Running in the Red Group at Sebring with Chin Track Days last Saturday 1/6/18 with moderate Traffic, I caught up with another fast moving new Silver "Touring" GT3-2,
the first -2 I had the pleasure of being with on the track at the same time and in the same run group. Even the fastest group with Chin requires a point-by before passing.
I was delighted that we could stay together through traffic and swapped leads for 4 laps. Some observations: Generally our lap times were virtually identical with a best lap time
of 2:23.51 through traffic, even with some delays waiting for point-byes. With the rear spoiler for downforce and 25 additional HP, he could pull about 4 car lengths on me
on Sebring's longest back straight into Turn 17. I was entering T17 at 148-150 MPH, I would guess he was at 150-152 MPH, but with my larger Rear Wing, I could carry more
speed and a tighter Radius through Turn 17 passing him again at the exit onto the shorter Front Straight. Looking through my mirrors, my car seemed to have better stability
during the transition into heavy Trail braking required on entry to T17. Our speeds from T17 to T1 on the front straight were very close but I could hold a slightly shorter radius
trail braking into the large radius T1. I believe the larger wing also made Full throttle on Bishops, T14 - T15, possible. In the slower sections through T3, T4, T5 and T7
performance seemed identical. Although any comparisons of car performance based on an unknown driver are very suspect at best, it was one of the most personally
enjoyable HPDE's that I have run. At least I can conclude that my "old" 2014 GT3-1, IMHO, the best and most fun to drive Porsche I have ever owned, is far from obsolete
and with an engine warranty extended to over 10 years, remains a highly acceptable alternative indefinitely in the absence of a -2 allocation.

 

Some great observations. It would appear that the manual didn't slow the driver down any ? Would you agree with the comment that for most beginner to intermediate track drivers, with or without wing wouldn't generate to much obvious difference in performance around a track ?

PS I had thought the touring GT3s we stuck in CARB at present and hadn't been delivered into US owners hands ? An earlier one got through ?

 

Such a refreshing GT3 thread , as a miss of adm's ,pts shades , thread color over sofas or buckets with nipples to be shiny or not and least not forget the value crowd and cups full of tears over allocation angst , and almost forgot about the holy grail non mezger 9A1 non motor sport pedigree motor ; from veteran driver
with thousands of laps in many a machine . How sweet it is to read thanks Fastlane for the big grin on face as I'm with you too !

 

How was that possible without motorsports engine!?!?! I keeed!

Thanks for the write up. You're making me really miss Winterfest this year.

 

 

Thanks for sharing Spencer.
I can't wait to get more break in miles on the .2 to get back on Sebring.

 

Great observations. I will be there with Chin on the 27/28. Hope to see you there!

 

Yes, I'll be instructing and running with Chin on Saturday, 1/27 and PCA SunCoast on 2/24-25. See 'ya at Sebring!

 

Great real life experience and comparison. Thank you for sharing as it proves (in my opinion) what I thought would be the comparison between the two models.

 

[QUOTE=Oldmxnut;14719304]Some great observations. It would appear that the manual didn't slow the driver down any ? Would you agree with the comment that for most beginner to intermediate track drivers, with or without wing wouldn't generate to much obvious difference in performance around a track."

Actually, I've found the normal GT3-1 Wing to have very little downforce. For one thing the bottom (active) surface is compromised with a lift-destroying brakelight which reduces the negative lift component,
especially when combined with a placement that is too low and blocks much of the airflow to the wing. Porsche downforce measurements are made close to max speed which we never reach on normal
U.S. Tracks, so I would agree that most normal novice drivers would not miss the wing, and there would be far more important things to be concerned about in learning track driving. The GT3RS Wing,
which is similar in size, position and effectiveness to the Crawford Wing replacement on my GT3 would be increasingly useful as driving skills improve.

Re the Manual vs PDK Auto effect on laptimes, I've never been convinced that PDK would result in faster laptimes in the hands of a skilled Manual Shifting driver, but there seems to be fewer and fewer of those
around as time goes on. No question that a novice would find it easier to drive an Automatic Tranny than a manual on the Track - Lots of new stuff to learn and heel and toeing introduces a whole new
level of complexity.

 

^thxs as always for your astute comparison , sorry u won't be at winterfest next week .

 

 

I wish there were pictures! Would have loved to see the touring and GT3s going at it on the track

 

+1

 

Great write up. Too much angst going on at RL, I appreciate reading something worthwhile.