Club Night Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport Division

Thursday 16th February 2023, saw 166 club members attend our first club night for 2023 hosted by Porsche Centre Melbourne at their Motorsport Division Headquarters in Collingwood Victoria. We were indeed in for a very special night, part of which did not go entirely unnoticed, in that we were meeting for a club night on a Thursday, instead of our usual Tuesday Night Club Night.

Members started arriving around 6.30pm with our night officially commencing at 6.45pm when MC Russell Sturzaker took to the microphone to welcome everyone, and to pass on an apology from Club President – Mark Horton Andrews who was overseas on business. Next Russell welcomed Past President – Peter Harrison (2013-2014) and Hall of Famer – Mark Chrzanowski, followed by all of the New Members present being invited to come up to the front of the presentation area and introduce themselves and the car that they drive to the meeting.

Russell then introduced our Host & Guest Presenter for the night – Cameron McConville - Porsche Centre Melbourne’s Commercial Manager to speak to members.

Cameron gave us a brief overview of the organisation and structure of PCM’s Motorsport Division, and then came to what was undoubtedly the main highlight of the night, that of the Official Announcement (from the previous day Wednesday 15th February), that the “Colour Pink” was coming to the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship with a newly formed partnership between BWT (Best Water Technology) Group, and Porsche Centre Melbourne, including the appointment of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series front runner Courtney Prince who joins the Championship for 2023 alongside other team drivers Nick McBride, Marc Cini and Matthew Belford

Cameron was also able to show members the new 2023 992 Cup Car sitting on the floor nearby, being the first one in the country, and having only been delivered some two hours prior to our meeting.

In fact Cameron wasn’t even sure that it would in fact be there on the night, and with the announcement to the media of the PCM/BWT Partnership the day prior they had to affix the new BWT livery to a donor car for their press photos …

Cameron then introduced us to John Wall – CEO of BWT Australia, and John went on to detail BWT’s involvement for the 2023 season including their excitement at having been able to bring Courtney Prince to join the PCM Motorsport Team.

But who are BWT (Best Water Technology Group) you ask ?

The Best Water Technology Group is Europe’s leading water technology company with a staff of more than 5,500, working on innovative, economic and ecologically friendly water treatment technologies to provide private households, industry, commerce, hotels and municipalities with the safest, healthiest and most hygienic water possible for their day-to-day needs. BWT provides modern water treatment systems and services for drinking water, process water, pool water and, especially, WFI – water for injection for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

Following questions from members about BWT’s new arrangement with PCM, Cameron invited existing PCM Motorsport Carrera Cup Pro Driver – Nick Mc Bride to address the meeting and explain what it was like to drive the new 992 Cup Car.

Next to speak was former Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series front runner Courtney Prince who had joined the meeting to speak to members about her excitement in joining the PCM Motorsport Team for the 2023 season, and to say that she impressed all present with her confident easy going manner would be an understatement.

Courtney Prince – Bio

Courtney started her motorsport career at the age of eight in go karts, and went on to contest the Formula Ford National Series supported by the Sonic Motor Racing Services team over three seasons. 2022 saw the young Victorian finish fourth in both the Aussie Racing Car Series and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge.

Courtney now takes her next step up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid from Michelin Junior driver to Pro with the experienced Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport Team. The dealership has long supported one of Australia’s most successful Porsche teams, having won three consecutive Carrera Cup Australia Championships across the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Our Club Nights would not be possible without the ongoing support of our Hosts, Sponsors and Club Committee Members, so we would like to thank the following ……

Porsche Centre Melbourne

Piero Pellegrini (General Manager) & Kate Holcombe (Marketing Manager)

Porsche Centre Melbourne – Motorsport Division

Cameron McConville (Motorsport Commercial Manager) & PCM Motorsport Pro Drivers

- Nick McBride & Courtney Prince

BEST Water Technology Group

John Wall – BWT Australia CEO

To Our Sponsors

Following Courtney’s talk, dinner was served and members spent the remainder of the evening speaking with our guest presenters, and looking over the newly BWT liveried cars, along with Courtney’s new 992 Cup Car …

Near the completion of our night, Competition Director – Andrew Smith, gave members a brief overview of our next upcoming competition events, and he was followed by Social

Director – Clyde White, who ran over the next few social events on the club calendar.

Another 30 minutes or so saw our night draw to a close, and judging by the number of members who came up and congratulated us for putting on such a great night, we are sure all who attended had a very enjoyable and informative evening in the company of Porsche Centre Melbourne’s Motorsport Division and BWT Australia.

Porsche Cars Australia, Porsche Centre Melbourne & Traction Tyre & Auto.

To Our Helpers

Our thanks to Club Night Co-ordinator - Russell Sturzaker, along with Vice President – Melanie Treloar, Paul Sbrissa, Flavio Lacota, Vicki Sturzaker, Anna Cook, Stephen Lofthouse, Vicki Morris, Alvaro Del Gallo and Andrew Smith, who all assisted on the night.

A special thank you to Club Member - Kaylene Mahony (who assisted with member’s check in on the night).

Also a big thank you to our Admin Team Carly Pasco, Lisa Gillespie and Kellie.

What About Getting Involved In Club Nights

We are a club powered by Volunteers

- members and partners

How YOU Can Help Us !

• We need Meeters & Greeters (to help sign-in members)

• Photographers

• People to assist recording names for photo captions

• Writer’s for club night article (Porsche Parade magazine)

• Bar Service - especially during Member arrival

• Volunteers will be rotated.

If you would like to help, please send your name and contact details to:

Anna Cook - Feedback Co-ordinator feedback@pcv.com.au