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Cayman CompetitionAuto Cross, Club Racing, DE, this is the place to discuss the Cayman on the track
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I havent had too much fun with the Cayman so far as it relates to DE performance, which was somwewhat irritating and dissapointing as everyone else had different experiences than me. I knew it was the driver.
Anyway did go out for my first event as instructor. Friday was lapping day. I was a little untidy and pushing too hard. Car had Nittos and yellow pagids.
Took out some really experienced drivers (people who have raced in many events) and the feedback was that I was not being smooth with my inputs). Ok so I went back to basics. I stopped trying too hard. I worked with the car rather than trying to muscle it around and suddenly BAM it all gelled together.
The car flowed. Took out more experienced drivers and they all thought I was driving smoothly and couldnt tell when I braked as the transitions were better. I managed the same lap times without what felt like a frantic pace.
Like others have said. The car requires precision and it rewards. It doesnt like to be thrown around (thats what MZ4s are all about). I think I ran well in the instructors group. Played around with a few other cars. Was faster than most. In fact there was another Cayman also doing well and really showing the car off. A senior instructor from the Porsche club (with a very fast 73 911) really couldnt shake off the two caymans on Saturday.
Instructing was a treat. I had a really good student in a very slow car! He learned the line. Carried speed into corners. Didnt have ridiculous amounts of power to cover up his mistakes and had the proper attitude to advance quickly through the ranks. For me it was very enjoyable to watch and do my little part in helping him. But also, it was very helpful for me as I found myself learning more about the track from a new vantage point.
BIR track record 1:43 I think.
An E36 track prepped car was doing 1:53.
I was pretty happy with my 2:01 best time and 2:04 average.
I think I can easily take off a couple of seconds but after that will require some hard work.
My Racelogic Performancebox worked well.
On the stock car i havent figured out how to mount a video camcorder yet.
Quick end note: I did leave PSM on and found it didnt intrude when I was doing things right. I think an LSD will help. Then PSM off would make more sense.
LSD - Limited Slip Differential
A limited slip differential (LSD) is a modified or derived type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in rotational velocity of the output shafts, but does not allow the difference in speed to increase beyond a preset amount. In an automobile, such limited slip differentials are sometimes used in place of a standard differential, where they convey certain dynamic advantages, at the expense of greater complexity.
The main advantage of a limited slip differential is found by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential where one wheel has no contact with the ground at all. In such a case, the contacting wheel will remain stationary, and the non-contacting wheel will rotate freely– the torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, but will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the vehicle, thus the vehicle will remain stationary. In everyday use on typical roads, such a situation is very unlikely, and so a normal differential suffices. For more demanding use however, such as driving off-road, or for high performance vehicles, such a state of affairs is undesirable, and the LSD can be employed to deal with it. By limiting the velocity difference between a pair of driven wheels, useful torque can be transmitted as long as there is some friction available on at least one of the wheels.
To see the installation of a LSD style unit Click Here -> Article Forthcoming Stay Tuned
PSM - Porsche Stability Management
While it can’t overcome the laws of physics, the revolutionary Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system does lend an added degree of balance and control to the Cayman’s mid-engine driving dynamics, inspiring surefooted confidence in corners and extreme situations.
A standard feature on the Cayman and Cayman S, PSM continuously monitors steering input, road speed, yaw velocity and lateral acceleration to calculate the actual direction of travel. If the car begins to steer off line, PSM instantly intervenes with precision brake inputs on individual wheels to help bring the car back onto the driver’s intended path.
If braking alone isn’t enough to correct the vehicle’s cornering line, PSM then calls on the Cayman’s engine management system, adjusting engine output as needed to help stabilize handling. PSM can also compensate in an instant for mid-corner changes in load resulting from deceleration or braking. When Sport mode is selected with the optional Sport Chrono Package, PSM’s threshold for intervention is raised, allowing for greater driver involvement. If you prefer driving without automatic PSM assistance, the system can be set to standby at any time. In this case, it will only intervene under heavy braking, where both front wheels exceed the ABS threshold.
For all of its technical ability, PSM goes virtually unnoticed in everyday driving situations, preserving the Cayman’s natural agility.
Thanks for the read.
I'm in Miami and I think the closest place to me is Sebring, which is quite a drive away.
Maybe someday, I get to experience what you have.
. . .On the stock car i havent figured out how to mount a video camcorder yet . . .
For about $50 you can order the parts for this Camera Mount from Express Mounts, that fits on the luggage bar between the seats and works very well - here's the link to the parts list courtesy of STLPCA.
Glad to hear that you're finally becoming one with your Cayman!
I'm curious to hear your experience with the Nittos (NT01s I assume). I found that I have to start off with really low cold pressures on the rears (like 28-29) and 31-32 on the fronts, to keep them under 40 psi hot (when they start to get very greasy) - what was your experience?
Andrew
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2006 CS Tip (Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
2005 Ford Expedition (to haul the CS)
2006 Lexus RX400h (wifey's)
Gone, but not forgotten: 2002 WRX, 2004 MINI
Thanks for the read.
