Chesapeake Region
Events Calendar/Editors Message Month December
Day 9th
Event Linda’s Legacy/Kindertime/Lunch Tour
Meeting Venue Hunt Valley, MD
9th
PCA Treffen At Sea Cruise
Fort Lauderdale, FL
January
13th
After Holiday Party
Columbia, MD
February
10th
Slot Car Chili Cook-Off
Millersville, MD
Editors Message: Lets take a moment and thank our outgoing executive committee of Ron Farb, Steve Wood, Andy Powell and Wayne Nelms. They did an amazing job in 2022-2023 of making this the best Region in the country after a rough period due to the Pandemic. With that said lets welcome our new executive committee of President Steve Buss, VP Mark Miller, Treasurer Andy Powell and Secretary Ken Wilmers. The transfer of power takes place officially on January 1st and I know these gentlemen will do a great job as Ron and his team have laid out the path for continued success. I hope everyone has a great time Saturday at the big charity social event in Hunt Valley. I’m looking forward to reading about it next month. I’ll also have a full report on the PCA cruise and you can expect plenty of posts to Instagram/Facebook from the cruise...assuming the Wi-Fi is good enough for it. This month we have 2 new cars for sale by members, a 718 Cayman and 991 Targa 4S, check them out on pages 24-25. I hope you like our cover photos by Henry Becker our webmaster, he also wrote an article about his trip to Zuffenhausen and added a link to view more of the 100+ photos he took there. If you look at the calendar you will see an event in February. The slot car racing/chili cook-off has been a favorite of mine since I joined the club in 2017. It was actually the first PCA event my family ever attended. I hope to see many of you and your kids/grandkids this year too. Have an article idea or want to do a member profile, shoot me an email editor@pcachs.org Happy Holidays, James B Beavan III For the latest events and news follow us! I’m always posting photos from our events on our socials that don’t make it in the Patter and there’s no delay to see what you missed or attended. Porsche Club of America - Chesapeake Region | Facebook
Chesapeake Region PCA (@chesapeakepca) • Instagram photos and videos
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Chesapeake Region
Inside This Month! Pg 2. Events Calendar: December 2023 - February 2024 Pg 2. Editors Message Pg 4. Chesapeake Board Members Pg 5. Advertisers List Pg 6 & 7. Membership Figures & Anniversaries Pg 9. Tour & Rally Schedule Pg 10. Socials in Review Pg 14. A Trip to the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen Pg 20. Member Profile: Doug & JoEllen Condon Pg 24. For Sale by Members
Pg 26. Tech Event: Buying a New Porsche Pg 32. Member Profile: John Bunch & Jennifer Shannahan Pg 36. The Fire Suit by Pedro Bonilla Pg 42. Stuttgart Market Letter by David Whitlock Pg 46. Chesapeake Challenge 54 Wrap-Up Pg 58. Tour: 2023 Fall Colors Tours The Porsche Patter is the official newsletter of the Chesapeake Region of the Porsche Club of America. Contributions to the Porsche Patter should be sent by the 25th of the month preceding the month of publication in Microsoft Word format to editor@pcachs.org. Please send images high resolution. Editor/Publisher: James B Beavan III; Contributing Photographers: James B Beavan III, Henry Becker, Pedro Bonilla, Aniano Arao, Steve & Marsha Buss. Contributing Writers: James B Beavan III, Henry Front Cover photo: 911 by Becker, Randy Richter, Ken Wilmers, Steve & Marsha Buss, Aniano Arao, Pedro Bonilla, Stacy Hawver, Henry Becker David Whitlock. Advertising: For questions about advertising rates and placement in the Porsche Rear Cover photo: 911 by Patter, please contact Editors at editor@pcachs.org. Unless otherwise reserved, permission is grantHenry Becker ed to reproduce material published, provided full credit is given to the Porsche Patter and to the respective author. Subscriptions: join the Porsche Club of America — www.pca.org. The Porsche Patter is published monthly by the Chesapeake Region, PCA. Subscription is limited to members of the Chesapeake Region, Porsche Club of America.
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PCA CHS Board President
Steve Wood
president@pcachs.org
Vice President
Steve Wood
vicepresident@pcachs.org
Treasurer
Andy Powell
treasurer@pcachs.org
Secretary
Wayne Nelms
secretary@pcachs.org
Executive Vice President
Michael Murphy
executivevicepresident@pcachs.org
Autocross Committee
Greg Hartke, Mark Hubley
Chesapeake Challenge Committee
Stacy Hawver, Tracey Jennings, Jen Kocsan
Chief Driving Instructor
Ellen Beck
Community Service
Dan McNally
Concours d’Elegance
Paul Koenigsmark, David Dukehart
concours@pcachs.org
Historian
Bob Rassa
historian@pcachs.org
Insurance
Eric Saletel
insurance@pcachs.org
Membership
Ken Wilmers
membership@pcachs.org
Motorsportreg Registrar
Meilyng Wigney-Burmaka
msregistrar@pcachs.org
Newsletter: Porsche Patter
James B Beavan III
PCA License
Laurie & Bruce Tarsia
PCA Zone 2 Rep
Phil Grandfield
Photography Committee
Jim McKee, Ryan Boxler
Publicity: Facebook/Instagram James B Beavan III Safety Chair
John Jensen
Social Committee
Steve & Marsha Buss
Sunshine Committee
Doug Ehmann
Tech Committee
Jim Earlbeck, Randy Richter, Rick Hawver
Tour/Rally Committee
Aniano Arao, Rich Ehrlich
Webmaster
Henry Becker
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autocross@pcachs.org chesapeakechallenge@pcachs.org instructor@pcachs.org communityservice@pcachs.org
editor@pcachs.org pcalicenseplates@pcachs.org zonerep@pcachs.org photography@pcachs.org
