Voice of Vancouver Island Volume 27 Issue 3, October 2024
Porsche Club of America
Motorsport Edition
President Paul Rossmo president@virpca.org
Vice President Ron Dempsey vicepresident@virpca.org
Secretary Kevin Root secretary@virpca.org
Treasurer A.J. Papp treasurer@virpca.org
Director North Island
Martin Jager northisland@virpca.org
Director—Mid Island
Mark Dalton midisland@virpca.org
Director South Island
Vacant TBA at AGM southisland@virpca.org
Webmaster Chair
Dave Nickel webmaster@virpca.org
Rally
Klaus Kreye rally@virpca.org
Database IT Chair
Steve Fairbrother steve.fairbrother@gmail.com
Insurance Chair James Renfrew porsche@jamesrenfrew.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
2024 has been a great year for our region. Terrific weather has been the perfect companion to all our events, both old favourites, along with exciting new events and venues. From scenic drives to sharing meals together, our gatherings have been a great success. The energy and enthusiasm shown by all of you all has been unforgettable.
One of my greatest pleasures is meeting some of the new members our club attracts. I often find we share not only a passion for Porsches, but an appreciation for many other pursuits. These meetings have been the source of many of my good friends and favourite people.
We recently held our New Member’s meeting, organized by Larissa Lawrence, our Membership Chair, with the help of Klaus Kreye our Rally Chair, who helped plan the route. Larissa’s idea was a fun-rally down scenic winding roads followed by a great lunch. Table 19 at Olympic View Golf Course set the scene for what new member’s can expect from their club. Great drives and great conversation.
New Members will always receive a warm welcome to events or Cars & Coffee throughout our region, please take the time to come out.
Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is just around the corner, and I’m pleased to report we are in a good position. Thanks to the generosity of members stepping forward and offering their time, our board for next year is shaping up to be secure and strong.
I’d also like to take a moment to highlight our magazine, which, under the editorship of Karen Bresler has taken on a new life. There are new features and fresh content to keep you entertained and in touch with club events. Our advertiser’s help support the club, let’s be sure we support them.
Looking ahead there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy your Porsche and connect with fellow members. Although many of you will choose to store your Porsche for the coming season, some of you will continue to enjoy driving our winding roads year round.
As we move into fall, let’s keep the momentum going. I look forward to seeing you at upcoming events.
Warm regards, Paul
president@virpca.org
Photo: Dean Gaschermann, taken at the drivers meeting of the New Members event in September
One of the joys of being editor of Porscher is that I meet with members and hear their Porsche story, and it is always exhilarating. A bonus for me is getting to know such wonderful people and make friends. The magazine is the window into your fellow members experiences and the activities and events of the club. There seems no end to the depth of talent, experience, passion, and love of Porsche and I hope you will all consider participating with me in the creation of future issues of the magazine. In this, our Motorsport Edition, I give you a small sample, in our feature article, of the variety of personalities who love the adrenalin rush.
Our Member Spotlight is on Klaus Kreye, our Rally Chair . He is the member who established rallying in VIRPCA and who works passionately to grow it. Klaus has a lifetime of very precise practical and academic experience and has mentored a number of new members in this fast growing motorsport. If you are even a bit curious about rallying, I highly recommend you give Klaus a call or email him at rally@virpca.org
As Fall is upon us, and the memory of hot sunny days is rapidly fading, its time for many of the cars to move indoors and if you are like Dan Bourlet, that is not a hardship with the garage floor that he has. Dan has provided an article on what is entailed in obtaining a garage floor fit for a Porsche. Its quite contagious and I find myself yearning for such a garage floor See page 42
PORSCHER is published quarterly, in the months of April, July, October and January
The Membership Report, In the Zone– Zone 6 and Regional Reports highlight the activity behind the scenes. Chronicles contains photos and stories from the past.
Road Trips, Cars & Coffee has all the details on what we have been doing in the Summer– whew have we been busy! We have members Classifieds, and Around The Bend highlights upcoming events. Save November 3, 2024 for the AGM. See page 83 for all the details. I hope to see you there.
Gallery, features Porsche related artwork; there are 911 Ways to Use Your Porsche; and many a pampered pet can be found in a Porsche, as evidenced in Porsche Pets.
I want to thank Dean Gaschermann for his dedication to the photography for the articles on Women in VIRPCA for this, and the January 2025 issue. I also want to thank our advertisers who support the magazine, including our members who advertise with us. Please let them know you enjoyed their advertisements and appreciate their support.
I welcome your Letters to the Editor, submissions and photographs to editor@virpca.org. The Porscher is the voice of the Vancouver Island Region of the PCA. I am here as your muse. Please join in the creation of this magazine.
Adrenalin Rush
By Karen Bresler
Within VIRPCA there lives and breathes, at times very rapidly, a group of Porsche enthusiasts who test the limits of the engineering perfection that is Porsche, and their own ability to push harder than before. A drive for speed, with adrenalin coursing through their veins, this group love to race, rally or autocross, open lap and some do it all.
Before Porsche became so popular it was often a preferred vehicle for racing and that continues to this day.
In recent years, rallying has become one of the fastest areas of growth. Participation in rallying in our club has doubled in recent years, with members of VIRPCA placing well in a recent rallies.
Auto Cross still has a seat at the speed table, with many members continuing to participate. High performance driving at Vancouver Island Motor Circuit and other venues continue to attract. Meet some of our motorsport members...
Photo credit as indicated
Photo submitted by Gregory Campbell
Paul Rossmo
submitted by Paul
Rossmo
President Paul Rossmo, who raced for 25 years, has owned around 30 Porsches, not counting the ones he bought and sold for business purposes, as well as 52 motorcycles. It is in his DNA to take the wheel with calm focus and a strong intent to win. Which he did, collecting a pile of trophies and ribbons. Extremely competitive by nature, Paul thrives in an environment where he can bring strategy and focus to bear in a vehicle which has always been his number one passion– Porsche.
He says he lived the Porsche story in that he was racing Porsche long before they became so well known and popular.
On his years of racing Paul says: “Its what I loved doing.”
Before I opened the dealership, I had a little garage that I rented and I prepped the cars myself for racing.” The dealership Paul is talking of is Weissach which he founded in Vancouver in 1980.
Paul raced at Westwood, Seattle, Portland, Mission, and Laguna Seca, California.
Photos
Above: Paul Rossmo with sister, Nicole.
Left: Paul’s 356 With a first place ribbon
Below: Paul on the Westwood track
In 2001 Paul was the BC Champion for the Westcoast Endurance Championship.
Asked what he did in the evenings of these racing weekends, Paul replies that they “Bench raced A bunch of guys talking about what they should have done better.”
What do you love about racing?
“Focusing on a result and seeing if we could achieve it. If you got beaten fair and square, then you did your best and you would find a way to get better.”
How did it all start?
“I would go to races as a kid. Some people like watching. I always wanted to do it. I started road racing at age 24. Before that I was auto crossing which was very popular in the 80’s and 90’s. You either raced cars or you did not. There were no opportunities to simply drive faster on a race track. There were Porsche Club events where they would
rent a race track and have an event under their rules.”
“In the early days I was racing a regular car. I contacted Bill Sainsbury who agreed to meet me. I asked if I could try to gain knowledge about sports racing by helping him. He said that would be fun so I washed parts, lent a hand and was feeding off his knowledge. I learned about dry sump systems and chassis set up.”
Paul stopped racing in 2001 when he sold Weissach.
