2009 Febuary Fastrack

[Steve Ekstrand]

I gotta think the weight and maybe a tiny bit of drag of the A/C and a pound a wheel is within the noise on a GT3. Maybe it would make a dif on my little 115hp 2050lbs car. I understand how little things add up in racing, but still....

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

How come I haven't seen you and your new car at any events since you moved out?
Bring it on out.......I'll make sure I make that event! }:)

Because you don't run at El Toro, I have seen that pretty orange car a number of times. Look at the OCR results.

p.s. I have product sitting on my desk that would be perfect for you... We may try it out this weekend. http://buyroadwrap.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Rad_ Delgado_]

I was not present at the 2005 Nationals where a GT2 won ASP. I guess there was rain in Day 1 due to the variations on times from the top drivers.

On day 2, things look more consistent. Danny Pop beats the ASP GT2 by 1.3 seconds, and the GT2 can't match the times on the Top 5 SS drivers.

My point is in regards to the bone stock 996 GT2, the allowed modification in Stock can't fix its two biggest problems, it is not a killer SS car. In ASP the car can get fixed, and it's a great contender for ASP. In SM2 it should do so much better.

How come I haven't seen you and your new car at any events since you moved out?
Bring it on out.......I'll make sure I make that event! }:)

I try to run Porsche-only events, so the fast cars don't show up

The RS is going through a similar treatment as my old 996 GT3 (PCA/POC safety and performance equipment, with SCCA Solo class as a consequence rather than the target). I'm testing different setups & tires. If Porsche fixes the oil leak this week, I might bring it on Sunday to Cal Speedway. Bone stock, I think the GT3 RS can be a serious contender in ASP, and a class killer in SS.

I ran one autocross with an odd alignment and three with a fresh alignment. I ran two sets of tires at each autoX to compare times. I feel my 996 GT3 was a much better autoX car, but it's an unfair comparison as the RS just have sway bars, and rear Cup toe links, while my 996 GT3 had all sort of upgrades. I want to have it ready for San Diego at the end of March, I just ran there on Saturday and the car worked well on that lot.

The rear toe links are a necessary safety upgrade for any 996/997 GT2/GT3, but that moves the car to StreetMod. I can't justify a $300 alignment every 3 events, lots of lost time and money.

It's a heavy car, it weighed 3,320 lbs with the stock seats and rollbar with a full tank of fuel. My old GT3 hit the scales at 2,900 lbs average on low fuel (after upgrades), and 2,770 lbs at the 2006 SCCA Solo Nationals (naked interior, no passenger seat).


p.s. My former GT3 is for sale by its new owner, it was a fast car on average hands, 2nd place at the SCCA Solo Nationals in FP and 1st place in FPL, with two rookie drivers. I think $50k will take it, car is in Salinas, CA. I sold it in June 2008 with 38k miles, it has 41k miles right now. Can be used in SM2, FP , XP and EM.

[Rad_ Delgado_]

OT: Rad, how do you like the M3's DCT? Better than the old single clutch setup?

For street use, the DCT is fun and a delight. The 7 speed DCT has closer ratios than the 6 speed manual. Shifting is lightning fast, can't match this with a manual transmission.

However, there are problems with the software and the actuators, and more problems from the design itself. At a fast autoX at El Toro with PCA, the car won't downshift from 3rd to 2nd, suddenly in the middle of a turn it will process the downshift abruptly losing the rear grip. At several times it shifted from 2nd to 5th by itself during a heavy braking transitions to trail braking. The springs are too soft so the car moves a lot. Not a sport car, but I think it is the best Sedan for the money.

The car is amazing, but get a manual transmission. Think you're driving a bigger Honda S2000, that's how the engine feels, no power at low RPM , and sick power at high RPM (8,400 rpm).

The car is not that heavy, it weighed 3,575 lbs with 2/3 of a fuel tank on the same scales where my GT3 RS weighed 3,320 lbs with a full fuel tank.

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

The springs are too soft so the car moves a lot. Not a sport car, but I think it is the best Sedan for the money.

Bimmer magazine just did a review and same as you....too soft (especially if it's a convertible), and they weren't too enamored with DCT. Manual was the way to go. But too bad BMW is getting heavier by the year. I'm sure the convertible is a bit heavier.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

The springs are too soft so the car moves a lot. Not a sport car, but I think it is the best Sedan for the money.

Bimmer magazine just did a review and same as you....too soft (especially if it's a convertible), and they weren't too enamored with DCT. Manual was the way to go. But too BMW is getting heavier by the year. I'm sure the convertible is a bit heavier.

