official newsletter finger lakes region porsche club of america

SUMMER, 2014
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
FINGER LAKES REGION
PORSCHE CLUB OF AMERICA
Summer, 2014
On The Cover
President’s Message
¡A Toda Velocidad!
A One Owner 912
Calendar of Events 2014
Finger Lakes Region Meetup at NYWCC
Taking Care of Liebchen
Finger Lakes Region Car Show & Meetup
A Brace of Porsches at the Clash
Membership
The Exchange
Finger Lakes Region Officers and Chairs
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5
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15
24
25
25
On The Cover: 1967 Porsche 912, owned since new by Robert G. Handzo.
Photo credit: Luis Martinez.
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The Frontrunner is a publication of the Finger Lakes Region of the Porsche Club of America. All rights are reserved.
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Editor/Designer: Karen Schwartzman ([email protected])
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FRONTRUNNER PG. 2
Finger Lakes Reflections
The 2014 FLK Region Porsche driving season is well under way. The May Meetup at the NYS
Wine & Culinary Center in Canandaigua was one of the best attended with 24 PCA’ers, mostly
from our region. I was able to distribute name tags to several members who have not been able
to make it to our Meetups or tours during the past year including Dom Pullano who is one of
our founding members in 1995. The June Meetup at Top of the Lake in Penn Yan (formerly
Sarrasin’s) on Wed., June 25th was not as well attended due in part to the overcast and
rain/drizzly conditions that permeated throughout western NYS that afternoon. Nevertheless,
the seven of us enjoyed a fine meal at Top of the Lake including Marco Hickey, an enthusiastic
new member (2013) from Corning.
The FLK Region 2014 Car Show & Meetup was held at Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State
Park in Canandaigua on a sunny and mild afternoon in mid-June. Our show was held in
conjunction with Sonnenberg’s Annual Father’s Day Car Cruise. The 19 Porsches from the FLK &
Niagara Regions were (by observation) the most numerous of any marque at the show.
Founding member John Malvaso won a narrow two vote victory in the 356/914 Class with his
1964 356C coupe over Hank Kramer’s 1963 356 S90 Cabriolet. However, Hank’s Cab came away
with the Best of Show trophy. There was also a pair of beautiful 912’s belonging to Bob Handzo
and Bill Badger.
The FLK Region Summer Tour was held on a sunny and warm Saturday afternoon on July 12 th
featuring a rural tour designed by Tour Meister Art Salo. A line of 12 Porsches left the CMAC
parking lot shortly after 1 PM for a scenic drive past rural farms and wood lots followed be a
leisurely tour along the west side of Keuka Lake. The tour continued through Hammondsport,
over winding roads that led us pass the Watkins Glen race track and stopped for a rest break at
Havana Glen just south of Montour Falls. The last hour of the tour featured rural villages (wide
spots on the road) in glacially carved valleys followed by a drive over the 1853 Newfield covered
bridge and then a redux of last year’s Summer Tour with the winding ascent up Route 327. A
long descent down State Route 79 and a jog over to Route 96 brought us to Ithaca where the
tour concluded with dinner at the BoatYard Grill. Many thanks to Art Salo who designed and led
(with Kent Macafee) this year’s tour, and to Anne Schneiderman for coordinating the event with
the BoatYard Grill.
At the end of July (Wed., July 30th), Sue and I will again be hosting a Meetup at our home
located at 3495 Lakeview Lane, Canandaigua, NY. We will be providing grilled meats and cold
beverages. There will be an update email regarding the July Meetup requesting an RSVP. I hope
to see many of you at the July Meetup.
David Schwaner
President
FRONTRUNNER PG. 3
Sue Miller models new name tag.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 4
Name tags are
available for all
members of
Finger Lakes PCA.
Contact
David Schwaner or
Mike Hortiatis.
¡A Toda Velocidad!*
Luis A. Martínez
What a great summer this is turning out to be! The weather has been terrific, and our cars a joy
to drive in the Finger Lakes.
Maybe that’s why we’re seeing a significant increase in the participation of our members in our
Finger Lakes Region events. If you haven’t attended one of them, it’s time! There is a large
variety of dates, times and venues from which to select (see our Calendar), and oftentimes
we’re seeing members of other regions joining us as well, so a good time can be had by all.
In this Summer edition, we have already captured several events, and we are bringing them to
you mostly via photos. In the age of social media, visuals are paramount, and we aim to please.
But wait, there is more! If you have taken photos of our Region cars and members, please email
them to me with a brief caption about who/what/when, and we’ll be happy to include them in
our next edition.
So please take and submit your own photos and notes and even articles about your activities
and fun as Porsche owners. Let’s enjoy our Club right here in a region that others can only
dream about – beautiful lakes, adjoining roads and villages, wineries, historic sites and a world
