GT4 049

I didn't end up with the GT4 981 by chance…
Shortly after landing my first job, I treated myself to my first sports car: a Clio II RS phase 1. And I immediately hit the track… fully stock and without any notion of driving technique or how to look after a car on track (as in "I pull the handbrake at the end of the session while the pads are still smoking").

After running into numerous reliability issues with my RS (stating the obvious?), I quickly landed in the BMW family, and more specifically in the ///M department, with a 3.2L ///M3 E36. Going from 172 to 321 hp, from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, all without ESP, was done with a great deal of caution on track.

I then fulfilled a childhood dream by buying a ///M5 E39. As my appetite for the track kept growing, I soon had to adapt my ///M accordingly: goodbye gentle DS2500 pads and hello AP Racing big brake kits, Bilstein PSS9 suspension, semi-slick tyres… and that was the start of engine tuning… and the first headaches trying to find the right suppliers, garages and tuners! In the end, I had fun testing 6 different exhaust configurations
and went as far as having my engine management finalised in Belgium.

It was also the era of internet forums, and that is when I started organising my first group orders of performance parts and, above all, track days. I even spent several years with a trackday organiser. I progressed on track much faster than before thanks to regular coaching from instructor drivers, and my ///M5 – even
upgraded – became unsuited to my use.

So I went for something light and already well equipped for the track, and returned to Renault Sport with a Megane R26R (factory-fitted with a carbon bonnet and bucket seats, harnesses, polycarbonate windows…), which I very quickly upgraded to stage 2 with chassis/brake work, plus a little weight-loss programme. This R26R was stunningly effective and reliable, and delivered rare enjoyment on track.

After several thousand track kilometres in it, I wanted more power – while staying on a similar base – and set my sights on a Cupra 5F. I then embarked on a big transformation programme: Clubsport conversion (Recaro Pole Position bucket seats, rear bench removed), Alcon big brake kit, KW Clubsport suspension, Lite Blox battery… and also a stage 2+ engine upgrade with a matching cooling programme (aluminium sump, large additional oil cooler…). Despite very encouraging results in terms of chassis/brake/engine performance, I went through the worst headaches with the garages and tuners in charge of the project and had to throw in the towel because of the lack of reliability.

I then started looking for a reliable, enduring, high-performance track car that would deliver maximum driving pleasure. My choice naturally turned to Porsche and its GT range, dedicated to the track. After considering a 997 GT3 (already a bit too old for my taste), I turned to the GT4 – and more specifically the 981 – which connoisseurs prefer over its younger sister, the 718, for its driving feel and its soundtrack. I fell for a Danish car loaded with options: GT Silver paint, full Clubsport package (roll cage, harnesses, fire extinguisher), large fuel tank, full carbon interior package… Fun fact: I came across this gem while accompanying my best friend to check out a 991.2 GT3 at a well-known Paris importer/dealer. In the end, we both left with signed purchase orders and arranged a joint delivery just over a month later.

To avoid any further misadventures, I put it under a Porsche Approved warranty, which unfortunately means I can't really modify it. I still treated it to XPEL protection, 4 new tyres (PS Cup 2), a track alignment (still usable on the road) and 4 PFC V3 discs with PFC08 pads. Since trying Tristan's GT4 at the Ring, I decided to adopt the benchmark and ordered Endless ME20 pads.

What's next? In an ideal world, just a small upgrade programme with Manthey arms and a good engine tune to gain 35/40 hp, but I won't allow myself for the reasons you know. For now, I simply enjoy my GT4 on track days with my mates in the pack and – if my budget ever allows it – I'll go for its big sister, the 991.2 GT3.