0707 - July 2007 by PCA SVR

the drifter Sacramento Valley Region - Porsche Club of America

July 2007

On the Cover: The Racers Group transporter at Virginia International Raceway Photo by Phil Lawrence

Got Track? TrackMasters Racing is a leader in High Performance Driver Education events in Northern California, and invites SVR-PCA drivers to Participate in our events.

• Infineon/Sears Point - Saturday, July 21st • Thunderhill - Sunday, July 29th • Thunderhill - Friday, August 10th • Thunderhill - Friday, September 21st • Thunderhill – Friday, October 12th • Thunderhill – Fri./Sat., Nov. 9th & 10th

Come out and stretch your car’s legs on some of the finest tracks in the country! Fun, safe, and definitely . . . No speeding tickets!

www.TrackMasters-Racing.com

2007 Board of Directors President Mike Willis 916.363.8313 2748 Tiffany West Way, Sacramento, CA 95827 president@svr.pca.org Vice President Kerner Breaux 916.966.2425 5018 Shadowood Way, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 vicepresident@svr.pca.org Secretary Kevin Dougherty 916.983.7774 P.O. Box 6006, Folsom, CA 95630 secretary@svr.pca.org Treasurer Betty Silva 12 Oak Lane, Suisun Valley, CA 94534 treasurer@svr.pca.org

707.864.0491

Social Director Cookie Anderson 916.988.6534 6320 Hickory Lane, Orangevale, CA 95662 svrsocialdirector@sbcglobal.net Membership Director Rik Larson 916.481.6084 2120 Maddox Court, Carmichael, CA 95608 membership@svr.pca.org Competition & Safety Director Matt Deter 916.630.8924 5645 Harvest Road, Rocklin, CA 95765 porsche@deter.com Webmaster John Murphy 916.858.2304 11508 Armour Court, Gold River, CA 95670 webmaster@svr.pca.org Past President Jeff Kinder 916.765.2801 4320 Freemont’s Loop, Rescue, CA 95672 pastpresident@svr.pca.org Editor Bud Behrens 209.477.6496 6424 Culpepper Place, Stockton, CA 95207 budnmaryann@cs.com Zone 7 Representative Larry Sharp – Golden Gate Region 925.371.2258 1119 Megan Road, Livermore, CA 94550 larrysharp@comcast.net

www.derporsche.net

Volume 45, No. 7

July 2007

4 5 6 9 9 14 14 15

Upcoming Events July dinner meeting Driving and garage tour Drivers Ed events SVR autocross #2 Zone 7 autocross #4 San Francisco art tour Zone 7 concours #5 August dinner meeting

6 10 12 13 20

Features and Reviews Autocross update Western Railway Museum tour At VIR with TRG What if you are locked out? Golden West rally

2 7 16 17 19 19 20

Columns and Departments Chilli’s chatter Drifting back June 6 board meeting July membership report Goodie store Renewal reminder Drifter classified

Mike Willis Larry Wilson Kevin Dougherty Rik Larson Tom Sisson Rik Larson

Information and Committee Directory Autocross Chair Matt Deter 916.630.8924 5645 Harvest Road, Rocklin, CA 95765 porsche@deter.com

Rally Chair Helen Ashuckian 916.481.2759 5440 Tree Side Dr., Carmichael, CA 95608 helena@lanset.com

Driver Education Chair/Events Frederick D. Rauch 916.989.3199 9580 Oak Ave. Parkway, Ste. 7 #188, Folsom, CA 95630 fdr@fdrmotorsports.com/deevents@svr.pca.org

Technical Chair Lisa Thomas lisa@pure9design.com

Charity Chair Susan Fleming 916.985.4142 107 Cobb Court, Folsom, CA 95630 trfleming@comcast.net Concours Chair Kent Brandon 916.663.1702 3450 Hector Rd, Newcastle, CA 95658 kent.brandon@ncbb.net Goodie Store Tom Sisson 209.296.5352 14537 Surrey Junct. Ave., Sutter Creek, CA 95685 targatom@volcano.net

916.220.5641

G24 Chairs Rachel Johnson/Kim Nelson 916.933.4282 305 Glen Ridge Way El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 kim356@directcon.net Dummkopf Chair Randy Vidmar 916.624.3145 5207 Par Place Rocklin, CA 95677 oldbearbones@sbcglobal.net Advertising Manager Dick MacFarlane

916.482.0652

5740 Windmill Way #11 • Carmichael, CA 95608

dickm@hpsionline.com

Sacramento Valley Region, Porsche Club of America (SVR), publishes the Drifter monthly for its members. Written contributions and photos are welcome and should be e-mailed to the editor. The deadline for material is one month prior to the month of publication. SVR members should notify the membership director promptly of an address change to insure uninterrupted delivery. All material in this newsletter is protected by copyright. However, newsletter editor of others regions chartered by the Porsche Club of America may reprint any article provided that credit is given to the author and Sacramento Valley Region and that The Drifter is cited as the source.

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Chilli’s chatter by Mike Willis

couple of days ago I received a note from PCA National regarding a member survey that is being prepared. This survey will be sent to randomly selected members. If you receive the survey, take a few minute to complete it, and return it to PCA. By the time you receive this issue of The Drifter, Porsche Parade will be over and we should all be home safely. San Diego Region has put on very good parades in the past and this one should not be any different. I am not sure that I am fond of the newly shortened format for Parade, but will have to give it some time. You know most of us “older” folks are resistant to change from any source. Take a look at our calendar. There are lots of interesting events available. I still recommend that our newer members attend tours and the G24 events first. Dinner meetings usually are not as receptive to our new members. For example, from the feedback I received from the members on the San Simeon tour half of them said they had a good time and felt welcome. Of course, all of us can make any member welcome just by moving away from our circle for a moment and saying “hi” to someone you do not know. (They might not even be new members; in a region our size it is impossible to know everyone.) When you participate in one of our events, it would be helpful, especially to our Drifter editor, to take a moment to write an article about the event and your experiences. The Drifter is our way of making you aware of what is happening, what has happened, and our views of what has happened. It is always nice to see an event through the eyes of someone other than the organizers. For example, Emily and I could write about the San Simeon tour, but that might not be the best coverage because we have a “personal interest” in the event and probably would not cover the event with a broad perspective. So we need the help of the participants with our post-event coverage in the Drifter. At least if you enjoyed yourself, let the event chairs know how much fun you had and even maybe some positive feedback if you noticed a problem. We do strive to have events that are well organized, interesting and last but not least - fun. Summer is here and yes, I have found the 914. Have fun and safe vacations. If we are not having fun, then why are we doing it?