publicity@pcachs.org safetychair@pcachs.org social@pcachs.org sunshine@pcachs.org tech@pcachs.org tour@pcachs.org; rally@pcachs.org webmaster@pcachs.org
Chesapeake Region
Advertisers Corner Business Name & Address
Contact Number & Website
Porsche Hunt Valley
667-275-4886
10260 York Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030
https://www.porschehuntvalley.com/
Porsche Annapolis
866-982-9002
20 Hudson Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
https://www.porscheannapolis.com/
Porsche Silver Spring
877-839-3940
3131 Automobile Blvd, Silver Spring, MD 20904
https://www.porschesilverspring.com/
Porsche Owings Mills
443-541-4630
11309 Reisterstown Rd, Owings Mills, MD 21117
https://www.porscheowingsmills.com/
PSA Insurance
443-798-7306
11311 McCormick Rd., Suite 500, Hunt Valley, MD 21031
https://www.psafinancial.com/profiles/lee-rock-cpcucic/
Reflected Images
410-910-9647
130 Industry Ln., Forest Hill, MD 21050
https://reflectedimages.net/
Westminster Speed and Sound
410-857-5300
202 Pennsylvania Ave, Westminster, MD 21157
https://www.westminsterspeed.com/
Yanks Auto Detailing
443-865-6337
Falls Rd, Hampstead, MD 21074
https://www.yanksautodetail.com/
Pedro's Garage
954-385-0330
15245 Sevares Ct. Odessa, FL 33556
https://pedrosgarage.com/
Conrey Construction (800) 640-0066 Fax: (410) 442-1444 Email: conreyconstruction@gmail.com
443-286-2225 Conrey Construction Company Roofing, Siding, Replacement Window Contractor Maryland (conrey-construction.com)
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Membership Numbers Ken Wilmers
Committee Chair Report: CHS Region Membership - November 2023 Primary Members: 1175 Affiliate Members: 616
Life Members: 2 Total Members: 1793
New Members (7) Rexford Babilah
Clarksville, MD
2014 911 Turbo
James Bilney
Ellicott City, MD
2017 911 Turbo S
Justin Brewer
Phoenix, MD
2008 911 Carrera
Andrew Coyne
Annapolis, MD
2020 911 Carrera 4S Cab
Clayton Foushee and Leann Zawodniak Jayson Schjloven
Lothian, MD
2014 911 Turbo S Cab
Westminster, MD
2002 Boxster S
Udaya Talwar
Owings Mills, MD
2024 911GTS Touring
Full Membership Committee Reports can be found on our website: https://pcachs.org/
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Member Anniversaries Ken Wilmers
ANNIVERSARIES 10 Years Henry Thielemann Robert Martin Yvonne Martin
Edgar German Robert Williams William Fitzgerald
5 Years Steven Groh Joe Steinitz Ben Singleton Bradley Williams 1 Year Ketan and Smita Patel Shane Sonneveldt Tommy and Ashley Gontkof Toni Stone Jon Khlok Kurt Harder Wayne Helms Lynn Wasylina Stephanie Thielemann Charles Lassiter Jeff Vogel Marilyn Bushnell Gregory Pratt Denise Ruddick Fatiha Belfakir Allison Whithead Matt and Victoria Pickering 7
Chesapeake Region
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2023 Tour & Rally Schedule
PCA Chesapeake’s Tour & Rally Committee has 16 events on its 2023 calendar. The dates and events listed here are subject to change. Registration for most events will open 2 to 3 weeks before their scheduled dates. Log on to your account at www.motorsportreg.com to sign up. (Ver. 22, 12/01/2023) April 15 (1) Delmarva Tour, DE, MD and VA, tour master Aniano Arao (45 people, 26 cars) April 29 (2) Drive to Porsche Swap Meet in Carlisle, tour master Rich Ehrlich (canceled; weather) May 6 (3) Tour & TSD Rally School, guest rally master Bob Rassa, (11 people, 8 cars) May 20 (4) Safeway to the Bay Tour, guest tour master Hank Lucas (60 people, 32 cars) June 4 (5) Linganore Winecellars Tour, guest tour master Ron Farb (62 people, 35 cars) June 25 (6) Ice Cream Tour (#1) & Charity, guest tour master Steve Graham (58 people, 29 cars) July 9 (7) Sinai Hospital to Oregon Ridge Tour, tour master Aniano Arao (48 people, 26 cars) July 16 (8) Air & Space Ice Cream Tour (#2), tour master Rich Ehrlich (37 people, 21 cars) Aug. 6 (9) Ice Cream Tour (#3), guest tour master Mark Miller (52 people, 31 cars) Aug. 12 (10) Allegheny Mountains Tour in PA, guest tour master Ron Farb (33 people, 20 cars) Sept. 23 (11) Chesapeake Challenge 54 Gimmick Rally, rally master Aniano Arao (CC postponed) Oct. 8 (12) Off-Road Tour, guest tour master Jim Hemig (55 people, 25 cars) Oct. 21 (13) Chesapeake Challenge Gimmick Rally, rally master Aniano Arao (42 people, 21 cars) Oct. 29 (14) West Virginia Fall Colors Tour, tour master Aniano Arao (53 people, 31 cars) Nov. 5 (15) Catoctin Mountains Fall Colors Tour, tour master Aniano Arao (67 people, 36 cars) (xx) Baltimore Fall Colors Tour (canceled to make room for rescheduled CC54) Dec. 9 (16) Kindertime & Linda’s Legacy Tour, Hunt Valley to Savage, tour master Rich Ehrlich Check www.pcachs.org, Patter, www.motorsportreg.com and the events’ eBlasts for details and updates. Send questions to tour@pcachs.org. -- Aniano Arao & Rich Ehrlich, Co-Chairs, Tour & Rally Committee
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Socials In Review Marsha & Steve Buss
November Social Events – December 2023 Patter There was no Breakfast Social this month. The interest has waned so we are pausing the breakfasts for a while. Instead of the breakfast, we held a social lunch at Pizza Johns restaurant in Essex after the morning Tech Session at GT Performance. Breakfasts are planned to resume on the first Saturday in February for those missing their delicious cinnamon buns! On Tuesday, November 14th, our monthly Dinner Social was held at The White Oak Tavern in Ellicott City. The dinner was capped at 32 members and we had another sellout. The food was delicious and the discussions lively.
