Older cars at DE
07-18-2008, 08:08 PM
#1
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Older cars at DE
I was wondering how those with older cars enjoy sharing a track with newer, faster cars at DE's? Something like a 944 in the same session as a GT3.
I did my first few track events with with an older sports car, and it felt like a rolling chicane constantly giving point byes. With the much higher speeds that modern cars are capable of achieving, the speed differentials on long straights seemed quite unsafe. I ended up buying a Lotus Exige and have tracked that for the past few years, moving to the advanced level with a few local clubs.
Recently, I took my older car out to the track, and found it to be just as enjoyable as the Lotus, albeit at a much slower pace. So, I was thinking converting the older car to a track car, and freeing up some capital by selling the Exige. Any insights?
I did my first few track events with with an older sports car, and it felt like a rolling chicane constantly giving point byes. With the much higher speeds that modern cars are capable of achieving, the speed differentials on long straights seemed quite unsafe. I ended up buying a Lotus Exige and have tracked that for the past few years, moving to the advanced level with a few local clubs.
Recently, I took my older car out to the track, and found it to be just as enjoyable as the Lotus, albeit at a much slower pace. So, I was thinking converting the older car to a track car, and freeing up some capital by selling the Exige. Any insights?
07-18-2008, 08:20 PM
#2
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Insights?
I think you may have already had them, my friend. After a few years, when all the gee-whiz-yee-haw wears off, there is absolutely NOTHING as satifsying as watching a $100k+ Porsche grow in front of you as you enter a techincal section of track, knowing deeply that if the driver of that uber-rocket were a thinking man, truly interested in the craft of driving, he should now be realizing that he may have well wasted at least $90k!
I think you may have already had them, my friend. After a few years, when all the gee-whiz-yee-haw wears off, there is absolutely NOTHING as satifsying as watching a $100k+ Porsche grow in front of you as you enter a techincal section of track, knowing deeply that if the driver of that uber-rocket were a thinking man, truly interested in the craft of driving, he should now be realizing that he may have well wasted at least $90k!
07-18-2008, 08:21 PM
#3
No problems with my 20 year old 188 rwhp car running with cars with twice+ the hp. Then again, I don't experience any of the passing issues that are always popping up here in threads either. Must just be lucky.
07-18-2008, 08:39 PM
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My car may be slow in a straight line, but it's lighter (2700lbs) than the newer cars and a joy to drive. I drive with everything from other old 911s to Radicals to GT-3's. The GT-3 doesn't really do anything for me, but the Radicals look like a lot of fun.
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07-18-2008, 09:15 PM
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07-18-2008, 09:26 PM
#10
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We have some nice older cars at our DE's and I pass some and get passed by some. I've never seen a problem with them and enjoy seeing the history out on the track.
07-18-2008, 09:34 PM
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07-18-2008, 09:35 PM
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I am turning in 996 GT3 times at our local tracks in my 78 SC.
07-18-2008, 09:52 PM
#13
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I think, a lot of people have made it aparent that many of the "old" cars do quite well - once they're converted for the track.
With my 944, I have no problem keeping up with street GT3s at driver's eds (and passing lots)... Keeping up with the cup cars at a race is a different story, however...
With my 944, I have no problem keeping up with street GT3s at driver's eds (and passing lots)... Keeping up with the cup cars at a race is a different story, however...
07-18-2008, 10:14 PM
#15
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Hmmm...we just had this discussion at the track last weekend. A friend's '71 911 was the oldest thing out there other than a 914 (that was really moving). A good drover can make anything go, but for us middling folks, well....