Porscher 2024 04

Voice of the Vancouver Island Region Volume 27 Issue 1, April 2024 Porsche Club of America

The Man Behind the Legend–Presidents Meeting 2024– Porsche 75th Anniversary Travel– Rally Talk– TechTalk -Chronicles Cars, Coffee and More

Cover Photo

Rudiger Guenther von Koniczek in front of his GT3 RS

Taken By Karen Bresler

President

Paul Rossmo president@virpca.org

Secretary

Kevin Root secretary@virpca.org

Director North Island

Martin Jager northisland@virpca.org

Director South Island

Stuart Macleod southisland@virpca.org

Vice President

Ron Dempsey vicepresident@virpca.org

Treasurer

A.J. Papp treasurer@virpca.org

Director—Mid Island

Mark Dalton midisland@virpca.org

Webmaster Chair

Dave Nickel webmaster@virpca.org

Rally

Klaus Kreye rally@virpca.org

Insurance Chair

James Renfrew porsche@jamesrenfrew.com

Database IT Chair

Steve Fairbrother steve.fairbrother@gmail.com

Membership Chair

Larissa Lawrence membership@virpca.org

Tech / Classics Chair

Paul Rossmo paul.rossmo@prhistorics.com

Past President

Garth Webber Atkins pastpresvir@shaw.ca

I’m pleased to write a President’s message for the PORSCHER, our quarterly magazine. It forms a lasting record of the people and events we enjoy throughout the year and then shares those experiences throughout the membership.

This issue is large and endeavors to catch us up on events both past and current. Karen Bresler, our new editor, has meticulously combed through 9 months of submissions to bring the Porscher back to publication after a lengthy hiatus. Her dedication and attention to detail have revitalized our publication, ensuring that our readers once again have access to quality content. I would like to commend her for her hard work and commitment to excellence. We can now all look forward to exciting new editions published quarterly.

Thank you, Karen, for your invaluable contribution to the club. There are now several new sections for members to contribute their stories or articles. Please support Karen’s efforts by supplying quality content to newsletter@virpca.org

I grew up in Vancouver in a time when traffic was light, police didn’t have lasers and the roads were smooth. Our region is fortunate to have two of the above. I am often driving on a twisty road with no other cars in sight and only the occasional cow to add some life to the scenery. A trip up island to Cars & Coffee arguably takes less time than trying to get from downtown to West Vancouver in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

If this isn’t an incentive to go burn some gas, I don’t know what is.

We are one region, fortunate enough to include varied and exciting destinations from north to south. I can think of no better car in which to explore them than your Porsche.

A warm welcome is always extended by members throughout our region, who enjoy sharing stories and an appreciation of all things Porsche.

Our signature event WochenendEscape is on the horizon. This will be the second year at Crown Isle and the committee has created an exciting and varied venue.

On the Saturday, I am planning to compete in the PIRELLI – VIRPCA Zone 6 Rally. I believe it will prove an be an exciting event, showcasing some spectacular roads.

I look forward to meeting you at upcoming events.

Paul Rossmo President

Islandroadsaffordusuniquedrivingexperiences

At the Annual General Meeting in October, I stepped into a new role with the club – that of Past President. Reflecting back on the last two years, I am very glad I had the opportunity to experience the club in a way that only the President can. It offered me a view into the Porsche Club of America as an organization, and I see commonalties between the National and our Regional Executive in their passion for the brand, their willingness to serve the broader membership, and in the time they generously give on behalf of the membership. It is a unique experience, and I recommend it to club members who enjoy working with others to get things done.

The path to President is not a difficult or long one. It is advisable to have spent at least a year in any other Executive Committee position to get a sense of the overall organizational structure, the operations of the club, and the duties of the various positions. From there, Executive Committee members can decide what position or positions best suit them, including President.

I thank the members of the Executive Committee for their support over the past two years, of me and of each other. It was a great team to work with I look forward to continuing to be part of the team as Past

President. I also appreciated the warm reception and support from the members I connected with over the course of the last two years. It really helped to remind me of who and what I was working for. The thanks I received at the AGM made it all worthwhile – not just the lovely gift of a planter and gift certificate to my favourite restaurant (though I did like that very much, thank you to all), but seeing the members rise to applaud was more than a little touching, and means a lot to me. I will remember that forever.

I look forward to supporting Paul in his new role, continuing to be an active member, and enjoying the company of the lovely people I have met through this club. It really is “not just the cars, it’s the people”.

Garth Webber Atkins Past President

I am excited to be taking over as Editor of the PORSCHER. It is an honour and a privilege to be engaging with the very dynamic VIRPCA in this way. Thank you to Marc Klijnsmit and Steve Fairbrother for the handover assistance and to Paul Rossmo for his patience with my questions and his support as this issue had a tight timeline in order to meet the cars coming out from under the covers for Spring events.

And a Bumper issue it is. A lot has transpired since the last issue of porSCHER in mid-2023 and this is reflected in the size of this issue. Drawing on the inspiration that is the story of Rudi Koniczek, our cover article gives members some insight into the man behind the legend and mentor to many see pg.14. With 2023 having been the 75th anniversary of Porsche, we are fortunate to ride along with Uli Jaeckel and Mantoine Olivier in their account of a trip of a lifetime at the 75th Anniversary celebration in Stuttgart last year- See pg 44. Sadly, not all the celebrations were happy as three members have passed and we remember and celebrate them in the In Memoriam pages see pg. 10.

We look forward to our Signature event in May when WochenendEscape takes place, including the PIRELLI- VIRPCA Zone 6 Rally which is sure to become an annual event on all rally calendars. See pg. 33 for details. We are re-launching some of the content under new categories. Join us in Rally Talk pg. 29 as we grow with this new sport. There is also an area for technical matters under Tech Talk pg. 35. In Membership Spotlight, we meet the President Pg. 52.

This issue we are launching a new slot called Chronicles which is a place to park and share stories and adventures that make Porsche history from years gone past. We start with a photo pf Porsche 1 that Paul Rossmo dug out of his photographic archives - Pg. 56. Then, still under Chronicles, we move on to enjoy reading about Parade 2023 see pg. 57 and Rennsport Reunion pg. 62 both written by Garth Webber Atkins who has captured her experiences at both events so brilliantly that you cannot read these without wanting to plan to be at these events in the future. See pg.21 for Parade 2024 information.

