I was "Apollo's" instructor yesterday, and also the "other Cayman" out there (a non-S), on Kuhmo 710s. It was a hot and dry day, mid '80s. Tires were heating up a LOT. I typically bled off 2-4 lbs per run. The really serious guys broke out the spray bottles by the end of the morning sessions and used them extensively in the afternoon sessions.
The "greasy" feeling the
SC was experiencing was almost certainly due to overinflated tires and excessive overheating of the compound itself. Too bad I didn't know about it at the time, we only took a few runs together in the morning...he didn't ask for any coaching in the afternoon. I would also advise Cayman autocrossers to seek the advise of Boxster drivers (there were about 10), some with a decade of experience in these cars.
This was my first real test of the "new set up", which is a hybrid between
PCA's "production" class, SCCA's AS, and COM's Time Trial Stock Class.
PCA's rules allow almost unlimited suspension upgrades except camber plates, whereas the other two just allow non-adjustable shocks, and all allow R compounds (which is all I've done to be legal in all 3). I finished a respectable 3rd, behind an early Boxster, the class champ, and we were both beaten in a late and very hard charge by another extremely experienced autocrosser, also a Boxster. While they both drove very well (and clearly outdrove me!) and have tons of events in these cars under their belt, I think this particular circuit (a couple of very tight pivots which required digging out from a dead stop) rewarded their lower gearing more than some layouts.
Perhaps the clearest lesson I learned was that unlike a 911 the top guys were running almost dead even tire pressures front and rear. I finally tried it and it worked very well, knocking off nearly a full second. In fact, the class champ (2 yrs running no less) says he typically has 2 lbs more in the front. Hmmm. Would this also hold for a 300 hp CS? I'd try it because the f/r wt balance isn't all that different.
So, looking forward to seeing you at the next event, Apollo, and good luck with your new home!
