Blau Rain - Blue Ridge Region, Porsche Club of America

Officers & Board of Directors
President
Gary Templeton
[email protected]
Vice President
Dan DeHart
[email protected]
Secretary
Mick Michelsen
[email protected]
Treasurer
Eddie Fort
[email protected]
Web Master
Dave Hogan
[email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Jerry Hampton
[email protected]
Business & Risk Manager
Marc Wilson
[email protected]
Historian
Your Name Here
[email protected]
Safety
Pete Kauffman
[email protected]
Membership
Pete Kauffman
[email protected]
Chief Instructor
Dave Snow
[email protected]
Database Administrator
Dick Hatch
[email protected]
Driver Education
John Kuykendall
[email protected]
Past President
Jerry Hampton
[email protected]
Social
Gary Bell
[email protected]
Past Past President
Ed Clowser
[email protected]
Address Changes: Dick Hatch [email protected]
Zone 2 Rep: Tom Zaffarano [email protected]
NPCA Membership: Tom Gorsuch [email protected]
Inside This Blau Rain
Greetings/About Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Charities 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 2
Chateau Morrisette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Mabry Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
3
Cars ‘N Coffee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Survivor Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Tech Session . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .
5
Oktoberfest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
Christmas Dinner & Charity Auction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
PCA Parade 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Racing Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 7
Le Mans 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
DE & Club Race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
On The Road with Blue Ridge Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2011 Year in review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Finish Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
About the People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Photo Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Advertisers Index
Precision Motion Motorsports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Cover
PD&M Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Sportscar Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
West Salem Collision Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Euro Specialty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Greetings
About Us
Welcome to the second annual Special
(printed) Edition of Blau Rain , the official
monthly newsletter of the Blue Ridge Region,
Porsche Club of America. All our monthly
newsletters can also be read on our Region’s
website at www.brr-pca.org. This Special
Edition celebrates the many & varied
activities which our club and its members
participated in throughout the 2011 calendar
year, which also happened to be the 31st
anniversary of the founding of the Blue Ridge
Region in 1980! To find out a little bit more
about the BRR & PCA check out the About
Us section (right). We hope you enjoy the
description of the events depicted in this
special printed edition of Blau Rain and will
consider joining us for similar informative
and fun-filled activities in 2012! Visit our
Region website for a schedule of upcoming
attractions – visitors are always welcome!!
For the Blue Ridge Region,
The Blue Ridge Region of the Porsche Club
of America (BRR-PCA) was chartered in 1980
and is now one of 139 PCA Regions across
the country. We have about 165 members;
only about 0.3 percent of the 60,000+ PCA
members nationwide. Our geographical
center is around Roanoke, but our area
extends south to the North Carolina line,
into West Virginia, east to Lynchburg,
and north to the Shenandoah Region of
PCA around Staunton and Waynesboro.
All our members own Porsches, of course,
but we participate in the Club because
we like to drive them, keep them up, learn
about them, talk about them, and promote
them. In other words, about the only other
people who can stand to be around us for
very long are other Porsche owners who feel
the same way. Actually, it's not all about
the cars; we seem to do as much eating and
socializing as we do driving and talking cars.
Popular annual events include our January
planning brunch, cruise and dine, driver
education (DE), Cars ‘N Coffee, and our
Christmas Banquet and Charity Auction.
We schedule at least one event per month.
Jerry Hampton, 2010 President
Gary Templeton, 2011 President
The Way We Were
January 2012
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Page 1
Our club is a charitable
organization. Each year we
have a Christmas auction
with proceeds going to
charities we select from our
the region. For 2011 we
donated $750 to each of four
charities across our region.
One charity is chosen from
a different area in Blue
Ridge Region. Additionally
we donate to other charities
during the year as voted by
2011 was a fun year in Blue
Ridge region. Socials, Cars ‘N
Coffee, and track events gave
some activity for everyone.
