Sep 30, 2005 6:15:39 PM
- Gary No Cal
- Junior
-
- Loc: Calif. USA
- Posts: 130, Gallery
- Registered on: May 19, 2005
Interesting Autocross Results
Just got the results of an autocross I did in the 997 S recently. I thought the results were quiet interesting and that you guys would be interested in how the car performed in a competitive event.
I will start with the bottom line; this car is incredibly fast! I knew during the event that it was performing well and other drivers would come up and comment on how fast & stable the car looked. But the results are impressive. Now keep in mind I am no 'hot shoe'. In fact, I have only done 6 autocrosses and that was in 1999 in my '97 Boxster. So the strong showing is even more impressive given my lack of experience. So, I came in 17th out of 103 cars. All the cars that had better times were heavily modified, most with track tires and all with very experienced drivers, several were instructors.
For those that might not know, an autocross is a timed event with cars racing against the clock sole on a track set up with cones in a parking lot. This course was 1.1 miles long and included a long straight were I hit about 80MPH in 3rd, most of the course was taken in second with speeds in the 25-70MPH range. My best time was 78.3 sec. the best time of the day was 73.2 with an instructor/former autocross champion in a modified 74 911, (think RSR). I was 3rd out of seven in my class, just missing second place which was .12 seconds faster at 78.12 sec.. I has better times than two 996 turbo's, several 993's including an RS and several Boxster S's. About 65 drivers were in the event for points in the local PCA regional contest. This was the 7th event of the year.
On the first lap I came out of a series of tight turns before the long straight and knowing I really had to come out of this corner fast because it starts the longest straight, I hit the go pedal hard mid turn - nothing happened! I though I must have broken my car. On the straight the power came back on and everything seemed fine until the last series of hard turns, then the same thing. While thinking about the run between laps it occured to me that I did not turn off the PSM, next lap I had it switched off and what a difference. Sport button was on and adaptive seats tightened up (these really work well to keep you firmly in control of the car).
I am so impressed by the handling and overall performance of the car, especially considering I am a novice at this. The car is amazingly easy to drive fast. Mild understreer and no evidence of oversteer, at least on this course (several early 911's swaped their rear for the front in a decreasing radius, off camper sweeper). The limits are really easy to get close to and not go beyond, at least at these relatively low speeds. I am hooked! This was a blast I am going to run two more events this season then campaign the car next year in the PCA regional autocross and time trial events.
I will start with the bottom line; this car is incredibly fast! I knew during the event that it was performing well and other drivers would come up and comment on how fast & stable the car looked. But the results are impressive. Now keep in mind I am no 'hot shoe'. In fact, I have only done 6 autocrosses and that was in 1999 in my '97 Boxster. So the strong showing is even more impressive given my lack of experience. So, I came in 17th out of 103 cars. All the cars that had better times were heavily modified, most with track tires and all with very experienced drivers, several were instructors.
For those that might not know, an autocross is a timed event with cars racing against the clock sole on a track set up with cones in a parking lot. This course was 1.1 miles long and included a long straight were I hit about 80MPH in 3rd, most of the course was taken in second with speeds in the 25-70MPH range. My best time was 78.3 sec. the best time of the day was 73.2 with an instructor/former autocross champion in a modified 74 911, (think RSR). I was 3rd out of seven in my class, just missing second place which was .12 seconds faster at 78.12 sec.. I has better times than two 996 turbo's, several 993's including an RS and several Boxster S's. About 65 drivers were in the event for points in the local PCA regional contest. This was the 7th event of the year.
On the first lap I came out of a series of tight turns before the long straight and knowing I really had to come out of this corner fast because it starts the longest straight, I hit the go pedal hard mid turn - nothing happened! I though I must have broken my car. On the straight the power came back on and everything seemed fine until the last series of hard turns, then the same thing. While thinking about the run between laps it occured to me that I did not turn off the PSM, next lap I had it switched off and what a difference. Sport button was on and adaptive seats tightened up (these really work well to keep you firmly in control of the car).
I am so impressed by the handling and overall performance of the car, especially considering I am a novice at this. The car is amazingly easy to drive fast. Mild understreer and no evidence of oversteer, at least on this course (several early 911's swaped their rear for the front in a decreasing radius, off camper sweeper). The limits are really easy to get close to and not go beyond, at least at these relatively low speeds. I am hooked! This was a blast I am going to run two more events this season then campaign the car next year in the PCA regional autocross and time trial events.