renowned sports car racing track. Enjoy our paradise!
*At Maximum Speed!
Dateline - August 1, 2009:
Alison says,
“Papi, my wedding is in 10 minutes. Can you get me to church on time?”
“Don’t worry, Peaches,” I said. “I have a plan…”
FRONTRUNNER PG. 5
A One Owner 912 by Bob Handzo (photos: Luis Martinez)
1967 Porsche 912 and family - Judith Kelley (Handzo), daughter Gillian and Bob
We bought the 912 from Holbert's Garage in Warrington, PA in April, 1967 then joined the
Northern NJ Region in 1971 after learning that prizes were awarded for "washing your car!"
Little did we know that we would become sucked into Concours events. We attended a
number of parades while we were NNJR members and participated in driver education, rally,
Concours, tech sessions and social events while serving on the Board of Governors in various
positions. We introduced NNJR to the "PX," a retail club outlet for our wholesale car care
cleaning products company - 912 ENTERPRISES. Our goal has always been originality and
preservation, keeping the car as we bought it. We purchased a 1967 Aga Blue soft window
Targa in 1985, drove it for fun and driver ed events, hoping to restore it to its original condition
when we had time. We ran out of time and inspiration and sold it to a collector in California in
2012 who has promised that a Manhattan trophy would be in its future. Both cars were
featured on the cover of EXCELLENCE magazine, February 1988. Being members of PCA for
43 years has brought us new friends, new places, lots of Porsche knowledge and we hope to
continue this with Finger Lakes Region.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 6
A One Owner 912 (continued)
Robert Handzo and his all original, one owner 1967 Porsche 912
Beautifully maintained
and turned out
engine bay of '67 912
FRONTRUNNER PG. 7
UP NEXT….
FINGER LAKES
REGION PCA
Porsche Club of America
Finger Lakes Region
July 30, 2014
Finger Lakes Region
Meetup at Schwaner’s
home, Canandaigua Lake
CALENDAR 2014
“Let’s be on the water…”
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January 11
Jan. 25-26
March 1
March 15
March 14-16
April 27
April 19
May
May 26-27
May 28
May 30 -June 2
June 15
June 6-8
June 18-19
June 15-21
June 25
June 26-29
July 4-6
July 12
July 30
August 23-24
August 27
September
Sept. 24
October 6-7
October 12
October
November
FRONTRUNNER PG. 8
Finger Lakes Region Annual Planning Meeting, Inn on the Lake
Rolex 24 at Daytona, FL
Tech Tactics East, Porsche Factory Technical Facility, Easton, PA
12 Hours of Sebring, FL
Zone 1 President’s Meeting in Latham, NY
Finger Lakes Region Spring Run to the Glen, Watkins Glen Opener
Central PA Porsche-Only Swap Meet, Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Zone 1 Rally & Concours
Driver’s Ed, Niagara Region, Watkins Glen
Finger Lakes Region Meet Up, NY Wine and Culinary Center
Porsche Clash, Watkins Glen, Zone 1 Club Race
Finger Lakes Region Meet Up and Car Show, Sonnenberg Gardens
Zone 1 48 Hours Driver’s Education at The Glen
Advanced Driver’s Education, Niagara Region, Watkins Glen, NY
PCA Parade, Monterey, CA
Finger Lakes Region Meet Up, Top of the Lake
Sahlen’s 6 Hours at the Glen, professional racing
SCCA Glen Double Nationals at Watkins Glen
Finger Lakes Region Summer Run, Boat Yard Grill, Ithaca
Finger Lakes Region Meet Up, Schwaners’ home, Canandaigua Lake
Zone 1 Autocross, TBD
Finger Lakes Region Meet Up, North Shore Grill
U.S. Vintage Grand Prix Festival, Watkins Glen, NY
Finger Lakes Region Meet Up, Crow’s Nest
Driver’s Ed, Niagara Region, Watkins Glen
Finger Lakes Region Fall Run and Dinner, Bristol Harbour
PCA Escape 2014
Zone 1 President’s Meeting in Latham, NY
Finger Lakes Region Meetup at NYWCC
(photos: Luis Martinez)
This was our first monthly Meetup, on the last Wednesday of the month, May 28th. We held it
at the world class New York Wine & Culinary Center on South Main St. in Canandaigua at 6 PM.
We enjoyed an excellent turnout of members, great food and great wine!
From left: Michele Hortiatis, Christine Accorso Corliss,
Mike Corliss, Sharon Martinez, Mike Hortiatis.
From left: Shirlee Mattle, Julie Salo, James Romano, Art Salo & Bill Mattle.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 9
Finger Lakes Region Meetup at NYWCC (continued)
The Finger Lakes members moved outdoors for our dinner.
It was just a bit chilly for late May, but the gas lamps helped.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 10
Taking Care of Liebchen (photos and article by Art Salo)
with classical music playing on the radio. It
was not anything like driving a Riviera, nor
was it like anything I had ever driven before.
As I drove, I was just amazed and
overwhelmed that anyone had made a car
that drove felt or handled like that. I, of
course bought it and as I drove away the
pediatrician’s wife called out “take good
care of Liebchen,” and indeed I did!
I bought my first Porsche (a 1967 912) in
1969 and also, that year, I visited the
Porsche factory in Stuttgart. I was twenty
five, at the time, and had my first real job at
Xerox Corporation, so I started looking for a
Buick Riviera to replace a 1965 Chevy that I
owned. My older brother owned a 1963
Riviera and a guy at Xerox had a 1965
