Hi!
Looking for opinions:

I daily drive and do 5-7 DE days/year in my 997.1 6MT TT with Bilstein Damptronics, GT 2 rear sway, rear toe links, track alignment, and mild REVO tune. Run on take off slicks from local team cup cars I get cheap(ish)..
Have been doing this for about 5 years and usually drive solo in the fast run group. Also do about 10k miles of daily driving each year.

Came upon what seems to be a beautifully prepared 1978 911SC track car including Woods motor build in 2001, all the suspension and safety mods one could ever want...gorgeous to look at, single owner, total 100k miles and a seemingly reasonable price (34k).

I understand it will not be nearly as fast around the track, but wondering about driving experience, fun factor, learning to be a better driver, having a ar for the track that won't put me out 70k if I get it wrong, expense of maintenance/tires/brakes....

Look forward to thoughts thanks!

 

Track prepped air-cooled 911s are so much fun to drive. I would take the SC over the Turbo for track any given day.

 

I'd retire the 997tt from track duty and have two cars!

 

Would you be able to keep the 997.1TT and keep it as a daily driver, or do you need to sacrifice it for the earlier 911?

 

I'm guessing you need to get rid of the turbo, otherwise it would be a pretty simple answer.

I was in a similar spot about a year ago. Started to track my 997TT and really got into it. Hired a pro coach and after a few events it became apparent (to me, at least) that as great a car as the turbo is, it's still a street car - a very expensive one at that. And a heavy one.

The other thing that started to happen was the more events I did in the turbo the less fun it became to drive on the street. Roads and traffic around here is terrible and the car just became boring compared to being on the track.

i came across an '04 996 dedicated race car that was built to race in the Koni race series. 3 way JRZ, full cage, fire supression, all the right suspension bits, etc. It was done soup to nuts.

Of course the dedicated track car route requires trailer and tow vehicle. Just a much larger commitment than just driving to the track.

I think it's hard to beat the thrills that a dedicated track car will give you. Another huge issue, as you mentioned, is the safety gear. The lack of electronic nannies on the track car will definitely make you a better driver.

THere is nothing in the words "porsche" and racing" that equals cheap. My car is pretty solid maintenance wise, but you'll need at least a nut and bolt every event, and the usual wear items.

Another option is to lookfor a less expensive track car - spec miata's are great fun and can be had for 12K-15K. Spec boxsters are also pretty reasonable. That way you can keep the turbo.

for me, the decision to sell the turbo hinged on how many events I was going to do a year. Once I hit a certain number I thought it made sense to go the dedicated car route.

I have no regrets and am loving owning a dedicated car.

 

I think I would keep the turbo for street use...still a great joy as I have a 17 mile no traffic commute and live up a mountain canyon.

Also, the SC may be barely legal for street registration so could avoid the trailer issue.

I dont have time or money to got racing...just DE and autocross and some fun in a neat car. Might not be too bad as far as longer term value but not at all sure on that one...

Thanks!

 

In that case, I really don't see much downside to your plan other than the additional cost of having both cars around. You can dedicate the 997.1 to street use and have a proper race/track car with the 1978 SC. Sounds like a winning proposition to me.

 

I am a bit worried ill miss the power of the turbo at the track...any comments on the fun factor of the SC in comparison on the track?

 

I am not an expert but I have three good friends at DE's that run the SC and they are fantastic cars to drive and they love them. And they are all fun loving, action driven types.

I will also say that each of them are also superb drivers and I think learning to drive the SC well on the track is one reason they are so good.

They all do trailer there however.

Get the SC and dont look back. Good luck.

 

I had a heavily modded turbo. The difference between it and my dedicated track car is night and day. There is just no comparison (IMHO) between a street car and a properly sorted race car. I'm probably down almost 300HP between my turbo and track car. I turn MUCH faster laps in the track car. Not even close. That's more fun to me.

Maybe you should look for a newer track car with a bit more power if you're that concerned. My '04 cost me 45K so not much more than the SC you're looking at. Maybe you can find someone at your next DE to give you a ride in their car to see what it's like.

In my opinion there are a lot of reasons to NOT go with a dedicated track car. Less power than your turbo, in my mind, isn't one of them. The whole towing thing, tow vehicle, storing the car, etc. etc. can be a bit of a hassle and give some second thoughts about going that route.

 

Hard to justify buying a whole car for 5-7 days of DE a year. That's only 3 or so events. Not worth the hassle of buying a car and selling it later imo unless you are going to do more events.

You can get track insurance for the Turbo.

 

don't disagree; like I said above I knew what the magic number was for me in which it made sense to get a dedicated car. I guess that number can vary from person to person.

 

I very much appreciate all of the opinions!
after talking with several folks who know better than I do, I have decided to pass on the SC..... too old, too slow, too much money for what you get.

Will stick with the turbo for now until it's clear that I have a lot more opportunities to get to the track or can afford more.

Thanks again!

 

Both good points, I've thought about it, but can't really justify it unless I was actually gonna go racing again (been there done that in the 80s, long story).
I'm fine with my street car with an occasional track day. Between work and family, more than 2-3 track days a year is tough, family's gonna suffer, again. Not worth it to me (car, truck, trailer, fuel, tires, spare bullets, $$,etc). jmo