FIRST TURN
Olliviere , PresidentHappy Holidays to each person that is part of the Porsche Family of Gold Coast. If you are a member great, if not I still wish you well in the coming year.
I have had the privilege of leading the Gold Coast Region as it’s President for two years, a term that comes to and end on December 31, 2022. As I look back at the past two years, I can say with all confidence that it has been a time truly filled with challenges and successes. My term started out with the restructuring of Gold Coast after the Gulfstream Region was created from what was the northern part of Gold Coast Region. We were just under three thousand members at that time and some predicted that we could lose
as much as a third of our membership to the new region. Since hindsight is 20/20, we can look back and see that those that predicted disaster were wrong. Instead of decreasing in size Gold Coast grew and thrived. Today, two years later, we are larger in terms of membership than when the reorganization occurred. I should also mention the Gulfstream has thrived. None of this is by accident. The success of the transition was due to some very hard work by the members of both Board of Directors. I want to thank those people for stepping up to the plate and giving of their time and talents to make it happen.
Another milestone during my term was COVID and the rules and restriction
put in place governmentally and by our national organization to attempt to minimize COVID’s effect. Organized events came to a halt due to fear of spreading the virus. This greatly effected the social and Concourse parts of our calendar, but none the less we were able to work with a trimmed down calendar and once again thanks to the efforts of our Board we came through it all emerging stronger than ever.
COVID lasted about a year, and it seems strange to condense such an important event to one small paragraph. It gave us, Vaccination, Shots, Booster, Pandemic, Ventilator, ZOOM, Masks, and other words that have moved from the seldom used column to everyday conversation. But what it really did was create another chapter in the 60year history of the Gold Coast Region that adds to our book of success. To underline the turnaround we have had, in August we had the largest single event in the history of Gold Coast with 370 members registered to attend the Escape to the Cape.
As I said my term as president ends December 31st. I’m writing this just a few days before the election comes to and end. I did run for reelection but like most things I could win, or I could lose. Since you won’t see this till after the election has closed, I’m not breaking any rules by saying that if I lost my bid for reelection, it’s been my honor to contribute to the Club over the last two years, and if have been reelected then thanks for your support and I will do my best to deserve it.
Thank you for the ride of my life and, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Peter
SHIFT INTO SOCIAL
Christy Spangler, Social ChairSeason’s Greetings, Gold Coast!
As this year comes to a close I look back on all that we have done—from autocross, rallies, DE classes and tech sessions to the socials, axe throwing and of course, Escape to the Cape. With over twenty events along with the regular monthly Porsches & Pancakes and the Third and Fourth Thursday socials, 2022 has been a great year for Gold Coast Region.
In November, we held the Art and Autos at the InterContinental Hotel in Doral. This was a unique event that featured Tampa-based artist, Todd Laslo, who had his work on display and met with attendees.
December 3rd is the Holiday in Para dise party at Margaritaville in Holly wood, FL.
December 10th, the Zonefest at Sea, PCA inaugural Princess Cruise departs Port Everglades for an 8-day eastern Caribbean voyage.
The calendar for 2023 is in the works with events beginning to populate it. Save the date of January 14th for the popular Dine & Drive to Islamorada. Details on that will be coming soon.
The 48 Hours at Sebring PCA club race will be held February 2-5. There is still time to sign up to volunteer. If you are unable to volunteer, you can plan to spend the day watching the Porsche competition and join the charity lap tour of the historic Sebring Raceway.
Happy Holidays to you all, stay safe and most of all, enjoy your Porsches!
Stay tuned for upcoming announce ments about these events via emails from Ian Gerada via “enews.” You can also check the calendar on the GCR website at goldcoastregion.org/cal endar and on clubregistration.net for events and updates.
If you are interested in joining the social committee, volunteering or have an idea for something fun, contact me at socials@goldcoastregion.org.
KEY STROKES
Roger Fabel, Editorfrom our professional Kassette staff, a transfer of leadership in our Christmas Shoebox charity program, increased articles from our members, plus there were many other great contributions from our members.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,
What a wonderful year for Gold Coast Region. We finally got back to a normal schedule of activities, and it was great to see the results of our hard-working volunteers. Being a performance-based person, I was pleased to see several members step up to the plate and improve our program. We had a busy social calendar, a new charity golf tournament, continued improvement
This year we had a large field of members volunteering their time. A few of them ran for the GCR board and officer positions. I want to thank everyone who ran and also thank those who voted. The present board and officers, who served for the past two years, deserve a big thank you for their service. Without the board and officers’ leadership, we would not have the great program that has evolved over the past fifty-nine years.
The elections concluded on November 15th. Here is the newly-elected 20232024 officers and board of directors:
President - Peter Olliviere
Vice President - Dottie Kidd
Treasurer - Carolynn Ditichs
Secretary - Cynthia Fluhart
Past President - Steve Kidd
Director - Ian Gerada
Director - Mark Johnson
Director - Mike Del Pozo
Director - Noemi Sanchez
Congratulations to the new 2023-2024 team and all the leaders who will chair our programs.
We hope to see you at the 48 Hours at Sebring. Register to volunteer now!
RogerSTART YOUR ENGINES
Ian Gerada , Membership ChairSome PCA Gold Coast Region benefits you may not have known about
While I’m sure most of us do not need that question answered, there are some benefits to belonging to this wonderful club of ours that sometimes go unnoticed. While this list by no means covers all the benefits, I’m just going to highlight a few that you may not know about. (In no particular order)
• The Porsche Track Experience (PTX) [formerly known as Porsche Sport Driving School (PSDS)]
– PCA members receive a 10% discount at the school.
• Mart Fresh News: Monthly opt-in subscription e-newsletter featuring news and information geared toward the Porsche new and used car market.
• Access to and use of The Mart, PCA’s members-only marketplace (Test Drive members may view ads, respond to ads, and place a wanted ad.)
• National events, such as Porsche Parade, Treffen North America, and Werks Reunion. As a member of PCA Gold Coast Region, you are more than welcome to join in on any PCA event nation wide.
