View Poll Results: Have you tracked your 993?
What else is there?
61
55.45%
I've tried it just to see what its about.
23
20.91%
What is this crazy talk? a rubber chunk could could fly up and mark my paint!
10
9.09%
Just not interested.
16
14.55%
Voters: 110. You may not vote on this poll
Track poll
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 176
From: Earth
"I have to admit that given the cost of maintenance I've been hesitant to do 10 - 12 events/year and have settled in with just a few instead.
I really need to get a dedicated track car and preferably something cheaper that wouldn't leave me crushed if I tossed it into a tire wall.
I really need to get a dedicated track car and preferably something cheaper that wouldn't leave me crushed if I tossed it into a tire wall.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 17
From: Delaware
I had an Evo VIII and X, both of which I loved, and I'd love to find an unmolested (ha!) VIII or IX RS but they're rare. My next and most logical choice would be an S2000 but I hate the idea of being forced to purchase some form of rollover protection as my current urban living arrangements do not allow me to have a truck and a trailer and I don't want to be driving a car on public roads that can turn me into a vegetable in a small collision.
Ah, the problems with being a budget-minded HPDE enthusiast.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 159
From: Indiana
There's an old racers adage that says never take anything out on the track that you're not willing to write off. I think this applies much more to DE's than to actual racing.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 21
From: Orange County, CA
trailer was the best mod so far. makes the day so much more comfortable. it keeps my wife and dogs very happy for a long day(s) at the AX or track. good base for drinks food and lounge chairs. priceless for bad weather days, too hot, cold, rain or wind.
i only have 14 AX and 2 track events. i will be getting a dedicated track car as soon as $$$ allows!
i only have 14 AX and 2 track events. i will be getting a dedicated track car as soon as $$$ allows!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 17
From: Delaware
A properly set up/prepared Miata is a fantastic track car and nearly perfect for actually learning how to drive a car at 100% (or very near) on a track. Most DE participants, even seasoned ones, rarely have the skill/ability to drive their car at or very near the limit. They are great learning cars. Additionally if you roll a Miata into a little ball it's not a great a loss (no offence to Miata owners), provided you're not hurt.
There's an old racers adage that says never take anything out on the track that you're not willing to write off. I think this applies much more to DE's than to actual racing.
There's an old racers adage that says never take anything out on the track that you're not willing to write off. I think this applies much more to DE's than to actual racing.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
To me experiencing the sublime thrill of driving a 993 at speed on the track is an essential part of the Porsche ownership experience. At PCA DEs good in-car instruction is typically available, and you can go as fast as your skill and/or nerve allows, all in a relatively controlled, safe setting. Every 993 owner should try it at least once.
I'll do 2-3 DEs a year...would like to do more, maybe even get into club racing, but available time and budget won't allow it. A few DEs a year at least partially satisfies my "need for speed" and keeps my 993 running in top form.
I'll do 2-3 DEs a year...would like to do more, maybe even get into club racing, but available time and budget won't allow it. A few DEs a year at least partially satisfies my "need for speed" and keeps my 993 running in top form.
Race Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 14
From: Calgary...Under my car... :)
My car is almost track only, i do about 30 - 40 track days per year in her (and that is in the 6 month season we have up here). It has been super reliable (touch wood). Maintenance is a little more expensive but not so much as to scare me off, I think I spend more on gas than anything else.
These cars are designed to be driven HARD!!!!!! (Just trying to get a rise from someone
)
These cars are designed to be driven HARD!!!!!! (Just trying to get a rise from someone
)
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,312
Likes: 10
From: Roseville, CA
Considering I have one that's nearly non-street legal, there would be no point in owning it if there were no track events. Wheel-to-wheel with a 993? No. Out here there are no stock class club racers (basically no PCA club racing). And with PRC, everything is beyond modified into the GT classes, or fits into one of the three spec/limited prep classes where 993 chassis aren't even eligible. Further, no way no how is there benefit of using a 993 chassis (and its weight penalty) versus torsion bar based cars. So I just enjoy the yellow car for what it is. Fast enough for where my head is. Anyone chasing the unicorn of the GT3RS/latest-greatest will soon find the average guy isn't any faster out there. Sure, hammering it in a straight line. But guess what, even if I give up 10MPH terminal down the front straight at Thunderhill, I'm braking two lengths deeper in (if not more) and have made it back up.
