Ben Davoren
President
Although Punxsutawney Phil predicted winter will last into mid-March, signs of Spring abound in the Redwood Region. Naturally my mind turns to taking the Carrera out on recently washed back roads for a little exercise and I hope yours does too! We are working to have a COVID-safe tour in place for March 20th, details to be ironed out in the next week, so please check out our online calendar through redwoodpca.org for details and the opportunity to sign up. At a minimum we know we will have an Autocross weekend April 17/18 at Thunderhill. Signups should open in March; see Stacy and Drew’s report in this issue for more information.
Between now and then many of our drives may be solo or casual small groups, searching for the Holy Grail for many of us: curvy roads where driving at or below the speed limit brings great joy behind the wheel. I’d like to share one of my favorites for a weekend in Monterey County. It’s outside of our Region, but easily reachable; you might not have experienced it, so here it is.
This route starts from the Laguna Seca race track and heads south into the Paso Robles wine country. From Laguna Seca, an up-and-over 8 mile set of twisties on Laureles Grade Road (G20) will take you into Carmel Valley. Turning east on Carmel Valley Road (G16), there are about 5 miles of multi-lane traffic until Vista Verde Road when the road narrows but traffic disappears for the next 40 miles into the town of Greenfield. This is simply a spectacularly fun and interesting road with turns, rises, and descents, with beautiful mountains on both sides.
At Greenfield, a 10 mile jaunt south on Highway 101 will take you to the Jolon Road exit. Jolon Road (G14) heads south with its own meandering beauty and after 24 miles you will continue south on G14 which will become Interlake Road, between the picturesque San Antonio Reservoir and Lake Nacimiento. After 20 miles, remain on G14 which is now Nacimiento Lake Road. Another 9 miles later turn right (West) onto Chimney Rock Road. Six miles in you will be at Adelaida road and have to make your decision about what to do next based on your wine instincts. Both ahead on Chimney Rock Road and down on Adelaida all the way into Paso Robles there are scores of great wineries to visit by whichever route you choose. I have favorites; contact me if you want additional advice!
As always, Board meetings are open to all interested members on the last Tuesday of every month at 7 pm. Please see our calendar link at redwoodpca.org.
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Laguna Seca to Paso Robles Road Map |
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Paso Porsche Happiness
photo: L. Davoren
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Collin Fat
Zone 7 Representative
Gung Hay Fat Choy:
February 12th is the start of the Chinese New Year which runs until February 26th and culminates with the Harvest Festival in Asian countries. 2021 will mark the Year of the Ox.
The Ox is the second of all the 12 zodiac animals. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party. The Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox. Thus, Ox became the second animal. In Chinese culture, the Ox is a valued animal. Because of its role in agriculture, positive characteristics, such as being hardworking and honest, are attributed to it.
According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, people born in the years 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, and 2021 are born under the sign of the Ox. The cycle as you can see comes every 12 years.
Oxen are honest and earnest. They are low key and never look for praise or to be the center of attention. This often hides their talent, but they’ll gain recognition through their hard work. They believe that everyone should do what’s asked of them and stay within their bounds. Though they are kind, it’s difficult for them to understand persuasion using pathos. Rarely losing their tempers, they think logically and make great leaders.
While the world did go through a difficult 2020 with political turmoil, economic decline, social unrest and a once in 100 year global pandemic, our lives were severely altered and to most seemed like a disaster of epic proportions. The Year of the Ox promises more stability and better times with a new opportunity to make the country and work for the better.
PCA National Events Upcoming:
Your leadership team at PCA national has been very busy. Last year, national has had to deal with the consequences of COVID 19 on our club’s national events such as club racing where at least 16 events had to be cancelled in addition to Spring Treffen and Parade in Palm Springs. National hopes that their planning for Treffens, Werks Reunion, Parade and a host of other events scheduled for this year can continue as planned. Your national leadership team has been diligent in being flexible and in developing policies and procedures to enable large national events such as Parade to continue, but with a twist. Phase 1 registration for Parade 2021 opens on February 10th and Treffen Scottsdale will open on February 24th. Treffens have in the past sold out in about an hour so if you have any interest in attending, mark the opening of registration on your calendar.
The winter national staff meeting originally scheduled for February 6th in Jacksonville Florida has been cancelled due to concerns with COVID and instead will be conducted virtually. This meeting gathers all the national committee chairs, Zone Reps, Executive Council members and national headquarter staff to share plans for the year as well as to provide updates on their committee. Updates are generally provided by the chairs of Parade, Treffen, Werks Reunion, Club Racing, Policy, Audit, insurance and social media to name just a few.
