June Velocity Magazine - Issue 23-06

June 2023 / Issue 23-06

Note from the Editor:

Summer’s Here and the Time is Right for Dancing (Racing) in the Streets! Who remembers that one? In this issue, both Dave Buckholz and Steve Eisler give us their takes on the action that occured at the Streets of Willow. Andrew Weyman interviews one of our esteemed members. Michael Bolten chimes in with his thoughts and opinions on the first half of our SIM season and we get to enter the mind of Brett Gaviglio as he champions his new acquisition...the Honey Badger. Finally, Luis Vivar provides the wonderful photos that always have a way of bringing our events back to life.

VELOCITY Staff

Editor / Art Director

Don Matz

Contributing Writers

Dave Buckholz

Brett Gaviglio

Andrew Weyman

Steve Eisler

Michael Bolten

Contributing Photographers

Luis Vivar

Andrew Weyman

Herb Cunitz

Don Matz

POC Board of Directors

John Momeyer President

Scott Craig Treasurer

Nathan Johnson Secretary

Joe Wiederholt VP Motorsports

Dwain Dement Chief Driving Instructor

Eben Benabe Time Trial Director

Steve Town Sponsorship

Jim Salzer PDS Director

www.PorscheClub.com

A PUBLICATION OF THE PORSCHE OWNERS CLUB

Cover Image: Luis Vivar

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the Streets

the Streets

Time in a Bottle

To the usual important markers of life (birthdays, holidays, graduations, etc.) I add another – race weekends with my son. There have been many over the last thirteen years. For me, their specialness has no comparison. Each one an incredible gift and a forever memory. They are the yard stick of my life, measuring both time and how fast it’s passing. This past weekend Pants climbed those old, weathered bleachers to look out over the infield, the last time he did that was June of 2012. Twelve years gone. Where did they go?

Of late, there have been fewer race weekends for the two of us. It’s been exactly a year since we last faced off against each other and that’s a huge disappointment, but the explanation makes me proud. Pants is focused intensely on his volleyball ambitions while simultaneously managing the demands of a “higher education” (he just completed his sophomore year at Ball State University). When the 2023 POC event calendar was published, a race weekend opportunity finally appeared. We locked it in. After months of preparation and planning, including extensive modifications and upgrades to our cars (Rosie and Ms. B.), they were ready and so were we. On Friday, June 2 we set off to Willow Springs International Raceway to mark another moment in time and create more memories at a track named “Streets.”

Along the familiar drive we talked about racing, fantasy car line ups, old trucks, real estate, black holes and galaxies, and our future homestead back in the Midwest

DAVE BUCKHOLZ

Photo: Luis Vivar

someday, all while jamming to George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, Van “F’n” Halen and of course AC/DC. If you haven’t turned it up to “11” on AC/DC’s “Dirty Eyes” and Van Halen’s “Me Wise Magic” – you haven’t lived.

We arrived at Willow late that afternoon. Passing the gate, we see Dwain and Martina out in front of the Vision Motorsports Ranch and give them a wave, we’re here! Our instinct says turn left but we go right, to the far back paddock already dotted with race cars. We claim a patch of asphalt, off load 263, go get 262 from the Vision paddock then raise the Tool Shed.

The Saturday morning drivers’ meeting was quick, tidy and the only thing that stood between us, speed, and some intense family competition. Based on our running win/loss record, Pants has the upper hand. However, if my capital investments pay dividends and if I can muster up a slight bump in courage, I could take him. We ran counterclockwise on Saturday. After the practice round we compared notes, we had a lot to relearn. We compared preliminary times, we were close. Ninety minutes later we’re a few laps into the first race, dialed in and running nose to tail. We each had stolen the other’s lead position by race end. I had the pace. Back in our paddock, the numbers are revealed. The victory was mine. Granted it was a measly .03 second margin, but a win is a win. Pants was not happy. His disappointment quickly turned into despair when he attempted to restart Mrs. B and she didn’t respond. Uh-Oh. After a thorough examination, we diagnosed the problem as “insufficient owner knowledge” so off to the Vision paddock for some professional guidance. Minutes later Mrs. B. was running. Shout out to Chris from Vision Motorsports for his amazing customer support. The balance of Saturdays’ racing was equally tight with both of us turning low 1:27’s. Those two races resulted in another win for me by .04 seconds and the first win for Pants by .02 seconds. The gaps shock us both. We are insanely close, we’re also exhausted. The shoes are untied, the suits loosened, and our thirst quenched. Time to turn on some Country music, pick up our guitar and take turns practicing (competing) in a new and different arena.

