trader247

Today my life has changed.

I Will Never Again Drive My (street) Porsche On The Track.

Well, my street Porsche that is

I acquired a 991 Cup last month and prior to taking the Cup to the track, have been training in my street car to get some initially track time and training. I did four track days last month in my TTS with coaching and support everyday.

Today was the day to take out the big dog. Oh my gosh The Cup car is no joke ;0

I was a bit intimidated at first. I had been studying like a mad man. Today was the day. I didn't get to go on the track for my first run. My first run was practicing the use of the clutch, going to N and Not ever keeping the clutch in too long as that will trash the throw out bearing

My very first Cup drive instructions (from my coach), get ready..... was to go get some gas and drive around the parking lot area.

Okay, time to check any ego that I thought I had left. This was a very good thing. With Cups, one must make sure the clutch is engaged when firing her up, as the N indicator is not something to stake ones or others safety on, check. Next, don't leave the clutch engaged more than a few seconds as will trash the TO bearing, check. Next, when shifting from N to 1, sometimes the clutch will not engage, so just unload the clutch as shifting to 1, then engage clutch and take off. But keep revs at 3-4 k.Did I mention that this thing revs up like a screaming banshee. 5k, 6k, 2k.....Where the heck is 3k.....stall, stall, stall....Now I am getting a bit intimidated. Maybe this is not for me....Got a clean clutch engagement at a semi good 4k, zoom, zoom.....Oh wait, this thing has a crazy steering radius, crazy. I leave the fuel pumps and now am next to the fence (boy this thing does not steer very tight Stall, stall... Did I mention that I am solo on this fuel excursion. I just want to get back to the paddock.

Okay, time to get this throttle dialed in. Mission accomplished. Back at paddock. Time for first run. I am strapped in. Make a good exit from paddock to pit. At the pit, I am held up, omg. 1 minute, 2 minute, 3 minute....****, my water temp light is on. A bring over the starter, I gotta go...He says wait, they are almost done I am gonna get you a full run. Did I mention, that it is difficult to hear in a Cup I shut her down. Thanks starter guy. Time to cross from pit to paddock. "we got high temps". Bring her in. Car up on jacks, we got hot....Oh, did I mention no cooling fan in the Cup Cooling comes when you are moving. I should have shut her down as soon as there was a delay on pit. Shi, how many degrees is this, it is in freakin Celsius. Time to break out google for the Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion. Good, not too hot, just hot....Let her cool down, check for leaks. All good, but the first run is done Time to wait for next run.

Next run....Good to go....Got out for my first laps in the Cup. OMG, this thing is the most awesome machine on the planet. The steering is just point and shoot. The grip is next level. I am now spoiled. My TTS or any other street car for that matter will never see a track day with me behind the wheel. This is an amazing journey. I look forward to meeting many of you at Laguna in August.

I just had to share. I love cars, I love race cars and some day will enjoy racing race cars.

Thanks for reading,

Chris

jlanka

Chris, fantastic story and I had the exact same experience on Monday and Tuesday at NJMP Lightning with my 997.1. Strange that we're in sync on this. I also spun her on the left hander, luckily I just ran into the grass.

Some pics: (I have to credit the first 2 from Brian Azara photography)

trader247

Jeff, she is gorgeous....I looked the the 997's forever. And was hoping I would get one one day. I got lucky and grabbed the opportunity for my 991 when I saw it close by. No regrets, only smiles

Good for you on your first run. I am told the 997 is a beast. You have a lot more going on than I.

These cars are very, very special. Congrats...Do you plan on racing?

trader247

Checking for leaks

jlanka

Thanks, I need some pics of your car as well...

I've never raced before. I also have a Spec Boxster, and hope to start racing that car in the next few years.

txhokie4life

Your story reminds me of when I run my RSR, especially the early days.

i specifically remember the starter I nearly ran down ... clutched and turning radius .. don't jump in front of me!!!

but on track, go cart on steroids... oh but none of the aids the cars developed these last 40+ years!

hasnt killed me or anyone else yet,

Oh and I just bought a SPB .. cause I don't think I can trust myself to race the RSR.

mike

ace37

Thanks, nicely written - made it fun to relive some of those moments!

I am another who rented a race car on race tires abandoned the dual use idea immediately after. Thankfully it was a much more affordable SPB - now I'm slowly building one myself while I work through the DE program. It's been a lot of fun so far!

Once I have some racing experience I'll have to see about renting a Cup car for a session or a day to experience it. Sounds like it was a lot of fun.

trader247

The Spec Boxters are very popular out here on the west coast. I had no idea how fast they were. Very impressive. Had I gone a different direction, I would have started out with one and been extremely satisfied.






A nearly took out a body and a GT350, don't they know what my turning radius is


Once you go to a full race car it is difficult to rationalize using a street car on track for any serious endeavor. We are installing a second seat for my coach for the next few events. I am sure you can get a ride in a Cup if you see one with 2 seats. It is an amazing experience.

Veloce Raptor

Now you understand first-hand the magic!

uscarrera

Chris great to read your write up on your first experience with the Cup I remember the first session I did in my 996 Cup a few years ago simply amazing. As an ex Long Islander who ran away to Florida back in 1987 I enjoy having Sebring as my home track if you ever head down here let me know.
Rich

ProCoach

Great post!

Coochas

I'm thinking someone is excited.
Congrats on your new ride. Enjoy!

RickBetterley

Great headline, even better write-up. Looks like you are on quite the journey.

Paul Solk

Loved reading this, thanks for sharing and wishing you guys nothing but the best with the beautiful new cars!!! @JLanka, will you be at David Murry at NJMP with it?

jlanka

@Paul - I pretty much just do Metro DE's, have to keep the wife happy and such... Unfortunately that doesn't give me nearly enough seat time and delays my foray into racing... I'll have to figure something out to increase my track days.

@Chris, what is the clutch situation in the 991 cup? It has paddles no? But also still has a manual clutch?

The clutch in the 997 is very heavily sprung and only has about 3 inches of travel. Also the engagement point is like an on/off switch, very difficult to get moving.

I actually had an interesting first session, the toe link had been rubbing against the wheel and at turn 2 T-bolt I had a "blow out" and pulled into the grass. They black flagged the session and towed me in. Turns out the wheel broke in half. We roto-zipped the toe links so they weren't so close to the wheel. Luckily the tire shop in town was able to take off the broken wheel and use a wheel from my rains so I was good to go for the next day.