Riviera and I really wanted one like the ones
they had. I saw an ad in the Democrat and
Chronicle for a 1967 Porsche with less than
30,000 miles for $3500. Kind of expensive at
the time, so I figured it must be a very nice
car. I asked my housemate if he knew
anything about Porsches and he said that
his uncle had a Porsche 356 and it was a
great car. So I drove to look at it
The car was in the driveway of a small
house on Lattimore Road. It belonged to a
young pediatrician and his wife. They had
bought it at the factory and referred to it as
“little liebchen” (little dear one), but, sadly,
now needed a station wagon because their
family was expanding. I vividly recall that
first drive down West Henrietta Road, then
west on Jefferson and, finally, driving back
up River Road passing through some curves
FRONTRUNNER PG. 11
I sold it, years later, after I bought my 1980
911 Targa. I had always wanted a
convertible and a six cylinder and while a
Targa is not quite a convertible, the top
does come off, and, unlike the 912, the 911
has that wonderful air-cooled flat six
cylinder engine. Also, the 912, while the
body was in very good condition, needed an
engine rebuild and a bit of other work. The
friend who bought the 912 joined the Finger
Lakes PCA and the car is now restored, so I
see it occasionally. Actually, I wish I had
kept it, but the friend that I sold it to loves it
as much as I did, so now he is “taking good
care of Liebchen.”
“Little Liebchen’s” new owner Bill Badger shares a
photo from its new home above Honeoye Lake.
18th ANNUAL FINGER LAKES REGION CAR SHOW AND MEETUP
By David C. Schwaner (photos: Luis Martinez)
Best turnout for our car show in many years.
It was indeed a gorgeous, warm and sunny afternoon at Sonnenberg on Father’s Day, in spite of
the cold and rain we had all been experiencing of late.
The 18th Annual Finger Lakes Region Car Show and Meetup was held in conjunction with
Sonnenberg’s Car Cruise, a show within a show. Both shows were “People’s Choice.” All the
Porsches were eligible for voting in the Sonnenberg Car Cruise as well as the Porsche only show.
We had awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place for each class and Best of Show. In addition to viewing
the Porsches, Corvettes and other Car Cruise entrants, spectators also toured Sonnenberg’s
gardens, greenhouses and the 40 room mansion. Sonnenberg also provided music, displays and
food vendors.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 12
18th Annual FINGER LAKES REGION CAR SHOW AND MEETUP (continued)
We appreciate the larger turnout of Porsches this year, in conjunction with our friends in the
Niagara Region. Contestants were divided into six categories, and the winners were as follows:
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Porsche 356/914:
Porsche 911/912 up to 1989:
Porsche 911 1999 & up:
Porsche 924/944/968/928:
Boxster & Cayman:
Cayenne:
Best of Show:
1964 356C Coupe (John Malvaso)
1967 912 (Bob Handzo)
2010 Carrera Turbo ( Eduardo Torrado)
1984 944 (Neil Freson)
2011 Boxster Spyder (Brad Herman)
2013 Cayenne (Audrey Schmidt)
1963 356 Cabriolet (Hank Kramer)
We will likely meet again next year at this same picturesque and convenient venue, which is
where our Club met for our first car show, 18 years ago.
Beautiful Cabriolet and coupes at the Show.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 13
18th Annual FINGER LAKES REGION CAR SHOW AND MEETUP (continued)
Joanne Chada and Sue Miller
staff the Registration Table.
Magnificent setting and
spectacular weather for a
Porsche Show.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 14
18th Annual FINGER LAKES REGION CAR SHOW AND MEETUP (continued)
FRONTRUNNER PG. 15
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH
article and photos by Luis A. Martinez
“The sound and the fury of Porsches in anger – it stirs my soul.” LAM
The annual Porsche Clash at Watkins Glen this year took place under Chamber of
Commerce weather. For three days, Friday, May 30, Saturday and Sunday, June 1 st
and 2nd, we watched 280 cars, all Porsches, racing wheel to wheel, demonstrating a
virulent need for speed and affording all participants a spectacular show of skill at the
red line. Mind you, there are no trophies nor cash awards for the winners. This is strictly
an amateur series. But you’d never know these are “amateurs” judging by the talent and
hardware they bring to the track.
I participated this year in two ways. One, I was once again the Pace Car Driver, for my
fifth consecutive year. From my vantage point, I get to participate in every single race,
and in all four run groups every day. Actually, that’s a lot of track time at the wheel of
the 2004 GT3 donated for this purpose (thanks again, Botho Von Bose!).
The 14 car and the 17 car, under the watchful eye of Pit Boss Brad Martinez.
These are both Carrera Cup racers. The X within the circle on the rear bumper of
the 17 car means it's a Rookie Driver.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 16
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
The other way I participated, if a bit more vicariously, was through my son,
Bradley, who was chosen by two drivers in similar cars to be their Crew
Chief. His is professional work, mind you, so he gets paid to deploy his
