Sorry, this isn't GT-R related:

Am heading to Lime Rock on Monday for the first track day in the new TT. I've been there 3-4 times with my old B6S4 Avant and I run in the ACNA red group (advanced).

Who has some relevant advice for tracking the 997TT? This is my first 911 so am particularly interested in the dynamics of rear engine coupled with the awd. Also any advice re PASM sport vs standard setting.

TIA

ab

 

Why aren't you going to Pocono with the Metro NY PCA this weekend? Saturday is my first time on the track with this car as well.

You have way more experience than I do, but here are few thoughts. The awd definitely helps pull the car out of a turn which mitigates the tail happy tendency of the rear engine car. Also, much of the new technology on these machines is designed to overcome some of rear engine negatives in years past. Turn off psm and you'll really feel what these cars used to do (not recommended for most drivers). Regarding a change in your line, when to turn in, etc, I'll leave that to others.

Lastly, I would try both suspension modes, but I recall reading that sport is too hard for just about anything other than the smoothest of surfaces.

Have fun.

 

ab,

I would suggest getting your alignment checked before you go and getting as much neg camber dialed into the front as possible. That will help with the understeer. Also, check your tire pressures and try to keep them at or below low 40's hot. The rears jump up in pressure very quickly and can lead to a loose rear. The TT really benefits from having a smooth turn-in (slow-in fast-out). I would not worry about entry speeds as there is so much power to make up for the corners.

 

Probably won't be able to get the alignment done before Monday 4/14 at LRP but may try to get done before Monday 4/21 when I'm going to be down at VIR for two days.

As far as pressure, if I can clairify, what do you like to see HOT coming off the track? I'm assuming that they'll need to get bled a bit coming straight off because they'll be running probably 45 front 50 rear. Presumably even after bleeding them back down to the low 40s you run the fronts 4-6 psi lower than the rears akin to how they run on the street (to my recollection)? Make sense?

As far as why not attending the PCA event...I may do later in the year. I've run ACNA for a few years and tend to like those guys a lot.

 

hot pressures coming off the track depend on the tire. Hoosiers like about 40-44 hot, Michelin Cups like about 30 hot. PS2's IIRC like 40ish hot. Best to ask the Gt3 guys, since they have alot more tire pressure mantra than us. I use the rec pressures as a guideline and then have a contact pyrometer to make the ultimate decisions (keep temps even across the tread). In general, over 50 hot is going to be like skating

 

OK here is some feedback from yesterday's one day DE at Lime Rock with Audi Club's NEQ Chapter.

Weather was sunny but cold in the morning starting at about 42 degrees then eventually getting to about 55 in the afternoon. Light wind, dry track. Ran in the Red advanced group with 16 others and a good collection of cars including a C2S, B6S4s, B5S4s, an LS3 Corvette and a host of track prepped R-compound equipped cars such as a Cooper S, Miatas and a 70s Targa.

Ran the car in Sport mode for all sessions. Started with 3/4 tank of 93 octane which was dusted by the end of the 4th session. Used the OEM Pirelli P-Zero Rossos and the car has steel brakes with OEM pads. Only mod to the car are H&R spacers F&R.

This was the first time running the TT on the track or any Porsche for that matter but was my 4th DE at Lime Rock and my 15th or 16th overall. Had an instructor who was excellent for the first two sessions then solo for the second two sessions. I'm a decent driver but generally work on being smooth versus fast (assuming the latter will come with the former).

Impressions of the TT:

- Firstly, I don't think LRP is a particularly good track for the TT. Momentum cars tend to do very well there and the TT has more of a point and squirt aspect to it in stock form. I'm going to VIR next week which should allow the TT to really stretch its legs on the front, back and esses.

- VERY tire pressure dependent. Coming off the first two sessions which were about 25 minutes each the rear tires were at 50 psi. With Eclou's advice below I bled off some air until they were at 45 hot. HUGE difference immediately. At 50psi the car felt unstable and not particularly confidence inspiring frankly. Trail braking into Big Bend in particular would make the cara very squirrly and I'd end up running wider than I had wanted. The reduction in pressure helped a great deal and I could keep a much better line. I ultimately also lowered the psi in the front to about 36-37 hot which gave a more positive turn-in and reduced understeer.

- It's fast but not absurdly so on the short 1.5 mile course. My buddy Jeff with an unmodded 997 C2S was equally fast through the entire course excepting the relatively short front straight where the TT would obviously pull. Jeff is a fast guy (and braver than I am) which counts for something but the fact is the TT doesn't just pulverize everything because it has 480hp and lots of technology. Same holds true for the LS3 Corvette which was very quick and looked stable. I suspect at VIR and WGI the TT will prove to be considerably more effective.

- Rear end of the car does have a degree of "float" which has been mentioned on this forum a lot and also in the most recent Execllence as it relates to the modded GMG car on the cover (the GMG mods and presumably others seek to reduce that float). From reading I assume this is a side effect of the Turbo's relatively plush ride. Worth looking into some mods here.

- Brakes are sensational even with OEM pads. Good modulation, zero fade. Decent pedal positioning for heel and toeing.

That's all for the quick write-up. There is a lot of learning for me to do with the new car but those are my initial impressions. Happy to take any feedback or thoughts.

For those of you who only run your car on the street you're missing a great deal of fun.

 

Thanks for the writeup. I was at Pocono on Saturday. Similar conditions. First time there, first time tracking the TT, and only the fourth or fifth track day ever. All others were in TX around 8 years ago in an '89 C4.

My experience was very similar to yours, although I can't claim to be able to drive this car anywhere near its capabilities. After building confidence, I started building speed. During my second 20 min. session I was utilizing the PSM. Not good. I checked my tire pressure and the rears were about 55!! I remembered eclou's comment about skating and decided to bring pressures down to mid 40's. World of difference.

Small track definitely brought down the car's ability to stretch it's legs, but, like you, I was more concerned with the line and smooth inputs. From what I hear, Watkins Glen is ideal for these cars.

All in all it's a blast. There is no other way to explore the limits of these cars or to appreciate what they can do other than to track it. Looking forward to many more miles on and off.

 

I hope the track day went well. Let me know how the car handled stock at lime rock

 

See my post below...

 

Wait until WGI, I like the tires 31/37 hot f/r in sport mode. The tt in street trim def doesn't like short tracks like lamerock or the pocono short courses. See ya at the glen!