Forged Performance: GT-R Shatters NASA TTU Record at CMP

[OnURleft]

Congrats, car has some incredible corner exiting abilities. Will love to see the competition when someone gets a modified pdk 998 Turbo out there, those transmissions really make these cars fast. I still believe a properly set up GT3 would be the car to beat. It's incredible that one will pull low 1:30's stock with some hoosiers on Road Atlanta, that's faster then lots of race cars

[Sharif@Forged]

Congrats, car has some incredible corner exiting abilities. Will love to see the competition when someone gets a modified pdk 998 Turbo out there, those transmissions really make these cars fast. I still believe a properly set up GT3 would be the car to beat. It's incredible that one will pull low 1:30's stock with some hoosiers on Road Atlanta, that's faster then lots of race cars

One other factor, is finding drivers willing and able to extract 100% of the car's capabilities. It's very often I see highly modified cars, not being driven to their max potential. It often makes comparisons very difficult to make.

Unfortunately, I don't think even a well setup regular GT3 would have enough to match the GT-R on most tracks especially the longer and higher speed one. It would probably take a Cup car, or an GT3 RSR to catch the GT-R. Again, this assumes drivers of equal skill in both cars.

I did a 1:32 at Road Atlanta with crappy R888 tires. With A6's I am sure that high 20's are achievable.

At CMP last year for Time Attack, Autometrics brought out their GT3 Cup Car (Raced in Rolex GT) with seqential gearbox. This car was nuts, and being driven by Corey Freidman who is one of the best behind the wheel. He managed a 1:35 at CMP, but granted it was hot as balls that day. But at least it's a comparison.

[Big Baller]

One other factor, is finding drivers willing and able to extract 100% of the car's capabilities. It's very often I see highly modified cars, not being driven to their max potential. It often makes comparisons very difficult to make.

Unfortunately, I don't think even a well setup regular GT3 would have enough to match the GT-R on most tracks especially the longer and higher speed one. It would probably take a Cup car, or an GT3 RSR to catch the GT-R. Again, this assumes drivers of equal skill in both cars.

I did a 1:32 at Road Atlanta with crappy R888 tires. With A6's I am sure that high 20's are achievable.

At CMP last year for Time Attack, Autometrics brought out their GT3 Cup Car (Raced in Rolex GT) with seqential gearbox. This car was nuts, and being driven by Corey Freidman who is one of the best behind the wheel. He managed a 1:35 at CMP, but granted it was hot as balls that day. But at least it's a comparison.

Thats some good driving Shariff. That course favors a high HP awd car a lot more than it does a cup car though. I'm sure Corey in a Cup car at Road Atlanta would be different. Good luck with the rest of the season

[Sharif@Forged]

Thats some good driving Shariff. That course favors a high HP awd car a lot more than it does a cup car though. I'm sure Corey in a Cup car at Road Atlanta would be different. Good luck with the rest of the season

No doubt, I am sure the Autometrics GT2 Cup car is capable of mid 1:20's or better at Road Atlanta. Lee Khen did a 1:21 around there in an RSR.

[OnURleft]

One other factor, is finding drivers willing and able to extract 100% of the car's capabilities. It's very often I see highly modified cars, not being driven to their max potential. It often makes comparisons very difficult to make.

Unfortunately, I don't think even a well setup regular GT3 would have enough to match the GT-R on most tracks especially the longer and higher speed one. It would probably take a Cup car, or an GT3 RSR to catch the GT-R. Again, this assumes drivers of equal skill in both cars.

I did a 1:32 at Road Atlanta with crappy R888 tires. With A6's I am sure that high 20's are achievable.

At CMP last year for Time Attack, Autometrics brought out their GT3 Cup Car (Raced in Rolex GT) with seqential gearbox. This car was nuts, and being driven by Corey Freidman who is one of the best behind the wheel. He managed a 1:35 at CMP, but granted it was hot as balls that day. But at least it's a comparison.

I'd have to agree on high speed tracks, but I cant forget the fact i've seen two different pro drivers go 1:31 (997) and 1:32 (996) each in showroom stock GT3's with Hoosiers and CCW's on RA, no power mods, no weight reduction etc. That's just incredible to me, but talent was key to get that car to do that.
I'd imagine on most momentum style tracks that chassis is one of a few benchmarks but when all out torque and corner exits are crucial for the fastest time that car looses it's advantage without a significant boost in power and grip. I'd like to see a GT2 with a proper tire set up, i'm not a fan of Pilot Cups, and I don't think that tire does that car justice like the RE070's on the GTR. I'm pretty sure there's a well respected shop in Atlanta who broke the bank to build a time attack car with a 997GT2, I can't wait for the results

[Elbow]

I will say for a fact a GT3 Cup car would give the GTR a run for its money. An RSR would obliterate it.

