On the Cover: This 1986 944 Turbo with the Pink Pig livery was in the Historics Display at the Parade Concours d’Elegance. It was outfitted with a surfboard rack to hold the Pink Pig livery surfboard. This surfboard was auctioned off at the 2019 Parade in Boca Raton and given to the 944 Pink Pig owner, Gunner Mench from the Big Island Hawaii Region. Even though Gunner lives in Hawaii, the Pink Pig is registered in Florida and stored on the mainland US. Gunner drives it to Porsche events across the country. The Pink Pig’s next stop is the Rennsport Reunion at Laguna Seca Raceway in California this September.Photo by Christy Spangler
DIE PORSCHE KASSETTE is the official publication of the Porsche Club of America, Gold Coast Region, Inc. and is published monthly. Any statement appearing in the Kassette is that of the author and does not constitute an opinion of the Porsche Club of America, the Gold Coast Region, Inc., its Board of Directors, the KASSETTE editors or its staff. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication. Permission is given to chartered regions of PCA to reprint articles in their newsletter if credit is given to the author and the KASSETTE. Publication office: 648 NW 100 Lane, Coral Springs, FL 33071
We are now well into the second half of 2023 and it’s all downhill to the end of the year. That makes this a good time to assess the state of the Club. Established in 1963, Gold Coast is now 60 years old and qualifies as a senior citizen. With that status, the Club is supposed to have developed knowledge and wisdom from experience in how to best manage the events that maintain the interest of the membership. The Club, through the Board of Directors, must manage a minimum of four events per month, not counting special events, Dine and Drives, Swap Meets, etc.
As you sit reading this edition of the Kassette, stop and consider the effort it takes to produce this magazine, both in printed and online versions. I could go on, but what it boils down to is that running Gold Coast Region is the same as running a small company with all the problems associated with that type of endeavor. The difference is that Gold Coast is all volunteer run, that means members giving of their time and personal resources so that you have the support to enjoy your Porsche in the variety of ways that the Club offers. Once again, it’s not the cars, it’s the people.
As we look to run out 2023, we must look at what is coming up next. In August, we have our annual Escape and by the time you read this, you should have time to check out this event; 250 of your Porsche friends enjoying themselves. In December, we will be having Treffen at Sea, which is a 7-day cruise to the Western Caribbean aboard Princess Cruises Sun Princess. At the end of December, we will have our annual Holiday Party to close out the year and the region’s anniversary. Details of all events can be found on clubregistration.com.
Whew! The summer has been hot around here in the Gold Coast Region. Hopefully you all have found ways to keep cool. Not only does PCA and GCR keep one busy on the social front, our organization also offers many opportunities to travel. From national events such as Treffen, Parade, and now Treffen at Sea to local events such as The Escape later this month and the North Carolina Tour in October. So pack and overnight bag and lets get ready to Escape to Sanibel!
In the rearview mirror: In June we were invited to join in on the 75th Anniversary of Porsche at a non-PCA event at Porsche West Broward. It was a wonderful celebration with many of the cars in the special display belonging to our members.
Seven GCR members attended the PCA Porsche Parade in Palm Springs, CA - read about their adventures in this issue.
As we pass through August:
August 26-27th The Escape to Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa
On the horizon:
September 30 - Swap Meet and Tech
Session at TR3 in Davie
October 14 - Save the date for Oktoberfest
October 19-22 - North Carolina Tour
The Social Committee is continuing to work on events, so stay tuned for updates and announcements about
these events via the “enews” emails. You can also check the calendar on the GCR website at goldcoastregion. org/calendar, or the Gold Coast Region Facebook page events section; or go to clubregistration.net for events and updates.
PCA and GCR are fueled by volunteers: we could not do all the things we do without our volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or have an idea for something fun, please contact members of the Social Committee at socials@goldcoastregion.org.
See you soon at an upcoming event!
When Gus and Sabrina Cosio took their Porsche out on a Sunday drive to breakfast at Sergios - they unexpectedly happened upon our Second Sunday Porsches & Pancakes. They did not expect to see 44 Porsches in the parking lot and a restaurant full of Porsche enthusiasts. Not only did they join us for breakfast, but while there, they joined PCA Gold Coast Region on the spot! We welcomed several new and transferring members that day.
I hope you have discovered the exciting news about our Drivers Education program coming back to life. After much research and hard work by the DE team, we will be hosting a day at the Homestead track for PCA members to improve their driving skills under the instruction of highly qualified PCA track instructors. This did not happen overnight. Thanks to the dedicated team, we are getting back on track. Be sure to register soon to take advantage of this great opportunity.
