Track Modifications

After a long gap at the end of 2010, we embarked on the track / race modifications needed for the Boxster.  New brake discs / pads have been purchased, adjustable suspension and lightened race wheels ordered.  The latter two are built to order and on long lead times.

In the mean time a number of smaller, but important track modifications have been progressed.

Bonnet Pins

The electrically operated bonnet and boot locks have been replaced and aluminium bonnet pins fitted.  The pins were mounted through the boot inner and holes drilled in the bonnet. for the surface catches.  These are required on the track to prevent the bonnet flying open.  We've retained the hinges and gas struts to keep it easy to open the bonnet and boot lid.

Induction Kit

The stock air filter housing and filter have been removed and replaced with a power induction kit in the form of a cone shaped filter, and aluminium heat shield.  This ensures cold air is taken from the air scoop on the side of the body and prevents hot air from the engine bay. being inducted. This typically provides ~10bhp increase.  The plastic housing of the original filter was fitted before the engine in the factory, it therefore had to be cut out in pieces which was quite a job.

Snetterton Track Day

Our 2nd track day was at the fast Snetterton circuit on Norfolk.  The car performed well achieving a max speed fo 120mph on the long straight and 60-70mph through the faster corners.

 

The car was evenly matched with some Lotus Elise's on track.  The Lotus's having better cornering handling, but the Porsche with superior power and braking.  

 

Bumper repairs

The inner bumper mounts and bars have been replaced. The front bumper was resprayed, but the rear bumper had to be re-shaped under heat and filled to repair the damage.  

Both bumpers have been re-fitted, and we just have the rear spoiler to re-align and re-fit before we can go back out on the track.

Damage Assessment

The front and rear bumpers have been removed to assess the damage inside the bumper covers.

The front bumper bar shows the deformity where the tow-bar took the impact. 

The rear bumper bar mounts have deformed at the top pushing the bumper bar into towards the body at at angle.

The bar is at such an angle that there is no clearance to remove the bolts.  These will need to be cut to allow removal and replacement of the mounts behind it.

Track Day

Our first track day was at Brands Hatch, on the short but challenging Indy circuit.
The car performed and ran very well.  We did struggle with tyres and a little understeer in the corners, especially round Clark curve.  

The weather was great for the time of year.

Towards the end of the afternoon we were involved in an incident in the pit garage of all places!  A new FocusRS accidentally went into the back of the car and then pushed it into the pit wall. 

Both rear and front bumpers are damaged and the rear spoiler are even more distorted than before.

• The front tow-bar took the brunt of the impact against the wall and is pushed backwards into the bumper.
• The car still drives fine and we managed to get out for the last session of the day.

So after 5 weeks it's back to square-one, with another search for used replacement bumpers and a trip back to the the body shop.....

Stage 1 - Completed!

After 8 weeks elapsed time, the car is fully repaired and road legal, allowing us to consider our first track day, albeit in stock specification.  Stage 1 'Buy a damaged Porsche Boxster S and repair it' is complete.