Originally Posted by
OnURleft
I think this year we will find out lots as parts and cars become more accessible.
Specifying your GTR, it's obvious when you take a 600hp car with AWD, weight reduction, slicks and that transmission it's going to be unreal fast, like your car is. I don't know of a GT3 street car that's faster assuming the drivers would be the same. Despite the 998 Turbo being slower than a MK2 GT3 on a circuit, the mod-ability and PDK will be the only factors making that the easy choice for a time attack car, which is why GT3's will be a almost absent in the highly marketed time-attack world. I wish this weren't the case as it's the superior track car from the showroom, but (as you know) 600hp + is needed to stay with the fastest time-attack cars and attract consumers.
Stock for stock, excluding the 998 RS (maybe), the GTR has an obvious corner exit ability and an obvious overall grip advantage. Like I said earlier, from real world experience (not bench racing) those tires do that car NO justice like the GTR's. Fortunately, I was the one in the passenger seat with both pro drivers using my hot lap on a BMW Instructor/Solo Friday letting my car cool, and i've seen your crew with Chin quite a few times (i'm sure you've seen the rig I roll with) but I believe arguing a lap time and concrete ability of a said car off D.E's, NASA events, Chin Events (even though many pro's are present) and even time attacks are rough because so many people can't do car set up or spend the weekend doing it, there's traffic, and most can't flat out drive 100% (like you mentioned), which is why I used drivers who could extract the cars full ability as my example
It just seemed vague to me when you said...
Set up's weren't readily available for 997 GT3's until late in 2008-2009 as the external reservoir world/fender flares were only in development in Germany. Several of my friends went back to 996's because the lack of this aftermarket, the guy that took me 1:31 was one example of someone who went back to a 996 for 2009.
I've clocked you guys at Road Atlanta, as well as some MTI friends, and others and I feel as though you've never truly gone head to head with a "properly set-up" GT3 with a driver who can extract it's full potential, especially on Road Atlanta based on the groups i've seen you guys run with and your claims. Also, the fact that a driver who CAN extract 100% out of modded GT3 street car is 9 times out of 10 driving a cup car. GT3 street cars with suspension,fenders etc. and drivers to back it are unicorns, I can't even think of one 997 I saw with these credentials (driver + set-up) at Road America, Atlanta, Barber, Roebling, No Problem, or CMP in 2009 with any group I run with..
To elaborate, my track friend who qualified 2nd at the 24hrs of Nuremberg frequents in his 997, but his car was stock. My friend Hank who was a pro does BMW events, but despite his amazing CCW/Hoosier set up the car weighs over 3400lbs with both of us in and complete interior, i've been in a car chasing down Seth Thomas, but his is a complete and relatively stock 996 street car that has achieved 1:32's with slicks, something you've achieved with an extra 220hp and slightly less grippy tires.
All i'm saying is, I disagree and i'm speaking from my real world experiences testing, driving for fun, and doing my own TT events with NASA, not from a magazine just like you! I have no doubt your car will go high 1:20's, after all i've clocked you and that even smokes my buddy who went 31, but the cars were in no way equally comparable because one was stock power/exhaust/suspension/weight and from the looks of your car in person vs. a highly modified car... However, throw as many mods on a GT3 as your car, maybe some motons, fender flares, weight reduction and 50 more hp and I have no doubt one of my buddies could match your claims no sweat, ESPECIALLY in the new RS when the aftermarket arrives in a few years
My .02 to a civil conversation. Props to you for having the amazing skill and car that you have. I've seen you in person at 5-6+ different weekends and i'm nothing short of impressed, even with your monster Z.
I just think your statement fails to analyze how rare a real driver paired with a "properly" modded GT3 really is, just how capable that chassis is and somewhat overlooks how easy a GTR is to drive flat out compared to all the old men at PCA events struggling to run 1:38's in their GT3's and GT2's for fear of that ass coming around.
I'll PM you some pictures of the rig, the cars I drive so you'll know who I am if I see you at the track this year!
Forged Performance: GT-R Shatters NASA TTU Record at CMP
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Thank you for the comments, and look forward to meeting you in person soon. 