The second Porsche presented for track duty was a 2012 911 Carrera 4 with 345 horsepower kicking its behind. By comparison, this was the “luxury car” of the Germanic brotherhood. While wickedly powerful and entirely at home on the road course, the 911 was the civil one of the pair, yet just as exhilarating in my novice hands.
While both of these vehicles displayed magnificent composure and lightning-quick responses along with brute-force acceleration, they exhibited uniquely different characteristics from a driving perspective. For example, the 911 felt a little softer and slightly heavier in the corners; it didn’t deliver the go-kart litheness of the Cayman R nor its “one with the man” visceral connection with the driver.
Now don’t get me wrong, we’re splitting hairs in this analysis—these are both world-class performance machines that despite their individual identities are very much the same. Which one was quicker around the track? Without empirical data, I’d have to give the nod to the Cayman R. Which one did I enjoy the most is a tougher question, and the answer isn’t so clear.
Honestly, I felt more at home in the 911 Carrera 4. Perhaps its slightly dialed-back persona more closely matched my aging reflexes and “guy next door” driving skills. Our bond seemed more genuine than the lustful hunger I felt for the Cayman R. Twenty-five years ago, my answer would likely have been different. Of course, my hairline, beltline and primal needs were different, too.
Back then, my reactions were likely faster. Despite the potential “quick twitch” deterioration and need for stronger eye correction, I think I did okay on the track, but that wasn’t by happenstance. Over the course of the day and many laps in both vehicles, my timidity gave way to confidence and courage, my meandering lines to precision and tenacity.
The credit for my evolution from on-track newbie to Schumacher-wannabe goes to the two Tonys. Although most of my laps were under the careful tutelage of Tony Morris Sr., I also had the good fortune of wingman Tony Jr. and his more dramatic style of instruction.
Just as the two Porsches differed while remaining similar, so did the two Tonys and their respective driving styles. Where Senior is all about smoothness behind the wheel, Junior is all about aggression.
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| Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com |
While both of these vehicles displayed magnificent composure and lightning-quick responses along with brute-force acceleration, they exhibited uniquely different characteristics from a driving perspective. For example, the 911 felt a little softer and slightly heavier in the corners; it didn’t deliver the go-kart litheness of the Cayman R nor its “one with the man” visceral connection with the driver.
Now don’t get me wrong, we’re splitting hairs in this analysis—these are both world-class performance machines that despite their individual identities are very much the same. Which one was quicker around the track? Without empirical data, I’d have to give the nod to the Cayman R. Which one did I enjoy the most is a tougher question, and the answer isn’t so clear.
Honestly, I felt more at home in the 911 Carrera 4. Perhaps its slightly dialed-back persona more closely matched my aging reflexes and “guy next door” driving skills. Our bond seemed more genuine than the lustful hunger I felt for the Cayman R. Twenty-five years ago, my answer would likely have been different. Of course, my hairline, beltline and primal needs were different, too.
Back then, my reactions were likely faster. Despite the potential “quick twitch” deterioration and need for stronger eye correction, I think I did okay on the track, but that wasn’t by happenstance. Over the course of the day and many laps in both vehicles, my timidity gave way to confidence and courage, my meandering lines to precision and tenacity.
The credit for my evolution from on-track newbie to Schumacher-wannabe goes to the two Tonys. Although most of my laps were under the careful tutelage of Tony Morris Sr., I also had the good fortune of wingman Tony Jr. and his more dramatic style of instruction.
Just as the two Porsches differed while remaining similar, so did the two Tonys and their respective driving styles. Where Senior is all about smoothness behind the wheel, Junior is all about aggression.
 |
| Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com |