I'm in Miami and I think the closest place to me is Sebring, which is quite a drive away.
Maybe someday, I get to experience what you have.
Actually a lot of PCA DE's and club races are at Homestead in Miami.
The Gold Coast region is having one there June 7th-8th.
Moroso Motorsports Park in Jupiter is close too, and lots of PCA events there as well.
PCA - Porsche Club Of America
The Porsche Club of America - http://www.pca.org
CaymanClub.Net members who are also PCA members should request access to the PCA Member only forum by filling in their PCA Member ID# into their profile and then requesting a group membership addition, both of which can be done in the User Control Panel (User CP)
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- Suneet
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For about $50 you can order the parts for this Camera Mount from Express Mounts, that fits on the luggage bar between the seats and works very well - here's the link to the parts list courtesy of STLPCA.
Glad to hear that you're finally becoming one with your Cayman!
I'm curious to hear your experience with the Nittos (NT01s I assume). I found that I have to start off with really low cold pressures on the rears (like 28-29) and 31-32 on the fronts, to keep them under 40 psi hot (when they start to get very greasy) - what was your experience?
Andrew
Thanks for the mount/cam kit parts reference. I will check them out.
At first I didnt pay too much heed to temps and found the car almost wandering in a straight line. It was a disconcerting wavy sway like there was lift at the front and rear. Tire temps were over 40. After that I aimed for 39 hot all round and next event 38. I havent decided on a front to rear balance yet. They were NT01's. 275/35 at rears although I ordered 275/40.
Below 40 the car sticks well. Starting pressures would have to be below 30 I suppose. TPMS warning light then goes nuts! Flat tire in red.
TPMS
TPMS - The Tire Pressure Monitoring System provides early warning of any drop in pressure by continuously monitoring the pressure in each tire and alerting you in the onboard computer display in the event of a pressure deficiency. It communicates the exact pressure of each tire and/or their deviation from ideal pressure. This does away with the need for regular air pressure checks at the service station, which often prove highly inconvenient.
Thanks for the read.
I'm in Miami and I think the closest place to me is Sebring, which is quite a drive away.
Maybe someday, I get to experience what you have.
It's worth the drive.
I dont know how far away you are but I have driven up to 8 hours to get to MAM (Mid America Motorplex) in IA and 10 hours to experiance RA (Road America) in WI.
Once you feel what it is like on the track it's hard to imagine not doing it. There is almost nothing in the world that compares to the feeling when you are committed to a corner, the engine noise, the g forces tugging, the chassis communicating as you try to maximize that exit speed.
I am happy to hear you are figuring the car out! Smooth and carry speed is the secret to the Cayman. It is so nicely balanced at the limit. Sounds like it is growing on you.
Congratulations on your instructing debut.
Tom
I must have missed this from the PCA calender. Thanks for the head's up
Is this a good even for a total track newbie? I've heard that the first few laps on a DE, you drive with an instructor to learn the lines. I haven't even hit 2K miles on my car yet, I don't want to drive my car hard (yet).
PCA - Porsche Club Of America
The Porsche Club of America - http://www.pca.org
CaymanClub.Net members who are also PCA members should request access to the PCA Member only forum by filling in their PCA Member ID# into their profile and then requesting a group membership addition, both of which can be done in the User Control Panel (User CP)
[quote=afridi;262899]I was pretty happy with my 2:01 best time and 2:04 average.
I think I can easily take off a couple of seconds but after that will require some hard work.QUOTE]
Congratulations on what sounds like a very rewarding weekend, for both you and your student. Instructing can be gratifying, and it gives you more in-car time to assess landmarks on-track, even if you're in the right seat. Being humble enough to have friends ride with you to assess your strengths and weaknesses shows real maturity and wisdom. I always learn something new at a DE.
Any car that's new to you on-track will take time, whether you're coming out of a 911, a Z4 M Coupe or whatever. You're fortunate to be in an exceptional car that will show you its strengths as you improve. It was hard for me to accept that I am never as good as my car, so I continue to work on the weak link, even after instructing for more than ten years.
I was pretty happy with my 2:01 best time and 2:04 average.
I think I can easily take off a couple of seconds but after that will require some hard work.QUOTE]
Congratulations on what sounds like a very rewarding weekend, for both you and your student. Instructing can be gratifying, and it gives you more in-car time to assess landmarks on-track, even if you're in the right seat. Being humble enough to have friends ride with you to assess your strengths and weaknesses shows real maturity and wisdom. I always learn something new at a DE.
Any car that's new to you on-track will take time, whether you're coming out of a 911, a Z4 M Coupe or whatever. You're fortunate to be in an exceptional car that will show you its strengths as you improve. It was hard for me to accept that I am never as good as my car, so I continue to work on the weak link, even after instructing for more than ten years.
It's truly an addiction, but what a blast!
Cheers,
John Cuellar
Thanks. My initial goal was to become good enough to be an instructor. I managed that. Now my goal is to become the best driver I can.....and I know there is much to learn.
For a while there I was dissapointed with the car but after this last weekend I now know what everyone was on about!
Until 
