This past Saturday I drove the GT3 to the Firebird West track. My crew chief also towed my racecar out to the track. It was a free test day, so there was no way I could pass that one up...

Only, I couldn't bring myself to take the GT3 onto the track. First, I'm already emotionally attached to the GT3. Second, the quality of drivers in the street car groups was down right scary. Not only were they doing bonehead things, half of them were driving cheap, ragged cars. About the only way I could have done it in retrospect would be to make sure that I was the first car on the track. Then, each time I caught up the rear of the pack, I'd come in just before they were in rock throwing range.

Maybe this is a personality defect? Emotional attachment to a car?

On the other hand, this is the first car I've ever owned where I felt that it was made just for me personally. Everything about the car is made exactly as I would have requested it if I could have a custom built car for the street.

I'll no doubt still drive it hard on mountain roads early weekend mornings. And if I can get the track to myself, I'll drive it. But, I am not sure I'll ever be able to take it out on the track with the usual suspects ...

Do I need a psychiatrist?

Is my wife going to be jealous and accuse me of an affair with my my arctic silver beauty?

P.S. I did at least get some good track time in the race car.

 

Join the PCA and sign up for a Drivers Ed event, pretty well organized and relatively safe.

 

I am in the same "Psychological Boat" as you are...considering the 140K I have into this car w/ tax and mods, I don't have it in me to beat the **** out of it and or risk impact on the track. Guess I'm not rich enough. I will take it out once or twice under the right conditions, but for me it makes a lot more sense to buy an '02 Z06 with relatively lows miles for under 30K, redo the brakes and tweak the suspension when I am ready to commit the time to track, which is alot of time. Tracks are quite a long drive for me, except for one which is two hours (Limerock). I need a bigger house first with a 3 car garage. Priorities....

 

There is nothing wrong with being a bit of a snob with who you track with. I prefer PCA because I know most of the folks are as fanatical about their cars as I am and that they run a tight safe track weekend w/ no boneheads allowed.

 

I generally prefer autocross type of events where you go one at a time -- you only have to worry about you and the course -- not other boneheads in beaters.

 

I have GT-3 which I run PCA DE events. I agree with Justin, they are safe and sociable. I think many onliners are missing out by not running PCA events.

 

The question is, how do you guys not do it.

 

Speaking for myself, I did not take the "red" pill...

 

Im 17 ill be 18 in january and I really want to start tracking the Porsche. My Dad is comeing around and I think I am going to go to a three day track school where you can bring your own car for my birthday. What do you do if you me? I want to track the car so bad I can taste it, but I don't want to ruin other peoples days because they are afraid of me. How do you get started? Any help would be great!

 

Try PCA or BMWCCA.

I will never take my car to NASA, Speed Trial USA, or even Speed Venture.

I am going to the BMWCCA PIR school in Phoenix next weekend. I don't think the school is full yet. 1.8 mile of half oval half infield in half an hour session, that should mean lots and lots of laps.

 

HELL FIRE GUYS!!!!!

What a load of old rubbish. You are prepaired to "Push On" in your car on the public road but not at a track event?

I think you have your priorities completely wrong.

The GT3 is designed to be driven at the track. It really does not make much sense to just drive it on the road, even though it does make a very good road car.

You are just missing the whole point.

Nothing is better than exploring what you can do and what the car can do in a controlled enviroment. The engine is built to rev to 10K+, why would Porsche go to all the expense of Titanium bolts etc if it was just to pop down to the QuikyMart?

There are two things the car hates. Standing full throttle starts (kills the diff) and being driven like Miss Daisy (Kills the spirit)

If you are worried about the other numb nutts do what we have. Form your own group. We all trust each others driving and strive to improve at every opportunity. We have a damn good time and by banding togeather we get deals on track time and consumables. There are about 30 regulars now with a supporting cast of another 70 so someone take the bull by the horns and get organised!!

For our American cousins may I make a suggestion. Arrange your summer holiday for next year to coincide with one of the Journoman/Titanic Lodge meetings and see what you are missing.

We have exclsuive use of the UK's premier track facility with training provided by the 2003, and now the 2004, Porsche Carrera Cup champion.

There is proffesional support in attendance to help with running your car during the day.

There are no idiots.

The food is really good!

You will have the **** taken out of you and your every spin will be applauded!!!!

If we can do this you must be able to sort something out!

And in closing....

My car has a few stone chips, it is on its second set of tyres and second set of pads. It gets enjoyed all the way upto the red line in the first 4 gears. I have spun it, done my fair share of grass cutting and replaced the front splitter.

This is the best money I have ever spent and I love it to death, just can't wait for the winter to be over and the season to start again!

Rant over.

P.

 

P,

Wise words oh great sooth sayer!! Thine savvy and nous shineth like a veritable beacon, illuminating the disbelievers.
Unto thee i say this
Hurrah, Hurrah and thrice hurrah,
May the farce be with you!

 

You have to find a group you like to run with, with drivers you trust, see my thread on our local group track day. Get 10-12 drivers you trust, and rent a track for the day. Then you have everything you want, and nothing you don't.

You won't enjoy PCA or POC, way to many cars, way too little track time, way too much waiting around.

 

Macfly,

lovely photo's!! Ever thought of taking it up as a career???
You've hit the nail on the head though. We have finally got ourselves into a great group of guy's, who know eachothers abilities, or lack of, and enjoy the day. No ego's or boneheads. If someone is on a charge, fair play to them, just move over, let them pass with ease, and maybe try to hang on for a while.
it really doen't get any better.Remember, manners cost nothing, hitting a wall at 100+ don't

Regards,

Steve

 

Yes, but then....we all do!

You are definitely missing out -- the GT3 is sooooo much fun on the track. Even when you're driving the car at 70% of it's potential on the track, you're going at least 100% faster than you can go on the street. As Macfly recommended, do your own private track days -- you'll get too much track time, be with people you know, enjoy your car as it was intended and not have any "bonehead" worries.