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The Long and Winding Road
Bill Seymour
Okay, now it’s October and as you are reading
thr2
is you are either packing up to go to the last
autocross, or bemoaning the fact that you spun
on your last run and came in second. If you are still
packing, don’t forget to go to the autocross party
— even if you didn’t sign up we will find a way to
fit you in.
Lots of car activity since my last column. The
most fun was running an autocross for the 356
Registry’s East Coast Holiday. I recruited about 15
of our regular autocrossers to help. We expected
25 of the old tubs but only about 12 showed, so
we had lots of time for very few cars. After 10+
runs the 356-ers announced they were done and
headed back to their central hotel for early cocktails.
We NER-ers continued to run until people
were tired of it and were still finished by 3:00 pm.
It was a great opportunity to ride in and even
to drive other people’s cars. I won’t mention any
names, so they don’t get deluged with requests
for a drive, but I was allowed to try a GT3 and an
The run kind of went like this: ”Easy, easy! Holy
sh**!! Whoa, baby, whoa! Wheeeeee!!! Stop!
Stop! Whoosh, mother of God!!”
almost new Turbo. I drove the GT3 first and after
negotiating the first couple of turns there was a
straight before starting a slalom. I hit the gas and
the thing took off so fast I was past the first two
slalom cones before I could turn. Since I’m at best
a three trial learner, I also discovered that if you
aren’t totally straight you can’t go full gas without
getting significantly sideways. Fun but slow. I was
three or four seconds slower than in my own car
despite blowing off the slalom. I tried the Turbo
after that. I was a little better prepared and think
I actually stayed on course but the run kind of
went like this: ”Easy, easy! Holy sh**!! Whoa, baby,
whoa! Wheeeeee!!! Stop! Stop! Whoosh, mother of
God!!” One lesson: these things sure are harder to
drive than my car. I’m sure with experience I’d do
somewhat better, but I think I’d need to return to
my younger reflexes to get everything out of a car
with that much power.
I got in two DE events since the last column as
well (and am about to head to NCR’s Lime Rock
event as I type this). I have wanted to go to the
traditional NER August Watkins Glen event for a
number of years and finally did go this year. Lunch
Lady and Novice DE driver Rosemario accompanied
me, and we had a great time (thanks to Dick
Anderson for instructing her!). As you all know
(and if you don’t you should get out there) Watkins
Glen is most NER members’ favorite track and
it is great. Plus, I love that part of the country —
nice rolling hills with long vistas are very soothing
to me. The best part was the socializing — there
are an awful lot of friendly folks to hang around
with. Adrianne Ross put together a “Newbie
Night” at the Seneca Lodge before the first day.
(Note that even if some of their cabins are long in
the tooth, the food was fine and they have a nice
choice of commissioned craft beers on tap.) There
was a nice picnic in a park on the lake another
night. The last night a big crowd of us went to
the restaurant at the fancy hotel downtown, sat
outside and had another lovely night. Didn’t hurt
that the weather was perfect; thanks again to Stan
Corbett and his crew for running a great event.
My other DE outing was back to New Hampshire.
I wasn’t going to go but we had a board meeting
up there and I figured what the heck, have
another driving day. The high point of that
event was Dave Berman loaning me his
AIM Solo. The low point of my wallet will
now be the fact that I have to have one of
the damn things.
Speaking of spending money, I continue to lust
after a newer Cayman (and to move up to an S).
There are just so few of them available that the
prices are crazy. A four-year-old Cayman S with
20,000 miles sells for 75% or more of its original
price. I paid 60% of original price for my car when
it was two years old with 10,000 miles. What’s a
boy to do? One obvious thought is to consider a
new one, but… no go. They have stopped making
Caymans as they await the change over to
the new model in 2013. I did go and drive a 2013
Boxster and must say it was mighty nice. It had the
PASM suspension which — and this surprised me
— made a very obvious difference in the handling
feel. It also had a sticker price (abetted by some
very expensive wheels) that was close to $80,000.
It also seemed to be a little more numb, but that
trend is well known and unlikely to change. So, if I
sold the Cayman and the Caterham could I swing
a new Boxster? Well, at least it gives me something
to think about when I would normally be watching
the Red Sox.
Bill Seymour
Activities@Porschenet.com
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