Porsche 911 Turbo
While we were supposed to start things off smoothly with the "slowest" car of the group, the base Cayman, I instead found myself behind the wheel of the two fastest, the 911 Turbo and GT3. Let me tell you one thing: the 911 Turbo does everything well. Despite its superpower, accelerations are quite linear and progressive. The powerful brakes (6-piston calipers up front) allow you to nicely position the car before attacking a corner. The 911 Turbo remains docile thanks to its new AWD system and electronic control which provide maximum traction at each wheel. Handled by such a world-class driver as Hurley Haywood, the car easily completes a series of quick laps. As I mentioned earlier, I was too focused on getting to know the track to fully enjoy all the benefits of this ultra-performing yet civilized machine. The biggest problem I had was finding a way to correctly decelerate before each turn. I often came in with too much speed, thus missing my exits and losing a fair share of momentum. Mr. Haywood reminded me of this difficulty.
Porsche GT3
Given that this car was designed specifically for the track, I absolutely loved its responsiveness and the level of feedback provided by the steering, among others. I had never driven the GT3 before, but I always knew what it was up to. If I pushed too hard, the car clearly let me know when oversteer gave way to understeer. In three short laps, I learned more about the track and driving a Porsche than with any of the four other cars. With 415 horsepower on tap and ceramic brakes, the GT3 is a real track monster.
Porsche Cayman
The base model is certainly easy to handle. However, it lacks power when you exit a corner and want to regain your speed. That said, this Cayman is a pretty solid and well-balanced car. It will satisfy every Boxster fan who prefers a hardtop coupe. On the track, the S model delivers better all-around performance, but on the road, the base Cayman manages to offer sporty driving dynamics as well as a pleasantly comfortable ride. Its chassis is actually stronger and the cockpit quieter than the Boxster's.
Porsche Boxster S
After lunch, I was finally able to attack the course with authority. I'm pretty familiar with the Boxster S and I felt very much at ease behind the wheel. With its mid-mounted engine that produces a satisfying 295 horsepower, it offers uncompromised balance on the road. At last, I could dive into corners with extreme confidence. Mr. Haywood did not make a single negative comment during my session with the Boxster S. All he had to say was that I did a great job. This is my favorite Porsche of all, because it proves to be very neutral on the track. You can feel the car's slightest reactions and its position in relation to the side of the road. It's also a very forgiving car, one that doesn't seem to mind a few errors by the driver.
While we were supposed to start things off smoothly with the "slowest" car of the group, the base Cayman, I instead found myself behind the wheel of the two fastest, the 911 Turbo and GT3. Let me tell you one thing: the 911 Turbo does everything well. Despite its superpower, accelerations are quite linear and progressive. The powerful brakes (6-piston calipers up front) allow you to nicely position the car before attacking a corner. The 911 Turbo remains docile thanks to its new AWD system and electronic control which provide maximum traction at each wheel. Handled by such a world-class driver as Hurley Haywood, the car easily completes a series of quick laps. As I mentioned earlier, I was too focused on getting to know the track to fully enjoy all the benefits of this ultra-performing yet civilized machine. The biggest problem I had was finding a way to correctly decelerate before each turn. I often came in with too much speed, thus missing my exits and losing a fair share of momentum. Mr. Haywood reminded me of this difficulty.
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Porsche GT3
Given that this car was designed specifically for the track, I absolutely loved its responsiveness and the level of feedback provided by the steering, among others. I had never driven the GT3 before, but I always knew what it was up to. If I pushed too hard, the car clearly let me know when oversteer gave way to understeer. In three short laps, I learned more about the track and driving a Porsche than with any of the four other cars. With 415 horsepower on tap and ceramic brakes, the GT3 is a real track monster.
Porsche Cayman
The base model is certainly easy to handle. However, it lacks power when you exit a corner and want to regain your speed. That said, this Cayman is a pretty solid and well-balanced car. It will satisfy every Boxster fan who prefers a hardtop coupe. On the track, the S model delivers better all-around performance, but on the road, the base Cayman manages to offer sporty driving dynamics as well as a pleasantly comfortable ride. Its chassis is actually stronger and the cockpit quieter than the Boxster's.
Porsche Boxster S
After lunch, I was finally able to attack the course with authority. I'm pretty familiar with the Boxster S and I felt very much at ease behind the wheel. With its mid-mounted engine that produces a satisfying 295 horsepower, it offers uncompromised balance on the road. At last, I could dive into corners with extreme confidence. Mr. Haywood did not make a single negative comment during my session with the Boxster S. All he had to say was that I did a great job. This is my favorite Porsche of all, because it proves to be very neutral on the track. You can feel the car's slightest reactions and its position in relation to the side of the road. It's also a very forgiving car, one that doesn't seem to mind a few errors by the driver.
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