And many participated in all
three event types. We do have
January 2012
Charities 2011
the board.
Thank you for your support.
The generosity of our members
allows us to give back some
of our blessings. Some
members may have used
one of our charities,
some may use one in the
future. Our donations
allow the charities to
help others during these
tough economic times.
Photo: Dave Hogan
Notes 2011
something for everyone! In
2012 the fun continues. A
driver education event at VIR
is planned for March. Our
annual planning session is
early January. Cars ‘N Coffee
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continues each month.
Recently some members had
to leave us. They are part of
us and in our hearts. They
will not be forgotten.
Page 2
Social Events 2011
Chateau Morrisette
Eating out is a regular
occurrence at many Blue
Ridge
Region
events.
Chateau
Morrisette
has
proven to be popular with
members. There are winery
tours to see wine being made.
Along with good food there
is ample space to eat outside
and enjoy the scenery. Then
there is the drive to and from
the winery. Situated along
the Blue Ridge Parkway the
winery drive has plenty of
curvy roads and spectacular
scenery. Good friends, good
food, and the always great
Porsches we drive make the
trip to Chateau Morrisette a
winner. Join us and find out.
As stated above, eating out is
a regular occurrence at many
Blue Ridge Region events. A
new location for 2011 was
Mabry Mill. The restaurant
is large and well staffed. The
desserts are remarkable too.
Also situated along the Blue
Ridge Parkway the drive has
plenty of curvy roads and
spectacular scenery. After
eating, or whenever you
like, you can enjoy walking
the grounds and shopping.
The drive and eat events are
very popular with Blue Ridge
Region members but there
are different events as well,
though many also involve food.
January 2012
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Photos: Gary Templeton
Photos: Marc Wilson
Page 3
One of our
popular events
is the monthly
gathering
called
Cars
‘N
Coffee.
This informal
gathering
of
Blue
Ridge
R e g i o n
members,
P o r s c h e
owners,
and
guests is a good
opportunity
to drive our
Porsches and
enjoy
good
company.
Cars ‘N Coffee
Photo: Dave Hogan
Survivor Games
Survivor games pits the skills of members
against each other. Participants try to best
their opponents in a series of challenges with
the best overall score declared the winner. As
the photographs show there are a variety of
physical skills required. Mental planning is
also required. While the different challenges
are fun, there are competition and bragging
rights too. If you are not into participating,
there are spectator areas for cheering for your
favorite competitor. So whether you favor
heated competition or cooling beverage, there
is something for everyone. And a neighborhood filled with Porsches is an eye grabber too. Photos: Rosie Hampton
January 2012
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Page 4
Tech Session
Each year we have a tech
session and lunch and
2011 was no exception.
There is always good food
and company, and for the
technically challenged, a tech
session about maintaining
and repairing our Porsches.
As usual we met at Martin’s
German Service in Roanoke.
Keith and Wanda supplied
the location and greeter
Emma. This session saw Marc
Wilson of Sportscar Clinic in
Roanoke jointly host the tech
session along with Keith.
After the tech session we
gathered for the “desert
session.” The day was dulled
only by rain. If you want to
learn something about fixing
your Porsche, and eat great
food, this event is for you.
Photos: Dave Hogan
Oktoberfest
October means Oktoberfest.
Well, actually Oktoberfest
begins in September and
continues into early October.
Many places in the area
celebrate
Oktoberfest
so
we decided to
enjoy the
events
at
Wintergreen
Resort. With plenty of food,
a German band, and beers
to
sample,
Wintergreen
January 2012
is one place to go. On the
flatland, skies were mostly
cloudy but temperatures
were warm and the driving
pleasant. Near the top of
the mountain we ran into
fog. And a pea soup fog
it was. Landmarks were
unrecognizable so we missed
the parking area first time by.
Soon we turned around and
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located our turn into the
parking lot. If that sign
had been lighted maybe
we would have seen it the
first time. Fortunately the
music, food, and beer was
inside a large covered area.