88 Carrera at Mission
“ItswhatIlovedoing”
Photos submitted by Paul Rossmo
Gregory Campbell
“People who are attracted to racing tend to be very interesting and come from all walks of life. They have a passion for cars.” Says Gregory Campbell. The same could be said of him. With “necessitybeingthemotherofinvention”, Gregory built his first car, his first race car and subsequent cars with an extremely limited budget and the need to build it himself to bring it to life. This and a passionate relationship with adrenalin turned Gregory into a self sufficient racing team- driver and mechanic rolled into one for the past 35 years.
Gregory was exposed to racing at an early age by his father, Tony Campbell, a legendary Porsche racer. Gregory’s first car was a 356 from Salt Spring Island. It needed a lot of work and this marked the start of his passion for building Porsches back to life; doing the mechanical work and racing them.
He liked Porsches for their round art deco styling. “I had to decide between a 911 and a 356 at one point. Dad always wanted something better. But when I looked at the dash of a 356 and quality of the fittings, the 911 did not come close”
In 2007, Gregory bought a couple of other race cars including a 356 Speedster which was the 356th 356 produced.
Gregory is retired now and during his working years, races were close to home. Since retiring, he has raced further afield, including California and New Zealand. This thoughtful and humble retired mechanical engineer has a wife, two children and five grandchildren With a beautiful home on Salt Spring Island, many windows of his immaculate workshop look out at the ocean. A place where cars are brought to life and live into their potential around the track, if the mechanic and driver agree.
Gregory Campbell in his Elva Porsche. Photo submitted by Gregory Campbell
What drew you to racing?
Gregory explains there are three things you need to be a racer, apart from loving adrenalin rushes. They are:
The thrill of driving, a typically Type A personality trait;
A social personality for the social side of the sport;
A practical hands-on person, to be able to build things and modify constantly.
Gregory did not perfect his racing skill without crashing. Six times things did not go as planned. One of the accidents at Mission left Gregory with both ankles and wrists broken, causing Gregory some issues to this day. Asked what may go through a driver’s mind as he crashes, Gregory asks; “In the period of trying to save it? I think OMG this is going to be a lot to fix!”
A passion for Porsche
As with a lot of Porsche and other car enthusiasts, Gregory attributes his passion for cars as originating with dinky cars. The coolest cars for his father were Porsche so he started early in his love of Porsche. He always liked one of his Dad’s Porsche trophies of a dinky car and this fuelled his own passion as he grew older.
Photo by Karen Bresler
Above: Photo submitted
Gregory focuses on vintage racing which for him is in cars that are 50 years old. He says “Racing takes a long time to be really good. It is not something you learn from driving on the street. It is continual learning.”
He often races against what he calls “Arrive and Drive” guys—guys who have a professional prep the car for racing. They spend money. He arrives at the race track and he is both mechanic and driver. Having learned at an early age how to prepare a car with a small, almost non-existent, budget, Gregory is proud of this skill combination. When he travels back home after a race, he thinks about what adjustments he has to make to improve the car’s racing performance for the driver. He says he has had some animated discussions after a race with his “mechanic” when he takes off his driver helmet.
Humbling experiences
Gregory says he has had a few humbling experiences. “Rennsport is the nth degree if you are a Porsche driver. I have some serious competition there!” He has raced there in the last three years. Obtaining second place; winning the next year and losing that spot the following year to take second place to a pro Indy 500 driver who Gregory says was “better than me.” “I was first last time so it was humbling. I didn’t do as well, and I was disappointed in myself”. This was another time that the mechanic and driver had serious discussions on the way back home.
At a different event, racing in the Elva Porsche, Gunnar Jeannette was driving an identical car. “I’m thinking I’m doing pretty good and he is three or four seconds better than me in the same car!.” This is where the continual learning curve comes in. “I collect data. I would look at the video and see what Gunnar Jeannette did better than me” Gregory says.
aspects like the mechanical expertise, hard won initially, from making do with what he could craft on a very small budget. Although his budget is larger now, he still takes immense pride in being the mechanic and being able to make modifications. It’s a very social sport as well. Participants are often camped at the race track and sit around “bullshitting about cars”.
He has a passion for vintage car racing and he says winning or not winning often depends on what group you are put in. He has been assigned a group where he wins easily and has asked to be bumped into a faster group, which could mean losing. Gregory indicated that if there is a reasonably close race to the finish, he may let the second car past.
“Its not just about doing the racing. You have to make yourself want to be faster.” It’s a trying to continually do better. Now that he is trying rallying,
Gregory finds himself at the bottom of the learning curve in rallying, which says is fun because of the continuous learning.
Advice to get started?
Despite Gregory’s intense focus on getting the mechanical side perfect as well as perfecting the driving, and the fact that he has a stellar record winning, he says its not all about winning. “Winning feels good but it is not all about winning” There are other
In terms of advice to anyone wanting to get involved in racing, Gregory says “we would love to see more people start doing it. In the early days it was low key. It is intimidating now as it looks expensive and
Photo: Karen Bresler
people say “wow you need to do all of that for vintage racing?” Gregory says you don’t. His advice: “Start small.” This, he says, can be true of rallying as well. “You can say: how can I ever get there? but you have to have faith and perseverance.”
Gregory was about 35 years old before he bought a “modern car”. What does he see as a difference between racing modern cars and vintage cars? “They are more generic. I want my car to be an image of me, my work of art. It’s a pride thing. A new car isn’t going to do that because you cant do better than Porsche. None of my cars are stock. That’s a big part of the passion for me. I like to build hot-rods.”
“Silverstone is also on my bucket list. It’s a safe course which is important to me since my accident, but you continue racing because you like it. It’s the adrenalin.”
“The Peking to Paris rally- I am building a 1957 Karmann Ghia for that.”
“I want to do a month long rally in South America for the car adventure”
VIRPCA enjoyed a tour of Gregory’s garage and workshop in June as part of a Salt Spring Island garage tour and the photos by Marc Klijnsmit can be viewed on the Facebook group site. Gregory says he enjoys giving shop tours and would welcome more.
What's next?
“I would love to do Goodwood but I need to be somebody and have a cool car. I have a cool car...”
At the time of publishing, Gregory had taken part in a few more rallies. He took second place in the Fall TSD Rally proving he is moving up the Rally learning curve rapidly.
Photo submitted by Gregory Campbell
Photo: above and right: Karen Bresler
Photos submitted by Gregory Campbell
Lynn Duplessis
One almost needs to put on a helmet to sit with Lynn Duplessis as she chats about her racing experience. She is fast, and focused on being faster. Not afraid to push the barriers, whether real, psychological or socially imposed at times, Lynn is often the one to beat around the track.
Below is a summary of Lynn’s stats and time which she supplied to us for this article, together with some photos of her in various racing environments.
Right: Photo: Dean Gaschermann
Stats and times
“I started doing motorsports in 2013 after I got my 911 Turbo. I attended a Porsche Sport Driving School in Birmingham, Alabama in 2013. In 2015, I booked a driving school at Ron Fellows Performance School at Spring Mountain, in Nevada. This was driving Corvettes…completely different handling than Porsches
Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit VIMC, 2.3 kms, 19 turns, 85 m elevation change Initial track record set by professional driver Max Papis 1 minute 24 .8 seconds
Lynn Personal best 2023 1 minute 18.3 seconds, top speed 186 km/hr Driving 2023 GT4 RS, 493 HP, factory Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.
