At risk of y'all hating me...., ...I got to drive a piece of history at Rennsport Reunion 3 Options

[horizontally-opposed]

Spent the weekend with Hurley and the (great!) crew at Brumos for an upcoming story.

Car was dicey on Friday (no brakes, or rather a soft pedal, and squirelly at 140~mph under braking on the way into the chicane. However, Saturday the car was much better after several tweaks, allowing me to drop 20-25 seconds from my time in practice. Halfway through the session, I was really looking forward to another night's sleep, a few more tweaks, and trying drop a few more seconds and move into the faster part of Group 1 (while trying to preserve a piece of history that belongs to someone else...). Unfortunately, the motor let go at 150~ mph on the front straight, putting a rod through the case and ending my weekend of 914 racing. They moved me to a 964 Turbo for parade laps and to get used to the car so I could qualify in it and race it on Sunday, but alas, no tires for Sunday.

While the 964 Turbo was AMAZING, my heart was all about that 914-6. What an incredible car, and what an incredible opportunity to drive a legendary track with legendary cars. I'll never forget several mental images, including chasing a real 904 on the banking on the way to the giant American flag with "DAYTONA" written on the wall below it.

As for the 914-6 GT (winner of the first IMSA race and 1971 IMSA championship) itself, I am now a big fan of 2.5-liter flat sixes. 230 hp was just right, in my book. Early S brakes, just barely adequate. If that. Goodyear racing tires on 15x7s and 8s: awesome. Realization that you're turning 7000 rpm in a 914...in fifth gear: crazy. (Only way my 914 will go that fast is when dropped off buildings.) Handling: much better after the tweaks, and pretty damn nice at high speed thanks to the banking. Shifter: best 901 I've sampled, hands down.

Chance to drive a 914 I snuck out of Sunday school to go read about in Excellence: priceless.

Here's two pics taken by Patti Tantillo courtesy of Brumos, one of Hurley and I talking about the high-speed wiggle in the rear end under braking, the other is Hurley telling me to "get off the brakes," with Speedy and I laughing.

Wondering if any of you have more of this car in the pits or on track?

Finally, there were some seriously fast 914s out there, including a really trick 914-4. If you were in one of them, sorry for holding you up on Friday. I was terrified!

Best regards,

pete

[Eric_Shea]

We already hated you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I've already got that set up:

2.5
S-Calipers
15x7 and 8

Can't wait until I get a spare 10 grand to bolt it all together... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol3.gif)

Seriously, my assumptions over years of pouring over this GT stuff is, there's a fine balance for a 914 chassis. A 2.5 lightweight hitting 220-230hp just oughta do it. The 2.5 SS motor incorporates the spirit of what these cars were all about. High revving fun.

Congrats Pete. I can't wait to read about it.

[horizontally-opposed]

We already hated you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I've already got that set up:

2.5
S-Calipers
15x7 and 8

Can't wait until I get a spare 10 grand to bolt it all together... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol3.gif)

Seriously, my assumptions over years of pouring over this GT stuff is, there's a fine balance for a 914 chassis. A 2.5 lightweight hitting 220-230hp just oughta do it. The 2.5 SS motor incorporates the spirit of what these cars were all about. High revving fun.

Congrats Pete. I can't wait to read about it.

Eric,

Right on on the 2.5 and wheels, but I'd recommend trying the S calipers with caution. They might be enough on the street, but they were not really enough at Daytona. Personally, I'd do 986 or 951 brakes -- but then I really value killer brakes.

pete

[grantsfo]

We already hated you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I've already got that set up:

2.5
S-Calipers
15x7 and 8

Can't wait until I get a spare 10 grand to bolt it all together... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol3.gif)

Seriously, my assumptions over years of pouring over this GT stuff is, there's a fine balance for a 914 chassis. A 2.5 lightweight hitting 220-230hp just oughta do it. The 2.5 SS motor incorporates the spirit of what these cars were all about. High revving fun.

Congrats Pete. I can't wait to read about it.

Eric,

Right on on the 2.5 and wheels, but I'd recommend trying the S calipers with caution. They might be enough on the street, but they were not really enough at Daytona. Personally, I'd do 986 or 951 brakes -- but then I really value killer brakes.

pete

Yep thats exactly whats in my car. Did the motor for under $10K. 2480cc twin plug, MSX gears, SC calipers and rotors (more than enough brake for my lightweight car) with 9" and 8" wheels. Car has tremendous balance and is wicked fast on the track.

Car just sings. Here is video if havent seen it in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSaL5XpVTt8

This post has been edited by grantsfo: Nov 9 2007, 05:45 PM