NASA DE Sunday @ Thunderhill






(Mike's Red GT3 & mine)


The GT3 makes me think of a really sharp knife...hand that knife to a chef and he does magic with it, hand it to me and I'll likely cut myself.


The car was great out on track. Really only 2 surprises, the brakes and the tire temps. I've got the stock brakes and you need to get some heat in them to work at peak levels. I wasn't pushing that hard and I almost overshot the turn at the end of the back straight my first session in early laps. The brakes also made really strange noises the first few laps of the morning sessions (a pronounced metalic crunching noise (not squealing) that I've never heard before, you can hear it clearly on my video above the wind noise). Once they warmed up, they were great.

I used the stock PS2's. I've heard from numerous people that they should be at around 40psi hot. I started the rear at 35psi cold, figuring that I wouldn't drive that hard right away and would bleed off pressure during the day. I was surprised that even after a cool down lap, the pressure jumped to 46psi hot. I lowered it to 39 and after the next session it was 42 hot (took it down to 39 again and didn't measure after that). The fronts I started at 30 cold and they were 37 hot. I took them down to 35 hot, which seemed to work well. My next track day (whenever that may be), I think I'll start them both at 30 cold.

Now for the fun part... Second session, second lap I had just passed a car and got a little too anxious heading into turn 11 (a sharp left hander, 2nd gear turn). Jumped on the gas too aggressively and too early, rear tire pressures way too high (which I wasn't aware of at the time) and the back end starts to step out. No problem I tell myself, a little counter steer and it'll straighten right out. Uh oh, back end coming around the other way in a major hurry...spun almost a full 360 degrees! (A Danny Sullivan moment if only I kept it going...) Stalled in the middle of the track with cars whizzing by me within a few inches. Car won't start. Expletives start flying. Half a minute later, get it refired, holeshot out of there. Damn, cut by the knife. Fortunatley, the only damage was to my ego and it's used to getting bruised.

No problems the rest of the day. Got the tire pressures right and the car was very predictable and a joy to drive. Looking forward to my next track adventure...

Great pix- what kind of roll bar is that?

Looks like Tequpiment to me.

Correct.

Nice photos Holger. Can you post a quick link to the video? It would be great to see some action footage.

BTW, what tire pressure do you suggest for street driving as opposed to track driving?

Thanks,

Unfortunately, the video is analog and I have no way to get it into my PC or else I would post it.

I've been driving mine on the street at the recommended pressure (32/39) without any problems. I was just surprised how much they jumped at the track (more than I expected/was led to believe).

It was great fun Holger. I did both days and I have to say the GT3 has totally exceeded my expectations. It's amazing the amount of feedback you get from the GT3 especially cornering where numerous/repetitive amounts of throttle/steering adjustments and the brakes are short of phenomenal-never fading and late braking was a common occurence : ). My car is setup with Dunlop Race R's at 30 psi hot(great tire for the money-took some time to heat up but very predictable), Pagid rs19 pads both front/back with castrol srf brake fluid. Suspension set at full stiff front/1 off stiff rear with 2.3 negative camber rear and -1.8 front. Did not have a laptimer this time but going with speedventures Nov 27/28(will use their transponder)-can't wait : ). Weather was nice-sunny/cool. Holger-next year dude : ). Regards. Mike

Holger, you won't believe the difference an R compound tire makes. Totally different car.

The plan is to get the MPSC's next year. By then I'll know the car better and be driving it harder and it'll make sense to upgrade.

Holger--A spin on your first day at the track! Careful boy, spins are bad for your health. Approach the limit from the safe side!

First time out in the GT3. Numerous track days in the old 996.

The GT is a different beast. I had a 996 before my GT. I find the GT much more controllable in a slide than my old 996. Its much more like a dirt bike. This thing is starting to slide. Time to countersteer a bit. OK caught it, on we go.

holger and 996flt, wish i could have joined you guys. sounds like you guys had fun ;-)
do an alignment holger, i think you will feel the difference. also the stock brk fluid isn't very good, motul 600 or srf? and RS4-4 or RS19 then you are set. ;-)

I had an alignment done a few weeks ago and noticed the difference right away. Also had the front camber set @ -1.5, which felt really good on track.

Holger - what model Schroth did you get? Great pics!