RS Look

[jaudette3]

Many on this list are familiar with my '73 911S, the car with the factory fender flares ("2.5 Rear Fender Extensions" on the Kardex). I'd like some input on the following.

I'm going to be using my car for a driving class at Portland International Raceway next week, and if all goes well, for future driving classes, such as a two day introductory racing course. I'm not too worried about track wear and tear because I'd kind of like an excuse to paint it in the original color of Tangerine.

I know that the duck tail spoiler does improve handling at speed and I'm thinking of installing one for track days for that purpose. I'm not trying to make it look like a RS (I think I'd get sick of being asked "Is it real?" all the time), but I would like to maximize performance on the track. Is it worthwhile - will it make any difference at my modest performance level?

Thanks,
John Audette

[37yrold911]

How fast are you going around the curves?

How fast before you hit the chicane?

DO you ever race when there are high winds/storm blowing in?

[jaudette3]

How fast are you going around the curves?

How fast before you hit the chicane?

DO you ever race when there are high winds/storm blowing in?

Total newbie.

- JA

[real550A]

John- This sounds like the perfect opportunity for some "testing".
Set one up for your car and drive a few laps with and without it. You'll be happy you have the option to use it when you want.
It will look correct on your flared car.

[Chuck Miller]

John,

I've had my duck tail on for a little more then half the time I've owned my car... and have consistently tracked it at least 2 to 3 times a year from the beginning. The 2 primary tacks I've been on have been Willow Springs International Raceway and 'The Streets of Willow' time trial course.

The BIG track is 2.5 miles of mostly 4th and 5th gear and the tail is extremely noticeable. The 'Streets' is 1.75 miles of mostly 2nd and 3rd (with a few seconds of 4th) and the tail is hardly noticeable...

As with the BIG track ... When your feeling pretty confident out on the open flat highway in the middle of nowhere and you want to see what 5th gear is all about on the extreme right side of the speedo, then the duck tail will make an incredible difference...

However, when we look in our Porsche books at the mid '60's ALL those crazy speed and endurance records were set with short wheelbase cars on skinny tires with absolutely NO aero stuff at all ....

So there'ya go...

If I were you, I'd go with what'ya have... my .02

Cheers,

[Paul Schooley]

Having only extreme minimal experience ontrack myself, I'd have to agree with Chuck. I have a ducktail on mine but fail to see where it would possibly make any difference whatsoever on a short, technical track. I'm sure attention would be better spent on suspension bushings, shocks, torsion bars, etc before worrying about whether or not a ducktail could make any difference. In fact, I'm pretty sure just changing from street tires to stickier track tires would be a large factor initially.

[jashford]

You don't say what you have on the front but if you have a front spoiler then you should have one on the rear. They are designed to work together.

Have fun.

John

[Chuck Miller]

John is right that they do work in concert...

However, the front S spoiler/splitter works fine by itself...

There was the whole '72 racing year with wide bodied S/T's with front spoilers and no tails... I think the Toad Hall S/T was getting close to 180 MPH at LeMans with no tail.

However II, the tech books do tell us that what ABSOLUTELY DOESN'T WORK is a rear duck tail with no front spoiler......

I think the factory quote was "The car becomes completely undriveable" ...

Cheers,

[pu911rsr]

John,
I would make the opposite reccomendation. To learn to drive well I think it is better to lower the limits of the car and not raise them. Now it depends on your end game but learning how to handle the car at it's limits is the key to driving fast. Having those "limits" lower not higher is generally a good thing for most beginers. The thing that matters more all the go fast stuff in the world is driver skill and the only way to gain skill is to drive on a track. No short cuts here it all comes down to seat time and a good instructor. Also consider giving MMP outside of SLC a try some time, fantastic track(s), world class facilities, tons of opportunity of track time.
Enjoy,
Phil

[MarkP]

John,
Let me second Phil's comments - lower the limits, don't raise them (yet).

Many driving instructors will tell you that it is best to learn performance driving in the rain. Why? The threshold limits of the car are reached at much lower, safer speeds and the driver can learn how the car will act and react to driver input while at the limits of grip.

Portland is a rather slow track anyway, so I wouldn't worry about the duck tail.