VIP Pet Foods Enduro 12th August 2011
This was set up as a 12 hour race at Hampton Downs but to make up numbers they created a 6 hour race to run concurrently. I entered the 6 hour race in a 996TT Porsche. We hired the car from Motorsport Services, it was a road spec car with a roll cage and slicks on nice wide rims. We bought an extra set of rear tyres for testing so we could preserve new tyres for qualifying.
I immediately liked the car and in testing kept posting better times as the day progressed. My co driver Phil Hood took longer to adjust running some 5 seconds slower but he was a good driver who could be depended upon for consistency and protecting the car.
The field consisted of one other similar Twin Turbo about 4 GT3 Porsches and an assortment of other fast cars. The boss of them all was the GT2RSR Le Mans Porsche, unbeatable.
Qualifying Friday 11th August
Overcast with light rain some of the time, however dry enough for slicks. By now I was very comfortable with the car and consistently put in quick enough times to keep me in P2 or P3. The GT2RSR had a clear advantage. It ended with me on P2 . The GT3s were quicker cars and it was a small miracle to be on P2.
Race Saturday 12th August
Race start was to be at 7am but fog rolled in and it was 9am before we could see adequately enough to race.
Got a good start and closely followed the GT2RSR through turn 1 with a gaggle of GT3s in hot pursuit. The track was very damp from the heavy fog and my 4 wheel drive system was helpful getting out of corners. Despite having to preserve tyres I pushed real hard as I knew as a dry line appeared I would have to deal with the quick GT3s. I stayed right on top of the Le Mans car and we opened up a modest gap.
On lap 2 I managed to overtake the GT2 in the infield and hold the lead for 2 more laps. Then came the dry line and the GT2 disappeared into the distance and my moment of fame drew to a close.
Only 2 cars held the lead for the entire 12 hours, now reduced to 9 hours due to the delayed start. They were the mighty GT2RSR and my modest 996 TT.
Our big problem was that we had no working fuel gauge and I was told to drive until it spluttered than come in immediately. I did just that except that I had to limp around half the track and ran completely out of fuel just as I was entering the pit lane shoot. My team ran down pit lane to push me in. A bloody disaster as I lost 2 laps to a couple of GT3s.
The race continued with Phil Hood and I exchanging at every refuel each hour, we changed the outside front tyre and the 2 rears at various points as they wore out or over heated to a stage where they became ineffective. The car kept firing off the laps reliably. It's incredible how hot the brakes get in an enduro and how they depend on a continuous air flow to remain functional. At driver changes the front brakes would practically catch fire with clouds of smoke pouring out of the rims.
At the 6 hour mark we were running second and at that point the remaining GT3 ahead of us decided to upgrade to the 12 hours ( only to blow a clutch 4 laps later!)
Yes we won the 6 hour race and got a TV interview standing happily beside our faithful 996TT
Conclusion:
It was thoroughly enjoyable. I definitely drove the Porsche better then in my previous enduro. I put this down to several factors. Firstly I have never been fitter. Secondly my testing in Andy Booths NZV8 recently taught me a few things. Also we had a proper cool suit and ice cooled coolant supply, not to mention air conditioning which also worked the fuel cooler. Aided by a well functioning drink delivery system to the driver it was comparative luxury to my previous enduro.
I put in very consistent quick lap times all day rarely missing an apex and surprised even myself with how I was able to maintain constant 100% concentration. This was a step forward for me personally. I also set a lap record time for the Motor Services Turbo Porsches both of which are based at Hampton Downs.
Regards
Andre
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