Lynn Personal best 2016-2017, 1 minute
19.0 seconds, top speed 181 km/hr Driving 2016 GT4, 383 HP, manual transmission, Hoosier slicks. (Long-standing track record for manual transmission street car)
Area 27
4.83 km, 16 turns, top speed 235 km/hr 2019 Personal best 2:16.3 Driving 2016 GT4, Hoosier slicks, manual transmission.
Photo submitted
Stats and times cont.
Nürburgring Germany
Nordschliefe Track, 73 turns, 20.832 km, 300 m elevation change
2017 Best time after 2 full days on track - 8 minutes 18 seconds. Set target time to beat at 8:30. Top speed 265 km/hr. Driving rental 2017 GT3.
Nürburgring Germany with Grand Prix Circuit, 25.947 km, 88 turns
2018 Target time 10:10, best time 10:08. Top speed 265 km/hr.
Driving rental 2018 GT3.
Circuit de SPA-Francorchamps, Belgium
Track length 7.003 km, 19 turns 2018, top speed 260 km/hr, 2:14 lap time, Driving rental 2018 GT3.
Autodromo Internacional do Algarve Portimão, Portugal
4.653 km, 15 turns 2019, top speed245 km/hr, rained out. Driving rental 2019 GT3.
Currently owns 2020 GT4 Manual and 2023 GT4 RS with PDK.”
Editors note: Lynn Duplessis full story of her journey will be featured in the January issue of Porscher, subtitled the PorscHER issue, where we will be featuring the women of VIRPCA.
Photo submitted: credit Porsche Track Experience
Photo submitted: Credit Porsche Track Experience
Lynn with fellow member Imogen Burr at Bob Drew’s birthday party held at VIMC
Photo: Rob Drew
Imogen Burr
“I have always loved cars. In 2006 Time Magazine had an ad for all different kinds of Porsche and I drew a circle with a red pen around the Cayman”
The force of energy that is Imogen Burr took delivery of her Cayman in 2013. It is named Lady Bird.
When Dana Rhodes delivered her Porsche to her, Imogen says, although not given to tears, she cried on seeing it for the first time. Within 24 hours she was pulled over for speeding. Imogen says simply: “he let me go…”
at Western Speedway at the time”
“At Black Rock for the first time I was out there in my Porsche. Someone stated to my male friend “You let your girlfriend drive your Porsche a lot”. The answer came back fast that it was her Porsche and “if she heard you say that….”
“Ten years ago there were not many women in VIRPCA with a Porsche.”
“I really got into Auto Cross. There were no women
Imogen says the instructors at Black Rock were really good with her. She says Steve Cropper told her to trust the car”. I would go around the corners and could see the wheels going different ways and once I learned what the car could do, my times improved. I had never driven anything something so powerful. The braking system reminded me of a bird of prey coming in fast and then at a stop”
Imogen felt the best Autocross was Black Rock. To prepare she would study the map the night before, visualize it, pack water and some protein.
The lust for this vehicle expanded my whole life.”
Editors note: Imogen Burr’s full story of her journey will be featured in the January issue of Porscher, subtitled the PorscHER issue, where we will be featuring the women of VIRPCA.
Linnea Uphoff
Linnea Uphoff’s 944 has a special history and story. Bought by her father in 1967, this Porsche has only had had one family own it, and at some point in Linnea’s childhood it was determined that one day it would be hers. Fast forward a few years and “I decided I would start using it, so I joined the Porsche Club.”
Linnea says “I am not exactly a speed demon. My driving instructor worried about me failing for going too slowly. I only learned to drive manual because I knew I was getting the Porsche. I’d be driving very slowly to avoid changing gears”.
Linnea’s trajectory into the rally culture in the club was expedited when she met Rally Chair, Klaus Kreye at the AGM. “Its Klaus’s fault that I got into rallying.” Linnea says, offering further that Klaus “is
a friendly, approachable guy and he made rallying seem less intimidating”. Detlef Ehrhardt, then South Island Director, had been assisting Linnea to get to know everyone at Cars & Coffee. She was invited to attend the AGM and she landed up sitting at Klaus’s table. He asked her if she had heard about rallying and sent her information on the Rally Association of Vancouver Island’s (RAVI) first TSD rally. Linnea’s father agreed to be navigator for her. “I was frantically doing the calculations, went through the route book and went through the whole route on google maps. I was so prepared” Due to some technical challenges in this first RAVI rally, Linnea’s car was missed at checkpoints but it didn't matter as she had fun.
In the VIRPCA –Pirelli Rally held during Wochenend Escape 2024, Linnea placed fourth, with her friend Zoe, as navigator.
Above: Photo by Dean Gaschermann
Photo submitted
Photo submitted
Since then Linnea has also taken on a navigator role, with Klaus Kreye and fellow member Trace Hart. A recent rally with Klaus in his rally 944 left them somewhat in the grass. It didn't stop her though. A new vehicle was purchased and decals applied and they continued in the rally. At least for a while longer, but that is another story. Linnea recently placed third with Trace and is looking forward to participating in a couple more rallies before years end.
Editors note: At time of publishing, Linnea navigated for Klaus Kreye in the Fall TSD rally and the team placed first.
Linnea Uphoff’s full story with her Porsche will be featured in the January issue of Porscher, subtitled the PorscHER issue, where we will be featuring the women of VIRPCA.
Above: Photo: Karen Bresler
Right and Below: Emergency replacement rally car and below, same car given a badge of honour by the photographer of both photos: Larissa Lawrence.
Larissa Lawrence
“My car story is about racing. I liked hot wheel cars more than Barbie dolls”. Larissa says opening our interview. She goes on to say that she has always had a tomboy streak with a healthy side of femininity.
“When I was 16, I wanted to get my motorcycle licence” However the practical side of Larissa kicked in and she noticed that “there was not enough space for a passenger and all your stuff and you would get helmet hair”
After Larissa’s first son was born she got her motorcycle licence. It was a dual purpose bike as “off-roading is where you develop skill” says Larissa. By the time Larissa’s second son was born, her then husband had gifted her motor cycle lessons.
Going back a few years though, Larissa learned to drive standard on a Porsche when she was 17. Her sister was dating a man who drove a Porsche and he taught her how to drive standard, much to her sisters disgust at the time. “I understood how precise the shifting, suspension and handling was. You develop a confidence in how precise the engineering is. ” By age 20 Larissa was crewing for an auto racing team. That was where she got to see a Porsche on track for the first time. “ I thought it sounded great”
Photo: Karen Bresler
She says she met her husband while crewing for the auto racing team. In particular they noticed each other during a 24 hour race when everyone had been awake an average of 36 hours. For the 24 hour races you need lots of crew because you rotate through. “During the race and in 3am drizzle, you figure out if you like someone or not”. That was a marriage which lasted 27 years and the couple had two wonderful children now doing amazing things in the world. Both boys were on motorcycles by age 5. Training wheels on their bicycles was not an option.
The driver Larissa was crewing for was in the touring class at first. One of their races was in the race before a F1 race in Montreal in an Acura Integra. She crewed for two years. “I have always loved cars. My favourite memory is me standing on a step stool next to my dad peering into an engine.”
Asked about her feisty spirit, Larissa says it comes from having three older sisters. “You learn to stand up for yourself or you get runover”.
Pitching in fast and in her usual dynamic way, Larissa joined the Executive as the membership chair.
Editors note: Larissa Lawrence’s full story with her Porsche will be featured in the January issue of Porscher, subtitled the PorscHER issue, where we will be featuring the women of VIRPCA.
