How Diane Traded Her Air-Cooled 911 for One of Club Racing's Most Competitive Spec Classes
After years in her 1985 E Production 911 Carrera, Diane has made the jump to a Spec Boxster — a transition that has been a long time coming.
Diane's racing journey began with enthusiastic participation in Porsche Club Auto X, Winter X, and track days. She progressed through PCA, POC, and NASA, first with her 997 street car, then a brief stint in a Spec 944, and finally landing in the 1985 Carrera. That air-cooled 911 proved to be an outstanding learning platform. With its raw rear-engine layout and zero driver aids, it taught her the unique handling characteristics of classic 911s. The car was nearly bulletproof, and Diane absolutely dominated her class — winning nearly every race she entered (LOL). The only downside was that the class had dwindled down so much that she was often the "only" car in the class. She jokes that her trophies should probably come with an asterisk: "Winner… by default."
A Long Time ComingFriends and fellow racers had been gently (and sometimes not so gently) prodding her toward the Spec Boxster platform for years. After much thought — and more than a little sorrow about letting go of her beloved 911 — Diane finally decided it was time to take the plunge. |
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The Monza MomentThe catalyst came after an unforgettable track day at Monza, Italy, in a GT4RS. Flying down the front straight going 172 MPH at the "Temple of Speed" left an indelible mark. The modern Porsche chassis, phenomenal suspension, and pure driving feel lit a new fire. As she puts it, the mid-engined Boxster (and the cars that followed) was a clean-sheet design with an incredibly capable platform. Add in the affordability, strong aftermarket support, and interchangeable parts (such as the 996 GT3 lower control arms), and the Spec Boxster series became the perfect next step. |
A Well-Used Race Car With a Story of Its Own
Thanks to a killer deal from a friend, Diane acquired a well-used Spec Boxster race car. The car was battle-worn, wearing an unassuming gray paint job over multiple previous layers, complete with its share of dings and dents.
Shop Talk: The shop crew joked that there wasn't a single panel on the car that hadn't been "touched".
Racing the Clock to Utah Motorsports CampusThe transformation began in earnest to get the car ready for its first club race in June at Utah Motorsports Campus. Justin and Lucas hammered out dents and applied filler, while Aaron and Jose handled the bodywork and applied epoxy sealer to create the perfect surface for wrapping. Various trim pieces such as mirrors, side vents, and door handles, were removed and prepared for black paint. |
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The Chameleon Wrap and Finishing TouchesThe car then headed to Summit Auto Lab in Park City, Utah for a stunning chameleon wrap featuring Diane's favorite purple, blue and teal hues. Meanwhile, our administrative assistant Elizabeth Parkinson (who runs a vinyl business on the side) printed and cut all the numbers and class designations. Once the car returned, the team applied the graphics, reinstalled the black accents and bumpers, and the finished car looked absolutely spectacular. |
The Best Is Yet to ComeWe couldn't be prouder of Diane's journey — from learning the ropes in a classic air-cooled 911 to beginning to compete in one of the most popular and competitive Spec classes in the country. Congratulations, Diane! The Road to Spec Boxster has been a great ride, and the best is yet to come. |
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