Up at 5am on a Sunday - Donnington, Ferrari F50

[Gibbo]

Cool, thanks for the perspective

I'm not blindly defending the 993 because I own one, was just genuinely interested to see how the 997 compares. Especially since the 996 was such an unloved generation in the normal guises and had a lot of IMS RMS problems.

IMS was an issue which continued for the 997.1 generation too. 2006 model 997.1 cars got a beefier IMS and 997.2 cars finally got rid of the IMS completely.

All I can say is from been a passenger is the cars certainly get more and more capable and quicker once into three figures the newer the version and something thats drastically improved is brakes. Most of the 964's and 993's were having brake issues on track, whether overheating, fading etc. wheras this was not an issue on the newer 996 and 997 generations.

Though the truly epic 997 GT3 I went in had Alcons all round which seemed very impressive.

They are all great cars, but for me I even preferre the looks/styling of the newer ones and they are more refined which is what I needed. I could have purchased a superb 993, but for me and what I want the 997 is the better car for me.

 

[Sukh]

Its a mighty fine looking car to, congratulations

I should have enough to buy a nice 993 once I qualify some time next year, I can't stand 996 headlights, and I like the 997, but depreciation would be too much for me to deal with and hence the 993 which I adore the looks of is the logical choice.

The only hesitation I have is the interior which, although well built, is starting to look aged. I would snap a Singer interior up in an instant if it were available separately!

 

[-Ad-]

Looks like a cracking day, Donnington is a great place.

Was up there the other month with a friend watching one of his 'Global heads of Something' who kindly gave us some tickets, racing in a classic Deutsche series.

Wish I could have actually been on the track like you rather than just watching it!

 

[X-Morgan]

I was always of the opinion that the only good Ferrari is a red one, but bloody hell, that F50 has some serious presence in that colour. Especially the side on shot. Such a powerful looking machine.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Those cars look fun

 

[Gibbo]

Still can't get over the MK2 Golf GTI.

Sorry to keep bashing on about it, but the damn thing was hanging with GT3's, it was not even much slower on the straights.

On the back straight it was hitting 118mph, the fastest 997 GT3 hit 135mph and my mates 996 GT3 was hitting about 128mph and in the corners you could just throw it in, so forgiving and well setup.

It does seem the old MK2 Golfs make superb trackday cars, to put it in comparison there was a Clio 182 there, which was made to look like it was going backwards.

Yes Donningon is my favourite circuit, whats even better its less than an hour away. Set of at 6:30 this morning and got there for 7:05

 

[flat-6]

Is it just me or does the F50 look a bit 3/4 scale. Looks comical with the guys with helmets. Certainly not 400k's worth.

 

[Gibbo]

Is it just me or does the F50 look a bit 3/4 scale. Looks comical with the guys with helmets. Certainly not 400k's worth.

It worth 400k to those who pay it though, and as there was like only ever 350 built thats the money they fetch, so the evidence shows they are worth it.

 

[Fr0dders]

are the 911 Cup cars road legal or do they have to be trailered ?

 

[Gibbo]

are the 911 Cup cars road legal or do they have to be trailered ?

That had slicks so susect that was trailored, same for the M3 that was there.

 

[hurfdurf]

It worth 400k to those who pay it though, and as there was like only ever 350 built thats the money they fetch, so the evidence shows they are worth it.

Careful with this kind of logic!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_mania

 

[Morba]

Is it just me or does the F50 look a bit 3/4 scale. Looks comical with the guys with helmets. Certainly not 400k's worth.

agree, not sure if it is the colour or the helmets, but the F50 looks small!

 

[Gibbo]

Some pics taken by Pistonheads members:-

 

[Jamous]

Hi Gibbo, cool pics and thanks for sharing.
Any pics of the Cosworth or did it break?

We've got an F40 in our workshop just now, only seen one F50 in though, seem to be rarer than the F40.
I was at Knockhill years ago and this F50 driver was damm keen :

 

[Django x2]

The driver and passenger seem to be sat very high up in that, I always thought the F50 was a very low seating position. i.e. if that rolled over in that state, they'd both be scraping their heads along the ground.

 

[Fr0dders]

don't think ferrari designed it for tall people with helmets

I'm 6 foot, but only 29" inside leg. All my height is in my body, not my legs. I find headroom a problem in a lot of small convertibles.

So i suspect thats probably the case with them, tall + helmets make them stick out a lot.