Hi everyone.

OK, so let me get a couple of things straight.

Firstly, I certainly don’t have an unlimited budget (since with the best will in the world I would have bought an S instead of the 2.7 despite the fact I love the 2.7).

Secondly, this is my ‘day’ car and I have no particular desire to smash it to pieces or drive it into the ground.

Finally, I don’t want to modify the car at all since;

a) I don’t want to invalidate my warranty (yes, yes, I know going on the track will probably invalidate it – but there’s a difference between turning up at the OPC and looking all innocent with a plain vanilla motor, and turning up with a twin exhast worthy of a rocket launcher from an Arnie movie)

b) I’m not particularly mechanically minded, and

c) I can’t really afford it.

So, with all those provisos in mind, how good will a plain vanilla 2.7 (with 19” wheels) be on the track?

As I said in my previous post about track insurance, I’ve just done Anglesey in the Elise and it was brilliant – stuck to the track like glue – felt as though this was its purpose in life – and being road legal was just an added bonus.

Am I expecting too much of the Porka?

I know there’s an argument to say ‘get a beat up old banger rear wheel drive’ and thrash that – which makes sense in a lot of ways – but on the other hand I’ve invested £40k in what I’m assuming is a piece of automotive engineering genius – if that is the case – isn’t the best place for it on the track every so often rather than tootling a couple of miles to and from work every day?

Your comments, particularly from those of you with track experience would be very welcome. (And I know it will be difficult on a Cayman forum – but as objective as possible would be great)

Cheers

TOM

Tom. First of all, I would advise you go to "A Porsche ONLY trackday" as all people there will be like minded and certainly don't want to put their pride and joy in the barriers/Kitty Litter etc and is just so happens that one has come up "local" at Oulton on the 1st August (see separate thread) so it would be nice to see you again....come on down

(BTW) The Car is awesome as a standard car and by far the best "Standard" car I've ever driven....so it needs nothing (ok if you doing lots you may look at the following) and in some semblance of order:
Brake fluid: (Use Competition)
Hoses: SS give a better feel
Pads: you may wish to "upgrade" at some point with something with more feel/bite/ longevity
Tyres: maybe a separate set of 18" that you can get track day tyres or slicks for. (save your pretty 19" for the road)

good that your back on....allan

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allan@motordrive.com

Have not done track, but have done autocross in both a 2.7 and an S.

I too have a lighter wallet and use my 2.7 as a daily driver, and do not want to do any heavy mods to the car.

My opinion is that for autocross the 2.7 is quite fun - but not quite as competitive as the S. Big surprise there, huh? For autocross, its mainly 2nd & 3rd gear, and my impression is that the driver's skill is a much bigger differentiator than the difference between the 2.7 and the S.

My thinking is that on the track the difference is more noticeable due to the higher speeds - but some drivers get a real kick out of getting a "slow" car around the track faster than a quicker car.

Hi Allan - thanks for that - and yes 'good to be back' ! Even changing brake fluid, hoses, and pads sounds a bit technical for a man who'd worry about breaking a nail - but joking aside (was I ???) that sounds like good advice for the longer term.

I'm tempted by Oulton - however I was thinking of Anglesey on the 2nd of August (since I know that track and it would be good to compare the Cayman with the Lotus not long after driving the Lotus) and I ain't doing two in ther space of two days.

Also, I was at Oulton last month for the first time in ages - and it doesn't look too forgiving - especially Druids - at least at Anglesey if I crash and burn I shoudn't 'literally' crash and burn!

I'll give it some thought though - do they allow Pax rides - if so that would be great - I've no doubt you could scare the living sh**e out of me - but it might be instructive



Dave - I'm inclined to agree with your comment that "the driver's skill is a much bigger differentiator than the difference between the 2.7 and the S" - that's me shafted then

It seams a long time since "Andy’s" tunnel run through Liverpool....... Yes Passengers are allowed and FREE....and you are more than welcome to be my "Co-Driver". And I’m sure if some of the other's are coming, then you can save a little bit for their passenger seats!!
Probably the only circuit that is difficult to do any body damage at is BEDFORD and there's one of them mid August (It's a PCGB event ) from memory Defo looks like we will have to move the thread to NW Meeting #6

As far as fluid change etc, I have a man that will do all those types of jobs for "humble money" as and when

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allan@motordrive.com

Sorry, got called away and re-posted same message !!!

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allan@motordrive.com

"Suitability as a track car" depends on your frame of reference. If you mean cross the finish line first at any cost, your street car, whatever it is, is not your best choice. If you use track days as a visit to the "driving lab" with the intent of improving your skills, then the 2.7 Cayman becomes almost the ideal choice. With time you will be able to explore the corners of the performance envelope which, hopefully, will result in better responses to the unexpected events in daily driving making the road a safer place for all.

Firstly - Supercroc - no, I certainly don't have visions of becoming some racing superstar (nice as that might be) - but having just had my very first trackday I can suddenly understand the fascination and will certainly be doing more (I'm not sure if the terms are the same in the US - but for us in the UK a 'track day' is generally a 'non-competitive' / 'overtake by consent only' event which gives the opportunity to really open up your vehicle on a proper circuit in a relatively safe environment).

My point I think was (having experienced the Lotus Elise 'in anger') is the Cayman as good (or better / worse) in the same environment as the Elise which is pretty much 'built for the job' - - and from the comments so far it sounds like it is at least a match for the Lotus.


Allan, I'm pretty torn now between Anglesey and Oulton but either way I will 100% be coming to Oulton - and I will be very happy to accept a Pax ride with you - in fact, whilst I'll be itching to 'have a go' if I decide not to drive it might be really valuable for an out and out novice like myself to get some experience as a passenger with a few track veterans. (Especially if I'm doing Anglesey the following day in my Croc).

Also, we bought a video camera and ‘bullet’ camera kit for Anglesey – so we managed to get in-car footage – and even mounted the camera (via the triple suction pads) at one stage on the bonnet to get some great shots. So, if you’re interested in getting some ‘in car’ footage let me know and I can bring all the gear along. (It cost enough so I might as well use it - although we'd probably need to check permission first - the Anglesey organisers were cool about it - but I know some circuits/organisers don't allow filming).

TOM

I have done a lot of track days, and I would respectfully disagree. The only time I yearn for more horsepower is on the street. My brother has a 690 HP 997 TT (race gas) and he is still working on bettering his best time he posted in my 2.7 Cayman at Thunderhill.

An S doesn't go around a corner any faster. It just burms more brake pad and rotor slowing down at the end of a straight. I drove out at Reno-Fernley and had the pleasure of riding with an AWESOME driver in an S. His straightaway speeds were not that much faster than mine. The speed he carried through the turns was a lot faster.

A 2.7 is a perfect track car for a beginner to intermediate driver who doesn't want to spend more money. You will not wish for more HP out on a track for a long while.

Plus...I agree with the comment about getting a kick out of beating drivers with "faster" cars. MOO-HA-HA! I like mumbling about having "not much more than a couple hundred poinies at the rear wheels" while in the driver briefings. The guys with 400HP hate it.

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"