peterp

I have a stock/mint 996.1 (coupe/6sp/2wd) that I'd like to have my son do a few autocrosses in. He'll get his own car shortly, but I'd like for him to have the autocross experience first. He has a ton of experience in sim (iRacing) and karting, and is very, very competitive, but he hasn't done any competitive driving in a car. I don't want his sim/karting experience to result in "overconfidence" on a track day ending poorly at high speeds , so I'm thinking autocross is a good first step.

My question is, is a stock 996.1 okay to use for autocross? I know for full track days, a deeper oil pan and probably some other changes are needed to prevent oil starvation in high-speed corners, but it it safe to assume that these are not issues for the far lower speeds in autocross?

De Jeeper

Absolutely....only thing to.pay attention to is oil level and make sure the aos is working. Better yet get a uaos and beat on it.

EVOMMM

Exactly what he said ^^^^^
i drive mine to redline after it’s warmed up weekly
great car light and tossable with good brakes

996-CAB

You shouldn't have any trouble with your stock car. I have done both autox and track days with my stock 996.2. That being said, as De Jeeper mentioned in his response, I'm not going back to track my car again until I get the UAOS, which is expected to arrive next week. As you plan for your autocross, you should get your number assigned in advance and have a magnetic sticker made. That way you won't look like a newbie with your number in blue painters' tape on the side. I went the full Caddy Shack and made my sticker 18x24 with the number, an American flag and my stripper name on it.

GC996

As many of the guys said, make sure your AOS is in good shape (manometer test) and/or better yet, get the UAOS track version if you don't already have it. Hope he enjoys it. Good way to get started.

peterp

Thanks everyone, that's great to know. Looking into testing the AOS now -- I guess I have to get another oil cap to drill a hole in? The car uses absolutely zero oil between changes, but I've never checked the AOS.

Regarding setup for the autocross, am I correct in assuming PSM should be turned off? Is there anything that can/should be turned off.

I actually did an autocross with it in 2015 at the Lime Rock autocross course (mini-track within the main Lime Rock track). I won a ticket for the Lime Rock autocross in a concours event, so I decided to do it. Of course, I didn't know about 996 track concerns back then. I forget to turn off PSM for the autocross, which I think limited power out of corners pretty considerably. I finished mid-pack. I'm certain my son will be very competitive once he gets the hang of it.

Saw this testing video using an inexpensive manometer from Amazon and a separate oil cap to be drilled:

GC996

Is he going thru the autocross skills training? Typically run this time of year for beginners in many of the PCA regions.

peterp

He is now! NNJR PCA car control clinic on May 5th at Met Life. Thanks for the suggestion.

wildbilly32

Yes, turn the "Porsche Save Me" off. Even though it won't kill all the nannies it will only kick-in when "stupid" has been way exceeded. Remember you have to turn it off every time you restart the car...ask me how I know...🙄 Just be prepared for the rear end to get a little loose when on power coming out. PSM usually mutes that. Chalk your tires to check for roll-over and adjust pressures accordingly.

Most of all have FUN.

Haalex

Does that mean PSM can't be turned off at all?
Not that my car has it though.

zbomb

The PSM plug must be pulled in order to fully disable.

Unlike what the poster you quote relays, it does not take going way past stupid for the PSM to intervene when you have turned off with the button, During normal track driving I would still see it coming on multiple times a lap until the plug at the PSM pump was pulled.

wildbilly32

Autocross

Track

...different

168glhs1986

I'm in the exact same boat. My 18 year old is ready to take off. Tons of Sim experience and the occasional snow drifting experience in Md. Limited track exposure but that's about to change.

Our training grounds is going to be skid pad training / intro to autocross.

I have many options for him. 996.1 built, 996.2 built, gt4 RS, 1999 Boxster, fully track prepped m2 CS manual, 944 spec race car. All those are manual except for the 4rs which really isn't a good option.

I don't want to put him in the situation where he can money shift so....for skid pads the 996.2 will be fine and for his intro to autocross he will likely be in 2nd gear.

Once he gets more into it I'll be getting a PDK Cayman base. This goes for my daughter as well. She turns 16 in 2 days. She will be wanting to do some motorsport fun.

JP_Gervs

This is awesome! I don’t know who’s luckier, the kids for being able to participate in such activities, or YOU for being able to share your love of Motorsport with them. I say both! I hope to be able to share such great experiences with my son when he’s old enough. God bless

168glhs1986

^ We need a LOVE button not a like button. I'm the lucky one to be able to spend time with my kids and expose them to all of my passions and other things. Whatever grabs their attention who knows what that will be.

At the same time I've made it clear they need to make it on their own and I don't want either one of them taking over my company, they will have to do their own thing.