• PCA Club Racing, the club’s nationwide racing program for all Porsche models
• Group tours to Germany with unique PCA member access to the Porsche factory
• PCA Members take 10% OFF your next order at Pelican Parts!
For a complete list of members benefits please visit https://www.pca. org/membership-benefits
New Member Numbers
As of November 15th, 2022, our membership stands at 3,139, broken down into 2069 primary members, 1,070 co-members and 306 PCA Juniors. Thank you and welcome to all our new members for joining this exciting region.
Remember, if you’re the primary member, you can register a comember. * Co-members are welcome to share in your PCA experience at no additional cost.
Additionally, they’re invited to all PCA events and receive their own user account on www.PCA.org
*Co-members must be at least 18 years of age to register.
Did You Know
We have quite an active Facebook Group with over 430 members , please join fellow members for discussions and general Porsche chat by requesting to join the group at www.facebook.com/ groups/gcrgroup/ you will need your PCA membership number to join as this is a private group only open to PCA members, hope to see you online.
Please take your time to follow our Instagram page where we will be featuring a lot of our event photos – you can follow us on Instagram by following goldcoastpca (https://www.instagram. com/goldcoastpca/)
Drive safe,
Ian
Welcome
Brian Belmonti 2014 911 Turbo S Cab From Fox Valley Thomas Leoutsakos 2013 911 Carrera S Cab From Northeast
Franco Rizzo 2019 911 Carrera From Chicago
Jeffrey Weissman, MD 2007 911 Carrera 4 From Metropolitan
Welcome GCR New Members
Jim Shaw 2017 Cayenne GTS
Scott Hankins 2020 Cayenne
Fred Porro 1984 911 Carrera
Marc Tendler 2022 Cayenne GTS
Hugh Beckett 2001 Boxster S
Gabriele Guerrini 2020 911 Carrera S
Robert Bastori 2021 Cayenne Turbo
Iris Gonzalez 2020 911 Carrera 4S
Alex Garcia 1979 911 SC
Alejandro Tabosky 1998 911 Carrera 4S
Felipe Novaes 2018 911 GT3
Tamara Naidonova 2018 Panamera 4
James Kraft 1986 944
Marco Baldocchi 2020 Cayenne Coupe
Carlos Jassir 2022 911 GT3
Jeff Queen 1989 911 Speedster
David Slavny 2022 911 Carrera 4S
Jordan Garcia 2022 Macan S
German Romero 2002 Boxster
Luis Bermudez 2021 911 Turbo S
John Mcbride 2017 911 Carrera
Greg Morris 2002 911 Carrera
Brett Harris 1997 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Jon Fisher 2022 911 Turbo S
Ignacio De La Vega 2006 Cayman S
Juan Bravo 2022 911 Turbo S
Jaime Soto 2020 Taycan Turbo
Jonathan De La Rosa 2020 911 Carrera
PCA TrasfersThe Lake Placid Gimmick Rally
A Day of Motors and Murals
By AJ Moffitt, Staff WriterYou may have read the article “It Was No Trick – It Was the Gimmick Rally at Everglades National Park” in the May 2022 issue of the Kassette. That article should have been titled “How Not to Win a PCA Gimmick Rally.” If you are interested in reading it, the article is available online at https://www.goldcoastregion.org/ kassette-2022-05/ Go ahead and read it – you might have a chuckle or two. Alternatively, the below article detailing the Lake Placid Gimmick Rally should be called “What It Takes to Win a PCA Gimmick Rally.” But, not wanting to sound conceited, the title remains “The Lake Placid Gimmick Rally – A Day of Motors and Murals.”
The event, which took place on October 22, 2022, started at Hagerty Garage + Social in Palm Beach. The Facility Manager at Hagerty, Travis Hanna, led groups of gimmick rally participants on a garage tour. From pretty Porsches (including the 1979 Porsche 928 used in the film Risky Business) to magnificent McLarens, the garage houses an array of beautiful pieces of machinery. After completing the tours, attendees were invited to mingle in the front lobby and enjoy a small assortment of donuts, coffee, and water.
Gimmick rally teams are composed of two members – a driver and a navigator. Those who wished to participate in the event but did not have a second party to join them had the option to elect for the Rally Master to assign them a partner. A few teams took up this opportunity so they could more easily join in on the fun.
Before starting the rally, Steve and Dottie Kidd, the gracious organizers and hosts of the event, addressed everyone with the instructions for the day. You should know that rally questions aren’t easy to come by. They take ample planning and preparation to set the course and devise the questionnaire, which Steve and Dottie did beautifully.
While talking to the crowd, they explained to everyone that this race would not be timed and that “The Rally Master’s answers are always correct.” Questions were asked and answered, then Ed Blair, Gonzalo Acevedo, and Andrew Moffitt assisted in handing out the gimmick rally questions, showing the map of the drive, and answering other inquiries. From there, teams left the Hagerty property and began their tour.
Let’s go back to my earlier comment about “How Not to Win a PCA Gimmick Rally.” After having participated in the previously mentioned Everglades rally, my husband, Andrew, and I knew that, just like in The Amazing Race, reading is fundamental.
Steve addressing the participants Creatures playing pool Man painting a muralThis means the first thing you should do before you drive off is read the entire rally questionnaire. This will ensure you are aware of any bonus questions and give you a “heads-up” about items you will be looking for. After the last rally and learning how crucial this step was, Andrew and I sat in our car and read the instructions from front to back. Once we felt we were familiar with the queries, we headed out of the Hagerty’s parking lot and went on our way.
I won’t bore you with the bulk of the drive. We answered questions like, “At Dreher Park Zoo, what is on the roof of covered parking?” “What campground has a lion on the sign?” and “What shape is the sign with the man on a tractor?” Having one person focusing on the road and, um, safely driving the car while the navigator looks to answer the questions is imperative. Even so, and with mile marker hints along the way, realize it is still quite
easy to overlook an answer or two. For this reason, Andrew and I made a total of three U-turns during our drive. Because the timing was not a factor in our score, we didn’t mind taking our time to ensure that we answered as many questions as we could as accurately as possible.
