After selling the GT4 and a looooong winter break, it was time for me to hit the track and test this GT3.
The weather conditions are very good. After a week of rain, bright sunshine was forecast, with 4°C in the morning and 8°C in the afternoon. The double challenge will be getting the Cup 2s up to temperature and being wary of the upper part of Folembray, which is in the shade and so stays damp in the morning.
The day is organised by Les Pistards du 59, an association whose members are often seasoned drivers and where a good atmosphere remains the priority. As for the wolves, they're mostly staying in their den, with only three wolves present for this first run. Big days are planned in April, so we're saving our money for other outings. Folembray is far away for many, and of relative interest. It's a track I know well, and it's perfect for testing this GT3. It'll let me drive a lot without spending time looking at the latest parts the guys have fitted... In any case, it's a discovery, so we tell ourselves we'll take it easy (we all know the gap between theory and practice with that sentence). The freshly fitted Porsche brakes don't inspire optimism. The PFC V3s and RSL1 pads will come later. They'll brake less hard than the GT4's Endless, that's for sure, so we'll leave some margin.
The first laps are very positive, with the 4-litre's glorious awakening past 6,000 rpm. Lateral grip is very good once the Cup 2s are up to temperature, which lets you take the left-hander on the climb back up without any risk. On the way down, we stay wary in the shaded section, where you can clearly see a dry line emerging. You can really feel what the rear-wheel steering brings in long, loaded corners, making this GT3 a sharp car that throws itself into the corner. Braking on the return leg is very stable. Despite the stock brakes, you can tell you could brake later. The lack of reference points there forces me to stay cautious, as the local wild boars have decided to play bull with the 50 and 100-metre boards at the braking point.
A little onboard lap from this first outing:
After a snack at the refreshment stand, the afternoon starts at a stronger pace. The chassis is stunning. Even if slow corners aren't its strong point, traction is excellent and you can get on the throttle very early on corner exit without waiting for the wheels to be straight. We quickly start playing with the Alpines, which are devilishly effective in the slow stuff but don't stand a chance on the first straight.
Video of a duel with an Alpine:
And then comes the time to follow the GT4, driven properly by a wolf from the Team. It wasn't planned, but it became the highlight of the day. The hot breath from the GT3's snout got the better of the optimism of the wolf at the wheel of the GT4.
What happened next, in the video below:
To be honest, I should also point out the tyres were at the end of their life...
But the image that will remain the picture of the day, and for the next few beers:
The worst part is when a Renault tows a Porsche...
In conclusion, I'm far from mastering this GT3, whose only limit for now is its driver. I'll need many hours behind the wheel, other tracks and above all some coaching to get to know it and master it. We'll be back at it very soon on the Croix-en-Ternois merry-go-round to see how it goes!
Share: