Great job and thanks for taking us along! Practice and track familiarity does wonders for confidence. I agree with your assessment about autocross vs track. Autocross is mostly 2nd gear pulls with a lot of sharp turns. Porsche 911s with their light front ends tend to push a lot on tight corners and more sensitive to those 2nd gear throttle inputs where the front end gets light. But on a track where you can open in up into 3rd and 4th gear and the corners are not so tight which meand the cars front end had a bit more time to settle and tap in to the grip more. Once I started track racing I never did autocross after that. Keep up the great work and give that 911 and nice wash after track days ;^)
I'm all signed up for auto-x on that track next weekend. Remember the layout from last year well. Good to see that the P-car found its natural habitat.
The best advice I can give after years of teaching racing is: Be Predictable. Stay on line...the person passing you will expect that. Wave people by if you are going off line. Watching the video, the Cayman was off the apexes pretty consistently; the Ferrari was on the apexes to begin with and about halfway through, he started missing apexes pretty noticeably. Now that you have finished the track day, I should note that most beginners brake too much and too early. Braking later and more strongly will improve your lap times. The thing that improved my lap times the most noticeably, was working on how early I could go to full power exiting a corner...work up to this slowly. Have Fun
A lovely guy and really informative! But as a stick shifter from the UK I cannot believe you wouldn't use the gears properly? I guess if you've driven manual for 36 years it's instinctive?
In normal driving yes. When you are trying to focus on the line, consistency, and everything around you, it is hard to also throw in managing the gears all during your first time. I have a video coming out soon of my second track day where I am much more active shifting. Next step is to learn how to get comfortable with heel and toe.
Cool video thanks! With the lack of changing gear, was it purely to keep you focused and safe while getting used to it or also to keep the car safe re money shifts etc?
Yeah a money shift would ruin your day. Wait until you get to the more advanced level where you get to shift more. That's when it gets more engaging and fun. Thanks for sharing!
I got scared I did a money shift but turns out I had a bad heel toe attempt and bounced off the rev limiter. Definitely want to get more comfortable before I throw in the shifts! Thanks for watching!
Just as expected ! But i could see your oil temperature reaching 250 F with your relative calm driving beginners style..... you should preferably have a optimal 180°-210°F range. As oil temperature rises engine life declines rapidly. On my 997 S i have the Third radiator and low temperature thermostat installed, last i did track session the outside temperature was 85 F, and i was at the track the whole day, never did i exceed 225 F oil temperature, but with that said 250 F is no biggie, just give you some tips from my experience, Third radiator and low temp thermostat is not so expensive either, so consider those upgrades if you want to track your 911 more, and do oil analysis after each oil change, will help you monitoring your engine life
Great feedback! Yeah, I was looking into getting a 3rd radiator, but wanted to see how the first track day went. If 250 F is okay, I may hold out a little longer. Thanks for the feedback and hope you're subscribed!
@@CarFanatic i have been following you for 2 years, highly recommend the third radiator and low.temp thermostat, its not so expensive either, and you are considering tracking your 911 even more, this two relative cheap upgrades will protect your engine
@@CarFanatic In general between 230 and 260F is a modern motor oil's most optimal wear protection temp range. Most modern synthetics (such as M1 0W-40 Euro "fs") onset of thermal breakdown is around 290F, so unless you're regularly beating the hell out of the engine and getting above 275F I'd look at the 3rd radiator as a "nice to have" option.
Awesome video!! You were smoking them!
Thanks for sharing your experience. We are going to buy a Porsche to race. Your video was very valuable for my son and I.
Great job and thanks for taking us along! Practice and track familiarity does wonders for confidence. I agree with your assessment about autocross vs track. Autocross is mostly 2nd gear pulls with a lot of sharp turns. Porsche 911s with their light front ends tend to push a lot on tight corners and more sensitive to those 2nd gear throttle inputs where the front end gets light. But on a track where you can open in up into 3rd and 4th gear and the corners are not so tight which meand the cars front end had a bit more time to settle and tap in to the grip more. Once I started track racing I never did autocross after that. Keep up the great work and give that 911 and nice wash after track days ;^)
Thanks Bill! I finally got the car cleaned up after not washing it in 4 months! I'm looking forward to the next track day!