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July and August Events July 16 August 8

Social SVR Dinner Meeting; see page 4. SVR Dinner Meeting; see page 15.

July 21 July 22 July 21 & 29 August 10

Autocross & Track SVR Region Autocross at Infineon Raceway; see page 9. DR Zone 7 Autocross #4 at Altamont; see page 9. Drivers Education at Infineon Raceway and at Thunderhill; see page 6. Drivers Education at Thunderhill; see page 6.

July 15 August 5

Concours MBR Zone 7 Concours #4; see Zone 7 web site. GGR Zone 7 Concours #5 at Carlsen Porsche; see page 14.

July 28 August 25

Rally SVR Photo Rally; postponed to September 16. SVR Charity Poker Run; check the August Drifter.

July 14 August 5

Tour SVR Garage and Driving Tour; see page 5. SVR San Francisco Art Tour; see page 14.

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Our July dinner meeting will again be at the Italian restaurant with the Spanish name

5723 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento

Monday, July 16th

Socializing at 6:30 P.M. - Dinner at 7:00 P.M. Since the restaurant is normally closed on Mondays, we will have it to ourselves. Four-course dinner: $27.50 per person

Entrées include Vegetarian (on request), Roast Beef, Chicken Parmesan, or Halibut Dinner is served family-style; each entrée includes a tureen of soup, salad, pasta, vegetable, coffee, and ice cream No-host beer and wine available - There is a corkage fee Please support share-the-wealth! For reservations and information contact Mike & Emily Willis at 916.363.8313 or mikew@cwo.com or ewillis@cwo.com Deadline for reservations is July 9th - Note: We will be at Parade from June 30th to July 7th Those who cancel their reservations after the deadline or fail to show up for the dinner will be billed for their dinners.

You Have a Choice!

So why not make the right one when you need auto body and paint work? ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Don Joe

3532 La Grande Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95823 (916) 391-4159

State-of the Art Body and Paint Technology Certified Glasurit Paint (Factory Original for Porsche, Mercedes, BMW) Car-O-Liner Unibody Repair Equipment Enclosed Climate-Controlled Spray Booth Industry-Certified Technicians

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Driving and garage tour Saturday, July 14th Join us as we meet at Starbucks* in El Dorado Hills at 10:30 A.M. and enjoy a beautiful Drive through the Sierra Foothills arriving at our destination of Vicki and Stephen Childs home around 1:00 P.M. After signing in and reviewing the tour routes we will leave from Starbucks at 11:00 A.M. sharp. Please make sure you have a full tank of gas. We will have two tour groups taking different routes on some of the best Porsche roads in Northern California. After arriving at the Childs home, we will have a wonderful barbecue with all your friends and view Vicki and Stephen’s collection of Porsches. Bring your swimsuit if you like; the pool is incredible and the view is fantastic. Since the day’s activities will be limited to fifty cars, early registration is suggested. Sign up for the tour by e-mailing Judy Hanna at jchpie@pacbell.net or you can call at 530.672.2117. The cost for the day’s activities is $12.00 per person. *Starbucks: Take the Latrobe Road exit off Hwy. 50 in El Dorado Hills and turn left at the first stop light into the Town Center Shopping Complex. Turn left at the first stop sign and look for Starbucks on the left.

Niello Porsche will meet or beat any written repair or service order estimate by any licensed independent Porsche repair facility... and perform the work where no one else can, the area’s most modern, state-of-the-art Porsche dealership.

Complimentary 29 point inspection for Porsche Club Members by appointment. Call today. Niello Porsche Rocklin

4525 Granite Drive, Rocklin. Showroom Hours M - Sa. 8:30am - 8:00pm Su. 10:30AM - 6:00PM Parts MF 8:00am - 6:00pm Service M-F 7:00am - 6:00PM Parts & Service Saturday 8:30am-3:00pm 1-888-298-3070 • (916) 625-8300

Niello Porsche has designated a Premier Porsche Dealer by Porsche Cars of North America. So now Niello is not only recognized as the longest continually operating Porsche dealership in America, we’re officially one of the best.

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Autocross update

by Matt Deter, SVR Competition & Safety Director

his year is flying by at an amazing pace; it’s already half gone. The good news is that the bulk of our autocross events are still up and coming. Our first event this year was on Saturday, May 12th in Stockton, where thirty drivers, both novice and experienced, zipped in and out of the cones. The weather was perfect, and everyone had a good time driving. Our next event will be on Saturday, July 21st in the paddock of Infineon Raceway. This was a popular event last November, and it should be a good venue to escape the valley heat and do some summer driving. In September we return to the fairgrounds in Stockton. In addition, SVR is hosting a two-day Zone 7 event at the end of October, and then we will cap off the year with our last event in November. The board of directors approved the purchase of an LED timing display for our autocross timing system earlier this year. The display has 8-inch characters and can be read from over 300 feet. We tested it out in May and found that it complements the PA system for announcing times.

If you haven’t yet made it out to an autocross event, you are missing a great opportunity to drive your car the way it was intended to be driven. We have experienced drivers in the club who will instruct you and help you enjoy driving your car in a safe, fun environment. Your Porsche wants to be driven, so head out to an autocross event, and keep your car happy!