The Membership Report, In the Zone– Zone 6 and Regional Reports starting at pg.23 highlight the activity behind the scenes and point to our growth as a region of PCA.

Finally, no issue would be complete with the many photos of our various social events, Road Trips, Cars & Coffee pg 64 and Classifieds, Pg. 73. I look forward to meeting you in person at the upcoming events some are highlighted in Around The Bend pg.72

I welcome your Letters to the Editor, submissions and photographs at newsletter@virpca.org. Lets continue to have the Porscher be the voice of the Vancouver Island Region of the PCA.

In Memoriam

Pam Ramsay

If you went to a Porsche Club event, chances are you crossed paths with Pam Ramsay. Pam was a wonderful woman who was a member of the club since 2001, and she served on the Executive Committee as Secretary from 2003 to 2004. Pam was always the first one to approach new members standing off to the side at their first event and welcome them to her table. She would take them under her wing and introduce them around to other members, an example of her natural ability of bringing people together and making everyone feel included and welcomed.

Pam and her husband Bruce went to 12 Porsche Parades and many Club events over the years as they both had a love of travel and for meeting new people. If you were at any of these events over the years, chances were you may have been lucky enough to get an invite to the Ramsay’s room for Pam’s famous cheese ball and a glass of wine. She was an avid hostess and loved to entertain.

Pam enjoyed getting people together and cultivated bonds and friendships between members of the club. We were privileged to travel with Pam and Bruce to many Porsche events over the years. Because they were so active in the club and attended many events, they had a large group of people they knew. Pam’s positive energy made her someone you hoped you got to sit by at the table during dinner and the evening presentations. She always had a big smile on her face and a hug ready for you when you came into the room.

Those of us who had the privilege of knowing Pam knew she had a love for the Porsche Club and all things Snoopy, and she was an avid collector of Snoopy memorabilia. She had a passion for great fashion and enjoyed the process of making travel plans to the various club events. With their love of travel, Pam and Bruce went on at least one cruise a year and had travelled to many parts of the world, seeing over 89 countries.

Pam’s wonderful energy and boundless enthusiasm is truly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. She was an Ambassador of kindness in all aspects of her life. We will think of her often and miss her very much.

Leah Mihalchan

Pat Lote

Photo credits: Leah Mihalchan, Pat Lote, Gary Glover

In Memoriam

Julie Bailey

Last summer we unfortunately lost Julie Bailey, a member of the Vancouver Island Porsche Club since 2016. I met Julie at my first Black Rock event. Julie took me under her wing, offering advice on auto cross and encouragement to get out there and do my best.

She was a car enthusiast owning a 2007 911 Porsche Carrera S, and her beloved 1969 E-type Jag primrose coup. Julie accomplished many things in her life, however meeting her through a car club it is relevant to mention that she was the fastest North American slalom Jaguar racer in her class.

People closest to her described Julie as having a passion for living life to the fullest, grace, elegance, dignity and speed!

Julie had a joie de vivre that will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Imogen Burr

Photos submitted by Imogen Burr

In Memoriam

Helen Poon

VIR member Helen Poon (1989-2024) passed away in January following a car accident in New Zealand. She is remembered as a unique and remarkable young woman who was a truly passionate car enthusiast. At the time of her passing, her car collection included a silver 1987 930 Turbo and a yellow 1992 968. In addition to the Porsches, she had many other interesting vehicles including (but not limited to) a Tatra, Fiat Jolly, Citroen 2CV, a 1937 and a 1979 Rolls Royce, and a 1932 Austin 7. Helen loved to regularly drive all of her cars and she was a member of multiple car clubs in BC. Her passing is a great loss to all of us in the BC car community.

Detlef Ehrhardt

Photo submitted by Helen’s mother, Ms. Lai Ping Chan

Rudiger Gunther von KoniczekThe man behind the legend

By Karen Bresler

by Karen Bresler

Rudiger Gunther von Koniczek, known as Rudi Koniczek, shows me a cupboard packed full of magazine articles written about him and the company he founded, Rudi & Company, as he takes me on a tour of his showroom in Victoria. The magazines are just one of the collections he has and the pile is as extensive as the cars surrounding us. His passion evident in everything around him and especially the precisely built model cars that started it all. It was no small task to write about a man who is so legendary that for 50 years people from all around the world have shipped their vehicles to him on Vancouver Island for restoration.

Photos

Rudi came to Canada after the war with his immigrant parents and found his first employment in a hobby shop. He was paid in model car kits which he built to perfection. He took these model cars to Mercedes and was offered a job there after displaying his bold ambition. This story is told by Rudi himself with much flair, in a video produced by the Gain Group, entitled “The Story of Rudi Koniczek”, available on Youtube.

Around the age of 40, Rudi realized his business was running him and he was not running the business. Reflecting on this, he explains that the work he was doing was eroding his passion for the cars themselves. After taking a break and driving cars across the country, he used the driving time to plan his next steps. Rudi realized with all the word of mouth he had about his work, he did not need a storefront. He started working from his home and with the growing business he moved a few times. The restoration of pre-war cars started growing rapidly when Rudi was shipped a Mercedes 300 SL from Wales to do a restoration. One led to many.

maintained there for the memories it holds. In sharp contrast to the polished vehicles inside the showroom, the van is however also preserved, though in an eccentric like fashion. It has an energy and a beauty to it. Rudi tells me he “used to take the children to school in it.”

30 years ago, Rudi moved Rudi & Company for the last time to 10 acres of immense natural beauty surrounded by parkland. The current showroom housing approximately 20 unique cars is in the place of the restoration workshop that was the centre of Rudi & Company.

The driveway down to the showroom is a metaphor for the beauty that Rudi collects and allows to re-live and be loved again with great passion. A bicycle mounted on a rockface which he humorously refers to as his “mountain bike” and various larger size model cars grace the sweeping gardens, both natural and groomed, artfully blended together.

There is an old van parked under the trees next to a “No Parking” sign planted in the ground and clearly

Although his nickname is The Rudeman, rudeness does not seem to be the cause. Rudi is a kind man with great passion for achieving artistic precision

(continued on page 17)

(continued from page 15) on a canvas of pre-war cars. Restored to the glory of those times and brought back to life in our time, the history of these vehicles is honoured. Rudi regularly drives the cars in his collection and they receive daily wipes and polishes from him.