We left the fog outside and
enjoyed our stay inside.
Photos: Dave Hogan
Page 5
Christmas Dinner & Charity Auction
What a great way to start the
Holidays! Good friends, good
food,
and
a
beautiful
setting!
Our
annual
Christmas
Dinner
and
Charity Auction was held
at Roanoke Country Club.
Wanda and Keith Martin
did a great job planning and
setting up the night for us.
Thank you Wanda and Keith.
We were pleased to welcome
lots of new folks as well as greet
old friends and neighbors.
I’d like to thank everyone
who brought in an item
for our auction, as well as
those who purchased the
fine merchandise available.
Thanks to Jeff Wendell,
who did a great job as our
auctioneer
again.
We
had quite the range of
items. Our efforts together
raised close to $3000, which
will be split among four local
charities. We will make
contributions
to
a
Roanoke
area
charity,
a
Smith
Mountain
Lake
area
charity,
a
Blacksburg
area
January 2012
charity, and a Lynchburg
area
charity.
Thank
you to all for your help in
reaching out to support our
communities in this way.
This coming year we plan
to have lots of events and
activities for everyone to
participate in. We’ll start the
year with a planning brunch
on January 8th, at (Keith)
Martin’s German Service, at
3704 Brambleton Avenue,
Roanoke,
VA.
Please
plan
to
come
and
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bring a dish to share,
and 2 to 3 ideas of
things we can do as a club in
2012.
We’ll
come
up
with
a
list
of
things
to put onto our calendar.
Thank you to our sponsors
and
supporters.
May
2012
bring
peace
and
prosperity to each of you.
Please accept our best
wishes for a Merry Christmas,
Happy Holidays.
Photos: Dave Hogan
Page 6
Porsche Club of America, Parade 2011
Each year PCA holds its
signature event, Parade. The
location changes each year
(Salt Lake City, UT in 2012)
making the locations as varied
as the cars. From Savannah,
GA are pictures from the
2011 parade showing some
cars and some scenery. One
lucky PCA member won a
restored
911.
Not
just
any restored 911 but one
restored in the Porsche
shop in Germany. The car
should be better than new.
The
week-long
parade
includes
a
concours,
competitive events, scenic
drives, and an autocross and
driver education event. There
is something for everyone
and you don’t have to stay all
week or compete in any event.
Just enjoy the area, people,
and cars. Whatever you
prefer Parade is the premier
PCA event of the year.
(Above L): Parade attendees
wave at the camera from
their restored 356. From old
to new Parade has them all
Photo: Gary Templeton
(Above R): The unveiling of
the restored 911. The raffle
winner was present to accept
the prized 911.
Photo: Jerry Hampton
(Right): A house in Savannah
with Rosie and a Porsche
following seen in the Cayenne
mirror. Parade has a lot of
non Porsche things to do.
Photo: Rosie Hampton
Each year our members
attend a variety of races,
some close and some distant.
Locally we have Virginia
January 2012
Racing Events
International
Raceway
(VIR) which had a Rolex
series
and
Continental
Tire series in 2011. Other
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events of member interest are
Daytona and Sebring Florida.
The 24 Hours at Daytona
begins the Grand Am season.
Page 7
Above: Laura from Blue Ridge Region works
the registration table with Ruben Ledesma,
PCA vice president.
Above Right: Some of the many Porsches in
the corral.
Right: Inside our tent, Hurley Haywood posed
for a picture. Thank you to the Brumos and
TRG teams for coming to talk to us.
Photos: Dave Hogan
24 hours of Le Mans 2011
Watching the 24 hours of
Le Mans live from France
gathered several Blue Ridge
Region members. Of course
it was not all race watching,
there were outdoor activities
too. At Pete’s house on Smith
Mountain Lake, members
were able to watch racing in
comfort and enjoy boating on
January 2012
the lake. And, as seen in
the picture below, there
was some potato cannon
fun too. No potatoes were
insured in making this
event fun, though a few
enjoyed long distance travel.
