HAPPY HARDCORE

The stripped 'n' ripped trackday special is now a staple in our supercar diet. But is the refreshed 911 GT3 still the boss, or does Maser's new GT2 Stradale deliver a knockout punch? Jethro drives them both...

- JETHRO BOVINGDON

In fact, plenty of people might argue it’s impossible to improve. But while Porsche Motorsport strives for perfection, it never assumes it has reached it. Where others might look at the 992 GT3 and just puff out their cheeks, shrug and agree that leaving well alone seems a pretty solid plan, these guys and girls interrogate every little detail looking for significant improvement through myriad marginal gains.

It’s why for over 25 years the GT3 has been, well, the GT3. The default answer to so many questions. “Best track-focused road car?” GT3. “Most thrilling 911?” GT3. “One car for the rest of your life?” GT3. “Car you'd sell your granny to own?” GT3. Sorry Grandma, but you've always said you want the best for me.

And so we arrive in Valencia, Spain under no illusions. The new second-generation 992 GT3 is going to be positively brilliant. Sorry to spoil the surprise. However, there are questions to answer. Is the new GT3 really just an S/T in disguise and without the lunatic ‘overs’ market? Can it justify the price hike to an eye watering £157,300? Do you want a rear wing or rear seats? (Sadly, you can’t have both.) I know, it keeps me up at night, too.

There are a few deeper issues to resolve too. You see, the GT3 has been usurped on all sides of late. The new RS is a genuine game changer and puts clear blue air between itself and the ‘base’ GT3. (Not before it’s ripped every bit of energy from it and turned it into downforce, naturally.) No RS has ever been so differentiated from a GT3. Then there’s the retro fabulous S/T. Lighter, less complex, tuned to deliver feel and accessibility and the new darling of the Porsche fanatics. The purists’ 992.