Sitting in Rudi’s office with a small portion of the model cars which started it all on the shelves around us, together with awards and letters of thanks and recognition filling every available spot, it s clear the impact Rudi has had. Books piled high with one of his iconic hats on top artfully displaying the wisdom and experience to be found also in his kind, detailed oriented eyes. Rudi told me that he sees restoration as an art form. The world agreed and sought him out.

Rudi & Company became a brand and earned a worldwide reputation.

President Paul Rossmo with Rudi, a friendship of over 40 years.

Rudi has described himself as a restorer of souls and sees the soul of each car, even when it arrives at his workshop as a chassis and 90 boxes of parts.

Some of the other parts that came into the workshop were the employees. Rudi apparently had an eye for an employee he could mentor, thus perfecting his vision for the legacy he was creating. Very few people get to live their passion. Mainly because they are not bold enough to pursue it. Meeting Rudi is a reminder to follow your passion always.

Rudi as Mentor

Rudi says “as long as I can inspire a young person, then the momentum is taken into the next generation”. He built the workshop where his long time employees worked with him and really never left, staying with him for 15- 20 years on average. They have now moved on to continue the work with the eye he gave them for the restoration process and the knowledge of how to achieve a vehicle's former perfection. Its the same focus that “child Rudi” brought as he carefully worked on the model cars and still brings to this day on his models, big and small. Rudi has mentored and taught others to do the same. The highlight of his career he says has been mentoring the next generation to continue to keep these beautiful classic cars on the road in perfect condition. His patience in telling the story of his life and career, a story he has told umpteen times before, and is well documented already, is again a beautiful example of how he mentors in all he meets, thus ensuring that his passion for these cars will live on in others.

Rudi’s business card describes the automobiles as “spirited”. The word spirited, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary can be traced back to its Latin origins pointing to “Breath, breathing, linking it with “inspire” meaning to “influence, move or guide”. The vehicles restored by Rudi & Company have had new life breathed into them and everyone fortunate enough to have been mentored by Rudi has been moved and guided to follow the passion he so flamboyantly displays. I feel privileged to have met Rudi and toured his show room because, like many who have been lucky enough to be in his presence, it is a numinous experience which I won’t forget soon. His parting words to me as I thanked him for the opportunity were “as long as I make you giggle – and “never lose the heart of a child!” If we all applied this philosophy to our daily lives, what a beautiful world we could create.

“Neverlosethe heartofachild”

President's Report: Porsche Club of America Zone 6 Presidents Meeting

On May 23rd, the Porsche Club of America held a President’s meeting hosted at the Carrera Lounge at Porsche Bend, in Bend, Oregon. The meeting was attended by Zone 6 President’s as well as Zone 11 (via a Zoom link). I am pleased to present this report summarizing the key discussions we had during the event.

Reminding us of our purpose: PCA's core values - to have fun, enjoy our Porsches, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. This simple yet profound ethos encapsulates the essence of our club and underscores the importance of camaraderie within our community.

Upcoming Milestones: The upcoming 70th anniversary of the Porsche Club of America is in 2025. Planning has already commenced to commemorate this milestone at National Events. They are calling upon all regions to organize celebratory events on September 13, 2025, and share these moments across social media platforms.

PCA's Transformation: Since 2010, PCA has undergone a remarkable transformation, with membership nearly doubling from 59,000 to 105,000 by 2023. New signature offerings such as Treffen, WERKS Reunion, and PCA Juniors have been introduced. The raffle program has expanded significantly, and traditional offerings like Club Racing and Parade continue to thrive.

Digital Engagement: PCA’s digital presence has seen tremendous growth, with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Rennbow.org reaching thousands of members. Notably, Instagram has emerged as a powerful tool for engagement, particularly among the 18-44 age demographic. Efforts to collaborate with influential women in the Porsche community aim to further enhance our reach.

Dues Increase: Effective May 1, 2024, there will be a slight increase in annual PCA membership dues. This adjustment reflects the evolving needs of the club and ensures that PCA can continue providing exceptional experiences and services to members. The last dues increase occurred 13 years ago, in 2011. The new due’s structure will be $56.00 for a one-year membership, $110.00 for two years, and $162.00 for three years.

Recap of 2023: We also took a moment to reflect on the advancements made in 2023. The digitization of Porsche Panorama from 2000 onwards has been completed, with the more years to follow. The very first issue has also been digitized and is available on the PCA website. Additionally, the redesign of the PCA website in 2024 is underway and aims to enhance user experience.

PCA Bylaw Review: PCA Bylaws are being reviewed and updated. Our region should review and align accordingly.

Member App: Gary Glover the Zone 11 Representative gave a presentation on a phone App used in Hawaii to allow members to communicate and share events and profiles directly on their phones. Created in Switzerland by a company This is an app.

Expenditure Allocation: A breakdown of PCA's expenditures reveals there was 34% allocated to Regions, 35% to Panorama, and 27% to various other expenses.

In conclusion, the Presidents meeting was a reaffirmation of PCA’s dedication to the Porsche community. Looking ahead to future milestones and challenges, I am confident that PCA and our region, will continue to thrive.

Paul Rossmo President

“IntheZone”March, 2024

John P Sommerwerck

PCA Zone 6 Rep

This past weekend Gary Glover, Zone 11 Rep, Craig Kugler, PCA EVP, and I held the 2024 Zones 6 and 11 region presidents meeting in Bend, OR. My thanks to the High Desert Region for hosting the meeting.

The region presidents meeting is held early in the year to work with the new and returning region presidents to help them understand their roles and responsibilities. It is a time to share and discuss common issues, such as how do we get more volunteers.

The 2024 meeting again proved to be a valuable learning opportunity for all. Gary & I shared presenting the region presidents’ roles and what to keep an eye on. Craig discussed Risk Management and what PCA National is focusing on. These include; more focus on digital – membership cards, loading back issues of Pano to the website, website redesign. Yearly, we remind the region presidents that a key focus for them is Risk Management. Without affordable insurance, PCA could not hold events.