The White Oak Tavern
On November 18th we had a social at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery. It was a beautiful day and there were about 50 members enjoying lunch with a cold beer. Many Porsches filled the parking area and there were excellent photo ops.
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Socials (cont’d)
Photo Above, Guinness Parking Lot; Photo Below, Guinness Restaurant
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Socials In Review Marsha & Steve Buss
Upcoming events – December PCA Treffen at Sea from December 9-17. This is the second annual cruise. Everyone had a great time last year. We will post pictures in the next Patter to get you excited for Treffen at Sea 2024. The Dinner Social planned for the 19th will be canceled. There are just too many competing priorities leading up to the holidays.
The traditional After Holiday Party with its infamous Yankee Swap is scheduled for January 14th at The Turn House in Columbia, MD. The event is a sellout with a waiting list. If you made reservations on Motorsport Reg (MSR) and cannot attend, please go to MSR and cancel so others on the waitlist may join in the fun.
2023 After Holiday Party
Please mark your calendars for the Slot Cars and Chile Cookoff on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Lastly, Steve is looking forward to serving as the Club’s President and searching for a volunteer to take over as the Social Chair. Trust me, it is not as hard as it looks…..and it is a fun job! Do you have restaurant recommendations or interesting ideas for Socials? Send us an email social@pcachs.org. We’d love to hear from you! Thanks, Steve & Marsha
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Sunshine Member Support
Sunshine Member Support Do you know a Porsche Club member that could use a little sunshine? Please let us know. The Club has established a new Sunshine position. If you know a Club member who is ill, has a hospital stay, a family member has passed, or is facing some difficult or challenging times, we would like send a card to let them know the Club is thinking about them. Please contact Doug Ehmann at Sunshine@pcachs.org. Thanks!
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Chesapeake Region
A Visit to the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen By: Henry Becker
Last year (2022) I journeyed to the Porsche Museum in Zuffenhausen, Germany for the first time. Besides exploring the museum, I had a secondary, self-imposed mission. That mission was to create a shareable photo album of every car in the museum at that point. The 2022 trip was so much fun that upon realizing how important 2023 is to Porsche I planned another trip. The mission involved three days on the ground in Germany. Late October seems like an airfare sweet spot for flying to Germany. Octoberfest is over and the Christmas markets are still a few weeks away. Plus, I learned from the 2022 trip, that the weather around Stuttgart in late October is quite nice.
With such a short trip I wanted to keep the cost down. Flying direct to Stuttgart can be costly. I scooped up a great deal ($650 roundtrip) flying from Washington Dulles to Frankfurt via Reykjavik, Iceland. Having been to Iceland a few times, a layover of any kind there is welcome. The airport, although small, has some great food and drink options. Honestly, it’s the kind of place you just don’t mind having to stop by when winter is not in full force there. Plus, the one-hour train ride from Frankfurt to Stuttgart is pleasant and inexpensive. I stayed at the super convenient B&B Hotel that is only 300 meters from the museum. This European hotel chain offers simple, clean, modern rooms at very reasonable prices. The nice aspect of staying at B&B Hotel Zuffenhausen is that one can get away with not renting a car. The obvious is that you must be willing to use the train as well as some walking. Within a 15minute walk of the B&B Hotel you can be at the museum, a nice coffee shop, a grocery store, a beer/ wine store, a yummy dinner place and a train station linking you to the rest of the city/country. With the 75th anniversary of the company and 60th of the 911, I knew the museum was going to have some great displays. Again, this trip was about both getting to see the museum as well as mak-
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Zuffenhausen (cont’d) ing photographic chronicle for others. The ground floor level of the museum is the entrance for ticketing. As well, you will find a modest gift shop, a lovely cantina-like restaurant, a cafe and a view into a working car shop. Once ticketed, you take a long escalator ride to the second floor where the fun begins. The layout of the museum is such that you walk counterclockwise to the top. There are not ‘floors’ but rather a continuous ascent through exhibits.
Knowing the layout proved helpful both last year and this year. Since photography was a major reason for my visit, I aimed for photos with little or no people in the pictures. To do this, I was at the museum when it opened and went straight to the top of the museum. By working my way down versus up, I covered more than half of the museum without seeing another person. Then, late in the day I went back through the museum to do the beginning parts where most everyone had already passed. The second day I did more artistic or closeup photos. The second day was also helpful for getting reshoots. As well, I spent time with the non-car elements of the museum and did the self-guided tour. I've travelled a great deal and visited many of the world's best museums. I have to say that I love the Porsche Museum for being so open and accessible. As you will see from the pictures, one can get right up to the cars. They are not roped off or behind glass. I'm afraid the accessibility might change though.
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Chesapeake Region
Zuffenhausen (cont’d)
By: Henry Becker
Last year while visiting, I watched a small group of twenty something year old men walk up and get into many of the cars. Not only were they getting in they would slam the doors or not close them at all. Yes, they did get escorted out. This year I noticed that many cars now had a clear tape over the door handles.
I cannot express enough what a great experience the museum was. I told my son, as you walk past some of the 917s you can smell the car. If you're a petrolhead you know the smells I'm talking about. You will visit few museums that give you a visceral response like this one will. The great thing about being a PCA member is you get into the museum at a discount. The ticket price of 10 euro is already cheap enough but the 50% discount is nice. I'm lucky enough to have become friends with fellow Chesapeake members living in Stuttgart. Both last year and this year I've met Aaron and Minta Miller for dinner while there. Last year we enjoyed Carl's Brauhaus in Stuttgart. This year we met in Zuffenhausen at Triple B - Beef Burgers Brothers. Both places are highly recommended. If you are reading this - thanks again Aaron and Minta for making time to talk cars and share a meal 'zusammen.' It's what PCA is all about right - the people
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Zuffenhausen (cont’d)
and the cars. In my little bit of free time, I made it into Stuttgart to visit the very cool Porsche Brand store. Along the way I stumbled across a few Saturday markets near the city center. I'm a sucker for a good European market. There is always good food and fun things to discover. To be clear, I'm not a professional photographer. I shot all pictures on my iPhone and did my best to consider lights, shadows, people and such. I hope you enjoy the Google Photo album I've put together. Feel free to reach out if you would like any of the raw pictures.
