I attended the Carolinas PCA region DE this weekend at a facility called NCCAR.

This was my first time at the track as it is usually intended for testing new vehicles and tweaking their suspensions. It wasn't a huge turnout but that just left more track for me!

I thought I was going to start off in Green but ended up being bumped up to Blue. My first time out I was so bad I thought I was going to be demoted but after studying the track more I figured out how to get around a little faster. By the end of the second day I was feeling very much more comfortable and was amazed by the cornering capabilities of the car and how composed it felt when really pushing it.

But the highlight of my weekend was having my instructor take me out in his 2010 GT3. It made my car feel so inferior...This thing had tremendous acceleration, grip I couldn't even imagine on my car, and an engine sound that just belted out some of the best noises while hitting 8000 RPM down the straightaway. I had a permagrin under my helmet the whole time. So right afterwards I had to text my wife the title I used for this post. She responded by tell me, "You're not getting a GT3"

...I guess I'll have to work on that!

 

Classic... sounds like you had a blast!

 

BRAVO !!!

Now you know what all the fuss is about, getting out to the track is a wonderful thing.... see you in the poor house !!

 

There is no turning back, now. You have been bitten by the bug, soon to be a track junkie and a future GT3 owner........Ah the slippery slope............wax up your skis......your on the way!

 

Nice story, what color will your GT3 be?

 

Thanks for sharing. I've been admiring all the GT3s that have been posted here (including the one for sale in the For Sale section). Still just a little too expensive for me, and I'm loving having the back seats to let me spend more time with the kids. Maybe in a few years.

 

Right there with you. I think I try to sell my wife on a GT3 at least once a week.

 

I just bought my 996 this winter and I have already told my wife that this car may only last me for a couple years before I need something faster. I enrolled her on the 2 years brain washing plan!

I can imagine the grin under your helmet!

 

I think at least for the near future the Cabrio will just have to do for now. I too use my back seats and also drive the car daily. But if there is ever an opportunity I might just have to make that jump.

I'm shopping for rollbars though so I can at least be a little safer while doing this and also have the ability to visit more tracks.

The wife mentioned something about having a cleaning lady come in to help with household chores, maybe that can be a way in??? ...and I'll take mine in blue again

 

Go buy a 996GT3! Best bang for the buck right now in the Porsche line-up... You can pick up a track-ready, low miles "6" for mid-$50s... Do it!

And for the record, it can hang with the 997.1 GT3s on the track, no problem. My boggie has been to hang with the GT3 Cup Cars (996/997).

-B

 

My birthday present from my was my GT3 and was the direct result of her taking a hot lap with her instructor is his GT3.

But remember Fernando, while the car is intoxicating it's not always the car that is inferior, it's the driver. Your cab, just like my wife's, is a phenomenal car and the first car I learned to drive fast on track. It is VERY capable and very grin inducing.

 

NCCAR is fun huh? I was hitting 140+ running the track counter clockwise in the 40th. Just remember the passenger effect; everyone feels faster when you are riding with them. Get confident in your car and people will be saying the same thing about your 996 cab.

 

You bring up a good point as the lead instructor for Carolinas PCA has a 996 GT3 and the car seemed very capable against the newer generation. I know they're a bargain but for right now I think the Cab does still suit my needs/lifestyle a bit more than the GT3 would!

I absolutely agree. I know I'm far from being the best driver and at least for the foreseeable future the car is not the limiting factor. I also remember your friend that I met at CMP (sorry forgot his name now) who was using a Cabrio too, he made his way around the track with no issues that I can see from being an observer.

We ran clockwise which is the opposite of how most people use that track. I didn't look down at the speedometer too often but when I did I was approaching 120 MPH on that straight. Often times the straight was where the instructor and I did a quick debriefing so I wasn't trying to push it too hard there. And you're right about the effect of being a passenger, I didn't think of that but as you mentioned each movement is more pronounced because you're not in control of it.

 

this is all good fun and I know you realize your car has more to offer... next time out I suggest getting your instructor to drive YOUR car so you can see what you are leaving on the table... a real "apples to apples" comparison

still nothng like a well driven GT3

 

Fernando, are you doing the 3-day event at VIR with First Settlers in May? If so, let's hook up and I'll jump in the car with you (if you feel comfortable with me driving). I'll have 1 student that weekend so I'll be a little busy but nothing I can't make time for.