Porscherama 1972 December

porsche club of america

los angeles region

P.ORSCHERAMA calendar

.december

SCHIDULED EVENTS

v

v

STAFF ~0~

DEC~[BER 18: RESERVATION DEADLIh~E FOR THE C~RIST~IAS PARTY A~D DEATH VALLEY TOUR: The Gertrude Boothe 696-0866 money for these events is needed in advance, 79~7 S. Fo~est Ave. by this date to secure our reservations.

Whittier, Calif. 90602 DEC~ER 19: Board Meeting 8:p.m., Duane Alan’s home for both old and new boa~d merebets. Phone 283-7~2~.

DEC~[BER 22: CHRISTMAS PARTY at The Windsor 283-7~25 PRESIDENT Duane Alan Ballroor~, 3828 W. Slauson, L.A. Dinner, 1049 Bradshaw Ave. dancing, prizes; see ~EV~TS’ for details.

Monterey Park, JANUARY 19-20-21: TOUR TO DEATI{ VALLEY California 91754 JANUA~-f 25: TECHNICAL EEETING at Rusns/~ P/A on Engine Tune-Up. See ’EVE~TS’ for details. VICE PRES. Dale Anderson 459-1219

DIRECTORS

~

DIAL-A-PORSCHE-CLUB For information about PCA activities, call: 398-22-17

S~R~RY TREASURER

Fau~ Beam (80~) 861-1~3 Lewis Pulley

ACTIVITIES P~BLICITY TECHNICAL MEMBERSHIP

Ron Ramage Gerl Boothe Rob,t VanCleave Corky Ki~k.

P.O. Box ~16 Arcadia, Calif.

374-6888 696-0866 368-4059 b~7-5109 91006

all porsche accessories for 356’s &

Custom Auto Air Conditioning 9519 E. ARTESIA BLVD.

BELLFLOWER, CALIFORNIA 90706

We are PORSCHE/AUDI specialists, We off~ a complete, one-stop service fo~ all your ai~ conditioning needs.

Our work is gusmanteed.

steering wheels, bras, sway bars.

10 percent off net to PCA members on hard !parts .PCA orders shipped same day

phone

SPEClALI Molded plastic airducts,

213

473-2941

~t~thita,~tg

replace existing air hoses PHONE i 213

866;-2914

900’s

]ames R. Griffin ~,,,.,,~,

~::~z4 S~NV~ ~ONICA S-.

-os ~N~ues. CA. soozs

comment

Well, troops, we find ourselves at the end of anothe~ year and everyone seems to agree that it was a very successful year. This is my last issue of PORSCHERA~LA and though it was a lot of hard work, with long hours spent in seclusion, I~ve learned a lot and thus benefited from it all. ~hank you all for bearing with me through my rather wordy issues of PORSCHERAMA, but at least it gave you something to stick in your pocket and chew on during your idle moments. We would like to thank our advertisers, both Porsche/Audi dealers and the independent businesses who helped support the newsletter and PCA-LA. Thanks, also, to those who wrote articles for PORSCHERAMA sometimes without my even having to ask them. I would like to thank the girls who registered all the entries for Willow Springs. It was all new to me snd and they really pitched in when the help ~as needed....This has been quite a year for my family, too, with Ralph having to shift for himself many times and my Morn doing same of my household chores ~hile I worked on the paper. ~And finally, thanks to all my fellow board members for their cooperation. I will surely miss all the involvments of being a board member.

Ge~i Boothe, ~ditor THX KXY - Xvxn though this typx~ritxr is an old modxl, it works quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx of thx l~s. I have wishxd many timxs that it workxd pxrfxctly. It is trux that it workxd pxrfxctly oncx and that thxrx arx forty-onx kxys that function wxll but just onx ~ not ~orking makxs thx diffxrxncx.... Somxtimxs wx may .h~nk o~ur .o~rgani~ation ~s somxwhat likx m~, typx~ritxr--not all thx pxoplx arx ~ork¯ng px~rxc~±y, zou may say to yoursxlf, ’Wxll, I am only onx pxrson, I won’t makx or brxak a program.’" But it doxs makx a diffxrxncx bxcausx any program, to bx xffxctivx, nxxds thx activx participation of xvxry m~nbxr. So, thx nxxt timx you think your x~fforts arx not nxxdxd, rxmxmbxr my typxwriter and say to yoursxlf: "I am a kxy pxrson in our organization and I am nxxdxd vxry much.’".. . .Bxcausx it’s trux.’ (~hanks to Orxgon Rx~ion, via San Dixgo Rxgion. )

