Notices
Racing & Drivers Education Forum
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Transitioning from Rear Engine to Mid Engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-26-2018, 10:38 PM
  #1  
Vetch
Racer
Thread Starter
 
Vetch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 332
Received 18 Likes on 14 Posts
Default Transitioning from Rear Engine to Mid Engine

Perhaps I should post this in the 981 forum but let's start here....

How difficult would it be for someone who had 130+ DE days from 2007 to 2014 in a 911 C4S to get comfortable and not worry about spinning a 981 Cayman S? I'm considering doing DE's again next year and I've started looking for a suitable car. I absolutely loved the C4S but a 981 is an interesting option at this point. I know there are many factors in this decision but right now, I'm just concerned with spinning too frequently. I spun the 911 a few times but it was typically when the tires went south and I was still driving 8/10ths. Those spins were unforgettable and I don't want to go through that again so I'm a bit concerned about a mid-engine car.

Anyone think this would be a difficult transition?
Old 12-26-2018, 11:15 PM
  #2  
911therapy
Rennlist Member
 
911therapy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Posts: 987
Received 84 Likes on 56 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Vetch
Perhaps I should post this in the 981 forum but let's start here....

How difficult would it be for someone who had 130+ DE days from 2007 to 2014 in a 911 C4S to get comfortable and not worry about spinning a 981 Cayman S? I'm considering doing DE's again next year and I've started looking for a suitable car. I absolutely loved the C4S but a 981 is an interesting option at this point. I know there are many factors in this decision but right now, I'm just concerned with spinning too frequently. I spun the 911 a few times but it was typically when the tires went south and I was still driving 8/10ths. Those spins were unforgettable and I don't want to go through that again so I'm a bit concerned about a mid-engine car.

Anyone think this would be a difficult transition?
I dont think you would have any trouble at all, judging by your experience. Sure, it will be an adjustment, but not as huge an adjustment as you might imagine. I went from GT3's to the GT4, and actually set faster laptimes the first weekend in my gt4...Maybe I was that poor of a Gt3 driver....
Old 12-26-2018, 11:48 PM
  #3  
stujelly
Rennlist Member
 
stujelly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Posts: 2,854
Received 53 Likes on 41 Posts
Default

went form De in a gt3 rs to racing a 2011 cayman.

Much easier to drive at the limit
Old 12-27-2018, 01:07 AM
  #4  
ALE
Rennlist Member
 
ALE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 476
Received 59 Likes on 31 Posts
Default Yes for Mid engine

Like the others, I moved from a 911 as a dd and de car to a Cayman R. It is more fun to drive and I have better lap times in the Cayman. It does not spin easily and is easy to catch when she steps out. The balance is a blast.
Old 12-27-2018, 02:06 AM
  #5  
khoahtran
Instructor
 
khoahtran's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 182
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

I would be more concerned going from AWD to RWD, definitely have different habits when cornering.
Old 12-27-2018, 08:20 AM
  #6  
dgrobs
Rennlist Member
 
dgrobs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: The Swamps of Jersey/WGI/VIR...
Posts: 6,214
Received 1,442 Likes on 1,001 Posts
Default

I went from a 991 Turbo S to a 981 S on the track. AWD/S to RWD. Love the Cayman much more. Transition wasn't bad at all. You'll be fine. Go get some. Have fun and be safe....
Old 12-27-2018, 10:08 AM
  #7  
Vetch
Racer
Thread Starter
 
Vetch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 332
Received 18 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

I had forgot about the AWD vs RWD side of this. What difference would that make in my driving style? Does that change the line?
Old 12-27-2018, 10:26 AM
  #8  
ProCoach
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
ProCoach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Posts: 18,682
Received 2,837 Likes on 1,671 Posts
Default

Agree with most of the above. The mid-engine platform tends to be more responsive and “an extension” of the driver. Quite a few drivers moving from the rear-engine car to the 981 platform really enjoy it. A few modifications to the timing and amplitude of the control inputs, closer to the edge, may be needed, but the outcome is nearly always a good one.

As far as measurable, outright performance difference, I think that tends to be determined more by the driver’s comfort and confidence level in the platform.
__________________
-Peter Krause
www.peterkrause.net
www.gofasternow.com
"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
Specializing in Professional, Private Driver Performance Evaluation and Optimization
Consultation Available Remotely and at VIRginia International Raceway






















Old 12-27-2018, 04:14 PM
  #9  
LuigiVampa
WRONGLY ACCUSED!
Rennlist Member
 
LuigiVampa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut Valley Region
Posts: 14,470
Received 3,287 Likes on 1,589 Posts
Default

Funny how no one ever asks about going from a 944 to a Cup car.
Old 12-27-2018, 04:52 PM
  #10  
fstockcarrera
Rennlist Member
 
fstockcarrera's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Schenectady NY
Posts: 842
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Going from a caymen to a gt3 cup is much more of a challenge.
Old 12-27-2018, 05:15 PM
  #11  
MSR Racer
Rennlist Member
 
MSR Racer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Mid-South
Posts: 1,195
Received 180 Likes on 109 Posts
Default

Learning to drive at the limit is a level that is generally independent of the platform!!
Old 12-27-2018, 05:29 PM
  #12  
ProCoach
Rennlist
Basic Site Sponsor
 
ProCoach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Durham, NC and Virginia International Raceway
Posts: 18,682
Received 2,837 Likes on 1,671 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MSR Racer
Learning to drive at the limit is a level that is generally independent of the platform!!
Word!
Old 12-27-2018, 05:55 PM
  #13  
Vetch
Racer
Thread Starter
 
Vetch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 332
Received 18 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MSR Racer
Learning to drive at the limit is a level that is generally independent of the platform!!
That is putting the cart before the horse in my case. I'm least worried about driving at the limit. I'm more concerned about not being uncomfortable in the car as a newbie again.
Old 12-27-2018, 08:34 PM
  #14  
tcsracing1
Rennlist Member
 
tcsracing1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Somewhere in a galaxy far, far away....
Posts: 17,106
Likes: 0
Received 256 Likes on 172 Posts
Default

I went from a 997GT3RS to a 2016 GT4CS.

The GT4CS has PDK and was an easy transition.
Old 12-27-2018, 08:44 PM
  #15  
Vetch
Racer
Thread Starter
 
Vetch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 332
Received 18 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

I probably should have worded my question in a better way. How about this...
It's been said that on track, you drive a mid-engine car different than a rear-engine car. It's also been said that on track, you drive a RWD different than an AWD car.
What exactly is this difference?


Quick Reply: Transitioning from Rear Engine to Mid Engine



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 09:35 AM.