Alan C.

I've run an 88 turbo S, first track car, 968 M030, RSA, 993, 996, 3.6 C2 turbo and my current GT3S 944 turbo.

The GT3S car puts the biggest smile on my face. However, The RSA was stone cold reliable and a very tight second place finish. And I think the current owner of the RSA has continued with the same luck.

Alan

Alan Herod

Hard to say given your request. Each newer car gets more refined. From what I have seen the most primitive, creative community uses the 914 as a platform. You could achieve the raw power aspect, build a tube frame to support the mostly rusted structured, throw away everything that you don't need, and use all manner of light-weight bodywork. All body panels should be attached by 1/2 turn fasteners for total access to everything as well as easy replacement.

I still prefer the 911.

DJF1

Randolph, I used to run a 968 on DE's before my 993. While it is true that the 968 was a more forgiving car, when I got used to the handling characteristics of the 993 now I'm faster with her. The 993 has a sharper turn in, better braking ,surprising neutral handling with proper alignement, corner balance and a stiffer than stock suspension, plenty forgiving feedback and a sound track to die for. That is comparing these two cars without major mods and still running on the same type stock tires (P-Zeros).

While I will agree with everyone that a 944 or 968 is a better bang for your money, easier to drive etc I completely disagree with your statement of "Nothing fancy here, just a lot of motor, and not a lot of car. ".
At least the 993 IS a lot of car. Changing your driving style is not difficult. Once you drive one then you will see why 911's are so addictive.

Mike A.

For my 1st two years of DE, I tracked a 993CS. I had alot fun, the car was easy to drive fast. As I began to do more and more track time, the car began to get beat up so I decided not to take it on the track anymore. After searching for a track only Porsche, I ended up with an '89 951 that was already partially moded for track use. Now, three years and several more mods later I still track this car. I have come to the point however that I would like to spend more money on it for more torque and hp. Don't ask how much I've alredy spent.
I began to wonder if I should spend more money on this car or instead get into a 993 Cup car. You see,in PCA club racing which I now started to do, my 951 is classed GT3. A class where car mods are only restricted by the size of your wallet. A 993 Cup is in C class and cannot be modified. Yes, a 993 Cup cost like $65-$80K (and has good resale value)and no matter what I do to the 951, it will only be worth $30-$35K. So, would you spend another $10K or so on the 951 or save the $10k, sell the car and get into a Cup car?

Randolph Racing

Ok the verdict is in! I have decided to keep my normally aspirated 944! I know, that was not one of the options, but here's why.

I have decided to make it into a full track car and race with the 944 Cup series. These guys are sanctioned by NASA and run a lot at Summit Point race track, (3 hours from my house).

All N/A 944's, no S's , turbos, etc.

I csn't think of anything more fun then racing with 20 other cars all prepared the same way. If I continued only to do DE, I would be bored. If I did Club Racing it would be hard to make it to more then a few events a year, plus, I would still have other classes of cars on the track at the same time wissing past me.

By doing the 944 Cup seies, I will be able to do wheel to wheel racing which focuses on driver talent, and not driver pocket book. Worse case sceanario, I smack the car up, I put all the pieces back on another $5,000 944 and away I go.

I am happy with my decision. Now if I could only get the beast to stop leaking oil! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Greg Fishman

[quote]Originally posted by Mike A.:
<strong>You see,in PCA club racing which I now started to do, my 951 is classed GT3. A class where car mods are only restricted by the size of your wallet. A 993 Cup is in C class and cannot be modified. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Mike,
You need to read the classification rules before you make a change. The 993 Cup car is in GTC2. Which is a class for just 993 Cup Cars. GTC1 is for 996 Cup Cars. A 993 RS Club Sport is C stock at this point but may change for next year.

M758

[quote]Originally posted by Randolph Racing:
<strong>I csn't think of anything more fun then racing with 20 other cars all prepared the same way.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

COOL <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

I just finished a weekend racing 10 to 11 944-spec cars. It was blast for me and everyone who raced. We were not all within a second of each other, but everyone had somebody to race with and all had their stories about what happend in turn # racing the next guy.

No body damaged their cars and everyone went home with a big smile! Not too bad when you think 1 996 cup car costs more than our entire field!

Mike A.

Greg,
You're absolutely correct, 993 Cup cars are in GTC, that's what I meant to write. The point is that these cars are not allowed to be altered unlike the 996 Cup cars. So basically, besides the original cost, money is spent on up keep and not "go faster" mods as in the other GT classes.

Randolph Racing

M758,

I am totally pysched for next year. I will be at Summit Point this weekend and try to get my NASA compettion license.

A couple little safety mods to the car over the winter, and I'll be all set!

The 911 owner keeps sweeting the pot. still tempting...wish I could do both!

Greg Fishman

[quote]Originally posted by Mike A.:
<strong>Greg,
You're absolutely correct, 993 Cup cars are in GTC, that's what I meant to write. The point is that these cars are not allowed to be altered unlike the 996 Cup cars. So basically, besides the original cost, money is spent on up keep and not "go faster" mods as in the other GT classes.</strong><hr></blockquote>


If a 996 Cup car wants to run in the GTC1 class it has to be 100% stock as delivered, any change puts it into GT2S or GT2R. The Speed Challenge spec cars aren't eligible for GTC1 class.

I agree with your thinking though about money spent within the GT class.

gregm

I used to drive a '69 911E as my track car. It is a blast to drive and I intend on using it in the future. However I bought an '86 944 Turbo as my new track car/ daily driver. The ratioinal for this is; You can fit four tires in the hatch area, plus tools, and all of the other junk which I cart to the track. This is a more practical car if you do not tow, and have a long drive to the track. A two hundred mile drive to the track in the rain and on track tires in a 911 can be a bit of a drag.

924RACR

Welcome, Randolph! Look forward to seeing you next year!

Gary R.

That is the most ridiculous pile of tripe I think i've ever read here...

J richard

Uhh...yea I think I have to jump on that wagon as well...since I've owned/raced both these cars and many other 911's I have to say I've never had a 911 let me down on the track, sure little things like a clutch pedal pin, but a factory flat six is a pretty solid peice of machinery, they will put out consistent power and be extremely reliable, provided you maintain them and avoid the money shift...I honestly can't say that for the 44's I've had much more difficulty with the porsche/audi motor...it really wasn't meant to be a race car...maybe my luck but I've spent more $$$ in 944 engines than my 911 based cars...yes other parts are cheaper, but thats less about reliablity and more about keeping it clean...also I do take a bit of issue with the idea that a 911 is some horrible hammer of a car, not true, they are fantastic race cars, but they have to be driven like 911's and it is indeed a different way to drive, and not a compromise by any means...

That said and since Randolf has drank the coolaid, good for you. I have to say if you want the most cost effective wheel to wheel in a pcar, 944spec(cup) is it.
but like all spec series it will take time and experience to get to the front, and the front continues to advance, and as long as you have a good bunch of guys to run with it can be a blast...and just getting started, getting the most out of a lower powered car is exactly the place to be...enjoy!

S4_Killer

a 951 is kinda like a 911, except you get to buy a motor at least once a year, 964 ftw