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2005 Porsche Carrera GT Track Test

Words Cant Describe It

An unusual excitement radiated throughout the California Speedway press event room, where we were gathered to hear a group of Porsche representatives fill us in on the goings on of the legendary marque prior to being let loose on the facilitys road course that sits at the center of the giant oval race track.

While I say unusual, it wasnt entirely odd for most present at the event to be preparing to test drive a group of performance cars on a race track. And although the prospect of doing so with Porsche is thrilling to even the most jaded of automotive journalists, I for one, had been on a few courses with the Stuttgart brand. What made the buzz in the air of particular intensity this morning was the inclusion the most powerful,

The thought of driving the most powerful, most exclusive and most expensive road prepared supercar Porsche has ever built will get even the most jaded automotive journalist excited. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

most exclusive and most expensive road prepared supercar the company has ever produced.

Pulling up to the pit area, a row of test cars were laid out for our perusal, starting with a sporty little base Boxster, finished in silver of course, and now featuring 240-horsepower in entry-level trim. Yes, thats almost as much power than the

Porsche had nearly their entire lineup on hand for the track event. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

original S, and together with the many improvements of the 2005 model it drives better than the outgoing upgraded model too.

A yellow Boxster S sat beside it, now boasting at least as many upgrades as the base model, plus a new 3.2-liter engine good for 280-horsepower. If this were all the good doctor had ordered, that would be Herr Dr. in Porsche-speak, I still would have been excited to get on the track, but a new 325-horspower 911 Cabriolet, also completely upgraded for 2005, was on hand, plus

Hurley Haywood, who just might be the most winning sports car racer to have ever lived, introduced the Carrera GT. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a 911 S Cabriolet, now producing 355-horsepower.

I wasnt aware at the time that Porsche had placed a new 911 S coupe over at an adjacent paddock area turned into an autocross course, which was thoroughly enjoyable, but Ill get to that in a separate review.

What intrigued me more than all, of course, was the stunning Carrera GT parked at the end of the row. Porsche had requested that all of the motorsport instructors present that day introduce one of the new cars apiece, explaining the

The pack of journalists on hand checked over the cars otherworldly interior and then peered long and hard into the cars stunningly detailed engine compartment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

many upgrades to each. The introductions were made from base Boxster to Carrera GT, by race drivers positioned according to status. After Dave Murray explained the many benefits of the 911 S Cabriolet, Hurley Haywood, who just might be the most winning sports car racer to have ever lived, introduced the Carrera GT.

Normally its difficult to notice any real enthusiasm in Haywoods eyes, as hes a pretty cool customer. Nevertheless, it was easy to see it was a challenge for him to bridle his excitement over the Carrera GT. While he wasnt foaming at the mouth like the

The rich brown leather, jewel-like aluminum trim and a finely detailed floating center stack place driver and passenger into completely separate "cells". (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

pack of rabid dogs posing as journalists, as we checked over the cars otherworldly interior and then peered long and hard into the cars stunningly detailed engine compartment, it was easy to tell he enjoyed his subject matter.

While I would have loved to jump behind the wheel of the GT immediately, I was glad one of the instructors, Tony Morris Jr., who I know quite well, had decided to take me under his wing, so to speak, and start me off in the base Boxster. The intent was to allow me to work up to the 605-horsepower supercar one model at a time, in 240-, 280-, 325- and 355-horsepower increments so as to be able to learn the track, get

The variety of mechanical noises from the 5.7-liter engine were music to this gearheads ears. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

a feel for speeds, turn-in points and elevation changes so that I would be able to make the most of my run in the GT. The track temperature would also be higher in the afternoon, which would optimize traction.

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