Spec Boxster Build

[maytag]

Originally Posted by thstone

I finally got around to reading the Sept issue of PCA Club Racing magazine and was listed as a Hard Charger in the Laguna Seca race back in July where i picked up 6 spots in Race #1...

Dood! That's awesome!
That's almost better than being listed leading.... (not that I've experienced either in a car, Hahaha)
And it's certainly more fun fighting for positions than holding a lonely 2nd or 3rd.

Way to go!

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[The Radium King]

right on! i got the hard charger award at our last race of the season in september. it's no miss congeniality 'everybody who participates gets a prize' thing; it's for giving it heck and punching above your weight.

[thstone]

Another test day in an SRF at Buttonwillow. With three days in an SRF now, I am feeling pretty good. Still not up to full race speed (especially while driving a car that I don't own), but definitely making decent lap times.

The weather was clear and sunny but the temps were in the high 40's in the morning, so I was freezing in my super light summer racing suit! I also learned that Hoosier R7 slicks need 2-3 laps to sufficiently warm up in those temps or the car can snap oversteer at corner entry. At least I was able to get back on track without a tow.

You might notice arm restraints next to the lap belts. With no top or window nets, we want to keep all arms and hands in the vehicle at all times. I usually don't wear them in the Boxster because of the roof, roof net, and window net. Its surprising but I don't even notice them when they're on.

In some ways, the SRF is easier to drive than the Spec Boxster - there is a lot more feedback and the chassis does exactly what you expect, but it can be unforgiving if you give the wrong input. On the other hand, the Boxster is easier to handle at the limit and is definitely more forgiving to driver inputs.

The seat in this car fits me a lot better than the seat in the SRF that I drove previously, but that fiberglass seat bottom doesn't absorb much - its a stiff ride.

Overall, a super fun day racing around with some friends.

Did I mention that this car is for sale? Hmm...

[JayG]

Happy New Year, Tom

[thstone]

Originally Posted by JayG

Happy New Year, Tom

Thanks Jay! Same to you and your family!

[thstone]

Its been awhile since I've been to a DE but our local PCA Region recently decided to host a Sunday DE at the relatively nearby Streets of Willow track. My race sponsor, House Automotive, was the event sponsor and House's owner, Greg Hwang, invited about 15 of his best clients to attend the event and wanted me to attend to interact with his clients - many of whom I already knew.

This was the first ever DE event for our region and they did a fantastic job. More so, I had kinda forgotten how much fun going to the track for fun can be!

I was in the Red/Fastest group (still only point-by passing) and there were several cars who wanted to see how fast I really am in the Spec Boxster. Now, I have to say that I cut my teeth on the Streets course back in my DE and Time Trial days - I logged a lot of laps and had a lot of instruction there so I know the nuances of how to get around the track quickly.

In the first session, there were two 991 GT-3's, a couple of G-series 911 hot rods, and a Camaro ZL1 1LE (650 hp) that were clearly pacing me. I kept things under control and focused on re-familiarizing myself with the track to find the optimal turn-in, shift, and throttle points. It all came back pretty quickly.

In the second session, I decided to go hard so I lined up first, the others lined up behind me, and the when the session went green, IT was on.

At the end of the session, I had left the entire field behind, came all the way around, worked my way through traffic to lap them all, and gapped them all again - except for one 964 hot rod. The 964 was about 3/4's of a lap behind but I never overtook him.

The guy in the Camaro ZL1 1LE came over after the session and wanted to know how much power I had. He was positive that I had to be running a 3.8L motor with at least 400hp. He was astounded when I said that I only had 200hp (and still lapped him and his 650hp). This kind of thing is always enjoyable in a Boxster!

But what was most enjoyable was simply spending a day at the track without the pressure of racing and all that comes with it.

If you have never been to a race track in your Porsche or if its been awhile, find a local track and give it a try. I guarantee it will be some of the most fun that you've ever had in your life.

[thstone]

** Spec Racer Ford Gen 3 **

After 5 years of Spec Boxster racing, consulting other racers, talking to some very well known ex-pro drivers, and test driving a number of different race cars, I have made the decision to move to a Spec Racer Ford (SRF) Gen 3 car and race with the SCCA for the 2020 season.

I have purchased the #67 (below) which will be re-numbered to #54 and will be re-painted to my preference (colors TBD). My first SCCA race will be in three weeks at Cal Speedway in Fontana on January 24th.

I will be part of the MBI SRF team that is based at Buttonwillow Raceway in Central California. MBI is the home of four time SRF National Champion Mike Miserendino. MBI will provide full race support for the 2020 season including all car maintenance, repairs, tires, upgrades, transportation, along with full crew and hospitality support at each race. Mike will provide coaching to help get me up to competitive speed in the SRF-3.

This means that the #254 Spec Boxster will be offered for sale. The #254 is a great car and will serve someone else quite well on their Spec Boxster journey.

Racing with the POC and PCA has been one of the highlights of my life and with that foundation, I feel that I am ready to move up a level in terms of car capability and a level of driver competition. You all have heard me preach about not improving the car until your driving is better than the car and I feel that I have reached that point with the Spec Boxster.

I will also have the opportunity to race at a couple of the greatest tracks in the US this year such as Road America and Watkins Glen. Racing at all of the great tracks has always been one of my goals and I still have Lime Rock, Sebring, COTA, Mid-Ohio, and VIR on my wish list.

