I've recently taken the Cayman R to autox and the track, and it performed very well, a nice reflection of its stable and precisely controllabe design.

That got me wondering if the 911 (997.2 C2S cab) would perform as well and inspire the same confidence, given its reputation that it will punish you if you don't drive it well.

Well, this weekend, I took it to autox, turned PSM off, and drove it often at and sometimes beyond the limit. I was impressed! It turned in well, and the only times the rear got loose were when I was too heavy on the throttle exiting tight corners, but that was always easily managed by easing off the throttle and countersteering.

After the autox, I took it to some of my favorite (empty) country roads and drove it with more 'spirit' than I dared to attempt before (with PSM on), and the performance of the car was really amazing. If your driving technique is decent and you don't do anything foolish, this car is fast.

All of this was a great confidence builder for taking it to the track, which I hope to do in a couple of weeks.

For anyone who's never taken their 997 to autox, I encourage you to do so. Turn off PSM, drive the car hard, and you'll learn a lot about the car's limits and capabilities.

 

I've done it twice already and just signed up for the PCA AX class. It's a blast I learn so much each time. There will also be a skid pad there which is fun for practicing throttle steering.

I hope to do at least one DE this summer as well.

 

i have been running Autocross since last June and i can say that i am addicted!

To tell you the truth i have never turned PSM off since i don't trust me! lol Even with PSM on but with the Sport mode on i manage to slide the car enough!



and quite safe if you overdo it! maybe a few cones... LOL

 

I suggest turning it off, provided that your autox course isn't overly hazardous. You may be surprised by how well-behaved the car is without PSM, plus I've been told by several people that you'll be about a second faster with PSM off.

BTW, which camera setup were you using? It seemed to work really well.

 

yep, with PSM off you pretty much need to drive it using steering for braking and throttle for car rotation and that makes this car fly.
do not do it on the track, you may wreck it as at higher speeds dynamics differ and when you go at and a bit above level of traction any minor slippage on the track may spin you out. but it is fun.

 

Agreed, good stuff. PSM will stay on at the track until my skill level is much higher. I have no interest in spinning at 100 mph!

And of course PSM doesn't kick in until needed (higher threshold in sport mode), so it's not as though PSM is always intervening and trying to help when it's on. The owner's manual has a nice discussion on PSM which is a very worthwhile read.

 

I just did ax class for the first time last weekend ... I couldn't agree more ! The 997 is so much more fun to drive since the class and my wife loved it too. Wow these machines can drive

 

PSM info from the owner's manual:

http://www.porscheownersmanuals.com/...Management-PSM

 

I did my first day of autocross on Sunday and I agree with everything mentioned above. I can now confess that prior to Sunday I was tentative whenever I felt that I was near the point of losing tire adhesion. Not anymore. And I can't wait for the next AX day.

 

sometimes PSM does kick in when not needed but when you get there you will know. whole street car setup it tuned for street rubber and street setup, when you modify it to increase cornering forces all the way up and drive on race rubber or even r-comps it starts to work a bit different.

generally as soon as your throttle application gets smooth to the point where you feel car rotation with your spinal cord and stop upsetting car on the corner exit with throttle - you can turn PSM off.
sad part is - those who still stab throttle at the apex - PSM will not save you from a spin, it has its limits but it will help when you overfeed throttle on the corner exit and car feels that rear axle slide is unavoidable.

to practice that try to go via most corners on maintenance throttle first, then start smoothly feeding it in to learn how to feel it. best way for that is to do it at AX as you will spin out while learning, well, a lot.

 

Another link from the owner's manual, noting that sport mode raises the threshold for PSM intervention both when PSM is on and off (which means that PSM is never 100% off):

http://www.porscheownersmanuals.com/.../57/Sport-mode