Seems a bit unlikely, as it could be Porsche marketing-speak, but the new 997 is vastly improved, to be sure. Does that seem odd to anyone else, that the heavy, cush 997S would get such a close time on the Nordschliefe as the stock GT3?

 

actually the 997 (whose times closely mirror the 996's) is not much improved at all from a performance standpoint while the 997S (with sport suspension) is a major improvement (if you don't mind RMS leaks). from rennlist:

7:56 --- Porsche 996 Turbo
7:56 --- Chevrolet Corvette C6 (tested by Dave Hill)
7:57 --- Lotec Porsche 993 Turbo, 600 PS, racing suspension
7:59 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Performance Chassis) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)
8:02 --- Porsche 911 Carrera S (997) (Sport PASM setting) (Walter Rohrl - WHEELS June 2004)

For reference:
8:17 --- Porsche 996 C2
8:32 --- Porsche Boxster S

 

But really that close to the GT3 in Nurburgring? The GT3 had the best time of any P-car (sock, U.S. version, so no RS or Cup Car) before the CGT came along, and to have a heavier, larger, less powerful car come that close to a car designed specifically for race courses is amazing to me. 4-5 seconds is NOT that much difference! Just seems unlikely - those are Porsche tester times, so I can't help but wonder if it is marketing speak.

 

Not true. GT2 set the production car record around the 'Ring in 2001 with a time of 7:46 on the stock Michelin PS1, which even today is still an awesome time. Funny thing is, Walter Rohrl thought he could go even faster....

 

The 996 Turbo's time would be substantially lower if it had been tested with the X73 suspension.

 

I tell you-4 seconds is an eternity at the track. Multiply that say 10 laps-it's huge. If you track your car and you time your laps-try taking off 4 seconds off your best lap-damn hard. Hey it's good 997S has improved performancewise over the 996-lucky not worse. Regards. Mike

 

not so much on an 8 min one!

 

Ha Ha....8 Flat or better is booking along in a stock street Porsche at the ring WITH stock tires! Every four seconds UNDER 8 minutes is an eternity! OMT-consider the traffic issues along with that and VOILA-my most favorite place in the UNIVERSE to race! M
CANNOT WAIT FOR DAS SHNOW TO KAPUTIN

 

what's the new z06 do?

 

Has anyone on this board driven the Ring?
Wonder what times can amateurs like us get?

 

I could do it in about 20

:-)

 

lol, thanks for the funny thought.

 

Yes I've driven the 'ring myself a few times in some different Porsches. On public days they do not allow timing or video (any more) so I could not tell you what times I achieved (not that anyone should attempt to go fast until they have done at least 100 laps).

I have been round in a modifed 993RS lightweight, with a friend who knows the 'ring very well and has driven there in the 24hrs race. I would estimate that even in traffic we were doing very low 8's..........a truly awesome experience (it's a popular video doing the rounds on the internet).

Guy

Guy

 

that's much better than i had expected. when it's in the minutes, u don't need very accurate timing gear. a $10 digital stop watch will do.

 

I, as well as many of my peer group have driven the ring; many decades, many races. I can remember my first time (guessing about 21 years old. I think I will never forget that day, EVER. My german mentor explained that the way to learn the track was to "look UP! (at the tree cutouts in the forest)!. I drive every major track in the world (no china-yet!) AND, while many facilities have superior anciliary improvements.....NOTHING compare to the Nordschlief.....NOTHING ON THIS PLANET!
BTW- Guy from UK...Who do you go with to the ring in a 993RS-great car to do it in. regards M