~h.OUgh,

Shirley A. Bogen and Tony F. Kustein are happy to announce their recent marriage on Friday, the tenth of November, 1972- Wailua, Kauai, Hawaii.

NOTE OF INTEREST FROM THE WORLD OF MUSIC by Peter N. DeWolfe - PCA ~sic Critic and Authority on Tuned Exhaust Systems.... According to a usually reliable source, the Ford Foundation has commissioned the writing of an opera based on automobile racing. This will be the first opera with an automotive theme, despite the fact that mauy believe the opera "Cardillac" to be about an automobile. It is believed the style will be contemporary, not in the tradition of the operas of Wolf-Ferrar!.

It is also believed that the plot will be similar to that of "Cavalleria Rusticana", in which the principal characters are Alflo and Lola. The librettist is unknown at this time, but the music will be written by the eminent American composer, Walter Piston. As of press time, only the first act aria had been sketched out, entitled, "What,s It All About, Alfa? " (Dale Anderson)

"It handl~ ¢eal~g~d ~o fag ... can I ~tagt it up?"

linic

ALL 900 SERIES

Area 213

828-3407

1610 Broadway Avenuc S~ta Moni~,Ca~fornia

24 HOUR ~MERGENCY TOWING

PETER HAACK~ Por~he Tech~cian

October 28th and 29th I participated in San Diego Region’s Time Trials at Holtville.

We won,t discuss the results, but it was fun slipping and sliding all over the concrete runways on my street tires. I think my next event ~¢ill be the ice racing in Minnesota this winter: ~e~t~n~ As part of the weekend festivities, Zone 8 Representative Ed Yates held a of reps froz~ the regions comprising the Zone. Present were: Ernie Paschoal, San Diego; Joe Schneider, Santa Barbara; Bob Upton, Riverside; Jeff Gs~ble, So. Arizona; Dr. Charles Blaich, Arizona; s_ud myself, representing L.A. in the absence of Pres. Duane Alan. Orange Coast and Calif. Central Coast did not send reps - must have been at Riverside Csa~-Am. ~he meeting was very informal and consisted ~uainly of "State of the Region" reports. While each region’s report differed, we seem to have one thing in cormuon--lack of participation in events and meetings. We in L.A. don’t seem to have a copyright on apathy, as many believe.

There’s a lot of it going around in all the regions, so how about PCA-LA showing the way for Zone 8 in increased interest and participation in meetings and events? .

In addition to the reports, so~e gripes were voiced, including some pertaining ~o t~e Parade. ~otably, people who bring in antiseptic show cars on trailers and win the Concours hands down so that the guy who drives 2000 ~.~iles and competes in all events has no ch~ce at the overall. It was felt that all entrants should be required to enter several events with the same car .... Bob Upton of Riverside Region expressed a desire to have a jointly sponsored event ~-~ith L.A. region, maybe a Driver’s SchoolTime Trials at Riverside Raceway. Their small region doesn’t have the budget to do it themselves and they lack timing equipment. Sounds like a great idea, worth looking into. y. Following the meeting was a buffet dinner for all the participants.

As I ran e~r~ on Sunday to get ~u early start hor~e, I can’t give shy results, but the car to beat must have been Bill Yates’ super 911GT, the car driven at Le~.~ans by Alan Johnson and k~liott Forbes-Robinson.

