My993C2

Last year in my rookie DE Track Day season I managed to get 4 days in at the local race track with my 993C2. But yesterday my 2nd season ended and I managed to do 16 events during the summer months. Wow what a difference a year can make. In the final event of my rookie season I met a bunch of Lawyers who make this final day one of their annual pilgrimages and they are all driving 997 Turbos and other similar high powered cars (like a Dodge Viper and Shelby Mustang). In my rookie season, I could not touch them, they smoked me out on the track. But after a 16 day 2nd season, the tides have turned. I easily passed 2 of the 3 Turbos and was actually lapping about 1 second faster than the 3rd Turbo, but could not pass him because he would smoke me on the main straight. It's all good I was having fun driving hard behind him (he was not really slowing me down). These normally aspirated rear wheel drive 993s are fantastic cars to learn on. But I must admit, I lust for something like a GT3 (or GT3RS) now. I will likely keep the 993C2 for at least one more year as my bank account is not as big as my desire to be faster on the track. But if I ever find the cash for a GT3 (or if the prices of the GT3s come down enough), I know I will have cut my teeth first on the 993C2.

Porsche there is no substitute!!!

matt777

I got a ride around that track in a new GT3 this summer. It kind of dampened my wanting for one because I am so far away from having the skills to drive one anywhere near the limits.

1pcarnut

Good story. I'm itching to try some DEs.

My993C2

I am not sure if I have the skill to push a GT3 near it's limits and since my bank account is not big enough to just run out and pick one up on a whim, it may be a while before this question is answered.

But there is a lot going on here with my time yesterday sharing the track going against those Turbos (and other high horse powered beasts). There is a different fellow who I have driven against this summer who also owns a 997 Turbo and this fellow has good driving skills. I can't keep up to this other fellow in his 997 Turbo, so it is apparent that the guys I shared the track with yesterday still have a ways to go with their own skills in order to drive their Turbos close to the limits.

It's all good. While I do lust for a GT3 (or GT3RS) the 993 is a mighty fine car to learn on.

My993C2

You should try it. You would be amazed what your 993 can do on the track. But be warned, it is a slippery slope to "open lapping" addiction. I am showing significant wear on my second set of tires this summer, I had to replace my front brakes (the rears will need to be replaced soon as well), I broke a drive belt and went through my share of dino juice (gasoline) and oil.

Monique

Depending on your physical size..... try a DE in a Lotus Elise R... you will be surprized.

Good to see your enjoyment though. Keep it up.

FWIW, I determined that my DE costs varied between Euros 500 to Euros 800 per day when all items are taken in. Size of bank account does matter

John H

Don't do it. It is not a slippery slope, it's a cliff.

NC TRACKRAT

It doesn't matter what you drive. The goal is to drive the car to the best of your and the car's ability. Usually, the car has far more potential than the driver.

race911

Doesn't have to be. Most make the mistake of always wanting the shinier object just off in the distance. I learned over 25 years ago that trying to "keep up" just meant you spent more money. I had at least as much enjoyment driving my '68 to/from the track as the guys who were developing nearly new, yet unstreetable SC/'73 RS/2.7 Carreras to the limit. Nice to see the potential; sure seemed like it was work whenever you got talking in the paddock or later that night.

And while it's always fun to run with/outrun the high powered car, most of the time you're judging how you're doing against poor and/or slow. That reinforces bad habits. Anyone can push the pedal to the floor. For the life of me I can't understand the appeal of driving really below these new, all conquering cars limits. (But we said the same in the old days when 993s were the newest/fastest.)

Main thing is that you're learning and enjoying. I encourage everyone to get involved. It doesn't "hurt" the car, and the risk of anything going wrong while you have instruction is near zero. (Note that most bad stuff happens in the low intermediate group, where there's a rush to ditch the instruction.)

TargaMatt

Congrats, sounds like a great season! It was nice to meet you on that rainy track day there a few weeks ago. I wish I'd had the 993 with me that day, but still had a blast. 16 days is quite an accomplishment - I was happy that I got out twice this year!! Well, 3 will be my goal for next year now...

Reddy Kilowatt

16 days would be awesome! Congrats on your improvement... that's the target.

My993C2

Actually my season is not quite over yet.

I am back at the track tomorrow to drive a Formula Renault car at the Allen Berg Racing School. My very first time ever driving on a track was in one of these formula cars and I hate to admit it, but I was one of the slower people in my class that day. But I know the track now, so I am hoping to have a blast tomorrow. Plus I was just notified about another "open lapping" session this Sunday. But I am still on the fence concerning Sunday. Not sure if I should be spending the money. LOL ... knowing me I will probably show up anyway. What else am I going to do? Watch Football? I know the grass in my backyard needs to be cut, but who wants to do that when they could be lapping at the track.

Edward

Here here ...and I'm neither in Race Group or even that fast. But I sure as heck have fun!

FWIW, when I decided long ago to "retire" my 993 from dual-purpose Daily Driver/Track car to pure commuter service, I knew for a fact the car was a good part of the equation for my good lap times. So I intentionally decided on going older: a 911SC. Perfect! The classic lines of yesteryear, bulletproof internals, just enough HP to keep things interesting, but not so "advanced" as to mask my middling driving skills and make me look better than I really was. I worked harder to go faster, but I am a better driver for it, no doubt.

Step into Drivers events ...it's a beautiful thing; just keep an eye on your wallet (but do NOT save recepits!! ).

Edward

1pcarnut

This makes a lot of sense. Kind of like a friend of mine who is having a blast in his spec Miata.