The day got off to a wobbly start when the car failed the noise test. As it was a "noisy day" I did not reconnect my PSE which I leave on all the time. Sound level was 106.5 decibels well over the 105 limit. Reconnecting the pressure switch did the trick and managed to get on to the circuit.
A few tips I picked up today on sound tests if you have a PSE. Make sure the car behind you is not to close when you are being tested as the sound bounces back and inceases the reading. Try and make sure the car is hot when you are tested as this helps. Build the revs gradually and do not exceed the rev limit you are given as the meter measures the highest point. Even a few hundred revs can make a difference.
As promised I spoke to Steve Kevlin about using the Michelin Cups on a 997. Steve told me that many 997's are now attending the club track days using these tyres and there have not been any problems with oil starvation that he is aware of. Steves view, like mine, is that the cups are not sticky enough to cause a starvation problem without real abuse and can not be considered as a slick racing tyre especiallly as they are approved by Porsche with a N0 rating. Soft slicks would be a different matter.
Although far from an expert I was impresed with the tyres and the car felt good all day even when pushed hard through the bends. In the later sessions I was carrying a lot of speed (by my standards)through Camp corner in 4th gear and the car felt planted and secure all the time.
For the legally minded forum users I appreciate that this is not a guarantee from Porsche that they will not seek to avoid a warranty claim just because the car was using Cup tyres but the only way I can think of to get that would be to ask them to confirm it in writing which I doubt they will do. In conclusion along with many other 997 users I think we are OK using Michelin Cups on track days on our cars but given Porsches record on warranty claims if an oil staraation problem did occur who knows what approach they may seek to take. Round 2 at Goodwood in June then on to Silverstone so really looking forward to it.
A few tips I picked up today on sound tests if you have a PSE. Make sure the car behind you is not to close when you are being tested as the sound bounces back and inceases the reading. Try and make sure the car is hot when you are tested as this helps. Build the revs gradually and do not exceed the rev limit you are given as the meter measures the highest point. Even a few hundred revs can make a difference.
As promised I spoke to Steve Kevlin about using the Michelin Cups on a 997. Steve told me that many 997's are now attending the club track days using these tyres and there have not been any problems with oil starvation that he is aware of. Steves view, like mine, is that the cups are not sticky enough to cause a starvation problem without real abuse and can not be considered as a slick racing tyre especiallly as they are approved by Porsche with a N0 rating. Soft slicks would be a different matter.
Although far from an expert I was impresed with the tyres and the car felt good all day even when pushed hard through the bends. In the later sessions I was carrying a lot of speed (by my standards)through Camp corner in 4th gear and the car felt planted and secure all the time.
For the legally minded forum users I appreciate that this is not a guarantee from Porsche that they will not seek to avoid a warranty claim just because the car was using Cup tyres but the only way I can think of to get that would be to ask them to confirm it in writing which I doubt they will do. In conclusion along with many other 997 users I think we are OK using Michelin Cups on track days on our cars but given Porsches record on warranty claims if an oil staraation problem did occur who knows what approach they may seek to take. Round 2 at Goodwood in June then on to Silverstone so really looking forward to it.