Dale Anderson Editor’s note: Top time of day was George Thwing in his 911 powered 904 turning a

next -events

~~~ DECEMBER 22nd is our big CHRIS~,{AS P~IRTY AND DINNER-DANCE which you wil! not want to miss. This will be on a Friday.evening at The Windsor Ba!iroo-~u, ~828 %~. Slauson Ave. in Los Angeles. ~ere will be a four-piece combo in this very elegant restaurant, which serves superb food and is usually booked four years in advance for the top echelon of mm%y city, county and industry groups. The ovner is a professional chef and entre preneur. The menu will start with shrimp cocktail and filet mignon will follow with baked potato, French-style beans, hot bread and butter.

There will be creme d’menthe parfaits and coffee for desert. Dinner is ~8.00 per person, tax s_nd tip included. Drinks are 90~ with specialty drinks at $1.2~ each.

Several very nice door prizes will be given away and everyone should bring a gag-gift of about .~2. in value. Be sure to BRING YOUR FRIenDS A3~D NEIGHBORS, it will be well worth everyone’s while to attend. PLEASE Fa~KE YOUR RESERVAT!ONS EARLY. THE DEADLIN~ IS DEC~LBER 18TH. John and Connie Bevan would like for you to mail your check to them at 48~7 Ocean View Blvd., La Canada 91011, 2~.8-2255. Make checks out to PCA-LA. PLEASE ~AKE N~E

RESERVATIONS FOR THE CHRIS~,[AS PARTY.

~ff PHONE # IS

# IN PARTY

M~[0UNT ~

JANUARY 19-20-21: This will be our second tour to DEATH VALLEY and it will, again, prove very enjoyable. For details see PRESIDENTIAL RHETORIC. Mail your check for motel reservations by DEADLINE DECemBER 18TH or you may have to make you~ own arrange ments as this will be the tour season and accommodations might not be available.

JANUARY 2%: A TECH~qlCAL M~T!NG has been arranged byBob Van Cleave at Rusnak P/A at 337 W. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. The topic will be "Engine Tune-Up" with the ~emphasis on the 4 cylinder 3~6 and 914 series. It will start at 7:30 p.m. and there will be two mechanics demonstrating their procedure on two cars, simultaneously.

See you all there in January. .~.

last events

Plans had to be changed after the Big Sur a~ea was hit by fire, then rain and mud, so the L. A. Reglen went instead to Monterey for a weekend tour. Seventeen of the twenty-one pa~ticlpants met at Don Colwell’s home in the San Fernando Valley to leave at 7:30 a.m. Driving to the Castaic Junction and through Fillmore, nine of us managed to stay together and rest-stop in the San Ma~cos Pass north of Santa Barbara.

Lunehlng at the famed Madonna Inn in San Luis 0blspo and then continuing north, 13 cars made the trip on Hiway 101 to Greenfield where we ttunaed west for the 50-mile ride through the Carmel Valley. It was beautiful, complete with cows, squirrels, skunks and light rain. Arriving in Monterey in mid-afternoon, we headed for the motel, freshened up and then had dinner on Cannery Row at the "Sardine Factory"...

Sunday morning we breakfasted in Carmel, complete with shopping and pasteries.

After the 17 Mile Drive, we headed south on the freshly opened Hiway 1 for a firstha~d look at the mud slide damage on the original Big Sur Lodge weekend site. Then a trip through "Bronson Country~ took us to Los 011yes where we met again at a very unique restaurant called Mattei’s Tavern where we all dined in high style. After dinner the fast ride home ~nade for a short but very fun weekend tou~ with the greatest people in the cotmtry.

Ron Ramage, Activities Director

secretarial MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 1972 GENERAL Mk~.~BER~HIP ~AND BOARD MEETINGS OF PCA-LA Our Hovember meeting was held at the Schlitz Bro~rn Bottle Room in Van Nuys wit~ a catered dinner and free beer, courtesy of the Schlitz Brewing Co. Trophies, donated

by Gabriel & 01sen P/A were presented by our guest, Sales Manager, Bob Chamberlin.

Nominations ~ere opened for the new 1973 Boa~d.

(As usual, we have a problem of too many indians and no chiefs. ) After all the business was out of the way, our guest speaker, Elllott Forbes-Robinson was introduced. E~liott gave an interesting talk on the 914 (Volkswagen?) saying that they are racing a stock engine with a few modifications like a ground crank for added clearance and some valve changes, but they are having some ell pressure problems. . Bill Yates mentioned that sometime in the spring, Zone 8 would have a contest’o~ sort; probably a speed event with Zone 7.

