I usually run with the Instructor/advanced students groups.

Usually run with R-Comps and Pagid Yellows (at least in my Cayman S I did).

With the new 997.2 I am told that the proper size of pad is not available in Pagids and as yet i havent got myself a second set of wheels/tires.

So, would you run it at a track event bone stock?

I worry about completely killing my street tires and running out of brakes somewhere on the third day.

What would you guys do?

1- Go anyway and drive slowly.

2- Pass on this event till you have at least the basics.

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As wierd as this sounds. I have not hit the track except for a one day open lapping day this year. I am itching to buy a motorbike. I know that if I was driving on the track, motorbikes are the furthest thing from my mind.

Must be something to do with teh need for speed.


Another odd observation:

Unlike any other car I have ever owned, I dont have the urge to listen to music while in the carrera. That never happened in my M3s or my Cayman.
Not sure what it is.

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So far so good. Think I want to drive this car all year round. Even sub zero temps, ice and snow. Including the storms.

The Carrera just feels right.

 

I am not 100% certain, but I thought that the brakes on your car were the same as the 997.1 and 997.2 C2S's. I bought my Pagid's from Craig at www.rennstore.com and he knew his Porsche brakes. I would give him a call and see what he has available.

If it were me, I wouldn't pass up a chance to go to the track, and I would drive in Stock setup, get use to the car, and then replace the parts that wear out and just think of it as consumables (brakes, tires, and gas).

Enjoy it, it has been 3 days since my last track day and I am getting the itch again!

 

bone stock car is totally fine at the track, stock red brake is more than adequate, same as PS2 tires.

 

Depends on how fast you want to go

 

Exactly!

 

The stock brakes on the 997.2 Carrera are all new as best I knew - so it may be true that there aren't many (if any) alternative pads available yet. BUT, maybe there's a Porsche Sport (4-2-1) pad, which while not a Yellow, Black, or PFC equal, would at least give you more pad than stock.

Me, I'd go to the event and take it easy. You're advanced enough to know how to budget your brakes and if you start to glaze up, you can take it easier.

The only thing with the new C2 brakes is it's a closed caliper design. So changing pads for every event is going to be a chore. So you might like a "hybrid" pad like the Sport Pad (if available) so you could keep it on the car for the street as well. Keep in mind the 4-2-1 / Sport pad is what comes stock on the GT3, and I found those stock brakes and pads very capable.

 

With all the jockying to get off work and all (this event was short notice) I have given up on it.

I will go anyway, as a spectator (take trackside photos, buy Porsche stuff) and at least get to hear engines, smell brake dust and hopefully get a ride or two. (I have a horrible feeling I cannot ride myself of crotchrocket lust at the moment)

The closed caliper shouldnt be a problem (both the M3s were like that too) unless this one is a particular chore. Will have to find out exactly how his one compars to the M3 ones.

I'll look into the sport pad option. Should hold me over for a while. Having taken out the car for an open day at the track (my first time with this car) I didnt wear the tires too much and didnt end up with much in the way of pad transfer. And while I got ok lap times, I really couldnt push it.


Is it reasonable to consider, over time dropping in GT3 parts and keeping the car as a daily driver with enough of an edge to be trackworthy? I find the internal debate regarding dual purpose car vs dedicated track ***** endless and some what fun if not outright obsessive at times!

 

I've had a variety of street and track cars over the years, including a race prepared 964 and a 997 GT3. In the end, I found my favorite "flavor" was my 09 C2S w/ Sport PASM / LSD. I like the dual use car even though I could easily have both street and track. Just something cool about enjoying the 997S during the day, swapping pads and wheels/tires early evening, and going to the track the next morning. Then return, swap back, clean the car, and have a great street car again.

As to being track worthy as a street car, my 07 C2S was running 1:02 at Lime Rock and about 2:15 at Watkins Glen with just control arms for camber, moderate street / track alignment (-2.3 degrees front), pad swap to PFC97s, SRF fluid, and 18s w/ RA1s in 245/305. That's HUGELY capable and the next day I was taking my wife out to dinner...

 

That post reaffirmed why I bought this car in the first place.

Cheers!

 

so this is the reason why I can't catch you...

 

Like Ron mentioned, changing pads out on a 09 Carrera with the closed caliper design will be a total hassle. The Carrera S had a open caliper design and I can get my stock pads out and race pads installed in about 45 seconds.

I'd still go to the track and run the car but I would not stay out for full sessions or possible not even run the whole day.

 

It takes you 45 seconds, getting slow in your old age

 

Might be a hassle. But I used to do the same thing with teh M3's. Worth the price of admission to the track imho.

OTOH if the open calipers beecome a problem, I am sure i can find a way to swap in the open type.

 

You can get Brembo brake kits for just about any car.

 

Yep this is true!