[Hal Copple]

regarding my own particular replica, an SPF, with a stout 392 pushing out somewhere around 460-480 ponies, i have found that it doesn't take kindly to a ham fisted approach to cornering. Dennnis Olthoff has set my car up with big front NASCAR Wilwoods, (balanced by a custom rear Panther brake pad), his custom race HR spring/track Bilstein shock package, his "big" rear antiroll bar, and other bits and pieces. I have some thousands of miles of track time.

I am at best a novice driver, yet at the Porsche Club events i run, i get comments on how well my car handles. It certainly can't be my ability, it has to be my car's.

But the key thing is to never do anything abruptly. Never stomp on the brakes, stab the throttle, never chop the gas in the middle of the turn, don't be wild and wooly with the steering wheel. I give my car time to accept my inputs, give the chassis time to adjust to what i will it to do. You don't have to be leisurely, or slow with handling inputs, ; you do things quickly without being abrupt.

I think my car gives wonderful feedback about what is happening down at the tire tread.

If a replica is sorted out by someone familiar with racing (Dennis Olthoff and his father Bob, in my case), and you are progressive with your handling inputs, these cars can be hustled thru turns pretty quickly.

If your goal is to immulate a famous race driver, be like Jackie Stewart, not Giles Villeneuve.

all the best,