The meeting adjourned at 9:55.

The November board neeting was held at the Beam’s home in Lancaster. Duane said the Brown Bottle finant±al results were 68 paid dinners and 3 free for ou~ guests. With a guarantee of 80, it left the club paying for 12 dinners. D~le gave his report on the Zone 8 meeting (see ~0MMENT). Lewis reported the club in good shape, money-wlse with a balance of $i,~86.~8 as of ii/13/72. A $50.h0 item for Jira E~i~g’s new pic was questioned and due to a ~ob change for Jim, the movie will be delayed, possibly until spring of ’73. Also, $200. was approved for the purchase of Christmas party gifts. Bob Van Cleave said we won’t have a tech meeting on how to run a rally as he is unable to find anyone to talk on the subject.

(There will be a technlc~l meeting in January. See NEXT EVENTS.) Corky gave his report and is ordering Vol. 1 of "Up-Fixin’" for resale. The next board meeting of old and new board members will be Decer~ber 19th at Duane Alan’s home. Coffee and desert was served by our hostess, Merv Beam.

Respectfully submitted, Paul Beam, Secretary.

" Karl Ludwig J.P. Mohr Carola Anderson Rick Chadwick Colette Bertsch Keith & Lucy Shepard Lawrence & Sharyn Prentiss Ed & Maryanne Schuman Jerry Wood Dan & Linda Shepherd John Dusckett

mber sh!p

205 W. 8th St., Santa Ana 92701 71~/868-3233 5443 Maple Tree, Arcadia 91006 20928 Lamberton, Long Beach 90810 636-4533 514 S. Gramercy, Los Angeles 90020 388-2502 7415 Lurline, Canoga Park 91306 ~884-7651 108 Sunridge, Playa Del Rey 90291 --~21 0219 16811 Sea Witch Lane, Huntington Beach 92649 846-1808 3006 Pacific Ave. #2, Marina Del Rey 90291 881-7097 19630 Bassett St., Reseda 91335 342-6336 8154 Baird Ave., Reseda 91335

N~ MEMBERS continued Michael A. Warner Peter Zi~mermann George Davis Dr. C.H. Norris Lorraine H. & Bob Sage Constantine Amos (Peggy) Irene Brinkman Robert Granville Martin Maudel Lee & Jerry Roberts Dennis &Nettie Sullivan Tim & Maureen Hunter

1502 Esplanade Apt. H, Redondo Beach 90277 375-5949 598-2019 ~!J!~!0 Campbell Dr., Los Angeles 90066 580-0212 5455 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1516, L..A. 90010 86~.-5694 15822 San Antonio Dr., Norwalk 90650 1718 Esplanade #520, Redondo Beach 90277 575-5073 585-2029 5780 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010 5512 Vantage Ave. #4, N. Hollywood 91607 985-0568 545-3297 325 27th St., Manhattan Beach 90266 2157 Broadview Terrace, Los Angeles 90068 .838~2 Indianapolis, Huntington Beach 92646 714/536r3237 7818 Stewart & Grey Rd., Downey 90241 861-2567 3121 Sawtelle Blvd. #1, Los Angeles 90066 397-9978

ADDRESS CHANGE: Cathy ’Scooter’ Patrick 4061 W. 138th St. #16, Hawthorne 90250 John Williamson 11173 Charnock #201, -West Los Angeles Bill McInerney 928 Woodlawn, Thousand Oaks 91360 Howard Boller new phone 546-6022 Jerry Ktuhn 41~$2 Rhodes Ave., Studio City 91604 Richard Alter 20 29th Ave. #201, Venice 90291 596-2~.8 Wayne & l~ona Brady 529 Tumbleweed Rd., lhaaheim 92806 Keith La Fond 955 S. Viqtoria Ave., Los AnKeles 90019 Cliff Yost P.O. Box 520, Lone Pine Myrl Carson 910 Keeren Lane, Florissant, ~io. 65031 Tony & Shirley Kustein 3017 Oak Ave., Manhattan Beach 90266 379-1697 The new jewelry order is in so keep in n~ind that all PCA goodies make nice Christmas gifts, i expect name badges in time for the December 22nd meeting and Christmas party. Be sure to wear your nmue badges at the meetings so we’ll all get to each other better and know at a glance who we are talking to. If you don’t have one, see me at the next meeting ..... Total membership is 50~.

Corky Kirk

for sale

2-Complete Carburetor rebuild kits & gaskets set for Solex 40 Pll-~ - ~. each.

5-New ~" 911 Rims, painted - $10. each. 1-556 3 piece engine case in excl. cond. $60. 1-~56A 180 mm spring loaded clutch plate in excl. cond. - $8. 1-556B 180 pressure~.plate, brand new - ~ll. l-’59 Conv. D front bumper with over-r~der, excl. cond. - ~30. 1-Fiberglass bucket seat with padded vinyl cover, black - @10. Call Michael Pulley 861-1~5 after 5:00 p.m., Downey.

