Bman

I traveled to Roebling Road this past Thursday and Friday to get some seat time in my newly purchased ’05 996 Cup. I bought the car in early November and test drove it for about 10-12 laps at NJMP. I had never driven or ridden in a Cup, so those laps were intimidating to say the least. The car was pretty loose and I spun it twice! FWIW, I had never spun a car in my 90+ track days. Needless to say, my first experience in the car left me overwhelmed and concerned.

This trip to Roebling would be my first chance to really drive the car and get familiar with it. I had never been to Roebling but was looking forward to it. Mike Levitas from TPC Racing rented the track and invited me down. He also invited Randy Pobst who would help Mike setup his IMSA car and work on a new PASM based control system that Mike’s been developing. Randy and Mike won the Rolex 24 in 2006 in a ’05 996 Cup and Randy showed up in the same race suit he wore that day. He was very generous in his willingness to drive my car and to give me his feedback on the setup. It was bittersweet to hear him get out of the car and call it “dangerous!”. I think he took pity on me because he drove the car 6 times the first day! We took turns driving it after many sway bar and shock changes. Each time we would compare impressions, which was extremely educational. Unfortunately, after much work on the car it had not improved by the end of the day. Something was wrong. Hanging out with two very successful pro drivers has its benefits. Not only is Mike a great driver, he's brillant engineer. He was able to came up with an idea at dinner, after hearing Randy’s input, which lead him to making an adjustment in the rear geometry. Randy drove it first thing in the AM and got out proclaiming “it’s fixed!”

An amazing two days! Meeting Randy and spending time with him was priceless but getting the car manageable, thanks to Mike, was just as thrilling. I finally got to enjoy the car instead of fearing it…….well until the 2 year only used slicks gave up on me just when the car was started to behave.

Here are some clips of Randy driving it before and after the TPC fix. Enjoy!

CWay27

Very cool to watch. Corners where he struggled keeping the car on track at 60 became a breeze at 90 after the fix. What was the problem?

analogmike

That's awesome- whatever it cost you to get Randy and Mike's help was the best money you ever spent.

You could have wasted a year and given up on the car.

Good luck with it!

Bman

It's not clear to me.....but the conversation seemed to imply roll steer which caused them to reset the rear geometry; i.e. trailing arms, concentrics, etc...

Bman

I was close to giving up. While Mike was pondering a solution I was thinking about selling it.

Thanks! My outlook changed quickly when I cornered at 1.5g's and thought I could have gone faster.

Bman

There was unintended benefit of meeting Randy too. Thanks to this photo I am on a diet!

Sam N

Congrats on your new acquistion. Really nice seeing pre and post suspension correction. Handful comes to mind for the former. Hope to see it out at Summit Point come spring.

fleadh

Trying to setup a car w/ old tires is never fun, ask me how I know! Glad you got it sorted.. make sure you have them (or someone else as knowledgable) with you next time you bring the car out on fresh tires.. the setup will most likely need to be adjusted.

-mike

Veloce Raptor

THIS.

And congrats! Great choice!!!

TwentySix

Nice that they worked it out, couldn't get better help than that, good luck with it! Recommend RTR and Schattenbaum for DE events in the NE, imo, they have good high speed car management and passing skills in the upper run groups... maybe see you out there at NJMP or Summit

Bman

For sure! Can't wait to drive it on our home track.

I hear ya, thanks! I would imagine it's going to tight with fresh tires. But I'll take tight over the way it was

Thanks! Mind telling me how to drive it

Bman

Thanks, I've run a few times with RTR and really enjoyed it. Last event was Watkins Glen this summer and your car looks familar, were you there?

Veloce Raptor

I wouldn't mind at all! You should sign up for Cups & Saucers, great event perfect for this sort of one on one coaching.

93 FireHawk 968

Great story....Nothing like having a couple of pros tune the car for you. It's impressive on how they can sense setup to the level of details most drivers can barely notice.

TwentySix

PM sent