Rob Clarke Bristol, UK
Model 996.1 Carrera 4 Year 1999 Acquired February 2014
This month has not seen much 911 driving action. The most significant event for my 911 was trying to wake it up from its three-week slumber without much success. The usual process of trying to wake up the central locking failed, and the next result was the alarm firing and resonating in the garage – boy is that thing loud!
I am in a dilemma with respect to my car. A few months back I was adamant this car was going. I used a trip to Silverstone Classic as a browsing exercise to work out what I want to replace my car with. A shortlist has been firmed and several 911 variants are on there. But then I use the car and think what great value it represents for performance, handling, road presence and lifestyle. It does let itself down on comfort, but when I drive it I wonder if a move to a newer 911 is going to represent good value?
I have high expectations, but my recent commuter car was a Mercedes which cost more than my 996 is worth, but I was massively disappointed with it. It was not the premium drive
I was expecting, which emphasises my thoughts above: is spending more money a benefit? This is subjective, but with a 996 you get incredible value for money, which makes it hard to move on to an alternative model.
The only upside of upgrading and going for a higher value 911 is that at least it will maintain its value; I would be able to enjoy a change knowing it is not depreciating like a rock… but still, do I want to spend four-times what my car is worth to get a newer version? Tough decision!
But enough about my dilemma; on to the Festival of Porsche – what an event! I will be honest, this was the first Pcgborganised event I have been to, and what an event it was. Kerb-to-kerb Porsche, old, new, rare and most of all fast! The 919 EVO lapping the track in the hands of Nick Tandy was epic.
Brands Hatch is probably the circuit I have visited the most, as I used to live near the circuit as a teenager (my parents would take me to events). I even did a bit of marshalling as a junior marshall, which meant as well as getting to watch racing for free I could go anywhere, even the timekeepers gantry that has long since gone.
As soon as I was mobile I would often go to events, so when I walked through the gates all these great memories came flooding back, especially the time I drove the circuit on a damp day in a Formula First back in 1992 (see above!). Great memories.
Fast-forward and walking around the circuit and the paddock area looking at all the fine machinery and watching the 919 attempt to break the lap record – unfortunately they didn’t quite make it – just adds to my memories of Brands Hatch. What a great place it is.