Just got back from tracquest at Watkins glen. For those that don’t know, tracquest is similar to PCA driving events with three caveats. Caveat #1-there are a more diverse cars to run with-4 ferrari challenge cars, three cups, RS, Aston vanquish, Ferrari 575, gt3’s ect
Caveat #2-you get ten times the amount of track time then any other event (less cars and much better format) Caveat #3-great bunch of people, great instruction, and Todd Serota is really always eager to help people drive better and faster.


I went up with a a friend who just purchased a 575 maranello paddle shift and Mark from Formula Motorsports. For those who don’t know Mark (racerx on this board) he is one of the most knowledgeable guys regarding Porsche anywhere. He has raced professionally and serviced Porsches for over thirty years, past president of PCA, formerly worked for Porche in Europe and USA ect. Mark did all the suspension work on my old turbo and really got the got dialed in properly. As for the gt3, I went with a simple tequipment roll bar, gt3 seats, and the stroth seatbelts. ***if you are getting the stroth belts-make sure you get a 2 inch lap belt and not three. Three is the biggest pain in the *** to pull close. . Also there are two versions of the belts depending how you want the belts to be mounted-permanent or removalable.

Anyway it was my first day two days on the track with the gt3 and all I can say is amazing. With the help of Brian from Performance outfitters, we played around with the sway bars-I left the rear on two from soft in the back-I also played with the rear spoiler and added the rear spoiler adapter to change 4 degrees. I’m not sure if I could tell the effect but it was fun trying.

As for the Ferrari 575-great sound, heavy obviously for the track. The paddle shift was fun but I wonder if you are suppose to take your foot of the gas when you blip the paddle. If you don’t you get a noticeable jerk forward.

Gt3-compared with the 996 stage 3 turbo-The gt3 is clearly the track winner, more fun to drive, better breaking abilities, and better turning ect. But hey there is always a moment on the track that you miss the all wheel drive-yesterday in the rain. And there is always time to miss the 540HP of the 996-when you screw up a corner and have to wait for the gt3 to wind up. Great day, great friends and just an overall great driving weekend.

michael

 

Great write up, really wish i could get out on track after that!

all the best
adam

 

Sounds like fun, I did the glen in Oct with PDA. A mixed bunch, I'm going to check out tracquest. That track is awsome, isn't it.

 

Oh Yea !

 

I was the instructor for the Gentleman in the Austin Martin Vanquish at the event. The 575M is similar to the Austin Martin in that when the paddle is selected for up shift, the ECU retards the timing, reducing the torque while the transmission selects the next forward gear. I found the shifts to take about .5 seconds. This helps the transmission last longer and in normal driving makes shifting smoother. However, at the track it is annoying and upsets the balance of the car. An F360 F1 for example is shifts more "purposefully" and much quicker which makes for a better track car.