Upon reaching the endpoint, the Stuart Park pavilion, and turning in the questionnaires to Christy Spangler and Lori Renzetti for scoring, all rally participants could enjoy pizza and beverages, which were included as part of the entry fee. Though most groups arrived between 12:30 and 1:00 pm, ralliers were instructed to walk around Lake Placid, enjoy the murals, and return to the pavilion by 3:00 pm for the trophy presentation.
Andrew and I opted to walk the area and find an air-conditioned restaurant because I am not a big pizza fan. We found many small shops and quiet
cafes on our hunt for a place to eat. If you ever go to Lake Placid, make sure to go to Stuart Park and walk the area to experience these for yourself. We finally found a diner-like restaurant, where we enjoyed a bite and afterward headed toward the pavilion. On our way, we came upon other rally participants and joined them on the trek back. We stopped a few times to take in the breathtaking murals and the unique, if not scary, clown statues that also adorn the area. As it was now around 2 pm, some participants opted to grab a drink at a local brewery. However, Andrew and I instead walked around Stuart Park and enjoyed reading the dedication plaques found on most of the benches.
Because the rally ended about 2 to 3 hours North of where most Gold Coast members reside, some participants opted to head home immediately after turning in their questionnaire answers. When everyone who remained in
First place - Andrew Moffitt and AJ Moffitt Second place - Christina Barea and Carolynn Ditrichs Third place - Harley Jacobson and Ori Schwend Man looking at a statue Lake Placid Ralliersthe area returned to the pavilion, it was time for the awards ceremony. Before winners were announced, a PCA Gold Coast 50th Anniversary commemorative cooler was given to Harley Jacobson and Ori Schwend for their 1972 gold-metallic colored 914 1.7 because their car is 50 years old.
Not only did Harley and Ori get a cute cooler, but they also took third place with a score of 33. Second place went to Carolynn Ditrichs and Christina Barea, who scored 36 and were a duo that had only briefly met once before. At the Everglades Gimmick Rally, the second-place award also went to a team that had only met once. This illustrates that you don’t have to know your partner well to do well in the event. Plus, it can be a great way to meet other PCA members!
First place, with 38 points, went to, well, Andrew and me. We did it!
We had learned from our first rally what NOT to do, and we used that knowledge to help us succeed at this event. I should acknowledge that while on the course, Gonzalo asked us for the answer to a question, to which I replied, “No, we’re going for the win!” I’m not sure if our lack of sharing contributed to our winning, but it didn’t hurt (well, it might have hurt Gonzalo a bit, or at least his feelings.)
Once the awards were done, the remainder of us went in front of an orange grove mural and had a group picture taken. After the picture, a few additional participants also headed home. Meanwhile, about a dozen or so of us headed to Tropical Winery (www.tropicalwinery.us), a local Florida farm winery in Lake Placid.
This quaint winery offers wine tastings where you can sample five wines of your choice. Coupons were available, buy one get one free, and included in the cost was a commemorative wine glass to take home. The group enjoyed their wine and charcuterie boards of meats, cheeses, and fruits. I took the opportunity to apologize to Gonzalo for not sharing the answer earlier in
the day. He forgave me or at least told me he did. The group of us drank, ate, and shared some laughs.
If you are interested in participating in future gimmick rallies, here are some helpful tips:
• You’ll need a driver and a navigator – Remember, it’s okay if you don’t have a partner lined up! You can be paired with a partner, which is a great way to meet other club members.
• Always read the directions – And reread them. And read them again. Wrong answers and missed questions won’t get you points.
• Enjoy the views and have fun – A rally course is typically a place you might not have thought to drive to, so make sure to take in all the sites and the scenery on your drive.
• Meet and mingle – Whether it’s at the end point of the event or if you opt to go out afterward, take the time to meet new people. You can learn a lot and may make a new friend or two.
• There is the one most important rule – The Rally Master is always right!
To find information on upcoming gimmick rallies and other great club events, read Die Porsche Kassette, or visit https://clubregistration.net/
Operation Christmas Child at Gold Coast
article by AJ MoffittWhen you are a child, whether celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or another festive holiday, it’s hard when your family doesn’t have the means to provide the gifts you had hoped to get. Fortunately, Samaritan’s Purse International Relief started Operation Christmas Child in 1993. This non-profit project enables impoverished children across the globe to receive shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and personal care items.
For years, PCA Gold Coast’s own Sherry Fabel has headed up the initiative of gathering these items to create shoeboxes and donate them on behalf of the club. Sherry led members as they collected the necessary items and then gathered to stuff the boxes and prepare them for distribution. Though she first became involved with this charity through her church, this isn’t the first time she has dedicated her time and resources to helping others. A tried-and-true philanthropist, Sherry is also a part of Crafters for a Cause. This group meets in Fort Lauderdale each week and makes crafts to donate
to worthy charities. Their most recent project was making capes for patients at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. As the long-term patients of the hospital are all superheroes, it only seemed fitting that they should each adorn a superhero’s cape.
Though she will continue to be a driving force with this program, Sherry recently designated new leadership for PCA’s Operation Christmas Child efforts to Noemi Sanchez. A long-time member of the club and humanitarian like Sherry, Noemi was honored to have been assigned this new role. “Sherry has done an amazing job organizing the Operation Christmas Child boxes on behalf of the club,” explained Noemi. She added, “For her to trust me with this project is incredibly flattering. She has really left some big shoes to fill!”
Though sad to hand over the reins, Sherry knows this endeavor is in good hands. She said, “Noemi has great passion and is so thoughtful and organized. I know she will do an amazing job and make the PCA Gold Coast region proud!”
This year, Noemi held a Christmas Shoebox Packing Party at the house of her and her husband, Nestor Sanchez, on Sunday, October 23rd. While at the packing party, 144 shoeboxes were filled for children of all ages. Noemi and Nestor were incredibly giving
hosts, providing snacks, drinks, and fun. They even ended the festive event with a delicious dinner of Cuban cuisine.
