Is it a travesty?
Discussion
As an avid enthusiast of a Mk1 GT3, I tend to lavish a fair amount of time, resource and LOVE
on my chariot. This means maintaining the mechanicals in tiptop condition, selecting/investing in optimal consumables and ensuring they are never past their best, or even occasionally treating her bodywork to some Zymol Vintage. I recognise the GT3 as being one of the most remarkable and special variants to have been made in the illustrious history of the 911, establishing countless benchmarks in the past couple of years in all the departments critically measured by enthusiasts - especially on track - a discipline for which it was honed, optimised, and earned its stripes.
So when I read/hear about owners who don't use these cars on circuit, or just use it on shopping trips down King's Road with little/no intention of "using it as intended", is it just me who thinks it is an utter travesty and waste of such a brilliant work of engineering? It's like using a pure bred racing horse for giving childrens pony rides at the local village fete...
I wonder if it's the same feeling for other enthusiasts of the other RS models... or should I just get back in
Errrrrrr, I have no intention of using mine on track. I maybe in the minority, but going round and round in circles, no matter how quickly, doesn't light my candle, and it's also an expensive pastime.
I bought my car because I wanted the extra feel and feedback that the GT3 gives over a cooking 996 , that plus the fact I can enjoy it without the massive depreciation of the more mainstream versions.
I live up in N. Wales and live reasonbly close to roads where I can "extend" it without being a nuisance/irratation to other road users and locals.
The scenery is fantastic and the roads (if you chose your times carefully) empty. Maybe you should try them before insinuating that any use (apart from that on track) is a waste of a good car.
Judging by the vast numbers of motorcycles and other exotica I see on my "tours", all being driven with varying degrees of commitment, I'm not the only person who thinks track days are overated.
I don't feel the need to drive my car to the edge of it's performance envelope (I can't anyway !)
If I did want to learn its capabilities I'd employ the services of a skilled tutor such as Bernard Aubrey to demonstrate/coach me.
I do however use my car hard and enjoy every second of it !
What you suggest if no differnt to me saying "why bother "wasting" your money on Zymol polish for a silver car" as unlike a black, red or dark coloured car, your silver car looks no cleaner/better for using Zymol in comparison with Swissol or any of the other quality waxes.
We do it because we have a choice, so let's all enjoy the freedom of that right before Tony and his cronies decide we should no longer be allowed one.
I bought my car because I wanted the extra feel and feedback that the GT3 gives over a cooking 996 , that plus the fact I can enjoy it without the massive depreciation of the more mainstream versions.
I live up in N. Wales and live reasonbly close to roads where I can "extend" it without being a nuisance/irratation to other road users and locals.
The scenery is fantastic and the roads (if you chose your times carefully) empty. Maybe you should try them before insinuating that any use (apart from that on track) is a waste of a good car.
Judging by the vast numbers of motorcycles and other exotica I see on my "tours", all being driven with varying degrees of commitment, I'm not the only person who thinks track days are overated.
I don't feel the need to drive my car to the edge of it's performance envelope (I can't anyway !)
If I did want to learn its capabilities I'd employ the services of a skilled tutor such as Bernard Aubrey to demonstrate/coach me.
I do however use my car hard and enjoy every second of it !
What you suggest if no differnt to me saying "why bother "wasting" your money on Zymol polish for a silver car" as unlike a black, red or dark coloured car, your silver car looks no cleaner/better for using Zymol in comparison with Swissol or any of the other quality waxes.
We do it because we have a choice, so let's all enjoy the freedom of that right before Tony and his cronies decide we should no longer be allowed one.
Not sure it is a travesty, perhaps unnecessarily uncomfortable however.
I can see where you are coming from on the track thing though, you can appreciate the car on a different level in that environment and you just can't load the car up to that level on the road. Having said that, road driving is its own art form, and can give plenty of satisfaction.