I'm all signed up for auto-x on that track next weekend. Remember the layout from last year well. Good to see that the P-car found its natural habitat.
Thanks. We'll have to do a track day together soon!
The best advice I can give after years of teaching racing is: Be Predictable. Stay on line...the person passing you will expect that. Wave people by if you are going off line. Watching the video, the Cayman was off the apexes pretty consistently; the Ferrari was on the apexes to begin with and about halfway through, he started missing apexes pretty noticeably. Now that you have finished the track day, I should note that most beginners brake too much and too early. Braking later and more strongly will improve your lap times. The thing that improved my lap times the most noticeably, was working on how early I could go to full power exiting a corner...work up to this slowly. Have Fun
Great tips! Thanks for watching and hope you're subscribed!
@@CarFanatic I am ...lots of experience racing, not so much in 997 maintenance.
Make sure to sign up for the 12/15 event at the Bondurant track with AZPCA :)
I wish! I'll be out of town
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Tracking a car is the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Great video! Hope to see more!
Thanks for the support as always!
Yea it is less enyoable if you do iy naked
Cool video. Makes me want to take my Cayman on the track for the first time :-).
Do it! You'll have a blast!
A lovely guy and really informative! But as a stick shifter from the UK I cannot believe you wouldn't use the gears properly? I guess if you've driven manual for 36 years it's instinctive?
In normal driving yes. When you are trying to focus on the line, consistency, and everything around you, it is hard to also throw in managing the gears all during your first time. I have a video coming out soon of my second track day where I am much more active shifting. Next step is to learn how to get comfortable with heel and toe.
Cool video thanks! With the lack of changing gear, was it purely to keep you focused and safe while getting used to it or also to keep the car safe re money shifts etc?
Yup! I had one bad downshift that kicked the back end out a bit. At some point I'll try to improve my shifting abilities. Thanks for watching!
@@CarFanatic Well I guess you can call your self a real 911 man now that you unintentially got the back out a bit! :)
What kind of harness was your instructor wearing?
I'm not sure but it's a hans style device! Thanks for watching and hope you're subscribed!
Yeah a money shift would ruin your day. Wait until you get to the more advanced level where you get to shift more. That's when it gets more engaging and fun. Thanks for sharing!
I got scared I did a money shift but turns out I had a bad heel toe attempt and bounced off the rev limiter. Definitely want to get more comfortable before I throw in the shifts! Thanks for watching!
Just as expected ! But i could see your oil temperature reaching 250 F with your relative calm driving beginners style..... you should preferably have a optimal 180°-210°F range. As oil temperature rises engine life declines rapidly. On my 997 S i have the Third radiator and low temperature thermostat installed, last i did track session the outside temperature was 85 F, and i was at the track the whole day, never did i exceed 225 F oil temperature, but with that said 250 F is no biggie, just give you some tips from my experience, Third radiator and low temp thermostat is not so expensive either, so consider those upgrades if you want to track your 911 more, and do oil analysis after each oil change, will help you monitoring your engine life
Great feedback! Yeah, I was looking into getting a 3rd radiator, but wanted to see how the first track day went. If 250 F is okay, I may hold out a little longer. Thanks for the feedback and hope you're subscribed!
@@CarFanatic i have been following you for 2 years, highly recommend the third radiator and low.temp thermostat, its not so expensive either, and you are considering tracking your 911 even more, this two relative cheap upgrades will protect your engine
@@CarFanatic In general between 230 and 260F is a modern motor oil's most optimal wear protection temp range. Most modern synthetics (such as M1 0W-40 Euro "fs") onset of thermal breakdown is around 290F, so unless you're regularly beating the hell out of the engine and getting above 275F I'd look at the 3rd radiator as a "nice to have" option.
FYI: your Porsche crests are pointed the wrong way on a few of your wheels
Thanks! I know the tradition. I just don't really care for it. Maybe the next time I get them off, I'll align them "correctly".
what is the tradition? which way should they be pointed and why?