July and August Driver’s Education Event’s

July 21st Infineon at Sonoma, California - TMR DE Event and SVR Autocross - Registration Open July 29th Thunderhill at Willows, California - TMR DE Event - Registration Open August 10th Thunderhill at Willows, California - TMR DE Event - Registration Open High-Speed Driving School for Beginners and Novices • Classroom/Download Sessions In Car Instruction available • Novice Run Group runs under PCA rules For more information, please contact Frederick D. Rauch at deevents@svr.pca.org or 916-989-0580 or go register at: www.trackmasters-racing.com. Autocross Participants register online at http://svr-autocross.deter.com/ or Contact Matt Deter at porsche@deter.com (916) 630-8924 Other 2007 DE Events • Thunderhill - Friday, Sept 21st - TMR DE Event - Registration Open • Thunderhill - Friday, October 12th - TMR DE Event - Registration Open • Thunderhill - Friday/Saturday, November 9th & 10th (TMR T-Hill Season Closer) - TMR DE Event - Registration Open • Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Thurs Dec 6 - - TMR Event - Registration Open • Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Fri, Dec 7 (SVR PCA Event) - Registration Open Hotel Info Thunderhill, we blocked out 20 Rooms at Best Western Golden Pheasant Inn for $64.95, King/59.95 2 Doubles and $ 69.95 Two Queens call (530) 934-4603 for reservations. Infineon, we blocked 15 rooms at the Marriott Courtyard, Novato ($149.00 for July and $129.00 for Nov) Call (415) 883-8950 or the Best Western Novato Oaks for $139.00 Call (415) 883-4400 for reservations. Bringing a RV, call Frederick D. Rauch at deevents@svr.pca.org or 916-989-0580 for more information. Remember to mention TMR or Trackmasters when you call to make reservation. Please contact Frederick D. Rauch at deevents@svr.pca.org or 916-989-0580 or Doug Gale for dinner and early sign-in information held on the eve of the event. SVR Drivers Education Chair- Frederick D. Rauch • SVR Chief Driving Instructor - Jeff Lyon SVR Chief Steward - Mike Ambrozewicz • SVR Competition Director- Matt Deter TMR events are operated by PCA Member Doug Gale of TrackMasters Racing. SVR events are operated strictly as a SVR/PCA event with Logistic Assistance by Doug Gale/TMR. DE events are not intended as a timed or race event. Any timing is done for personal purposes only, and is not part of the operation of the event.

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Drifting back July 2007 by Larry Wilson

30 Years Ago (July 1977) The July 15th Canned Heat Rally, chaired by Phillip Marks, was intended as a warm-up for the Parade rally with lots of sneaky tricks. Among SVR entrants, Jim and Joyce Karver finished second in expert class, Lauri Adams was 12th in beginner class, and Allen and Dolores Weddle were 8th and Mike and Vicki Willis 9th in expert unequipped class. Workers included Rik and Lettie Larson, Richard Wetzel, Jaqueline Marks, and Pat and Larry Wilson. The July 17 Buffet Luncheon/Meeting at the Red Lion Inn was, for some, preceded by a Hare & Hound Rally co-chaired by Ed Bayless and Jim Boswell. Awards for the rally went to John and Donna Lewis (first), Mike Doran and Claire Wycoff (second), and Randy Blaesi and Kern Breaux (third, and a tough pair to draw to). Tony and Eve Maslowski were special guests at the luncheon, and Tony described the PCA national board meeting he attended in Juarez, Mexico. The July 24-30 22nd Porsche Parade in San Diego drew thirty SVR cars, and many members got a nifty award. Allen Weddle won a speeding ticket while traveling with the “slow group” to Parade. Jim and Nancy Bonney got the best prize - a trip to Germany and tour of the Porsche factory. Three SVR teams trophied in a convoluted, 6-hour, 12-leg rally; Rik and Lettie Larson (2nd overall, 2nd Equipped Class, 353 pts.), Jim and Joyce Karver (3rd Unequipped Class, 1350 pts.), and Ted and Diane Colbert (7th Unequipped Class, 1506 pts.). While the organizers tossed the second and 12th rally legs after receiving $200 in protest fees, other misdemeanors were not corrected, thus the home-town award for overall. The autocross was no less contentious with tire and other protests. Pat Wilson had fastest time in the women’s Class 21 but lost first place at the awards banquet when a guy mistakenly assigned to her class received the award (and he accepted it!). Two nights later, that was corrected, but not easily. Other award winners were Larry Wilson (1st, Class 1), Fred Myeron (3rd, Class 2), Paul Baldarelli (2nd, Class 4), Mike Willis (4th, Class 5), Clint deWitt (1st, Class 9), Ted Colbert (2nd, Class 13), Rich Farlinger (4th, Class 13), Geary

Lyons (3rd, Class 14), Al King (6th, Class 15), Nancy Myeron (3rd, Class 22), Vicki Willis, (2nd, Class 25), and Diane Colbert (2nd, Class 33). Paul Baldarelli won a trophy at golf, and Darrel Overstreet won a second-place trophy for his crumbly 924 rendition in the sandcastle contest at the beach. And, up the coast a bit, what was the skinny at Black’s Beach, you ask? Better ask Jim or Joyce Karver. 20 Years Ago (July 1987) According to Sally Snoop in the July DRIFTER, Jim McDade was working on his golf game in preparation for the July 11th SVR tournament when she heard the breaking news that he shot 80. Sally wondered if the second nine was any better. Well, Sally, the answer to that question is (drum roll, please) . . .”No.” Jim finished 18th out of a field of 21 SVR duffers. His wife, Sheila, had 11 fewer strokes winning the women’s class. John Watson beat Garth Mason (with Marv Smith in third) and won the men’s division overall score. In other contests, Bruce Mills and Marcy Vidmar hit the longest drives, C.C. Craig and Barbara Rodriquez got closest to the pin, and Garth Mason and Melissa Poirier had best Callaway handicapped score. Event sponsors were Kirk Bradford (golf balls, Sony tees and ball markers) and George Valerio (German wines, champagne and crystal glasses). The Drifter cover continued the SVR tradition of a red, white, and blue-colored flag on the cover of the July issue. This year it was a replica of the very first flag authorized by the Continental Congress 210 years before on June 14, 1777. The red/white/blue colors were courtesy of the printer, Copy House, who agreed to take a small beating for the sake of patriotism.