Several members attended the Porsche Parade held in Palm Springs, CA. One of the attendees, Alicia Laya,
captured her experience at this annual event along with other members from Gold Coast. If you have never attended Parade, don’t miss this article. Next year, Parade will be in Alabama, and we hope to have a large attendance from Gold Coast. See page 31, then mark your calendar with the date. Throughout the year, we will provide more news to help you plan for the 2024 Parade.
Many of our members have owned their Porsches for much of their driving life. Still, it is fascinating when a member provides an interesting story about their ownership history and what directed them to the
Porsche mark. Paul Inselman posted an intriguing story about his Porsche journey with a club-related celebration on YouTube. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/KpC4uL8OcuA
If you have a story you would like to share with the members, please contact me for more details.
Do you like our Tech articles written by Pedro? He is seeking topics for new articles. Please send any ideas you have for tech articles, proposed articles you’ve written or would like to write, or other recommendations for future pieces, to the editor.
Only FIA Certified Restraint compatible with 3pt harness. Great for passengers/coaches.
and passenger can hear themselves and each other all the time.
To me, Porsche represents more than just automotive innovation; it embodies a lifestyle, an adventure, an experience. One of the main reasons why I joined the Porsche Club of America (PCA), was simply to experience more of a vehicle that I have grown up absolutely loving. Born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1931, Porsche was built on the vision of its founder, Ferdinand Porsche, to create vehicles that seamlessly marry power, aesthetics and supreme driving pleasure.
In my mind, this ethos is exemplified in the iconic Porsche 911. It’s sinuous form, potent flat-six engine and unmatched handling don’t just offer a drive; they promise a feeling, an intimate connection with the road. I’m not suggesting that other Porsche models don’t offer this I’m sure they do. I’m just more familiar with the 911 than with other models.
More than raw power, Porsche delights with meticulously balanced dynamics,
tactile interiors and the intoxicating scent of premium leather. However, the brand isn’t anchored in the past. Demonstrating its innovative spirit, Porsche’s Taycan, an all-electric marvel, delivers thrilling performance wrapped in luxury.
Porsche’s racing heritage continues to infuse their vehicles with proven track capability, enhancing the driving experience. Coming this September, the Gold Coast Region is giving you an opportunity to take your beloved Porsche on the track. If you have ever wondered how you and the car would perform in this environment, please sign up and give Drivers Education (DE) a try. You won’t be sorry.
Ownership of a Porsche also means membership in a passionate, global community of enthusiasts, united by our appreciation for the brand’s ethos. In essence, Porsche is a curator of experiences. Every journey becomes a testament to freedom, performance and luxury. A Porsche isn’t just a car
Mark Foley 2018 911 Carrera
Jose Perez 2012 911 Targa 4
Lauren Wolfe 2022 718 Cayman T
Kenneth Perez 1974 911
Santiago Peredo 1987 911 Carrera Targa
David Kotok 2018 Macan Turbo
Michael Loukas 2019 911 GT3 RS
Gary Glanz 2023 911 Carrera S
Chris Barcenas 2016 Macan Turbo
Daniel Estalella 2002 911 Carrera
Stuart Ostrow 2017 718 Cayman S
Manuel Goicoechea 2006 911 Carrera 4S
Hector Formoso-Murias 1995 911 Carrera
Jeffrey Liroff 2008 911 Turbo Cab
Frank Barnes 2018 911 Turbo S Cab
Albert Geraci 2021 Taycan
Paul Ferrara 2022 Macan
Brian Fiebiger 2023 911 Targa 4 GTS
Victor Acosta 2009 911 Carrera S
Jaramay Aref 2016 Cayenne GTS
Mario Villarrubia 2003 Boxster S
Manuel Camejo 2022 911 Turbo S
Pedro Ricondo 2006 911 Carrera 4
Delfin Rubin 2015 911 Carrera Cab
Idil Canal 2023 911 Carrera GTS
Ian Phillips 2016 Boxster Spyder
Danniel Estalella 2002 911 Carrera
From Florida Crown
- it’s a sensational driving experience; a moving symphony of elegance and exhilaration.
As of the 6th of July, 2023, our Gold Coast Region is thrilled to host a robust membership of 3,244 individuals. This count comprises 2,152 core members, 1,092 affiliate members and an excited group of 335 PCA Juniors.
For all the newcomers amongst us, we would like to express our heartfelt welcome to you, and we eagerly anticipate meeting you at an upcoming PCA event.
We invite all members to participate in our dedicated Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ gcrgroup. Here you can stay current with the latest happenings and discussions within our community. Our Facebook group, with an impressive tally of 536 members, is a resourceful platform for all matters related to Porsche, the Gold Coast Region and the array of events and activities we host. Regardless of whether you are a seasoned Porsche enthusiast or just starting your journey, our Facebook group is an excellent way to engage with fellow members and stay informed about all of the exciting developments within our club.