Events of Interest:
1) Zone 7 Presidents Meeting, March 13
2) PCA Spring Treffen at the Marriott Scottsdale, Arizona; May 5-9; treffen.pca.org; Registration opens February 24, at 12 noon Pacific Time and sells out very quickly (like in 50 minutes)
3) Loma Prieta Region 50th (plus 1) Anniversary Gala, June 19, lprpca.org, Registration is open now
4) Porsche Parade at French Lick, Indiana, July 11-17; porscheparade.org, Registration opens February 10th
6) Monterey Historics, Porsche Corral August 14-15th
7) PCA Fall Treffen at the American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin, October 13-17; treffen.pca.org
8) PCA Spring Treffen at the BROADMOOR, Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 27-May 1, 2022
9) Sacramento Valley Region 60th Anniversary Celebration, May 7, 2022
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Autocross Dates Confirmed for 2021 Season |
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Stacy O'Connell
Autocross Co-Chair
As we start looking forward to spring, that means another autocross season is soon upon us. We are still working with our contacts who manage Sonoma Raceway for dates and we will likely have two, if not three, dates starting sometime around May. We'll update you in the der Riesenbaum and on our social channels as soon as dates firm up.
In the meantime, we have dates secured at Thunderhill Raceway for two 2-day autocrosses with our friends from SVR. Last year's October event was a huge success -- we're going to do it again!
- April 17 SVR-hosted
- April 18 Redwood-hosted
- October 16 SVR-hosted
- October 17 Redwood-hosted
From central Marin, it takes a little over 2 hours to get to Thunderhill. There are some very nice, affordable hotels minutes from the track for your Saturday night if you just want to drive up early on Saturday morning. The track is 6 acres of new pavement and we selected dates that tend to avoid the super hot weather.
Given how few venues exist in the Bay Area, think about joining us for a Thunderhill weekend or two. Drew and I can both promise you'll have a blast.
Registration for April should open in March and we'll let you know as soon as it does.
Also, pending region president's approval in their upcoming March 13 meeting, the classification rules for autocross will be updated starting in the 2021 season. LPR, SVR and Redwood will be adopting them, and it is expected that all regions will adopt them for the Zone series. The new rules are already posted on the Zone 7 site. If you plan on autocrossing this season (and we hope you do) please take a look to see how to properly classify your car or how your old classification may have changed. If you have any questions, please reach out to co-chair Drew Powers.
We look forward to seeing you out there avoiding cones with us.
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Howard Foster
New Redwood Member
This month, we catch new member Howard Foster in our headlights.
Born, raised and educated in New York, Howard came out here in 1974 to be CFO of a small biotech firm. We had a lively conversation, and I am looking forward to meeting him and his wife (high school sweethearts) in person as soon as events return!
We began with the most important question:
So what do you drive?
I drive a 2012 Boxster S in Guards Red with a 7 Speed PDK transmission.
Is this your first Porsche?
Yes, I had a Lexus that was nice, but it was just no fun, so I switched to a Miata which was more fun, but my wife felt like it was too spartan. I really wanted a convertible—red!— with more oomph, but I wanted some luxury too.
So I tested Mercedes, and BMW, and Jaguar and Audi and then I drove a Boxster and I was sold. Although I wanted a manual, it turns out I love the PDK. I really enjoy this car, and I wish I had bought one sooner.
My favorite thing about this car is the handling, especially around curves. Oh and also the acceleration. Oh and also the comfort which surprised me and my wife. Maybe that’s actually the best thing; My wife likes this car, and she feels comfortable driving it. You know the old saying, “Happy Wife—Happy Life!”
I decided to get involved with the club because when I bought my car at Hi-Tec, Greg Maissen sold me on the club as well. He talked up the awesome activities, exciting drives and the great people. I’m looking forward to making new friends who share a common interest and participating in all the events.
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My Porsche Story: '67 912 |
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Rona, my wife, was talking to one of her insurance customers when I overheard ’67 912.
Quickly, I scribbled on a scrap of paper, “Does he want to sell it?”
He responded, “Actually, I do!”
We arranged a time to meet at the car’s location. We were fortunate to have a little inside knowledge. John had owned it since 1967. The car had been insured with State Farm the entire time. It had not been in any accidents in the last 53 years. Wow! It almost felt like a barn find!
