An eventful first 24 hours in the GT2

[r1_jon]

After a very long week of waiting the GT2 was delivered to me yesterday afternoon. I'm absolutely over the moon with it. The downsides aren't as bad as I had imagined and I think I probably can use this car almost everyday. Yes it grounds out a fair bit, but I figure a new lip spoiler once a year isn't the end of the world. The suspension is hard but I've been in a lot worse. The bucket seats are comfy but I have quite a wide back and shoulders, so I do feel a bit like I'm getting folded in half !! If you were any bigger than me then I think it would be painful. Anyway, boring stuff out of the way...

So, it is indeed as frighteningly fast as its reputation suggests. I've never driven a vehicle that scares me (bikes included) but this one really does (although in a good way). The acceleration is just so brutal especially in the upper rev range. It feels very poised and the turn-in is quite sharp. I can't really understand how people think it is an unsafe car though, I only had a marginal amount of slide and wheel spin today and I was driving pretty hard for the road. Anyone who can manage to get this thing really out of shape on the roads shouldn't be on the road IMHO.

Now the bad news...

A friend of mine needed to return his bike to the garage this morning to get some repair work carried out, I offered to follow him over and bring him back. Two miles up the road at about 50mph his wing mirror falls off and smashes into the front spoiler. So after 24hrs of owning the car it needs the front PU sprayed. Those of you who have met me I am sure can imagine the fit of rage and obscenities with followed Still, sh*t happens !!!

Already done 2 tanks of fuel, I'm off out to do another one

[jjr1]

How you can say a GT2 is more scary than a bike is unbelievable. Are you sure you twisted that throttle on the bike properly?

I drove a GT2 a while ago and while undoubtedly it is nippy it sure is a pussycat compared to a bike. I had the GT2 throttle nailed up to 140mph and just thought 'yeah its fast but not bike fast'. It is also very quiet and not trying to throw you off the road like a litre bike under acceleration.

I rode a friends GSXR 1000 the other day and the bloody thing tried to flip me at 130mph. Now thats scary

PS congrats on your new car. If you are around Notts at any point do you fancy a quick spin out with my 997S as I want to see how much faster yours is than mine. Bagsy a big head start for me

[r1_jon]

jjr1 said:

How you can say a GT2 is more scary than a bike is unbelievable. Are you sure you twisted that throttle on the bike properly?

I think it's because I've had fast bikes for 10 years and I feel I have complete control of the machine. I still have the odd 'oh f****ck' moment on the bike but only when I'm going silly.

I'm sure after a bit of training I'll feel more comfortable with the GT2. Then it will be time for that DMS chip.... .

Will give you a shout next time I'm up your way.

Cheers

[polarexpress]

Glad you like the GT2. It's an awesome machine that I might be tempted to move into one day from the GT3. I'd definitely take it easy at the beginning and invest in a few track days to get to know when your car is approaching the limits and what it's like beyond. These cars have limits that are difficult and dangerous to explore for the first time on road, and unless pre-disposed and experienced with the car on/around the limit, it has the ability to catch you at the wrong time on a road. It's not an issue of speed/acceleration, it's simply an issue of knowing what to do with your car when it momentarily has control over you. Happy and safe driving!!!!

[andy tims]

Once you get really used to a fast bike the acceleration doesn't actually as feel as impressive as a really quick car. I think it's partly because your sat higher up, your not looking at the road through a narrow windscreen & there is nothing shoving you in the back. Mind you I did once have the situation, on a straight tree lined road, where the scenery was coming at me in frames - my brain couldn't actually process what my eyes were seeing in a smooth stream of data - so I guess that was pretty impressive

If your scaring yourself on a bike on a regular basis either get some training, ride slower, or forget your ego & buy a less powerful bike. How many people can really ride well enough to truly exploit a 1000cc superbike - road or track? About 0.000001% of the guys that have them - that's why I regulary ride past them on my GSXR 750

Anyway best of luck with the GT2. Any plans to track it? Would be good to see a few more of those cars around the cicuits.

[mbutchers]

Jon - totally agree with the bike v's car point. I had always had fast bikes, and the only car that I went in (prior to the GT2) that felt as fast was a friends F40. When I got the GT2 it was that same feeling. The bike will always get it up to the magic 'Ton', but above this is where the car feels truly fast and scary. The way the GT2 pulls above this is amazing, and seems relentless. My G/F used to complain that she needed a neck brace !
Anyway, good luck and happy motoring........
BTW, what happened with the disc issue.....?

[r1_jon]

Andy - indeed First track day is tomorrow at Bedford...

MButchers - OPC gave the all clear on the disks, I explained to them in no uncertain terms that I would be holding them to that if they break within the next year. Additionally I have a mate who is senior tech at a local OPC, so he can get me a very good deal on replacement or steels. To be honest I hope they do break, I would love to get this isssue the media attention it deserves, should Porsche not resolve the situation to my satisfaction.

Cheers

[bluesatin]

Jon

Good move. I find the Henley to Marlow road very good for testing new cars!

[gfreeman]

bluesatin said:

Jon Good move. I find the Henley to Marlow road very good for testing new cars!

Well done mate... Have you popped a flyer through the Thames Valley Police's letterbox, or do you think this post will suffice?

[bluesatin]

I hear they have put a speed trap on the straight around Hambleden. However I have never driven over 60mph on this road- nice flowing bends and short straights.

>> Edited by bluesatin on Sunday 12th March 14:01

[amare32]

r1_jon said:

Andy - indeed First track day is tomorrow at Bedford... MButchers - OPC gave the all clear on the disks, I explained to them in no uncertain terms that I would be holding them to that if they break within the next year. Additionally I have a mate who is senior tech at a local OPC, so he can get me a very good deal on replacement or steels. To be honest I hope they do break, I would love to get this isssue the media attention it deserves, should Porsche not resolve the situation to my satisfaction. Cheers

You would be amazed what you can achieve when you get the likes of Autoexpress to run a story. I certainly got what I wanted a couple of years back when I had a few problems too many with my Elise..

[CR33DO]

Ive just got to say thanks again Jon for a few quick laps in the GT2 at Bedford yesterday.
It certainly shoves you into the back of the seat and the grip is incredible. Glad I had the oppotunity to sample it. Thanks again.

[R1_JON]

Nick - no probs, any time...

Jon

[SuperSportBilly]

Saw and more importantly HEARD your car yesterday at Bedford.

What a great track day. I was in the 997 cab.

Great fun - had good fun chasing the carrera S - I was surprised how little there was between my 997 non-S cab and his car. Did 5-6 laps in close proxmity great fun.

I had some instruction which smoothed things out nicely - and improved to a 1m56 from well over 2 mins. (not that we were timing of course). Should have kicked my 15 stone Dad out of the car though.

Well organised and safe - very friendly day.

Cheers

Karl

[R1_JON]

Yeah I had 30 mins of instruction too, as you say, very worthwhile...