William Stahlke 2022 911 GT3 From Peachstate Paul FerraraDrive safe,
The place to be this June was in the crown jewels of the Southern California desert, Palm Springs and La Quinta. The land of eternal sun, world renowned championship golf courses, chic restaurants, trendy shops and spas; worthy of celebrities, movie stars and Hollywood moguls. The 2023 annual Porsche Parade was hosted by La Quinta Resort and Spa which has been coined by some as a place of effortless beauty, grace and history since the 1920s.
Paul and I had incredible memories of Palm Springs and La Quinta that will linger on long after our shoeprints in the desert sand have gone. Here are just a few of the those memories:
Find Us Way Above the Palms: The Palm Springs Aerial TramwayTruly an exhilarating, heart stomping 9 minute ride up 2.5 miles along mountain cliffs in a rotating tram car to reach the mountain tram station at 8,500 feet. We met with our Porsche group and had a wonderful lunch at Peaks Cliffside Restaurant. The refreshing cool, crisp mountain air at 30 degrees cooler than the desert
below was so welcoming that we took the time to hike around and explored the creeks and trails.
Calling Flying Aces and Aviators: The Palm Springs Air Museum - One of the world’s best and greatest collections of flyable WWII planes, as well as aircrafts from Korea and Vietnam are located in this 86,000 sq foot hangar museum. We got to see The Memphis Belle and we got to tour inside a B17 Bomber.
The Keys to a Seamless Drive: Turo Car Rental. Waiting for us at the doorsteps of the resort was a 2020 Carrera convertible 911 car rental that we made through Turo. This was a total rush driving around the desert towns.
Coolest Cars in the Desert: Concours d’Elegance - where the skies are bluer and the golf courses are greener. The impressive array of cars lined up on the world-renowned PGA West Pete Dye course.
This was an unforgettable trip.
“And I miss you...” Palm Springs and La Quinta, “...like the deserts miss the rain”. - Everything but the Girl.
From the top, The Concours d’Elegance historic display, Alicia and Paul at the La Quinta Resort, Alicia at the top of the mountain during the Aerial Tramway tour, at the Palm Springs Air Museum, the Layas with their 2020 Carrera 911 rental and Mirage, the Porsche Transformer, Alicia at the Councours d’Elegance.
The opportunity to drive the twisty desert mountain roads during a Porsche event was too tempting to pass up. After enjoying drives in Georgia and North Carolina, Palm Springs, CA offered completely different scenery and driving experience. Renting a 2018 Boxster 718 seemed to be the perfect way to experience the mountain drives. Thanks to Turo.com, the Boxster was ready to pick up upon arrival.
There were several tours to choose from and the two I picked offered some great driving. The first 90 mile twisty mountain drive went to the historic gold mining town of Julian to enjoy a specially prepared lunch at Jeremy’s on the Hill Restaurant at a 4,000 foot elevation. It was a beautiful drive from the 100+ degree desert to a gorgeous mountain village. The second one was 50 miles, to an ear-popping elevation of 6,000 feet to the Idyllwild Brew Pub in the artsy town of Idyllwild. As the elevation increased, the scenery became more lush and green. The temperature was a nice 65 degrees
and you could see snow-capped mountains in the distance. Both drives included a route on the scenic Highway 74 and the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway. On a day off from the mountain’s twisty roads, I participated on the twisty track at the autocross. It was a lot of fun giving the Boxster a spin around the cones.
The non-driving activities I chose included a beer tasting featuring the La Quinta Brewery, a Porsches & Pinot painting class with the Porsche Parade Artist, Kelly Telfer, and a screening of the “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” movie. There was also an exhibition of vendors displaying and demonstrating their products. Finally, the banquets were nice events where region’s awards, competitive events awards and the PCA national awards were announced.
The Parade of Porsches takes place on the last day of Parade. Over 200 Porsches participated in our police escorted drive. We drove 17 miles up scenic Highway 74 to a turn-around area and drove back down to the La Quinta Resort. It is always a fun part of the Parade to see so many awesome cars on a drive. Not only was it nice to be around all of the Porsches, it was fun seeing familiar faces and meeting new friends from across the U.S. and Canada.
The Porsche Parade met and exceeded all of my expectations. The lyric from the Eagle’s song Hotel California, “On a dark desert highway, with cool wind in my hair..” pretty much sums it all up.
The Patterson family won first place in the Gimmick Rally 2 Person Plus Passengers class. Left to right, Heidi, Philip Jr. (driver), Philip III (navigator) and Pei Ling Chen.
Philip Jr. and Philip III pictured below also placed 4th in the Time, Speed, Distance Rally R04 Class.
Way back and seemingly forever ago (two years), we were new in introducing Gold Coast Region members to the Die Porsche Kassette readership. Our second member feature was written about a fine young man of high school age.
