OT: Tracking Your GT3
03-10-2017, 05:48 PM
#46
Haha, people do that? I'd rather pay people to leave me alone when I'm driving.
03-10-2017, 05:51 PM
#47
I went to one and they had "prizes" and "winners", but they never disclosed how to win or how you won and they gave the prizes to their friends.
03-10-2017, 05:57 PM
#48
Rennlist Member
great comment from passenger
I was at COTA recently took out a friend who had been tracking his 993 CUP and 3.0RS replica at the same event - and the greatest compliment he had was I drive the GT3 like I stole it - little does he know 
Wonderful car and really no place but a track can you experience its capabilities.
Wonderful car and really no place but a track can you experience its capabilities.
03-10-2017, 06:51 PM
#50
You made the right choice to take your car. Prepare for the permagrin. Yolo
03-10-2017, 07:29 PM
#52
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And now we are seeing very few 997s being tracked. Almost no 997 RS on track for some reason. Have not seen 997 4.0 on track in over a year, and used to see 1-2/weekend. I do not think they all broke suddenly, so probably sold to collectors and mothballed.
03-10-2017, 09:18 PM
#53
Rennlist Member
I remember the owners manual in my 991S2 listed slicks as the only thing that voided the warranty. I think the GT3 is the same so Porsche is behind all the major breakage that doesn't involve a wall. I take this as a corporate endorsement of flailing my car on track. The only heads up in my experience is bring a qt of oil as track time seems to up consumption.
03-10-2017, 10:21 PM
#54
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
It makes me very sad that we have devolved to the point where a thread on tracking a GT3 would be considered 'OT' now that the only thing people talk about is 'value'. The 997 guys were right..
Do it and you'll wonder why you ever bothered doing anything else with the car. Trust us.
The 'abuse' on the car is purely psychological. It's not abuse if the car was designed for it. My GT3 has over 60 track days and over 6000 miles on track. These are hard days and miles driven at full tilt. It still drives just like it did the first day I owned the car. No creaks, no squeaks. Rock solid. The only issues, that were addressed under warranty, have been a failed coil pack and a leaking oil cooler. Maintain the car properly and it will be fine.
Do it and you'll wonder why you ever bothered doing anything else with the car. Trust us.
The 'abuse' on the car is purely psychological. It's not abuse if the car was designed for it. My GT3 has over 60 track days and over 6000 miles on track. These are hard days and miles driven at full tilt. It still drives just like it did the first day I owned the car. No creaks, no squeaks. Rock solid. The only issues, that were addressed under warranty, have been a failed coil pack and a leaking oil cooler. Maintain the car properly and it will be fine.
03-10-2017, 11:19 PM
#55
Went to my first car show today at Amelia Island. Amazing experience watching so many people walk around looking at cars. I enjoyed it but really missed the smell of gas/oil/rubber/brakes that are normally included in a car day for me.
Rob, have fun on track and just enjoy the ride. You'll do great.
Rob, have fun on track and just enjoy the ride. You'll do great.
03-11-2017, 12:11 AM
#56
Nordschleife Master
03-11-2017, 12:23 AM
#57
Race Car
Tracking sucks. Don't do it. Your car will fall apart and be worthless.
Just kidding It is a blast. Lots of good advice and I don't have much to ad. Relax , have fun and go at your pace. No prizes at track days.
Just kidding It is a blast. Lots of good advice and I don't have much to ad. Relax , have fun and go at your pace. No prizes at track days.
03-11-2017, 12:41 AM
#58
Some basics (and depending on age and usage)
The driver
Buy a good quality, properly fitted helmet (get some anti mist solution if you wear glasses or have the visor down)
Buy a pair of race boots - they are comfortable and allow plenty of pedal feel
Have a long sleeved cotton shirt and pants on hand (to wear on the day)
(consider gloves if you have a leather wheel)
(download Harrys Lap Timer - more to track your lap than to track your time)
Things to take with you on the day:
(1) food and water
(2) tire pressure gauge and pump
(3) 1l of Mobil 1 0w-40
(4) tow hook (Porsche provide one in the toolkit in the frunk)
(5) screen cleaner, cloths and wipes
(6) duct tape
The car
Check fluids - brake, oil and water. If you are coming up to a service interval you may as well get the oil and brake fluid changed (if more than a year old in the case of the brake fluid) drained, replaced and correctly bled.