16" X 20" LITHOGRAPHS o~ 911 Porsche Coupe - Technical x-ray view of car suitable for framing- ~3.00 each. See Ernie 0zsvath, 252 S. Mentor, Pasadena. Call 796-3878.

914 CENTER CONSOLE in new cond. Cost ~60., will sell for $35. NEW "GT" ~AG ~fHEELS for 91~ Porsche, cost ~i~60. each, will sell for $~%. each. See Ralph Boothe 696-0866.

FOR SALE: "MR. TOAD", 1961 Roadster, time trials car. Clean and quick, goes faster than the 911’s at a fraction of the cost. Trailer included - ~5,500. or will consider trade for street Porsche or Audi. Call Joe Schneider 805/687-1619, Santa Barb.

1958 SPEEDSTER- i~aculate with bucket seats, neff bars, chrome wheels, new tires, new top and side curtains, ~-FM Stereo and new clutch. Strong ’61 engine and deep blue paint. Make offer I can’t refuse. Call Bob Kauffman - 885-3198. ~ CHR0~IE ~~HEELS, 5~" X 15 with 165 HR 15 Pirelli Radial Tires. Wheels are in perfect condition. Contact Keith Shepard, 7415 Lurline, Canoga Park 836-1000 days, 884-7651.

WA~TED:

’64 or ’65 CARRERA 2 Coupe in good or better condition. Mel Hammer 953-4613.

WA~TED: FRA~E for TARGA TOP in any cond. even if slightly wrecked or burned. WANTED: 556 A & B type painted ~zheels. Ok if rim is slightly bent. Ralph Boothe 696-0866.

WANTED: Person to employ at Porsche parts house. Must be knowledgable and conscientious and ~illing to grow with company. Call Alan Mittelman 473-2941, ANYTHING LTD. -5-

,p r i entiai rhetoe r!c

y at. I have enjoyed ry This is it--the last PR. It has been a good year~ minute minus a couple. ’72 is almost deceased; long llve the Porsche.’.. . . .What’s for ’73? Dale Boyd and I went to Death Valley to plan your itinerary for the tour on January 19-21. I can guarantee a full weekend from sunrise photography of the sand dunes to Marta Beckett, Dance Mime at the Amargosa Opree House. (~riday night only.) There will be something every minute if you wish. From our starting point at Denny’s on the San Berdoo Frwy in E1 Monte, the tour is 265 miles, 5~ hours caravan driving time to Stove Pipe Wells. There will be two caravans. Throne of you who can leave Friday morning and wish to go directly to Death Valley, will leave at 9:00 a.m. led by me. ~he second caravan will be led by Dale Boyd and will leave Denny’s F~Iday evening at 7:30 p.m. . Due to the popularity of tours to Death Valley, reservations for our accommodations must be confirmed with full deposit no later than December 18th FIRM: Those going l~iday morning will spend two. nights at Stove Pipe Wells Village.--~tes are as follows: Single or two persons - $16.28 per night.

Additional persons (max. 4 per room) $2.10 each person, each night. For those leaving Friday evening, the first night will be spent at Miracle City Motel in Ridgecrest. Rates are as follows: One person - $13.65, two persons - $16.80, four persons in a suite - $19.90. Saturday night will be at Stove Pipe Wells Village. If you miss the deadline you are still welcome on the tour, but you will have to make youm own reservations.

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE IN FULL AMOUNT TO DUANE C. ALAN AND MAIL

BY DEC~iI~BER- 18TH T$ ~I~ HOME- 1049 Bradshawe Ave. Monterey Park, 91754. We are expecting 20-25 Porsches, so ACT NOW: A c~mplete itinerary with map will be forwsmded one week prior to departume.... See you all at the Christmas Party. Duane Alan

women’s glib

Last yesm I became a Porsche-Pusher and shortly thereafter joined PCA-LA; after all, w1~o else could possibly understand this new love affair of mine except other passionate aficionados? I was formally introduced to the membership via PORSCHER~which, in addition to giving such vital statistics as name, address and occupation, also info~med everyone that I drove a green 91~ and was 71 years old. "B~other, " I mused, as I read that over, "I know I feel like 71 at times, but obviously now I look it, too." However I was determined to show one and all that there was plenty of life left in the old girl and my opportunity was not long in coming....From the little I had heard about rallys, the only thing I really knew was that one went from A to Z and had a navigator. Just how it all worked and what all those