Craig reminded us that 2025 is PCA’s 70th anniversary and asked us to save the date, 13 September 2025, and as National is working on a coordinated celebration with the regions.

Upcoming Treffens: Big News: the 2024 Treffen at Sea Cruise is leaving from Seattle and going to Alaska! Registration is now open. Another Bucket-list Adventure Awaits – Treffen at Sea: Alaska! | The Porsche Club of America (pca.org) The 2024 Fall Treffen will be held at the Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mt Washington, NH. This should be in the midst of New England’s fall foliage season. Stay in touch with all things Treffen at: Treffen North America (pca.org).

Porsche Parade 2024 will be held in Birmingham, AL. If you are planning on attending, I hope you have already registered and secured your lodging. I have. As usual, it will be a two-part registration process. To register for Parade and secure housing visit https://www.pca.org/pca-login/parade-registration. Then on April 3rd we will sign up for banquets, tours, and events. For Parade 101, please go to Welcome | Porsche Parade 2024.

Zone 6 2024 events are already popping up on the calendar. Nancy and I will be attending Vancouver Island Region’s Wochenende on the last weekend in May. Zone 6 signature events can be found PCA Zone 6 - The Pacific NW Regions. Zone 6 abounds in great roads to drive and great automotive venues.

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John

North Island

Director: Martin Jager

Cars and Coffee is every 2nd Saturday in Campbell River at the Island Grind in Discovery Harbour Mall - 10am to 12.

Cars and Coffee is also every 4th Sunday at Bean Around the World on Cliff Avenue in Courtenay. 10am to 12. On April 28th the SPRING STARTUP is in Courtenay this year!

Many of our members have enjoyed vacations this spring as well as assisting with the WochenendEscape, organizing sponsors, working with Crown Isle Resort on meals, rooms and the event in general. Others have been working on drives, the Rally, prizes, swag, and the auction items for the Charity Auction for COPS FOR CANCER. The event is fully booked!

I have also been very busy with organizing the “North Island’ drive for August 2024 to Port Hardy and a two night stay at the Kwalilas Hotel. It is currently up on MSR, with the option of whale watching- they have the best rubbing rocks there, Robson Bight where the Orcas hang out at this time of year.

Here are some members waiting last fall for the Cops for Cancer Riders just north of Campbell River, and a shot of our sponsored rider Jinkx from the Comox Valley. This is what we are raising money for at the WochenendEscape, the rider who will soon

Mid Island

Director: Mark Dalton

Greetings from your Mid Island Director, Mark Dalton.

It was my pleasure to accept the nomination for the position at the AGM last fall which happens to take place in my immediate neighbourhood of Fairwinds, Nanoose Bay!

This year is ramping up to be full of exciting events but also more of the usual which may not sound very thrilling unless you experience mid island comradery.

Our membership remains strong, consistent and supportive and I give thanks to those members who show up, participate and advise on a regular basis.

My first shout out goes to Marc Klijnsmit who has done an outstanding job of hosting Cars and Coffee each Sunday. Last year we moved the weekly event to The Black Goose Inn that provided a more suitable location for our Sunday get together and we are all so excited to see the completion of the new 356 Café in French Creek, which we hope will become the “go to” spot. Who doesn’t want to be surrounded with great people, a Porsche inspired café and plenty of good times? Well done Marc, THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!

We will be posting our version of Fast Food aptly titled Time to Dine. Set your calendar for April 20 and register for dinner at Little Bavaria Restaurant starting at 4:45pm. There will be no cost to register and expect minimum $20 and up for your meals. Shout out to Gary Glover! Registration will be on MSR asap.

April 21 is FREE COFFEE DAY and will take place at one of Marc’s great locations.

New and potential members are encouraged.

Last note, Trevor and Sonia Ross along with their illustrious committee have been working diligently putting together the WE2024 weekend at Crown Isle Resort. Although this is being held north island, we are absolutely thrilled to help host the car show portion on Friday, May 24 at the 356 Café/French Creek Pub. There will be a limited number of spots opening up to those that will not attend the weekend officially so stay tuned as registration will be limited. YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS!

South Island

Director: Stuart Macleod

POMIN EVENT | Pacific Marine Circle drive | Sat 17 Aug

Pacific Marine Circle Drive

Saturday 17 August

Mark your calendars for a peak-summer spin around the Pacific Marine Circle route on Saturday 17 August!

We will travel in two groups, driver’s choice, one clockwise via Sooke and Jordan River, and the other counter-clockwise via Duncan and Lake Cowichan.

Starting point for both will be West Shawnigan Lake Park and (official) end points will be watering holes in either Langford or Duncan, depending on direction.

Either way, the groups will join up in Port Renfrew for lunch.

Registration is now open at http://msreg.com/2024-Pacific-Marine-Circle

Total participant count is capped at 30 by the lunch venue, so register soon!

Cars & Coffee South Island 9:00 am every Sunday

As our south island weather begins to hint/tease the driving season just around the corner, VIRPCA members are again coming out in force at our regular C&C venue: Whole Foods at the Uptown mall.

In addition to their Porsches, each Sunday can bring a peek into our members’ non-Porsche automotive passions, from beautifully restored trucks and SUVs to amazing sporty selections from other marques from around the world… and even the occasional two-wheeled freedom machine!

The conversation is always lively, and coffee and muffins are cheap. For alternatives to the "humble" coffee on tap at Whole Foods, your java jolt can also be acquired drive-through at nearby Tim Hortons, Starbucks, or McDonald's, and there is also a walk-in Starbucks on the lower level of Uptown.

If all this sounds like a great way to kickstart your Sunday, please approach from southbound Pat Bay Hwy/ Blanshard Street, turn right at the pedestrian crossing lights, head up the ramp, and turn right at the top. Whole Foods is at the north end of the parking lot.

See you there!

Food. | South Island Fast Foods—South Island

First Thursday of every month

There's No Foodie Like a Porsche-driving Foodie!

Fast. Food. is a monthly come-as-you-are get-together for VIRPCA members and guests to appreciate the gastronomic delights of our island home.

We explore a new venue in the South Island area on the first Thursday of every month, with 'Variety' being our guiding principle for selection of each month's venue.

