Spec Boxster Build

[Nine8Six]

Non stop cost and tweaks on the track, feel ya :/

Looks like plenty of fun you are having there, we are all jealous if you didn't know. Nice thread also! (thx)

[thstone]

In my continuing quest to become a better driver, I have decided to start a karting program and spent yesterday at the kart track.

Yes, that means that I was at the race track Friday and kart track Saturday. All I can say is: My name is Tom Stone and yes, I have an addiction problem.

The karts are gas-powered Honda 270cc sport karts with about 9hp. I'll be honest and say that I used to joke about karting being "all of the racing you want at 37 mph!". And yes, I was being sarcastic.

So, why will I be spending time in a kart?

1. Car control
Its a relatively safe way to learn to find the cornering limit and drive there consistently without going over the limit. I believe that I will need to be able to keep the car at the friction limit continuously to get faster.

2. Momentum
Karts are relatively low powered to teach momentum driving which seems like it could translate well to Boxster Spec racing. Less brake, more throttle, maintain maximum momentum.

3. Racecraft
Passing is an art and karting provides nearly continuous opportunities to practice the skill of planning ahead and setting up a competitor for a pass along with defending your own position. This is an area where I definitely need more skill.

As you might have figured out by now, I am pressing hard to improve my racing performance and will do whatever it takes to get there.

Even karting.

[Topless]

Agree with Karting as it hones your race craft. My brother and I did that for several years but haven't been lately. Even Louis Hamilton can be found on a kart track in the off season keeping his reflexes sharp.

Nice save in turn 2. I have been backwards once in that one and it can be hairy. Tires and track get a little greasy mid day, maybe a slight lift just after turn in with tires side loaded and... See ya!

Turn one looked awesome so you carried a lot of speed into 2. Good driving Tom!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Topless

Agree with Karting as it hones your race craft. My brother and I did that for several years but haven't been lately. Even Louis Hamilton can be found on a kart track in the off season keeping his reflexes sharp.

Nice save in turn 2. I have been backwards once in that one and it can be hairy. Tires and track get a little greasy mid day, maybe a slight lift just after turn in with tires side loaded and... See ya!

Turn one looked awesome so you carried a lot of speed into 2. Good driving Tom!

Thanks Dave. Come on out and join me at at the kart track sometime. It'll be fun.

[Chuck W.]

Great post and video Tom; thanks (again) for posting.

[thstone]

New tires at House Automotive this morning before heading up to Laguna Seca for a weekend of racing!

[rastta]

Best of luck! Finally getting mine aligned tomorrow so I can get back on track.

[Merlotsj]

Hey Tom, it was good to meet you in person Saturday. I did get a couple of action photos with my cellphone, the first 2 during the session right after we talked, when I was up by the corkscrew, the next 3 are during the qualifier.

[Merlotsj]

Sorry for the twist on the photos from the corkscrew, they aren't sideways on my PC, only on my iPad.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Merlotsj

Hey Tom, it was good to meet you in person Saturday. I did get a couple of action photos with my cellphone, the first 2 during the session right after we talked, when I was up by the corkscrew, the next 3 are during the qualifier.

It's always great to meet and talk with another passionate Boxster owner! Thanks for the great photos, I really appreciate them!

[thstone]

Back from a long racing weekend at Laguna Seca - what a rollercoaster!

Details of my weekend coming in the next day or so, but first, a reminder of what can happen - this Boxster had contact with another car and went into the guardrail. The engine cover popped open from the side impact and the engine caught fire. With the engine cover off, the fire came inside the car. Driver was able to get out and was ok. Car is a total loss.

POC met with all of the Spec Boxster drivers and recommended three changes;

1. Get a full containment seat for additional protection in side impacts.
2. Remove the quick disconnect fasteners on the engine cover and replace with bolts to ensure that the engine cover remains in place during an accident.
3. Replace engine cover with metal version if your car has the composite engine cover to provide better fire protection.

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

Back from a long racing weekend at Laguna Seca - what a rollercoaster!

Details of my weekend coming in the next day or so, but first, a reminder of what can happen - this Boxster had contact with another car and went into the guardrail. The engine cover popped open from the side impact and the engine caught fire. With the engine cover off, the fire came inside the car. Driver was able to get out and was ok. Car is a total loss.

Ugly. BUT on a lighter note - a couple of my SoCal Audi Club friends were out there this weekend in their Boxsters. Bill Vogel was in the tan one that's in one of the pics up top. Karen Robinson has just got a Boxster and not sure in what class she was running. Told her to come say hi to you.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by rastta

Ugly. BUT on a lighter note - a couple of my SoCal Audi Club friends were out there this weekend in their Boxsters. Bill Vogel was in the tan one that's in one of the pics up top. Karen Robinson has just got a Boxster and not sure in what class she was running. Told her to come say hi to you.

Yes, I know Bill well! We went through POC racing school together and he has been getting progressively faster in his cream Boxster (a color that I love). He out qualified me yesterday but I was able to get past him at the start. He did a great job of keeping close the rest f the race. Bill is a good racer and very consistent driver.

I didn't get to meet Karen, but I will keep an eye out for her in the future.

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

Yes, I know Bill well! We went through POC racing school together and he has been getting progressively faster in his cream Boxster (a color that I love). He out qualified me yesterday but I was able to get past him at the start. He did a great job of keeping close the rest f the race. Bill is a good racer and very consistent driver.

I didn't get to meet Karen, but I will keep an eye out for her in the future.

Small world huh? All the Vogels are great people. Have you seen his R8 GT3 racecar that he picked up?

[bkovac]

Bills car is called the MOCHA VENTI color

[thstone]

Originally Posted by rastta

Small world huh? All the Vogels are great people. Have you seen his R8 GT3 racecar that he picked up?

I have not seen this car - I'll have to get him to show it to me!

[thstone]

Originally Posted by bkovac

Bills car is called the MOCHA VENTI color

Thanks, I was sure that it was named something more sophisticated than "cream"! I really do like that color a lot.

By the way, your new Spec Boxster was looking pretty spiffy too! Post up some pics in the racing section.

[JayG]

Glad that was not you and your car in that accident. For a second, I thought you were talking about your car.

Are you going to be at the POC event at Fontana in Sept?

[rastta]

Originally Posted by thstone

I have not seen this car - I'll have to get him to show it to me!

2014 R8 LMS Ultra GT3

[thstone]

Originally Posted by rastta

2014 R8 LMS Ultra GT3

Wow! That is nice. Damn nice.