I had the great privilege to get in and out of the corners over and over again on this lovely stretch of highway. You have a breezy ocean wind in your face while you are tackling the windy road in the first leg of your run. Just when you think you have had enough fun, the ocean view departing from your rear view mirrors, you get into second leg of your journey. That's when the cool mountain air hits you and refreshes you as you climb and descend while negotiating the various fun filled left/right corners. Your reward when you finally reach your destination is a wholesome, hearty meal at the Nancy Greene Lodge. Plus, you can debrief with your passenger at the lounge with a cabin like atmosphere over a nice warn cup of cafe latte while having a game of eight ball. Some would attest that driving to Whistler is like driving to heaven. If that is the case, I would like to prolong the journey as long as possible and there is no doubt that the vehicle of my choice would be the Porsche 911 Carrera RS.

Knowing how to transfer weight is crucial to driving this car well. When coming to a tight corner, be sure to get your braking done early and in a straight line, so you can throttle into the corner lightly. If you got too much gas and the rev meter is up, your ass would bust loose in a heartbeat. Always remember, you are dancing with a woman with a heavy tail. She tends to want to bore straight on when you throw her into a curve. Your rear tires are always the first to surrender when you are battling between grip and centrifugal force. Easing off the pedal instantly pivots the car in tighter when your arc gets a little too wide. Engine braking makes the rear tires lean out first, so ease off when you are cornering hard. When you are on the ragged edge, contrary to every survival instinct: add power! If you hit the brakes, you lose the battle. I have many scars from those many battles I have fought with my own RS. Being the first generation 911, it has the shortest and most taut chassis of all 911s. Remember to always use power to correct the incipient rotation. This car does exactly what you tell it, whether or not that's what you meant to say.

I am not telling you that you should drive in this fashion, but the RS seems to invite it willingly. Driving this vehicle with great intensity will change the car's attitude and the RS craves to live on the margin. So when you are up at the 6000 to 7000 rpm, be ready catch her slightest move, if you are in the 8000 region, be ready to boogie hard. If you have the balls, you can rev this particular model to 9000 rpm. Which means you will definitely have to break out some sweat when you are catching her around the turns. This car register a high lateral g-force of 0.912, comparable to today's Lamborghini Murcielago. So if you lose it, it is not the car's fault, it is due to the driver's own error.

The air cooled six is simply delightful, flexible down low and strong up high. Ooh, those set of weber carburetors just does the trick. It is such a smooth engine and the noise is very intoxicating. On the road or on the track, the RS is a real screamer. Absolutely sensational, even by Porsche standards.

The RS is a high effort vehicle, that is why it is a great joy to drive. Clutch, brakes and shifter all demand a firm, positive hand and foot. The great payoff is a sharp response and accurate feedback. Thanks to the Biltstein coil over suspension system. One of the great thing about driving this car is that the driver's fingertips can get an excellent read of the pavement texture. The 911 was always a lively, highly reactive car that requires your full and undivided attention when pushing her hard on the needle.

Yes, I whole heartedly pronounce myself to be a Poschephile. Give an hour with her on the right dance floor and you would be one too!

By Dylon Koh

For more information, please contact:

Technik Motorwerks
Ross Hwang
Manager
Phone: 604.873.3038
E-mail: rhwang@spaceracing.com