Ready for 1st track day in 911
 

I traded my '16 Z06 on a CPO '17 Targa GTS in September. It took me over a year to decide which 911 by test driving and educating myself on options and models. It also took that long to convince myself to spend this much on a car. I landed on a GTS because after having the Z06, I realized with 2 small kids and a wife a 2 seater really made my car a lonely car. It was hard to not get a GT3, but glad I resisted for family reasons. I also love a Targa top, not a big fan of a full convertible though for personal reasons I won't get into. I know the Targa adds extra weight, but it is worth it to me. I found one with 4 way seats, RAS and PDCC which I feel gives it a little bit more of an edge to make up for extra weight in my mind. I will be taking it to CMP this weekend with the Pirelli P Zeros and everything stock. There is not a whole lot of tread left on them, enough for a track event but might not be too much left after. I will use them up and just see how they stick on the track. Then I can decide what the next tire will be. I originally was planning my first event March 2nd, but this whole starting to play Forza the past couple weeks then adding a steering wheel and pedals made my waiting unbearable. I havent done a track day since July in the Z06 so, been waiting too long. I went to CMP last May, but will be going solo the first time this weekend. I feel good about the line and moving to solo after a session so not so worried about that part. The one part that makes me a little nervous is the kink. I know there have been bad accidents there in the past. In the Z06 I worked my nerve up to floating through there in the high 90s. I felt comfortable with the method my instructor taught me. The method was to let off throttle around 115 before the breaking zone (I could have gotten higher and then utilized breaking zone but didnt), turn in about 100, then back on throttle at apex. I have taken my car up on the tail of the dragon and pushed it. Feel pretty good about the average turn. I guess just curious if I should approach a kink differently in an AWD rear engine car? Really anyone with experience switching between a high HP front engine rwd to an AWD rear engine I would like to hear any tips in adapting technique and things to keep in mind. Thanks!!

Why not get an instructor? Or hire a local coach?

Try to find out the age of the tires. If they have no tread they may be old as well. You do not want to run old tires at the track.

Flush the brake fluid.

I suggest you make an effort to find an instructor that has a lot of experience with an AWD 911.

I also wouldn't be in a rush to get signed off. From my discussions with some people who have tracked both RWD and AWD 911's the difference in handling and technique is significant.

To go from a front engine RWD to a rear engine AWD is going to be a major adjustment.

You might even have more work to do than a less experienced driver because you have to 'unlearn' the corvette and relearn the 911.

Flush the brake fluid
Buy a good tire pressure gauge
Buy a good torque wrench
Drive with an instructor and don't rush to get signed off
Have fun!!!!

CMP is a fun little track, hard on tires and hard on brakes (no time to cool).

Have fun!

CMP is my home track, been driving it since 04.. Love the track if they would just repave, which I hear is coming.

The kink, fun to talk about at the bar, but not a ton of timed to be gained here.. Just make sure you have the right line. Right wheels all the way up on the curb, I try to clip passenger side mirror on the poles. Just don't go too far, as there is a big hole right before apex. Other than that, any car should be able to go through there at 90, don't worry about the speedo, go through as fast as you like and only track out as far as you need to... If there is track left, go a little faster next time...

Best advice I can give you... If you over cook it, just drive left. You have a huge flat field to get your **** back together. Where people get into trouble is trying to stay on track and either looping it back across into the right tire wall, or hugging the left edge and running into the flagstand (rare).

Good luck!! Will see you there in March.

Turn one is usually pretty light, especially this time of year... You may have the track to yourself, enjoy :-)

I only live 45 min away, so was a member there for a few years before the surface degraded so much...

I mostly track my 2018 Camaro ZL1 1le. About every 4th or so event I will track my 2018 911 GT3. I really don't have any problem with getting adjusted to the two different cars.
I think these modern cars are designed so good that it's very easy to jump in a 911 vs a Corvette or other high powered front engine car.
I do tend to get a little more lose in the Camaro, but I think that because I really push it harder.
My lap times are pretty much the same, I think If I drove the GT3 more often I would get a little faster. I do enjoy driving the GT3 more, I like how nimble it is. And of course it weight a lot less.
Have fun.

You have had a total of 3 track events, all at different tracks, and they signed you off to run solo? I agree with most here, get an Instructor (hopefully with 911 experience) and keep him in the car.. You don't even know what questions to ask yet, enjoy the learning experience.