Noah Ratner passed his Florida Driver’s License test in a five-speed Porsche 924. (DPK: July 2021)
We have been keeping up with Noah’s father, Ryan, on his son’s progress with the 924 they acquired. It is the car that Noah took his license test in that day a few years ago. Following the license driving test, the Ratner’s went to work on bringing a wonderful Porsche back to life. Noah, with dad’s assistance, would restore this Porsche to become a 924 Carrera GT tribute.
Noah graduated from high school, last spring. He started his collegiate experience at Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. Noah is majoring in Spaceflight Operations and Systems Engineering. During the transition from high schooler to college man, Noah has been very active with both the books and the 924 restoration.
We recently saw Noah in the soup asile Publix. He is working at the Parkland/Coral Ridge Drive location just north of the Sawgrass Expressway during the summer break. With a huge smile on his face, he was happy to be recognized in his green uniform shirt and black apron.
We spoke briefly of school and the Porsche. There are not many Porsches of 924 vintage which have been repaired, modified, upgraded, and repainted to become a 924 Carrera GT Tribute. Therefore, finding the Porsche in period correct silver tone, Carrera GT flared fenders with hood scoop, decals, and upgraded
wheels and tires in the Publix lot was not difficult. It was parked at the far east end of the lot, a fairly long walk from the store entrance. He’s a smart lad, you know.
Pictures of Noah’s refreshed 924 accompany this note. If you happen to shop at the Publix on Coral Ridge in Parkland, look for the silver Carrera GT. You might also find Noah doing his Publix duties, bagging groceries, chasing carts, or “cleanup aisle six” at least until he starts an aerospace internship. He’ll certainly be smiling, as he knows he’s driving home in HIS PORSCHE!
Well done Noah Ratner, well done indeed.
THERE IS GREAT NEWS… WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MR. DAN SMITHYMAN WILL ACCEPT THE KEY POSITION OF DE CHAIRMAN FOR THE SEPTEMBER 16TH EVENT AT HMS. WE WARMLY WELCOME DAN AND HIS EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE TO THE EFFORT!
Following the approval by the Gold Coast Region Board of Directors and subsequent announcement of our High Performance Driver Education (DE) event, we are off to a flying start. In a very short period of time, we have enrolled over forty-five drivers and eighteen instructors for the track day at Homestead-Miami Speedway on September 16, 2023. Registration is open at ClubRegistration.net. A direct link for the event is: https://bit.ly/gcrde23
Gold Coast will offer a full day of events and learning at the Homestead Track. We are working toward an instructor-driver ratio of 1:1, for the novice and intermediate drivers. Solo drivers are also greatly welcome. Please enroll at ClubReg as soon as possible. All instructors and drivers will receive t-shirts to commemorate the event and celebrate your respective time on the track. A block of hotel space is being set aside at two locations in Homestead to allow those to come in early on Friday. Both Marriott and Hilton properties will be available, look for the announcement shortly.
WE NEED INSTRUCTORS! WE CAN USE A FEW MORE INTERMEDIATE AND SOLO DRIVERS. AND AS ALWAYS, WE WILL NEED A GROUP OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS TO SUPPORT THE EVENT!
If you have questions, please call or email: mark johnson, DE Manager 954-422-2199 mjsailing@hotmail.com Dottie Kidd, Registrar 954-562-5919 dottiekidd@bellsouth.net
Thanks for signing up and coming out to the track. It is time to exercise your Porsche.
GOLD COAST DRIVER EDUCATION EVENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THESE SPONSORS
AutoX is back for 2 more fall events...Registration is open for both on Clubregistration.net
Event # 6 @ Sebring Race track skid pad (in conjunction with the Suncoast region DE) Sept. 9,2023 Registration fee $30.00 for PCA members
Event #7 @ St Lucie Fairgrounds...15601 Midway Rd. Ft. Pierce Fl. 34945...October 21,2023
Pre registration and payment required. No onsite registration
Need more details...Contact Team AutoX
...Registration fee $40. for PCA Members
Most of the above dates & sites are subject to change due to weather, availability and factors beyond our control.
2023 updates and reminders
• Everyone is required to pre-register & pre pay for any AutoX on Clubregistration.net… Please consult the GCR website and Kassette for all Autocross photos & results.
• No passengers except for an approved AX instructor driving or in the car instructing.
• If track tours are offered at Sebring , rules will be strictly enforced.
• Questions? call Dottie Kidd 954-562-5919. or Steve Kidd 954 292-3915 PCA Parade Auto cross Champions
Virtually anyone with a love of Porsche has an appreciation of automobiles. Jason Crow our FINDING GOLD member for August 2023, certainly qualifies with his unique anguish and tremendous love of the Porsche brand.