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Continued

The Saturday, July 18 Tour to Vacaville led by Mike Willis had a 4:00 P.M. start from the Beverly Garland Hotel to reach the home of Mark and Suzanne Plantz in Vacaville for a 6:00 P.M. potluck barbecue with chefs Mark Plantz and Phil Lawrence directing the crew of Pam and Don Harley and Randy Vidmar. It was a circuitous route via the River Mansion Inn and Elmira through the Delta. President, Jim McDade, reported in the July Drifter that the final car-count for CRAB 16 of 143 cars was down slightly from CRAB 15, but it gave more incentive to CRAB 17 co-chairs Kern and Cindi Breaux to break the record in 1988. Jim also reported “the July 12th SVR Wash & Wax Concours had been scrubbed, in a manner of speaking,” because of a date conflict with a similar event by Diablo Region.

The July 26 SVR Driver’s Ed/Autocross at Mather Field, chaired by Dwight Mitchell and Bill Winkler, was a great success for 43 drivers, mostly rookies looking to improve their driving skills with expert instruction and lots of seat-time. Students who made noticeable improvements in lap times at the end of the day included Talley Wade, Brenda Cannon, Tyler Breaux, Curtis Poon, Brian Lee, Susan Fleming, Mike Pratt, and Joe Koonse. Mike Ambrozewicz gave a good workout to his purple and white, polka-dotted 914-4 by turning some very quick times, and Ernie Wassersleben was back from Tucson and Phoenix with a “new” 912.

10 Years Ago (July 1997) SVR autocrossers running the 1997 Zone 7 autocross series were busy this month attending the July 5/6 Monterey Bay Region events in the Laguna Seca paddock, and the July 19/20 Golden Gate Region/Loma Prieta Region Zone 7 autocross weekend at Candlestick Park’s huge parking lot. SVR rally people settled for the July 13 Diablo Region Zone 7 rally. A Zone 7 Concours was rumored for this month as well. Sue Ambrozewicz arranged the July 10th dinner meeting at Marie Calendar’s in Citrus Heights. The July Drifter announced that PCA had a web site on the Internet at <www.pca.org>, although, at the time, several parts of it were still “under construction.” Of particular interest was membership information with a “regional” map showing the various regions in PCA.

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Sacramento Valley Region – PCA Presents

SVR Series Autocross #2

Saturday, July 21st, 2007 In the paddock at Infineon Raceway • Sonoma, CA Morning check-in and tech from 7:30 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. Late check-in and tech from 11:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. First car out at 9:00 A.M. • No open exhaust

Fee: $35.00 per driver Register online at http://svr-autocross.deter.com/ Questions? Contact Matt Deter at porsche@deter.com 916.630.8924 Directions from I-80: Follow I-80 to Highway 37 West through Vallejo to the intersection with Highway 121. Turn right at the traffic signal onto Highway 121. Enter Infineon Raceway ahead on the left at the first gate.

Diablo Region Presents

Zone 7 Autocross #4

Sunday, July 22nd , 2007 Altamont Motorsports Park • 17001 Midway Road, Tracy Gates open at 7:30 A.M. • Registration at 8:00 A.M. • First car out at 9:00 A.M. Fee: $30.00 per car plus $20.00 gate fee per person for Altamont Instructors will be available • Lunch arrangements are uncertain The course, designed by Larry Sharp, will have banked corners, off-camber turns, and large sweeping curves, Fun? Just ask anyone who was at the March 18th event. Directions from the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valley area: From I-5, take either I-580 or I-205 West to the Mountain House Parkway exit (Formerly Patterson Pass Road exit), west of Tracy. Go Southwest on Patterson Pass Road to Midway Road. Turn Right onto Midway Road and proceed to the Altamont Motorsports Park entrance (on right). Directions from the San Francisco Bay Area, San Jose and Livermore: From the intersection of I-680 and I-580, take I-580 East (over Altamont Pass) to the Grant Line Road exit (on the East side of the pass). At the bottom of the off-ramp, turn left. Follow Grant Line Road East for ½ mile until you reach Midway Road and turn right. Proceed 3⁄4 mile to the Altamont Motorsports Park entrance (on left).

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Series 2007

Rally Concours Autocross

The Western Railway Museum tour by Doug Klein and John Payne photos by Mary Ann Behrens and Doug Klein

few clouds in the sky, temperatures in the 70s and a light breeze welcomed 50 folks and their 27 Porsches to the Towe Auto Museum for the start of the Western Railway Museum Tour. Leaving the Towe, we crossed the Sacramento River on the I-80 bridge and promptly lost four cars. Having both route maps and turn-by-turn instructions, we were confidant they would catch up.

We wound down the west levee road along the Sacramento River, much more scenic than the tree-less east bank, to the Old Sugar Mill. As the last of us entered the building, the missing four pulled into the parking lot.

John Carvalho, the principal behind restoring this former sugar beet processing plant, explained the extensive restoration necessary to convert this 75-year-old building into an upscale winery, tasting facility and future entertainment venue. He described the building, the wine making and the storage facilities, from the standpoint of a developer and businessman, an interesting change from the usual â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is how we make wineâ&#x20AC;? tour.

Afterwards, we had four vintners to visit; all with counters a few feet from one another. There was too much wine and too little time. Our planned 45-minute stop became an hour and a half.