many years of racing car building experience. Brad did a lot of work on the
14 car, a 2007 Carrera Cup racer from Ohio. Brad rebuilt the transmission
with different gears sets, installing a short shift racing shifter, upgrading all
brake calipers and rotors, installing an aluminum flywheel and racing clutch,
fabricating an external clutch bleed line, installing a cool suit kit for the
driver, a new racing seat and many other race prep details. He also did a
lot of set up work on the 14 car, another Carrera Cup racer of 2004 vintage.
Top shelf hardware takes up all the garage spaces at the Glen for The Clash.
For Brad, who had been working on the 14 car in my garage since winter,
Friday proved to be frantically busy, as the 14 car had to do practice laps
with all the new equipment Brad had installed, and the 17 car was testing
and tuning as well. So Brad was listening to the feedback from the drivers
and making all the necessary adjustments, then watching the lap times
drop steadily as both drivers grew more confident with their new equipment.
On Saturday they held sprint races, which are 15 laps for each run group.
While 15 laps may not sound like much, every driver steps out of their cars
at the end of every race with their race suits soaked in sweat. What
spectators don’t realize is that the G-forces experienced in a race car have
no parallel in any form of driving on the street, so unless you’ve done it, it’s
hard to imagine how physically draining race car driving is.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 17
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
On Sunday they held the Enduro races, which are 90 minutes in length,
and each car must make a minimum five minute pit stop; each car can
have more than one driver to finish. There is a lot of strategy necessary for
these enduros, so it’s a roll of the dice deciding when to take the pit stop.
Many technicalities apply. Suffice it to say that it’s more than just
expensive equipment that finishes first.
Well, another year of the Porsche Clash at the Glen, and this year redolent
with great camaraderie, great weather, great cars, great people and an
exquisite opportunity to work on track with my son and his clients.
Brad checks in with the driver of the 14 car, prior to a practice run.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 18
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
The beautifully liveried
17 car is ready to roll.
Brad, yours truly and Brad's Mentor, Professional Driver and Race
Engineer, Joel Reiser.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 19
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
There's something awry
in the rear suspension.
Brad calls England,
where the suspension
was made for this car.
Brad will be working full
time in Optics engineering
beginning this summer, so
he shows his understudy,
Josh, how these things roll.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 20
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
All refueling is done
outside, NEVER in the
garage, for safety.
Feedback about handling and engine performance is A-OK.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 21
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
(photo: Aaron Amrosino)
While Brad gets his clients’ cars ready, I'm in my office, ready to roll out
as the Pace Car leads the start of every race.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 22
Brad gets a
response from
England and he
makes adjustments
to the suspension,
removing
unexplainable
spacers.
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
(photo: Aaron Amrosino)
With my Director and Radio Man, Botho Von Bose, in the Pace Car.
(photo: Aaron Amrosino)
When the Race Steward waves the green flag and releases the field of racing cars,
I duck inside the pit wall, while 70 or more race cars roar by on my left at the
beginning of each race.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 23
A BRACE OF PORSCHES AT THE CLASH (continued)
Behind the Pace Car, the false grid holds as many as 70 racing cars, all of
them in their rightful qualifying position. There are millions of $$$ of cars
behind me.
The 14 car in my garage during winter (the livery would change to #14),
where Brad has a lift and can completely disassemble a race car, rebuild
engines and drive trains.
FRONTRUNNER PG. 24
FINGER LAKES REGION PORSCHE CLUB OF AMERICA
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
Welcome to our new members:
Juan Doan
Greg Leska
Mike Corliss
Paul Corter
April, 2014
April, 2014
June, 2014
June, 2014
Congratulations to:
Joseph Provvidenza-- 15th Anniversary (6/1/99)
Michael Donnelly-- 10th Anniversary (5/30/04)
Paul Doyle-- 5th Anniversary (6/8/09)
Neil Freson-- 5th Anniversary (4/27/09)
FINGER LAKES REGION
PORSCHE CLUB OF AMERICA
PROFILE
MEMBERSHIP PROFILE
Less than 3 Years
Less than 10 Years
Over 10 Years
AGE OF OUR PORSCHES
Less than 5 years
Less than 10 years
Less than 15 years
Greater than 20 years
Unknown
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
31
61
35
TOTAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS
96
NUMBER OF PORSCHES
12
23
34
41
17
%
32.3
63.5
36.5
100%
VOLUNTEER AND GET INVOLVED!
CATEGORIES OF INTEREST

