Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Well, did my first track day ever at Brands Hatch on Sunday. It was wet which was not ideal, but It did mean the speeds were slower, less force on car, only 28 cars in total so a quiet track, and I really had to learn about how to balance and treat the car quite quickly. Boy you need to be smooth on all inputs, particularly before the corner and on turn in. I had to catch a few unintentional slides which the car made quite easy. These are great cars aren't they?

The car was great, nothing broke, didn't use any oil or water, and was generally reliable. There were some issues I could do with some advice on though. Car is standard 87 turbo save for bilstein coil overs and cup twist 17" rims. New n3 pilot sport tyres.

Under steer. Most particularly on the sweeping uphill right hander onto the main straight. Washed a lot. Adjusted tyre pressures to circa 30 psi which helped but didn't eradicate. Any views on what may cause this and/ or how to cure?

Brakes. Brake force ok (we'll I don't know any different for this type of car) changed fluid to super blue racing prior, but there is a very mechanical 'feeling' and noise through the pedal under heavy braking. No vibrations or anything like a warped disc, and I find it hard to describe but it almost feels like the pads may be brittle. The feel through the pedal comes close to feeling like abs kicking in, there is this ' abrasive' feel and accompanying noise. Had noticed this on the road too, but more obvious on track as more frequent.

Hot idle shot up to 1500 rpm after sitting for 2-3 min after two runs.was idling normally then just went high. After a cool down all was ok, same for drive back. Seemed to occur when an electric item like rear demister, fan, or wipers were on.

It was great fun and I am keen to do more. A really good way to get to know your car, and not as competitive as I thought it would be. Very friendly people too.

As your brakes (very) warm you often get a deep drone as you apply them - does that sound like what you heard?

Glad you had fun!

There is generally a good camaraderie on trackdays, with just a few people weigh delusions of grandeur or superiority complexes!

In the dry it's a bit of a different ball game, much more wear!

It's great fun though and the best way to properly learn your car.

I'm doing Rockingham in my 944 in March.

Understeer is certainly order of the day in 944s, certainly in standardish form. If you just accelerate mid corner, the front will just wash out.

He benefit of the good balance of the car is how progressive it is on the transition to oversteer, either power or lift off.

Hi Rustie,

Glad you had fun, can you make the 2nd June?
See.........viewtopic.php?f=25&t=16843

Great day out, friendly and loads of advice if you need it (like me) be great to have you along

drone is a very apt description of what I hear. So is this normal? It doesn't sound ' right' to me, is it symptomatic of any issues, or just a 944 quirk. Made me a bit reluctant to lean on them too hard.

Andy, yes seriously considering June 2nd, just have a couple of other commitments to sort before I can book.

Understeer is usual on a 944 road car... I found the best ways to combat this are

1. Lots of front neg camber (mine is -3 but I wouldn't suggest that for a road car)
2. Trail braking - roll off as you turn in. If you come off before you turn, the front goes light and loses grip. Very noticeable at an uphill right hander like Coppice @ Donington

Tyre pressures sound about right

I wonder if your hot idle was the TPS? I've seen them not quite click off when they get hot.

You say that there is a drone present, does it have a grinding nature present to the drone and does it only occur when the car is being pushed hard? If the brake performance is tailing off slightly as well I would say that your brake pads are fading, some fast road pads may be able to cure this.

Alternatively I would be tempted to check the state of the discs on both sides so as to check for corrosion etc.

Yep drone and grinding go together and always when hard braking. Happens at any time when firm or hard braking is required even at road speeds. In fact it's not speed dependent. Discs are ok, have had them checked twice. I did have an issue some months back where I was braking reasonably firmly, then needed more, pushed and didn't get much. Think you have confirmed my suspicions re pads . Any recommendations? A chap told me once to get performance frictions as a compromise for road / track but by god there are so many to choose from. I have an 87 turbo so don't have the m030 size calipers, 'just' the s2 size. Would like to go bigger, but can't justify the investment yet.

Thanks for the advice . Hadn't thought of TPS, or frankly know how it operates. Looks like some late night googling is on the way.

Trail braking. haven't yet got the cahones or skills to try it, but give it time.