checkpoints, stopwatches and computers were supposed to do was far from clear. But I signed up anyway. I was still grappling with the problem of no navigator, when quite unexpectedly came a visit by Dutch cousin for that same weekend. I gingerly broached the subject of the rally. "A rally," exclaimed Karln. "I love them. I’ve been on lots of them in Europe." I stared at her. What a huge piece of luck. Here was someone with experience. The fact that Karin had never been to Southern California before, was totally unfamiliar with our road signs and, as it turned out later on, couldn’t read a map even if it had been in Dutch, never crossed my mind. .The starting point was behind a restaurant in downtown L.A. I knew enough to ~i~l the tank, bring paper pencil, stopwatch and maps. Also, some peaches and cookies to take care of the inner w~man. When we arrived, there ~;as plenty of bustle and activity and everyone looked like they knew what they were doing and, what’s more important, where they were goin~ We were told that this was a Monte Carlo-type rally. I didn’t know what that meant and neither did Karin, .but I tried to look intelligent as I was handed a set of instructions. The idea was to predict the time needed to drive the course, leg by leg.

S.ample times were posted, together with a map showing the routes and the actual miles between checkpoints. I was relieved. Well that seemed simple enough. I gave the rallymaster my gueses, roughly marked the route on a map and we were off without fumther ado. .Very quickly it became abundantly clear that my navigator was not navigating, b~t’merely looking about the landscape with interest. Signs, when she saw them, confused her, she had forgotten to start the stopwatch and she was forever looking on the floor for fallen maps and instructions. It had not occurred to me to bring a clipboard, but that was only one small item among many that I had not thought about. "What do the instructions say?" I kept asking. The answer was not forthcoming, as Karln had not kept track and was by this time totally bewildered by all the abbreviations. Just what was HTS, ASC, SOL or SA anyway? I didn’t know either,

-6-

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR continued for I had no~t read the instructions before starting. I kept stopping, trying to retrace our route and fins~lly, through good luck, we stumbled onto the Angeles Crest Highway. At last we were on the right road. Next was to find the correct turn-off.

My rough markings on the map were useless and having lost a lot of time already, we lost more when we got stuck behind a series of big campers. Meanwhile, Karin, entranced by the scenery, gazed dreamily out of the window and we missed the turn by a good l0 miles. I drove back at speeds that would have done credit to Jackie Stewart.

With the correct turn finally behind us, we roared through the first checkpoint 30 minutes late. .A few miles later we promptly got lost again.

It was at this point that Kar~n’started to feel ill. The many bends on the mountain, the crazy speeds I was driving, and above all the hot sun into an open car got to her. Totally off-course, I tried to find a place where she could lie down and the car would be in the shade, which in the wilds of Saugus, was not easy. Finally we made it to the Valencia Golf Course. While Karin recuperated, I sat down and studied the instructions. Needless to say, I had not allowed time for any kind of a rest period in my calculations, but I knew I could get back on course, and when Karin felt better, we continued on our way. I~nediately, we missed the second checkpoint. We meandered through orange groves and housing developments and then suddenly we were on course once more. The rest of the rally was uneventful as far as we were concerned; there were other minor detours, but finally we came to journey’s end at the ice cream parlor. It had only taken us three times as long as I had predicted, but we did finish, which was more than could be said for a couple of other cars that were last seen headed for San Francisco and apparently have not been heard from since.. . .Next came the Contours at Santa Anita. The combination of Porsches, horses and the Wine Shed