I thought the 'vert was too heavy when I drove it. The DCT has to be better than the previous single-clutch gearbox, but Rad's comments about the programming aren't encouraging.

[Bob Pl]

p.s. My former GT3 is for sale by its new owner, it was a fast car on average hands, 2nd place at the SCCA Solo Nationals in FP and 1st place in FPL, with two rookie drivers. I think $50k will take it, car is in Salinas, CA. I sold it in June 2008 with 38k miles, it has 41k miles right now. Can be used in SM2, FP , XP and EM.

This car too far gone (modded) to be brought back to stock class legal?

[Rad_ Delgado_]

p.s. My former GT3 is for sale by its new owner, it was a fast car on average hands, 2nd place at the SCCA Solo Nationals in FP and 1st place in FPL, with two rookie drivers. I think $50k will take it, car is in Salinas, CA. I sold it in June 2008 with 38k miles, it has 41k miles right now. Can be used in SM2, FP , XP and EM.

This car too far gone (modded) to be brought back to stock class legal?

It will cost over $15k to bring it back to SS. The car has a shorter R&P gear from the 2005 GT3 RSR, GT3 Cup LSD with steel clutches, monoball bearings and solid metal bushings in all the suspension (except subframes), Moton 2-way, bigger rear brake rotors, race seats, Porsche MotorSports toe links with bump steer adjustment front and rear, non-stock front camber plates, center console delete, etc..

[Bob Pl]

p.s. My former GT3 is for sale by its new owner, it was a fast car on average hands, 2nd place at the SCCA Solo Nationals in FP and 1st place in FPL, with two rookie drivers. I think $50k will take it, car is in Salinas, CA. I sold it in June 2008 with 38k miles, it has 41k miles right now. Can be used in SM2, FP , XP and EM.

This car too far gone (modded) to be brought back to stock class legal?

It will cost over $15k to bring it back to SS. The car has a shorter R&P gear from the 2005 GT3 RSR, GT3 Cup LSD with steel clutches, monoball bearings and solid metal bushings in all the suspension (except subframes), Moton 2-way, bigger rear brake rotors, race seats, Porsche MotorSports toe links with bump steer adjustment front and rear, non-stock front camber plates, center console delete, etc..

Thank you.

[Gary Thomason]

I was not present at the 2005 Nationals where a GT2 won ASP. I guess there was rain in Day 1 due to the variations on times from the top drivers. On day 2, things look more consistent. Danny Pop beats the ASP GT2 by 1.3 seconds, and the GT2 can't match the times on the Top 5 SS drivers.

I was there, and you're right, rain was a factor, which goes back to my point about comparisons. But, having run against Popp for three years in ASP, and also against James Gunn in the GT2 locally in my SM2 Corvette all year, believe me when I say James clearly had the speed to run right with Popp, or better, on average. Both are top flight drivers. At a Pro Solo the GT2 was incredible.

....Bone stock, I think the GT3 RS can be a serious contender in ASP, and a class killer in SS.

I agree completely, and told the SEB so when asked about it. I have driven several 997 GT3 RS's now, and each time was amazed that the car is so much better than the 996 GT3 in almost every way, despite sharing so many parts.

p.s. My former GT3 is for sale by its new owner, it was a fast car on average hands, 2nd place at the SCCA Solo Nationals in FP and 1st place in FPL, with two rookie drivers. I think $50k will take it, car is in Salinas, CA. Can be used in SM2, FP , XP and EM.

I saw it was for sale on another board.....and I admit I thought about it, having seen it in action and knowing what modifications it has. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to get out of mine with the market like it is

[Aaron Goldsmith]

I saw it was for sale on another board.....and I admit I thought about it, having seen it in action and knowing what modifications it has. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to get out of mine with the market like it is

Wheeww.

Though it would be nice to have a solid local FP benchmark to see how we're doin.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

How come I haven't seen you and your new car at any events since you moved out?
Bring it on out.......I'll make sure I make that event! }:)

So you comin up this weekend Gary? I see Rad is signed up for PAX. An 18 entrant deep PAX class'll be interesting. I think it scared Bill away though...

[Steve Towers]

I think the GT3 RS can be a serious contender in ASP, and a class killer in SS.

I'm clueless about Porsche designations but if the GT3 RS is a 997 it's not eligble for SS

[Gary Thomason]

Not sure if I will make it Sunday. 18 entrants is great stuff, too bad Berry will not let it be close for the top spot

Steve, he meant an SS killer if it was classed there. Thankfully, it's not.

[Bill Schenker]

...I think it scared Bill away though...

Given I've never finished worst than 4th in the last 4 years, I think it's safe to say I've held my own - how've your Overall placings been?