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Continuing south on the west levee road, four cars unexpectedly turned east across the Walnut Grove drawbridge, while the remaining 21 continued on course toward Rio Vista. John Payne, our back door, dutifully herded them back into line. “Smooth, twisty and deserted,” describes the Montezuma Hills Road out of Rio Vista and through the SMUD wind farm. This fine Porsche road requires extreme caution, since several hillcrests hide abrupt, near-90-degree, short-radius turns on the other side - traps for the inattentive.

At the Western Railway Museum, we picnicked under willows and enjoyed the warm breeze and music from an adjacent Masonic picnic. “Big Mike,” who heads the museum’s restoration team, took us into the restoration shop, a huge building housing projects in various states of progress and normally closed to the public. He explained that most of the trolleys they restore come into the shop as junk. He then allowed us inside a nearly finished project, the result of seven years of volunteer work and a half-million dollars. It will be carrying museum visitors within a year. Some club members took short rides on 1920-era trolleys, while others took 45-minute excursions on interurban trains through the surrounding rolling prairies. Interurbans look like a cross between a trolley and a modern coach car.

Good weather, two interesting stops, and good friends - a Saturday well spent. The best part about this tour was the number of people who talked about not knowing these spots existed and intending to return with their friends and families in the future. One couple is already planning a concours and/or dinner at the Old Sugar Mill.

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At VIR with TRG by Phil Lawrence

fter attending many races at Sears and Laguna, what a pleasure it was to be invited to Virginia International Raceway (VIR) last April 27-29 for the Grand-Am race. Although located in the middle of nowhere, near the VirginiaNorth Carolina state line, this is a great track for racers and spectators alike. It’s 3.27 miles in length and winds through the trees, up and down hills, and has two long straights. If you buy your tickets on-line ($50.00 for three days) they e-mail you a bar code for you to print. You show it at the gate and you’re in - no passes to “keep in plain sight” like they constantly tell you at other tracks. If you must have a ticket, the charge is $4.50. It’s a cheap souvenir. Parking is on grass (except for a new Ferrari 599 that was parked on the dirt?) is free and close to the paddock. Camping ($35.00) was available in most parts of the track and the bathrooms and showers are kept clean. Emily and I sampled the food and coffee; both were good. Oh, by the way, when we ordered the coffee, the woman went to get it and came back to say she didn’t think it was very fresh and would make a new pot! We were dumbfounded! At Laguna I was lucky if it was warm. The snack bar area was under a large porch with several fans on the ceiling and a large covered seating area. Since the snack bar was located at a fine viewing area, there was a large crowd both under and on the porch. In fact, the viewing was good all around the track. Oh, by the way, there are no grandstands. There are small bleachers set up all around the course. Many people had deck chairs or pitched their tents next to the fences. There is no timing tower either, and there are only six garages on the front straight. Kevin Buckler, a long-time PCA member, had set up The Racers Group (TRG) “garage” in the paddock. It was made up of three huge transporters with canopies over the spaces and a rubber floor covering the ground. The four 997GT3/RS race cars Kevin entered for this race were being looked after by at least a dozen guys from his race shop in Petaluma and they, in-turn, by two lovely ladies who made sure they, and us, had food and drink. During the race they moved the food and drinks to the TRG pit. A well-fed crew is a happy crew. As Em was new to the world of Porsche racing, I hung back as she talked to Kevin, the drivers, and crew. One of the driver’s

parents was there and told how their son had come up through the ranks to work for TRG. Em said everyone was nice and took time to answer her many questions. Now that Em has a 911, will she join the TRG “Arrive & Drive” program as fellow members Paul Camusi and Pete Altmann have done? Who knows? In qualifying the TRG cars placed 14th, 16th, 17th and 19th. Not great, but better than the Corvettes, a Nissan 350Z and a BMW M3. The race, alas, was a mirror of qualifying. The four TRG cars stayed right together most of the time, except when Dan Dileo took #67 for a wild on/off course excursion right between the other TRG cars! As far as SPEED channel was concerned, this was the highlight of the race and it was replayed several times, not only during the VIR race, but also at the two later Grand Am races. Thankfully he did not hit anything. SVR surely would have given Dan the “Snidely Whiplash Back-asswards” award. At the end only one of Kevin’s cars was in the top ten. Alas, those pretty ladies passed out no Adobe Road wine. The only consolation was that the Mazda RX-8s didn’t win as they had been doing all season. I told Kevin I had friends in New Jersey who could “have a little talk” with those guys but he declined my help. TRG more than made up for the VIR race by taking first and second at Laguna. I hear that someone from Porsche AG called during that race and said”Ve must beat the Mazdas on their home track”. I guess Kevin and his folks did that in grand style. Emily has told me she would like to go to a (shudder) NASCAR race. Oh Lord, can I put up with all those beer-drinking good old boys for four hours?

Below: The TRG “garage” and interior of a 997GT3/RS race car. Photos by Phil Lawrence.

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What if you are locked out? by Lisa Thomas, SVR Technical Chair

y intention was to go around to the other side of the Cayenne, and retrieve items there before locking the car. However, the “lock” button must have been accidentally pushed before closing the door. So what does one do now? Plan A: call AAA and have them come and “slim-jim” the window. We got the typical response when requesting help on a Porsche: “Uh, on what kind of car? Nope, you might break the window.” I decided this wasn’t the answer and that I needed to go to plan B. “Not an option,” I said. He mentioned something vaguely intelligent about electronic locking mechanisms that can’t be “slim-jimmed” and suggested calling a locksmith. The plan now was to find a capable locksmith. “Uh, on what kind of car?” he asked, then “Nope can’t do it, not without a key code.” Plan C was to call Niello Porsche. They were helpful no matter which department I was accidentally sent to. Key blanks for a 2005 Cayenne are not readily available and cost $200. We could have one ordered from Germany and receive it in a week, three days, or three weeks, depending how many orders they have received and how far behind they are. Having the blank programmed to work with my car would require a bit more time, and a lot more money - maybe $150.00. Why would I order a key that would not work with my car? What is the key-code for? I have things in the car that I need and can’t get to. I was told that the option of breaking the window was a viable one. “You’re kidding?” “No.”