Special thanks to those who attended and assisted at the shoebox stuffing party, including:
• Sherry and Roger Fabel
• Noemi and Nestor Sanchez, their granddaughter Heather, and their parents
• Mark and Ana Krumenacker
• AJ and Andrew Moffitt
• Leslie Del Pozo
• Christy Spangler
• Carolyn Ditrichs
Additional thanks to the PCA Gold Coast Region for their monetary donation that helped enable this campaign.
Though Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are collected by the organization in November, this is an undertaking that goes on year-round. If you would like to assist in the 2023 efforts, contact Noemi Sanchez, PCA Gold Coast Operation Christmas Child chair, at 786-210-2251.
DE: Getting GCR Drivers Back on Track
Story and Photos by Tom GoodmannTowards that goal, on Saturday, November 5th Mark Johnson and Fred Kohly led two sizeable groups of GCR members through the paces of what DE is all about, and what it isn’t. The ninety-minute morning session began at 10 AM with 26 interested drivers; the afternoon session brought in another group of 28 members intrigued with the idea of driving fast—both safely and legally.
Both sessions met in a bright and well-equipped classroom upstairs at the spacious Porsche West Broward dealership, tucked just inside the eastbound exit from I-75 at Griffin Road. What a Porscheplatz it is! Thanks to Ryan Chromek, General Manager, and to Jill Bird, Customer Relations Manager, who kindly coordinated arrangements with Mark.
Mark and Fred went around the room asking us to introduce ourselves (and our cars). Some had driven AX; a few had previous experience with DE, and a couple of attendees had enjoyed lots of track time.
The sound of air wrenches floated up from Porsche West Broward’s large service area, visible through windows, below, as the “Introduction to Driver’s Education” began. A full set of race flags stood at the front of the room, as Mark shared copies of the PCA “Driver’s Education Technical Inspection Form” and a detailed outline for the course: “Why DE,” “What is DE,” “Requirements,” “Run Groups,” “Corner Workers & Flags” and “Track Etiquette” were some of the baker’s dozen of topics as our two instructors traded off at the front of the room, leaving time for Q & A.
In the familiar words of Maverick and Goose, Mark Johnson and Fred Kohly “feel a need . . . a need for speed.”
Both men like to pilot their Porsches at speed, no doubt, but they also want the members of GCR to get back on track with DE.
PCA DE, or Driver Education, takes Porsche owners up to speed—any speed, set by instructors—in a safe, structured racetrack environment, far from the stop-and-go of heavy south Florida traffic.
The journey from street to track begins in the classroom.
The course leaders came well-qualified, each bringing a passion for Porsches. One of GCR’s Directors and a frequent contributor to DPK, Mark brought organization, enthusiasm, and on-track hours, all of which Fred matched with extraordinary experience on the track and on the concours field, where he has often been a judge. A member of PCA for over thirty years with a decade of racing experience, Fred is also a competitive cyclist who regularly tops the Masters category on two wheels.
This course, DE101 however, was about going fast and safely on four wheels. When asked whether any of us had driven at high speed, most joked about navigating I-95. That’s to say that there was limited racetrack experience shared among those attending, as
What DE is most about is learning, as Mark and Fred both emphasized. Drivers gain a sense of their cars’ capabilities and their own, as skills grow. Not surprisingly, what you learn on the track, you carry over to daily driving. “What you learn in DE,” added Jordan Kaiser, an attendee with lots of coaching experience, “could save your life.”
Describing his own progress, Fred recalled acquiring his first Porsche in his 30s, initially disappointed in the car’s performance. “That’s because you don’t know how to drive it,” a friend told him. That direct challenge led Fred to a ten-year learning curve in DE, devoting two or three weekends a month to finding the line in each curve, followed by years of racing. As
Fred emphasized, “So much depends on good—and repeated—instruction.”
AX—autocross—“is a great way to begin learning about car control,” Mark recommends, a productive precedent or complement to DE as solo drivers through the cones to compete against the clock. (DPK readers will know that Dottie and Steve Kidd organize AX for GCR and are always looking anywhere in our region for a large parking lot for the cone-lined courses, and for volunteers to help). In DE, of course, there is no racing, no timing, no winning.
What’s a DE day like? Costs run between $200 to $250 for a single day; $400 to $500 for a two-day event. With cars prepped in advance, and then inspected, a classroom session—a drivers’ meeting—precedes what are typically four 20 to 25-minute driving sessions. Beginners drive with beginners, and advanced drivers with advanced. Whatever their level, participants end the day exhilarated-and tired too from the intensive focus demanded to drive the best lines, to stay aware of vehicles ahead and behind, and to follow signals from corner workers communicating with flags.
Fred spoke from those years of experience, sharing that we all begin with the beginners’ group, and go from there, learning to find the line through every curve and around the track; looking and thinking ahead; striving for consistency in speed and braking. Advanced techniques, such as threshold and trail braking, come with developing skills—and track time. As Fred talked, the two instructors held up a large map of Homestead-Miami Speedway and its thirteen turns.
And while DE is not wheel-to-wheel racing, as in PCA Club Racing, featured famously at Sebring each
year, the skills learned are essential to anyone wanting to take things to the competitive level where, as Fred says, “The shortest track always wins.”
Like DE sessions themselves, and all of our GCR events that fill the calendar every year, this introductory course took shape through generous voluntary efforts from the two instructors. “I’ve always liked to drive fast,” said Mark, “and have enjoyed several track training sessions. The DE program at Gold Coast needs a reboot, and President Peter Olliviere asked if I’d take on the responsibility. The club asked, and I said `yes.’ DE is a valued program that required some TLC,” adding humbly, “Then it was a big and steep learning curve. I’m just now walking, up from crawling . . . . ”
Several good questions came from attendees, who asked about the differences between braking a car with an automatic versus a manual transmission, and about heel-and-toe driving, or matching rpms. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Joe Scalia, whose 1984 Guards Red 911 Turbo—a 930—was featured in the January 2022 issue of DPK, with its slant nose conversion and engine mod done by a Kremer shop.
