The Goodwood Test – Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport

Heritage

Customer racing cars have been a major part of Porsche's business from the very start, not least with the mid-engined 550 and 718 Spyders that inspired the looks of the Boxster and Cayman. In recent years the motorsport product has been based around various iterations of the 911 GT3, be that for one-make Cup series or top-line GT racing. Racing a 911 is a serious (and expensive) business though. Making a more affordable privateer racing car out of the critically acclaimed Cayman GT4 therefore makes total sense, the price putting it in reach of those looking for a track day special or car to take them from there and into GT4 level racing.

Design

With its 385hp 911 Carrera S 3.8-litre flat-six, 911 GT3 suspension parts and facility to manually adjust handling balance via aero and anti-roll bars the Cayman GT4 is a serious track tool straight out of the box. A point hammered home when Porsche sends us out in the road car to learn the Lausitzring circuit we'll be testing the Clubsport on. The race car builds on this with GT3 Cup suspension hardware, stripped interior, welded-in cage, slick tyres and… a PDK dual-clutch auto. Yes, the manual transmission that defines the Cayman GT4 road car is gone, sacrificed in the name of speed.  

Performance

Without the punctuation of manually going through the gears the power delivery feels linear and somehow less dramatic than the road car, though the raw mechanical noise in the stripped cabin helps restore some drama. Light steering, switchable stability control and easily modulated brakes with 12-stage ABS mean it's no more demanding to drive than the street version; perhaps easier even. Which makes sense for a rookie race car. Trusting the slicks is the key to meaningful pace, the Cayman's balance and corner speed where it really scores. Throw more money at it to create a Manthey Racing enhanced Clubsport MR with fancier suspension, carbon panels and all the homologation parts to go racing.

Passion

There are many options available to the aspiring GT racer looking for an off-the-peg machine to get their motorsport career off the ground, a good number of them cheaper than the GT4 Clubsport. But for those with the money the unthreatening manners and the kudos of being able to buy a factory Porsche racing car with all the provenance and history that brings with it is considerable. That the Cayman also looks fantastic straight out of the box, sounds superb and is sensibly specced to keep running costs (relatively) reasonable just adds to the appeal. Is it competitive though? That's down to you…  

Price tag of our car – £81,000 (GT4 Clubsport 'track day' spec plus £95,300 for homologation ready car with fuel cell, fire extinguisher system, air jacks and race seat; MR package c. €30,000 extra dependent on options; all prices shown +VAT)