For me, the 996 Cup was just too jarring to drive around Sebring. I’m a bit older than Mike so that’s part of it.

I recently upgraded to a 991.1 Cup and the one event I’ve done at Sebring verified I made the right choice.

I am quite a bit off the pace in a lot of turns compared to my previous race converted 986 S. I think my best lap was like a 2:22 in some traffic. I don’t even care about lap times at this point as I know I have some work to do to get anywhere near this car’s potential.

I have plans to run a two day Chin event in December and have arranged to work with a pro coach. I was always able to get within a second of pro coach times in my 986, and am hoping for same results eventually with this car!

To Mike’s point, these Cup cars are incredible. Those that get a chance to experience one will not regret it!

 

BTW that sequential transmission in the 991 Cup is other worldly compared to anything I’ve ever experienced. I think that difference alone helped make the 991 more palatable to me than the 996.

 

I can't wait to try it out Mark

 

Mike I know you are joking but I’d be happy to let you take it out at our next common event. Beware though it may be an expensive experience. LOL

 

I'll definitely take you up on that offer Mark! Hopefully I'll see you out there again this fall

 

I think the phrase you're looking for is "track insurance".

You're welcome.

 

I dont think is has anything to do with track insurance whatsoever. I do think its entirely related to the desire Mike will have to be getting a 991 Cup after having the experience.

@Mark - I'm glad to still hear how much you are loving your 991.1. They are just magnificent cars. You really do have to relearn how to drive when stepping from any road car to a race car, and the limit of the 991 is just so high that you just dont believe what it can do is possible. All the time you will make will be in compressing brake zones, trailing the brake to apex to get the car rotated and "squared up", how to maximize your vMin in each corner, and how quickly you get back to full throttle on exit (the throttle is almost a literal "on-off switch" on these cars). It will also certainly cause you to drive lines differently to minimize the amount of time that you are between 15% and 85% throttle (you want to either be below 15% or above 85%). I could share some date and comparisons of reference laps if you would like.

@Mike - You should take a ride / drive if you have a chance. Its a very different experience than a 6 Cup. That said, I love them both and cant bring myself to get rid of one or the other. Not sure if Mark has a 2nd seat in his car, but I have a 991.2 and a 2nd seat installed, and could also drive and then ride with you when back to Sebring in January.

 

Thanks Eric, I’ll definitely take you up on that as well!

I think some life changing experiences may permanently change my perspective but it’s hard for me to think I’ll ever get tired of my 996 - it’s just soooooo satisfying to get it right 😁

 

Ha ! I totally agree Mike and cant get rid of mine. The expensive part that Bruce was talking about was the burning desire to have BOTH a 6 cup and a 991. Now we are talkin" ! Looking forward to getting back to Sebring over the winter and absolutely lets have a ride. E

 

The sad truth is there was not one GTC3 car at the last PCA Club Race at Sebring. I stopped running mine a few years ago due to the expense of items like tires but also because the Red run group is wild with some fast but scary drivers in the mix. I think the 2024 Sebring race winning car was down to a 2:05 lap time which is right on the Porsche Carrera Cup North America 12 hour lap times. I think it’s time for PCA to move the 996 Cups to the Blue group like they did for the GTC2 cars a few years ago.
Rich

 

This is why I have zero interest in racing with PCA.

 

Violent agreement here too Mike. I keep getting questioned and pressed to race and have been pretty close at times, but just keep coming back to this and not needing to be any part of that. Its a shame.

 

Would you guys mind expanding on this situation? I'm honestly curious because I'm starting to build a 981 Cayman for club racing in South Florida, and was researching on the different groups. With PCA I would likely only ever attend the Sebring sprints, but if there are legitimate issues with people driving wildly without care then I'll reconsider. Thanks!

 

I have continued to race in PCA but in an H stock car which moved me down one race group at Sebring. The expierence I have had is that in the Blue race group people seem to be less aggressive and more manageable from a cost perspective. Not sure which Cayman model you are thinking of running but most run in the Blue group if I remember only the Clubsports run in the red group with the Cup Cars. Stuff can happen in any wheel to wheel racing I just try to cut the odds down some 😀
Rich

 

It's a 2015 3.4 CS that I'm building almost all DIY, so likely GTB1. At the last Sebring event they listed the group as Green though. I'm on as tight a budget as can be expected, definitely not racing anywhere near the podiums, just for wheel to wheel fun competition. My intention is to still do primarily DE's, but take part in 2-3 races a year.