We had a blast at Willow Springs yesterday [thanks jack] with Gt2's GT3's, TT's and i tried out the 97 TT:

key findings

- of course roland was right the linear stability of the TT at high speed is astounding compared to even a prefectly set up GT2 [straight line stability]. TT is bolted straight, while 2 hunts and wiggles. so it is the perfect car for openroadracing.com.

- A/C is much improved in GT2 vs 97 TT, as is body stifffness. TT felt NA slow compared to a 2.

- a great reminder how amazing porsche has been imrpoving their cars -- the 996 TT is perhaps 170% better than a 993TT to me, and a gt2/3 perhaps 100% better

Noel or Andrew i hope you can post a photo or 2.

 

Yeah thanks Jack! It was a lot of fun. Even though it felt awfully hot while we were there, it wasn't very much cooler on the Westside when I arrived home. Sonic booms galore at Edwards.

 

Watt, I was too busy driving to break out the camera, the only time I wasn't on the track I was glugging gatoraid and eating. Besides, it was way too hot to be out in the sun moving cars around for pictures!

Next time, promise!!



What I learnt from my day was how good the MPSC are compared to the OEM MPS2, the difference in so great that I am still shocked. It wasn't the grip, it was the steadiness of the tires. The car doesn't move around at all in high speed turns, it feels like it is on rails now.

 

I never got pics either, maybe Arling or Fred, but I never saw anyone taking pics.

 

Thanks Jack for a blast, it was truly fun.

I learned that GT2's can fly very well. They are also EVIL and demonically possessed.

BUT they're built like tanks.

 

Great to hear you guys are enjoying yourselves out there!!!
I want to comment on your first finding Watt.....

After much research and trial and error with my suspension, I suspect your assessment of the TT's straight line stability is more due to the alignment settings than anything else. I fully realize the suspensions are different, but the camber is markedly different between the two cars, with the GT2 having more negative camber. The TT basically has more tire contact patch on the road in a straight line due to its more upright tire attitude. This will go a long way in stabilizing the car at speed. The GT2 will shine in the curves with the more negative camber.

Nonetheless, it must have been quite fun to drive them back to back to really experience their differences!!

 

It was a lgreta crowd. I drove my GT2, a GT3 and a highly modified Mini CooperS (by Lucent). The Mini was actually just as much fun in the tighter turns. The GT3 seemed quite stable to drive in relation to the GT2. The tendancy to snap over steer, just wasn't present. Although, that may due to better tires, as well. Button Willow is next!

 

ken,

i respectfully disagree entirely. i am referring to optimal setups - on both cars - for the open road at sustained high speed, and i have actually driven them both with these setups, so "GT2 having more negative camber" is ludicrous. and 4WD has greater dynamic stability. and based on my experience, i will not be sustaining 165 on a bumpy, rutted 2 lane in a gusty cross wind in a GT2 ever again, i will be in the 993 TT.

 

I don't think it's just the AWD. I think part of it has to do with the way the car is setup and a multitude of other factors.

For example, would a 993 have more stability at 180mph than say a Brabus SV12 sedan?

I think part of what makes the GT2 less comfortable at high speeds is the way the shocks, springs, and suspension geometry is setup.

For example, if you put 4-way adjustable JRZ's in the GT2, I bet it would be just fine over bumpy roads at high speeds. Put more bodywork and you would get more downforce at high speeds.

 

I have to agree with Ty on this, as when I went to do the Silver State Classic in the Z8 I ran at a very considerable distance just off the redline, around 186mph, and the car felt stable as a rock on rails. I would suggest that the front engined weight bias was the main reason for this, and the fairly neutral suspension/camber set up with S03 tires set at 38-40psi f/r also helped.

I've always found the GT3 a lot more 'darty' in nature than the Z8, which is very planted at the front. I imagine that at hyper-speeds the Pcar dartiness is much more pronounced than the relatively calm 135mph that I've seen in my GT3. If I was to choose my ideal weapon for such a run again it would certainly be a big bore front engined V8/10 or 12, be it AWD or rear only.

 

Jack and I made it back to Willow again today on the spur of the moment. We also had Metal Solid make an appearence. It was jsut the three of us for the afternoon. Not bad!