TIM HARVEY
With this issue of 911 & Porsche World dedicated to cars owned by the magazine’s contributors, I’ve been reflecting on time with my 991 Gen II GT3 RS, a car benefiting from performance-enhancing Manthey-racing upgrades. Nothing quite beats driving your very own Porsche...
As I reflect on two and a half years of owning of my current 911 GT3 RS, a car that has been featured extensively in this magazine, I can honestly say it’s been the best period of Porsche ownership I’ve experienced to date. The only other Porsche to deliver as much enjoyment was my Carrera 3.2, which I bought back in the 1980s. This was my first 911, which automatically makes it one of my favourites, but I also loved the car because it taught me how every journey in a 911 is special. To put it another way, a 911 never becomes mundane transport.
During the time I raced in Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, I was lucky enough to secure two years of free 911 motoring due to winning the championship twice — with each victory came use of a new 911 courtesy of Porsche Cars Great Britain. In fact, these cars were changed at sixmonth intervals, meaning I actually had the use of not two, but four brand-new 911s during that period! Now, you may think free 911 use would be an unbeatable experience. Financially, it was certainly most welcome, but something was missing. Yes, the driving pleasure was as good as ever, but what I missed was pride of ownership — that deeply personal relationship we have with our own pride and joy, so-called for good reason.
I have since been lucky enough to own several 911s, both new and used. I’ve enjoyed every one of them. Nothing quite comes close to the thrill of new car collection day, seeing that silk cover slide off your gleaming new Porsche in the dealership. In recent years, I’ve owned a couple of new GT3S. Those first drives home from the showroom will live long in my memory bank, certainly longer than all the things I’m supposed to remember!
I absolutely loved GT3 ownership. Originally, I owned a comfort-spec manual example for pure road driving, with occasional trips to the track. As my relationship grew with independent Porsche sales, maintenance and tuning specialist, RPM Technik, however, I got involved with more and more trackdays, leading me to switch to a PDKequipped Clubsport model better suited to the sort of driving I was doing.
And so, to my current GT3 RS, a secondgeneration 991. I always wanted an RS. To me, this is the finest expression of a 911. I guess it was only a matter of time. I didn’t buy my RS new, though. I was too late and there were far too many more important people in the queue ahead of me! I did, however, know the car’s previous owner, a friend of old who had really looked after this stunning Porsche from new. I’ve not for a single moment regretted taking the car off his hands. I look forward to every drive out in it.
During my ownership, and with my RPM Technik work moving more and more toward trackdays and promoting the Manthey-racing products offered by the Hertfordshire company, it was inevitable my RS would get modified into the track weapon it has become. The racing driver in me is always looking for improvements in a car. I’ve really enjoyed the process of modifying, as well as seeing and feeling the very real benefits, all of which were detailed in the April 2022 issue of 911 & Porsche World. I wanted the best combination of performance and practicality, whilst still retaining the all-important Porsche warranty. The Manthey-racing kit did it all. I’ve also enjoyed the visual changes I’ve made to the car by way of some cleverly installed vinyl wrap. It certainly stands out and makes this 911 look very aggressive on track.
Since buying the RS, I’ve had it fastidiously maintained by RPM Technik, along with the added measure of the company’s careful regular trackday inspections. You’d be amazed how much debris ends up in the air box!
I’ve only had one warranty issue to speak of, a complaint concerning a rattling nearside door card. This is a common 991 problem. Along with programmed servicing to maintain the factory warranty and service history, the fault was quickly sorted by Porsche.
My only regret is that I don’t use the car on the road anywhere near as much as I’d like. This is for several reasons. For starters, I have concern regarding piling on extra mileage, but I’m also acutely aware of how the striking livery attracts a bit too much unwanted attention away from a race circuit. Additionally, the fairly extreme geometry settings I personally selected are for track use. I do still drive the car to and from trackdays in the UK, but I use a trailer for European trips, thereby keeping the mileage down. Covered transport also means I can take two sets of wheels when venturing abroad. This is great, but regular road use has really tailed off, much to my disappointment.
With this in mind, and — if all goes to plan — an incoming 992 GT3 RS later this year, I may put the car back to standard specification. I quite like the idea of removing the livery and enjoying this Porsche on the road once again. Whatever I end up doing, I know I’ve loved every second of driving my 991 GT3 RS. I’ll continue to do so as long as I’m lucky enough to be its owner. ●