The Suncoast Region holds nine events annually at Sebring International Raceway. For those of us in GCR, the closure last spring of Palm Beach International Raceway (formerly Moroso Motorsports Park) took away a potential and valued local venure, making it a challenge to schedule DE days on a local raceway. All the same, Mark hopes that 2023 will see GCR members back out there, with Homestead-Miami Speedway as the obvious location. GCR will need lots of volunteers to make a DE weekend happen, including a Chief Driving Instructor, PCA-certified coaches, registration and setup. In the meantime,
look out for the next DE learning event, as Mark and Fred plan to schedule two more basic in classroom training events. DE102, a technical session at a local dealer to teach aspiring DE participants about prepping our cars for the track.
DE103, a day of instruction for being ready to go to the track.
And think about helping out with DE, with AX, with any and all GCR and PCA events. Thanks again to Porsche West Broward for hosting these classes, and to Mark Johnson and Fred Kohly for volunteering their time, expertise, and enthusiasm for DE.
INTRO TO DE - 3rd Session Sat. Jan. 7, 2023 @10:30am Porsche West Broward Register Now at Club Registration.net
FINDING GOLD
LAURENT FACCHIN
Paris, France to Plantation, Florida is a vast distance, roughly 4,570 miles, give or take. Laurent Facchin and his high school sweetheart, Amelie, made that trip. They married in 2007 in France, and shortly after they immigrated to the United States. Amelia’s brother was based in south Florida, and they arrived in the Ft. Lauderdale area. It was a substantial change for each of them, and that’s probably an understatement.
Amelie and Laurent have now been married for 15 years. They have made a home and a life together in Florida and enjoyed their love affair for over 24 years. In 2014 the family doubled in size with the addition of their twins, Lucas, and Julia. Today the family totals six, as they also enjoy their pups, Hermes and Paco, who are both big, strong furry (canine) companions.
Anyone visiting the Facchins in their home may not be initially certain about who rules the roost. Hermes, a beautiful 11-year-old Presa Canario of about 125 pounds, welcomes everyone at the door and gives visitors an initial once-over approval. Paco will then greet everyone and provide a second, somewhat more thorough examination. Paco is a beautiful American Pit Bull. He is incredibly strong and without an ounce of fat. At more or less 50 pounds of solid muscle, petting him would be similar to embracing a fire hydrant.
It is only after this meet and greet and sniff of approval, that Lucas, Julia, and Amelie warmly welcome everyone.
On a recent visit they were stationed behind the pups all along with smiles, waiting patiently to say hello after the requisite family formalities. Laurent is also there, an imposing figure to truly survey the situation. Yep, he’s the boss.
It’s all in great fun of course, as we visit on a spur of the moment invitation to enjoy a bit of French cuisine whipped together by the master of the manor. A “thrown together” meal of pork tenderloin, baked new potatoes, a light salad, wine (mandatory) and a baked apple upside down with whipped cream for dessert. As Laurent prepares the meal, Amelie places the table settings. It’s a typical American home with one exception. The baked apple upside down is mixed without cinnamon spice, a virtual staple in American apple pies. However, cinnamon is
NOT used in France and will NOT be found in this American home. Guests have brought their children, roughly the same age as Lucas and Julia so they and the pups do exactly what is expected. Kids and dogs play. The adult guests are treated to a pre meal selection of incredible rum that Laurent has collected over the past several years. Laurent is bit of a sailor, so the rum fits.
Laurent Facchin is the general manager at a company serving the sailing catamaran industry and customers. This company, JUST CATAMARANS, is a first-stop shop that provides installation of tons of electronics gear and sailing systems to fully prep a brand-new catamaran for sea, whether for cruising, sailing, or charter.
The Just Catamaran yard is frantic. They service between 50 and 100 boats a year, each with $25,000 to $100,000+ in new electronics and systems to be installed prior to first use. Boat show season is huge to the company’s success, and Laurent is off to Annapolis in the fall for the US Sailboat Show. He also has display space and in-the-water “cats” that showcase their work at the Ft. Lauderdale and Miami shows and elsewhere. It a big job, a big company, and requires big shoulders.
Laurent’s first job in France was as a pastry chef at a croissant bakery. It seems that cooking, baking, and food come naturally--imagine that! He also worked at the LIDO, the world-famous cabaret in Paris as a gentleman encouraging patrons to behave; we formerly called them bouncers. He held additional positions of bartender and headwaiter.
Following that experience, Laurent joined Bank Restaurant in London, England. There he had the pleasure of serving folks like the Rolling Stones, the Spice Girls, and Robin Williams, among many others. The big shoulders and visual presence offered Laurent several unique opportunities. These opportunities have created a very full life and a tremendous number of great stories (many we can’t share), but fun and interesting none-the-less.
Big shoulders contributed to his athletic skills as a rugby player. He ascended to an elite level of play. He was asked to join the French National Rugby team under 17, Les Bleus. At this level, you have to be very good.
Playing for the national team is equivalent to playing in the NFL, professional grade. To this day he follows the Rugby World Cup. It is scheduled to be played in France
during 2023 (an event contested every four years). If anyone has a source for Rugby WC tickets, let Laurent know, he would love to get back to Paris for a match or two as well as visit his family. Unfortunately, his mom passed about 8 years ago but many relatives and friends remain at his native home in France.
So, that’s sailing and family. What about the Porsche connection?
The Facchins enjoy three PCars in a very diverse collection. The first is a 2006 Midnight Blue 997 Cabrio base that was acquired in November 2020. This car has recently completed several major upgrades which include Ohlin adjustable street/ race shocks, a full rehab of the vehicle suspension and bushings, etc., upgraded headers, X-pipe, exhaust, pedal commander, and an Apple Car Play radio. This 997 is a fast, stylish, and an incredible beast of a cabriolet.
The second is a 1987 944 Turbo in Burgundy, with a camel interior. This car is also fast. Perhaps it is the guy behind the wheel? Nah. Hey, it’s a Turbo! It was acquired in October 2021. This 944 has oversized rims, some engine mods, but the specifics are unknown as the previous owner did not share this information or did not know himself.
