canigo

so, I'm a bit on the fence.
Debating the purchase of a new car.
Looking at a F430 Challenge car, or a cup car.
I know the drawbacks to the F430 are limited races, but would still be a fun car to drive, I know of several VERY low use cars that are available.

The 911 cup would be much more versatile for events and racing, but I don't seem to find many 2010 cars, and would prefer a new 2011, but still can't find how to go about getting one.

you guys have any suggestions or thoughts?

thanks!

analogmike

GT3 cup is a LOT faster, a real race car. Even a 996 GT3 cup is much faster.

You can't get a new GT3 cup, there is a long list and you have to sign up for a pro race series to get one normally. The used ones are going for pennies on the dollar so you should buy a few

Surfbum

If you live on the west coast you can run with the Pirelli Drivers Cup in Group D with a F430 Challenge car.
As stated above getting a new 2011 Cup is virtually impossible. I believe there are two 2010 cups that were not used last year as they were backup cars for a couple of teams.
Best of luck

silverboy

Your living my dream Canigo.

PedroNole

And a lot cheaper to run. The replacement parts cost on the 430 make Porsche Motorsports look like they're selling parts for Miatas....and that's saying something...

James-GMG

Canigo,

Where are you located and it what series are you looking to run the car in?

canigo

James, I think I sent you a PM or email through the site, if it did not come through let me know and I will re-send. I am in North TX.

Glen

Just saw Your post. If You will email me at Believeracing@gmail.com, I can give You options on both cars. I will be running IMSA Patron this year myself. Have another couple of friends who have really enjoyed Ferrari Challenge. I would suggest You chat with them and the 3 guys doing Patron here local to You about the differences, what they liked and disliked. If You just want to run amateur stuff then You will need to go with the used 2010 car, full season IMSA or Ferrari Challenge and the new car is still an option.

wch

What? You think a 996 Cup Car is faster than a 430C? Definitely not faster than my 430C, which is mildly modified - front splitter/rear wing, Penskes, headers. Not a chance. Not even close.

I think you are wrong on the relative event "versatility" of the two cars. The 430C can be run in SCCA in STO, in NASA in SU and I believe one other class, in PBOC, in the Ferrari Challenge series for one more year (if you hate money), in HSR and probably elsewhere. The 430Cs are popular at the moment, and I'd be careful about what's available. If you know the cars or have someone who knows them, great. If not ....

The 430C engine is bulletproof and lasts a long time; I am aware of an excellent shop that does rebuilds for about $30k. Most people outside the Challenge series replace the ceramic rotors with steel, eliminating a silly major expense. Parts can be expensive, especially crash parts - you really, really, really don't want to hit anything in a 430C. And on track damage insurance for a 430C is very expensive. The F1 gearbox in the 430C is miles ahead of the old 360C shifting, not as fast IMO as the Scuderia box but fine.

Do you want to race at the pro, or amateur level? Track days, or racing?

Anyway, great choice to have to make, hard to go wrong choosing between Ferrari and Porsche.

Incidentally, Ferrari would love to have you sign up for the Challenge series and order a brand new 458 Challenge car. We've heard pricing around $280ish for the car (no spares).

Finally - you should ask the question on ferrarichat, more than a few guys there own both F and P. I have an '09 430C and a new to me 996 Cup, but haven't yet driven the Cup Car. I've been on track in my 430C with 996s.

wch

One more comment on relative speeds, 430C v Cup Cars. Based on the lap times set in the Feb 2010 Sebring PCA Club race - and I know nothing about the track conditions for that event - my car is as fast, if not faster, than the 997s. But, as ever in racing, talk really doesn't count for much.

93 FireHawk 968

What a horrible predicament to be in. Cup or 430C? Very envious....

mobonic

2010+ cup cars are as fast as 997 RSR's.. just with less aero downforce.

Unless you are at a high pro level, it will be more car than 98% of people on this forum can handle.

I know of one brand new 2010 Cup for sale.... I'd do that.. it will keep you busy for years!

analogmike

I was mistaken, I thought the Ferrari challenge were much slower than a 996 cup as they run in SCCA T1 along with stock Vettes and vipers which I always beat handily in my stock 996 cup which ran in GT2.

I saw results from the 430 challenge races and they were within a second of my best 997 time at NJMP and pretty close at the Glen too. Actually the NJMP GTC3 996 record there is faster than what I saw on the 430 results (1:23.9) but that time is suspect.

The stock 996 cup PCA record at Sebring was under 2:10 but that was a pro driver (Wolf!), that's about what the best amateurs can get in a 3.6 997 cup, is that close to the 430?

wch

The T1 430C times definitely are misleading, as the 430C in T1 had to use a restrictor plate and DOT tires.

I actually bought my 996 Cup with SCCA's GT2 in mind.

I don't know what a real driver could do in a stock 430C at Sebring. I couldn't get anywhere near a 2:10 if my car were stock! Frankly, that's faster than I had expected a 996 would go. Now I'll keep an eye out, interesting. Relatively minor mods to the 430C greatly improve its stability - aero helps a lot, as do adjustable shocks, as you can imagine.

I envy you your 997, beautiful, fast cars. Porsche is sportscar racing IMO.

Z06

With the GT3 Patron series last year they went high 2.06's in qualifying..with many between that and 2.09x