Larissa’s Porsche, a white Boxster, named Luna, was purchased in Vancouver when the family were still living in Ontario. It made the road trip to Ontario and came back again when they moved to the Island. Larissa joined the Porsche Club at the instigation of her sister and because she “wanted a tribe…”
Photo submitted by Larissa Lawrence
Photo credits: Below: Larissa Lawrence. Luna’s trip across country Right: top and middle: Photo: Karen Bresler
Garth Webber Atkins and her husband Rowland Atkins are a power team in the rallying world. They don’t describe themselves that way, however listening to them talk about their rallying experience brings the quote by John C. Maxwell to mind “Teamwork makes the dreamwork”
Garth, our Past President, is accustomed to leadership roles but says that when she is driving her 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo in a rally she does exactly what Roland tells her to do. Laughing, she adds that this is confined to rallying.
Garth WebBer Atkins and Rowland Atkins
Photo submitted
Roland starts the interview off looking at Garth: “ you can lead off Love. You are the impetus of why we got involved in rallying”.
Garth takes over explaining that they attended their first ever Porsche Parade in 2017. It was in Spokane, Washington and with a car that was around 31 years old at that time, they did not want to travel too far. “There was a rally and I thought it would be fun and I talked with Rowland.”
place where Rowland was understanding of what worked best for me, if he could do it, and I came to an understanding that he had a lot of work to do. I am in it for fun and if we place, great.”
“Teamwork is the dreamwork”
John C. Maxwell
Rowland: “My father rallied competitively in England with the Royal Automobile Club. I knew what it entailed. We were not expecting anything as our odometer was not working, the speedometer was in kilometers and all we had to go on was time. Our results speak for themselves.” In that first rally, Garth and Rowland came in 98th out of all 118 entrants at Parade, being 17th out of 23 entrants in their class.
“Garth was driving and I was navigator. I had done some rallies with my father who was a navigator. We came out laughing. Garth drove fine and was able to follow my direction and we had fun and got along together.”
Garth: “For me it was easy–you follow the navigator structions. Rowland had a lot of work to do.
Rowland: “Klaus had joined as Rally Master and there was an introductory rally where they were timing to the nearest minute. They found too many people did really well by the minute so then they went to seconds.” Recollection is that they finished second in that rally.
What works for us
Garth: What works for us is that we haven't really had any meltdowns. There was some slight raise in volume when I needed a bit more notice. We got to a
Rowland: “It is not really difficult. Its about following the instructions. We go in it for fun and with a positive attitude and we do well.” Rowland stresses that it is about following the rally book as close as possible.
“If you make a wrong turn, don’t panic. If you gain time, don’t panic. If you lose time, don’t panic. Don’t panic, keep going”.
We don’t enter it to be competitive. We work well together for the experience of driving”.
Garth: I had heard lots of stories about Rowland’s Dad and his friend Glynn and their division of labour. There was no second guessing.”
During a rally in England that ran through the night, Rowland’s Dad as navigator, gave an instruction to the driver. The driver asked: “Are you sure?” The answer came back: Turn right to the canyon. Turn left to go home. That became a standing joke for years. This was what Garth and Rowland had for context.
Photo: Wyman Lee
The team’s results in the equipped class, with very little in the way of technology, have been impressive. In the Fall of 2021 they were top of the podium with a first place win. This was to be repeated in the WochenedEscape weekend. Garth explains that she wanted to have a go at navigating. Because she does not have the same TSD experience and because it was part of a weekend event, she did not see herself with a laptop and an excel spreadsheet, so they entered the “Seat of Pants Class” where you can just come as you are without any equipment or preparation. Rowland said it was really fun just to drive and have Garth telling him when to turn. Being non competitive, with an intention to have fun had the couple secure first place as they calmly went from checkpoint to checkpoint managing their speed and time over the distance.
Advice to couples wanting to try rallying
Garth: “I would encourage people to go into Seat of Pants class and you are going to have fun and a nice lunch at the end.”
Rowland: “ You can decide if you like it and how you work as a team. You can switch and see what works best in the two roles. If you go into it with the idea of having fun, you can step up to the prepared class” Garth adds that they “can divide up the elements with however it works for them.”
time. You are having a day together.”
Garth: I am adventurous and I love the countryside of Vancouver Island. There are a lot of different roads and you don’t know where you will land up.”
Rowland offers that it seems intimidating at first. You are given a book of instructions. He likens it to a satellite navigation system but instead of the system making the call, it’s the person sitting next to you and you can have lunch with them afterwards. Rowland says its basically arriving at a certain point in space or a place at a certain time. If you are early or late, you get demerit points. And, you can drive at the speed limit. Garth adds that “when you are starting out, it helps to be on the same page about why you are there and whether you are competitive or just there for fun.”
“If you make a wrong turn, don’t panic. If you gain time, don’t panic. If you lose time, don’t panic.
Both say if you want to continue to have a rally partner, be nice. Their motto is following the Dr. Henry slogan from Covid: Be kind, Be calm, Be safe.
Rowland: People will work out how best they work as a team. There is no point in getting angry with your team member. You are in it together. You have to drive your own event. You can’t be bothered with anyone else’s event. You have to be confident and say I think they are wrong and drive your own event. If someone passes you, don’t panic. They may be early and if you are following the procedure you are likely on
Rowland finishes our interview stating that he is the envy of his car club friends because his wife is “ a petrol head!”.
Above: May 2024 VIRPCA-Pirelli Rally at WochenedEscpe: Rowland and Garth, holding their first place trophies, awarded to them by Rally Master Klaus Kreye.
Photo Credit: Wyman Lee
One of our new members, Trace Hart has joined VIRPCA with an abundance of energy. Her 2019 911 Carrera T Porsche, decorated with racing and rallying decals is instantly recognizable. Often travelling up and down Island Highway between Qualicum Beach and Victoria, Trace has firmly established herself as an active club member at events and as an avid rallyist.
It all started in July of 2023 where Trace enjoyed a “Taste of the Circuit”. She tried out all the cars. She went on to buy a AMG A35 Hothatch. She says; “They have some pep and I outgrew it in six months.” This and her Landrover Defender were traded in for her Porsche as “I needed better brakes and more power”.
Her first contact with the club was with our Membership Chair, Larissa at the VIMC race day for ladies. “She talked me into rally driving!”
Her first rally was the RAVI Rally early Spring. Trace’s 20 year old son was her navigator.
“When I was younger, I did not think I could do this. When I got into motorsport, it gave me the confidence I have always sought. There was this magical chemical reaction knowing I was a good driver and I could do it.”
“I have no mechanical knowledge. I ask a lot of questions and both my husband and I do a lot of reading.”
The next rally was the VIRPCA-Pirelli Rally as part of the WochenendEscape 2024 weekend. She says of Rally Master, Klaus Kreye: “I told him he as created a monster in Linnea and I. Klaus is a very good mentor. He would love to see a female rally team”. Trace is referring to Linnea Uphoff who has also taken to rallying under Klaus’s mentorship. Linnea was navigator for Trace in a few rallies and proved herself to be formidable in her preparation. Trace says “Linnea prepped ahead of time, with an excel spreadsheet and notes in the rally book”.
Nicknamed “Racey Tracey” , Trace talks about how she is working on improving her personal best at the open lapping days at the circuit. She says you are racing against yourself. She has “slowly improved” she says , with a track average of 1:22 .
She has participated in Autocross and that is usually in the Spring or Fall. “They try to keep it reasonable so that newcomers can join in.”