Jason has been a prototypical car guy for many years. He has been mostly enamored by German brands having owned several Mercedes models. He has also tinkered with the Porsche precursor air cooled VW Bugs. He’s owned a couple of them. Eventually, Porsche fever took over and the German car man became a Porsche Man!
The year was 2004, and the month was March. As Jason suggests he was “excited to be able to afford a Porsche and got lost in the acquisition.” The vehicle he purchased from an individual in Miami was a good deal on the surface; he spent $14K. This 1974 911 had been rebodied to look like a more modern 993. The vehicle included an engine swap with an upgrade to a 3.6L flat
six, of course that was sourced from a 1995 911. The car was painted in a VW Technoblau. Jason didn’t know much about Porsche, but he was in love with the brand. He was in love with his Porsche!
After the Technoblau engine was swapped, the ’74 911 arrived with the modifications and no hope of being stock or original ever again. Jason set his mind on making the car his own, with modifications of his selection and design. The first mod was a new exhaust.
The car arrived with only an exhaust collector plugged directly into the heat exchangers and it set off quite a few alarms in the neighborhood. It was LOUD! Working with Professor Steve Timmins in Delaware (Steve runs a company which specializes in 993 swaps – instant-g.com), Jason installed a modified and proper exhaust system for the engine that was somewhat quieter, and the change helped keep the neighbors perhaps happier.
Member Feature by Mark JohnsonEngine and transmission work followed. The engine burned oil and he went through a quart on every trip. A couple engine rebuilds followed, then a few transmission rebuilds. After these substantial efforts the ’74 was running well, but the body work was still wrong.
Early in his ownership Jason toyed with the idea of creating an IROC Tribute Porsche. This thought seemed out of reach for many years. Then, ten years into ownership he found a oneman shop in Boca Raton who agreed to rebody the car for a princely sum of $12,000.00. He went to work to source all the necessary parts and had them delivered to the shop.
With many jobs of this sort, a six month estimate turned into a two year project during which Jason begged and pleaded with the owner to finish the job. The project was started in 2014 and finally completed in 2016. Commensurate with the body transformation to the IROC look, the vehicle color was changed to Mexico Blue. Our good friend, Kevin Wheeler
at KMW Motorsports was quite helpful in the final stages with sorting out the rebuild. Originally a 1974 911 Carrera, then rebodied to a 993 911 style, and now finally turned into an IROC Tribute 911. It had the look!
The Mexico Blue 911 eventually went for new rear glass, and additional trim work at Gordon Wardle’s 9AutoMotion shop. While the bodywork was in great shape, they found the floors and pedal box totally rusted out. With the body off the car, it was stripped to the frame and every hidden rotten component of the 911 was replaced or refreshed. Headlights were replaced with 911 Raven S style lights. Soon the Tribute will be back at Wardle’s shop for additional freshening and a set of ITB Trumpets. The 911 will then be a full, period-correct IROC Tribute look Porsche.
What a long, strange trip it’s been. It was absolutely a trip of love, passion, and patient forward thinking. The Mexico Blue IROC Tribute was featured on the cover of Die Porsche Kassette back in 2019 when it was being shown on the field at the Boca Raton Parade, (DPK November 2019 Issue). It was a stunner for the cover and great recognition for Jason as this Porsche was a First Place winner in class at Parade 2019.
With the IROC Tribute car running well, the next foray into Porsche was a 2017 Macan S in Sapphire Blue. Jason had this vehicle for three years when it was unceremoniously totally by a person who rear-ended him while he as stopped at an intersection. This Macan joined the family in ‘18 and left in ’21, a short but enjoyable period of ownership.
The Macan S was quickly replaced with a 2018 Macan Turbo in April 2021; body colored in Graphite Blue Metallic. Jason felt the “S” was somewhat lacking and acquiring the Macan Turbo solidified that belief. It helped that the Turbo received a Cobb Stage One tune. Beyond the spec and operating qualities of the two Macans, Jason appreciates blue colored cars, similar to another Porsche pal recently featured.
During the tidal ebb and flow of Macan S & Turbo, Crow also took another leap of faith in acquiring a second air cooled Porsche. The fun of the Tribute car gave way to a sight unseen purchase of a 1974 Porsche 914. Jason considers the decision “almost as bad as the 911.” It was purchased in May of 2020.
Immediately after delivery, the 914 the car spent three years in the shop for various issues which included a full engine rebuild. Within the last 8 weeks, the 914 returned home with the fresh 2.1L and dual Weber carbs, a mild cam, and early model chrome bumpers and Euro lenses. The color, a reader may ask: the 914 is Alaska Blue Metallic.
It runs exceptionally well and has been seen at quite a few events since its return. Of course, neither the 911 Tribute nor the 914 has airconditioning. We see Jason in the mornings, or later in the evenings during the south Florida summers.
