Lost my cherry today...

[dd74]

Now I know exactly what the hell these cars are about.

Today, I did the OTR series at Willow Springs raceway with instruction from Tyson and Dave at TRE.

After their instruction, I was able (to some degree) drift the car, trailbrake it, and use its "lack of power" to a positive by somewhat nailing the apexes. But with all said and done, there is still A LOT to learn.

Undoubtedly, the track is the the natural setting for the 911. Now I know what I've been missing.

BTW: Big Willow is damn frightening. But then frightening is also subjective.

[Joe Bob]

Best time around?

[Superman]

What'd I tell ya?

[campbellcj]

It's not subjective. Virtually everybody you'll ever ask will agree Big Willow -is- frightening

Sorry I missed it. I am here in Boston basking in the 9° weather. Yes that is 9F

[speeder]

The only problem, (if you can call it a problem), is that I only really dig my car when it stinks of burning rubber now.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a beautiful way to fetch a loaf of bread, but once you have unleashed the true heritage of the car it is never the same.

[dd74]

Originally posted by mikez
Best time around?

I never was timed. But I'm sure my time was nothing to write home about.

Tyson, meanwhile whipped my car like a bad stepchild, and believes he got it below 1:40.

I'm still seeing "track flashes."

[Adam]

1:40 is seriously fast, for a street 911 isn't it?

[dd74]

Adam: I'm far too new to this to know for sure. But if the other cars on the track that Tyson bore down on was any indication - i.e. a Porsche 996 Twin Turbo and a Corvette Z06 - done so with a car that is just like yours except for a few more horsepower and a smaller ring and pinion (which did have its disadvantages on the straights, by the way), I am certain his time in my car was very fast.

He gave it everything. And the beauty was the car took it very well. It's a testimony to the suspension modifications he and Dave helped me with. In fact, now I understand that what's truly needed in all this is a good suspension. As those in the know have said on this board, engine power is probably not the most important aspect in this kind of driving.

I don't know what tracks you have near you in Oz, but Willow has ascents and decents (it's built on a hillside), and in that, especially with a lower horsepower car, it's imperative to hit the turns exactly right and use almost all of the track. Apexes are a smaller motor's friend.

The Vipers and Corvettes on the other hand just eat right through the track. My car was the smallest engined Porsche there, but to see Tyson take the Turbo shows that power is the least of it. I was highly impressed.

[dd74]

Originally posted by speeder
The only problem, (if you can call it a problem), is that I only really dig my car when it stinks of burning rubber now.

Hilarious! And true!

I smell things in my car now that are downright frightening. Gasoline fumes for one as the seal on my gas cap broke. I drove home from Rosamond half stoned!

[k9handler]

damn that sounds fun...so what would it take to get Tyson to make a trip to Europe for some suspension testing on the ring? Ha Ha...that would be fun!

[dd74]

Hmmm...let's see: With a name like Schmidt? Maybe beer?

[Tyson Schmidt]

Did someone say beer? Ryan (Surflvrsc) just gave me some amazing beer from Germany. It goes down so smoothly, and has a kick like half a dozen shots of Jager. Apparently they don't limit the alcohol conent in the Fatherland. Good stuff! No, great stuff!

David, we really can't say what times I turned in your car. It felt like I may have had one sub-1:40 in there, but it can be very deceiving. You really never know until you use a hot-lap timer. I definitely think with a little more tire, and no passenger, I could run consistent 1:39's with your car. I was very pleasantly surprised at your cars manners and abilities. (Brakes aside)

It definitely needs a corner balance though. I did notice it handled differently in left corners versus right. But truly encouraging overall.

[Paul Franssen]

Everybody's always talking ...ring... OK, this is very near and you can drive this F1 circuit very soon:

http://www.porscheclubfrancorchamps.be/nouvelle/days04gb.htm

It's the best F1 circuit around, uphill, downhill, everywhich kind...

http://www.porscheclubfrancorchamps.be/histo/circuit3.htm

http://www.porscheclubfrancorchamps.be/histo/referf1.htm

[k9handler]

Thanks Paul...are you going?

I will probably go since it's so close and looks like it will be great fun.

[Paul Franssen]

Moin k9Handler, alles klar?

Yep, I'm going on friday the 23rd but will not be myself driving (saving money for rear rotors, Bilsteins, removeble steering wheel and our Porsche trip to Spain in May...). But my English colleague with his 996 turbo X50 will be driving.

Friday's got 4 x 45 minute "beginner" sessions (against saturday's 3) and on Sunday it's 4 x 40 minutes for both "fun" and "sport" categories.

The "sport" (never mind "racing") categories are recommended for experienced drivers only, with knowledge of the Spa circuit.
The "racing" class is for slick tires only, racing cars (lots of test drives for serious 911 racers going on, the circuit rent is considered "cheap"...)

BTW, register early to avoid disappointment: max. 80 cars allowed on the circuit concurrently...

If you would go, let me know, we might meet (I may go on saturday also, and in fact I'll be there with my French Club911 friends.

[a996man]

...enter English colleague with 996 TT.

Morning all, so looking forward to Spa. Meet some new enthusiasts!

[Paul Franssen]

Hear yea, hear yea (sound of ringing hand-bell)

Let's stay in touch and meet up, guys!

[Wayne 962]

Dude, you drove pretty fast on Mulholland for someone who had never been to DE...



-Wayne

[k9handler]

Paul and Greg...let's do it!

Never been to a DE so I would need the basic class, my driving skills are not the best.

I am looking for a site (yahoo maps, etc) that will give me driving directions...any ideas?

[a996man]

Originally posted by k9handler
Paul and Greg...let's do it!

Never been to a DE so I would need the basic class, my driving skills are not the best.

I am looking for a site (yahoo maps, etc) that will give me driving directions...any ideas?

Great!

The site good for directions, otherwise meet at Antwerp and we can all drive together......!