They say rain is the great equalizer. Well, the two fastest of the latest GT lineup put that old chestnut to the test on a sodden Spa-Francorchamps, where turbo power shouldn’t offer much of an advantage. Does it?
Interestingly, the turbocharged grunt of the GT2 RS seems more useful at slower speeds.
Getting passed on the inside of La Source (0:10), we can see what the GT2 RS’ additional 180 horsepower can reap if the road is straight. However, the man in the GT3 RS is quite handy, and seems to roll more mid-corner speed and avoid running off the dry line; a must for a decent lap in the tricky conditions.
After the force-fed car ahead misses the braking point for Bruxelles (1:09), the GT3 RS is back in contention again. Through Pouhon, one of the most challenging corners on the track, the GT3 RS claws back some distance. Either the normally aspirated motor is that much more tractable, or the man ahead isn’t as comfortable at high speeds. In any event, we know the GT2 RS isn’t as friendly when the limit is surpassed, and having run off-line a few corners prior, he’s likely driving cautiously.
Interestingly, the GT2 RS has a slight advantage in some of the slower corners—the 516 lb-ft from 1,900 rpm helps. It just goes to show that, even on a fast track, additional power is only good if it’s exploitable.
