IslandBoy

Ok I know I am going to get spanked with the "use search" on this. However I did. There is a lot of contradictory info about each topic, so hopefully having them all in one place will help future track day users like myself, easily access the info.
I have 20+ years of track day experience, however I have my first day coming up with a 991.1 GT3. I would GREATLY appreciate any current and past owners sharing their wisdom on the following:
South Florida Track Day. Warm Temps.
1. PDK Sport Button ON or OFF in Manual mode ?
2. Suspension Button ON or OFF ? (And if possible Why).
3. Suggested Starting Pressures for Cup 2 Tires.
4. Ideal operating temps for Cup 2's.
5. Anything else I SHOULD know, that I did not ask.

Thank you in advance for helping take any unnecessary anxiety out of an otherwise fun track day !!

Cheers

zedcat

It's been a few years since I tracked a 991.1. But when I did I used PDK sport in auto mode. Just less to think about and the PDK does a good job. Sometimes I would manually short shift up such as in a high speed sweeper to settle the car and make it less "twitchy" for my modest skills.

I used suspension in sport as it feels firmer, less roll and quicker response to inputs. If it was wet I used normal mode to soften up and improve grip. I always left esc and tc on. I had the bars at middle both front and rear.

With Cup 2 I used circuit mode for tpms and usually started at 27/28 and bled down as needed to about 32/34 hot. (Michelin recommends not starting below 28psi.) I think pressure is a bit of a personal choice though. I found at 36 and above the rears would feel greasy. For temps as best I can recall about 180F is in the optimum window. I didn't use a pyrometer, but used a rough rule of thumb of +10F for each 0.7 psi pressure rise. So if ambient is 80, I want about 100F rise or +7psi. So starting at 27/28 would be in the ballpark. One annoying thing about tmps circuit mode is you need to select it everytime you start the car again.

I tried to do an easy warm up for the first session and especially a cool down every session.

Other- high temp brake fluid, Torque wrench, breaker, optimol, jack for the CL bolts. Follow the procedure for torqueing and check that the locks are engaged.

Hope that is useful.

SterlingatBOM

Agree with Zedcat. Don’t overthink it. I’d be in PDK sport and chose auto or manual depending upon my comfort level at the track. Dampers are also track dependent. At my local track I can carry more speed through a smooth sweeper but am not necessarily faster as it’s a bumpy track and I prefer it off over the bumps. In my experience the dampers on or off is not that big of a difference. Enjoy the car. Try all the settings and choose the ones you like.

Cay_PI

At manual it doesn't matter if PDK Sport or not. I like Spiort Mode in automatik and shift down manually with the paddels, upshifts are automatic at the perfect RPM.
Suspension depends on the track. Stiff isnÄt fast but feels better. Just try it.
Tires 2.2 Bar.

ddugas01

Sport button on - check
exhause button on - check
suspension button on - check
a/c off - check
front tires @ 25psi - check
rear tires @ 24 psi - check
automatic shifting - check
aims set - check
windows down- check
oil Level at top- check
helmet straps secured - check
center locks torqued and locked - check
HANS strapped tight - check
6 pt harness secured - check
nothing in car - check

Rausky

I recommend bringing a quart of oil too. Never know when you'll get that warning light. I just had it happen to me mid-way through a track day and luckily I brought oil or else I would've been done.

RDCR

No wonder I'm sitting in my car right before a session starts wondering what I forgot!

M3 Defector

Thank you for posting OP! I'm in the same boat and this has helped a lot.
Only other question I have"
I'm used to Nitto NTO1s on my 997 Carrera S. Does anyone know how the Cutp 2 grip will compare?

GrantG

Cups are a bit stickier (NT01 is a nice progressive tire that lasts pretty long - Cups are a bit faster, not quite as friendly at the limit, and not quite as long lasting)

Palting

You've already gotten a good set of answers for most of your questions. The only thing I'd add is to keep the suspension button on sport. You will notice a difference when you get into esses, like the climbing esses at VIR or Watkins. There is a hint of a "wallow" when there is a series of quick changes in direction when in standard mode suspension. Plus, where else are you going to use the sport mode suspension if not at the track?

IslandBoy

Thank you VERY much Zedcat for taking the time to share. That was VERY helpful !!
Thank you also to everyone else who chimed in .......
Now that I have some great
setting info, i can just look forward to the driving part, and having a blast!

Rausky

Not to derail this thread but on the topic of high temp brake fluid, is that something that should be changed back to regular brake fluid after track day? I drive my car maybe 4 times a month for a few miles so unless it's necessary I might just keep it.

KOAN

I use SRF and don't change my fluid after track events. It seems to last forever, and I've never had a problem after 10 years of 10-12 track events per year.

zedcat

I leave the fluid (SRF) in between events. It's DOT 4 and meets required spec. Generally high temp fluids are even more hygroscopic than common DOT 4. Porsche recommends 2 year changes but with high temp it's best to change more often, I know some that change annually. Some HPDE organizers have shorter change requirements, 6 months, on their tech forms. Also depends to some extent on driver level and the track. Depending on those factors bleeding the calipers before an event may be wise too.

Jickel180

Use SRF and just flush once a year