Once acquired by Laurent, the car was color-corrected and ceramic coated. Eventually, the 944 will receive an interior rehab to showcase a complete package. It is already a “looker.”
The third is more of a family motoring Porsche, if there is such a thing. It is a 2015 Cayenne diesel, Midnight Blue, and was added to the Facchin stable in October 2021, shortly after the 944 arrived. There are no serious mods on the Cayenne, but the vehicle was upgraded with 20” rims from a turbo model. He is planning on a Kerma TDI tune for the diesel.
The family has another vehicle, which Amelie drives daily, but it’s a work/ grocery-getting sedan, a VW Golf TDI. It’s nice, not a Porsche, but at least it is in the family, so to speak.
Laurent will drive either the 944 or the Cayenne to work. We see him often in the 997 Cab with the kids and the top down, especially as we have entered the best part of South Florida seasonal weather – cool and dry!
Laurent chuckles at the fact that he also owned a 2002 Boxster around 2010. He gives us an LOL, not about the car, but the fact that he regrets selling it. He is a big proponent of “buy and hold” when it comes to Porsche ownership, similar to the Warren Buffet stock ownership style. We believe that a near term plan is to add a reasonably large garage (4-6 car perhaps) to the home in Plantation. There’s room.
It is DRIVING FIRST! The fact that the cars were meant to be used and abused, not polished, is his key. Laurent likes to drive fast, and Porsche autos pass this test.
The more you ask of the cars, the more they produce. He has owned multiple sports car brands, but the others simply do not measure up.
Beyond driving he enjoys the camaraderie and social life. He joined PCA in the last couple months and has participated in several of the club’s gatherings. He gets out with his PCar buds as often as he can, as the evenings are a great tension reliever from the stress of a high-end boat business.
Sadly, with the demands of his GM position at Just Catamarans, he can’t get out nearly enough. He’d love to hit a Carolina mountain road trip, or a few DE track days driving (fast), but work has to come first. Son Lucas enjoys getting out with dad when time and event allows. No doubt Lucas is a Porsche guy like his father.
Julia is a bit more ambivalent to the Porsche life. Amelie supports her husband’s habit. It is a great marriage! Sweethearts from high school age.
His favorite all-time Porsche model is the 997 Turbo . . . yet the 991 GT is becoming a “must have.” Time will tell on the potential acquisition of either of these. Laurent simply states that his other PCar interests are like the cars: he loves ‘em all. This sentiment appears a common theme to his and everyone’s enjoyment of the Porsche brand.
So, that’s it: family, sailing, a bit of rugby (for spice, but NO CINNAMON) and a true “Je ne sais quoi” for Porsche. Served fast of course!
48 Hours Volunteering . . . at Gold Coast Region
article by Mark Johnson, Staff WriterFor most of the Porsche Club Racing world, the 48 Hours at Sebring is the “Top of the Mountain”, the premier event, the best that Porsche Club Racing has to offer. And why not? It is the first Club Race of the year, held immediately after the 24 Hours of Daytona IMSA race. It is held at Sebring International Raceway (SIR), arguably the most historic and storied endurance racing track in the United States. (Endurance racing started in the US at Sebring in 1952.) The 48 Hours event also attracts the largest crowd of racing Porsches, from all over the country. And it is all run and administered by volunteers, everyone is a Porsche Club of America member. You simply can’t get in without a PCA membership.
For over 25 years PCA members who like to drive their Porsche race cars have been coming to Sebring in early February to enjoy a break in the winter weather. It is a highly competitive club racing event. Gold Coast Region and Suncoast Region of PCA are the host Regions and provide the bulk of the volunteers who administer the event. Everything is managed by GCR or Suncoast folks, from mapping out the paddock for race team parking, to corner worker assistants, timing
& scoring efforts, race control, traffic control, and grid marshal duties. There are no paid employees, so pulling off an event over 4+ days, with 300+ cars, and well over 1000 people we need a ton of volunteers.
At the center of it all are three key people. Paul Rabun is the Gold Coast online volunteer co-coordinator and Dave Herndon is the Suncoast volunteer co-coordinator for the event. Paul and Dave handle the online volunteer registration. When you sign up at 48hoursatsebring.com Paul and Dave collect and organize the registrations. The next key person is Mrs. Sherry Fabel. Sherry is the onsite coordinator for all volunteer activities once everyone arrives at the track. If you volunteer for the 48 Hours, your “CHECK IN WITH SHERRY” sticker is a key to your success.
Sherry has been at her volunteer check-in desk for nearly 15 years. The guys running the event from GCR, or Suncoast come to her if they have questions, as do the PCA National folks who attend the racing. Mrs. Fabel knows the job and the people front to back, back to front, left to right, back, and probably even inside out.
Volunteer duties available are as follows: At Track Registration, Technical Inspection, Timing & Scoring, Race Control, Grid Marshal, Corner Worker Assistance, Traffic Control (a big and underappreciated responsibility), Goodie Store, and Track Tours for Charity.
Beyond getting everyone to the right location, at the right time, Mrs. Fabel and her team also coordinate all “ticket” activities. These ticketed sections include the lunches for the workers, Charity Track Tour tickets, volunteer t-shirt tickets, and basically any job which requires someone with long term knowledge, an enthusiastic demeanor, and a bit of school-teacher class control. Yes, even volunteers and racers can try to get away with a few gems but not under Ms. Sherry’s watchful eye.
Sherry understands that there is always a need for somebody –somewhere. She maintains the onsite personnel list and will direct waiting and willing volunteers where they are needed. With many years of 48 Hours experience, Sherry will keep the team focused and hustling so they all enjoy this crown jewel of club racing event.
Volunteer Registration is now Open! Go to http://48hoursatsebring. com/home.php click on “volunteer” to get started. The Dates of the event are February 2,3,4,5 2023
After online registration, you will receive instructions about your work assignments including a dress code. Please review the instructions and contact the volunteer team if you have a question. Just don’t forget to CHECK IN WITH SHERRY! Oh, and please check out at the end of your shift too…..