proved irresistible, i entered. I had never been to such 8m event; I knew it was a beauty contest and felt that with a polish and vacuL~m, my beautiful baby would be ready for anything, i even dusted off the engine a little, and hoped the judges would overlook the dings in the doors ~nd the bent aerial. I washed the ca_~ and on the following morning armed with picnic basket and a bottle of Windex, set out for Santa ~nita. I was the last to arrive. The ca~s looked beautiful on the infield and all the o~n~ers were h~2d at ~ork on them. I first became aware that maybe I didn’t belong when ~ saw one guy rer~1oving a tire. Ambling over, I sy~pathetically inquired if he had a flair. He gave ~e a pitying look and slo~Jly and emphatically informed me that he was removing blondes of grass from the treads. Good God, I thoug~t, and ~atched as he proceeded to do just that. I was over~Jhel~ued by the appearance of his car. Not one speck of dirt was to be seen anywhere. ~e engine sparkled. The polished c~Lro~ue was blinding in the sunlight. The display of his trunk compartment the height of elegance. I staggered away in a daze.

"I’ve got a funny feeling ~e don~t belong here," I told my buddy, ~-Jho was industriously polishing windo?Js. "You should see that ca~. It is unbelievable." "Oh, I don’t know," replied Dee loyally, "~&at~s wrong ~Jith yours?" "There’s nothing ~o~ong," I said heatedly. "It’s just not quite what’s expected." Then I walked around and looked at all the other cars. They were gorgeous. Beautiful 911’s and 3%6~s, Speedsters, a 90~ among others, glittered on the turf. There were re-plated engines, photo and trophy displays, the most i~maculate interiors, trund and engine compartments. I was goggle-eyed; never had I seen anything like it before. All that was missing was a category for dirty, green 914’s. I could have ~on that, I thought gloomily....By the time the judges cs~ne along, l0 of them, m~ing copious notes and looking very solemn, I had worked up a fine inferiority complex. I hopped around nervously while they made their inspeCtions with raised eyebrows and dubious expressions. Suddenly the dings in the door took on freeway~Teck proportions and I was horribly conscious of grass-filled (with mud:) treads, a seamy-looking battery and other hideous defects. I retired as gracefully as possible to the Wine Shed for a new outlook on life and studied the racing form, but did no better ~with four legs than with four wheels. As we were leaving, a man came rurming toward us. "My name is Alan Balch," he said breathlessly. "I~m public relations director here and I just wanted to thank you for coming today."

Then he added, "Your car looks lovely." In the gathering dusk he could not see any of the blemishes. I reacted predictably and received the compliment like a gracious sovereign accepting homage from a loyal subject. I purred all the way home.....

The gymkhana at TRW followed. When I was a little girl, I had belonged to a pony club and we had many gy~banas which had consisted mainly of various obstacle races, in ~Jhich we often had to get off the ponies and, jumping around in a sack, pull the unfortunate animals to the finish llne. Somehow I couldn’t quite visualize Porsches -T-

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR ontlnued the same way. On arrival, I found the course already laid out and to my inexpert eye, totally confusing. I volunteered my services at one area, and therefore was able to watch everyone else before trying it myself. Sneaky, but smart! Among other chores, there were narrow paths to go through, both frontward and backward, balls to be dropped into buckets, cloverleafs and a~ spot where both driver and navigator had to write (simultaneously) the magic word "PCA" on an Etch-A-Scetch board. Many valuable seconds were gained by those who accomplished this feat in a hurry. Although there was some pretty fancy driving by some of the other contestants, I felt that this was one thing I could do and not be a total disgrace. I decided not to tear around like an idiot and lose points knocking over pylons, but to take it slower.