After dinner, I’m spent. The tank is empty. Pants sensing my weakness say’s “lets’ go work out at the hotel gym”. Splendid idea. The contests ensue. Push-ups, squats, curls, planks, presses. I lose them all. Firmly defeated, I surrender and retire the day, there’s more racing tomorrow.

Photos: Luis Vivar

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning at Streets. We ready the cars and ourselves. Running clockwise means we’re facing a brand-new track, starting over at square one. During the first race, Pants displayed a skill set I have yet to fully acquire. He learns a track lightening quick. He hit his marks, he’s smooth and he put lots of track between us. I’m struggling. The race results are dismal, a full two seconds separates us. Pants is delighted. I shake it off and profess that my greatness will return. While we wait for round two, we turn our attention to some delicate front wheel well fabrication needs on #262. Without our crew chief (brother Steve), we do our best. Pants jacks up the car and I grab the 24-ounce framing hammer from our toolbox. A few heavy swings later, good as new and just in time. We hurry to the gird. Soon into the race it became clear that despite my Conor McGregor bravado and private hopes, I was not going to prevail. Pants pulled away and held it. That made back-to-back losses for me and this one hit hard. I had lost even more pace, falling further behind now by three seconds. Humbled and shaken I question everything. All the while Pants is strutting around the paddock, spewing wisdom … “Come on Dad, do this, stop doing that.” Then comes his zinger … “You’re just thinking too much.” I took the bait and replied “O.K., Bergmeister, show me your line and let me hear your shift points.” We fired up the video footage and he began his lesson plan. I listen carefully and study it closely. There’re only two races left.

We failed to properly manage our down time. We’re low on gas. We’re late to the grid. We need Steve. The track is under green, so we hold for the starter to cut us lose. Pants is in front, and we blast up hill. Hard squeeze on the brakes, eyes on apex, commit, turn in, on the gas. I’M WITH HIM. At the entrance to the bowl, I slip my nose down beside his right rear tire. “You see me now kid?!” We hug the inside line together, back on the gas, tracking out we clack our CAE Shifters to 3rd in perfect synchronization. The blind entrance to the waterfall comes at you quick. We’re a car length apart. Pants has the lead. Around the skid pad and onto the straight I maintained my position. The first lap was over, but the race had just begun, and my mojo had returned. If there is a perfect lap, that was mine. I just needed 9 more … and I got them! I filled up his rear-view mirror for rest of the race, secured a pass only to give it back. Pants took the checker, but the clock was mine. A .02 second victory was mine. We celebrated

Photos: Luis Vivar

in the paddock for about the same amount of time as Pants was more interested in boasting how it was HIS coaching that gave me my win (as if that’s cheating?). The Sunday stats now showed Pants with two wins to my single win and only one race remained.

The temperature had climbed. It’s hot and the typical strong afternoon winds have kicked in plus those huge clouds of smoke from a brush fire near Tehachapi have reach us. They hang low and the smell of ash fills the air. Our run group is the last of the day. Only a hand full of race cars remain in the paddock and only two of them will be racing with me and Pants. There’s not much chatter going on in the Tool Shed. We’re focused and getting ready while the situation we’re not talking about sits in our heads, we both know that I can beat him. This final race will tip the scales to him with a three and one record, or it will give me a very respectable tie splitting the races two each. We’re in our cars, in the paddock with engines on. I blip the throttle to get his attention. I flash him the thumbs up sign and he returns it. Let’s go! The next thing I remember is climbing out of my car as I watch Pants doing the same. Helmets still on we meet in the middle of our paddock. He raises his visor, smiles, and tells me “That race was the most fun I’ve ever had.” I hug him and tell him “Me too kid.” I stayed glued to that hug etching every emotion into my memory locker. Another marker in time. We drop into our paddock chairs and wait for the lap times to upload. I’m too exhausted to go find my glasses so I tell Pants to read the results out loud. He fumbles around for a second, pauses then says’ quietly … “You got me.” With that .04 second win our weekend came to an end. Neither one of us a winner or a looser. Just two almost equal drivers having the time of our life. Unsure when we’ll race again, we decide to linger. Hour’s pass. The track is silent. Our paddock is packed, and we are alone. But this place called Streets is still beautiful. We begin our journey home. Just outside of the track, heading down Rosamond Blvd. as Pants is pulling up his Country playlist on Spotify, he says he wants to add some aero to his car. I respond, “Let’s do it!”