After an amazing first year for the series in 2023, momentum is only building for our 2024 events:

Eva Schnitzelhaus on Jan 4th

Vis a Vis in Oak Bay on Feb 1st

Royal Colwood Golf Club on Mar 7th (courtesy members Rob Hehn and Aurelie Stirling)

UPCOMING Café Brio on Apr 4th http://msreg.com/Fast-Food-202404-Cafe-Brio

UPCOMING venue TBD on May 2nd

Photo by E. Maitland

Rally Talk

Rally Report and Roundup 2023

By Klause Kreye

This year we were able to hold the usual two rallies –the Spring and Fall Events. Participation has grown slowly and we now have a core of regular participants with teams vying for top honours - The best of both events will determine the winner and trophy holder.

Our Spring Rally took place under sunny skies and the team of Didier and Irene Brard took the win by a good margin, scoring 211 points. In second place, with 297 points, was Manuela Lale and myself. Scores are in demerit points. This event saw the first running of a Seat of Pants (SOP) class. This class was created to allow teams to enter a rally without having to spend any time preparing for the event or doing copious calculations. Initially we only had one entry into this class.

The Fall Rally took place in September and ran through the Saanich Peninsula. That brought about some slow, technical challenges with “precedence of route” being applied at various locations. Some teams paid the price for wrong turns with demerit points!

Four teams entered SOP and this created quite a points gap to the Equipped class. In the end the best scores were:

554 points “Equipped” for Larissa Lawrence and myself;

1241 points “SOP” for Geoffrey Melnychuk and Sue Frew.

During the summer I teamed up with Johan Booyens and we ran the Classic Car Adventure rally with a drive to Bella Coola and back. Great weather, fantastic scenery and what a pass down into the valley! The old 944 handled the trip and gravel just fine and did not overheat despite the 36 degree stop-start traffic on the way home. This was a good shake-down drive to prepare for the Totem Rally.

A new body has been formed on the island – being the Vancouver Island Rally Sport Association. They got their first rally organised for October and with barely two weeks to go, the event was approved by CARS – Canadian Association of Rally Sport. So with only 10 days of advertising we had 15 cars at the start, including 3 teams from VIR PCA: Linnea Uphoff and her father scored best, followed by the teams of Gordon Halkett / Peter Sterczyk and lastly Ron Dempsey / Gregory Campbell.

Gregory Campbell and myself headed inland to the Totem Rally. We started in Cache Creek and after six regularity sections we ended up in Clearwater for the night. Two of those regularities were in the dark… when we unfortunately missed a turn and it took too long to notice it. The next cattle guard (on the wrong road) was at the same distance as the cattle guard on the correct road…so we carried on. By the time we turned back we had no hope to make up ground and took a 600 point hit. That dropped us from 5th to 6th spot.

The second night regularity was better, but quite snowy and slippery over the mountain. My headlight surround was threatening to fall off. Not wanting to loose it we had a make a plan: As soon as we passed a Richta checkpoint we stopped, took it off and restarted 24 seconds later. A spirited drive saw us make up that time with a small margin in order to hit the following checkpoint on time.

On Sunday our scores were consistently better with both driver and navigator settled into the groove….and we refined how to work the Rabbit timing box. On the “Heffley” Regularity there were 7 checkpoints and we scored only 3 points: 4 “zeros” and 3 “ones”….however the top teams scored all zeros and a “one”!!

Similarly the “Sawmill Creek” Regularity: We scored 4 “zeros”, 2 “ones” and 2 “twos” for a total of

6…..whereas the top teams scored zeros. So the competition was really strong!

After 11 Regularity sections and 130 checkpoints, here are the final scores: Winning team 49 Points, Second 60 Points, Third 74 Points … these teams were really sharp! 4th/5th/6th with 265/374/879 points respectively. Full results are on RallyBC

In December I headed off to Kelowna and the Big White Rally. This is a full speed stage rally, so I did not enter and instead I will volunteer to support the event.

We are hard at work preparing the rally for the Crown Isle WochenendEscape. At this stage we only have a couple of spots left.

I would like to thank the members that supported these events – I have a feeling we are starting to get near critical mass for a good number of entries.

Klaus Kreye VIRPCA Rally Chair

What is a TSD Rally?

By Paul Rossmo

Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) rallying is a form of motorsport where competitors navigate a predetermined route at specified average speeds, aiming to maintain precise timing throughout the course. In TSD rallying, teams consist of a driver and a navigator. The navigator is responsible for interpreting route instructions provided by the organizers, which often include detailed directions, distance measurements, and specified average speeds for each segment of the route. The driver's task is to maintain the prescribed average speeds while adhering to the navigator's instructions.

Evolving from its grassroots origins into a globally recognized motorsport, TSD Time- rallying has witnessed exponential growth, captivating enthusiasts with its unique blend of challenges and camaraderie

Tarmac TSD (Time–Speed-Distance) Rallying is a fusion of teamwork, skill and strategy.

TSD rallies require both precision driving and precise navigation for teams to succeed.

Evolving from its grassroots origins into a globally recognized motorsport, TSD rallying has witnessed exponential growth, captivating enthusiasts with its unique blend of challenges and camaraderie

The Growth of Tarmac TSD Rallying:

Originating from the traditional rallying format, TSD rallying has gained popularity worldwide, attracting participants from diverse backgrounds.

Organized events and championships offer opportunities for both seasoned competitors and novices to test their skills on tarmac roads, fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts.

Teamwork and Collaboration:

TSD rallying places a premium on teamwork, requiring seamless coordination between driver and navigator to traverse the prescribed route and maintain the designated speeds.

Effective communication and trust between team members are paramount, as split-second decisions and adjustments are necessary to stay on course and optimize performance.

The Challenge of Winning:

Winning in TSD rallying demands a combination of precision driving, strategic planning, and mental acuity.

Competitors must strike a delicate balance between maintaining precise speeds and accurately following the prescribed route, all while adhering to strict time constraints.

Success hinges not on raw speed, rather the meticulous attention to detail and the ability to adapt to changing road conditions and obstacles

Scoring reflects a team’s accuracy in adhering to the speeds and time given in the Rally Route book, with demerit points for being early or late.

Car Navigation Preparation:

Prior to each rally, teams meticulously prepare their vehicles and navigation equipment to ensure optimal performance.

Navigation aids such as odometers, rally computers, and GPS devices are calibrated and synchronized to provide accurate distance and time measurements.