On site volunteer check-inKEY 48 HOURS AT SEBRING VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
• At Track Registration (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday) Check in Racers & Crew
• Timing & Scoring (T, F, Sat & Sun) In the tower at Start/Finish Line
• Race Control (T, F, S, & S) – In the tower at Start/Finish Line
• Technical Inspection (T, F, S, Ltd. S) – Outside in front of registration building
• Grid Marshal (T, F, S, & S) – False Grid at West End of Paddock, coordinate car lineup
• Goodie Store (T, F, S, & S) – Inside registration building (limited need)
• Pit Marshal Observer (T, F, S, & S) – Assist PCA National Race Observers in Hot Pit Area
• Corner Worker Assistant (T, F, S, & S) – At specific corner flag stations to assist professionals.
• Traffic Control (T, F, S & S) – KEY POSITION for Safety of Drivers, Crew, and all Visitors
• NOTE: All positions are needed, but many may be filled with experienced volunteers.
Steve and Dottie Kidd at the trophy pickup desk A happy Solo DE Jockey Grid workers on breakAROUND THE
2023 Updates
Steve Kidd, Autocross ChairYou heard the bad news last month...2 AX events canceled due to weather. Now for some good news...We have a new AX site that’s closer than Sebring. The St Lucie County fairgrounds parking lot. Slightly bigger than Sebring, plenty of parking and real FLUSH toilets. Yes say good buy to ports potties here. No food concessions open when I was there so prepare to bring your own food and beverage. Also new is the announcement for the Club race AutoX in 2023....See separate flyer
Earlier this year, the PCA parade competition rules committee (PCR’s) finalized some significant rule changes and new autoX classes, and were recently made official. One of the biggest changes in AutoX classes was the elimination of 4 sets of AX classes ( Small region, medium region, large region and Parade), resulting in 1 set of revised classes. The new class structure combines larger numbers of car types, and significantly reduces the number of classes. The GCR AutoX program will start using the new class structure in the 2023 AX season.
Summary of AX class changes:
Classes were reduced by doing the following: Stock Classes (reduced from 13 to 9 classes)
Combine S01, S02 and S03 into one class (S01). All early cars up thru 1977 911, plus the early Boxster in one class. Combine S11 and S12 into one class (S09). All Cayenne, Panamera and Macan in one class.
Combine S10 and S13 into one class (S08). Carrera GT, 918, and Taycan moved to class with fastest GT cars.
Production Classes (reduced from 10 to 7 classes)
Combine P02 and P03 into one class (P02).
Combine P06 and P07 into one class (P05).
Combine P08 and P10 into one class (P06). Carrera GT, 918, and Taycan moved to class with fastest GT cars. Improved and Modified classes (reduced from 5 to 3 classes each)
Combine I02 and I03 into one class (I02). Same for M02 and M03 (M02).
Combine I04 and I05 into one class (I03). Same for M04 and M05 (M03).
Tentative AX schedule for 2023
Event #1 1/07/2023 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast region DE. Thanks again to our friends at Suncoast for the site AutoX School 2/3/2023 @ Sebring in conjunction with 48hours at Sebring Club Race. Limited to 12 students Event #2 2/04/2023 @ Sebring in conjunction with 48hours at Sebring Club Race Morning Event 9:00-12:00 Event #3 2/04/2023 @ Sebring in conjunction with 48hours at Sebring Club Race Afternoon Event 2:00-5:00 Event # 4 NEW 3/11/2023 @ Port St Lucie Fairgrounds Event #5 4/15/2023 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast region DE. Thanks again to our friends at Suncoast for the site Event #6 9/9/2023 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast region DE. Thanks again to our friends at Suncoast for the site Event # 7 NEW 10/28/2023 @ Port St Lucie Fairgrounds
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.
• A new helmet rental program has been instituted . We will be utilizing new/newer Snell approved helmets available for a $20.00 per person charge per event. Helmet reservation/ payment will be available as an event option on Club Registration. Please bring a helmet sock, and be prepared to leave your drivers license as a deposit.
• No passengers except for an approved AX instructor driving or in the car instructing.
• For 2023 please remember to be Covid-19 conscious. This means appropriate safety protocols will be enforced.
• If track tours are offered, rules will be strictly enforced.
• General Questions? call Steve or Dottie Kidd 954-5625919. AX rule questions call Steve 954 292-3915.
TECHNICAL WIZZARDRY
Road trip to BWR III (Part One)
Pedro P. Bonilla, Tech EditorHaving attended this event since it began in 2019, I thought it would be the coolest thing to drive my own Porsche on the Boardwalk. This year I got to do it, but there’s a story attached.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns I decided to restore my 1997-built Boxster back to its former glory, or better. She had recorded almost 300,000 miles at the start of the pandemic, so this decision meant restoring not only the interior and exterior, but also the drivetrain.
I decided to keep the original color (Glacier White) and had her painted. At the same time I started to work on the interior. I wanted to honor the old Porsches that had those wonderful plaid-covered seats and interiors. I had been searching for a specific pattern which had come in my 1987 Golf GTI and I had just found it—and with the option to choose the highlight color!
By the end of 2021 the rest of the exterior had also been finished, such as completely rebuilt headlights, now converted to HID with projectors and LEDs, and a new canvas top to finish it off. Finally, the carbon fiber hood was also replaced with a new one, since the old one (as you may remember) had tried to kill me on my way to Sebring and was in sad shape.
This beauty had to be shared with 350 of my closest friends at the next Boardwalk Reunion, which was to be held in October 15, 2022. My wife agreed to come on the 2,300-mile round trip if I assured her that the car would make it with no issues. I did!
Now I had to make good on that promise (or else!)
I had a chance to go to the Amelia Island Werks Reunion in early 2022 which was a 500-mile roundtrip and the car had been fine with the exception of a subtle clunk that I also felt on my way to Sebring and back for the 48 Hours Club Race a few weeks before.
