Taisan Porsche

Hi all,

I've been looking around about "the competitiveness" between a 996GT3R (yr '00 model, H-pattern shifter, runs Michelin 24 front, 27 rear), and a '08 997 cup converted to '10 spec. (wider tires at front 25, rear 30, same 3.6L engine, not the 3.8L).

I am looking for lap time difference at different tracks. Such as Sebring, Sepang, etc, etc. There exist like no such information so I make this post hopefully to find out.

I am talking about all out race qualification speed not track day fun speed.

The reason I am asking is that I have a '00 996 R and am planning to race it in the Superseries of Thailand this year, but at the moment I got a very good offer of abovementioned 997 cup.

My suspicion is that the cup will be faster, both qualification and overall race time. Why? well, early reports (when 997 just came out) all mentioned 997 cup is approximate 2-3 sec faster than 996 cup with F24/R27 Michelins in a 2 minute circuit. Then a resource told me that a 997 R is 2-3 second faster than a 3.6L 997 cup in the hands of a professional.

Presume that a 996R is also 2-3 sec faster than a 996 cup (I have no real data), then it should post almost same lap time as a 997 cup. This is where I stuck with no reliable reference lap time data.

In my opinion, the 996R is a monster. It is very precise but also borderline edgy at race pace and it can eat a 996 cup for breakfast. But 28 laps x 2.4km at 90-100F ambient temperature (probably 160F suit temp without cool suit) the weakest link is always the pilot. I have been racing for several years in 2.0L TC category and in my part of the world driver wear-down plays a big role in determining wins.

So if 24/27 997 cup is same speed as the 96R, then the f25/r30 cup I am looking at should be faster. Not to mention it is easier to maintain good lap times over the whole race because it is more tolerable to driver mistakes, and it allows better focus on braking and driving because of the sequential box.

I could be completely wrong but What do you guys think?

Sam
P.S. The other thing is that it is very difficult to repair and find parts for the 996R.

93 FireHawk 968

Sam, I believe your summary/outline pretty much answered your question. I'm certainly no expert on Cup cars but a much newer platform should be superior in many of the functions you're seeking.

Curious as to what others say.

Taisan Porsche

thanks for the input firehawk.