Detailed route instructions and maps are studied and annotated, enabling navigators to anticipate upcoming turns, junctions, and timing points with precision.

Tarmac Rallies: Suited for All Cars, Modern and Classic:

Unlike traditional stage rallying, TSD rallies on tarmac roads accommodate a wide range of vehicles, from modern sports cars to vintage classics.

The emphasis on precision driving and navigation rather than outright speed levels the playing field, allowing participants to compete competitively regardless of their vehicle's age or performance capabilities.

Classic cars, with their nostalgic charm and mechanical simplicity, find a natural home in tarmac TSD rallying, adding a nostalgic flair to the competitive landscape.

Porsche’s are exceptionally well suited to compete due to their exceptional performance and reliability.

In conclusion, tarmac TSD rallying epitomizes the essence of motorsport, combining skill, strategy, and teamwork in an accessible format. As the sport continues to evolve, its unique challenges ensure that the spirit of competition burns brightly on every twist and turn of the tarmac.

Presidents note:

IwouldliketowelcomeournewsponsorPIRELLI.

ThankyoutoOrazioMastracchioandCarmenD’Onofriofortheirgeneroussupport

ofWochenedEscape2024andourongoing PIRELLI–VIRPCAZone6RallyChampionship.

TECh Talk

By Paul Rossmo

75th Anniversary of Porsche 2023

A travel trip of a lifetime– Part 1

By Ulrich Jaeckel and Mantoine Olivier

2023 marked the 75 year celebration of Porsche and after having attended the 70 year event we were planning to make this a memorable year. Back in early 2023 I had the opportunity to choose a European delivery date and immediately knew that we had to be in Germany on June 8th for this quarter century birthday.

Having secured a delivery appointment for June 7th, 2023 in Leipzig back in March 2023. Now we started planning and departed Victoria on June 5. Destination Munich where we had a special ride waiting to take us to Leipzig.

The morning after our arrival on June 6th this new to us 964RS awaited us at the hotel garage. The 964 was to be our wheels to go Leipzig and to participate in the 75 year Porsche events.

After a memorable evening in Leipzig we headed to the factory to meet our Leipzig friends and take delivery of a new Cayenne e-hybrid. It was June 7th and our plans were coming together. We met up with a group from Porsche Club Leipzig and drive to the birthplace of the marque.

June 8th started with a spectacular breakfast at the Carrera Treff Café located in the “Diamant” at the Porsche factory in Leipzig

This was where we met our driving group to travel from Leipzig to Stuttgart..

We departed as a group of 11 Porsche cars precisely at 9.11 for a spirited Autobahn drive with some animated talks and sharing of impressions.

Our goal was to arrive in Stuttgart in time for the 75th anniversary celebrations that very evening

The night of the 8th was set for a spellbinding performance of Porsche history and cars, limited to an overall attendance of 800 people.

Our view, Patrick Dempsey actually was seated 2 rows down from us, we felt like Hollywood royalty.

The Porsche Family

Mantoine in front of the Porsche Museum venue on June 8th, 2023

It was an unforgettable night at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, the following evening we had invitations to the Porsche Wagenhallen Fest which was hosted by Ferdinand Porsche Junior. Here we met again with our friends Christian and Ortrun from Leipzig and also the one other Porsche person who we would encounter again on our travels.

“An evening event with many memories and impressions”

Left: Porsche Wagenhallenfest

Bottom Left: Walter Roehrl and Joerg Bergmeister

Bottom Right: Mantoine with Ortrun and Christian (aka “gt3rs_twin.tour” on Instagram)

Porsche also let us see the world premiere of the new Porsche Mission X. The next morning meant an early rise since Christian and I were determined be the first 2 cars in the infield of Hockenheimring for the PORSCHE Festival of Dreams. The two of us departed Stuttgart at 4am and yes, we were the first.

The next 2 days were spent with 8000 Porsche Sportscars, Porsches everywhere. We watched the ADAC Masters races and the Porsche 992 Carrera Cup. In the paddock we met a man from France who drove in with an identical 964 RS to participate in the Porsche Classic races. He lived his dream and created a memory for a lifetime

We were to get back to Canada on June 12 and departed Hockenheim with plans to be back 3 weeks later and be on track ourselves.

Left: Ouch!

We were to get back to Canada on June 12 and departed Hockenheim with plans to be back 3 weeks later and be on track ourselves. Many thanks to Garth and Paul Gregor (Porsche liaison for all Porsche Clubs) who assisted in putting the itinerary for Part 1 together.

EditorsNote: ReadaboutPart2ofUli&Mantoine’stripinthenextissueofPorscher

Meet the President Paul Rossmo

By Karen Bresler Photos submitted by Paul Rossmo

“It’s a drivers car” says the man who has owned a Porsche for 50 years and been a member of the Porsche club for 45 years. Meet Paul Rossmo, the current President of VIRPCA. I sat down with him recently to discuss his vision for his presidency of VIRPCA.

A passion for Porsche

By way of background, if you have met Paul , you already know that he brings a huge amount of experience and knowledge to anything involving Porsche, in addition to numerous other luxury and sport vehicles. In fact, its fun to ask him a question relating to Porsche, racing, speciality or classic cars, among others, and wait for the answer. He is like Google for all things Porsche and more. Of course he will hate me writing this as he has a very humble side to him and is not given to

was not impressed with the purchase, shaking his head and walking away. Like many others he came to understand Paul’s passion which practically defines who he is in the world.

“Ihavelivedthe Porschecompanies growthandsuccess inmylifetime”

self promotion. Paul’s knowledge and experience started accumulating after buying his first Porsche at age 21. A dark navy blue 1964 356C. His father

Paul in talking about his journey says: “I have lived the Porsche companies growth and success in my lifetime. When I bought my first Porsche they were not popular like they are now. What attracted me to the car was actually related in part to football. Paul was asked to join a football team and was given a ride to practice in Stanley Park, Vancouver in a 60’s 356 Carmen Coupe. “I was so impressed that he could go as fast in Stanley Park as I could on my motorcycle!” He saw one for sale in North Vancouver and after 12 banks, he found a bank manager who had just bought an E-type and as a fellow car guy understood his needs and “took pity on me.”