Photo: Dean Gaschermann
“Motorsport has given me a new lease on life. I am just showing up. That is half the battle. Things happen and I am getting good at it . It’s the adrenalin rush– I now embrace it. It flushes the systems and wakes you up.”
She says of her car which she names “Sexy Beast” that “it gets me across the finish line faster than the other guys. She makes purdy sounds. The more I drive her the more I love her. My car has the most comfortable seats.”
With a top speed of 330 Km, Trace has had her at 190Km. She was stopped by police once. He gave her “a performance award because he told me he had to do 180 k to catch up with me. He let me off…”
Trace encourages other women to come out and try motorsport. She says there is a “whole “women in motorsport” thing happening now. She reiterates that showing up is half the battle.
Editors note: Trace Hart’s full story of her journey will be featured in the January issue of Porscher, subtitled the PorscHER issue, where we will be featuring the women of VIRPCA.
Trace with Linnea Uphoff as navigator after placing second.
Photo submitted
Below Right and Bottom: Photos: Karen Bresler
Klaus Kreye, Rally Chair
By Karen Bresler
Klaus Kreye, Rally Chair and Rally Master is considered the founder of rallying in VIRPCA. He talks of not knowing yet what the magic ingredient is with the growth of rallying. You are looking right at it. Meet Klaus Kreye, our Rally Chair on the Executive and Rally Master at the VIRPCA rally events. The magical component of rallying in VIRPCA.
Klaus was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. His father worked at Bosch and had all the Bosch factory manuals. Klaus studied them all. He says of his upbringing that it was very practical. He ‘apprenticed” at a very young age working with his father on weekends who facilitated further training in welding and other skillsets.
He also had an early start driving vehicles, starting with cars at age 12 and motorcycles at age 14. At one point he had a friend who was illegally driving at age 16 who claimed he did not bother to lock the car because he said it could not be hotwired. Well wrong thing to tell Klaus, who had studied ignition systems and wiring diagrams for fun. He went home and then came back to his friend’s vehicle and hot wired it. Legend has it that his friend started locking the vehicle thereafter.
“Dad had a BMW. After having a number of Hondas, I expressed a desire to have a BMW. We went out and got one and then he took away the keys.” When Klaus was driving and fixing cars with his father, they always knew exactly what they were doing.
Klaus’s first Porsche was a 924 Turbo which he bought from an ex-girlfriend. It was a “basket case and I had to tow it home”. He had lots of motorcycles. It was a natural thing for a technically minded teenage boy. “Dad had one. He spoke about it. I took to it At university, parking cost a lot and in your first year, you could not get parking anyway, so a motorcycle ”was my transport.”
Photos by Larissa Lawrence unless specified otherwise
Photo by Dean Gaschernann
Klaus studied electrical engineering at the University of Cape Town. This was a decision made two weeks before the entrance date closed. Klaus says “I was pre-destined”. Not one to buy LP records like his age group, Klaus focused on honing his knowledge on all things mechanical, electrical and more. While at university, the motorcycle club became “ a big thing”. Klaus spent five years “fun” racing motorcycles which he refers to as “Gentlemen’s racing” He did not enter any national championships or have state of the art equipment either. When he entered his first race, Klaus entered his name as A.N. Other so that his father would not realize he was racing. Although his mother enjoyed being able to send him around on his motor cycle to do errands for her, she never could believe that it was safe to race. Klaus recounts that he never had an accident while racing.
It is very clear on entering Klaus’s house that he values his family origins strongly. In the entrance he has a photo he had enlarged of his father on a BMW R4 in Germany in the mid–thirties. The bike parked below the photograph is not his father’s bike but it is a R4 exactly like the one his father drove.
Continuing along that passage, you encounter a motor cycle collection defying description.
Klaus advises that he has collector multiplate insurance which is one licence plate for more that four motorcycles and has to be part of a collection. Klaus joined a motorcycle club and is currently the President. He purchased a silver 911, and when he joined VIRPCA he was not very active initially. He slowly started attending events and meetings. That all changed one day...
Above: View of one section of the motorcycle collection
Trophies and awards, and a dinky toy collection decorate the house.
Right: In 2019 Klaus received the President’s Award for service to VIRPCA
Below: Klaus looks out into the nature which surrounds his home.
Birth of the VIRPCA Rally Chair
One of the previous presidents, John McGurran, called a meeting to determine what we should be doing in terms of competitive events. “We were at a crossroads. With Western Speedway closing down we had lost our facility. There were approximately 20 people around the table.”
“I took some rally books along. I had known about a certain rally and it took me ten years before I could do it. I said if you want to do TSD (Time Distance Speed) Rallying, I’ll do it. John was very supportive”
ALCAN 5000 was Klaus’s first event and it was Seattle to Anchorage. In 2012 and 2016 there were two Porsches. He is currently practising for the Coast to Coast.
The Growth of Rallying
Rallying is growing but Klaus says it has been slow. He would like to see two things:
1. Better participation
“I think people are missing out. The Rally Associations see the smaller rallies as training ground for the Two Day Rally. The latter become more interesting and you drive at night. Its not the kind of sport where you can jump in at the deep end as you will sink. Participation in the local same day rallies will prepare you to rally.”
Klaus says of his preparation: “I prepped. I read the book. After the event, my friend and I said “WTF happened?” We came out badly. We said we better pull up our socks and everyday we got better. At the end of the event we were second in class. Not everyone
is as stubborn and persistent as us. Therefore Klaus offers Zoom calls to train would be rallyists. He says “Talk to me, I’ll get you going. I will train you enough so that you will get through your first event and you wont be completely lost.”
The Coast to Coast Rally has a class for novices for people with less than three rallies experience.
2. Getting over the fear of failure
“If you try you might fail but you will learn from it and you will get better.”
“I come from an 80/20 approach which is unusual for an engineer. I got that through work. People want their electricity. If you live in a utilitarian environment, you have to get things done. You can’t wait. You have to make a decision.”
Klaus has done a lot to make learning about rallying more accessible to the average person.
A number of women in the club have taken other skills and transferred them to rallying. Greg Campbell has also come along and joined in although he still races.
So what are the perceived barriers to participating?
There are misconceptions around rallies. One is “I need equipment. Another is I need to know a lot. There is also bad PR about spouses fighting. Also, I’ll need to spend weeks preparing”
Klaus says he feels some people may also be intimidated by people who have dedicated rally cars and they think that they will need that.
“People need advice and coaching”
“People need advice and coaching” Klaus offers this and he also makes mention of the growing community and the fun they have sharing stories after the rally around a table.” As with other events held by VIRPCA, there is community and diversity and all are welcome to participate. Klaus has reeled in one person at a time and he wants YOU to come talk to him.
Above Right : Klaus between his 911 and 356
Below: Klaus in front of his rally car on a trailer.
By Klaus Kreye, Rally Chair
Rally Roundup
Let me start by correcting the report from the WochenEnde TSD Rally:
The Equipped results should have shown Car #1 in Third position with Irene and Didier Brard. My apologies.
The rally scene is traditionally quiet over summer. The No Alibi TSD was run in Oregon during early June. The Team of Gregory Campbell & Bill Sargent entered as did our Rally Masters of Glyn Trafford & Bart Vogelzang. A small event with only 11 cars.
