Bonster

I have never once thought any Porsche to be anything but excellent, but this past weekend I rode along in two different 944 turbos at Barber Motorsports Park. One was a modestly race-prepared car, the other a track rat.

The race unit not only made me smile, it had me showing teeth. The track rat was mild in comparison, but it still gave me those happy butterflies. I gotta hand it to you guys/gals, these babies are a blast.

Just thought I would share. No, I do not have plans to buy one, but I sure hope to ride in one again.

Josh B

Glad you enjoyed the ride They can be pretty potent machines on the track.

Bonster

Yes, indeed, Josh. The track rat was a little rough - but that is to be expected. I can feel for these babies as "momentum cars" by comparison to say, the Cayman R that sped by us. You being in Atlanta ... I bet a ride in your car at RA would be magnificent!

Techno Duck

Ill never forget the first 'proper' ride i had gotten with an experienced driver and a well equipped car. It was at Lime Rock, the first track day i had ever done. My friend John (Wormhole) asked his friend Al to take me for a ride. I thought we were going to go out for like 3 or 4 laps, ended up staying out the entire 20 minute session. My face and hands were buzzing from the adrenaline.. the grip and stopping power was something i had never experienced in a car before.



Ill also never forget the first track day i did with a good set of summer tires and and track pads. Took me the entire day to relearn how to drive the track!

Bonster

Beautiful car, Duck!

333pg333

Thanks for popping into our little corner of the Porsche world. Glad you enjoyed yourself.

btw...no Cayman would go past a real track rat. ;-)

Van

Haha - wait until you get to ride in a GT3 cup car.

Bonster

As an instructor, I have ridden in all kinds of cars. I do hope someday for a ride like you describe, but not from a student! Lol.

disasterman

Real race cars are a relevation on track compared to the compromise of cars used on the street, even if they are track prepared.

Race cars and racing also give you a different perspective when you instruct. You are forced to use the tool to do a lot more and also get much closer to the edge.

Oh, if you don't want to let that Cayman R by, take my car out.

ausgeflippt951

Ha! Hear hear. It still makes me smile, when I think of how surprised I was.



Nice of you to stop by -- thanks for the kind words. I think it's an unfortunate fact of life that we 944 guys have a bit of a chip on our shoulder...always wanting to show the "real" P-car guys that our cars can compete, too!

"Challenge Accepted!"




On a related note, the first time I had the opportunity to drive a 911 on track, it was a hoot. SUCH a great torque curve; loved how it behaved under braking.

I'm assuming the cars you rode with had modified turbo setups? Definitely one of my favorite -- and least favorite -- qualities of the car. Teaches one to be very judicious with the throttle. Every once in a while an instructor will ride along with me and will say, mid corner, "foot to the floor! Foot to the floor!" Ok, you asked for it....this is why I don't put my foot to the floor (as we induce copious throttle oversteer on corner exit).


I'm telling you, it's the 951 and 911 guys who should be banding together against those Cayman/Boxster guys. Both the 951 and 911 have definitive driving-at-the-limit quirks, but by comparison the mid-engine guys are positively easy.

Bonster

I raced Spec Miata years ago ... talk about a challenging little beast. I love the power in my 911s, but I sure miss the way a Miata can corner. The 944s reminded me of that crazy cornering ability. And yes, I definitely can understand how one would want to be careful in a 944 in corners when the turbo spools up. I would have probably spun many times. Lol. I think it takes a lot of patience and skill to bring a 944 to its peak. Hats off to those that can. I will be watching my mirrors a little closer now.

MichelleJD

Nice to see a 911 guy giving props to our cars. Thank you.

Bonster

I call it like I see it is all, Michelle. If some folks are in denial, they are missing out. You must have forgotten who I am, silly ... I was in the WOR calendar the very first year. Lol. No big ... my nick is kind of weird. It's for "Bonni", my first name. Remember now?

Anyway, I know what 911 type of whom you speak. I have been looked down upon by them, too. Most folks are cool, but that occasional bad apple sure makes the pie taste crappy. I will never be "that guy". Unless you start saying Aztecs are cool. Then I might have to wake you from your nightmare.

95ONE

Caymen R passed you!? I'm sorry you rode in a slower 944 turbo!

Bonster

Well, in their defense, we weren't allowed passengers in groups four or five, so we went out in three, which had passing restrictions. And that new Cayman is pretty dang fast. I am so jealous of their horsepower.