Alternative X
SO YOU’VE GOT A 997S AND WANT A LITTLE MORE SPICE, EH? STICK WITH PORCHE AND IT’S EITHER THE X51 POWERKIT OR A NEW GT3. BUT WHAT ABOUT CHAMPION MOTORSPORT’S F77 PERFORMANCE PACK? HAVING DRIVEN ALL THREE, WE SORT’EM…
STORY AND PHOTOS BY PETE STOUT
If the Excellence South Test Loop could talk to Naveen Maraj, its twists and turns would tell him about the great Porsches that have tread here. Biggies like GT2s, GT3s, C-GTs. Sweeties like C2s, Boxsters, Caymans. Golden oldies like 914s, Carrera 3.2s, 968s, and Ruf’s CTR. It’s an epic road, and a telling one, the kind that sorts a brilliant chassis from an also-ran by revealing the little things that make a big difference. Like the predictability-and, thus, fun, and pace-of 997s with and without Porsche Active Suspension Management.
Naveen’s got something to say, though. I can tell that much even though I’ve got to fully concentrate on devastating one of the Loop’s best sections in this lowered, light gray 997. You know how it is: every passenger has a vibe, and you don’t need to look over to know something’s up. But, in Naveen’s case, the vibe is hard to read, much like the man himself. It’s not the tense, negative energy of a passenger terrified. Nor is it the relaxed manner of an old friend out for another ride on the roller coaster. Whatever it is, he’s about to explode…
“I haven’t had this much fun in YEARS!” cries Naveen in a shrill voice he probably hasn’t heard since third grade. That’s what a good California road will do to a Floridian. This one’s a gem, the perfect introduction for a Naveen who spends his M-F in flatline Miami and his weekends in the paddocks of the American Le Mans Series. Lately, he has been tending Audi R8s for Champion Racing, but his affections lie with Porsche thanks to a history with Champion’s 993 GT2 and 911 GT1 campaigns as well as its 1999 Porsche-powered Lola program.