During August RAVI ran their second TSD on this island - this time in and around the Western Communities. A total of 23 cars entered this event of which three teams were from VIR, and they finished well:
2nd Trace Hart and Linnea Uphoff
3rd John Plow and Gregory Campbell 4th Klaus Kreye and Detlef Ehrhardt
At the time of writing we are poised to run the VIR Fall TSD and then there are three more rallies: 11/12/13 Oct Coast to Coast (on Vancouver Island) 2 Nov Third of the RAVI one-day TSD rallies 22/23/24 Nov Totem Rally (BC Interior)
I know Gregory and myself will want to run all of the remaining events - does anyone want to join us?
As usual, please drop me a note for more info - rally@virpca.org
Regards Klaus
Editor’s note: This photo was taken by Dean Gaschermann at the VIR Fall TSD rally on the weekend after Klaus had submitted his Rally report. Klaus is pictured here with Linnea Uphoff who was his navigator. They went on to take first place. Dean , who also participated in the rally captioned his photo as “Staring down the competition”
by Dean Gaschermann
Photos
First place in the Fall TSD Rally SOP Class went to Garth Webber Atkins and Rowland Atkins. (Above)
In the Equipped Class, the final teams (driver/navigator) score was
First: 163 points Klaus Kreye/Linnea Uphoff; Second: 191 points Gregory Campbell/Mathias Kenton; Third: 471 points Martin Wilson/Andrew Rutkiewicz
Photos by Dean Gaschermann
A Garage Floor Upgrade
By Dan Bourlet
Dan Bourlet
Well before I start, this is a long overdue article for our Porscher magazine. I promised this article to Steve Fairbrother six years ago. Oops. The good news is I can include updated pictures to show how well the product has stood up to use and time.
Garage King has offered Flooring Package’s as auction items, to VIRPCA for our past Black Rock Charity events. They have also supported our VIRPCA Porscher magazine by advertising many times in the past.
The photo above shows the end product in 2018.
For anyone interested in upgrading or finishing off a garage floor, basement floor or patio, please call Steve Hall at Garage King for ideas.
Photos submitted by
The two step process takes approximately two days, one day to prep the existing concrete floor and another day to adhere the new floor product. The installed flooring product is layered coats of vinyl flakes and layered coats of industrial grade Top Coats. Technical term: Polyaspartic & Epoxy Flooring Coating.
I have no flaking or chipping after six years of everyday use. I am sure it could use more washings, however a simple hose down with bio-degradable soap and mop, or simple mop and bucket, and it shines like new.
Oh yes the time consuming part of this project is to clear out all items on the garage floor, before anyone can start. That took me a day.
Step #1 Garage Floor and Apron Preparation,
Garage King use heavy duty industrial machinery; their concrete floor grinder is attached to a filtered particle and dust catching system. It only took them five to six hours to strip off my old panted on concrete flooring finishing (complete with brother in-law skid marks) down to an acceptable finish for step # two. For the team no doubt the floor prepping is the hardest and dirtiest part of the project but by the end of day one that floor looked like it had just been poured.
There is a large selection of vinyl flakes with a larger
selection of colours to choose from. They will even incorporate decals or logos into the finished product. You have a lot of choices on how you want the end project to look.
My choice was to have a black shiny floor finishing with Guards Red Porsche name badge between two smaller Porsche logos, with one large Porsche logo in the very middle of the garage. I also added some Tread plate in Guards Red, 16 inches up the back wall.
Step #2 Application Vinyl Flakes and Top Coats.
The second day was very interesting; I often wondered how do you apply epoxy to a floor while walking on it without getting your feet or shoes stuck to the new floor.
The next steps were to apply several coats of adhesive top coat and vinyl flakes with drying time in between layers. The choice and thickness of your finished floor appearance depends on the number of flake and top coat layers they need to apply. Going with a black vinyl flakes finish meant four or five applications to get the black reflective finish.
The answer to my quandary about stuck men to my new floor is that they all don a pair of old metal style spike golf shoes, after applying the industrial grade Top Coat and while applying the vinyl flakes. It also appeared to me that having farming experience of feeding or spreading chicken feed comes in very handy. When applying you toss a hand full of the vinyl flakes however, it needs to result in an even layer without bunching or having a blob of flakes. Not an easy task as the floor is covered in very sticky drying epoxy.
I am very happy with the installation and product even six years later. Steve Hall and his technicians are very professional and very experienced.
There are many choices of vinyl flakes, colour schemes and even pricing options. Above and Below: A couple pictures of the finished floor.
Steve Hall can be contacted at Garage Kings https://garagekings.com/location/ victoria/ 250 883 9254
Larissa Lawrence, Membership Chair
It’s been an amazing summer with memorable adventures and I’m hoping you had a chance to participate. This quarter has been a whirlwind of activity and new connections! Our members have embraced many opportunities to come together.
Some Highlights:
There were many events during the summer - some cruised through the stunning scenery at the Pacific MarineCircleDrive , others enjoyed tasty treats and terrific company at our Fast.Food.evenings. Some put their four-wheels on a ferry and exploredSaltSpringIslandwhile others parked their pretties at the dock and welcomed fellow Porschephile who’d taken part on the PCATreffen-atSea This quarter ended with the New Member Social, and another Rally.
What Revved My Engine:
The ever-popular Fast.Food.evenings continued to be a hit. The variety of locations, styles, and types of restaurants continue to provide satisfying gatherings which often feel like an extension of a family meal one that grows a little larger every time. These nights have become a go-to for both long-time members and newcomers looking to connect in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
The PacificMarineCircleDrivecontinues to be a classic. With the sun shimmering on the water, members took to the scenic coastal route, winding roads (sometimes a tad bumpy) while soaking in the views. Midway through the drive a waterfront lunch was had, and conversations flowed as freely as the laughter. It was a reminder of how beautiful BC truly is and how lucky we are to share these experiences together. We celebrated a year of new joins, with the New Membership Social in September. Both long-time and new members came together to enjoy this event which brought an exciting mix of fresh faces to this non-technical fun focusedTreasureHuntRally . Teams explored winding roads with breathtaking views, solving clues, and uncovering the hidden gems Metchosin and Sooke have to offer. At the end, we gathered for a lively lunch. There was no shortage of stories, laughter, and camaraderie a perfect way to set the tone for our newest members' journey with us.
Building Bonds, One Event (or winding road) at a Time
These activities reflect who we are as a community: adventurous, welcoming, and a little bit competitive in the best way possible! The spirit of fun and inclusion is what truly defines our membership, and that’s why every gathering has something to offer for everyone. While the formal numbers show growth, it’s these shared experiences that keep us moving forward and bring members back time and again.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the next quarter, we’re looking to build on this energy. Keep an eye out for new social experiences and I encourage you to get involved. This is a club where you’ll get out what you put in. Our members are engaging, exciting, and looking forward to seeing you at the next event!
Varoom!
Larissa
The New Members event was organized by Membership Chair, Larissa Lawrence and she was assisted by Rally Master, Klaus Kreye with the rally route. Photo: Dean Gaschermann
The clues were cryptic . The Crazy Cookie House was a popular stop.. The owners had baked hot wheel cookies which were very popular Photo: Larissa Lawrence
Tony Vasile and Josée Charbonneau won the Creative Photo contest run by Porscher. Left: it showcased one of the landmarks, with Porsche participants in the background. The prize (below) was a gift basket donated by Quality Foods, Royall Bay, the starting point of the Treasure Hunt.
All the entries were creative and it was a hard choice for the three judge panel. Porscher thanks you for your submissions. Here are a few more entries:
Above: Submitted by Rob and Cynthia Attwell
Right: Submitted by Trace Hart
Right: Dean Gaschermann took this photo in front of a clue.