This passion was behind Paul founding Weissach an Independent Porsche dealership in Vancouver. Starting in a small two bay garage, Paul with the capital afforded to him by his youthful credit card, was resourceful in developing the space. One of the improvements involved prising bricks out of

the wall with his hands to make an opening for a bay door.

It grew and moved a few times landing up as a beautiful showroom on West 2nd with many a unique Porsche gracing its gleaming floors. Weissach successfully operates to this day although Paul sold it in 2002.

During those formative years, racing was also very much in his fast paced schedule. “Sports cars and Racing were my passion and Porsche quickly became my weapon of choice”

An avid racer and competitive person by nature, with a focus on winning, being on podium is his happy place. Also a competitive sailor, he trained his crew to focus on their particular function to perfection so as to create an environment where everyone performed to full capacity. These are skills he applies to everything he does today, including his passion for rallying.

Paul admits to a fetish for looking in peoples backyards or fields for barns or sheds that may house barn finds. He has restored many vehicles and this remains a passion which he is applying to his Porsche Cayenne, which he uses in rallies and is also modified for adventure travel. Having sold his 928 and his classic Landrover, he is working on this latest Porsche to combine the pleasure of driving a Porsche with his love of adventure. Its also his company vehicle for Pr Historics Ltd.

After selling Weissach and taking some time off to do some reflective sailing, Paul became GM for Porsche Victoria. He continued to service the Porsche community with his dedication to

Paul’s 1966 912 which he later converted to a 911.

Paul with his ‘71 911 T, a Lotus Europa, a Lotus 23B and a Lola T340 in the garage

unparalleled customer experiences and a love for the vehicles he sold. As he talks, I am struck by how people are met with warmth and integrity, resulting in multiple purchases with Paul and relationships that endure to this day. I asked Paul how many Porsches he has sold and the answer is “probably a couple of thousand”.

Paul went on to be GM for the Vancouver Island Motor Circuit as it established itself in the Cowichan Valley.

I asked Paul how many Porsches he has sold and the answer is “probably a couple of thousand”.

In 2019 Paul left the Circuit to found PR Historics Ltd, a company which focuses on the appraisal of classic cars as well as FIN 320 Appraisals for ICBC. Paul also offers one- on- one service consulting with respect to restoration, sourcing of classic cars and their parts. Based in Victoria, Paul services clients all over the country. He has given evidence as an Expert Witness in Law Courts as an expert based on a lifetime of experience from years of being around Porsche vehicles in many different capacities. Paul is also an Accredited Appraiser. He is often called to travel across country to source a vehicle or provide

an appraisal, giving him more time on the road driving his Porsche and time to conjure up his future plans which include building rally championship races.

The Vision

“The island provides great driving opportunities for us as a club. I would like to see more interaction and cross pollination between South, Mid and North Island. You can be up or down the Island in a day. People can explore more with their Porsches.”

“I would like to see more interaction and cross pollination between South, Mid and North Island”

Paul has a few “President Pop Ups” planned so watch his monthly newsletter for details of those. He says members can also invite other regions to come to special events in our region and have the meeting between regions be more intentional. “Id like to see us expanding our experience past our own cars” Paul says as he reflects on a recent trip to the Airport museum led by Ron Dempsey that this is the kind of event where the overlap provides opportunities for

appreciating the similarities, differences and the beauty of the mechanics and engineering involved.

Another aspect of his vision is to continue to build a Zone 6 Rally Championship open to all Porsche Club Members with the idea that the rally will grow to a multi region event.

With so much going on with PR Historics Ltd and his presidency, I asked Paul what he does to relax. Eating popcorn with a lab named Libby who adores him, while watching F1 races, and expanding his general knowledge are some of his favourite relaxation activities.

He also has a passion for taking his Porsche on long winding country roads, exploring our island, and when he returns home, perfecting his palette as a home cook.

As Paul says” Porsche is a vehicle that gives the most back to the driver.” We can all agree that Paul Rossmo is a member who continues to give back to our community and beyond with his lifetime experience of Porsche. His legacy as President of VIRPCA is building daily.

“Porscheisavehicle thatgivesthemost backtothedriver”

Porsche #1 at the 1982 Porsche Parade in Reno Nevada

Photo By Paul Rossmo

Porsche Parade 2023

By Garth Webber Atkins

I attended Porsche Parade 2023 in Palm Springs near the end of June. For those of you who may not be familiar with Parade, it is an annual gathering of Porsche Club of America members from all across North America, including Hawaii and Alaska. During the week-long event, there are driving tours, an autocross, rallies, an art show, banquets and other social or tech events. It is a unique opportunity to meet members and their cars from across the continent, and have a lot of fun.

This was my second Porsche Parade, and I look forward to a few more. One of the members at the Concours banquet was there for his 57th Parade, and there were many 30 years plus Parade-goers. It is definitely worth checking out at least once, if you can. Maybe it will become an annual event for you too!

Phase 1 registration is open now for Porsche Parade 2024, June 9-15 in Alabama. Phase 2 opens Wednesday April 3 at 12:00 pm ET. There is a lot to know before you register for Phase 2, so check out the information and video on the Parade website

Top: Garth with PCA National President Aaron Ambrosino

Bottom: Zone 6 Table at Presidents Reception

Garth: John Sommerwerck, Zone 6 Representative; Vicki Pentecost, Silver Sage President, Greg Dino, Cascade Region President

Garth with Gunner Mench, President of the Big Island Hawaii Region, and his 944 with Pink Pig livery

In the

Concours VIR Members

Top: Ernie Yakimovicj’s Speedster

Bottom: Gary Glover’s Boxster

Top Left: Gary Glover sitting beside his grey Boxster

Top Right: VIR members Ernie and Paul

Bottom Left to Right: Garth, Zone 6 Rep John Sommerwerck, VIR members Shawn and Mark Titterton

By Garth Webber Atkins

A big Porsche event in 2023 was Rennsport Reunion 7, held Sep 28 – October 1 at WeatherTech Raceway, Laguna Seca near Monterey, California.

Scheduled to align with Porsche’s 75th anniversary, this event was the biggest ever, with Porsche from the decades on display and on the track. Event-goers can wander freely in the paddock, looking at the race cars, and the special display of “Icons of Porsche”, not to mention an impressive collection of Porsche tractors that also took to the track, in the hands of celebrity drivers used to something a little peppier.