Here is a link to the Google Photo Album of the 2023 Porsche Museum Photo Tour! https://photos.app.goo.gl/m5rA4VWhiX2NfPit8
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Thanks Porsche Annapolis
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Chesapeake Region
Member Profile: Doug & JoEllen Condon By: James B Beavan III
Member Names & Join Date: Doug and JoEllen Condon, December 2021 Current Cars, Previous Cars: Current - 2000 Boxster
Have you served on any Regional or National committees: No What encouraged you to join the Porsche Club of America: Chance to participate in a wide variety of activities and meet some incredible people. When it came time to buy a vehicle, what made you choose your Porsche and is this your first Porsche (if not please detail prior Porsche's): This is our first Porsche. Growing up my uncle had a 914 and I got a ride in it, and it was incredible! When I was single, I was looking for a fast car that handled really well. I drove my cousin’s 1997 Boxster and was hooked. What are your favorite Regional &/or National events: We’ve never been to Parade, that’s something we would like to do at some point.
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Chesapeake Region
Condon (cont’d)
What is your favorite PCA memory: This really isn’t a PCA memory, but JoEllen and I vacationed in Garmisch, Germany. We drove to Stuttgart and took a tour of the Porsche factory. It was phenomenal. Also, when we lived in Florida, I participated in Driver’s Education for the first time at an old Navy Auxiliary Airfield, called Bronson Field. The 1/3-mile triangular loop was a complete blast! What advice about PCA or Chesapeake would you give to new members: Enjoy the events and enjoy getting to meet people. The club has a wide variety of events to suit anyone’s taste. If money was no object, what Porsche would you love to own and why: I would love to own a 2003 Porsche 911 convertible. The pure power of the car and having a convertible would be incredible! Anything additional you would like to share about yourself (Family/Work/Etc):
The day I took delivery of my Boxster was the day I met my wife, JoEllen. We met in Pensacola Beach and got married less than a year later. We’ve lived in Annapolis since 2007, have a dog named Rocky Mountain, and sponsor a Midshipman from the Naval Academy. We love to travel.
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For Sale by Members: 2015 911 991.1 Targa 4S
For Sale 2015 Porsche 911 Targa 4S, 17K miles, Sapphire Blue Metallica, Sand Beige Interior, Manual Transmission, 20” Wheels
Asking $132K OBO Contact: Mark Epstein 410-627-2222 mark@eppylaw.com
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For Sale by Members: 2021 718 Cayman For Sale 2021 Porsche Cayman, 23K miles, Night Blue Metallic, Black/Chalk interior, PDK, Premium Package, Sport Chrono, 14way Memory Sport Seats, PTV, 20” Carrera S Wheels, $30K in options. CPO from Porsche Annapolis, asking $70K firm, need to pay off loan. Contact: Gabby Riffle-Gonzalez gaby@myveteranteam.com 843-929-9408
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Chesapeake Region
Tech Event: Buying a new Porsche By: Randy Richter; Photos: James B Beavan III
Thanks to Porsche Hunt Valley for hosting and participating in providing input into the process of acquiring a new Porsche. Tech Co-Chairs Jim & Randy opened the event with a welcome and awarding Robert Payne a $250 gift certificate to be used at Porsche Hunt Valley. They then introduced Steve Postol, General Manager of PHV, Dominic Chiavacci, Sales Counselor PHV and Kevin Brown, Customer Satisfaction Manager PHV. Mr. Postol opened the presentation by explaining that PHV sells new Porsches, to our local and most loyal clients, at MSRP. Steve then also detailed the dealership’s expectation of the purchaser, which included the expectation that if the buyer wants to sell the car that PHV gets first right of refusal to purchase the car at MSRP or market value, whichever is lower at the time. Steve also explained that the dealer also expected that the
Jim’s 718 Spyder
process be respectful, cordial and civil on the part of the buyer and seller.
Jim’s 718 Spyder
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Mr. Chiavacci followed up by explaining that buyer should avail themselves of the Porsche Configurator to educate them as to the available configurations. Dominic also offered that the sales consultant can offer valuable suggestions as what might be preferable in the new cars configuration. He also stressed that patience on
Chesapeake Region
Tech Event (cont’d) the part of the purchaser as Porsche often adds and deletes options and allows and then disallows items such as PTS. Jim followed as serial offender having ordered several new vehicles. His latest, a 000 Edition Spyder in PTS (Paint to Sample) Albert Blue with a CXX interior and Sonderwunsch options, was on display. Jim followed with the stories of ordering the cars, some of the idiosyncrasies surrounding each order and how Porsche is improving the process. He briefly mentioned picking up one of his cars in Randy & Jim presenting Europe, before he moved on to his detailed account of picking up cars (including his latest) at PECATL (Porsche Experience Center Atlanta). Jim then spoke about the PECATL track experience and the various features of both tracks at PECATL. These include such features as the ice hill, off road area, kick plate, low friction circle and others. He also detailed the unique features of the track that emulates famous corners of tracks around the world. Randy’s GT4RS
Jim then moved on
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Tech Event (cont’d)
By: Randy Richter; Photos: James B Beavan III
and described the Porsche Track experience at Barber Motorsports Park. There is a vast difference between the tracks at PECATL and Barber. PECATL was developed to showcase the extreme performance capabilities of Porsche cars. Barber is a professional racetrack. It serves as Porsche’s driving school for North America. The classes are designed to teach you how to properly extract those extreme performance capabilities out of the car. Jim stressed that you need to leave enough time for a proper tour of the Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. It is one of the best in the world and is noted for it’s massive motorcycle collection. Randy as a newbie Porsche buyer has just purchased his first new Porsche. On display was his PTS Aetna Blue GT4RS. He shared the experience and noted that patience was needed as the process could be a winding road. He noted that PTS and Sonderwunsch could be GT4RS on display a longer term ordering process. Also noted were that as the process was proceeding options were added and deleted by Porsche. This deletion extended into the build as the ordered optioned headlights were deleted due to parts availability. Randy then covered what was to be expected if one wanted European pickup in Zuffenhausen. He detailed that there were numerous forms to be filled in and choices to be made. He walked the audience through the steps in Zuffenhausen from arriving at the pickup building, the pickup itself, the factory tour, the lunch in the VIP Casino (restaurant) and the Museum. Finally, he described the drop off process at Leipzig, his chosen vehicle return venue. Randy also had a display table showing many of the items that were gathered as part of the Euro delivery experience. He also answered questions as to the break in process and protecting your Porsche during your European delivery. Randy had talked to a local shop in Germany about PPF and
