Tuned Porsche 996 Turbo loses it at 200MPH

The USA Built Joetwint Porsche 996 is fast. Twint scored a world record top speed of 231.4 mph in the Texas Mile, and at a recent run the Evolution Motorsports-tuned 911 managed to hit 224.711 mph, but it also had a bit of a spill. Hit the jump to watch video of the massively-boosted 996 take off like a rocket and reach speeds of over 200 mph. The video would be impressive enough even if it were simply a standard run, but this clip has a bit of a surprise ending. About 54 seconds in, the incredibly high speeds achieved by the 996 prompted the sunroof to pop right off. That's bad when you're going 85, but when you're cruising at nearly one third the speed of sound, it can be catastrophic. A few seconds after the impromptu top-popping, the 996 gets sideways and ends up taking an unscheduled tiptoe through the weeds. The video is pretty entertaining, but it's also informative. If you're building a world-beating track star capable of speeds of over 200 mph, don't opt for the sunroof.

that was scary! ... AND I want a car like that!

all 911's have stability issues about 190MPH. Porsche spent months sorting out the 996 GT2's aero problems above 190mph. Each mega quick 911 spends a lot of time in the wind tunnel as the margin for error above 190mph is so small that even a slight mod/change to the overall aero package can cause serious problems at high speed. At 220/230 MPH I think most modders are into an aero zone were guesswork plays a part in terms of a 911's ability to stay on the road alongside superhuman input/skill. If you come off the gas (at that speed in a 911) too quickly it often unsettles the front-end/steering and then it can end in tears. I don't know if that track is long enough for such banzai runs :?:

Did that let go when he was off the accelerator? A tad scary. :drive:

That was what happened with the original Audi TT (without boot spoiler) - the car's attitude changes when you lift off (or brake) and turns the whole thing into an aeroplane wing: Lifting off sharply used to lift the back wheels on the TT at above about 120 mph. The problem is that you need low downforce to hit 200 mph + but you then instantly need high downforce to keep the back wheels on the ground when you want to slow down. Hence the massive air-brake on the Veyron...

....this is why the GT2 has the massive spoiler on the rear(slowing down) and the big front lip(keeps it stable/balanced at 200mph). The latest 997T has a better aero package. The turbo in the vid may not have enough of a balanced aero kit to keep it stable at over 190mph. Also, you need about 2.5 miles in total from 0-200 then back again. Due to the short tarmac strip I think the driver had no option but to come off the gas then on the brakes(you can see the run-off in the vid). The problem was it makes no difference how long it takes to get to 200/220/230mph you still need enough tarmac to control the car when you start screwing the speedo back down. It has to be done in three gentle stages to be safe, inc staying off the brakes until the car is under 170mph. .....but OMG did that thing get off the line like a scalded cat :worship:

globalmotors.net "In the video below when you get to 54 seconds, something happens and the car goes sideways into the weeds. Thankfully there is plenty of room and nothing bad happens. So what happened? Near the end of the speed trap you will hear the sunroof pop open. Due to the changes in aero dynamics inside the car and over the rear spoiler, the car gets a bit squirrelly. So if you are building a fast car for the standing mile choose a donor car without the sunroof. "

The spin was nothing to do with the aero of the car and everything to do with the fact that the guys sunroof popped mid-flight !!

The off happened just after he was distracted by something on the passenger side, seen it before on some Ring vids, drivers talking or taking a hand off the wheel etc

Absolutely mental!!! Jim

what is amazing is that you have sight of the speedo and rev counter I watched and and had to check mine to make sure, but the sheer speed that it gets to 200 mph is amazing, rev counter is like a wiper !! have a good look at the speedo :thumb: as at the 12 o'clock marker that's 175 mph !

You need to cut your weeds LOL