The Porsche Club of America had it’s own marquee, where it hosted autograph sessions with and talks by legendary race drivers, and some of today’s accomplished who may be the legends of

tomorrow. It was a great spot to grab a seat for lunch, maybe with a bratwurst and beer, and listen to some entertaining stories.

VIR was well represented, as at least 15 cars that I know of, comprising 26 people made the trip down. There may have been a few others as well. The drive down was half the fun for Rowland and I. Several cars ran together for all or part of the way down, shifting in composition as cars left or joined to suit personal schedules. It wasn’t hard to spot other regions in motion as we encountered other pods of Porsches along the way.

Rennsport itself was a sensory feast. Along with the cars, which were all works of art in their own right, there was a marketplace with dozens of vendors selling all things Porsche or car-related, and even giving

some things away free. Race car-shaped tortilla chips anyone? Of course I shopped. The obligatory Rennsport T-shirt, and my favourite souvenir – a Corkscrew corkscrew! That goes in the glovebox for sure. Several vendors offered up food and drink, and of course there were the races, and the full-body sound of the engines.

For me, the best experience was driving the track courtesy of PCA who organized parade laps for members who wanted to participate. It was a thrill to drive the track I’d tried out on a simulator at Parade in June. I did my best not to hold up the GT4’s behind me. I’m certain that with a few more sim runs, they’d wonder where I went. In my 1986 944 Turbo. Okay, maybe not.

On the final day, 18 VIR members gathered for dinner at Tarpy’s Roadhouse Grill, not far from the track. It was great to catch up and share stories of the drive down, what we did at Rennsport, and what we were planning on doing next.

I had a lot of fun at Rennsport 7 and it was worth the trip. I would recommend it for anyone who hasn’t been, and urge anyone driving down to take advantage of the parade lap opportunity

Cars and Coffee gatherings are held weekly on Sunday morning at south island and mid-Island locations, and twice monthly on Saturday or Sunday morning at north Island locations. Check the website for times and locations.

South Island Photo by Wyman Lee

South Island Photos: Wyman Lee

Mid Island

Photos by Mark Dalton

Photos by Karen Bresler Mid-Island, Mid Winter -Parksville January 2024

North Island

Also joining that day members from Mid and North Island. One of the cars looked like it may have transported the Easter Bunny around town.

Sunny Easter Weekend in South Island with President and Past President.

BC Aviation MUSEUM

By Ron Dempsey Photos by Ron Dempsey

On March 6, 2024 I hosted a group of club members at the BC Aviation Museum near Victoria International Museum. The museum staff did a great job taking us through their fascinating collection of history from 1910 to the decades that followed.

Of particular note was the museum's recently acquired Avro Lancaster bomber from WW2. The nose is coming together, but it will take an estimated one million rivets to complete the job of bringing it back to being a complete aircraft again - a project expect to take many more years.

Photos : Wyman Lee

Ongoing Cars & CoffeeTimes

North Island Cars and Coffee is every 2nd Saturday in Campbell River at the Island Grind in Discovery Harbour Mall- 10am to 12.Cars and Coffee is also every 4th Sunday at Bean Around the World on Cliff Avenue in Courtenay. 10am to 12. On April 28th the SPRING STARTUP is in Courteney this year.

Mid Island Sundays 9:30 am, French Creek Pub, 1025 Lee Road, Parksville

South Island Sundays 9am, Whole Foods Market, 3587 Blanshard Street, Victoria

More upcoming events April June 2024

Please check the website as events are updated all the time. Some notable upcoming events are featured here so you can “Save the Date” We look forward to the cars, people and lively discussions!

Presidential Pop Up Event: The first one is in the planning stages to be held at the Chemainus Public Market in June. The Chemainus Classic Car Club has invited us to join them at their Cars and Coffee. Further details will be announced in the President’s monthly email.

WochenendEscape 2024 May 23–26th. This is our signature multi–region event. See details in this issue on page 34.

PIRELLI VIRPCA Zone 6 Rally May 23 at the same venue as WochenendEscape 2024.

Fast Food Events in South Island and Time to Dine Events in Mid-Island. You wont want to miss these. A wonderful way to get to know fellow members over a delicious meal. These events are usually sold out so check the website and sign up early.

April 28

Don’t forget to mark the date for Courtenay’s Spring Start up

Drives: May 5th is the Spring Fling Drive; June 15 for the Breakfast Drive

Photo by Wyman Lee

Photo by Garth Webber Atkins

For sale

Set of 4 rims and tires previously on my 2018 Macan which I've now sadly sold :(

Rims are from BBS and are pewter/blue/grey tinted (look sharp on a car!). Tires are P-Zero's 265/45R20 with TPMS valves fitted so all ready to go. Tires have only done 1.5 summers so about 5k kms.

I have original invoices if you want to see them - original cost was $9k.

I'm in Gibsons but willing to meet a serious buyer.

Contact Stephen on (604)760-1664 or sejpyne@gmail.com

For sale

Passionate 50 year Porsche devotee is liquidating years of Porsche memorabilia. Hundreds of marque books, Christophorus collection, quality 1/18 scale models, original factory issue brochures and photographs. Much of the collection is devoted to the 934/935 racing cars. The collection is extensive and deserves viewing.

Visitors welcome! John Clark email clev@shaw.ca or phone 250-339-4167.

Please show your support for these businesses by giving them the opportunity to serve you. Also mention that you saw their advert in Porscher so they know their money is well spent. The display of adverts does not constitute an endorsement of the company by VIR or PCA.

Submissions to Porscher Members are invited and encouraged to submit articles and photos that would be of interest to the Club. Photos in JPG or PNG formats. Articles should not exceed 1000 words. Longer articles will be considered on a case by case basis. If submitting photos, please send a caption describing the photo or the people depicted and please indicate the name of the photographer. Please send submissions via email to the Editor at: newsletter@virpca.org

Magazine Deadline The deadline for the next issue is the 21st of the month prior to the issue date. Porscher is issued April, July. October, and January.

Photo Credits: Wyman Lee, Paul Rossmo, Mark Dalton, Karen Bresler. Others are credited in articles. If we have omitted anyone, our apologies. Please advise us and we shall credit you next month.