BC

I am now down to two 928s. My foray into "other sports cars" has lead me to a few conclusions, many of which are not important here, but suffice to say, Track driving for me must be fun, and not a time of increased stress and trying not to chunk a car because of its "interesting tendencies". The 928 telegraphs its motions so much that I am thinking of making one of my two cars into a track car, since I will probably have a tow vehicle soon. That means, to me, you can go, have fun, bring some extra stuff, have a nice radio, GPS, a laydown nap, and still have an extremely capable track car at the track.

So, ABS or no ABS for track 928s? I suppose I could put the system on the non-ABS car pretty easily, but thats not the best bet.

Just a thought. And a question.

Dennis K

I would say if your car has ABS, keep it. If it doesn't, don't worry about adding it.

The 928 ABS is several generations old now and can be annoying at the track. I try to never invoke it because the rate of deceleration is not nearly as good with it firing. With some practice, your foot can modulate non-ABS brakes well enough to avoid lockups.

Black Sea RD

What Dennis said.

My 1986.5 928S has ABS and it did help me a few times from flat spotting my tires when I overcooked a few turns as I was climbing the PCA DE ladder. As a solo driver I don't ever get into ABS anymore. But I'm only doing fun DE days and not full racing.

There is a race ABS but to retrofit the system into a 928 would probably be cost prohibitive.

Constantine

GlenL

Some guys with late model cars will admit relying on the stuf in every corner. Why not? Tromp the brakes till the ABS kicks in and no worries. I want to drive the car and not have microprocessors do it for me.

On the other hand, if it saves one or two $200+ tires from being flat spotted and scraped it'd be worth it. (What C said.) Then again, four years of DE and zero tires wasted.

mark kibort

Racing abs is different than the abs we have on a 928. stomp on it in a race and you will drive into the tires!
however, if you use it as a safety net, you can keep from flatspotting tires.
Since braking skill is one of the most important for racers, its amazing that they allow racing type brakes in any professional series. as glen says, what skill does it take to just stomp on the brakes!!

MK

BC

Thanks for the comments guys. I am trading ideas beack and forth as to (if I decide to do it at all) which 928 to put into full track mode, trailer, etc. I will have a towing vehicle soon, and the long ride looks like it could be less tiring if its in a truck.

Something has to be said about towing a vehicle being a tiring thing as well though. I do know I was beat when I drove the S2000 (shocks, boomy exhaust, soft top) the 3 or so hours to WS and back in one day with about 6 hours of track day in the middle.

Thats getting a but OT though.

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

With the right towing setup, I find it is less tiring to tow then to drive a track prepared car to the track. It is also really nice to roll the car off the trailer and basically be ready to run.

With regard to ABS, I never had it on my 928 and have flat spotted tires, so perhaps it would have helped. I do have it on my M3, and have not flat spotted tires, but honestly don't recall ever getting into the ABS.

mark kibort

I still really like drivng the race car to the track. i drove tonight all over town. the 928 is amazing. (all you need with mine is a set of ear plugs!
a 3 hour drive with a trailer, i can make in 2:15 min driving in my race car. less tiring for driving and you get there faster, but there is the hassle factor of unpacking and packing! (and the chance of having to use AAAplus!)

Mk

GlenL

I'd like to trailer to the track. No swapping tires and pads.

What really sucks is trailering home when you drove it there.

SwayBar

Another reason some racers advocate disconnecting the ABS is that if the car starts to spin, 'two feet in' (..both clutch and brakes to the floor) will allow the car to lock up all four wheels thus spinning-out the car in a straight-line, versus an ABS-car which will not allow lock-up, and where the car will catch traction and shoot across the track into the opposite wall.

On the other hand, if the car is driven on the street and is equipped with ABS, I would leave it alone.