Plan D: What is least-expensive piece of glass to break? The front windshield had a chip in it anyway, and a replacement was in stock at a cost of $242.00. A glass shop would install it for $75.00, so for a total of $317.00 “OK,” I said. “Not a good idea though, because you’ll be breathing glass shards for three months.” “Right, not a good idea.” The right and left windows would need to be ordered, and probably take three days to deliver, but were $125.00 or so. “OK.” “Labor will be $420.00.” “What? No way!” “How about the breaking the sunroof or back window?” “NO WAY!” I exclaimed again.

All that was left was the fun part. Would you do this intentionally to your Porsche? Actually we didn’t take the axe to the window; we used a carpenter’s punch.

Plan E: Call other glass shops. It turns out the shops that do only glass might have windows in stock they obtained from Niello. We found a shop that would charge $400.00 installed. He advised against breaking the front windshield, since it might set off the alarm safety feature in the glass. The solution was to tape the passenger side window and break it so that most of the glass would stay on the tape. (Actually, it went everywhere).

The message of the story is that you can arm your alarm, have the window broken, have someone reach in and grab whatever is sitting there, and the alarm might never sound! What is up with that?

The clean up was not fun, but we got the key, and the alarm never went off!

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SAN FRANCISCO ART TOUR Sunday, August 5, 2007 Please join us, on this, our second annual tour. We will meet at the parking lot behind the Tower Theatre at Broadway and South Land Park Drive, at 9:00 A.M. and leave at 9:30 sharp. We will tour leisurely down scenic I-80 to even more scenic Hwy 37, to even more scenic Hwy 101, to the even more scenic Larkspur Ferry to San Francisco, either to Fisherman’s Wharf or the Ferry Building (haven’t decided which, yet) and finally to the most scenic part of our trip, the F Line, the antique streetcars that ply Market Street. We will get off at 3rd St and walk a block or two to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where we will spend as much time as we want viewing their permanent exhibit and what ever else they have to offer. The museum includes a very nice café, which may be enjoyed inside or out. Costs: The Larkspur Ferry (round trip): adults $13.50, seniors $6.70. The vintage streetcars: adults $1.50, seniors $.50. Admission to SFMOMA: adults $12.50, seniors $6.70 So come on along to one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. Call us, Herb and Jan, at 916.424.5163

CARLSEN PORSCHE CONCOURS Presented by Golden Gate Region, Porsche Club of America Sunday, August 5, 2007 Carlsen Porsche Dealership 3636 Haven Avenue, Redwood City, CA Entry Fee: $20.00 per Car • Display Only: Free Car placement from 7:30 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. Food: $10.00 Catered Bavarian Buffet Entire proceeds from entry fees & food donated to Child Advocates Series 2007

Directions: From Highway 101, exit East onto Marsh Road and turn left onto Haven Avenue. For Information, call Larry Adams at (650) 345-2232 or e-mail OldCarNut@aol.com 14

Rally Concours Autocross

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SVR Dinner Meeting - Wednesday, August 8

The Pheasant Club 2525 Jefferson Boulevard, West Sacramento Cocktails at 6:00 P.M. - Dinner at 7:00 P.M. Menu Options #1: Garlic Steak Sandwich, with a choice of French fries or ravioli - $24.00 #2: Oven Fried Chicken, baked in white wine with rosemary and garlic and served with baked potato or ravioli - $22.00 #3: Fresh Filet of Salmon, poached in white wine, topped with a lemon-dill sauce and served with baked potato - $25.00 All entrĂŠes served with salad, garlic-bread, and coffee. Prices include tax and tip. Please let us know if you are coming, and your menu choice by August 5th. Call Jan Hoover at 916.424.5163.

Those who cancel their reservations after the deadline or fail to show up for the dinner will be billed for their dinners.

FLASH: Dwight and Linda will be there!!

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June 6, 2007 SVR board meeting

by Matt Deter, filling in for Kevin Dougherty, SVR Secretary

resident Mike Willis called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. In attendance were: Mike Willis, Kern Breaux, Rik Larson, Betty & Ray Silva, Matt Deter, Helen Ashuckian, John Murphy, Mark Judish, and Dick MacFarlane Absent: Cookie Anderson, Bud Behrens, Kevin Dougherty, Jeff Kinder, Frederick Rauch, Kim Nelson, Rachel Johnson, and Tom Sisson. The May minutes were previously reviewed and then accepted at the meeting.

Old Business: • Autocross cones: Mike Willis ordered cones, but mistakenly requested the 6”-tall size. These will be returned and an order for 12”-tall cones is in progress. • Autocross trailer rental fee: Matt presented a proposal for the rental fee and additional requirements that must be met regarding insurance. Discussion and amendments were made to the proposal. Matt will edit and present the final draft for review and approval via e-mail vote. New Business: • Advertising and Drifter page count: Dick MacFarlane presented the question of whether we can add a sheet (4 pages) to the Drifter. There appears to be sufficient advertising demand if the other logistics all work out. Dick will discuss the matter with Bud Behrens (Drifter Editor), do additional research as needed, and present more details at the next meeting. • Roster: Rik will get cost information to Dick so he can set rates for roster advertising. Board Member Reports: • CRAB 33: Betty Silva reported that the CRAB 33 books are finalized and that all event reports are in. Net profit on the event is $2,000. As per tradition, the chairs’ event fees will be refunded. • CRAB 34: Mark Judish has accepted the CRAB 34 event chair position as unanimously approved by board vote. Mark is already working on plans for a new site next year, and his committee is starting to come together. Mark is eagerly seeking someone to co-chair CRAB 34 with him in preparation for chairing CRAB 35 in 2009. There will be an autocross. • Competition (Matt Deter): The May 12th autocross was a success, with 30 drivers attending. The new LED timing display worked well and made it much easier to keep track of driver times. SVR’s next autocross is on Saturday, July 21st in the paddock at Infineon Raceway. The Altamont site permit problems have been resolved, and Diablo Region will be hosting Zone AX #4 there on Sunday, July 22nd. A CRAB 34 autocross site has been secured and tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 26th, 2008.