[Sharif@Forged]

I will say for a fact a GT3 Cup car would give the GTR a run for its money. An RSR would obliterate it.

As you know, there are many versions/years of cup car and their capabilities vary dramatically. I am pretty sure most any year 996 or later Cup car, driven to it's full capability would go faster than a GT-R on high speed tracks. Put Lee Khen behind the wheel, and it would be a decimation.

Any regular production GT-3 I think would be hard pressed to take down the GT-R. A well prepped GT2 would put up a much better battle.

Don't you just love bench racing.

[Elbow]

As you know, there are many versions/years of cup car and their capabilities vary dramatically. I am pretty sure most any year 996 or later Cup car, driven to it's full capability would go faster than a GT-R on high speed tracks. Put Lee Khen behind the wheel, and it would be a decimation.

Any regular production GT-3 I think would be hard pressed to take down the GT-R. A well prepped GT2 would put up a much better battle.

Don't you just love bench racing.

Well lets get to it! I'll bring a GT3 Cup car out in March.

[Sharif@Forged]

Well lets get to it! I'll bring a GT3 Cup car out in March.

That would be great to see more of those cars out there. I already know the likely ending result, as a late model GT3 Cup car is too much of a machine. But would be an interesting comparison.

I am pretty sure a Cup Car would be considered a TTU car and would compete with my GT-R in the same class. How much power does it put down, and weight with driver? I am already signed up, so see you there.

[OnURleft]

As you know, there are many versions/years of cup car and their capabilities vary dramatically. I am pretty sure most any year 996 or later Cup car, driven to it's full capability would go faster than a GT-R on high speed tracks. Put Lee Khen behind the wheel, and it would be a decimation.
a
Any regular production GT-3 I think would be hard pressed to take down the GT-R. A well prepped GT2 would put up a much better battle.

Don't you just love bench racing.

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...

Unfortunately, I don't think even a well setup regular GT3 would have enough to match the GT-R on most tracks especially the longer and higher speed one. It would probably take a Cup car, or an GT3 RSR to catch the GT-R. Again, this assumes drivers of equal skill in both cars.

I did a 1:32 at Road Atlanta with crappy R888 tires. With A6's I am sure that high 20's are achievable.

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

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!

[Sharif@Forged]

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!

Many good points, some of which I agree with My GT-R has 500whp-525whp depending on the day and the dyno, but many are quick to dismiss, or forget that it weighs in at 3720lbs with me in the seat. And the R888 is not a slightly less grippy tire...it's a POS IMHO. With the electronic controls off (which is the only way to go really fast in the GT-R) the car is handful to drive fast, just like many cars. It feels like a typical heavy RWD car. But it's biggest strength are it's amazing brakes, and corner exit traction and speed. Of course, lack of an H-Pattern takes one important task away from the driver, and it's actually something I miss. Which is why I jump at any chance to hop in our 370Z Time Attack race car.

I have been in this industry for many years, and this isn't my first rodeo, and sounds like you've been doing this for a while as well. I use Porsche pro drivers like Lee Khen (who is a personal friend of mine and 2009 Rolex GT Champ) and bounce things off him and others in the field. I know how fast he's been around RA, Sebring, and many other tracks in various Porsche Cup cars. Believe me, I know that 95% of the Porsche's I see on track at these fun club events are not being driven to their limits. I believe I mentioned that in one of my opening posts. But it doesn't stop the average person from making assumptions about a car's performance capability, or failing to recognize that a the driver plays THE major role in how a car performs on track.

I would love nothing more than to see some well prepped P cars driven to 100% of their limits at club level events. I really like the Porsche's and would love to have some seat time in them...hint hint. But much of what we do, helps drives and promotes our business, which is primarily Nissan, Subaru, and Mitsubishi. And until the time comes that I am independently weathy and retired, the Porsche is a luxury that I can't justify just yet.

And by all means, please introduce yourself at the next event. I usually stroll over and check out the Porsche's but the Porsche owners don't seem to share the interest in our cars? Thank you for the comments, and look forward to meeting you in person soon.