Now, onto the C4S. Yeah, it's fine enough as a track car. But for where I am I wouldn't bother using it much on the track. When I move from car to car, even on equal tires, it feels like driving a bus out there. Quick enough? Sure. Pretty unsatisfying though. (Same observation can be made about the yellow car when coming out of the Radical.)
RE: Spec Miata commentary above. Go drive one. I challenge anyone to claim he can get more out of an SM than a 993. The most frustrating car I've owned to drive at the limit, except maybe my first 911 the '68 2.0S. But I was 18 and came out of a Scirocco as my only reference point............ Actually looking forward to the first race of the season in two weeks, low end event that it will be.
Now, onto the C4S. Yeah, it's fine enough as a track car. But for where I am I wouldn't bother using it much on the track. When I move from car to car, even on equal tires, it feels like driving a bus out there. Quick enough? Sure. Pretty unsatisfying though. (Same observation can be made about the yellow car when coming out of the Radical.)
RE: Spec Miata commentary above. Go drive one. I challenge anyone to claim he can get more out of an SM than a 993. The most frustrating car I've owned to drive at the limit, except maybe my first 911 the '68 2.0S. But I was 18 and came out of a Scirocco as my only reference point............ Actually looking forward to the first race of the season in two weeks, low end event that it will be.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 904
Likes: 31
From: S.E. Mass
No slippery slope here, it was a cliff. Talked into trying AutoX, then had to put in a roll bar (cab) for DE events. Bought the track car and trailer last winter. Now I work to support my habit.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 176
From: Earth
It's fun to be able to mix it up with late model GT3's and still be in the pack.
I heard there maybe a new FI Spec Miata series coming. Because the newer 1.8's have made the older 1.6's less competitive there is talk of spec supercharger class with unlimited areo. That sounds fun and affordable. Tony from TC design has a SC Miata turning 48's over the crows nest at thunderhill.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,842
Likes: 1,401
From: Rainforest (Vancouver, BC)
I Auto-x once or twice a year. Not quite the same, IMHO, as running laps of a dedicated race track.
For me, I'd prefer a dedicated track car to run on the racetrack. Too much compromise (either way) when you try to do both. Again, that's just me.
For me, I'd prefer a dedicated track car to run on the racetrack. Too much compromise (either way) when you try to do both. Again, that's just me.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,312
Likes: 10
From: Roseville, CA
At Thunderhill I turn 2.08-2.06 lap times with my 993 over the crows nest. Friends with spec Miatas are in the 2.10 range IIRC.
It's fun to be able to mix it up with late model GT3's and still be in the pack.
I heard there maybe a new FI Spec Miata series coming. Because the newer 1.8's have made the older 1.6's less competitive there is talk of spec supercharger class with unlimited areo. That sounds fun and affordable. Tony from TC design has a SC Miata turning 48's over the crows nest at thunderhill.
It's fun to be able to mix it up with late model GT3's and still be in the pack.
I heard there maybe a new FI Spec Miata series coming. Because the newer 1.8's have made the older 1.6's less competitive there is talk of spec supercharger class with unlimited areo. That sounds fun and affordable. Tony from TC design has a SC Miata turning 48's over the crows nest at thunderhill.
Comparison for the C4S when it had 125K miles on the stock suspension at 4X4 ride height + 6 year old leftover Hoosiers was in the 2:08-9 range. Could hustle it, but no way could you call it pleasurable.
Tony's car, as far as I know, is an EP car so is normally aspirated and is in the 1:55 range. I know he'd be thrilled to go quicker in a Miata than we did in the Radical, but you need to have a massive amount of power or aero to bust 1:50.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 94
From: Bend, OR
All the more reason to try a driving event. The skills learned to apply to the street when you need them most. You'd probably change your mind on the interest issue.