"Having acquired a 930 Restomod from Maundrells in Wantage in Dec 2021 (now resembling a 73 RSR), the existing suspension upgrades had already considerably improved the feel and driving dynamics in comparison with a standard car. However, as an ex-racer, I was confident that there was still considerable potential which could be unlocked. First was the move to polybushing all suspension and engine mounts but this in truth proved too much for the road – remembering that this is a road car with occasional track day use. As a unit the feel and suspension were simply too hard for the road and too soft for the track. A search for alternative damping and spring rates began and following several conversations with the UK’s premiere Porsche handing experts they suggested that the best systems were supplied by TracTive.
"This comes in several models from road to full race and within each you can instantly switch through 5 settings either by selecting a knob position or from a small LED screen. The system allows you to tailor front and rear damping along with pitch and roll. Having spoken to Steve at Tractive I decided to go for the road biased ACE system which uses standard car top mounts.
"Once installed, balanced and geometrically aligned by the ‘Porsche wizard’ – Craig Mayo at Maundrells, it was immediately apparent that the car was far more grounded and the switching to softer settings gave a much more comfortable and compliant feel on the B roads – a big win! However, it was at a track day at Castle Combe where the performance of the system really became apparent. Castle Combe is known as a circuit that responds best to a softer race setting and in conjunction with the very wet initial track conditions the selection of the softer settings instantly gave the car surprising levels of grip and composure, leading to confidence to explore the limits much further. As the track dried out through the day the selection of a firmer setting continued to allow the balance limits to be ‘played’ with. I am very pleased with the performance of the system and will continue to explore the infinite adjustability of the system to suit the prevailing conditions in the future.
"Driver experience aside the system provided the feel, grip, balance, and composure resulting in several very positive comments back in the paddock!"
"I’m really really pleased. It has totally transformed the car. It was primarily set up for the track so it was quite firm but with the state of the local roads it was becoming difficult to get any pleasure from driving it anywhere and trying to dodge every bump and badly repaired bit of road.
"On its softest setting it is still firm but driving to a track day at the weekend I realised I just didn’t notice the suspension anymore. It just worked like a suspension. The best bit was when I started to drive on track though. The car inspired more and more confidence, the passive Bilsteins had been rebuilt probably 3-4000 mile ago so we’re in good condition but this is on a different level.
"I am now braking too soon and need to get a lot braver and coming out of the corners on track the car is just so much more stable and inspires confidence, the body control over slight bumps or gradient changes is amazing.
"Before there was always a little feeling of movement putting down the power coming out of corners, the car always had great traction and on a dry track had never actually let go but always had the feeling it might. This time I kept giving it full throttle earlier and earlier through the corners. The limits of the car have just come up several levels and I need to catch up!
"The ability to change the settings to suit the road or situation instantly makes the car much more usable on the road but it just gives so much more confidence on track as well."
Mike
Owner of a Porsche 996.2 GT3 fitted with TracTive and set up by Nine Excellence.
"Having acquired a 930 Restomod from Maundrells in Wantage in Dec 2021 (now resembling a 73 RSR), the existing suspension upgrades had already considerably improved the feel and driving dynamics in comparison with a standard car. However, as an ex-racer, I was confident that there was still considerable potential which could be unlocked. First was the move to polybushing all suspension and engine mounts but this in truth proved too much for the road – remembering that this is a road car with occasional track day use. As a unit the feel and suspension were simply too hard for the road and too soft for the track. A search for alternative damping and spring rates began and following several conversations with the UK’s premiere Porsche handing experts they suggested that the best systems were supplied by TracTive.
"This comes in several models from road to full race and within each you can instantly switch through 5 settings either by selecting a knob position or from a small LED screen. The system allows you to tailor front and rear damping along with pitch and roll. Having spoken to Steve at Tractive I decided to go for the road biased ACE system which uses standard car top mounts.
"Once installed, balanced and geometrically aligned by the ‘Porsche wizard’ – Craig Mayo at Maundrells, it was immediately apparent that the car was far more grounded and the switching to softer settings gave a much more comfortable and compliant feel on the B roads – a big win! However, it was at a track day at Castle Combe where the performance of the system really became apparent. Castle Combe is known as a circuit that responds best to a softer race setting and in conjunction with the very wet initial track conditions the selection of the softer settings instantly gave the car surprising levels of grip and composure, leading to confidence to explore the limits much further. As the track dried out through the day the selection of a firmer setting continued to allow the balance limits to be ‘played’ with. I am very pleased with the performance of the system and will continue to explore the infinite adjustability of the system to suit the prevailing conditions in the future.
"Driver experience aside the system provided the feel, grip, balance, and composure resulting in several very positive comments back in the paddock!"
"The 930 era of Porsche 911 has always had a reputation of being a tricky car to master on the limit, it likes to only be driven one way and will punish drivers who make mistakes, especially the turbo versions. Steve’s restomod on the TracTive suspension is an absolute revelation. I can categorically say it is the most composed, sure footed, confidence-inspiring and compliant 911 of that era I’ve ever had the pleasure of experiencing.
"The adjustability of the different damper settings meant it was by far the most sure footed car on track in poor weather conditions, quite something when it was up against brand new supercars and hyper cars, and as the conditions improved a small tweak with the onboard selector screen and the car soaked up the bumps of the Castle Combe track while braking, cornering and accelerating with incredible stability, composure and grip and gave Steve the confidence to push the car close to its limits. Its ability to work in conditions at both end of the spectrum really surprised me, most aftermarket kits are good at one thing to the detriment of the other end of the scale but Steve’s car was sure footed, communicative and confidence inspiring whatever the conditions and whatever type of corner.
"The ability to maintain adjustability on the throttle and in particular on the entry phase to the bends on the brakes with a rear-engined car is the key to its pace and the fact that it did this with aplomb speaks very highly of the system. And coupled with the fact that at the end of the day Steve was giving hotlap rides to all the staff and was the last to leave the track and simply removed his helmet, pressed one button on the selector to change the damper settings then headed back out onto the public road for a gentle cruise home speaks volumes for the capability of the system."
David Hornsey
Racer, Coach, Author.
"We have been working with Steve and TracTive Suspension UK since 2021 and have helped to develop their dampers using various Porsche track and race cars that we run. Since switching their car’s suspension systems to TracTive, all of our drivers and customers have seen large improvements in the performance and handling of their cars and an increased ability to be competitive whilst on track.
"Steve is both extremely professional and passionate, hence why we value our partnership with both him and TracTive UK so strongly and the prosperous future that we have ahead of us."
SW Engineering
TracTive Motorsport Reseller.
"It was a pleasure working with TracTive to develop the semi active suspension for the new MST Mk1.
"The suspension has transformed the car in terms of ride quality and improved handling on a wide range of surfaces from bumpy Welsh roads to full on race track driving."