywheel, it occasionally catches me out if I'm reversing but otherwise not a problem. Bit noisy if you depress the clutch in neutral, but then again sounds like a racing gearbox so that's cool.
60K for a private sale or just under sounds right, however I paid a bit more for an OPC car with warranty, 4 weeks later the clutch went and Porsche paid. The bill would have been 2500 + VAT.
Oh, and the noise from 5000 rpm is just wonderful !
Beaver, I may be changing to a GT3 Clubsport shortly (having a private sale one checked over in London next week). How do you find it performs on track compared to the Exige you used to have?
------------------------------------------------------
It's so much more solid than the Exige, perhaps not the same grip through corners but has the distinct advantage of decent power to eat up the straights. After a day at the track it still feels the same as the car you drove to the circuit, i.e no bits fall off, the brakes still work and nothing rattles.
It's a good car to learn to drive fast on track, and the understeer issue hasn't bothered me too much, once I have become more confident with it I may have it dialled out with neg camber, but at the moment it suits me ! (I'm still slightly suspicious that the engine may be in the wrong place)
As for the light flywheel, it occasionally catches me out if I'm reversing but otherwise not a problem. Bit noisy if you depress the clutch in neutral, but then again sounds like a racing gearbox so that's cool.
60K for a private sale or just under sounds right, however I paid a bit more for an OPC car with warranty, 4 weeks later the clutch went and Porsche paid. The bill would have been 2500 + VAT.
Oh, and the noise from 5000 rpm is just wonderful !
Thanks for the info Beaver.
Was the front part of the roll cage supplied with the Club Sports from new? Most I've seen, only have the rear half installed, as does the one I'm considering. Should the owner have the front part somewhere or was it an additional optional cost?
Do you have the front cage sections installed? I expect it to stiffen up the (already stiff) structure slightly to the benefit of the handling on track.
Who are the best guys to look after GT3's? Ive been pointed in the direction of two garages - Paragon and Parr.
Was the front part of the roll cage supplied with the Club Sports from new? Most I've seen, only have the rear half installed, as does the one I'm considering. Should the owner have the front part somewhere or was it an additional optional cost?
Do you have the front cage sections installed? I expect it to stiffen up the (already stiff) structure slightly to the benefit of the handling on track.
Who are the best guys to look after GT3's? Ive been pointed in the direction of two garages - Paragon and Parr.
Yes, the front part did come with Cs's as standard, though not always fitted. Make sure it comes with the car you buy, I had to trace the original owner and hassle the original dealer who had it sitting on a shelf !
Since fitted it and yes, it does seem to make it even stiffer.
Haven't used any specialists yet, bu you should join the GT3 list at www.titanic.co.uk (follow Porsche links)
Since fitted it and yes, it does seem to make it even stiffer.
Haven't used any specialists yet, bu you should join the GT3 list at www.titanic.co.uk (follow Porsche links)
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