DucatiGary said:
so, was this thread aimed at nervy or is that just a coincidence?
i thought that. turns out just cos I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
but, if i must, i would have thought its rather up to the person who paid for the car to decide how its used. anyone elses opinion is irrelevant. you're entitled to feel precious about your car, but not about anybody elses.
so, to recap, unless the permission slip was missing from my ownership documents, i reckon its entirely the choice of the registered keeper what and how they use their vehicle. thats one of the many privileges that paying an enormous amount of money for something grants.
in the meantime, since my landrover is being MOT'd I'm going to walk the three miles to the shops for some milk for fear of incurring your wrath about inappropriate usage. i wish somebody had warned me this would be the case before i spent the best part of 50 grand on a car: i would have got milk on the way home.
>> Edited by nervous on Wednesday 3rd May 21:58
i would, but thats not acceptable usage of a 4 wheel drive vehicle. to squander such performance of the aquisition of dairy based produce would be a travesty. indeed, i for one think it shouldnt be allowed, and porsche should instigate some sort of screening process before allowing people to purchase such a vehicle.
now, if we could only find someone who'd be willing to tell people what theyre allowed to do with their own money....we could even issue them with smart black uniforms.
now, if we could only find someone who'd be willing to tell people what theyre allowed to do with their own money....we could even issue them with smart black uniforms.
I don't think it's a travesty at all. If everyone thought like that then there wouldn't even be Supercars.
Why when the National speed Limit is 70mph own a car that can 200mph or 155mph or 100mph? Because everyone has a choice.
What practical purpose does a Lamborghini Murcielago serve? None, but boy I'd like one.
And as for tracking a car, people track anything and everything. It's not a Porsche owners privilege or obligation to track their car. There's no prize for coming first on a trackday so why buy a GT3 to track when a Pug 205 GTI will give you the same thrill at 10th of the cost?
Why when the National speed Limit is 70mph own a car that can 200mph or 155mph or 100mph? Because everyone has a choice.
What practical purpose does a Lamborghini Murcielago serve? None, but boy I'd like one.
And as for tracking a car, people track anything and everything. It's not a Porsche owners privilege or obligation to track their car. There's no prize for coming first on a trackday so why buy a GT3 to track when a Pug 205 GTI will give you the same thrill at 10th of the cost?
Good enough for me 
OK , mere pleb that I am , I only run a basement 996, but here's my take..
I can get just as much pleasure from waxing the fine lines of my jammer as I do putting the hammer down when exiting the toll booth...
I've never tracked the car , and possibly may never ....
I've felt the nibble of under-steer on a few mentionable occasions and have had to correct the tail maybe twice.
But for me they've all been amongst the most pleasurable bunch of experiences I've known.
... F*@k the begrudgers ...
>> Edited by ballcock on Wednesday 3rd May 22:35
I can get just as much pleasure from waxing the fine lines of my jammer as I do putting the hammer down when exiting the toll booth...
I've never tracked the car , and possibly may never ....
I've felt the nibble of under-steer on a few mentionable occasions and have had to correct the tail maybe twice.
But for me they've all been amongst the most pleasurable bunch of experiences I've known.
... F*@k the begrudgers ...
>> Edited by ballcock on Wednesday 3rd May 22:35
nervous said:
Nicely put Slippydiffy- I'm with you.
and this has nothing to do with polish !
oh yeah, ignore me, thats fine. i make my first ever sensible post its just ignored. not even so much as a by your leave. well, thanks.
here, have this cold shoulder.
What? Who? Oh yeah Nervy - hi. Got confused by the milk thing.... couldn't follow it and got stuck on thinking about skim versus full fat.
And you've got a GT3 now and I'm a bit jealous. I want one.
Ah congratulations on not only a wonderful motor car but a sensible, insightful, considered, mature and thoroughly effective post outlining your rationale behind your ownership decisions. Car, post, milk - all brilliant.
You could be the new Ron Hubbard.
Or was that Ron Howard?
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