Porsche SUV Off-Road Tour

Jim Hemig

On June 13, 32 PCA members in 13 Cayenne and Macan SUVs participated in the Chesapeake Region’s first-ever Porsche SUV off-road event. The "easy" off-road drive meandered through a green forest full of elevation changes, rocks, mud, twists and turns before returning to a winery for an afternoon of food and drinks.

Off-road and wine tasting might seem like an odd combination, but that’s what Chesapeake members requested. In 2019, region members were surveyed about SUV event interests and an easy off-road drive and wine tasting day were top vote-getters. The survey choices included Porsche SUV tech sessions, single or multi-day spa trip, rally, gimmick rally, single or multi-day wine tasting and single or multi-day easy, challenging, or extreme off-road tour.

When the survey was complete, the easy single-day off-road and single-day wine tasting were clearly favored by region Porsche SUV owners. The results were somewhat surprising

since word on the street is Cayenne and Macan owners aren’t interested in taking their Porsche offroad or getting it dirty.

With results in hand, the tour committee created a one-day event with both an easy off-road drive and wine tasting to meet the survey requests.

With 2020 out of the question, the tour route and winery plans were put on hold. Once events were allowed to proceed, and with great weather in the forecast, the combo off-road and wine event was back on the tour schedule. With only a week’s notice, the attendance of 32 people was a good turnout.

Off-Road Tour (cont’d)

During tour staging, members were asked why they were attending this event. A common theme was mentioned – they wanted to test their Porsche off-road. Apparently, an easy off-road drive was selected in the survey for members to get a safe starting point with their Porsche’s off-road capabilities.

The tour started and ended at Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery and Distillery in Thurmont, MD. The caravan of Porsche SUVs, including a mix of newer Cayennes and Macans and even a few firstgeneration Cayennes, took short country backroads to the dirt road trailhead. The one-hour level 1-2 dirt road segment looped through the Frederick Municipal Forest with tall green trees, feathery ferns underneath and along clear streams and impressive rock formations. The theme of the tour was driving at safe offroad speeds, enjoying the outdoor scenery and experiencing the Porsche SUV’s off-road ability.

Off-Road Tour (cont’d)

was presented to the owner with the dirtiest Porsche. During the after-party, tour participants said they enjoyed the drive and looked forward to more. Some even thought a more challenging route in the future would be welcome.

If your region is considering a Porsche SUV-themed event, consider sending a survey to region members. You might be The four-door Cayenne and Macan also provide opportunities to bring more passengers. One couple brought their grandkids to fill up their Cayenne’s back seats and even one of the Chesapeake Region Tour Chairs joined in the sweep vehicle.

The tour ended entering the winery, allowing members to hang out after the drive and share their offroad experiences. For fun, a "Pink Pig" award and a bottle of wine

surprised by the results and inspired to create an SUV event in your region.

Photos by Vu Nguyen and John Mills

Off-Road Tour (cont’d)