Brian_Innes
Member
Following the excitement of Oulton Park, my tour report will continue shortly covering my experiences driving in Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, and visiting the Jim Clark Museum at Duns.
Brian
Brian
My 2019 718 Cayman GTS PDK
- Thread starter Brian_Innes
- Start date
Thanks Brian,
It was an absolute pleasure seeing you again at the PCCB Oulton Park track day and I can only say thanks again for your help at Knockhill where you know I was playing with the idea of giving the new 718 GT$ a run for it's money
Particularly since I was told in rather brutal terms that I didn't justify a slot in the delivery program for a new one ! So I went my own way, what hardship
The problem with modifications is that they are quickly assimilated, are not tested in a race environment ... and are therefore fairly quickly taken for granted.
So I find your very experienced evaluation from the passenger seat most useful ...
I've posted on Pistonheads a summary of the various discussions around the next modifications ... and to be honest, it is looking like Racelogic driver evaluation after the event !
There is clearly a lot to be gained in a few places -- if my gut feeling is founded in fact !
As for the banter, it makes the day. It is the sunshine that lifts the spirit when gentle fatigue is trying to jade what was truly great day !
It was an absolute pleasure seeing you again at the PCCB Oulton Park track day and I can only say thanks again for your help at Knockhill where you know I was playing with the idea of giving the new 718 GT$ a run for it's money
Particularly since I was told in rather brutal terms that I didn't justify a slot in the delivery program for a new one ! So I went my own way, what hardship
The problem with modifications is that they are quickly assimilated, are not tested in a race environment ... and are therefore fairly quickly taken for granted.
So I find your very experienced evaluation from the passenger seat most useful ...
I've posted on Pistonheads a summary of the various discussions around the next modifications ... and to be honest, it is looking like Racelogic driver evaluation after the event !
There is clearly a lot to be gained in a few places -- if my gut feeling is founded in fact !
As for the banter, it makes the day. It is the sunshine that lifts the spirit when gentle fatigue is trying to jade what was truly great day !
Steve Brookes
Moderator
It was great to meet up again Brian. PCGB's risk of moving the Oulton day from November to mid September really paid off. We were happy to pay the higher price (it sold out) to drive the track in absolutely perfect conditions. As always the driving standards were excellent and as you found, it can still be a fantastic day out even when not driving yourself. It was a pleasure to take you round for a few laps. And I am not surprised that you liked Kev's cup so much...they are simply alive on track!
vitesse
Active member
I have to say I too really enjoyed the track day even though not driving & especially my passenger laps with Steve,Chris,Darren & Kevin-all cars were a joy to be driven in with all drivers being extremely effective,efficient ,fast & possibly furious!.--and what fabulous weather.
Chris's last words above are almost poetry-but then so was the drive-your car certainly has a raw edge & tenacious grip.Good also too get a walk round the Club GT4 with 1 of the team & was suitably impressed by Porsche GB's MD driving it for many laps.
Also pleased to meet up with Brian whose Forum postings make evocative reading.
A very big thank you to one & all[]
Chris's last words above are almost poetry-but then so was the drive-your car certainly has a raw edge & tenacious grip.Good also too get a walk round the Club GT4 with 1 of the team & was suitably impressed by Porsche GB's MD driving it for many laps.
Also pleased to meet up with Brian whose Forum postings make evocative reading.
A very big thank you to one & all[
]
Brian_Innes
Member
Thanks to all whom I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with at Oulton Park. It really made my day an extra special one. I never imagined I would have so much fun at a track day as a non-participating driver. It was pure joy from beginning to end.
Special thanks to Chris, Kevin, Steve, Peter, Colin and John.
Brian
Special thanks to Chris, Kevin, Steve, Peter, Colin and John.
Brian
Brian_Innes
Member
Tour Report Continued;
Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, The Borders, and Home.
Following on from my high octane experiences at Oulton Park, it was back to my more normal touring agenda with the next stop at Baslow near Bakewell in Derbyshire. My hotel of choice was the Cavendish, where I've stayed several times previously. The location is ideal, being within easy walking distance from Chatsworth House through magnificent parkland designed by Lancelot "Capabilty" Brown. The drive from Tarporley in Cheshire took longer than anticipated due to a road works diversion at Buxton. The resulting tailbacks were exacerbated by it being a Friday afternoon, also the schools traffic didn't help either. I took the scenic A537 route from Macclesfield to Buxton, a route which should have been relished in my 718 GTS, but sadly now speed limit enforced by "vulture" average speed cameras, and to my astonishment, signs warning of aerial speed enforcement by helicopter! This is surely OTT. I could only imagine the aerial enforcement is to catch bikers and such like (keen Porsche drivers?) who may stop to admire the view within the average speed camera range, then shoot off at MotoGP, Carrera Cup, velocity. I guess it's another brick in the wall against driving enjoyment by cash grabbing authorities.