Jason is pleased, of course, having the 914 back and the 911 running strong, and perhaps a bit wiser with regards to future Porsche purchases. Buying a vehicle without a quality survey can lead to a less than expected quality vehicle. It can and will happen to most everyone when buying older vehicles. It is a lesson learned, and not only within the Porsche brand.
(Ed. The writer could tell quite a tale about a certain 1966 Triumph Spitfire in his collection.)
Jason is married and he and his wife Melissa will celebrate twenty years of marriage in November. They have two children, daughter Adrienne and son Tyler. Tyler just graduated from high school and will be headed to the University of Central Florida to pursue a degree in Computer Science.
The Crows also share their home with four dogs: two Dachshunds (Rye and Ginger), a mix (Truly), and their eighteen year old Beagle mix (Arnie) the family’s first pup.
They have lived in their Boynton Beach home since 2003. South Florida has been Jason’s residential location since 1999. He is originally from Charlottesville, Virginia and Melissa is a native of Richmond, Virginia.
Jason shared his personal thoughts and background as follows: “I know in some ways my past causes me to give more value to material things than is probably healthy, but I’ve always identified with my cars on a deeper emotional level. I’m sick when they’re sick, I’m happy when they’re running well. I came from pretty meager beginnings, on public assistance. My parents divorced since I was 12. I have two younger brothers, and people think it’s funny how quickly I eat. When you come from these types of beginnings, you eat fast, or you don’t eat.”
He continues, “I’ve always grasped to get more out of life and always tried to make a better life for myself and my family. I started working at a young age: paper routes, odd jobs, movie theater, bellhop at a country club. Both Melissa and I come from similar backgrounds, where our families struggled financially and emotionally; we connected a lot on this. We both graduated from FAU and have successfully built our careers to ensure that our children never have to
struggle the way we did. There are two things I’ve found I enjoy in life, working with computers and driving old cars. I grew up around old cars and I learned to drive in my family’s 1972 Plymouth Valiant. Despite what other kids thought, that car always gave me a sense of pride.”
Jason is the Lead Principal Architect (information technology - IT) for Total Wine & More at the company’s innovation office in Boca Raton. His team runs the consumer applications for the IOS and Android systems on our phones. Additionally, all the applications and infrastructure that runs the 250+ store operations at Total are within his responsibilities. He has been an IT programmer for over twenty-five years.
Back to his Porsche passion, Jason has been to DRT a half dozen times. He’s also participated in Werks twice, parking in the corral. Once the ITB Trumpets are installed along with the other period correct mods, Jason expects to show the car on the Judged Field at Werks in the Sports Purpose category. Additional travel has included a trip to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta.
He returned to PEC during the last weekend of June. It was a birthday reward trip and Jason specifically went to Atlanta to drive a GT3. He was able to sport around the original track and the new west track at PEC. The GT3 was of course a shade of dark blue.
Eventually, Jason would like to own a GT2RS for at GT3RS. He suggests that will require a good bit of “convincing” and expanded garage space. His alltime favorite Porsche, the 1974 Carrera RSR from the IROC Championship days, which is certainly logical. He is also fond of the 918 and the GT2RS.
Jason Crow has been a Gold Coast PCA member since 2004 when the 911 was first purchased. He enjoys much of what PCA offers and can be seen at many of the events, generally when they are closer to their Boynton Beach home.
One day, he believes he would like to join in some Porsche vintage racing, but for the moment he is quite happy cruising with the Thursday Night Crew, Vintage Vices, the Air & Water guys, and the Air Cooled Breakfast Crew, each are sub-groups of passionate Porsche people. We hope to see Jason at our GCR DE in September where he can start getting a taste for car control and enjoyment of speed on a closed course track. In the meantime, look for Jason and the IROC Mexico Blue 911, the Alaska Blue Metallic 914, or even in the Graphite Blue Macan Turbo S. There is much to learn about Jason’s experience with the Porsche brand, and his substantial rebuilds.
Like fine wine - purchased at Total Wine & More of course, Porsches take time, care, caressing and patience. These features along with their obvious driving characteristics (i.e., drinking them in) are what drives Jason Crow. Vintage Porsches will do that to a car guy.
Once upon a time in a very faroff COLD place (that Floridians will never know) called Route 17 in the Catskill Mountains, rode a seventeen-year-old boy and his dad. They were off driving in a beautiful turbo-charged 924 Porsche with a 5-speed manual transmission. Route 17 was a beautiful mountainous road where Porsches’ like to unwind.
It was November, 1978 at about 2AM that had that father and son driving those mountain roads on their way to their favorite hunting spot in South Fallsburg, New York. In case you haven’t guessed by now, that son was me.
I know what you are thinking, “Are those two nuts really going to bring home a deer on top of a beautiful Porsche?” The answer was no, because we did not get one…but let’s get back to our story.
