[gliding_serpent]

how can 250hp beat 475hp? Because it is about FAR FAR more than Hp.

On tight tracks, the fastest car is not always the one with the most power, but rather the one that slows down the least. Take your car to a HPDE and you will begin to learn that hp does not make a car fast; the driver does (and I am small potatoes as far as driving goes). After that, tires, suspension, brakes. and gearing are key. Hp is actually quite low on the list.

Mind you, go to a track that is a "power track" (road america) and the guys with big engines that are good at depressing the loud pedal will do just fine. Lime Rock, not so much.

Sugarwood, I passed a modern 455hp Corvette stingray in a my 130hp (at the fly) 1973 2002Tii (with mild suspension upgrades and a LSD). I passed a 400hp+ Ferrari in a bone stock 3600lbs+ 230hp BMW 328. I passed a 996tt (he actually knew what he was doing, with had more track time than me) in a stock 263hp FWD Mazdaspeed3. Handling track mind you. What did I have? More skill, and in the case of the Tii and Mazda, R compound tires, and better brake pads (but not race pads). And do you know what passed me? A kid in a Honda civic SI (maybe over 200hp) with four doors, proper race suspension (proper stiffness and negative camber) and slicks. One of our most experienced local race car drivers (Top 2, and he wins about half his races, and often travels abroad to race) in a street Cayman S had to work hard to keep up with that kid in the Civic.

Want to drive faster? Drive a "slower" car. Equal drivers, sure the GT3 wins. But equal driving time, the guy who slogs it out in an under-powered car will become the faster driver than the guy who starts with the GT3. You know what happens when you drive a slow car? Everyone passes you until you realize that you need to use every inch of the track, every inch of the braking zone, power down on turn exit as soon as humanly possible. Drive perfect lines, be consistent. You learn to drive well because every little mistake is so punishing. The first time I took my Tii to the track, I passed one car. One. A BMW Z4... but man did my instructor and I cheer. I was passed a million times. The second time I took it to the track, no street car under 350hp could touch me.

Get in a 400+hp car and many people compensate for poor skill by stepping hard on the loud pedal when the car is in a straight line. It can slow development as a driver because the car makes people think they are better than they are. That is why I am still catching "faster cars" in even more advanced run groups at the track. Some folks are there because their car is fast, and maybe they put in the time, but as a driver, they still have a lot more to learn, and their lines show it.

But can you buy a faster race car than a old 911 for less money? Absolutely. Can you buy another race car that has the feel of an old 911 race car? Absolutely not. I have driven cars with just about every drivetrain combo possible, and the feeling of my 84 is priceless.

I was in line at the liquor store a few years ago. I had some Strongbow and Guinness. The guy behind me has a 24 or bud. HE says... "man, you are going to pay more than me and get half as much beer!" I look at him and say "true, but I will not need to get drunk before I begin to enjoy it."