Below Left: The ladies enjoy
socializing inside.
Below Right: Gary holds the
infamous ‘tater’ cannon.
Photos: Jerry Hampton
While Porsches didn’t do as
well as we had hoped, the race
was interesting.
So many car
makes
were
represented
it was hard to
think of makes
not
there.
Maybe 2012 will
be
Porsche’s
return
to
the
winners’
p o d i u m .
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Page 8
Driver Education and Club Race
Driver Education is a popular
event with Blue Ridge Region
Members. Driver Education
gives members an opportunity
to experience near race
conditions on the same tracks
used by professional drivers
in the world’s top race series.
Close to home for many
Blue Ridge Region members,
Virginia
International
Raceway is scheduled by
several east coast PCA
regions as well as Zone 2.
just for drivers. There are volunteer
positions which have to be filled
too. Driver Education is also an
excellent photography opportunity.
Of course the cars, not just
Porsches, are always interesting.
But Driver Education is not
So whether you like to drive on the
track, help with the logestics, or
just be a spectator Driver Education
is an interesting and fun event.
The connections made at a Driver
Education event also aid endevors
off the track.
Come to a Driver
Education event near you and see
for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
Top Left: A 911 at VIR
Photo: Jerry Hampton
Top Right: Sherry accelerates out of the turn.
Bottom Left: Ed puts his 944 through the
paces.
January 2012
Above: Charlie heads out to take some laps
in the Cobra.
Photos: Dave Hogan
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Page 9
On The Road With Blue Ridge Region
Our events aren’t about just
Porsches. Below is a view you
may see at one of our events.
Like the one on page 5,
Oktoberfest. Above is from our
Survivor Games. The upper
right has Blue Ridge region
members enjoying a Driver
Education event at Virginia
International Raceway. Middle
right has members at our
first Cars ‘N Coffee. Even the
business signs welcomed us.
Above: Cars line up for their turn on the track at VIR.
Left: On the road with Cathy as she heads for our next event.
Below: Members gather before the Cars ‘N Coffee in Vinton.
Photos: Left Rosie Hampton
Above & Below: Dave Hogan
So whatever your desired
Porsche
experience,
we
have one for you. Won’t
you join us in 2012?
Left: Outside Chateau
Morrisette
Photo: Gary Templeton
Right: Porsche Corral tent
at VIR
Photo: Dave Hogan
January 2012
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Page 10
The Best of 2011 - The Year in Review
Continuing from past years I have selected the “Best Of” awards for 2011. Some are
humorous and some are serious, but all are our people having fun. If you see yourself here,
congratulations (I think). If not, just wait. I have my camera ready and so do others.
Best Leader
Best Expression
Charter
member,
Dick, Ed wins here with his beer
has lead our group and hat. I can’t decide if it’s
is still active at his young funny or serious. Can you?
age. Thanks, Dick, for your
support
and
company.
Best Vanity Plate
Looking for ideas? There
are websites with examples.
Some will debate if this one
is true.
Best Race Fan
Usually
Dick
wins
for
sleeping at the track. This
year he shows there is life
after 70. Apparently the ole
chick magnet still works!
Best Spectator
Event
Zone 2 Porsche Corral at
VIR. Take a Rolex Grand
Am race and a huge Porsche
Corral
then
add
fans.
Best Overhead
View
When aliens, or birds, look
down to see where they are....
So is this a sign for aliens or
target for birds? Only time will
tell but he comes in peace.
Best “Cool” Look
This looks like a real race
car driver to me. Would you
sign my program, please?
Best Race Team
Stepping back from DP to
GT, Brumos won the GT
title extending its racing
heritage
and
history.