• Rally (Helen Ashuckian): The Golden West rally organized by J. Toney was a success, with 14 cars competing. The Summer Solstice rally (Zone 7 Rally #2) organized by Keith McMahan is coming up on June 16th. Ann Hamel’s photo rally is set for September 16th. • Concours: Dick MacFarlane has a conflict on the October 7th date for the Silver Star concours. Mike Willis will work with Kim Nelson to find an event chair to take over this event. • Treasurer (Betty Silva): $10,000 from savings has been moved to a 5-month timed deposit earning 4.9% interest as previously approved by the board. This deposit will mature on October 9th, 2007, two days before Betty’s birthday – try to remember and buy her a gift! • Goodie Store (Tom Sisson): Tom’s written report was approved as submitted. • Membership Director (Rik Larson): Rik’s written report was approved as submitted. Highlights: You only get one bite at the apple to renew your membership, and if you miss the deadline by even one day, you will not have your label printed for the next Panorama, and may miss out on an issue. • Webmaster (John Murphy): Web traffic continues as it has for the last few months. Web traffic continues as it has for the last few months. Check out the “Web Summary” at the bottom of the Home Page if you want to see where some of the hits on the website come from around the globe. John’s amazed, you may be, too. • Vice President (Kern Breaux): Kern reviewed the calendar of upcoming events. • President (Mike Willis): Nothing to report. Adjournment was at 9:08 P.M. The next board meeting will be at RPM on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 7:00 P.M.

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Join in – July membership report by Rik Larson, SVR Membership Director

SVR has 621 Regular Members, and 497 Affiliate members for a total of 1,118 members plus 14 Dual Members. Directory update: If you have any corrections for the 2007 Directory, please send them to Rik Larson. New Members Peter Ehrenberg West Sacramento, CA 95691 ehrenberg.peter@sbcglobal.net 916.617.2436 ’97 911 Keith Hopkins Rocklin, CA 95765 khopkins2227@sbcglobal.net 916.625.1095

’04 911

Jace & Cary Stone Folsom, CA 95630 motiv8ed@aol.com 563.332.1644 (from Central Iowa)

’71 911

Transfers In Anniversaries ’96 993

Barry & Sue Maashoff Stockton, CA 95215 barrym@tsctracking.com 209.476.1722 ’05 Cabriolet Mitchell Murry Sacramento, CA 95822 virclnmach@comcast.net 916.410.2452

Ann Pennock Yuba City, CA 95993 annapenn2003@yahoo.com 530.671.1611

Rick Bradley & Judy O’Connor Lincoln, CA 95648 roclwbrad@msn.com 916.408.0431 ’60 356 (from Redwood) Robert Koken Roseville, CA 95747 rkoken77@hotmail.com 925.708.8111 (from Northeast)

’99 Boxster

Gary & Willa Lampi [5] Aleece & Elliot Hoffmann [5] Bill Hambrick & Leigh Rutledge [5] Carl & Suzie Brakensiek [5] Mick & Robert Mitterholzer [10]

Please see “Renewal Reminder on page 19.

’71 914

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MP Parts We have a wide variety of used parts for late model

Porsches We specialize in Boxster, 996 and other models. 3501 Recycle Road â&#x20AC;˘ Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 (916) 638-1323 â&#x20AC;˘ (916) 853-8577 FAX Check out our inventory at www.mazdaporscheparts.com

www.fdrmotorsports.com drifter classified

Offering PCA Club Member Pricing on Performance and Appearance Products

Frozen Rotors Brey-Krause Crow Enterprises Porterfield Pagid Sparco CarGraphic USA UniChip Call or Visit Our Website Phone: (916) 989-0580 E-mail:fdr@fdrmotorsports.com 18

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The SVR Goodie Store by Tom Sisson

ou need one of the hot SVR shirts for only $30.00 in sizes from Small to XXXLarge (XXX costs extra) and in various colors. You also should have an SVR badge on your car for only $15.00. If you want a PCA badge, it costs only $18. We can handle and ship any of this merchandise, usually for $5.00 or less. BTW, when our ancestors realized that they were burying a great deal of people before their time had actually come, they came up with a solution. They tied a string onto the “dead” person’s hand, buried them, and tied the other end of the string to a bell and then to a nearby tree branch. If the person revived enough to ring the bell, their survivors would rush out and dig them up. Hence “Saved by the bell.” The “lucky stiff ” was also known as a “dead ringer” - thus the origin of those terms. To have any of this exciting stuff for your very own, contact Tom Sisson at meetings, or at 14537 Surrey Junction Lane, Sutter Creek, CA 95685; Phone 209-296-5352; or E-Mail targatom@volcano.net. How can you lose?