I parked the car at the hotel for the duration of my 2 night stay at Baslow, and enjoyed a full day at Chatsworth House where is so happened an Arts Festival was taking place. I had a delightful walk through the magnificent Chatsworth Park, feeling very smug strolling past the long queues of traffic heading for the car parks. The weather was absolutely glorious and further enhanced a very enjoyable day out. On my return to the hotel my 718 GTS had a Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari California for company. I know my place!
The drive north to Yorkshire was uneventful. The M1 and A1M boring as usual. This is the only occasion I would say I was conscious of the 4- cylinder drone in the cabin. By a considerable margin most of my road miles are on relatively traffic-free rural roads, and as you will know, my preferences are for manual shifting in Sport mode. I am a frequent user of the lower intermediate gears and enjoy the big torque and power range of the 4-pot turbo on full boost and song. Drone it does not! Of course, such driving has an impact upon the mpg stats, but that is of no concern at all to me. I have never bought any of my Caymans for fuel economy purposes. I'm a keen driver who enjoys the open, flowing, rural roads, and I never drive with one eye on the fuel gauge. Having said that, the 718 GTS is the thirstiest Cayman I have ever owned. All of my 6 cylinder Caymans considerably exceeded 30mpg under touring conditions. This 718 GTS, driven in the same manner as its predecessors, and on similar rural roads, my mpg stats are predominantly in the mid-twenties. As posted earlier, my drive from Berwick upon Tweed to home resulted in 24.7 mpg. I couldn't care less. The joy of driving is my reward, not the joy of saving fuel. Incidentally, while on the topic of fuel, I use Shell V-Power fuel almost exclusively.
By good fortune, and it was only this, the timing of my route through North Yorkshire preceded the cycling World Championships by only a few days. Throughout the whole of North Yorkshire, signage was in place warning of forthcoming road closures. Had my tour been a week later, my itinerary and schedule would have been seriously disrupted. The locals living in the many charming villages along the cycling route had significant inconvenience coming up in the week ahead. My hotel in North Yourkshire was in Burnsall, Wharfedale. A typical Yorkshire village with pubs, quaint shops, and a cricket green. I enjoyed a nice walk along the river Wharfe, watched the cricket for short while, and adjourned to the pub for a welcome pint of Yorkshire beer. Bliss!
My next stop on the tour was Marshall Meadows Hotel north of Berwick upon Tweed. This is very conveniently located just off the A1 and is a frequent stopover point for me on my many journeys north and south. It was only a short 30 minute drive from Marshall Meadows to Duns, where I visited the newly opened Jim Clark Museum. I had visited the previous museum before, and also Jim Clark's grave at Chirnside Church cemetery. The new museum is a huge improvement on the previous "Jim Clark Room", which was more of a memorial than a museum. There are now a host of interactive displays, films, trophies, and numerous other exhibits to enjoy. Two of Jim Clark's actual cars are on display, a Lotus Cortina, and a Lotus-Climax F1 car. The former is the property of Dario Franchitti, currently on loan to the museum. The Lotus-Climax previously was displayed in a museum in Switzerland. Both cars are in magnificent condition and a joy to behold. There is also a race simulator rig available for customers to try, incorporating a mock-up Lotus F1 shell with an optional virtual reality headset. Naturally, I had go. It was just after opening time in the morning with only a few other people. After paying the £3 fee I wedged myself into the cockpit. I am no stranger to single seater racing cars, having driven several in my earlier lives on the track, but this particular cockpit shell was the most awkward of the lot. Those who have met me will know that I have not a particularly bulky frame, but squeezing into the steeply reclined seat, I quickly discovered that the steering wheel was set much too low and far away. Although both the seat and pedals were adjustable the steering wheel reach and height was not. If I adjusted the seat and pedals to reach the steering wheel, it jammed against my thighs. This rig is obviously work in progress and needs fairly radical remodelling to make it suitable for normal sized people. I couldn't help but think that perhaps "Mighty Mouse" Alan McNish had been the diminutive model for setting up the cockpit. It certainly didn't suit my frame. As a result the simulator experience was pointless for me as I couldn't steer properly with the wheel being so far away. Also pointed out to the curator was the absence of Oulton Park on the list of available tracks. Jim Clark won the Gold Cup there, and it would have been an appropriate track to try, especially for me having just come from a track day at Oulton Park. As with any new museum, such teething troubles will be sorted out in time.