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Tech Event (cont’d) they were able to complete a basic job in a full day, which allowed him to enjoy his car on the road and keep it’s paint pristine. One member asked if the factory could do the engine break-in prior to pick-up so that you could immediately drive the car at it’s peak performance. While that sounds ideal, would people really want someone else to drive their brand new car and put 500-800 miles on it prior to taking possession of it themselves? Randy then described the PECLA (Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles) track experience, noting that many of the same features described by Jim as part of the PECATL track experience were present in LA. Both experiences include a tour, nice meal and all the other snacks you can possibly eat, basically paying for themselves with a VIP experience. Thanks to Porsche Hunt Valley for sharing their expertise and supplying excellent Coffee and Donuts. At the time of this writing many of Porsche’s 2-door cars still have a wait list to GT3RS on display purchase/ order one new. Putting yourself on the waitlist gives you the best chance of getting a call when the dealer gets an allocation or car that someone else has declined. For example an attendee was on the list for a 992 Carrera S for nearly 2 years, when PHV received a Carrera T that the original ordering customer declined, the attendee got a call that if he was interested this car could be his. A lot of people want a Carrera S for the manual transmission, the Carrera T unlike the regular base Carrera has a manual transmission, so he happily purchased the car and is loving it. Building a relationship with your local dealer can have its rewards and we have 4 great one’s in our region including Silver Spring, Annapolis and now Owings Mills!
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Family Event: Slot Car Racing & Chili Cookoff: 2/10/24 By: Marsha Buss
Family Event: Slot Car Racing and Chili Cookoff: February 10th Super Slot Car Racing 2024 promises to be more exciting than ever. One of our Region’s winter family traditions will be held this year in a new location. A fixture on our winter calendar for over 30 years, this family event is scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon from noon - 3 PM, February 10th in Shilpley’s Choice, Millersville, Anne Arundel County. And there is a bonus! The famous Chili Cook-off is not to be missed and will be some of the tastiest chili you’ve ever had. Perhaps greater bragging rights will go to the winner of our Chili Cook-off. Bring a pot of your best chili and taste the competition’s for a grand tasting event. There will also be a great kid’s practice track setup to keep everyone entertained and warmed up for the big races. Volunteers are needed for the most fun packed family event during the winter season. We need help in setting up the track, tables, chairs, breakdown and cleaning up after our event. Please let me know if you're available at 11am on Saturday, February 10th to assist. To volunteer just simply show up at 11am. All participants must register for the event on www.MotorsportReg.com by Friday, February 2nd.
WHEN and WHERE When: Saturday, February 10, 2024 Meeting time: 12:00pm Meeting point: Shipley’s Choice, Millersville, MD 21108 End of social: 3:00pm Cost: The cost is $20 per family for those who bring a pot of Chili or $30 per family if you bring a side dish or dessert Food/Chili Cook-off: Chili, hot dogs, various side dishes, and desserts will be available to self-serve
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Names of the Chili cook off winners are announced and racing trophies are awarded before 3pm REGISTRATION Log onto your Motorsportreg account or create one at www.MotorsportReg.com. Registration is open and will close at midnight on February 2nd. There is a registration fee for this event. OTHER INFORMATION Slot Car Racing for Beginners Members are encouraged to purchase an Analog or Digital 1/32 scale Porsche slot car(s). Digital slot cars cost around 30% more and have the ability to be programmed and change lanes on more sophisticated, digital race sets. Our club race set is an Analog track. A variety of Slot cars are best found for purchase on-line at Ebay, Amazon and other hobby websites. Local hobby shops do not offer the same selection. New slot cars are encouraged as used slot cars may be broken and not operable. There are many brands of slot cars (Carrera, Scalextric, Fly, Ninco etc.), however, we find the Carrera and Scalextric brands run best on our club track. Prices range from around $20 to well over $100. Porsche model slot cars are highly encouraged; however, other models may be raced but are not eligible to win trophies. There will be loaner slot cars available for racing for those unable to bring their own. QUESTIONS Send slot car racing event related questions to the Slot Car Racing Chair, Dan Zadra simracing@pcachas.org
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Chesapeake Region
Member Profile: John Bunch & Jennifer Shannahan By: James B Beavan III
Member Names & Join Date: Capt John “GiddyUp” Bunch & Jennifer Shannahan Current Cars, Previous Cars: 2022 992 Carrera GTS, 2018 Carrera T, previously owned 18 911’s, 1 GT4 and 1 Boxster S Have you served on any Regional or National committees: 2005-2023 Chairman & CEO of Operation Open Arms What encouraged you to join the Porsche Club of America: Upon The purchase of my first 911S (1973) I was encouraged to join PCA, but I was single and fresh out of USMC and the quintessential introverted extrovert. Upon finally giving up my bachelorhood at age 63, my wife Jennifer encouraged me to join PCA. When it came time to buy a vehicle, what made you choose your Porsche and is this your first Porsche (if not please detail prior Porsche's): At age 10, a 1957 Porsche Speedster drove up to the gas pumps at my dad’s service station. It was so beautiful I couldn’t find the words to tell my dad except these. “I will have many Porsche’s when I get older.” To date, as of this writing I have owned 19 911’s, 1 GT4 and 1 Boxster S. What are your favorite Regional &/or National events: …Anything racing related. What is your favorite PCA memory: PCA Luncheon at Suicide Bridge Restaurant What advice about PCA or Chesapeake would you give to new members: “Anyone can be a good speaker, but few of us can be astute and accomplished listeners.” If money was no object, what Porsche would you love to own and why: Without question, the 60 Anniversary 911. th
Anything additional you would like to share about yourself (Family/Work/Etc): The best decision I’ve ever made was surrendering my bachelorhood and asking my wife to marry me. I still can’t believe she said “Yes!”.
