When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
First - PCA will prepare you - understand the reason you are out there - to learn the line
And above all Safety first - car preparation on and on- classes will be involved and
Your confidence will accelerate like your car - there are other choices - Skip school understanding
Car handling/ control - you will have the bug once you jump in- GO FOR IT
Hmmm... well, I tracked my 996, as have many others. I disagree with those who say that it isn't hard on the car. It is.
Now, can you track it and have no major issues? Absolutely. Can you track it and blow the engine? Absolutely.
I highly recommend the deep sump if you are using sticky tires and driving on a track with big sweepers, a banked sweeper, etc. I put a 2-quart deep sump kit on the Boxte'. The car now holds 11.5 quarts.
Put in a better baffle system too, to ward off oil starvation issues.
Change the oil much more frequently if you track it.
Not to be a downer, but I've got to agree with Cuda. Beyond what he said, it's hard on the exterior. You can go with blue tape, or Xpel, or respray after a couple of years. Even if you try to stay away from rocks, etc. on the track, you'll get nicked. I had been running a new Cayman, and stopped because of that. Now I have the 996 and having huge fun! And you will, too…. just know going in...
Any driving event can be hard on your car. I coned one of my side skirts during the PCA SDR performance driving school hard enough to crack the paint underneath the clear bra. I still have cone rash on both of my cars from autocrosses, and we all know that if you're on a big track with long, banked sweepers - like Autoclub Speedway - you can encounter oil starvation.
Even if you're just ragging the engine out on the freeway, you're going to wear the car out faster than driving like a Prius hypermiler. Tracking the car WILL shorten the life of some components - but damn it's fun.
All - thank you for your comments. I will hold off on the X51 for now - the track, the tires, and my driving will not be that extreme. I missed the brake fluid - will do this in next week. And I will need to take my chances similar to DD/streets.
As nice as the car has become, I keep forgetting the reason that I bought it. I will post pictures/video from my day of fun! Thank you all!
Of course track is hard on the car. You're always doing something to its limit - accelerating, braking, turning. All sorts of things get really hot and experience a ton of stress. So far, every track day I've done has cost me quite a bit above my expectations. And I am still too chicken to take the 997 to the track because of this. Prior cars include a Miata and an R53 Cooper S.
Want to do track on the cheap and potentially have more fun than in a car? Get a motorcycle. Of course that also comes with its own risks.
Your first event on the track will be 'mild' but it will be a blast. Don't worry about the x51 yet. It's extra insurance if you are doing long sweepers where engine can be starved of oil. I tracked my 996 NA on several midwest tracks, no issues.
OP, can you explain which IMS bearing fix you chose?
Of all the things you can do, the brake fluid is one of the most important. Even a parking lot autocross can get your brakes hot enough to boil contaminated brake fluid...
I would not advise anyone I really liked to get a motorcycle. I LOVE riding bikes - but it's far too easy to get really hurt on a bike. I never had the misfortune of sliding into a curb or other immovable object when I crashed my bike, and that was a couple of decades ago. Now that people are texting and doing god-knows-what-else while driving, there's no way I'm going back out on a bike.
OP, can you explain which IMS bearing fix you chose?
Of all the things you can do, the brake fluid is one of the most important. Even a parking lot autocross can get your brakes hot enough to boil contaminated brake fluid...
I would not advise anyone I really liked to get a motorcycle. I LOVE riding bikes - but it's far too easy to get really hurt on a bike. I never had the misfortune of sliding into a curb or other immovable object when I crashed my bike, and that was a couple of decades ago. Now that people are texting and doing god-knows-what-else while driving, there's no way I'm going back out on a bike.
Sold my Ducati and bought my 996 for the same reason...
Also if you're concerned get an oil change after the event to keep it fresh. There was a really good thread on track preparation if you decide to take it any further
I did my first DE last year in my '02 C2. (They won't even let you on the track unless you've changed your brake fluid within the last 90 days.)
I had a BLAST! But, within about two laps I starred my windshield, and the front bumper, recently painted, looked a bit worse for wear. (I didn't think it was necessary to tape it for DE, but I was wrong.)
The hook was set, for sure, but I quickly realized that my pockets aren't deep enough to keep up with tires and brakes for my fun. I have a '91 really nice Miata, too nice to track, but I'm looking for a beater to satisfy my new track bug. I may take the 996 out again, but it'll be a once in a while thing. Yeah, my Porsche buds will leave me in the dust, but I could blow up a Miata each season and still be far ahead of the money in pocket game.
03-17-2016, 01:04 PM