Inspect brake pads and rotors for wear
Check tires - replace damaged or plugged tires
You are now good to go. The car will be fine so long as it has been well maintained (and see above).
Personally I have never worried about a "clear bra" as most of the track rash is due to bits of molten rubber that get flicked up the sides, on the bonnet and around the rear fenders (elbow grease gets rid of this). Windscreens are disposable items.
On the day itself
The instructors should be very clear about the rules
(1) track entry and exit
(2) passing points
(3) warm up and cool down protocols
(4) flags, lights and signs
(5) explanation of the driving line for these cars
(7) If possible - get the instructors to walk key corners with you - from entry brake point to foot down corner exit
(8) If possible - get an instructor to sit in with you
(9) ensure you go into a group with a similar skill level and keep in mind the lead drivers in the more experienced groups may put 20 plus seconds a lap on you. So being in the correct group is essential for confidence and safety.
(10) make sure you do warm up and cool down laps
(11) keep an eye on oil pressure and temperature
(12) keep an eye on fuel level (you'll be surprised/shocked how quickly it goes down)
(13) if you have sport chrono and PDK go to sport plus mode
(14) after you have done a cool down lap and pull up in pit lane, DO NOT put your e-brake on
Then go out enjoy yourself - most tracks are very safe - concentrate on maintaining a line and understanding your braking points. Its better to be slow and get the basics right with the aim of building pace through accuracy and consistency.
You'll have a blast
The driver
Buy a good quality, properly fitted helmet (get some anti mist solution if you wear glasses or have the visor down)
Buy a pair of race boots - they are comfortable and allow plenty of pedal feel
Have a long sleeved cotton shirt and pants on hand (to wear on the day)
(consider gloves if you have a leather wheel)
(download Harrys Lap Timer - more to track your lap than to track your time)
Things to take with you on the day:
(1) food and water
(2) tire pressure gauge and pump
(3) 1l of Mobil 1 0w-40
(4) tow hook (Porsche provide one in the toolkit in the frunk)
(5) screen cleaner, cloths and wipes
(6) duct tape
The car
Check fluids - brake, oil and water. If you are coming up to a service interval you may as well get the oil and brake fluid changed (if more than a year old in the case of the brake fluid) drained, replaced and correctly bled.
Inspect brake pads and rotors for wear
Check tires - replace damaged or plugged tires
You are now good to go. The car will be fine so long as it has been well maintained (and see above).
Personally I have never worried about a "clear bra" as most of the track rash is due to bits of molten rubber that get flicked up the sides, on the bonnet and around the rear fenders (elbow grease gets rid of this). Windscreens are disposable items.
On the day itself
The instructors should be very clear about the rules
(1) track entry and exit
(2) passing points
(3) warm up and cool down protocols
(4) flags, lights and signs
(5) explanation of the driving line for these cars
(7) If possible - get the instructors to walk key corners with you - from entry brake point to foot down corner exit
(8) If possible - get an instructor to sit in with you
(9) ensure you go into a group with a similar skill level and keep in mind the lead drivers in the more experienced groups may put 20 plus seconds a lap on you. So being in the correct group is essential for confidence and safety.
(10) make sure you do warm up and cool down laps
(11) keep an eye on oil pressure and temperature
(12) keep an eye on fuel level (you'll be surprised/shocked how quickly it goes down)
(13) if you have sport chrono and PDK go to sport plus mode
(14) after you have done a cool down lap and pull up in pit lane, DO NOT put your e-brake on
Then go out enjoy yourself - most tracks are very safe - concentrate on maintaining a line and understanding your braking points. Its better to be slow and get the basics right with the aim of building pace through accuracy and consistency.
You'll have a blast
Last edited by randr; 03-11-2017 at 01:09 AM.
