I am just awestruck at the abilities of this car and how easy it makes driving. I learned performance driving on the track in BMW's and after spending 5 years with an M3 going through the different permutations of suspension setups, big brakes, tires, and many other components it was enlightening to just jump into a factory prepared track oriented car. The bimmer never felt nearly as confidence inspiring as the GT3. I felt that immediately after picking up the car in Germany however after 5000 miles and 15 track days its never been so clear.

Here are some of the pro shots I bought while playing in the rain and trying to behave around the sound station. Great event! Thanks for the invite John and the ride! Checkered Flag is a wonderful organization full of talented and courteous folks. I would recommend driving with them in heartbeat.

 

great pix and looks like fun!

 

How did you manage to avoid the "sound police" and not get the meatball?

 

took some finessing but I went into turn 5 in 4th. at 4krpm shifted to 5th. once braking for turn 6 i got back into 3rd. you still lose speed but not as much once you get the timing right. exhaust was stock with the sport setting off. I want to get the muffler bypass but probably would have to haul my oem piece for seca days.

 

glad u had fun.
Would have given u a more fun ride if it was dry.
Did u watch the race? I had a blast

 

I saw the start but had to leave. LA was a long drive back with the rain following me all the way down the 101!

I'm sure I'll be up there for more soon! hopefully it dries out next time.

 

I saw you on Monday. I like the stripes. Are those CCW wheels? Nice job out there!

 

thanks kevin. I made the stripes. got plenty of compliments on them. the wheels are ccw c10's. good eye! did we meet on monday? thanks for compliments. looking forward to going back up to the tracks with some actual elevation change!

 

Do you have stock exhaust?

 

yes stock

 

And the GT3 is still too load?

That sucks *****.

 

I'll be at Laguna this weekend for the first time in months.
Last time I was there, 3 inch elbows was all that was required to pass sound.
Ive posted a photo of the car with the elbows in another thread.

ps. Great photos and you're clearly pushing the car quite nicely for wet conditions on factory tires -- confident driving!

 

thanks. just test out full throttle towards the end of your session near the sound station. 997 gt3's with 90 degree elbows have not passed sound going WOT up to turn 6. Mooty can speak to that. he takes his 996 to seca for that reason.

 

Hmmm ... I must find this Moot person of whom you speak ...

ps. I had a 997 GT3 at Laguna in January '07 and passed sound with just the clothes dryer duct (from Home Depot) with some old 993 Turbo heat exchanger rubber. Worked perfectly -- even WOT with Sport on. Without the ducts, I was getting black flagged. Even with the ducts on another day, low clouds were enough to get the car black flagged. Tedious.

 

Are your ccw c10's 8 1/2" front or 9" front? What type and sizes of tires were you running?

Doug