R&R at Spa 25-28 May 2008

[oldtimer]

Well , I did get chauffeur driven out in a 996GT3 ClubSport piloted at autobahn cruising speeds by Andy Tims , and chauffeur driven back by Scott L in a 997GT3RS[]
The RS got trailered to the track and tried to escape , probably nervous about what awaited it , and ended up in a sorry state after contact with tow van and traffic signs, sort of like Jasons bad luck last year but not so serious as I could still drive it. Car was a bit traumatised but Uncle Vic and Uncle Kevin kindly let it share their pit garage . Ben Elliott insisted on being photographed with it to publicise his racing and training services.....!!

Two good days with some precipitation making track a bit greasy and kerbs a bit slippy. 964 3.3 Turbo lost it at top of Eau Rouge by putting 2 wheels on a slippy white line [] looked terminal.
Not too many 964RS there , loads of GT3RS , some exotics eg Bizzarini , GT40 , Stradale Corsa , Saleen Mustang.
Last afternoon dry but marred by repeated breakdown of an Ultima , repeated inability of a Radical to stay on black stuff ( so much for downforce).
Absolutely exhausting , really enjoyed driving the car , got a bit hot and heavy at times ( or was that the apres-Spa [] ) ....will return

 

[tim court]

Your company was a pleasure.

A case of drive on the Leff for my poor head!

 

[oldtimer]

ORIGINAL: tim court

Your company was a pleasure.

A case of drive on the Leff for my poor head!

Dont you mean ' drive on a case of Leff(e) ' ?

 

[chfs911]

John did Olav have an accident?
What's the story with Gungho Gordon in th GT3RS?

Hope cars not too bad.

Charles

 

[vic cohen]

Cant answer either of those , though the 965 was totalled a classic lift and then wet lines at the top,my excuse for slow performance 2nd day was nt the weather it was the Hot dog from that hut place ................speeded other things up no end , in fact no end at all for quite a while
Good company and average weather for Spa , begging permission for october return from Head office as we speak!

 

[jason]

Hope cars ok John - always seems to rain for the PCGB event at Spa? Can't have been as bad as previous years though!

 

[chfs911]

Vic,

Big boys are doing 17th Sept. with PCF. Ferry has packed in so just as well the cars are out there!

Charles

 

[PhilRS]

Vic, try PCF--ask our Thomas if in doubt about the comparison!

ORIGINAL: vic cohen

Cant answer either of those , though the 965 was totalled a classic lift and then wet lines at the top,my excuse for slow performance 2nd day was nt the weather it was the Hot dog from that hut place ................speeded other things up no end , in fact no end at all for quite a while
Good company and average weather for Spa , begging permission for october return from Head office as we speak!

 

[vic cohen]

Tom still trying to get me to the Ring, which i stubbornly refuse to go to................negotiations here at mom still proceeding as to permission to spend my meagre pension on 2 overseas trips! Think shes quite relieved that i have nt come back with anything new on the car ,or a one way ticket etc !

 

[PhilRS]

Really? You have not tried the Ring with Strauss on the CD player yet. That's my induction. Good for the flow of smooth driving. The passenger here is enjoying the experience. Three years later, this highlander friend of mine feared for his life because I got a bit over enthusiastic with the oversteer. But then Strauss was not on, so this might explain that [][][][][][]

ORIGINAL: vic cohen

Tom still trying to get me to the Ring, which i stubbornly refuse to go to................

 

[chfs911]

Don't get me started on Spa trip or I will have to tell the story of Melv stealing my young scantily clad Belgium date!

My life flashed before me. Seriously..........

I had you down as a good driver up to that point! Saved by the ABS!

Vic's missus knows best. You're a bad influence and danger to the health. []

 

[Melv]

ORIGINAL: chfs911

Don't get me started on Spa trip or I will have to tell the story of Melv stealing my young scantily clad Belgium date!

Nicole told me she was French -but with her boyfriend and parents there what chance did I have!!![]

 

[oldtimer]

Hi Charles , PM'd you , dont know about Gordon - try GT3 community.
Hi Jason , not too bad , Vic will vouch that it has not depressed resale value of my splendid vehicle [].
Andy Tims kindly let me drive his GT3CS for a back to back comparison . Dramatic difference in steering - turn in much sharper , I kept oversteering . Much easier to flick through Eau Rouge , gets a bit heavy in 964RS in the compression. An average driver would be a lot more relaxed and quicker round Spa , aircon pays off big time.

So I let Andy have a go in mine......I know he found the brakes better 'cos his were non existent - he later replaced the pads to remedy that. Don't think he would swap cars!!!

 

[Andy Tims]

John - Firstly to echo Tim, it was a pleasure to take you down. Thanks again for the dinner on Tuesday night.

Although not as bad as Des's your unassisted steering is obviously much harder work than the GT3's (and my 3.2 CS too for that matter) and the different wheel positions, yours being much closer to the driver also gave us both problems I think.

Hadn't realised how bad my brakes had become and I was intending to change pads during the trip, much better with some material now (as opposed to just backing plates) & by the end of Tuesday the vibration had eased off too, but new discs going in before next track day for sure.

 

[65 mat]

ORIGINAL: oldtimer

t. Don't think he would swap cars!!!

The question is John....would you swap cars?[:-]

 

[oldtimer]

Hmmmm Matt , good question. When I got my 964RS it was pretty standard road car with only 28000 kilometres on clock , only changes were hot film and tweaked front suspension and Pagid blacks all done by Phil Hindley who had personally collected the car from Tom Schmitt and driven it back to NW so he had a feel for it.
Good brakes , good set-up , enough power.
As I got to use it , I 'improved' it by momo wheel and spacer , sticky tyres , harness and full Heigo bolt in cage - steel of course .
I've now done a further 42000 km in it over 6 years and most road trips are for purpose of going to a track , its not a weekend runabout. What I miss having owned the newer 911s over the same period is power assisted steering and 6 speed box with closer ratios, I suppose these could be added but I dont think I would alter the car any further. The car is still faster than I can exploit , however I'm too old to be wrestling with the controls [] .....I need to wimp out with aircon and a serene cabin if I'm to continue open pitlane at Spa for example.
Changing for a GT3 Mk1 or even a 996GT3RS would be the next step either of which are not slower (!) and will probably hold value as were limited numbers produced. Would I do it ???....sort of head over heart decision...might be banished from 964RS community.....runs for cover

 

[65 mat]

Respect your answer John...suppose best solution would be to have both?[]