PedalFaster

To say what Jim Michaels was trying to say a bit more bluntly: PCA events, even Parade, don't have nearly the depth of talent present at even large SCCA regional events. Consequently, PCA event results are not a good indicator of cars' relative capabilities -- driver variation is too large to make car-to-car comparisons valid.

A GT3 is so much faster than a Cayman S on an autocross course it's not even funny. The Cayman S is probably comparable to lesser 911s, and almost definitely the most capable of the non-911 Porsches (Carrera GT notwithstanding), but it's cannon fodder for SCCA's Super Stock class, whereas the GT3 is thriving in that same class.

NJ-GT

SCCA

Super Stock: 996 GT3 with PCCB
A-Stock: 2004 Anniversary Boxster S with PCCB
B-Stock: 1995 968 M030
E-Stock: 924S M030

Any of these Porsches can win at National level with a good driver.

My pick for ASP: the 2008 911 GT2 or the new RS.

NJ-GT

If you're referring to Charles, and you know him, say hi from Rad (the guy with the Grey GT3).

PedalFaster

You couldn't get a Boxster with PCCB until the 987 came out... agreed with everything else you wrote.

Mussl Kar

Yup, will do.
He drove my GT3 RS last week at a Miata event. The best I could do was 127 seconds and he was consistant at 120-121. He told me he thinks his 993 would be a few seconds quicker. My car understeers a lot, getting a suspension change and the car should be ready tomorrow.

NJ-GT

I met Charles last year at the PCA Zone 1 Autocross Championship. I won't be able to make it this year. We had a fun battle in the M05 class.

Check the 997 GT3 forum. A lot of the understeer is linked to the crappy front tires installed by the factory, rather than the suspension setup. Indeed, the alignment specs used by the fast track guys with RS are very similar between the 996 and 997 GT3.

For a start, put -2.5 camber at all corners, use shims at the front, put 0 toe at the front, and 0.25 degrees toe-in per side at the rear. Rear sway at full stiff, and front bar at full soft. These are autocross settings.

For track days, soften the rear bar one hole (I think it has three adjustments) and stiffen the front bar 2 holes (I think it has 5 adjustments).

The 993TT doesn't have a chance against the 997 RS. I drove a 997 RS at an autocross (BobbyC on RL), and the car was very fast. Indeed the time was not far from FTD, even though we drove with autocross-crappy MPSC.

Devens is the best autocross venue I've ever driven.

Mussl Kar

Thanks Rad. I sure hope Devens is available next year. Still up in the air at present.

2002M3Drew

In A Stock, the base Cayman 2.7 with 245hp could be a contender, I just don't think we've seen a top level caliber driver with top level preparation drive one of these yet. I prefer it to the S for autox. As these things start toppling down in value and end up in the hands of autocrossers, I think we'll be seeing them more and more.

Mussl Kar

I have had Cayman's as loaners when I bring my car in. Once got a Cayman S with a 6 speed. Salesman told me to wring it out, don't be afraid to let my friends do the same. It is a very impressive car.

Rich Sandor

I'd sort it by price. The best (stock) autoX cars you can get for:

$5-9k - 924S
$8-16k - 968
$15-25k - 964C2
$25-35k - 993C2S
$34-40k - BoxsterS
$60-70k - CaymanS
$70-90k - 996 GT3

Of course, the driveability of these cars (especially the older ones) depend highly on the condition of the suspension and the tires.

I'd rather have a tricked out 160,000mile 968 with LSD, fresh 710's, and a new & sharp suspension, than a 80,000mile CaymanS with no LSD and soft shocks & springs on street tires.

If you could find a well sorted 911 or 914 or whatever for a reasonable price, that will always be a better deal than buying one and trying to build it up yourself.

FotoVeloce

.... which is often the case during AutoX up here in the Pacific Northwet. The Subie turbos seem to lay down some serious times during the 5 of 8 events that are run in the rain.

Rich Sandor

Yah, there are a couple of good drivers that run Impreza's up here and they are almost untouchable in the wet...

porrsha

I have run Devens several times, including the Northeast SCCA autocross solo divisionals. Seneca Army Depot has a better surface and more room. It is llacking in amenities...but there are hundreds of wineries out the front gate.

Jim Michaels

The results from SCCA National Solo Championships are posted at the SCCA website for everyone to see how Porsches did in various classes. I only down-loaded SS and AS class results.

In SS, GT3s finished 1st, 4th, and 7th (Elises and Z06s were also well represented in the top 10). The only Cayman S running finished 58th out of 67 in SS.

In AS, S2000s took 3 of the top 4 places, with a Solstice GXP finishing 2nd. The two base Caymans that ran finished 16th and 47th out of 60 in AS.

JohnVitamvas

Don't forget that Boxster S's took 8th and 9th in AS!