Left: Detleff and Trace proved to be very creative.
Right: The Membership Chair, Larissa Lawrence, while managing the treasure hind, captured this photo of the Cookie Monster eating a hot wheel cookie
Right: Garth and Linnea met up with some bikers.
Left: President Paul Rossmo welcoming new and existing members to the lunch. He also thanked Membership Chair, Larissa Lawrence for creating such a memorable event and Klaus Kreye, Rally Chair for designing the Treasure Hunt Rally with Larissa. He mentioned that he had met some of some of his best friends in the Porsche Club
Photos: Dean Gaschermann
Photos: Dean Gaschermann
Photos: Karen Bresler
“IntheZone”August and September, 2024
John P Sommerwerck
PCA Zone 6 Rep
AUGUST
Nancy and I have had a great late July / early August participating in PCA activities. First, cruising with 900+ PCA’rs north to Alaska. The Alaska cruise was on our list and doing it with PCA made it so much more fun. The ‘at sea’ days were filled with talks about all things Porsche –tires, watches, car values The following weekend, it was off to British Columbia to participate in Canada West’s Planes & Porsches at the Abbotsford airshow. If you have never seen the Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds perform it is worth the time and effort! After returning home, we had a quick turnaround and headed west to Cascade Region’s Porsche Car Show @ the Lincoln City Cultural Center. What PCA/Porsche events have you been doing this summer? Driving tours? Autocross? High Performance Drivers Ed? What events do your region and nearby regions offer in the coming months? Get out and enjoy your cars. Remembering: ‘It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.’
Zone 6 signature events can be found PCA Zone 6The Pacific NW Regions. Zone 6 abounds in great roads to drive and great automotive venues.
Parting shot. Endicott Arm / Dawes Glacier. Alaska Cruise
For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY. The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30th – May 3rd. Registration opens on February 5th, 2025. 2025 Treffen at Sea sets sail Sunday, August 30th from New York, NY. Returning on Sunday, September 6th
We continue to fill our calendar with Zone 6 events. We are home for a few weeks, then resume our Zone 6 travels. Next up is, Silver Sage Region’s Oktoberfast, check it out at PCA Zone 6 - 2024 OKTOBERFAST. Late October, we head to Seattle for PNWR’s Tech Ed with Cameron Healy & Rod Emory. Check it out at PCA Zone 6 - Tech Ed - Forty Six.
SEPTEMBER
The leaves are starting to turn, the days are becoming shorter and cooler. My driving season will be coming to an end too soon. Nancy and I are heading out next week to the Fall Treffen Mount Washington at Bretton Woods, NH. October holds a couple of trips, but nothing else is on the books.
So, as we reflect on the past driving season, think about those volunteers that made the events – driving tours, Autocross, DE’s, etc., you enjoyed so much fun. Volunteers are what make PCA successful! Maybe you could consider volunteering for your
region. This is the time of the year when regions seek officer and director nominations. Region chairs for; tours, safety, insurance, etc. are sought out. Like driving tours, maybe you could step up and lead one. Appreciate the work the region leadership team does? Maybe you could volunteer to help.
For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 612 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY. The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30th – May 3rd. Registration opens on February 5th, 2025. 2025 Treffen at Sea sets sail Sunday, August 30th from New York, NY. Returning on Sunday, September 6th. Treffen at Sea registration is now open!
We continue to fill our calendar with Zone 6 events. We are home for a few weeks, then resume our Zone 6 travels. Next up is, Silver Sage Region’s Oktoberfast, check it out at PCA Zone 6 - 2024 OKTOBERFAST
Late October, we head to Seattle for PNWR’s Tech Ed with Cameron Healy & Rod Emory. Check it out at PCA Zone 6 - Tech Ed - Forty Six. 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 has not been busy in September in Campbell River as lots of people have been away.
The August 22-24 North island Drive was a huge success. 11cars, with 20 people from all parts of the island. The food was delicious and exceptional. The hotel was lovely and the service was perfect. Friday, we had an indigenous drummer for a welcome blessing before dinner. Friday was the 'free day' that everyone had their own adventure- they loved it! Dinner conversation was lively and enthusiastic. From Alert Bay, Port Alice, golfing, San Josef Bay, Cole Harbour, Telegraph Cove, catching up on sleep and whale watching were all experiences shared. The drive was completed Saturday morning. Some stayed longer, some left right after breakfast, six of us went to Cole Harbour, checked out the 'museum like' collection of the owner of the float plane business there. It was free and well worth the time spent, so much history preserved there about Cole Harbour. Some went to Telegraph Cove on the way home.
We have been asked to do it again next year.
Cars and coffee in Courtenay the next day was well attended and those that didn't do the drive with us were sorry they missed it.
Martin Jager
Photos submitted by Martin and Sheila Jager
Mid Island
Director: Mark Dalton
It is hard to believe this fall marks a year for me as mid island director. This position has granted me the opportunity to get to know a greater number of our members, embracing new members, and working with so many people who have been instrumental in keeping the mid island spirit alive. Our passion knows no limits!
All of this equates to how much I’ve personally grown, that is my love of Porsches and the rabbit hole I have allowed myself to go down. The best part of owning a Porsche, is that we all feel we own THE BEST Porsche. And we are absolutely right! My personal love for my 997 may be considered quite mad by outsiders however I’m am fortunately surrounded by madness en masse! My appreciation and knowledge constantly expands and I’m looking forward to my next adventure; 957 Cayenne Overland, 944 safari, RWB 997 conversion?
Together we celebrate, love and find constant joy in what brings us closer together. Well done VIRPCA!
Stay tuned for upcoming fall events.
Yours in motorsport, Mark A. Dalton (MAD)
Mid Island Drive and Dinner
Photo: Mark Dalton
South Island
Director: To be announced
Genoa Bay Drive led byTim Evans – July
Pacific Circle Marine Drive August
Above: some of the participants in Port Renfrew.
Photo: Dean Gaschermann
Photo: Karen Bresler
The Cars and the People enjoyed each other on these very social drives through our picturesque region.
Photos: Karen Bresler
Marc and Santanna from Café 356 enjoyed the Genoa Bay Café where breakfast was served.
Paul, Dan and Tim share a laugh after breakfast
Cars and Coffee-South Island
9:00 am every Sunday
VIRPCA members have been 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.
Photo Credit: Wyman Lee
Photo Credit: Eric Maitland
Photos by Wyman Lee
Food. | South Island
Fast. Food. 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.
Fast. Food. July 4 University Club, UVic
On Thursday, July 4, 24 VIR members gathered on the patio at the University Club for a Fast. Food. dinner organized by South Island Director Stuart MacLeod. The weather was suitably patio-friendly, sunny but not too hot. The pond, landscaping and surrounding trees made it feel a bit like a resort getaway.
The buffet was hearty, tasty and satisfying, and featured grilled tenderloin, and baked salmon, among other items.
After dinner, Past President Garth Webber Atkins presented Stuart with a card and a bottle of Cherry Point Blackberry Port, on behalf of the VIR Executive and Fast. Food aficionados to thank him for organizing 18 Fast Food dinners, starting in February 2023. Thank you, Stuart, for a great idea and many evenings of good food and good company.
Garth Webber Atkins Past President
Pop Up Bevvies (PUBS) - South Island
Pop Up Bevvies (PUBs) are spontaneous beverage-forward social gatherings – think Happy Hour –to (responsibly!) enjoy time with fellow Porsche-ists in a more casual, less structured atmosphere than Fast. Food. and other social events.
