I just spent 2 days at Daytona this weekend. The first day I did the corvette racing school, and I'm glad I did.. I drove their car with an instructor and I'm glad I did! I have about 12 track days under my belt this year, but I will say Daytona scared the crap out of me for the first 2 sessions. The speed plus learning the track is a lot to take in. BUT I did get it and then it was all pedal to the metal! It was difficult to mash the pedal in and hold it around the bank turns but when you do it, it is INSANE. Im glad I used the corvette school for practice so I knew the track for my car... 160-165 mph top speed for the vette.
Now for the Cayman R.. With PDK, fresh tires, brakes and 2000 miles of break in...it was time to de virginize my ride.. The car is perfect.. Perfect for me! Top speed on the track was 162/165! The car is stock and I'm gonna leave it alone for a while , while I'm learning it. For me it doesn't need more power right now, it's got plenty. It's more about learning the braking into the corners and finding the exit speed.. I pushed it pretty hard a few times to feel the limits and sweet spots, and this car has them.
My only concern with the car was buying the PDK vs manual. Well because I'm a newer driver, I'm okay without shifting, because I suck at heel to toe shifting. After driving a corvette and shifting and having the PDK, I'll take the PDK..it's pretty much flawless..
On another note, it seems that Porsches attract corvettes on the track and then the battle is on!
I'm a track guy from here on out! I'm buying a trailer and some spare set of hoosiers!

 

Awesome to hear this! We've got about 500 miles on our CR so far, and I'm eager to get it on the track once it's broken in.

Meanwhile, I've been doing a lot of back to back comparison between the CR and our 911 lately, and am moving towards the conclusion that the CR is indeed the better driver's car.

Our Porsches are both manuals, and my shifting has plenty of room for improvement, but that's OK. I like the challenge (and involvement), and don't have a deadline to reach any particular level of competence.

 

Wow! Daytona Roval is a monster track for a first outing in a new car. I generally recommend working up to that one slowly. Glad you had fun and brought it home in one piece. Now it's time to explore the rest of the great road courses in the sunshine state.

 

Would love to see some pictures --- sounds awesome. I am excited to get my Cayman R on the track this spring. I am only at 300 miles so far

 

great write up! I was out there back in October, absolute blast, did you record any lap times? Right rear tire blow outs are common on this track, few when I ran and friend ran this past weekend and posted this

 

phew...that was close!

Had a buddy do that in a 993 RSR a few years, ended in broken body work and suspension, no wall crunch though!

 

Never drove there but would like to try. How does it compare to pocono? I know the banking is not as steep but what else compares

 

Jason, thats got to be one of the more scary places on the track to have a blowout! That thought ran through my mind several times! The cayman martini car in front of us blew out near the finish line and then we came through! Very dangerous.. I have track pics coming for the track photographer, I ll post when I get them.
Sport chrono has me at 2:14 for my fastest lap. And. Average of 2:16/18.. Lots of traffic.. I could shave 4 more off but then that puts me at pushing a little harder... Need more time in the car, lol before I crash it and find that comfort zone... All in all, it was awesome... Sebring is my next track day when I can find some dates!

 

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I'll be there with Chin this Saturday & Sunday, sold out

 

Yeah I saw those dates.. Couldn't make it but I have the 2012 dates... I'll there in March/April ... I think Hooked on Driving is gonna get a weekend in January.. Have fun and I'll hook up with you if your there in the spring.

 

Did you look into a 996 GT3 instead of the Cayman R?

 

2muchT... just watched that video a few more times... man... just knowing how much speed that the car is carrying coming out of the bank, that video is an eye opener... i want rollbar in my car.. I am little worried about my safety going that fast..
I was told to run about 4/5 pounds of air higher on the right side of the car for this track... makes sense to me.... I saw 3 blowouts that weekend... just checked out the PBOC link, im looking into it.. thanks..

 

jmorris.. i was suppossed to by a 2010 gt3 but my wife and i werent on the same page and i lost the deal, so i came home and bought the CR just to get on the track as fast as possible... its a great car for me right now.. long term i see myself in a gt3rs.. but im gonna enjoy the ride cause this ride is very enjoyable!

 

Question:
I know the Cay R has the same roll bar mounting points as the 987 Boxster. Could you fit a 986/987 Boxster roll bar in there and simply bolt it down for added roll protection and as a harness bar?? A takeoff should be plenty strong, cheap and readily available. Worth taking a few measurements or a test fitting.

 

StockKiller,

Do you have the ceramic brakes or standard brakes? And how did the brakes hold up with the track use? Any noticeable fade? Glowing hot? I recall reading one reviewer reporting that the standard brakes may not be quite up to the task on the track.