First track event in the SC - this is not a 993!
 

Just completed my first DE in my "new" SC at Summit Point. This was a humbling experience. First two sessions I was jittery and especially so when coming up on the spot where I trashed my 993 in Oct. In the 993 I had 110% total confidence in everything. I used to go down the straight into turn 1 at about 140mph, would mash the brakes (Big Reds), throw it from 4th right into 2nd in a heartbeat and keep going. This does not work in an SC!

When I really had the space, I could get to 115mph, stab the brakes, go from 5th to 3rd in one stroke and maybe double clutch into 2nd around turn 1. Although my newly rebuilt 3.0 (with 964 cams and SSI) has a lot more torque than it used to, the 915 requires more effort than my G50-20. Third session on Sat. I got a little more confident and faster. Yesterday, I was feeling even better. My SC brakes are as good as 1983 technology gets - 1 month on the rebuilt calipers, new PF-97 pads and slotted rotors. Didn't lock up once and they DO stop well. But Big Reds they ain't.

Toward the end of yesterday, I finally came to realize that I have a lot more torque in 3rd gear and thus did not really need to go into second around some of the twisties. For a few laps, a 944 turbo with a very throaty exhaust got in front of me and his exhaust resonance was out of phase with mine and it made it very difficult for me to feel my revs. My exhaust is super loud and still I had to watch the tach when this car was in front of me. It was pretty weird, sort of like singing and not being able to hear yourself.

Anyway, the SC performed like a champ. I had some new oil lines with me, since the two short ones that go into the front cooler were leaking badly and I R&R'ed them in the paddock, ended up having to pull the cooler off and clean it up too. All in a typical day at the track for the NoVA gang.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1110814683.jpg

Sounds like fun! One question - why use 5th gear if you're only topping out at 115? I'd have left it in 4th.

I don't know Summit Point, though...just a curiosity...

Mike

Max speed down the straight depends on exit speed in T10 or HP. I typically am going a little faster at the shutdown point and seldom shift to 5th.in our SC Though I have bumped against the limiter more than a couple of times. RL is just getting used to a new car, fresh engine and post crash paranoia (993 + wall = $22K?). Keep swinging RL!.

Hang in there RL! It seemed like you made huge progress on Sunday, it's just the beginning. I'm sure we'll see each other in blue in no time.

Thanks for the photos, Noah. Great meeting you this weekend. We need to go drink Pabst and chase cheap women sometime. Or maybe have some Dunhills and a single malt after a trip to the NRA range.

Chris, I'm painting a green dot on my windshield to save PCA Potomac the cost of the decals.

RL, since this will be your track weapon, might as well get used to it. It's more work than the 993 but the rewards are even bigger, knowing that you can handle an older car and not depend on the Weissach axle to do the work for you.

The fact that the SC stayed on the track where the 993 didn't means you're driving better already.

Good to see you all back on track again this year.

RL, the comfort will come as time goes on. One or two more weekends and you will be at one with the new track steed. YOu did a great job of getting back on track after last fall's incident. The SC looks great out there.

I always stayed in 4th hitting the rev limiter down the straight.

Hey Rick,

Great post! ...and very timely. I'm going out to my first event in my SC this saturday. This after having bonded with my 993 over the years. I had grown to really trust the 993's brakes (I used PFC97 in my 993 too and love them! ...OEs on the SC now, though), power, and overall dynamics. Now I am eager to get out there and learn the SC, but am a bit nervous as well, not knowing fully what to expect. We'll see this saturday. I know the learning curve will be steep at first, but I'm looking forward to it, and being a better driver! :D

Edward

Rick, sounds like the car is set up nice. You will get used to it and have lots of fun.

Edward, if you're running stock SC brakes, make sure you have plenty of meat on them, good rotors and FRESH, bubbleless brake fluid. 993 brakes really spoiled me. I practiced threshold braking on a long, empty, country road at night before this event and didn't lock up once or lose my pedal.