Front drivetrain clunks are usually drop-links or other ball joints because they take most of the abuse, so the drop links were the first to be replaced. The clunking disappeared but would come back after 30 to 40 miles of driving, albeit a bit more softly. I decided to remove and check all of the ball-jointed parts on the front, which included the control arms, the trailing arms and the steering arms. I found play in all of them, so I replaced them all, including the upper strut mounts, just in case. I went for a long drive
to test it all and she felt great! Very sharp and crisp . . . up until mile 100 or so and then . . . Clunk!
It was now late September and time was running out. I also noticed that my front tires were completely worn on the inside edges (probably toe, I thought) so a new set of fronts was ordered and I booked some tire-mounting and alignment time at Vortex in Tampa, since I don’t have the alignment rack anymore. Bob Brooks was very accommodating and fit me in quickly when I told him I was pressed for time, so I drove down on a Thursday and left it to be picked up the next day around noon. Early on Friday Bob called me and told me that one of my front shocks was toast. Since they had the car on a lift (with the suspension off the ground) they quickly discovered it as they started to remove the tire. I hadn’t seen it because I use a 4-post lift which keeps the suspension compressed.
Now we needed to find a new shock or a complete set of shocks if necessary. My car had Bilstein 9-way adjustable PSS9s installed (about 150,000 miles ago) and new ones were not available anywhere. We even thought of replacing the coil-overs with OEM-style struts, but I didn’t have the springs anymore and new springs from Porsche would cost way too much. The only available option that we could get in a couple of days was a set of H&R coil-overs, advertised as street-performance. They were ordered and installed and the alignment was performed with a few days to spare, even though there were a couple of shipping SNAFUS. Bob was really instrumental in getting it done. Thanks Bob!
The suspension test was the run from Vortex back to PedrosGarage, more or less 20 miles, mostly on the Suncoast Parkway. The car felt fantastic! I was
now sure that I would make good on the promise I made my wife about the reliability of the car.
The day for us to depart came quickly. We had decided to make the trip to Ocean City, NJ (1,126 miles) in three days so that we wouldn’t arrive too tired and be able to enjoy the sights as well. I figured that driving a bit less than 400 miles each day would work well.
We planned the first leg to go from our hometown in Odessa, FL to somewhere in Georgia. On our way we had a leisurely detour through beautiful Savannah, GA and then continued to our first overnight rest, which ended up being in Yemassee, SC.
From our departure to the point where we left the highway to see Savannah, the ride had been fine, but as the roads got a bit bumpier the complaints from the right seat started getting louder. When the road was nicely paved you couldn’t have a better ride, but when it was irregular, especially on the concrete bridges, the car started bucking/porpoising, just like Lewis Hamilton’s 44 Mercedes during the first half of the F1 Season this year. But I figured and explained that because the springs were new, we just needed to put some more miles on them and they’d be fine. She didn’t buy it.
After breakfast, we loaded up for day number 2 and the next 400 miles of our journey. We would stop just past Richmond that evening. As we left Yemassee and moved through South Carolina, North Carolina and finally Virginia, the roads got progressively worse. We’re really spoiled in Florida because winter does a number on the roads up north, which we don’t get to see.
By the time we got to Ashland, VA we were both beat-up and ready for a good night’s rest. We had a nice dinner next to the hotel and packed it in for the night.
The third leg would be the shortest and we had decided to get off I-95 because it was so bumpy and also because we didn’t want to fight the bumper-to-bumper traffic around Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD, so we took US 301 through Dahlgren, VA into Maryland, a piece of Delaware, and finally New Jersey.
Next month we will continue our story about The Boardwalk Reunion.
For more information on all things
Porsche, please visit my website: www.PedrosGarage.com
Happy Porsche’ing, Pedro
Ⓒ2022 Technolab / PedrosGarage.com
Photos courtesy: Dom Milano, Kobus Reyneke, Abe Garweg, Pedro Bonilla
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Classified Ads
2016 981 Cayman GTS
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.
CPO 2015 Cayman 2.7/6 speed
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
996 Floor Mats Black
New factory 996 black mats (000-044-800-84-A100) front and rear still in box. $80. Contact John at 561-212-2442 or jmassy28@gmail.com.
2006 Cayman S Yellow Track Car
27,000 miles. Roll bar. fresh Foreign Affairs motor. Full MOTEC. 3 sets of rims. Gutted interior – light weight. 2 OMP racing seats with 5-way harnesses. Numerous spare parts. All tricks and mods. Time of 2:23 at Sebring Long Course. $28,000. Mark Kalfas 954-650-1322 mkkalfas@ comcast.net
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Garage Sale
Various parts : Engine cover with complete spoiler for 997 Carrera S (Black)
Various suspension struts, 996 Cup factory headers (2001)
996 cup rear spoiler (2001), Steering rod with knuckles old 911
Throttle bellcrank old 911, Turbo 1997 993 5324-1015075( probably needs rebuild)
Cylinder heads (2) 901.105.111.OR, Factory Service manual 993 Turbo Call or text Lee @ 516-446-0025 ( can send photos)
PHOTO FINISH
Childhood Dreams
Domenico Di Pietro submitted this photo of his 2003 Grey Porsche Boxster, taken in the Wynwood district in Miami.
“This picture happened by chance,” says Domenico. “I parked my car in Wynwood and, as I was walking away, I realized that young boy on the wall looked like he wanted to play with the car. And it reminded me of my childhood, when I played with diecast model Porsches, dreaming of actually driving one in the future.”
Thank you, Domenico, for sharing your wonderful memory. This mural is called “Boy Playing Marbles” by Dovente and Domenico is right. With the scale of the boy in the mural, the Boxster really does look like a shiny new toy to play with. I’m sure this will bring back memories for many of our members who may have played with diecast models growing up—and I’m sure many of you still have a few in your collection.
Domenico took this photo using an iPhone 13 Pro.
Submit your photo to Die Porsche Kassette Photo Finish!
Deadline: The 20th of each month to be considered for the following month’s issue.
Submit a high resolution photo along with the requested information to gcr.photofinish@gmail.com
• name, phone number, email address
• title of the photo
• Porsche model, year, and color
• a short write up about the photo
• location of your photo
• what kind of camera or smart phone you used to capture the photo