So after a year and 6,000 miles the GT3 has gone to a new home. I’ve enjoyed the experience, scratched an itch, but will be back in a 911 next year, I hope.
The contrast with my previous 991.2 C2S was profound. Where the 2S was mild mannered and polite, the GT3 was irritated, verging on angry most of the time. From the grumbling drivetrain, to the grapeshot of gravel attacking the underside of the lightly protected wheel arches, from the flare of revs at startup to the epic howl of the engine at 9,000 revs, every drive was an event.
After delivery last November, the run in period was significant, 1860 miles under 4k revs was purgatory, but had to be done. A few runs including to some PCGB events and weekends away with friends eventually sorted that out. Then an oil change and check over at the OPC was essential if not compulsory, for peace of mind.
Over the coming months Lesley and I then went on various trips throughout the UK with Club friends including the West Country, Scotland, the Lake District, the Isle of Man and Wales (several times). Every one of them was memorable, and the car felt to be in its element when extended, less so when poodling around town, although it coped fine with speed bumps and stop start traffic,
The handling of the car has been well rehearsed in the media and by other owners, suffice to say the car is immense, and with the optional ceramic brakes the limits are beyond any sane person on the road. The Michelin Cup2 tyres had extraordinary grip in the dry, as you would expect, but were surprisingly good in the wet as well.
One particular drive was etched in my memory – on the TT course at the Geoff Ives organised Isle of Man event. On the Sunday morning dawn raid I followed Henry, owner of a freshly minted GT2RS, from Ramsey to Douglas. I say followed, but once on the derestricted section I struggled to keep in touch, as local knowledge proved too much for me. But what a drive….
So why the change? As some of you may sympathise, back problems can affect any of us at any time. I‘ve had problems in the past and Lesley had a back operation many years ago so choice of seats are important for our comfort. We briefly compared the buckets and folding buckets when speccing the car and settled on the latter. I found them some of the most comfortable and supportive that I’ve ever been in, and a couple of hours at a stretch was possible. Lesley on the other hand started to find them more and more uncomfortable and triggering sciatica. After our last Welsh adventure with friends it took her several days to recover and that really sealed the deal for me as we usually do trips together.
I’m sure that the GT3 will be a fantastic car for the new owner and probably break it’s track day virginity very soon, but for now it’s goodbye from me and hello to whatever comes next.
