Left or Right? | 911 Stories

I’ve had a passion for Porsche for as long as I can remember.?My first Porsche was a 944 Turbo back in 2009 which was quickly replaced with a 993 Targa (the one I should have hung onto) which was then replaced with a Speed Yellow 996 C4S (still trying to buy it back) and then a 996 C4S in Guards Red.?Each was special but were nothing compares to my current 2016 991.2 Carrera which I bought with the help of Sana at Porsche Preston in March 2022.?

Nothing compares to my current 2016 991.2 Carrera which I bought with the help of Sana at Porsche Preston. - Richard Clark

Everyone I speak seems to think that the Carrera S is the one to have but I have to ask why.? Mine is the last of the narrow bodied 911's with a sports exhaust, sunroof and sports exhaust.?I think its a bit of a unicorn specification and have to congratulate the person who did the original specification - they got it spot on. Particularly the Tequipment Sport Design Kit which includes the small ducktail spoiler normally reserved for the GTS at the time.?

Having got to know the car on a number of road trips to Scotland I knew I made the right choice.?It’s the perfect size, sounds great, and the power is just what is needed for the Scottish roads - with the roof open on a crisp?morning, I couldn't ask for anything more.?The balance and engineering are just perfectly in proportion.?I am still to do a track day, but had the chance for a very special adventure in July this year...

It's a roadtrip and adventure car.?I set up an Instagram account @the911adventure and have been documenting its many travels including the trip to Le Mans in 2022 for which I added the Martini decals which have remained on it ever since and provide a great talking point and its certainly attracts attention.??

Attending all these events means camping, so what do you do??When Porsche announced the launch of their new Tequipment Roof Tent, I was straight on the phone to Sana who secured one for me. The tent has been the base for many nights at many events this year, in fact if you look at my instagram page you will wonder when i have actually been at home.??

To many, it's mad. To me, it makes a huge difference and means new adventures.?This year the one that will stay with me forever was?Goodwood Festival of Speed and whilst for many the cancellation of the event on the Saturday was a huge disappointed it accidently provided me with a chance to secure the unofficial title of the fastest roof tent up the Goodwood Hill!?I had left my car in the Supercar parking area on the Friday night so had to retrieve it on the Saturday morning.? After negotiating numerous security guards I went back to my car and then realised that the only way to drive it out was via the hill climb track.

?So on approaching the track, I had a choice; Right to the exit or Left and drive the hill, under the Start Gantry, past the Flint Wall and up to the Finish Line Gantry.?What would you do?

Turn Left, accelerate and hope no one steps out and asks "what are you doing?" - no one did!?

Under the start line

Past the Empty Grandstands

Accelerate towards the Flint Wall

Brake sharply, right, left (hats off to the drivers as it really narrows at this point)

Through the trees up to the Finish line

Then realising that I had probably just done something that I?would never do again!

What an opportunity never to be repeated.?Filmed on the way up and then taking the chance to take souvenir pictures on the way back down towards the exit that perhaps if I was driving my daily company car I would have seen much sooner as I probably would have turned right.?But with a 911, it was always going to be the left turn and a never to be repeated adventure.? I think that means I can claim the prize of the fastest roof tent up the Goodwood Hill.?I just need to speak to the Duke of Richmond and collect the trophy now I guess.

Story and photographs courtesy of Richard Clark (Instagram: @the911adventure)