The drive north home from the Borders to the Highlands was one of the most enjoyable I have ever done. The A697 and A68 was relatively quiet of traffic, although the proliferation of fixed speed cameras served to curtail the driving enjoyment somewhat. The flowing nature of the road is spoiled by having to keep an eye on the speedometer. Keeping my 718 GTS to 60mph, was a real challenge. As a change from the average speed camera infested A9, I decided to take the A93 from Perth to join the A939 Braemar to Tomintoul route. This was a good decision. Apart from a tedious diversion at Bridge of Cally north of Blairgowrie, the road was both traffic free and camera free. Using all the intermediate gears to best effect on the beautifully smooth road surfaces of the A93 north of the Spittal of Glenshee, I had an exhilarating drive home via A939 to Tomintoul, and Grantown on Spey. The 718 GTS PDK in is a class of its own on such roads. The compact footprint, the handling poise, prodigious mechanical grip, and big torque, makes light work of the hilly, twisty, mountain terrain. I would wager the 718 GTS would be among the top cars point to point under these sort of roads and conditions.
And so ended my 7 day, 1100 miles tour. It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. Good health willing, I hope I can continue to enjoy further tours and track day experiences in 2020.
I'll post a few photos to follow.
Brian
Derbyshire, North Yorkshire, The Borders, and Home.
Following on from my high octane experiences at Oulton Park, it was back to my more normal touring agenda with the next stop at Baslow near Bakewell in Derbyshire. My hotel of choice was the Cavendish, where I've stayed several times previously. The location is ideal, being within easy walking distance from Chatsworth House through magnificent parkland designed by Lancelot "Capabilty" Brown. The drive from Tarporley in Cheshire took longer than anticipated due to a road works diversion at Buxton. The resulting tailbacks were exacerbated by it being a Friday afternoon, also the schools traffic didn't help either. I took the scenic A537 route from Macclesfield to Buxton, a route which should have been relished in my 718 GTS, but sadly now speed limit enforced by "vulture" average speed cameras, and to my astonishment, signs warning of aerial speed enforcement by helicopter! This is surely OTT. I could only imagine the aerial enforcement is to catch bikers and such like (keen Porsche drivers?) who may stop to admire the view within the average speed camera range, then shoot off at MotoGP, Carrera Cup, velocity. I guess it's another brick in the wall against driving enjoyment by cash grabbing authorities.
I parked the car at the hotel for the duration of my 2 night stay at Baslow, and enjoyed a full day at Chatsworth House where is so happened an Arts Festival was taking place. I had a delightful walk through the magnificent Chatsworth Park, feeling very smug strolling past the long queues of traffic heading for the car parks. The weather was absolutely glorious and further enhanced a very enjoyable day out. On my return to the hotel my 718 GTS had a Lamborghini Aventador and a Ferrari California for company. I know my place!
The drive north to Yorkshire was uneventful. The M1 and A1M boring as usual. This is the only occasion I would say I was conscious of the 4- cylinder drone in the cabin. By a considerable margin most of my road miles are on relatively traffic-free rural roads, and as you will know, my preferences are for manual shifting in Sport mode. I am a frequent user of the lower intermediate gears and enjoy the big torque and power range of the 4-pot turbo on full boost and song. Drone it does not! Of course, such driving has an impact upon the mpg stats, but that is of no concern at all to me. I have never bought any of my Caymans for fuel economy purposes. I'm a keen driver who enjoys the open, flowing, rural roads, and I never drive with one eye on the fuel gauge. Having said that, the 718 GTS is the thirstiest Cayman I have ever owned. All of my 6 cylinder Caymans considerably exceeded 30mpg under touring conditions. This 718 GTS, driven in the same manner as its predecessors, and on similar rural roads, my mpg stats are predominantly in the mid-twenties. As posted earlier, my drive from Berwick upon Tweed to home resulted in 24.7 mpg. I couldn't care less. The joy of driving is my reward, not the joy of saving fuel. Incidentally, while on the topic of fuel, I use Shell V-Power fuel almost exclusively.
By good fortune, and it was only this, the timing of my route through North Yorkshire preceded the cycling World Championships by only a few days. Throughout the whole of North Yorkshire, signage was in place warning of forthcoming road closures. Had my tour been a week later, my itinerary and schedule would have been seriously disrupted. The locals living in the many charming villages along the cycling route had significant inconvenience coming up in the week ahead. My hotel in North Yourkshire was in Burnsall, Wharfedale. A typical Yorkshire village with pubs, quaint shops, and a cricket green. I enjoyed a nice walk along the river Wharfe, watched the cricket for short while, and adjourned to the pub for a welcome pint of Yorkshire beer. Bliss!
