Bush Pilot

Out in the desert where nobody is around, I’ve been going around corners spinning the inside wheel and breaking the rear ended loose. I’m pretty sure the inside de wheel is putting out some smoke. It seems more controllable than any car I’ve ever had. Am I on the verge of getting bit (spinning) or do you guys do this all the time too and get away with it?

Geza

As we know, being mid-engine, and having an inherently lower polar moment of inertia makes the Boxster more responsive to rotating - great for turning. These same characteristics make it easy to over-correct once in a spin; one needs to be mindful of this.

I had the rear step out unexpectedly in the wet one time, and it took 2 or 3 oscillations back forth to bring it back in, indicating I was over-correcting.

Nickshu

With my Boxster being a race car we are in this situation all the time. It's impressive how well the 986 Boxster does without an LSD. In a race it's pretty rare that I spin the inside rear wheel under power, unless I drop the inner wheel off the track. We are on slicks though so lots of grip, and suspension is setup for it.

I will say as noted above, the Boxster, like any mid-engine, is easy to rotate...also easy to over rotate. A soft rear sway bar and moderately stiff front makes it more forgiving. Snap oversteer is definitely real with mid-engined cars.

Dr. 914

they are certainly tail happy, so really have to watch it in the rain, also wear out the rear tires quickly

Bush Pilot

I'm guessing the oversteer concern is more of an issue with the 911. Agree?

mtnroads

That was me who did my first unintentional donut on turn 7 at PIR last Friday with my 986 S. Stalled in the center, facing oncoming cars was the least fun part of the experience.

Bush Pilot

Hilarious! At least you're out racing making great memories.

mtnroads

Thanks. I appreciate the encouragement. I wish I could say I learned where the break away point was to offer the OP!

Bush Pilot

My BMW 335i almost got away from me once when I was doing this same thing in the rain. I almost spun it. The Boxster seems to be more controllable than that but I haven’t tried it in the wet yet. I had an 88 BMW 325iS that handled similarly to the Boxster, assuming memory serves correctly. I believe the Boxster is a little more tail happy, probably because of the extra power.

mistertate

And the weight at the rear. Be sure you try every corner at lower speeds first, a lot of them have mid corner bumps that you don’t notice until you try it fast