Photos: Luis Vivar

the Streets

Photo: Luis Vivar

the Streets

Photos: Luis Vivar

the Streets

Photos: Luis Vivar

the Streets

Photos: Luis Vivar

the Streets

Photos: Luis Vivar

the Streets

Time Trial & PDS

STEVE EISLER

June 2, 3, and 4 marked my ninth visit to the Streets of Willow track, located at Willow Springs International Raceway, just north of Lancaster CA. On my last visit to Streets, there was snow on the ground, and it rained all day, but I had a great day learning to drive on a wet track. My first visit to Streets was in January of 2013. When I was in my 20’s, I attended a Porsche Club Track Day in Northern California and did very well. I thought, since I had learned so much on my first track day, my return to the track, in 2013, would be very easy.

I was sorely mistaken!

In 2013 I was driving a new to me, 2011 Boxster Spyder with three times the horsepower of the ’68 912 Targa that I drove in Northern California. I was older, no longer fearless, and not used to the speed. I struggled to keep up in the Ducks in a Row session, got motion sickness riding with my instructor, and was exhausted after three sessions. During the lunch break, I wrapped up in my warmest coat, tried to relax, and contemplated my future in racing! After a short nap, I decided to try to finish the weekend, which I did, without any more rides with instructors.

It took two years to find a solution to my motion sickness, two more years to decide to retire the Spyder from Time Trials and build a track car, and another 3 years to join POC to get more track time. To maximize the value of a trip to Lancaster, I enrolled in the DK Racing School’s Precision Driving School on June 2. Since POC was driving the course counterclockwise on Saturday and clockwise on Sunday, the school modified their schedule. After our track walk Friday morning we practiced in the clockwise direction and after lunch, the cones were reset, and we drove counter-clockwise so we would be prepared to drive in that direction on Saturday morning.

Photo: Luis Vivar

If this is your first time on any track, you are a PDS driver still working on car control, or an experienced driver who has not been on this track before, I highly recommend the DK program. The track walks are led by Dwain Dement who has years of experience on the Streets and on the Big Willow track. He explains the difference in the line for a high-powered car and a low powered car, points out dangerous areas on the track and sets a series of cones to help you focus on the correct, fastest, and safest way to improve your lap times. Students are split into groups based on their car and level of experience, which keeps the student to instruction ratio low. First sessions are always slow, Ducks in a Row format with the instructor rotating to each student’s car. As you become familiar with the track, the speeds increase dramatically, but never faster than the individual students’ ability and comfort level. There are debriefing sessions after each track session, and a great dinner is included at the end of the day.

Dwain Dement and Martina Kwan, the K in DK Racing, are great hosts and instructors. They are dedicated to helping each student learn proper car control first, and then improving their best lap times in the races and timed events on Saturday and Sunday.

The June event was unique for POC. There were no race events, just a lot of track time for the TT and PDS drivers. It was nice to see so many of the racers come out to support the event, drive with the Time Trialers, and volunteer to be instructors. Driving counter-clockwise was challenging since we normally drive the Streets in the opposite direction. Going up the Waterfall was much less threatening than going down the blind section at 100+ miles per hour. The Bowl, however, was much more technical going CCW, and had several different lines to try to get your best time. The 180-degree sweeper that is turn 3 going CW required a down shift to second to accelerate to the top of turn 2 (CW). The exit of turn 2 then becomes a long straight all the way passed start finish and into the Skid pad. We were encouraged to experiment with entry speeds into the Skid pad (Turn 1 when going CCW), because if you enter too fast there is a huge, paved area to regain control or safely spin. Results showed that most people that drove both days were faster going counterclockwise than they were going in the more familiar clockwise direction.

