edgy Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 We all love a good road trip right? In late 2022 a good mate of mine pitched to me a road trip from Spain (where he now lives) to Portugal in his recently acquired 360 Challenge Stradale to drive Portimao in the GT4 Clubsport in January 23... the allure of a Porsche factory race car at that track, with seat time in a legendary prancing horse, combined with some antics with a mate along the way? Sign me up! The route The mode of transport On the Sunday we set off... First of many fills After an overnight in Madrid, we set off for the final destination But of course more dino juice needed... We hit Portugal Monday afternoon and rest up for the night ready for the day ahead... Tuesday morning we arrive at the track to meet with our team We are in good company My office for the next 2 days As it would turn out, I wasn't able to shake my 2022 curse of wet track days, but thankfully we were able to switch out to wets for the morning sessions and back to slicks when it dried up at lunch time... Turns out a few relics showed up to play... Day two, my luck continues with a wet morning and not drying till later in the day... I did learn some valuable info on day one however. Onboard lap from day 2... At the end of day two, I'd been on quite the roller coaster... but I managed to improve my driving to be within 2-3 secs of my mate & pro driver in our team... the thing about these open pit lane days is that you can get lots of seat time, I was exhausted, yet happy to hang my hat on this experience, but quietly wanting for more! So on that note, we farewell our friends and trusty steed I get one last Portugal sunset in... Before we indulge ourselves for all that hard work We run that road trip in reverse order and have our fun along the way (too much in fact, Madrid you city dawg lol)... upon the last driver change, I felt the dancing donkey deserved one final photo for she had been the willing participant in our exploits and I am doing the final stint. Hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride... this is a super condensed version, but a picture says a thousand words none the less. A big thanks to my understanding wife and my mate JB for putting it together. Cheers itsujack, Steve996, Dalai and 23 others 22 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 GT4 Clubsport...bastard! Great experience for ya mate. Cheers for sharing it 👍 edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luzzo Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 33 minutes ago, edgy said: good mate of mine pitched to me a road trip from Spain You had me at road trip... So jelly @edgy. What a mammoth and memorable trip. Go the Donkey..! edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 What a trip! So awesome. Thanks for writing it up and sharing here. edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGA Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 Great trip. Enjoyed the video. Brought back fond memories of my trips to Portimao in 2016 and 2019. Probably my 2nd or 3rd favourite track ever. How does it rate with you? edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cafe_racer Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 Excellent write up! edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 6February, 2023 Author Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 42 minutes ago, WGA said: How does it rate with you? I recall you emphasised the elevation changes as being one of the highlights, you’re so right in that pics or video don’t do it justice… I think it’s one of the highlights… those turns where you are dropping in, turning and elevating again whilst flat out and pulling the next gear are just sublime… So yes, it is firmly etched into my mind, I absolutely love it! I haven’t driven Spa so can’t compare, so it is my #1 I’m going to get back next year with this team and run a few consecutive days and tracks, they think we can do 2-3, maybe 4 tracks within a short space, Zandvoort being one of them. DJM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGA Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 9 minutes ago, edgy said: I recall you emphasised the elevation changes as being one of the highlights, you’re so right in that pics or video don’t do it justice… I think it’s one of the highlights… those turns where you are dropping in, turning and elevating again whilst flat out and pulling the next gear are just sublime… So yes, it is firmly etched into my mind, I absolutely love it! I haven’t driven Spa so can’t compare, so it is my #1 I’m going to get back next year with this team and run a few consecutive days and tracks, they think we can do 2-3, maybe 4 tracks within a short space, Zandvoort being one of them. I always describe this track as one where you have to "manage load changes" more so than almost any other track that I have been too. I am jealous that you will get the chance to return. Not sure I will ever get the opportunity to go back to Portimao now that I am back in OZ. It was easier when based in Europe although even then it was still a long, long way from anywhere. At least a two day drive from Belgium or the UK. edgy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 6February, 2023 Author Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 3 hours ago, WGA said: even then it was still a long, long way from anywhere. Very much… no guarantees I can get back next year, but if I can, I will.. and if that was my first & last, I’ll take it. It’s a massive commitment, worth it none the less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiller Posted 6February, 2023 Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 What a blast that would have been! What did you think of the CS @edgy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 6February, 2023 Author Report Share Posted 6February, 2023 11 hours ago, spiller said: What did you think of the CS @edgy? Absolutely loved it mate! It would be the perfect club car to run here, but they are very sought after in EU & USA so the prices are up there, therefore not economical to buy... to run, very cost effective for what is... I'd say the 911 is the more rewarding car to get right, but the GT4 CS will play, and you can be rough with it where a 911 will bite you (i.e. trail braking) ... the fun factor is 10/10 P-Kay and spiller 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted 7February, 2023 Report Share Posted 7February, 2023 I assume you drove the previous non RS Clubsport? This one would be even more fun. No idea how you get on the list for one of these. I assume low numbers will be built but also much smaller demand being track only? https://motorsports.porsche.com/international/en/category/cars/718-cayman-gt4-rs-clubsport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgy Posted 7February, 2023 Author Report Share Posted 7February, 2023 1 hour ago, DJM said: I assume you drove the previous non RS Clubsport? His one would be even more fun. No idea how you get on the list for one of these. I assume low numbers will be built but also much smaller demand being track only? https://motorsports.porsche.com/international/en/category/cars/718-cayman-gt4-rs-clubsport I wish mate! This was the 981 GT4 Clubsport with the MR package … gotta say an extra 100hp would be perfect DJM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleazius Posted 8February, 2023 Report Share Posted 8February, 2023 Cool write up @edgy - giving me the impetus to get another driving holiday to Europe in. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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