The weather was a balmy 50 degrees which caused an intense fog to cover the land. Driving was tough and my dad got a blistering headache and pulled off to the side of the road. He turned to me and said, “Paul, you have to drive, my head is killing me.” I responded, “No problem, Pop; you do realize I just got my license, right?” He said “Yes”. I then asked, “You know I have only driven a stick a couple of times, right?” He said, “Yes.” I said, “Pop, I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to drive a stick here and now.” He said, “You will do fine.” I said, “You do realize this is a Porsche, right?” He said, “Yes.” I said, Pop, “I really don’t want to grind the gears on your car.” He said, “Then don’t.” I said, “Dad, “The fog is like pea soup, I can’t see the front of our car.” He said, “Stay on the line and follow the tail lights in front of you.” I protested, “But Dad, there
Member Feature by Paul S Inselman, DCare big cliffs on the side of the road!” He said, “Don’t go over the cliff.” I said, “But Dad… He said, “Get your ass in the seat now and let me close my eyes”.
I think instead of Porsches and Pancakes I was creating my own group called “Prayers and Porsches. “I began to pray…”Oh G-D please let me findem and not grindem” …”Oh G-D please don’t let me go over a cliff…”and “Oh G-D, please give me x-ray vision to cut through the fog.”
Okay, first gear wasn’t too bad. With a minor buck and we were off. Of course, once I got out of first, the rest was easy. Following the middle line…all good. No cliffs, check. Dad sleeping, all good. There I was at the helm of this beautiful, head turning 924 Turbo.
After about fifteen miles the fog lifted. Now to feel that turbo kick in…and the rest was HISTORY! It would not be until 1996 when I bought my first 911. It was an air-cooled black 993 that I only wish that I had today. The car was amazing. I lived on Long Island at the time. I would deliberately drive 65 miles one way to my office so I could drive along Ocean Parkway, which drives along the beach. In the winter there were very few cars. For some reason that car would always go to pretty
high speeds all by itself. One day I was doing 65-mph in a 55-mph zone. As luck would have it, I got pulled over by a State Trooper. He asked if I knew why he pulled me over? I said, “No I don’t”. He said, “I really just wanted to see your car up close”. I said, “No problem officer.” I thought it was weird that you pulled me over today when I was doing a couple of miles over the speed limit. Usually, I am doing over 100.” He laughed and we talked for about twenty minutes or so. I was practicing as a chiropractor back then and he even became a long-standing patient of mine.
Next, came a sad day in my life. I had just built a brand-new house and my father advised that I wait and recoup a little before getting the car. Of course, I was young and inexperienced and what did my father know? As you can all guess, he was right and that car was financially strangling me. With much sadness I sold the car and did not re-enter the Porsche world until 2007. I purchased a beautiful 2005 pre-owned Boxster with 12K miles. The car was a stick and I quickly lost my enthusiasm for South
Florida traffic with a stick; and, the car was a bit too slow for me. My dilemma was compounded by the story that I had told myself… I would be doomed to Hell for all eternity if I got an automatic transmission in a Porsche.
Trying to find the perfect combination, twelve years later and eleven Porsche’s later, I found my perfect car which I drive today. It is a 2019 Turbo Cabriolet. I guess if my PDK transmission is going to damn me to Hell for all eternity, at least I am going to get there in style and speed.
In 2013 we joined the PCA. We have made what will be lifelong friends with Edwin and Silvia Lorse and Guido and Alessandra Trussardi. We hope to add more PCA members to our list of lifelong friends. Even though Guido and Alessandra moved back to Italy, we still speak and still consider both them and Edwin and Silvia like family. The slogan “It is not the cars, it is the people,” could not be truer.
On January 5, 2023 we thought that we had lost my father. He ended up rallying that night and I got the crazy idea to hold a Porsche parade in his honor. At this point in time, he was very weak and rarely got out of bed. Before I called anyone in the PCA for help, I told my father that I was going to put an event together for him tomorrow and that he would have to get dressed and go downstairs in a wheelchair. He looked at me as if to say, are you crazy?
I also told him if he died that night, I would kill him! He smiled and promised me he wouldn’t die that night.
I then called Dottie and Peter and asked for their help. I asked if we could get something together for the next day. They both remarked that we have only sixteen hours and they would do the best they could. I advised them that we may not have a seventeenth hour. My wife Mary, literally walked door to door where Porsche owners lived. She told them of our plight and so many people were happy to help.
The next morning at 6:00 AM my father awoke and told his aide that he needed to get dressed because his son had an event for him today. The aide informed him that the event wasn’t until 2:00 PM. He told her he knew that, he just wanted to be ready.