On Saturday, the Open Passing group was led by Brett Gaviglio, GT3, 1:17.881; Bob Gartland, GT3, 1:20.801; and Dwain Dement, who set a GT5 track record of 1:21.330. They were followed by 4 Modified 2 cars, Jimmy Lorimer,1:22.646; Tristan Zafra, 1:22.736; Nathan Apelbaum, 1:23.297; and Robert Chang, 1:23.562. Rounding out the top ten were Vivek Hazari, M4, 1:25.276; John Momeyer, Boxster Spec, 1:26.079; and Ryan Fisher, Boxster Spec,1:26.286.

Colin Benade in a GT3 had the fastest time, 1:17.947, in the Point by Passing group which also was the 2nd fastest counter-clockwise time of the day. Kelly Tribolet’s best time in her GT3 was 1:21.375, 2nd in Point By and 5th overall. Mark Barry ‘s M3 was 3rd with a time of 1:25.33; followed by Phil Ross, S4, 1:30.090; and Charles Allen, M5, 1:30.482.

Driving clockwise on Sunday, Dwain Dement set another GT5 track record with a time of 1:21.283, 0.047 seconds faster than his time on Saturday. Arnulf Graf also set a Stock 5 record of 1:35.878.

Brett Gaviglio was again the leader in the Open Passing group at 1:18.305, followed by Seth Hodosh, GT3, 1:18.666. Other Sunday top ten drivers, who were not in Saturday’s top ten included, Hambis Charalambous, GT5, 5th place time of 1:24.779; 7th fastest, John Krylow, Boxster Spec-1:25.597.

In Point by Passing, Kelly Tribolet moved up to first, 1:22.236, and Mark Barry was 2nd at 1:27.616. Rounding out the top 5 were Joe La Croix, Stock 3, 1:31.149; Steve Eisler, GT5, 1:32.272; and Glen Orton, M3, 1:33.952.

Following are the class winners for the weekend:

BOXSTER SPEC PDS Georgio Adams

BOXSTER SPEC TT John Momeyer

GT3 PDS Bobby Litchfield

GT3 Brett Gaviglio

Georgio Adams

John Krylow

Bobby Litchfield

Brett Gaviglio

GT5 Dwain Dement Dwain Dement

GTC-7 Seth Hodosh

MODIFIED 2 Jimmy Lorimer

MODIFIED 3 PDS

Jaime Ramirez

MODIFIED 3 Mark Barry

MODIFIED 4 Vivek Hazari

MODIFIED 5 Charles Allen

STOCK 3

STOCK 4 PDS

Christophe Lindstrom

STOCK 4 Phil Ross

STOCK 5 A rnulf Graf

Nathan Apelbaum

Mark Barry

Vivek Hazari

Joe La Croix

Scott Schomer

A rnulf Graf

In conclusion, Kathy and I had a great weekend. The weather, for Willow Springs, was quite pleasant. Warm in the morning, not too hot in the afternoon, and best of all, the winds stayed calm until late in the afternoon. Joe Wiederholt “bought” us lunch both days, and we had a great dinner with Kelly Tribolet Saturday night. DK training helped me get off to a good start both mornings, and the support from Vision Motorsports was excellent. Even when the PDS and Point By groups were combined, the car counts were low, leading to many clean laps. Usually, we stay overnight in Lancaster and drive home on Monday, but, with the early finish time, we left Sunday and were home by 6:45! Corner workers and starters did a great job, and Nels, in the timing shed, and John Momeyer got me a copy of the timing data to help compile the results for this article. Luis Vivar took some great photos of us in the pits and Stan (the Boxster) on the track. POC provided one of our best track weekends. I wish I had not waited 3 years before joining the POC family!

CLASS SATURDAY CCW WINNER

SUNDAY CW WINNER

Photo: Luis Vivar

Hone y badger Hone y badger

Something magic happens when I switch the race car on pressing the master switch, flipping the ignition toggle then pressing the starter button on the 2003 Cup car. The world slows down, the noise of the car drowns everything else out... an instant sense of joy, fear, privilege and presence. That little flat six with all its growls, whirs, whistles and flame-shooting pops says “Hello, you are here. Present. Right here. Right now. Pay attention or I’ll kill your ADD ass.”