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Bunch & Shannahan (cont’d)
Do you believe in divine intervention? Upon walking into a seafood restaurant and glancing at the television, there I was fishing on an ESPN fishing show. A young Army soldier recognized me and asked if I knew of one pier or landing where he might catch one fish before returning to Iraq to capture the Baghdad airport. I said “how about this. Be right here Saturday morning at 06:59 and I’ll take you fishing.” After taking him fishing I asked the other fishing guides, golf pros and restaurant owners to help out our troops returning from combat. As of today 3993 troops have enjoyed $23.8 million in direct R&R benefits via OOA. JGB Capt John “GiddyUp” Bunch 239-822-8888 Founder/Operation Open Arms Operation Open Arms of Southwest Florida | A 501(c)(3) charity and nationally acclaimed military outreach program captgiddyup@gmail.com
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The Fire Suit
By: Pedro Bonilla,
One of my first articles dealt with the safety helmet. Some years after that I revised it to make it up-to-date but I never wrote about the driver’s fire suit. If you’re attending a Driver Education event at your local track in your Porsche sports car or SUV you probably won’t have the need for a fire suit, unless you’re driving a racecar in which case, even if not required by the Club or the Track, it is a wise choice. If you are a PCA Club Racer, you are required to don one when on the track. Under the Driver Requirements section of the 2023 PCA Club Racing Rules, bullet point #4 states: 4.- A one-piece approved fire retardant driving suit which meets or exceeds SFI 3.2A/5 or FIA 8856-2000 or 2018 or their successors is required. The suit may meet SFI 3.2A/1 if fire retardant long underwear is also worn. The display of the PCA Club Racing patch on the driving suit at every PCA is strongly encouraged. Driving shoes and gloves meeting SFI 3.3/5 or FIA 8856-2000 or 2018 or their successors are required. Fire retardant sox are required. Drivers with mustaches, beards or long hair extending below the helmet must wear a fire retardant balaclava.
But what exactly do the SFI or FIA specifications mean? The two major worldwide entities that administer the standards of safety for protective gear worn by racers are The SFI Foundation (SFI) and The Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) under it’s Driver’s Section. For the most part both entities have very similar safety targets and require that safety gear worn by the drivers protect them from heat and flame when in automobile competi-
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Fire Suit (cont’d)
By: Pedro Bonilla
tions. These standards concern outer garments, undergarments, socks, gloves, shoes and balaclava hoods, but not helmets. (Helmet safety standards are managed by: The Snell Foundation (which we discussed in previous articles).
The creation of auto racing fire suits follows a meticulous process that combines advanced materials, craftsmanship, and stringent quality control measures. These specialized safety garments are not only designed to protect drivers from the intense heat and potential hazards on the track but also to provide them with peace of mind. Material selection: The first and foremost consideration is safety so manufacturers opt for specialized flame-resistant fabrics such as Nomex, Kevlar and carbon fiber blends. These fabrics possess exceptional fire-retardant properties, allowing drivers precious seconds to escape a burning vehicle and minimizing the risk of serious injuries. Pattern Design and Cutting: Once a suitable fabric is chosen, the next step involves pattern design and cutting. Highly skilled pattern makers create intricate designs that cater to the specific needs of drivers, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit. These patterns are then carefully laid out on the fabric, and with precision cutting techniques, the individual pieces that will form the suit are crafted. Assembly and Stitching: The cut fabric pieces are now ready for assembly. Experienced seamstresses and tailors skillfully sew the various components together, using heat-resistant and fireretardant threads. The stitching process requires meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the integrity and strength of the fire suit. Reinforcement and Layering: To enhance protection, certain areas of the fire suit, such as elbows, knees and shoulders, undergo additional reinforcement. Reinforcement materials like Kevlar
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Fire Suit (cont’d)
By: Pedro Bonilla
patches or carbon fiber inserts are carefully integrated into these high-wear zones, ensuring enhanced durability and resistance to abrasion. Closure Systems and Customization: Fire suits employ innovative closure systems, such as highquality zippers and Velcro fasteners, which provide a secure fit while allowing for quick removal if needed. Additionally, manufacturers often accommodate customization requests from drivers, including the incorporation of sponsor logos, team colors and personalized patches and embroidery, which adds a touch of individuality to the suits. Quality Control and Testing: Manufacturers follow strict quality control protocols throughout the production process. Multiple inspections are conducted to ensure that the fire suits meet rigorous safety standards. Additionally, various tests are performed to evaluate their flame resistance, heat insulation, and durability. These tests simulate extreme racing conditions, validating the reliability and performance of the suits.
Testing a suit's fire protection at the lab, on a sensor-equipped dummy These are the specific parameters and requirements for SFI 3.2/A5: 1.- Flame Resistance: The material(s) used in the construction of the suit must be inherently flameresistant and must meet or exceed the specific flame propagation and afterflame time requirements. 2.- Thermal Protection: The fire suit must minimize the transfer of heat and protect against burns in case of exposure to intense heat and or flames. TPP (Thermal Protective Performance): SFI 3.2/A5
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Fire Suit (cont’d)
By: Pedro Bonilla
fire suits must achieve a minimum TPP of 20. TPP Measures the ability of the fabric to insulate against heat transfer and indicates the time it takes for the heat to penetrate through the material. 3.- Construction and Stitching: The fire suit must be constructed using high-quality flame-resistant materials and sewn with fire-retardant thread. The stitching should be strong and secure to maintaining the integrity of the suit during racing conditions. Customization options such as sponsor logos and personalization may be available while still meeting the required standards. 4.- Certification and Compliance: SFI 3.2/A5 fire suits must be certified by the Safety Equipment Institute and comply with all of the relevant regulations and standards. It’s important to note that the SFI 3.2/A5 rating is just one of several SFI standards for auto racing fire suits, each with its own specific parameters and requirements. These standards are continuously updated to endure the highest level of safety for auto racing drivers. Similar to what we described above, there are standards and requirements for driving gloves, driving shoes, balaclava hoods and underwear garments. These are covered under SFI 3.3/5. While racing suits are most commonly identified by their SFI or FIA rating, the TPP rating is the best measure of particular racing suit’s protection level. TPP is an indication of how long a suit will protect you before you would incur a second degree burn. The TPP rating is divided in half to determine the number of seconds until human tissue reaches a second degree burn. For example, if a particular fabric has a TPP rating of 35, it takes 17.5 seconds until a second degree burn occurs in a flashover situation.
