16-Year-Old Smashes Slalom Record in Porsche 718 Spyder
At the age most people are just getting their driver's license, Chloe Chambers is resetting records.
Resetting Records
For many of us, our passion for cars and driving started at a young age. But chances are, none of us were breaking records on the track at the same age most people obtain their driver's license. But 16-year-old Chloe Chambers can say that she has after recently resetting Fastest Vehicle Slalom record in the Guinness World Records behind the wheel of a Porsche 718 Spyder.
Photos: Porsche
Impressive Feat
Chambers beat the old record, set in a Chevrolet Camaro, by just over half a second with a time of 47.45 seconds. The car was completely stock, right down to its Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The course consists of 51 cones placed 50 feet apart, which of course must be navigated without touching them or knocking any cones over.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about up and coming racer Chloe Chambers right here in the RennList Forum!
Learning Curve
Of course, Chambers isn't exactly a novice driver. She's already racked up seven years of racing experience and currently competed in several karting series. Regardless, since most of her time is spent racing karts, adapting to a real car presented some challenges, as did the course itself. "It looks easy, but it’s really not – to weave between 50 cones as fast as possible, trying to beat a record time and knowing I couldn’t touch a single one for the run to count – I definitely felt the pressure," Chambers said.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about up and coming racer Chloe Chambers right here in the RennList Forum!
Fast Vessel
The newest 718 Spyder is a solid choice for such an athletic event, featuring a 4.0-liter natural-aspirated boxer six-cylinder engine that produces 414 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. Perhaps more importantly, the car utilizes a track-bred Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) setup with adaptive dampers, helper springs on the rear axle, and a ride height that is 1.18 inches (30 mm) lower than a standard 718 Boxster or Cayman.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about up and coming racer Chloe Chambers right here in the RennList Forum!
Proud Pappa
Porsche was of course thrilled to see Chambers break the record, which we might add was done in a car equipped with a manual transmission. "We couldn't be more proud that Chloe set the record," said Klaus Zellmer, President, and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. "From the whole Porsche family we send our heartfelt congratulations – we’re pleased to have been able to support Chloe with her ambitious record attempt and share her relief that it was successful."
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about up and coming racer Chloe Chambers right here in the RennList Forum!
For help keeping your car in a fine-tune, see the how-to section of RennList.com