When we met with John, he gave us a little more information on the provenance of the car. He was in fact the second owner, not the first. He bought it in 1967 with 1700 miles on it. The original owner, a conscientious objector heading for Canada, had purchased it just a few months before he got drafted into the Vietnam War.
John then drove the 912 for the next 20 years as his primary driver. As his family grew, he used the car less, eventually parking it on a shelf in his San Francisco retail store. It decorated the store for 30 years before he drove it down to his daughter’s garage on the Peninsula.
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We found it crammed in this tiny, single car garage with boxes and furniture all around it. After moving a few things, we were able to open the driver’s side door and sit in it. A beautiful original Irish Green color, this beauty showed the patina of a car well used and well loved, but still in amazing shape, right down to the black and yellow original license plate.
We trailered it directly to the mechanic in San Rafael. As you can imagine after sitting for 32 years, it did need some mechanical updating. The engine and transmission were removed and reinstalled. A whole host of seal replacements and some re-builds, including replacing the original cloth wrapped fuel lines were performed.
But man, she runs beautifully now and to say she’s a kick to drive is an understatement! She cruises all the beautiful Sonoma/Marin county back roads with the speed and handling you expect from Porsche.
There really is no substitute.
Paul & Rona Stefani
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Rick Duste
Redwood Region Secretary
Our board meetings are on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm. The next board meeting is February and will be held virtually. Please visit the Redwood Website for login details.
All members are welcome to attend.
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Membership Report & Information |
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Tom Short
Membership Director
In January 2021, 41 PCA Redwood Region members marked five or more years in the club, including two members with over 50 years in our club, three with over 40 years, one with over 30 years and four others who have been members for over 20 years.
Congratulations to all of you for such long-term loyalty, and thank you to all of you who are marking anniversaries – I hope you are enjoying your membership and taking advantage of all the great benefits our club has to offer!
In January we welcomed one new member to Redwood Region PCA. You will be receiving a complimentary Redwood Region name badge shortly. Also if you’d like to order a name badge for your associate or family member, follow the instructions on how to do so on our website.
Regarding our events, the health and safety of our members and fellow car enthusiasts is of utmost importance to the Redwood Region and the broader Porsche Club of America. As a result, we have greatly reduced our regular calendar of activities due to recommended health and safety social distancing measures currently in place. We have been holding autocross events, which I’d encourage you to check out in the Spring of 2021. Watch for our emails and this newsletter for more info on upcoming events. In the meantime, check out our freshly redesigned website where you can get the latest news about what’s going on with Redwood Region members and sign up for upcoming events. Our events are a great way to meet other PCA members and have some fun with great people and our amazing cars. In the mean time, we wish you and your families and friends well during these extraordinary times. Stay healthy.
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Got something to sell? We'll post it for free. Send us details and a picture by the 5th of the month to be included.
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Got something to sell? We'll post it for free. Send us details and a picture by the 5th of the month to be included.
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Hi Tec Automotive
Marin's Highest Rated Porsche & Audi Facility Since 1985
Specializing in:
-Audi & Mini Cooper
-Porsche, new & vintage
-Factory recommended maintenance & repair
-Entire building
-Performance tuning
-Restoration & reconditioning with emphasis on authenticity
San Rafael
415 258-9619
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Porsche Marin
When you want the best selection and prices on new, used and pre-owned Porsche vehicles, Porsche Marin offers exactly what you’re looking for. 911, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and more.
Mill Valley
415 578-9101
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Autobahn Automotive
Sonoma County's premier automotive location for maintenance, servicing, auto repairs and performance upgrades for your Porsche and BMW since 2007
Santa Rosa
707 545-1958
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Dress in style and get your Redwood Region branded items in our Goodie Store. |
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Der Riesenbaum is the official newsletter of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, encompassing Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. This publication is intended to inform Club members about Club activities and other related matters of interest.
We encourage letters to the editor, feedback, questions and suggestions about our newsletter and the Redwood Region in general. Want to contribute to the newsletter?Submit photos and articles about Club events or related activities. Please submit your entry by the 5th day of the month for inclusion in that month's newsletter. Articles received after the deadline will be considered for the next month's newsletter. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all materials submitted for publication.
Want to reach an audience of Porsche enthusiasts with your marketing message? Consider advertising in der Riesenbaum. Contact the editor for more information and rates.
All written content and images in this publication are protected by copyright. Permission is granted to reprint any original content herein provided credit is given to the author, the der Riesenbaum and to the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region. The opinions expressed in der Riesenbaum are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, its officers, or its members.
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Thanks for supporting our Club!
Lisa Davoren
der Riesenbaum Editor
Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region
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