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Fire Suit (cont’d)
By: Pedro Bonilla
In the past, racing suits were classified as single-layer and multi-layer and that determined the TPP, but in today’s world there are some single-layer suits that attain a higher TPP than some multilayer ones. The easiest and best way to increase your driving suit’s TPP is to wear fire-retardant underwear under your suit. Finally, proof that fire suits do a great job of protecting drivers, just look at the inferno where Romain Grosjean escaped from at the 2020 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix. He was trapped in his car for 28 seconds before escaping. He had to break the headrest with his helmet and pull hard with his trapped foot to remove it from the chassis. He was transported to the hospital and was treated for second degree burns on his hands and ankles.
Stay safe. Wear your fire suit! For more information on fire suits and more, please visit my website: www PedrosGarage.com. Happy Porsche’ing,
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By: David K. Whitlock
Despite having an above-average number of Porsches offered in October, the market showed below-average results with a sell-through rate of 68%, being the second lowest we’ve seen all year. And a total dollar volume of $32,215,159, which was higher than the previous month thanks to a strong RS market, even though fewer cars found homes.
At the tip-top of the market, we saw a Gunther Werks modified 911 and a 911 Reimagined by Singer fail to sell at high bids of $1,150,000 and $955,000 respectively. But the $300-500,000 market performed spectacularly, with two new 992 GT3 RS examples becoming the first to sell at an average of $450,000. The previous generation of GT3 RS cars also showed decent gains after a softer September, with two examples selling at above-average prices of $262,000 and $253,500.
911 RS cars weren’t the only Rennsports to look strong either, as Porsche’s 718 Cayman GT4 RS Weissach prices looked a tad bit stronger since August. All three examples offered found homes with our top lot selling for $247,000. Regular 718 GT4s, on the other hand, looked much softer, with two cars selling for $115,000 and $122,000 and a third failing to sell at a high bid of $113,500. 718 Spyders appeared flat month over month with sales below $120k, which was similar to what we saw in September after a solid August.
Manual 964 Coupes continued to perform, with most cars selling over $100,000 and a lightly modified example fetching a very strong $163,991. 993 Coupes, on the other hand, appeared to remain flat with all sales, save for one, hammering down just below $100,000. And then there’s the manual 996 Coupes, which continues to show lower highs and a dropping average price month after month.
Speaking of Coupes, 356C Coupes struggled to sell, with only one example out of four finding a home for $94,500. The rest of the bids we saw weren’t even close. However, we saw two 356B
By: David K. Whitlock
Coupes sell at $125,000 (about average for a T5) and a T6 GS/GT Tribute at $110,000. The star of the 356 Market was a 1962 356B 1600S Twin Grill Roadster that sold for $295,000, the best we’ve seen since 2019.
Turbocharged 911s were a mixed bag with water-cooled cars and 930s looking soft with the 964 and 993s still performing well. 996 Turbos saw the average continue to fall despite two strong sales, and only one 997 Turbo Coupe 6-speed selling for over $100,000. The vast majority of 930 Turbos looked somewhat softer after being flat for the last twelve months with a solitary 3.3liter 964 Turbo selling which pushed the average up at a final bid of $239,000. 993 Turbos continue to make gains with strong sales over $250,000, and our top sale of the month, a 1997 911 Turbo S, selling for an above-average $550,000.
Other strong sales included a $50,000 1989 944 Turbo, a 2023 911 Dakar that sold for $405,000, a 2019 911 Speedster at $395,000, and a 2011 911 GT3 RS that brought $291,000. While “normal” Porsche models seem to either be flat or softening, the best examples and limited editions are still creeping upward.
David K. Whitlock is a writer for The Stuttgart Market Letter, a daily market update for Porschephiles, by Porschephiles, delivered free to your inbox. To sign up, go to: www.stuttgartmarketletter.com
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PCA License Plates What Are PCA License Plates: Chesapeake Region PCA coordinates the purchase of PCA Organizational License Plates issued through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The PCA License Plate Program promotes the visibility and camaraderie of PCA. PCA Maryland License Plates are pre-numbered Organizational Plates, not vanity plates. PCA License Plates are available for all cars, trucks and minivans, but not for motorcycles or trailers. Cost: The one-time cost for the PCA License Plates is $40.00, which includes the $25.00 MVA fee and a $15 Chesapeake PCA fundraising fee to support the PCA License Plate Program and Chesapeake Region events. How To Apply: The only way to apply for PCA Organizational License Plates is to complete the online PCA Maryland License Web Form at https://pcachs.org/pcamaryland-license-plate/ and submit it electronically. Please click on the above link to learn the details and requirements to apply for PCA License Plates. If you have any questions regarding the purchase of PCA Maryland Organizational License Plates, please contact us at: pcaLicensePlates@pcachs.org. Safe and Happy Motoring. Requirements: You must be a PCA Member and the car must be registered in Maryland. The PCA Plates are not limited to Porsches. You can apply for PCA plates for all your cars registered in Maryland!
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Chesapeake Challenge 54 Wrap-Up, by Stacy Hawver
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Chesapeake Challenge 54 Wrap-Up, by Stacy Hawver Chesapeake Region
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Chesapeake Challenge 54 Wrap-Up, by Stacy Hawver 52
Chesapeake Region
FYI: Tech Library New Tech Library Online! Visit our new library at http://pcachs.org/tech-library/
Annual Advertising Rates: Personal/Classified Items—Free to PCA members Full page ad—$600 Half page ad—$450 Quarter page ad—$250 Business card—$200
Send to: editor@pcachs.org
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Name and Car Badges! Now you can obtain your Chesapeake Region Name Badge! Go to www.pcachs.org and use the “GOODIE STORE” menu from the main page. Click the button and complete the order form page. The Name Badge cost is $25, inclusive of handling and shipping. This is your opportunity to purchase a heavy “gold- plated” Chesapeake Region metal car badge.
