DRT 2022

Shift into Social

Contributions by Die Porsche Kassette Staff

Event Photography by Andrew Moffitt and Bob Walters

Alvaro Rodriguez, or Al as he is known to most, is the founder of DRT which began in Miami in 2015. DRT was initially known as Das Renn Treffen, which loosely translates to “the race speed” in the German language. So not to confuse folks with the PCA national event named “TREFFEN,” the event title was condensed to DRT. What began in 2015 as a one-day gathering has blossomed into a multiple day affair of four separate events.

DRT 2022 started with a Track Day at Homestead Speedway on Thursday, March 31st. The weekend affair continued Saturday morning with Cars + Coffee which was followed by a Sunset Kickoff Party at Regatta Harbor Rooftop on Saturday evening, April 2nd. DRT concluded on Sunday, April 3rd with approximately 500 cars and thousands of people attending the Main Show at Regatta Park in Coconut Grove.

How did we get here? Where did the idea for DRT begin? About 30 years ago, Al started his personal enjoyment with cars, Volkswagen Beetles to be exact. Sourcing parts and modifying them is how his passion germinated. After a few years, while attending an event in Manassas, Virginia, Al met Dan Jarvie of Peachtree, Georgia. Dan offered to trade a Porsche of his in exchange for the VW Al was working on. Obtaining that Porsche from Dan provided the beginning of Al’s love for fast cars.

Shortly after acquiring that first Porsche, Al began work in the graphics department at local Miami Porsche parts and accessories company. His employment there, and his easy access to parts, quickly enriched his passion for cars. Finding his automotive stride, he and friends started VolksBlast, a car show dedicated to Volkswagen. Sometime around 2012, a Porsche class was added to the VolksBlast show. VolksBlast last ran in 2020 (and should be back soon) but Al’s enthusiasm for car shows, especially with the Porsche marque, continued to move forward.

DRT became “The Greatest Porsche Automobile Event in South Florida!” From humble beginnings as part of a VW event, the largest Porsche collaboration was born in South Miami. Each DRT event seems better than the last and that is the overarching goal, continuous improvement, and enjoyment. If Al could have one wish come to fruition, it would be to give back to the south Florida community. “For me,” Al explained, “I’ve always wanted to give back to South Miami because that’s where the event started. I think we have to stay true to the beginnings of the event.”

What else does Al think of the event that he created? “The cars represent a great inspiration and a great goal. I really enjoy to drive them and being around them amongst another enthusiasts is the second-best best feeling. That feeling is intoxicating. Getting people together and talking about the cars – whether it’s someone’s first Porsche or their tenth or even if they don’t own a Porsche – the common thread is the joy and excitement that Porsches bring to the people. Porsche, as a brand, is always pushing the boundaries. Not just from a mechanical perspective, but from a design perspective as well.”

Along with his wife, Yordi Garcia, Al has quite a few legacy contributors and volunteers as well as sponsors and vendors which support DRT. Alvaro knows that DRT will be around for a long time to come, and yet he also knows that an event the size and scope of DRT wouldn’t be possible without the help of the community. “Thank you to all my clients and the people that have supported

me. Thanks to the people that respect what we do and have given me an opportunity to do this. It makes me want to keep pushing because I enjoy it so much, and I believe the community does as well. Thank you to the Porsche Club of America, especially the Gold Coast Region, because even though DRT isn’t a PCA event, they have always been so supportive. They understand how much it means for the people and how engaged their members are when they attend.”

Gold Coast PCA member Steve Kidd has provided several bits of insight into the happenings of the DRT weekend.

• Thursday March 31st: The Track Experience at Homestead racetrack! This could best be described as a DE, on steroids! The driving component offered track time for advanced, intermediate and a lead-follow group. We coordinated the lead-follow drivers and assembled an excellent group of instructors to assist. Many thanks to the instructors and spectacular group of well-behaved followers. Thursday at Homestead also featured car displays, VIP rides, and parade laps. Hungry attendees were able to chow down on some great food from the vendors in attendance.

• Saturday April 2nd: Two individual events on this day. The first DRT event on Saturday was Cars and Coffee at a new location, Waterford Place in Miami. This was no ordinary cars/coffee. There were a spectacular group of pristine Porsches and more 992 GT3’s than have seen before in one location ever before in south Florida. This day was about socializing with fellow Porsche owners while enjoying new and different foods and beverages. Special guests to the DRT Cars/Coffee were Kelly Telfer, (renowned Porsche artwork) and Sean Cridland (Author and photographer) Kelly had many pieces of his Porsche art available for viewing and sale. Sean was selling his latest book Brumos: An American Racing Icon. The second event of the day was held later that evening. Saturday night offered was exclusive cocktail party on the rooftop of the Regatta Club. The Regatta Club provided a spectacular location for the drinks of your choice and friendly conversation about the recent events and opportunities for the big show on Sunday.

• Sunday April 3rd: Time for the main event! This year, DRT was moved to Regatta Park in Coconut Grove from the Schnebly Winery in Homestead (2021 location). Regatta Park in the Grove provided an incredible venue for the display and viewing of hundreds of spectacular Porsche vehicles. There were many rare and limited production Porsches, as well as custom builds and super clean show cars. Many vehicles were in a judged and people’s choice categories in addition to the many that were driven to the event as simple commuter transportation It was exceptionally diverse collection of Porsche. Show results and pictures will be available on the web site: DRT-SOFLA. COM. Additional photos taken by GCR PCA members are already posted at the club Facebook group page. Excellent food and beverage offerings were available at the main hospitality tent with the purchase of a special wristband. A huge group of vendors were available to sell products and answer questions.

• A Gold Coast Region hospitality tent was in this area and staffed by several volunteers of our club. At the GCR tent, we had several goals, which were:

1) Thanking PCA members for their support of their club and let them know about upcoming PCA events

2) Recruiting as many new and PCA Juniors as possible.

3) Identifying Porsche owners who are not yet PCA members and letting them know the benefits and fun of being a PCA member.

4) Offering water, snacks, publications, and other goodies.

5) Encouraging everyone to sign up for a chance to win a nice Porsche Basket that GCR provided. We estimated that well over 400 people stopped by the GCR tent to meet, converse, and contemplate PCA membership.

What is next for DRT? Planning is starting now for the 2023 event, which will also be held in South Florida. With an expected crowd of thousands, there is no such thing as planning too early. As with a precisionbuilt Porsche flat-6, there are many finely machined moving parts, so the “5P’s” are most definitely being considered (Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance).

We know members of the Porsche Club of America feel the same. Ever moving forward, Al works with a plan of continuous improvement with 2023 DRT and beyond. Next years’ event is being organized for growth and expansion to bring additional attendees, more Porsche vehicles, and fresh faces. Alvaro wishes to expand the DRT net to include Porsche enthusiasts from outside of Florida and across the entire US, for a week of Porsche camaraderie in South Miami. DRT from humble VW roots to a world class event. It is all part of Alvaro’s plan!