And yes, this means that I will be Boxster-less for the first time in more than 9 years! I hope that you'll continue to let me hang out here on the 986 Forum as an honorary Boxster enthusiast!

I haven't decided what platform to use for my SCCA adventure (Facebook? Insta? SRF Forum? Blog? YouTube?) but as soon as I do, I'll post a link so anyone interested can follow along.

Longer term, I have definite plans to be back racing in a Porsche in the not too far future. It would be great to campaign a Cayman GT-4 Clubsport or a 911 991 Cup car in a few years when I am ready for the big leagues.

Saying "Thanks" to you all somehow seems far too inadequate. You guys have no idea how much your support has meant to me. I truly and sincerely thank you.

Tom

[seningen]

Originally Posted by thstone

** Spec Racer Ford Gen 3 **

After 5 years of Spec Boxster racing, consulting other racers, talking to some very well known ex-pro drivers, and test driving a number of different race cars, I have made the decision to move to a Spec Racer Ford (SRF) Gen 3 car and race with the SCCA for the 2020 season.

I have purchased the #67 (below) which will be re-numbered to #54 and will be re-painted to my preference (colors TBD). My first SCCA race will be in three weeks at Cal Speedway in Fontana on January 24th.

I will be part of the MBI SRF team that is based at Buttonwillow Raceway in Central California. MBI is the home of four time SRF National Champion Mike Miserendino. MBI will provide full race support for the 2020 season including all car maintenance, repairs, tires, upgrades, transportation, along with full crew and hospitality support at each race. Mike will provide coaching to help get me up to competitive speed in the SRF-3.

This means that the #254 Spec Boxster will be offered for sale. The #254 is a great car and will serve someone else quite well on their Spec Boxster journey.

Racing with the POC and PCA has been one of the highlights of my life and with that foundation, I feel that I am ready to move up a level in terms of car capability and a level of driver competition. You all have heard me preach about not improving the car until your driving is better than the car and I feel that I have reached that point with the Spec Boxster.

I will also have the opportunity to race at a couple of the greatest tracks in the US this year such as Road America and Watkins Glen. Racing at all of the great tracks has always been one of my goals and I still have Lime Rock, Sebring, COTA, Mid-Ohio, and VIR on my wish list.

And yes, this means that I will be Boxster-less for the first time in more than 9 years! I hope that you'll continue to let me hang out here on the 986 Forum as an honorary Boxster enthusiast!

I haven't decided what platform to use for my SCCA adventure (Facebook? Insta? SRF Forum? Blog? YouTube?) but as soon as I do, I'll post a link so anyone interested can follow along.

Longer term, I have definite plans to be back racing in a Porsche in the not too far future. It would be great to campaign a Cayman GT-4 Clubsport or a 911 991 Cup car in a few years when I am ready for the big leagues.

Saying "Thanks" to you all somehow seems far too inadequate. You guys have no idea how much your support has meant to me. I truly and sincerely thank you.

Tom

Sorry to see you "go".

You were an inspiration to me joining the SPB ranks and despite never being on track together, a great source of information and camaraderie.

Good luck in your SRF endeavors, those I know went that route rave about it.

Give me a shout when you finally check off COTA on your list.

Mike

[thstone]

Originally Posted by seningen

Sorry to see you "go".

You were an inspiration to me joining the SPB ranks and despite never being on track together, a great source of information and camaraderie.

Good luck in your SRF endeavors, those I know went that route rave about it.

Give me a shout when you finally check off COTA on your list.

Mike

Thanks Mike! I certainly count you and a few others that I met here on the forum as great friends!

[husker boxster]

Just start a new SRF thread to keep us up on the new adventures. We'd love to hear the stories.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

Just start a new SRF thread to keep us up on the new adventures. We'd love to hear the stories.

Yep, would love to keep the stories here.

[steved0x]

Great HPDE story, that sounds like it was a lot of fun! Good luck with your SRF adventures, I'm looking forward to reading all about them.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by steved0x

Great HPDE story, that sounds like it was a lot of fun! Good luck with your SRF adventures, I'm looking forward to reading all about them.

Thanks Steve! Yes, as you can attest its always great fun beating higher power cars on the racetrack!

[husker boxster]

Congrats on the promotion and best of luck. Hope you get to drive COTA, it's a fantastic track.

I wondered if they weren't baiting the hook with all those free sessions.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by husker boxster

I wondered if they weren't baiting the hook with all those free sessions.

Yes, I think that they were definitely baiting the hook! And then to close the deal they threw in the free paint job and some coaching.

They knew exactly what it would take to get me to make the jump.

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by thstone

Thanks Steve! Yes, as you can attest its always great fun beating higher power cars on the racetrack!

Yes it is!!!!

[JayG]

I guess that means you will finally be getting a trailer LOL.

Best of luck to you Tom, you will be missed here.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by JayG

I guess that means you will finally be getting a trailer LOL.

Best of luck to you Tom, you will be missed here.

Thanks Jay!

The SRF will reside with MBI at Buttonwillow Raceway and they will transport it to all of the races for me!

[Burg Boxster]

When it comes to vehicles I always say...

"When you're looking... you're buying!"

And the current participant, Mr. T. Stone, just posted another mark in the affirmative column. Of course how do you think I came up with this theory many decades ago - LOL

Congrats Tom and best of luck in your next progression up the scale deeper in the rabbit hole

Don't be a stranger and keep us posted on your progress.

Best wishes and most importantly, keep having fun!

[BruceH]

Congrats and have fun Tom, but keep us updated