Each metal car badge comes complete with stainless steel slotted retaining plate, screws, washers and nuts to mount it through your car grille or separate mounting plate. You can order right now! The cost per metal car badge is $30 or two for $50, inclusive of handling and shipping. Here’s how you order your metal car badge: Go to www.pcachs.org and use the “GOODIE STORE” menu from the main page. Click the button and complete the order form page and make your payment. 54
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PCA Juniors
What is the PCA Juniors program? ✓ PCA Juniors is a program for Porsche enthusiasts under
age 18. ✓ Participants must be registered by an active PCA mem-
ber. ✓ It’s not just the cars… and now it’s not just the grown-
ups! ✓ With our new PCA Juniors program, PCA is about the kids too!
The PCA Juniors program has been created so kids can enjoy PCA events, learn about Porsches and build the enthusiasm that runs through all of the Porsche Club of America. Who is eligible? Any child under age 18 who is registered by a current PCA member can participate in the program. (Note: This is not a PCA Membership.) What will the child receive? PCA Juniors will receive a welcome package that includes an ageappropriate gift and PCA Juniors ID badge. We look forward to developing the program and its features over time. What does it cost to register? It’s FREE! Participants must be registered by an active PCA member, and there is no cost to join!
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Tour: 2023 Fall Colors Tours
By: Aniano Arao
In West Virginia’s Panhandle and Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains By Aniano Arao PCA Chesapeake’s Tour & Rally Committee has held 15 events in 2023, so far, with one more scheduled for Dec. 9th. In the November issue, I reported on our 13th event – the Gimmick Rally of the 54th Chesapeake Challenge. This time I will share with you a few photos from our two most recent tours.
The photo above shows some of the 53 people who came in 31 cars to enjoy our West Virginia Fall Colors Tour on Oct. 29th, our 14th event this year. We drove mostly on scenic backroads from Middletown, MD, to the Canary Grill in Berkeley Springs, WV, where we had lunch.
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The youngest attendee was two-month-old Austin, shown here with his parents, Rebecca and Robert. Austin very likely holds the record as the youngest tour participant in PCA Chesapeake’s history. Our 75-minute morning drive was just the appetizer. The main course was the delightful jaunt after lunch from the Canary Grill to Paw Paw and then back. This afternoon drive took about 70 minutes, including a 10-minute stopover at a church parking lot, from where we turned around.
The fall colors were practically at their peak during our driving tour in the northeastern part of West Virginia, as the photo above shows.
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Fall Colors Tours (cont’d)
By: Aniano Arao
On Nov. 5th, we held the Catoctin Mountain Fall Colors Tour, our 15th driving event in 2023. This was our biggest tour this year, joined by 67 people in 36 cars.
We drove in four groups on enjoyable back roads from Reisterstown to Thurmont for a restroom break, and then from there through the Catoctin Mountain Park to Middletown. This penultimate tour of the year was blessed with excellent weather and a number of remarkably gorgeous Porsches.
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Jim brought his 2023 911 Sport Classic in Sport Grey.
Adam brought his 2023 911 GT3 in Mint Green, a Paint to Sample color.
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Fall Colors Tours (cont’d)
Shermoan brought his 2016 911 GT3 RS in Lava Orange.
Mark M. brought his 2023 718 Spyder in Shark Blue.
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By: Aniano Arao
Chesapeake Region
Mark C. brought his 2023 911 GT3 Touring in Arctic Grey.
Josh brought his 2023 718 Spyder in Auratium Green, a PTS color.
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Fall Colors Tours (cont’d)
By: Aniano Arao
Completing this fall-color-tour roundup of 2023 Porsches was my 718 Cayman in Aventurine Green Metallic.
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After Holiday Party & Yankee Swap: Jan 13th
By: Steve & Marsha Buss
After Holiday Party 2024 Sponsored by Porsche Annapolis Come celebrate the end of 2023 and welcome in 2024! Join us at the Turn House on Saturday January 13th for our annual After Holiday Party, followed by the highly anticipated Yankee Swap conducted by “The Bob and Manny Show,” with your hosts, Bob Gutjahr and Manny Alban! The Chesapeake Region has established a reputation for the finest and fiercest Yankee Swap in PCA, one that has been copied by other regions, but never quite duplicated. A “Gift Exchange” is merely a mild description of the feeding frenzy that takes hold at this triple steal event. Chesapeake Region, despite being below the Mason Dixon Line, puts the “Yankee” into Yankee Swap…. The good stuff is coveted, hoarded and only grudgingly given up under duress.
This event regularly sells out quickly-so, register early!
Event Details Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024
Schedule: •
5:30 PM Cocktails & hors d'oeuvres •
6:00 PM – 10:00PM Cash Bar
•
6:30 PM Dinner
•
7:15 PM Break
•
7:30 PM Yankee Swap
9:30 PM Event concludes
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After Holiday Party & Yankee Swap: Jan 13th Location: The Turn House, located in Hobbit’s Glen Gulf Club 11130 Willow Bottom Drive, Columbia, MD 21044
Website: https://theturnhouse.com/ Cost: $65/person REGISTRATION: Is open now - CLOSES at midnight on December 31st •
Attendance is capped at 70 peo-
ple •
No refunds after December 31st
On MotorsportReg each person will select either Salmon or Flank Steak for their entrée visit: www.MotorsportReg.com
YANKEE SWAP INFORMATION •
1 gift per couple
•
Gifts should be Porsche/car/club related
Gifts should be at least $25 of value
Please do not bring any gift that you would not be happy to go home with. Damaged, broken, or gifts that are otherwise immediately destined for the trash or goodwill are not appropriate, or fun for anyone.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the social committee at social@pcachs.org
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