Photos: Luis Vivar

It’s only fitting to wish those who are close loyal pals share in this rare experience. So, we planned months in advance with Steve and Jim at Vision Motorsports to figure out how to get Vader 428, air cooled 86 V3/SCR/GT4/GT3 and future GT5 car out to the track in tandem with the Honeybadger #70 03 Turbo cup car to Streets of Willow simultaneously having only 1 trailer. Old tires, and having fun as the only goals. Just me, the crew of Bobby Lee Litchfield, Ben Litchfield, Hunter, and Will with both cars and as much as we can extract in the June weekend.

Found giving back and coaching friends in these two old cars somehow more rewarding than racing. Absent competition, it is just driving for appreciation of the moment. Sharing my love of the sport. We found out quickly that it is a sport. Bobby Lee Litchfield drove the elemental stick shift #428 3.4 liter 915 trans car on its super old michelin slicks Saturday. Dwain Dement gave a track drive and walk. All the yellow drivers got to drive their cars to each corner and get out and have a look thru the approach to each section by co-owner of DK racing school and perhaps the fastest driver to ever touch any track in the willow springs complex. I saw this caravan pull away and RAN out to join them…felt the hill as my dad-size 52 yr old body have to walk a bit climbing the waterfal approaching the bowl as Dement held court talking about the cones he had placed at dawn. Took pictures while catching my breath. The run was worth it. Note to self…drive next time. Got a ride from Dwain in his jeep for the remainder. Everyone should register as yellow for this. A track walk with Mr Dement is worth the price of admission for any level of driver. Even as a racer, i learned a ton from understanding how Dwain breaks the sections down. Or just sign up for one of his DK schools, i sense it is worth the spend. Then the whole group got to follow Dwains line around the track as he led in the stick shift 4 cylinder lifted jeep.

So the Blue #70 is a beast and loves loves loves short tracks. That 360 ft lb of torque in our GT3 tune comes alive if and only if you can keep the turbo spooled. considered my own goals for the weekend. Lets just go feel out the car. I’ve never gone faster than like 1:22 here i think. This first session we just drive the lines i just saw in the jeep. Out pops a 1:20. Next session a 1:17.96. And even on these highly used Yok slicks starting to understand if I focus a bit this car might be very very very fast here. I dont drive #70 to apex, the apex just comes to the car on a silver platter served with vermouth and some patte.

Bobby Lee driving Vader 428 got right down to his time from last year in the first session of 1:27 by lap 3. Bobby has zero fear and having driven air cooled GT3 spec car last year on the same tires he just got after it and was rocketing down the hill counterclockwise in 4th at 6500 rpm and braking late as possible on those complete horse-shit tires. Know what a slick feels like 2 years old on 15th heat cycle? Its like ice skating, on oil. By his second session Bobby realized he wants to carry the garmin in car so he has video and can figure out where to pick up speed. You know what happens when you are on ice skates and have the wish to go faster at a tight track?

Bobby had never spun vader and found himself spinning in the dangerous section 2 turns after the bowl. He went 2 feet in, and the car remained on track. Bobby came back in with eyes big as saucers and a bigger smile. I got a chance to coach Major in his new car, a 2016 Cayman with a bunch of GT4 style mods. Much more fun than his Nissan Z last year when I coached him.

By lunch I decided to bring my first victim, I mean guest, out for very slow laps in #70. Hunter and I cruised around the track in the fastest car there slowly absent helmets for lunch laps. Had no idea how loud that car is inside. My ears were still ringing days later.

Bobby undaunted hit the track for session 3 in Vader and only found a bigger off trying to hold the car flat in throttle in 2nd gear and the wheel cranked in the penultimate corner counterclockwise Bobby had a 4 off and went yard but went 2 feet in for a nice safe stop. Drove in and needed the full leaf blower experience. After that it was nap time for Bobby and he skipped session 4. Heat stress and changing conditions, heat and fatigue all effect drivers… however newer drivers are effected quadruple.