My next stop on the tour was Marshall Meadows Hotel north of Berwick upon Tweed. This is very conveniently located just off the A1 and is a frequent stopover point for me on my many journeys north and south. It was only a short 30 minute drive from Marshall Meadows to Duns, where I visited the newly opened Jim Clark Museum. I had visited the previous museum before, and also Jim Clark's grave at Chirnside Church cemetery. The new museum is a huge improvement on the previous "Jim Clark Room", which was more of a memorial than a museum. There are now a host of interactive displays, films, trophies, and numerous other exhibits to enjoy. Two of Jim Clark's actual cars are on display, a Lotus Cortina, and a Lotus-Climax F1 car. The former is the property of Dario Franchitti, currently on loan to the museum. The Lotus-Climax previously was displayed in a museum in Switzerland. Both cars are in magnificent condition and a joy to behold. There is also a race simulator rig available for customers to try, incorporating a mock-up Lotus F1 shell with an optional virtual reality headset. Naturally, I had go. It was just after opening time in the morning with only a few other people. After paying the £3 fee I wedged myself into the cockpit. I am no stranger to single seater racing cars, having driven several in my earlier lives on the track, but this particular cockpit shell was the most awkward of the lot. Those who have met me will know that I have not a particularly bulky frame, but squeezing into the steeply reclined seat, I quickly discovered that the steering wheel was set much too low and far away. Although both the seat and pedals were adjustable the steering wheel reach and height was not. If I adjusted the seat and pedals to reach the steering wheel, it jammed against my thighs. This rig is obviously work in progress and needs fairly radical remodelling to make it suitable for normal sized people. I couldn't help but think that perhaps "Mighty Mouse" Alan McNish had been the diminutive model for setting up the cockpit. It certainly didn't suit my frame. As a result the simulator experience was pointless for me as I couldn't steer properly with the wheel being so far away. Also pointed out to the curator was the absence of Oulton Park on the list of available tracks. Jim Clark won the Gold Cup there, and it would have been an appropriate track to try, especially for me having just come from a track day at Oulton Park. As with any new museum, such teething troubles will be sorted out in time.
The drive north home from the Borders to the Highlands was one of the most enjoyable I have ever done. The A697 and A68 was relatively quiet of traffic, although the proliferation of fixed speed cameras served to curtail the driving enjoyment somewhat. The flowing nature of the road is spoiled by having to keep an eye on the speedometer. Keeping my 718 GTS to 60mph, was a real challenge. As a change from the average speed camera infested A9, I decided to take the A93 from Perth to join the A939 Braemar to Tomintoul route. This was a good decision. Apart from a tedious diversion at Bridge of Cally north of Blairgowrie, the road was both traffic free and camera free. Using all the intermediate gears to best effect on the beautifully smooth road surfaces of the A93 north of the Spittal of Glenshee, I had an exhilarating drive home via A939 to Tomintoul, and Grantown on Spey. The 718 GTS PDK in is a class of its own on such roads. The compact footprint, the handling poise, prodigious mechanical grip, and big torque, makes light work of the hilly, twisty, mountain terrain. I would wager the 718 GTS would be among the top cars point to point under these sort of roads and conditions.
And so ended my 7 day, 1100 miles tour. It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. Good health willing, I hope I can continue to enjoy further tours and track day experiences in 2020.
I'll post a few photos to follow.
Brian
Brian_Innes
Member
Sheep in the shade at Chatsworth House parkland.
Brian_Innes
Member
Chatsworth House Jet 'd Eau
Brian_Innes
Member
Average Speed Camera "Vultures" on the Macclesfield - Buxton route.
Brian_Innes
Member
Appletreewick Cricket Club match at Burnsall, Wharfedale.
Brian_Innes
Member
Brimham Rocks, North Yorkshire. A nostalgic visit. See photo below.
Brian
Brian
Brian_Innes
Member
Brimham Rocks in the 1980's with my late wife Sheila.
Brian
Brian
Brian_Innes
Member
The Jim Clark Museum, Duns.
Brian_Innes
Member
Jim Clark's Lotus Cortina.
Brian_Innes
Member
Jim Clark's Lotus Climax.
Brian_Innes
Member
The race simulator at Jim Clark Museum.
Brian_Innes
Member
A very uncomfortable race simulator.
Brian_Innes
Member
Homeward bound on the A93 road from Glenshee to the north Highlands.
So ended a magnificent tour with unforgettable experiences.
Brian
So ended a magnificent tour with unforgettable experiences.
Brian
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