David Grover

Harpenden, UK

@davidgrover12

Model 991 Carrera S Year 2014

Acquired March 2016

Model 997 Cup

Year 2014

Acquired December 2016

What an exciting month it’s been leading up to Geneva. Most importantly for us 911 fans is news and full details of the new Gen2 GT3 RS, which is looking pretty awesome in both standard form and Weissach version.

Like all RSS, though, it’s for certain going to be a rare sight. I hear even large dealers are only getting a few each. Some very fortunate owners will no doubt be driving around in the summer when they get the keys.

As we get into spring a couple of things come up. Firstly, the chance to get out and about in road cars in slightly

better weather, and I am fortunate enough to be embarking this weekend on a drive to the south of France to partake in a key annual conference I attend each year. Confession is that I am not in a 911, the best excuse being that the Cupcar isn’t road legal and I don’t have access to a 911 at the moment, so it will have to be the little red car from Italy that I do still have. It’s hardly a sacrifice though.

I am going with a large group which includes my good friend in his new 991 4S on his first big European trip ever and a bunch of large touring motorbikes. We then rendezvous with a GTR Nissan, a Maserati GTS, a DB9 and couple of fast Audis, but most importantly for this magazine, more than a gaggle of 911s, which will make a great convoy of vehicles. I hope to share pictures next month. One part will be a route back home over the Millau Viaduct, a route I love, the road up to it from Montpellier being especially wonderful.

The race season is getting closer, although getting out for the first weekend in April is now looking doubtful, largely because of the need for more sponsorship before a wheel can be sensibly turned. There is a plan, but it’s simply coming to fruition more slowly

this year than I’d hoped for. The car is ready, though, and we will shake it down during April ready for racing in May.

I mentioned last month that I was due out for a weekend in the Mclaren 720s, and I picked this up on a really grotty wet weekend a couple of weeks back to see what it was like. With our Editor’s blessing I’ll continue to occasionally reflect on cars that are not 911s, because I think its important to have comparisons to the ones we all adore so much.

I must say it wasn’t disappointing at all despite the weather, and I can’t wait to try it in the dry soon. It has phenomenal engine performance and good build quality. I heard of mixed feelings about that, but my version was great, the subtle dark-grey Alcantara interior splurged with a dash of yellow to remind you you’re driving a rather ‘super’ car. What really impressed was the sheer torque. Although I really struggled to get my foot properly down, it felt like the power was never ending.

Next up is the Huracan Performanté, which I try out before I turn pen to paper for my next LTL piece. Meanwhile, I have just heard that a good friend of mine has been allocated a GT2 RS, so I’m looking forward to seeing that in a few weeks.