Comparisons of the 997 with the 991 have gotten me thinking more lately about driving technique with the 997, given its pronounced rear weight bias.

In comparison with more 'balanced/neutral' cars, seems to me that 997 wants us to do at least some trail braking to help clamp the nose down, then turn, apex a little 'late', and start getting on the power fairly early. And never come into a turn so hot that you find yourself having to attempt hard braking mid-turn.

I'd appreciate thoughts on this from you more skilled drivers out there.

Edit: I'd should clarify that I'm not referring to driving near or at the limit, control of significant understeer and oversteer, etc. Just basic driving technique applicable to spirited driving on public roads, and scalable to higher speeds on the track.

 

For spirited road driving I dont think you need to trail brake as much as on the track. Often it only takes coming off the brakes a little slower and more smoothly than usual. Keeping the front end loaded a little longer to maximize entry speed.

You are correct about getting on power as early as possible. On some very fast road turns you can try braking early, then coming on gas smoothly right before you turn to balance the cars tires and then you on on the gas as you enter the turns. I find it works on turns where you say to yourself..fast turn...slow hands. You are doing less with your hands so you can do more with the pedals.

 

997 tt PDK just brake and steer. All you shifters should try it.

 

thats certainly one way to do it...

 

Also for the TT the advantage is not so much the pdk. It certainly is a large advantage but the 4 WD is huge also.

The driver doesn't have as much to concern himself with balancing the car with so much HP with 4wd

 

It is educational to do DE with an instructor or have a driving coach from a school like Proformance to give you real-time feedback on a track to get better and consistent with the techniques mentioned. Like having your tennis coach tweak your backhand or serve a little bit.

 

Agreed, I've done that, and plan to do a lot more.

My question in this thread is focused more on how driving technique should be adjusted to suit the distinct characteristics of the 997 (with RWD).

I alternate between driving the 997 and Cayman R, and they behave differently enough that some thought needs to be given to how to drive each. I don't push the C63 that hard anymore, since its handling isn't in the same league as the Porsches, so it's not as rewarding anymore - more of a highway missile now.

 

Ok. Well we have a C4S and a manual Boxster. An AWD is different for sure. I am fortunate to be going to PSDS in Birmingham mid April where the 991 is now being integrated among the 997 and Caymans. May ask a few similar questions.

 

i drive slow / brake before getting into the turn, then use throttle to power out of the turn.

 

Slow in fast out

 

What he said. Sign up for an Autocross or two to find the fun in taping that break to move the weight forward and pulling around that cone in full throttle. Most fun you will ever have in second gear!

Aside, I sat in a 991 yesterday and the dealer was going on about the wheelbase change in the car makes it steer more like a grand tourer. I'm not sure I see that as a good thing.

 

The evidence so far indicates that the 991 will post better numbers than the 997 on a typical track, but I too wonder how the longer wheelbase would work with sharper curves, as in autocross. Along the same lines, I don't find the 991 to be as nimble as the 997.

 

Slow in...fast out is what 911 drivers are taught.

However you need to break it down into more detail to get really fast.

You need to be careful of going in "too slow". If you go "too slow" in then the change of speed to get to "fast" thru the turn (to over come the slow in) becomes an issue. Tire traction is compromised.

IMO balancing the tires traction limits for acceleration, braking and turning is the key to driving anywhere fast. Street, track, autocross.

 

To drive flat out fast in fast out you better get cheap disposable track car with full cage and fire suppression system. Doing it in street legal 997 car may end up costly.
Slow in fast out is safe as you do not get too close to a limit in corner entry.
AX has more thrill as you are safer there but slow speed dynamics are different from high speed ones.

 

You are right. On track, I trail brake nearly all the way to the apex of a corner that follows a fast straight. Scaling that back to my road driving, I do just as you say. I brake firmly, though nothing like as dramatic as threshold braking of course, and I turn in while still braking. That keeps the front tires well-planted. Then I change to power and accelerate as much as open-road conditions permit. Here's a video with examples. About a minute from that link entry you'll see a good example.

I'm following a 2012 Turbo S, but as you say, this is road driving. We aren't going all that fast. For one thing, we're following a Cayman and a Boxster and the entire group is being led by a lovely forty-year-old 914. That makes our driving characteristic of entertaining driving at a pace that's safe for public roads.

I'd say the "slow in, fast out" guidance is a way to encourage the late apex and discourage an early apex, even when it is the faster way through a corner sequence. It is certainly good advice until you're both experienced enough and well-funded enough to put a car into a corner sequence with limited escape options. The late apex lets you bail on a corner more easily than an early apex, where it is quite easy to run out of talent and asphalt at the same moment in life.

Gary [Who just watched his own video. Another good example at about 7:45]