Index of Advertisers A & S BMW European Body Shop Fabrication Specialties FDR Motorsports Frank’s Automotive IPB – Autosport Karma Kreations MP Parts Niello Porsche OK Tire ‘n’ Wheel PartsHeaven Performance Products The Racer’s Group Reflections in Glass RPM Kart Racing Silver Star Recycling Trackmasters Walt Stickel

18 2 4 18 IBC IFC 8 18 5, BC IBC 15 17 15 2 3 19 IFC 7

Renewal Reminder PCA National mails only one invoice to you approximately 45 days before your membership expires. They are very quick to drop you from the membership database if your renewal is not posted to their database by the end of the month in which your membership expires. You can either mail in the renewal or renew it online at www.pca.org. They accept the following credit cards: American Express, MasterCard, and VISA. How do I know when my membership expires? You can check your membership card or look at the mailing label on the envelope that your PANORAMA comes in. Your membership number takes the form of YYYYMMxxxxx,where YYYY is the year that you joined, MM is the month, and xxxx is a unique number. Your membership expires on the last day of the previous MM identified. And since the national office is not open on Saturday or Sunday, your membership may not be posted on the last business day of the month in time. You may experience a break in delivery of the PANORAMA if your renewal is not posted in time.

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Golden West Rally (a trip thru the windmills and the delta) by Rik Larson, Zone 7 Rally Chairperson

he first rally of 2007 was held on the Sunday, June 3rd. J. Toney served as rallymaster for this great drive. A total of 18 checkpoints were used and scored. This event featured the use of “passage controls” where you did not stop for your in time. Scoring was in hundredths of a minute (just like the Parade rallies), not in seconds. Maximum error on any checkpoint was limited to 50 points (that is, 30 seconds). A number of the cars came out to do a tune-up for the San Diego Parade. This was a no-trap event and gave everyone a feel for what it is like to stay on time, all the time. We traveled thru the hills and windmills outside of Livermore (the start) and took a lunch break in Rio Vista. This was followed by a trip on the Real McCoy ferry to continue up the Delta and finish at the Towe Automotive History Museum in Sacramento. Thanks to the PCA workers: J. Toney, Jessica Toney, and Andy Mahew.

Class Beginner - 1st Beginner - 2nd Beginner - 3rd Beginner - 4th Beginner - 5th Novice - 1st Expert Unequipped - 1st Expert Equipped - 1st

Score 525 607 685 768 802 792 172 87

Entrants Jim and Rosanne Bonovich Roger and Sharon Lackey John Lillian and John Richard Kevin Molineaux and David Crabtree Michael and Linda Gregg Helen Ashuckian and Jo Hilling Richard Wetzel and Chuck Hanson Keith McMahan and Rik Larson

Region Sacramento Valley Golden Gate Sequoia Sequoia Yosemite Sacramento Valley Sacramento Valley Sacramento Valley

Drifter Classifieds Drifter Classifieds for Porsches and/or Porsche-related parts or accessories are available at no charge to PCA members (pictures with text are $15 each); non-members may submit ads, $20 each; pictures with text add $15 each (member & non-member). Make check payable to PCA-SVR and send with ad to PCS-SVR, P.O. Box 254651, Sacramento, CA 95865-4651. Commercial ads are not accepted. Please contact our Advertising Manager for commercial advertising information and rates. All ads must be submitted by e-mail to the Newsletter Editor and received by the editor by the 1st day of the month prior to publication. Ads may e shortened to fit available space. Editor is not responsible for content and reserves the right to reject any ads submitted. Not responsible for any errors or omissions. As an additional benefit to our members, all ads are included in the classified section of our web page. Ads are not verified for content. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify the information in the ads. Ads run for two months unless cancelled.

Porsches for Sale 1986 911 Carrera SR Coupe: Guards red/tan leather interior; whaletail; 5 speed, 89k original miles, factory color-matched 16” Fuchs alloys; California car, original as delivered. Spare tire, tool kit, jack, 90k service done early, service records for years, cold a/c, no oil leaks, exceptional condition. $24,000. Call H.B. Porter at 916.771.4476 or e-mail hbporter@comcast.net (Possible trade up for 993 tip?) (05/07) 1983 3.0 Cabriolet: Loose head studs on left side. “Runs.” Body excellent. 16inch Fuchs wheels, polished centers. All parts of interior present but need re-do. Dash is straight. All body parts are on the vehicle and are in good shape. 139,000 miles. $4000.00 OBO. Call Kent at 925.284.9543. (06/07)

1974 914-6 Racecar - 2.8: Fresh motor & trans w/limited slip, Sheridan body. Have records. For information and pictures, call E. J. Fontaine at 530.621.1588 or e-mail fast914@sbcglobal.net. (07/07)

Wanted 1965-1973 911: clean and needing little to no work. Please, no projects, rust, resellers, or dealers. Willing to pay a fair private party price. Please contact Dan Tsuchiya at dantsuchiya@yahoo.com or call 408.483.5224. (05/07)

1972 911S Coupe: Would like to purchase from good home a relatively unmolested numbers-matching 1972 911 S Coupe (not Targa) in very good to excellent condition with good history and fundamentals such as owners manual and tools. Please call George at 775.750.8202. (07/07) There’s no last word this month. Had to make room for the June 3rd rally story. I’ll be back in the August issue. Bud

Enclosed Vehicle Trailer: Must be in good condition. Contact Carl Brakensiek at carlb@ advocal.com or 916.612.3274. (06/07)

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Frank’s AUTOMOTIVE Since 1969 Since 1969

Frank Lettini Nick Lettini 5220 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95819 Lic # 010502

916-452-0917

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Cards

Our motto: “If you like our work,tell others. If not, tell us.”

Sacramento Valley Region Porsche Club of America Post Office Box 254651 Sacramento, CA 95865-4651

Niello Porsche has been designated a Premier Porsche Dealer by Porsche Cars of North America. So now we’re not only recognized as the longest continually operating Porsche dealership in America, we’re officially one of the best.

Visit today and see why.

Niello Porsche Rocklin

4525 Granite Drive, Rocklin Showroom Hours M - Sa. 8:30am - 8:00pm Su. 10:30AM - 6:00PM Parts MF 8:00am - 6:00pm Service M-F 7:00am - 6:00PM Parts & Service Saturday 8:30am-3:00pm 1-888-298-3070 • (916) 625-8300 • niello.com

Presort Standard US Postage PAID Permit #2840 Sacramento, CA