At 1:45PM my daughter helped her grandfather and the aide bring him downstairs where he was greeted by about thirty cars that paraded for him and the other residents of the Aston Gardens Assisted Living Facility. Peter gave my dad a lifetime achievement award and his smile from ear to ear was priceless. He made me replay the video over and over again. Sadly, my Pop passed on January 18, 2023.
If you want to see the video of the parade you can go to https://youtu. be/KpC4uL8OcuA . I will suggest to have a box of tissues handy. My heartfelt thanks to Dottie, Peter and all of the other wonderful officers and members of the Gold Coast PCA who made this event happen for my dad.
It is easy to understand how this 43-year-old love affair happened. Once you drive a Porsche, it is easy to understand why they become a lifelong brand. Every time I take mine out for a spin, I am reminded not only how lucky I am to own a Porsche, but I am reminded of my dad, my hero who got me into this crazy hobby.
Now I look forward to sharing this passion with my grandson. At eight months old, he is already enjoying his 911. I hope to see you at future PCA events and I thank you for taking the time to read my story.
One of my first articles dealt with the safety helmet. Some years after that, I revised the article to make it up-to-date but I never wrote about the driver’s fire suit.
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 socks are required. Drivers with mustaches, beards or long hair extending below the helmet must wear a fire-retardant balaclava.
If you are 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; but if you are driving a race car, even if it is not required by the Club or the Track, it is a wise choice to wear one.
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
But what exactly do the SFI and FIA specifications mean?
The two major worldwide entities that administer the standards of safety for protective garments 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 competitions. 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 heatresistant and fire-retardant 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 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 high-quality 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 flame-resistant and must meet or exceed the specific flame propagation and after flame 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 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 the 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.
Finally, there is proof that fire suits do a great job of protecting drivers. One example was the inferno where Romain Grosjean escaped from his race car at the 2020 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix.
In the past, racing suits were classified as single-layer and multilayer, and that determined the TPP protection, but in today’s world there are some single-layer suits that attain a higher TPP than some multi-layer ones. The easiest and best way to increase your driving suit’s TPP is to wear fire-retardant underwear under your suit.
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.
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2018 and 2019 1st place winner concours d’elegance PCA Goldcoast region best in class award! 28k miles. $72,900. For details, search PCA mart Classified Ads: 51049.
There is one year and unlimited milage available on the CPO. Paint protection and a Becker exhaust was installed. I have the original exhaust. 45,600 miles. This is garage kept and a weekend car. $50,999 Paul Orofino 407-496-0019 Cell paul@mdsinc.me
(2) Bridgestone RE71R 245/40-18 NEW..200 treadwear Ultra high performance stickers still on. Never mounted and garage stored last 3 years $275 for both. FIRM
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OEM Cat back stock muffler for 2009-2012 Boxster or Cayman S, great cond..If you don›t like that load, droning so called performance system that the prior owner installed, try this $275
4.0 v8 36.6K Black Escort detect max360 - mint condition - pix upon request. 95K Contact Christian Ollino at 786-200 -1931 or ollino@bellsouth.net.
Wheelchair for Porsche
Steel Transport Chair with Permanent Full-Length Arms, Swing-Away Footrest, Large 12” wheels, seat belt. Fits in the trunk of a Porsche. Like new only used a few times. Colors are burgundy and grey, lightweight 23.5 lbs. 300 lbs weight capacity. $145 Contact Roger Fabel at rfabel@aol.com.or text 954 752-2501.
Front Nose for 944 Turbo or S2, Broken Louvers repaired (they all break...trust me). pretty good condition, but will need final sanding and paint. $250. Wont fit regular 944 unless you get turbo/s2 fenders Call Steve 954 292-3915
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This photo was taken by Bjoern Marek of his 2019 911 Carrera T at Lake Placid, FL, last October during the Gimmick Rally. The Racing Yellow Carrera T has many desirable options. From it being a manual (of course!), and it came from the factory having full carbon bucket seats with rear seat delete, the Carrera T interior package (yellow stitching and 911 logo embroidery, in addition to other details), rear axle steering, 20” Carrera S Wheels in Satin Black, front axle lift, the Light Design package, the GT Sport Steering wheel and gear lever in Alcantara, the Chrono package with Porsche Track Precision App, LED headlights and tinted tail lights. This Carrera T placed third at the 2022 WERKS Reunion in Amelia Island in the P6A Class, 991/992 2011 to present.
If there had not been a Rally, Bjoern would have never considered going to Lake Placid. His father, Manfred, was visiting from Germany and joined Bjoern as his navigator. “With all the wonderful goodies included in the Carrera T, it makes driving so enjoyable, especially on GCR tours like this one,” says Bjoern. The name of the mural in the background is “Our Citrus Heritage” by Keith Goodson.
Bjoern took this photo on an Apple iPhone 14 Pro.