In spite of our valiant efforts, we came in last....I was batting zero, with little chance to improve my average. Now a Time Trials loomed up, and I wasn, t goin~ to miss them, whatever happened. . .We were in the middle of the desert, miles from anywhere. There were a few trees~ some brush, broken-do~n .shacks and a couple of portable johns. There were lots of Porsches with crews and trailers, together with equipment of all kinds. All the activities seemed tremendously professional. Upon registering, I was asked which class I wanted to enter. Class? I hadn’t the vaguest idea, and I hurriedly explained that I was a beginner, so I was given the choice of either ladies or novice. How about novice ladies, I asked, but as there was no such thing, I opted for ladies Next I was asked if I had any number preferenc_e, which also had to be explained ~o me and I was handed white shoe polish and told to put "52" on the doors. I got my tech inspection which was followed by the track walk "walE". We piled into a couple of vans and got the tour. An expert described the proper techniques for the various turns, while others demonstrated same. ~here was a great deal of discussion on finding and crossing the apex; this meant nothing to me What’s an apex? Everyone else obviously knew this fundamental fact, and I was too embarrassed to ask. I didn’t want to be labelled "stupid-woman-driver-~d-what-thehell-is-she-doing-here-anyway?" so early in the proceedings: After the driver’s meeting, it was all novice drivers on track. Feeling like the rawest Ram rookie, I went looking for an instructor. Either I asked the wrong people or they were all busy with the other beginners. I wandered around aimlessly, trying to decide what to do next. I noticed that all other cars in line had two people in them, and figured that by the time it came my turn to go on the track, an instructor would be available My turn came, but there was nobody. The starter waved me onto the track. Who, me?

Now? Alone? Apparently so. There was no chance of retreat and with a roar, I lurched onto the track and careened throush the first turn. On the long straightaway, I admonished myself, "Hang in there, girl and keep cool.’" though oddly enough I was totally unf~lustered at this point. I was having a ball: However, I knew that most of the time I was doing everything wrong. On occasion, the car drifted through the turns beautifully, but then I had no idea of what I had done correctly. When not on the track, I sat on the barrier and wondered where I could buy ear-.plugs. The noise from the engines was shattering and never having been to any kind of car race in my life, this in itself was quite an experience. . . .At dinner that evening, it was arranged that I would have instruction in the morning, and it sure was worth waiting for. My instructor told me where to shift, when to brake and where to aim. ’~ore power in those turns," he kept saying; and, tI want to hear those tires howl.

Not bad, not bad:" Then he drove, to demonstrate what my baby is safely capable of, and what a revelation that was. I was thrilled and fascinated. .My next practice session was the most satisfactory, as I tried out my new-found k~o~ledge, even though the speeds had become very high with cars spinning out. It was quite an experience the first time that happened right in front of me. But I chickened out of my last practice laps, for the pace just got too hot for me. I felt that I had my confidence now and didn,t want to lose it just before the timed runs. Sitting in the car, waiting for my turn, I was surprised at my own ce!m. I ran two laps without incident and felt that I had really done well. I had done it.’ That was the main thing. I had not won any trophies or prizes, but at least I didn,t have the slowest lap or completely disgrace myself.. .There are other worlds left for me to conquer. There is the slalom, which as a s~ier, I can guess at. But quick, someone, what’s an autocross? Well, I found out at the Parade in Lake Geneva, Wis., but that’s another story. You know the old saying, "There is no fool like a 71 year old fool!"

URSULA GRUENGELF, 2800 Nelson Way, S. Monica~399-6233~ Ursula is in printing production, is 71 years young, and drives a new green 914. Welcome.

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