Concours
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Drivers Education
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Rally
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Autocross
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Meetings
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Membership
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Writing
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Technical Events
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Social Events
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Speakers
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Tours
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Photography

Sponsorship

Tech Inspection

Trophies

Art

Web Assistance

Equipment
FRONTRUNNER PG. 25

LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT
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I like to be responsible or in charge. I’m a planner, a doer!
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I’m great when I’m given an assignment and good direction. I’m a good committee person.
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I prefer to work behind the scenes. I’m a team player.
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I have some time to give but I don’t know where I’d fit in or who to ask.
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I have limited time but want to give something back to the club
Name__________________________________________________________________________
Phone (day)_____________________________ (evening) ________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ___________________________________________________________________
Email___________________________________________________________________________
Comments:
Mail to: Mike Hortiatis, 42 Chelsea Park, Pittsford, NY 14534
The Exchange
Advertising Guidelines
Finger Lakes Region
Elected Officers and Volunteers
Publication of paid advertising in the Frontrunner
does not constitute the endorsement by this
publication or the Finger Lakes Region of the
products or services set forth therein. The
Frontrunner reserves the unqualified right to
approve for publication all advertising submitted.
President
Dave Schwaner
343 North Main Street, Suite 102
Canandaigua, NY 14424
[email protected]
The Exchange Guidelines
Vice President
Chuck Chada
2525 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14610
Deadline for submitting ads for the EXCHANGE to
the editor is no later than the 15th of each month to
appear in the next issue. Advertising Porsches or
Porsche parts or to solicit materials is free to
members in this section of the publication. Ads will
run for two months unless the editor is formally
notified. To place your want ad, send a note to the
editor containing your copy. Please limit copy to a
maximum of six lines. The editor reserves the right
to edit as needed for space. Ads can be email to:
Veloz36@rochester. rr.com.
Secretary
Audrey Schmidt
[email protected]
Treasurer
John Frank
3560 Otetiana Point
Canandaigua, NY 14424
[email protected]
Membership
Mike Hortiatis
42 Chelsea Park
Pittsford, NY 14534
[email protected]
Safety Officer
Art Salo
[email protected]
Race car for sale: 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo, full
roll cage, interior white metal, two racing seats and
harnesses. Fast and lightweight. Too many options to
mention. Turnkey racer. Many more photos available:
$11,900. Write or call Luis: 585-766-9536
[email protected]
FRONTRUNNER PG. 26
Newsletter Editor
Luis A. Martinez
P.O. Box 242
Pittsford, NY 14534
[email protected]