Ben was up for his ride in #70. Last year he puked after some passenger laps in vader. But after laps in 70 he was fine. Colin Benadi was kicking butt out there in Ebens #16 car and Eben could not help it but go out and do a 1:17.94 (two hundreds faster than my morning time). We are all laughing sitting in the trailer, saw that Eben! I go out and do another session in #70 1:17.88 with a bobble that cost a half second. No track records…but we got the last one in on my pal and great competitor Eben…hahaha. Thanks again for selling the Turbo sir. :)

Sunday the track cleared out as nearly all the Saturday drivers disappeared. Will rolled into the track and we immediately had his tesla model 3 on the track drive and walk with Dwain Dement, me and Seth Hodesh. After it was super fun to sit passenger in the tesla as we followed Dwain’s Jeep for several line familiarization laps. Will had not ever seen this track before and it was a good move to have him learn line in his car before he was learning to drive an air cooled porsche and also learn heal and toe downshifting.

I did a couple demo laps for will in Vader at a 1:29 pace re highlighting everything Dement had just told us but adding in the shift points and braking points for the air cooled 911. Then like that, Will got his first laps in a real completely analog race car. Dude came back drenched in sweat after some laps. Bobby and I got him to drink water and talk about his experience. Got Bobby Lee out for a student ride in #70. We did a 1:18 pace with Bobby as a passenger. Will was not ready for that yet so we just has him drive with me as passenger pointing out the apex and exit and brake zones. We jumped out of vader and straight into the honeybadger for Will’s ride. Maybe 1 minute to switch cars and places and we were back on track. I pointed out the critical spots to unwind the wheel as you slowly feed throttle. It makes a lot more sense in the turbo as the car gets down to a few millimeters away from the apex cones and safely goes thru the water fall “goalposts” flat in 5th. Will got his 1:18 passenger lap but several slower ones where I pointed to the critical spots.

A few minutes a sandwich and some chats and Will jumped back into Vader and went 6 seconds faster than his previous session and cranked out 10 near identical laps with one in there 2 seconds better than the rest. Another new member has seen what it is we do here. 3 sessions had taken their toll so Will was finished for the day and we all got to drive home with working race cars and smiling faces in the end. Its a sport, it is hard. Some of us that have done this for a long time forget the fact that this is so hard. And that one day that slippery slope began on some track with some instructor that changed us forever. And then you wake up someday with two race cars….and a drive to give back the miracle that only those who know racing a Porsche really know.

Herb Cunitz Man of Action

Okay, I’ll say it. Herb Cunitz is a bit of an adrenaline junkie. He’s a racer, skier, motorcyclist, snowmobiler, biker, pilot, and a tech industry start-up wizard. A true man of action.

ANDREW WEYMAN

Photos: Herb Cunitz

Herb is generally soft-spoken, friendly, and has a great laugh. He drives BSR #630 and has been a POC member since 2021. He was introduced to the club by his brother-in-law, Jim McLoughlin, also a BSR driver. Herb’s first race with POC was at Chuckwalla in 2020. As a graduate of Jim Russell’s racing school, Herb earned his race license with the Porsche Racing Club (PRC) in Northern California in the early 2000’s. A friend who raced with the PRC vouched for Herb and they welcomed him even though his buddy embellished Herb’s prior track experience by quite a lot. Herb placed third in his first race and went on to race with PRC for five years. He started driving in 911 Spec and then raced his Cup car for three years, finishing 1st or 2nd in most races before it met its unfortunate demise in the T10 wall at Sonoma. Ten years passed and now Herb is all in on Boxster Spec, usually finishing mid-pack.

Herb earned his pilot’s license in 2017 and flies his Cirrus Turbo four passenger airplane to our events from his home in Colorado. Since turning fifty, Herb has taken on dirt bikes, mountain bikes and snowmobiles. He’s an avid skier and bought his first set of skis when he was ten years old. He enjoys backcountry skiing - climb up, ski down. Herb sometimes pushes people beyond their comfort zone. When you see Jim McLoughlin, ask him what he was screaming as he cartwheeled downhill one of the first times he skied with Herb. To put it mildly, Jim was less than comfortable.

There’s no doubt about it. Herb is competitive. He was a chubby kid and did not fully realize it until he entered a running race around 10 years old and finished dead last. The race officials were rolling up the finish ribbon and the red carpet as Herb completed the race. There he met the only two spectators left, his parents. He decided that things had to change. He started jogging and playing soccer. He slimmed down as his competitiveness grew. Herb continued to play soccer competitively through high school and college. His drive to compete continued into adulthood. A

true asset in his business, this deceptively unassuming guy has delivered presentations to 30,000 people and helped launch seven Silicon Valley startups with public offerings or successful acquisitions. He competes against himself on the track and enjoys always having someone to race with. With all his competitiveness, he’s perfectly fine with not finishing 1st because there is always someone to race.

Herb’s Porsche stable has included a ’96 air-cooled Turbo, a Cup car, a GT3RS and his BSR. He is a great addition to our POC family and if you haven’t met him, you should. Catch him if you can.

Photos: Herb Cunitz oops

At Vali Motorsports in Corona California we offer everything needed to get to the track, be competitive and win races. We cater to anyone from entry level drivers starting out in PDS all the way to experienced club racers. Our focus is to provide the best possible outcome for our customers with safety, affordability, and reliance being of high priority. We make certain our drivers are able to compete to the best of their ability by providing full track support, storage, race prep and maintenance programs. We are in the business of making sure our customers can focus on what the pros do, be at every race and win championships!!

“Master Tech Tyson Schmidt with Over 25 Years of Porsche Experience”

A Brief History On The

The First

While you are getting air in your GT3 RS at the Nürburgring’s Flugplatz, it might be hard to image Porsche as a struggling car company working out of a sawmill in Gmünd, Austria. It also might

be hard to imagine that the first cars to bear the Porsche name were from that same small town, 500 miles from its current home in Stuttgart.

In 1931 Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was working in his factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany, on various motorized vehicles including the Volkswagen, and later, tools of war funded by the German military. By 1944, it, and other facilities in the area had become targets for Allied bombers. Legend has it that a stray bomb entered the basement and destroyed prototypes and plans, cementing the decision that Porsche and his family would move southeast to Gmünd, Austria, to continue operations. It was there that Porsche’s son Ferdinand “Ferry” Porsche would create the first roadster and speedster that bear the Porsche name.

Written by Douglas Glad, recently for Hemmings.

356 Gmünd, The First Porsche

1948 Porsche 356/1 Roadster

When WWII ended the Allies spared the Gmünd factory, allowing the engineers to remain there making farm equipment, turbines, and winches as well as repairing VWs. In 1947 Ferry Porsche ordered drawings for a small mid-engine, two-seat sports car he had imagined after a visit to the United States ten years earlier. In 1948, the Porsche 356-001, also known as the Gmünd Roadster, was built using an engine and suspension sourced from Volkswagen Beetle. Designer Erwin Komenda and Porsche craftsmen hammered out its aluminum body on a wooden buck.

This version shown here is a replica of the roadster powered by a 1.1L flat four that made 35 horsepower. The original roadster carried the serial number 356-001 and was issued a permit and the license plate number K-45-286 in 1948. The roadster was sold and re-sold until 1978 when

Richard von Frankenberg bought it back for the Porsche Museum. Through the 1980s and 1990s the car toured the world, suffering damaged in transit or stored outdoors. In 2018, the Porsche Museum created the replica that is as close as possible to the original to take over the touring duties and associated risk to what is what is now a priceless Porsche artifact.

1948 Porsche 356/2 Coupe

The Porsche engineers in Gmünd also planned to build a practical, year-round version of the 1948 356. In August 1948, plans were drawn for a rear-engine coupe using the VW drivetrain layout, and a body-on-platform design instead of the space frame that was used on the Roadster. The resulting design improved stability and handling and allowed for luggage space behind the seats and room for a cabriolet top. Both a coupe and a cabriolet were displayed for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show in 1949. Between 1947-49 there were roughly 50 aluminum-bodied 356 Porsches built at the factory in Austria, eight of them were cabriolets.

Future of the Porsche 356

By 1950, the engineers from the Gmünd facility had moved back to Zuffenhausen to restart operations after the war. The new 356 models would be made from steel instead of aluminum with VW drivetrains. With the help of importer Max Hoffman, who convinced Ferry Porsche to send the cars to America; Jon von Neuman, who knew what it meant to be an influencer 40 years before the Internet; and Vasek Polak, who was an early tuner, the West became the largest market for the car. By may of 1951, 500 Porsches had been manufactured and by the end of the production run in 1964 (or 1966, depending on who you ask), more than 75,000 Porsche 356s had been built. Today you can see the Gmünd Roadster and several original 356 coupes as they tour the world.

We would like to thank the Petersen Museum for providing information and photos from the We Are Porsche exhibit in Southern California.

Gmünd Roadster Fast Facts

• 50 aluminum Gmünd Porsches were built between 1947-1949 in Austria

• The Gmünd was the first car to bear the Porsche name

• In the 1960s, the Gmünd Roadster wore red accent stripes and was parked in the lobby of the Porsche factory

• In the 1980s, the Gmünd Roadster was toured around California on an open trailer and parked in hotel lots overnight

• In 2018, the Gmünd Roadster replica was created for tours and appearances

• The United States was the largest market for the 356

Now you can order your favorite POC garments and other specialty items “Online” simply by clicking on any one of the above photos!

A

911 Design is a full-service repair and restoration facility located east of Los Angeles in the city of Montclair.

In addition to offering standard service, repair and restoration for all Porsche® models, we are known for and specialize in custom fabrication, design and performance upgrades.

All of our services are vertically integrated which means we keep all repair, fabrication and auto-body in-house.

www.stand21.com

genuine adventure committed to the betterment of the Race Car Drivers safety. Since 1970 Stand 21 has continuously delivered advanced technical innovations and safety improvements in products that are exceptionally efficient and comfortable.

SIMRACING 5Season Results

Jan 2 Magny-Cours

Jan 16 Hockenheim

Jan 30 Rudskogen

Feb 13 Road America

Feb 27 Sebring

Mar 13 SPA

Mar 27 Mid-Ohio

Apr 10 Watkins Glen

(90 Minutes)

Apr 24 Long Beach

May 8 Fuji

May 22 Suzuka

Minutes / 2X Points) (2X Points)

Jun 5 Motegi

All club members with track experience or online sim racing experience are invited to participate – however, you will need an iRacing Membership and a simulator.

Motegi

Thriving in the POC SIM Racing League

Michael Bolten

In the fast-paced world of motorsports, one community stands out for its remarkable ability to bring people together— the POC Sim Racing League. Regardless of backgrounds or skill levels, individuals from all walks of life converge in this incredible community, forming lasting friendships, sharing experiences, and pushing themselves to new levels. For me, being a part of this incredible league has been a transformative journey, filled with valuable lessons, unexpected connections, and a shared passion for racing.

Last year, my goal was to consistently secure a top-five position in every race I participated in. While I didn’t achieve this feat in every race, the pursuit of my objective brought me faceto-face with the fact I needed to reach out to my community to better my driving in order to reach my goal at the end. As I navigated the exhilarating world of POC racing, I soon discovered that the journey itself was as valuable as the destination. Not only did the POC allow me to make P1 in friendships, but I ended up P3 overall at the end of the season. One of the most remarkable aspects of the POC Racing League is its ability to foster connections between individuals. These shared experiences not only solidified our bonds but also opened doors to valuable coaching opportunities. It was an honor to receive guidance from racing legend Michael Johnson, whose insights and expertise propelled me to new levels of performance. I truly seem his more as family than another car on the track.

SIMRACING

As with any community, the POC Racing League has undergone changes over time. This year, the league introduced bi-annual seasons with fixed setups, presenting a new set of challenges and opportunities. The introduction of fixed setups brought an interesting blend of frustration and excitement, as racers had to adapt their strategies and techniques to suit the new dynamics. Despite the initial frustrations, this transition ultimately strengthened the camaraderie among POC participants, as we collectively faced and overcame the obstacles together.

After this season, the POC has given me the privilege of being part of the Comp Committee; a dedicated group of individuals committed to enhancing the overall experience for all participants. Moving forward, I cannot wait to immerse myself in this committee and attain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the league and will allow me to contribute to making the POC the pinnacle of I-Racing.

The POC Racing League embodies the power of community, showcasing the remarkable ability of people from diverse backgrounds to come together and share a common passion. My personal journey within this community has been marked by unforgettable experiences, meaningful friendships, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. The POC has taught me the value of perseverance, the strength of collective support, and the transformative power of shared experiences. As I continue to race and grow within this awesome community, I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided, and eagerly anticipate the future season that lies ahead.

Willow

September

Start getting your team together...more to come!