January 2012
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Page 11
Best Old Porsche
My Best Picture
Jerry’s 3-leged 911 sits in
the Porsche Corral at VIR. A
victim of a lame right front
leg, the old girl made it slowly
back
home.
Fortunately
Jerry didn’t have to put
her down, a rebuilt caliper
made her good as new.
You’ve seen this one several
times but it’s my best picture
in my six years as editor.
Best Spoiler
Best Lug Nut
You’ve wanted to get extra
down force on your track car?
here’s one persons solution.
Unfortunately
it
didn’t
have much staying power
and fell off on the track.
Best PCA Region
In my
A great
opinion anyway.
group of people.
I’ve heard of chrome lug nut
caps, but this idea isn’t going
to work. Sockets are just too
heavy to be used this way.
January 2012
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Page 12
Finish Line
It was a fun and exciting year Thank you to each person
in Blue Ridge Region. Our club and
each
organization,
exists because of its people. contributors
to
our
success in 2011. Without
Dedicated volunteers make you we are not a club.
it possible. Our sponsors,
advertisers, and supporters Here’s to 2012. May it be as
contribute both money and grand as 2011. Blue Ridge
time to make us successful. Region hopes to see each of
Please remember to support you at a meeting and an event.
those who support us.
Lastly, Porsche Club of
America with its organization
and support make Parade,
Escape, DEs, and many other
events possible. Whether
your participation in PCA
goes from Panorama reader
to attending all our events, a
large team and many hours go
into planning and execution.
West Salem Collision Center
CORRECTLY
327 S. College Ave. • Salem, VA • 540-389-9321
January 2012
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Page 13
What It’s About,
The People!
Above,
Blue
Ridge Region
members pose
for a group
picture.
Photo:
Gary
Templeton
Right,
Our
Porsches, and
other makes,
parked across
from
Blue
Dahlia.
Photo:
Hogan
Dave
January 2012
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Page 14
Cover, Dave Hogan
Article Credits:
Page 1, Unknown
Page 2, Charities & below, articles & Photo, Dave Hogan
Page 3, Articles Dave Hogan
Page 4, Articles Dave Hogan
Page 5 Articles Dave Hogan
Page 6, Article Gary Templeton
Dave Hogan
Page 7 Articles Dave Hogan
Page 8 Articles Dave Hogan
Page 9 Articles Dave Hogan
Page 10 Articles Dave Hogan
Page 11, Articles Dave Hogan
Page 12 Articles Dave Hogan
Photo: Jerry Hampton
Page 13 Articles Dave Hogan
Rear Cover, Dave Hogan
January 2012
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Page 15
Blau Rain*
BLUE RIDGE REGION
PORSCHE CLUB OF AMERICA
Blau Rain is the official monthly newsletter of the Blue Ridge Region, Porsche Club
of America; available only by subscription to BRR members as a portion of the
annual PCA dues. For subscriptions for non-BRR PCA members, contact the Editor.
Material in Blau Rain is copyright. Permission is granted to reproduce published material, provided
full credit is given to Blau Rain. Blau Rain assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed
articles, services, or merchandise advertised herein. Statements appearing in Blau Rain are those
of the author and are not necessarily consistent with the views of the Board, Blau Rain, BRR, or PCA.
Annual Commercial Ad Rates: 1/3 page - $120; 1/2 page - $180; full page or inside back
cover - $350; inside front - $400. Contact Marc Wilson - e-mail to [email protected].
Communications regarding articles, photos, and other material for Blau Rain should be sent
to the Editor. Deadline: the 20th of the month preceding publication.
Editor: Jerry Hampton
264 Rainbow Forest Drive
Lynchburg, VA
[email protected]
Clip art from PCA.
Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at Famous Anthony’s,
3737 Challenger Avenue, Roanoke, VA, and are open to the general membership. Please join us.
*Blau Rain is a 17th century German translation meaning Blue Ridge.
Articles & Pictures in this issue are by the Editor unless otherwise specified.