The Return of Club Nights

at the April club night that year. As we are all too aware, COVID 19 and lock down severely impacted not only on our club nights, but on all club activities, many of which were cancelled. Coupled with this, Jeromy’s work load and attending Supercar events interstate made it difficult to find a club night suitable for his very busy life.

Jeromy recounted his early years on how a graduate with an Honours Degree in Engineering from U.Q.

5 Bathurst wins and 6 V8 Supercar Championships.

In 2015 he was offered a position with Porsche at Weissach on the all conquering 919 World Endurance Racing programme. Jeromy’s stories of Le Mans as Performance and Race Engineer for fellow Aussie Mark Webber and the success of the 919 not just at Le Mans but also in the WEC made fascinating listening. Jeromy spoke about 919 Evo and how Porsche decided to see just how good they could make the 919 without BOP restrictions. The much watched videos show this 919 Evo achieving fastest ever lap time at Spa and breaking the 35 year old Nurburgring lap record set by Steffan Bellof in a 956 back in the halcyon days of Group C . Following two years with the 919, Jeromy was appointed Technical Project Leader developing the latest 911 RSR (2019 model) which is where Porsche are now concentrating their WEC and IMSA efforts after the retirement of the 919. This model RSR has gone on to many race wins, including in the hands of well known local driver Matt Campbell.

With a family and children approaching school age, Jeromy returned to Brisbane in December 2019 and rejoined Triple 8 at Banyo taking on the position as Technical Director while retaining a consulting role with the 911 RSR. He has also been entrusted with the development of GM’s future in Australian motorsport, the Gen 3 Camaro. The background on the development and testing of this car made interesting listening.

At the end of the night, Bill held up both a Porsche cap and a Triple 8 cap and asked Jeromy to choose one. Not surprisingly, much to the delight of our club members, he took the Porsche cap, but I’m sure his choice may have been different back at Banyo the next morning. Jeromy was given a hearty round of applause and some club memorabilia in appreciation of his time for one of our most interesting and entertaining club nights, where Porsche Centre

Brisbane made us most welcome and the very appropriate backdrop of the full size photo of the 919 was up on the wall.

Drive for Rural Relief, Supporting BUSH kids and the Health and Wellbeing of Rural Families and hosted by the Rotary Club of Paddington in conjunction with Rotary Club of Warwick

BILL DEAN “On a beautiful SE Queensland spring morning we assembled at Kenmore Plaza shopping centre, following sign-in, receipt of route instructions, Southern Downs tourism information, and twisting of arms to purchase raffle tickets.”

JEFF MATTHEWS “There was a good turnout of vehicles from different marques and clubs which was great to see. The Porsche flag was flown with a decent turn out by PCQ, and I met up with a few friends from the club. Ron, Cav, Bill and myself with our respective wife’s and 911’s gathered to discuss the speed of which we were to attack the route.”

BILL DEAN “Seven Porsches presented for the drive, plus a club member and their partner in an SUV as their dog refused to travel in the 911.”

JEFF MATTHEWS “While us men thought we should try and get to Warwick as quickly as possible, the wives made sure we kept it a tad slower than we anticipated and cruised our way along.”

BILL DEAN “The first part of the journey was a leisurely drive via Mount Crosby road, Warrego Highway and Gatton Laidley Road to Laidley for morning tea, and to get a first look at some of the other vehicles supporting the event, including a 1950’s Bentley, HSV Commodore and a 2006 GT40.

JEFF MATTHEWS “Laidley was a welcome stop to recharge the batteries with a hot coffee and some homemade cakes by the local Rotary Club.”

BILL DEAN “It was then onto Warwick via Tourist Drive 11, apart from some small sections of holdup behind “Sunday drivers” and horse floats, the roads provided for some very enjoyable and at times spirited driving (at least that is what the passengers were suggesting.”

JEFF MATTHEWS “We arrived at Warwick around 12:30pm in time for a sausage sizzle or hamburger and a cold drink. Some of us elected to participate in the local car show and shine where various awards were given for different categories. There was also a raffle with some great prizes, which also helped to raise money for the bush Kids Relief.”

BILL DEAN “I believe that all those who participated had a great day.”

JEFF MATTHEWS “All in all it was a great day driving with great friends for a great cause.”