First ever track day in the Targa

A big thanks to Dervish (who's probably out enjoying his new and second 996 somewhere) for handing me his untaken track day at Brands Hatch last Friday. A tad apprehensive but after the classroom instruction I took to the track for the first time and made it to tell the tale! What an experience! OK, I got overtaken by loads of Caterhams but it was a novice day and of course there was no racing..... It was fun going round and pressing the car more than I have ever done before. I managed to swing the tail out slightly on two occasions as I didn't brake hard enough and in time for the corners - for me that was a bit scary as the pendulum effect and lack of PSM was all too obvious. I managed 100mph on the straights but then stupidly took the corners at 70mph on the two occasions where I slid. I think you were supposed to be doing around 50mph. Oh yes, I got black flagged too for crossing the yellow line where cars enter onto the track. The marshalls were polite about it and didn't scold me too much. Porsches on the track were: 2 x 996TT, 1 x 996 C4 Cab, 1 x 996 TTS Cab, my Targa, 1 x 997TT & 1 x 987. The 997TT guy was easily the quickest of the day and he took the 996 TTS out time after time. Its just that when he put the pedal to the metal, his engine sounded like a very loud hairdryer.....Pity one can't get sports exhausts for those models. I just wish I had a better weapon of choice; my 996 Targa is no track day tool as many of you will have guessed anyway. I'd probably do another track day but with a PSM equipped car perhaps. Also the lack of track day insurance was always in the forefront of my mind and the thought of writing the car off, I thought, prevented me from going any faster. I'll definitely do one again but maybe in a lighter car such as one of those Caterhams (and fully insured of course!) ~ Maxie

good job nought wrong with a 996 Targa, my old 993 Targa served me well on the track :thumb:

Good to hear Maxie, Targa's are fine on track as ^^ Sundeep^^ said.. Any pictures ?? You'll be coming to the 'Ring next !

Maxie, glad you enjoyed yourself. Got my first track day booked in for March 2nd and really looking forward to it. Bit nervous though so any rookie trackday pointers? Sadly no new car yet, bloody DVLA taking their time with the reg change over :typing: