Werks Reunion

WERKS REUNION 2021

by Mark Johnson, staff writer

The pandemic got in the way but not for long. The 2021 edition of the Porsche WERKS REUNION at Amelia Island, FL was moved from March ’21 to Friday, May 21st, 2021. So, what? Big deal, and NO PROBLEM!

What the virus could not impact was the Porsche enthusiasm and 900 +/- vehicles from showing up on Friday, May 21st for a record-breaking event. Yes, records were broken. There were over 150 Porsches on the Judged Show Field with 750+ in the Porsche Corral, with no telling how many additional 944s, 914s, or Panameras relegated to spectator parking. Did we suggest enthusiasm? There were more cars, aficionados, friendly reunions, and unparalleled Porsche camaraderie than could be had anywhere else in the eastern half of the US as related to P-Car fun. We might have missed a few historical Porsches, but not many, as virtually every model sold in the US over the past 60+ years was seen on the fairway.

As many folks know, the Porsche WERKS Reunion is held in two locations every year. The Florida venue is associated with the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. The 2021 WERKS was staged at the Amelia River Golf Club. Porsche WERKS uses two golf fairways for the Judged vehicle areas. The Porsche Corral is held on a third fairway, but it must be a par 7 to fit 750 or so P-Cars on that green grass between the tee box and the putting green. The view from one end or the other seems to go forever.

The second WERKS event is held in association and on the Friday preceding the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The 2021 edition of WERKS “West” will be held on August 13th in Monterey, CA. Each of these Reunions sets the table for a phenomenal weekend of car viewing, people watching, vehicle auctions (managed by RM Sotheby’s) and spectacular vintage and modern vehicles. WERKS events and the Concours shows are exceptional!

The Gold Coast PCA was in attendance with quite a few members. No official count could be identified; however, we did have a PCA Gold Coast member score big in the Judged Porsche competition. Mr. Fabio Martinez of Parkland, FL and took 1st Place in their respective category: 1999-2010 996 & 997. Fabio won the division with his 2002 Carrera 996 in Lapis Blue Pearl. The entire family: Fabio, Amaia his bride, and son, Asier, were all in attendance at Amelia. Each wore huge smiles when the win as announced. Asier collected the 1st Place award on Dad’s behalf from his passenger seat during the award ceremony. No doubt Asier was instrumental in the vehicle prep and offering great encouragement for Dad! They were a very happy family, and why not? This was a win on a “national” level. The Car: 2002 Porsche Carrera 996, Lapis Blue Pearl The Fam: Amaia, Fabio, & Asier Martinez with the Winning Smiles !

Also showing on the Judged field were a couple of our other PCA Gold Coast Members. Albert Salvador brought two of his Porsches to Ameila. He placed his 1977 911S in Slate Grey into the outlaw competition. The Carrera RS/R Outlaw tribute build has period-correct RS interior, a custom Macacauba wood roofrack, Koni shock suspension and a ton of additional upgrades.

Albert Salvador (GC-PCA) ‘77 911S Outlaw RS/R Tribute on Judged Field

PCA-GC was also represented by Bob and Patricia Walters with their 2007 Carrara White 997 Carrera S. Both Bob and Patricia are carrying their cameras to every P-Car event and usually they capture hundreds if not thousands of pics for each Porsche event. Bob is a great acolyte for Porsche; in fact he spent a great amount of time with several of the more interesting folks in attendance, such as Jeff Zwart of Porsche Pikes Peak Hill Climb fame and Sara Dakarmen of LA Dismantlers.

Bob Walters at his ‘07 997 CS speaking with Sara Dakarmen of LADismanteler

Beyond Fabio’s win there were two additional segment winners who stood out for their exceptional presentation. The first was Mr. Dave Jerome and his 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster in black. This was simply a stunning and well-presented Porsche. In speaking with one of the judges for the class (19491965 356) the car stood head and shoulders above the fray, and the competition was strong. The other 1st place winner of note was a 1995 Carrera 993 SuperCup owned by Mark Nasrallah of Orlando, FL.

We spoke with Mark at length and his history with the car is a true Porsche love story. Besides putting this SuperCup back into show and race ready condition, Mark runs Porsche Club Racing events on a regular basis. As Mark is from Orlando, he is always at the GC/Suncoast 48 Hours of Porsche in February. All told, judging was held in 14 different segments, which offered a high level of competition of over 10 vehicles per segment. (Note: If our Die Porsche Kassette readers receive the “PCA

Plenty of Porsche Cars to see on the Judged Field and nearly 5 times as many in the Corral.

E-Brake” news at their personal email address, refer to the May 25, 2021 issue to see additional photos and read the PCA write-up of this event.)

It’s a pretty easy run up the Florida Turnpike and I-95 to Jacksonville and the Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach area. The distance is right at 350 miles from the Broward – Palm Beach county line, and about 5 hours of driving (more or less) depending on your pace. Once on Amelia there are multiple places to stay from the luxury Ritz Carlton, to multiple hotels, and VRBO’s, beach rentals and the like. Should anyone decide to go for the 2022 event (March 3-6, 2022) make your reservations early. The places book quickly with Porsche peeps and all the folks in attendance for the Concours d’Elegance.

Friends from all over the eastern US were in attendance. Mr. Kelly Telfer, commissioned artist for WERKS, was there with posters and paintings. Others we have met at 48 Hours of Porsche, North Carolina Rennsport Dragon Rallies, the Miami DRT events, and our own GC members at Porsche & Pancake meets. Every bit as much fun as speaking with the celebs in attendance was speaking with the owners on the field and in the corral. Amazing folks with amazing cars, and amazing stories to string it all together. It is all great Porsche fellowship.

Simply order up the 2022 event like a hotdog in Chicago