What we've learned on the track

[Surfncpa]

I am glad I took the time to read this thread. There are a lot of good tips in here.

Especially valuable to me are the ways to reduce the blind spot on the driver's side by putting stickons onto the mirrors. The blind spot is something that really troubles me. I have it ingrained to always turn my head and look before changing lanes instead of just relying on the mirrors. When I do that in my Boxster, like others have mentioned, my vision is blocked by part of the car. I end up turning my while leaning forward as far as I can to try to see out.

The other part of the view I am trying to get used to is that most of the time I can not see beyond the car in front of me. I am used to driving a pickup truck or SUV and I could always see over or through the cars in front of me. I have to compensate in the Boxster by being extra vigilant and ready to break. Having good breaks also helps.

We have all heard the driving rule of leaving a 2 second space between you and the car in front. Unfortunately, that just isn't possible most of the time on the freeways I drive. If you had that much space between you and the car in front someone behind you would try to pass you and get in that gap. Slow down again, the next car will do it. Keep doing it and you'll cause traffic to jam behind you and the other drivers will be flipping you off as they pass you.

[mikefocke]

Porsche sells which are an option that have the outer third of the mirror angled slightly outward to cover the blind spot. Aspheric mirrors were what they were initially called. They clip in and plug in in place of the flat ones and you lose nothing in the defrost area, they work just like stock. Not cheap but they keep you from having to use ugly stick ons.

I liked them so much on my first Boxster I got another pair for my second Boxster.

[Mikelove]

Ive seen so many accidents happen due to people Driving too close.
Picture a broken down car, the driver infront of you isnt paying attention, they swerve around it without signalling , bang game over for you. Keep your distance from the driver infront. So what if some idiot steals a place infront of you because you left a gap. Let it be them that learn the hard way.

We have all heard the driving rule of leaving a 2 second space between you and the car in front. Unfortunately, that just isn't possible most of the time on the freeways I drive. If you had that much space between you and the car in front someone behind you would try to pass you and get in that gap. Slow down again, the next car will do it. Keep doing it and you'll cause traffic to jam behind you and the other drivers will be flipping you off as they pass you.[/QUOTE]

[Flyboykurty]

I want to be a bit more aggressive on my Track Days and am considering a new set of Wheels / Tires oriented for the Track 90% / Street 10%... So, tire Life is NOT the highest concern... I am used to using "Top Level" Tires on my motorcycles (Slicks)... I have noticed that the Track Day and Road Course organizations state the Boxster is "Legal" with it's Factory Roll-bar UNLESS "R" Compound Tires are used... Anyone enlighten me to what choices would be best ?... Also, should I stay with the 17" or upgrade to 19" for the Track Tire Fitment ?

[Jinx]

I upgraded the mirrors (both sides) on former ride and they were great.
It took a while to get use to the mirrors.
I have read a article somewhere on how to set the rear view
Mirrors for track use and seems to help a great deal to over
Come the blind spot issue. Pls note I have no track experience .

Here is how it is done; top up, center inside rear view mirror
Have some one mark the very outside edge of vision of inside
Rear view mirror behind the car (I used a yard stick).
Now adjust outside mirrors So object is just on the inside
edge of outside mirrors. Do this for both sides.

Hope this makes sense. I could not figure out any other way to word it.

Jinx

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by Flyboykurty

Also, should I stay with the 17" or upgrade to 19" for the Track Tire Fitment ?

Boxster Spec requires 17" wheels in the stock sizes and offsets, but even if you are not in spec 17" tires are *way* cheaper than 19"s. (Edit: at least for the street tires and max perf and extreme summer tires)

[Jinx]

The Car Control Clinic was SO much fun. Please see my entry In the tech section under Carpets. Yes yes I know I am off topic. Still feeling the love from yesterday. Jinx

[deeksha]

In this many replies are good but i want to know more points about boxster and its concepts

[imon_2nd]

Great thread! I agree with most of it, except the guys who think they need special mirrors.
The past couple of years, I've been doing track days at Thunderhill in Willows, CA, using a heavily modified Miata. Tons O Fun, for sure. The only problem I've had there is Turn 3 where the road's camber is reversed. The Bridgestone RE-11s don't give any clue before they break loose. Would be nice if they made some warning noise. My wife actually got the car sideways at that spot on one of her runs.
I'd like to run my 2004 Boxster S at the track, but the car feels like it needs better shocks and springs, compared to my Miata. I might try the box as-is and see how far off the mark I am before modifying it.
The main thing I've learned at the track is, tires make a huge difference, as does track temperature and tire temperature. Unless it's 100 degrees out there, warm up your tires before pushing the limits. Summer tires on a cold day don't stick as well even after they warm up.

[WorkInProgressK]

Originally Posted by imon_2nd

Great thread! I agree with most of it, except the guys who think they need special mirrors.
The past couple of years, I've been doing track days at Thunderhill in Willows, CA, using a heavily modified Miata. Tons O Fun, for sure. The only problem I've had there is Turn 3 where the road's camber is reversed. The Bridgestone RE-11s don't give any clue before they break loose. Would be nice if they made some warning noise. My wife actually got the car sideways at that spot on one of her runs.
I'd like to run my 2004 Boxster S at the track, but the car feels like it needs better shocks and springs, compared to my Miata. I might try the box as-is and see how far off the mark I am before modifying it.
The main thing I've learned at the track is, tires make a huge difference, as does track temperature and tire temperature. Unless it's 100 degrees out there, warm up your tires before pushing the limits. Summer tires on a cold day don't stick as well even after they warm up.

My stock 2001 boxster S was a blast at Chuckwalla. Same as you, I drive a car that is heavily modified, but enjoyed the feeling of literally leaning the car in the corners. To the point the inside front wheel wasn't working hard. That is where I was 2 seconds faster without PSM then with PSM. PSM would freak out.

Btw, I wouldn't suggest anyone new to porsche's or rear engine cars to run without PSM. Especially, if they are new to HPDE. The mix of rear weight balance and endless rear traction(265s over 225s in the front.) allowed me to pivot while trail braking. I race a lot of sim racing and I am highly proficient with rear engine cars(maintenance throttle cornering cars) and it translated extremely well into real life.