by Angel Martinez

TWO-DOOR TWISTIES

Story by Angel Martinez

“Before this drive, I really liked my car. But now . . . I love it!”

“The route was sublime. The participants were a great bunch of Porsche hoodlums. Gimme more of these!”

“It was all great! Really, couldn’t be better!”

“The drive was delivered as advertised! Loved Highway 58!"

So there you have it. Just some of the superlatives expressed by club members who participated in the first Two-Door Twisties drive. I say “first” because the overall response was enthusiastic, to say the least.

On a Wednesday morning last July, 28 Porsches gathered at Paddock Motor Club in Goleta, including 912s, long hood 911s, Boxsters, a GT4, Carreras, Caymans, and Turbos: in all, almost every variety of the most desirable of the Porsche sporting breed. A few ground rules were discussed, including the admonition to drive at your own pace, and passing only when legal and safe. I could tell that there was a tiny bit of apprehension in some of the group, which was inherent to not really knowing what to expect. The drive was advertised as containing lots of twisty bits of all kinds, lots of ups and downs, and some hairpin turns. Adding to the consternation of some, I suspected that it may have been a while since some of the cars had been properly exercised, plus the fact that bathroom breaks would be few and services and cell phone reception would be limited.

Two Groups, one led by Henry Hinck and the other by Joe Schneider, got underway at 7:15, bound for a quick detour to my home in Ojai and a bathroom break. From there it was on to Highway 33, one of my favorite roads in our part of California. Keep in mind that this drive occurred on a Wednesday so there were very few cars on the road to interfere with our pace lines. After about 40 glorious miles we stopped for a group photo at a spectacular lookout point just before the turn onto Lockwood Valley Road. And that’s where the fun reached a new level. The drive on this road was spirited and set the pace for the day. People found their own groups of four or five cars each and truly discovered what our cars were designed to do, and do so amazingly well. I found myself “whoop whooping” on many occasions and I wasn’t alone!

The thrill ride continued on for about an hour, before the left turn at Mil Portrero Highway, leading up to yet another spectacular terrain change through Pine Mountain Club. Our third break found the group buzzing with energy. Someone said, “It can’t get any better than this!” Just wait, I said to myself.

Opposite: The road overlooking Lockwood Valley. Photo by Dennis Power. Top: The enthusiastic group at the Paddock Motor Club. Photo by Bill Hallier. Left and above: Drivers assembled at the overlook. Photos by Steve Geldman.

As we made our way down from Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, taking in yet new and breathtaking views of the valley below in the Carrizo Plain National Monument, we gathered for another stop for fuel and a break in the town of Taft on Highway 33. Again, the variety of scenery and the many terrain changes are what made this such a special drive. Take this route in the fall and you’ll experience it in a completely different way. And in the winter, with the likelihood of snow in the mountain sections, you’ll discover the capabilities of your Macans and Cayennes.

From Highway 33 we connected to the fabled Highway 58. I say "fabled" because, well, you had to be there. The 58 is a true driver’s road. One of the best in California. When we first entered the road we were stopped by construction, requiring a pilot truck to escort us in two groups through the fresh pavement being laid down. Come to find out in chatting with the flagman while we waited our turn that the pavement material being used is new and unique. It has a very high percentage of recycled rubber in the asphalt compound and it is the first time this material is being used in the state. Kern County, in cooperation with San Luis Obispo County, is paving the entire length of Highway 58 in this new compound.

Top: The lineup at the beginning of Highway 58 and Right: Joe Schneider waits patiently. Both photos by Bill Hallier.

What??!! Can you say “GRIP”? I must admit to getting teary-eyed. How could this road possibly get better? Well, we will all just have to wait to find out until the next version of the Two-Door Twisties. Needless to say, there is now demand among club members for this type of driving event.

While there was no wine and cheese available, there was plenty of excellent German beer, sausages, and schnitzel at our destination: Beda’s Biergarten in San Luis Opispo. There was also that great feeling of having arrived, perhaps a little glassy eyed, at the end of a wonderful day of a driving adventure and of having experienced it all with a group of Porsche lovers, out for a mid-week jaunt, discovering maybe for the first time what these wonderful cars can do for their souls.

Angel Martinez has been a member of PCA since 1999. He owns, restores, and drives a variety of air-cooled Porsches.

This page: The end of a great drive, with German food and beer (for some) at Beda's Biergarten in San Luis Obispo. Photos by Bill Hallier.