No registration required, just show up and see what happens.
Time and location of the next PUB will typically be announced each month, one or two weeks ahead. Keep an eye on:
- the VIRPCA President’s event update emails
- the events page of the VIRPCA web site at https://virpca.org:452/VIRPCA/Events
- the club’s Facebook group page: “Vancouver Island Region - Porsche Club of America”
South Island Director
Photos:: Karen Bresler
911 ways to use your porsche
This issue’s submission on “911 ways to use your Porsche” is from our VIRPCA Secretary, Kevin Root, who sent me this photo. This is what he said:
“Tent Camping: There is always ample space to fit all the essential gear in a 911 for a cross-island camping adventure! Nanoose Creek Campground, Vancouver Island.”
Sheila Cairns Jager writes: July 12, 2024, Martin Jager, North Island Director, with Betsy Terpsma from the Comox Valley and WochenendEscape team member, visited the Comox Valley Food Bank and presented the donation cheque of funds raised at the WochenendEscape weekend. An $800 cheque was given to Comox Valley Food Bank Deputy Executive Director Justin
Norm Jackson filled us in on the presentation, on July 14, 2024, of the funds raised for Cops for Cancer from WochenendEscape. He writes:
“Each year, the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock riders train 3 times a week to prepare for the 2 week ride starting in September. As part of the training, the team comes together as a full team to tackle their hardest ride...an 18km ride up the steepest incline in North America...Mt. Washington.
This year, members of the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club of America met them at the top to enjoy a BBQ and to make a huge cheque presentation to Cst. Keeley Deley, our Courtenay rider. $17,000.00 donated from the WochenendEscape weekend! Children of the riders were also treated to rides in the Porsches, with everyone having a great day.”
“2018 Rennsport Reunion The car has been wrapped to protect it from dust etc. before it was entered in a concourse competition. I think wrapping it makes viewers inclined to think of the car as something “else”. In my opinion….a work of visual art.”
and
Description
Photo by John Clark
Paul Rossmo obtained this napkin at a dealer event in Germany. It is a replica of the napkin on which the crest was purportedly drawn.
Photos: Paul Rossmo
“There ‘s no tougher endurance race than LeMans.
Over 3,000 punishing miles in 24 hours at speeds often in excess of 200km/h. Last year, Porsche took the first five places. This year, the first eight. Next year, who knows? There’s always room for improvement. Even at Porsche.”
Reprinted with permission from Timberline, March 1984, the Monthly Club Magazine of the Canada West Region
Submitted by Kevin
Root “Peacock
Peacock Reflections: The signature mascot of Royal Roads University was inspecting my 997 while admiring itself in the polished exterior; the vibrant colors reflecting off the Basalt Black, which still looked surprisingly good after a road trip. (High-Speed Bug Killer)
Kevin Root
Reflections”
Calling Women in VIRPCA
For the January 2025 issue of Porscher, the theme will be Women in VIRPCA
The first PC Tea was an invigorating meeting where connections were renewed or formed and plans made. Discussions helped identify areas of growth for all members.
The next PC Tea events will be held Mid and North Island. Dates and details to be announced by email to the ladies who have signed up; the WhatsApp PC Tea group; Facebook page and in the Presidents Letter.
Contact Karen Bresler at editor@virpca.org to join the conversation.
PC Tea Victoria Photos: Dean Gaschermann, who is the official photographer working on the articles for PorscHER issue.
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.
Road Trip
By Irwin Axness
On a recent trip to St. Paul/Minneapolis I was able to time it to coincide with the Nord Stern All Porsche Show at the Roseville Central Park, Roseville, MN, which took place on the 29th June. There were in excess of 200 vehicles and this was indicated as being the largest gathering of Porsches in the Upper Midwest. I was very fortunate to meet Nord Stern President Tom Karin who is pictured standing beside a beautiful 1993 green 964 convertible, wearing the black cap and black shirt. This 964 was indicated as being one of six factory delivered Porsches to Amsterdam. There was an excellent variety of Porsche models and the owners were very willing to talk about their vehicles. I mentioned to Tom that I have been a member of PCA since May 1980 and have been a member of Canada West, Nord Stern and Wild Rose (when I lived in Regina) and currently Vancouver Island.
In addition I went to the 50th Anniversary “Back to the 50’s Car Show, which took place at the Minnesota Fair Grounds in St. Paul, MN., from the 20th/22nd June. There were 10,453 pre-registered participants from all over North America. This show is open to insured, licensed, street legal 1964 and earlier passenger production cars and trucks. Over 30,000 spectators attended. All vehicles entered and left the grounds daily. Throughout the day, a number of vehicles would leave their spot and drive around the grounds.
One meticulously restored 1960 blue Porsche 356 1600 caught the attention of several spectators. This vehicle is in the 356 Registry and was the only Porsche
members would like to see videos of this event they can
I saw at this car show. If our
google “Back to the 50’s Car Show” .
Irwin Axness
When the Treffen to Alaska was announced I thought:
Hmmm....
-PCA Porsche people on a cruise.
- Alaska NEVER been there, and always wanted to.
- Leaving from Seattle that's do-able.
-"BOOK-It-Danno"(Remember Hawaii 5- 0 ?)
We departed Seattle on July 28th. Loading 4000 guests, plus luggage onto the ship within 2.5 hours is almost magical. It is amazingly well choreographed. Sure, they do this every week, but it is a sight to behold.
4000 guests & 2000 crew. Gosh!
Day One: Group photo with 900 of my new "best Porsche friends", then a Welcome social, sponsored by Pirelli.
By Gordon Halkett
Day Two: Ship's Navigation seminar, then sponsorship social, followed by a presentation with Ramsey Potts from Haggerty entitled "Porsche Market Update", which covered valuations now and in the future, demographics, and market trends. Very detailed informative presentation, and if you've never seen Ramsey, it's certainly worth going out of your way to see. He is a high energy speaker and professional auctioneer. I brought along ( and had a bit of fun at US customs) three of my Porsche area rugs to the auction, which raised over $500 USD for the Alaska Rapture Centre. Still on Day Two, a lumberjack show, Porsche Diecast Concourse, TAG Heuer showcase, Champagne waterfall, Formal dinner, then PCA 'Rock the Room" game night.
Day Three: Ketchikan. Lumberjack show, stateroom room door decorating competition, Mixology show, TAG Heuer cocktail social, PCA flannel fest contest, OH and why not have an "After Hours Party?? Ahhh -OK.
Day Four-:9:30 AM Open mike with Nathan Merz. Extraordinary knowledgeable presenter, who owns a private Porsche dealership in Washington State.
Port of Juneau & Alaska Whales oh & more cocktails offered. Rainy & cold, but took in a glacier tour & tram tour. After a nap & dinner--Magician Jason Bird
Day Five: Skagway, and a train trip up the White Pass and the fascinating stories of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1888-89. I want to go back to this area by car.
Day Six: Porsche Classics seminar with Jason Sieber. Again, an incredibly knowledgeable presenter, in a relaxed atmosphere - oh & drinks IF you want them –First thing in the morning. I didn't.
The next seminar was by TAG Heuer, which I was going to skip, as I don't wear watches, but being there with some of my "new best friends", I stayed, and learned the history of the company and their direct involvement/ support of motor racing since the 50's. After the presentation, I went to the sales office & tried on a few watches, which averaged $7000 to $10,000 USD,. I asked how many watches they had sold so far on the cruise. The answer $233,000.00 USD. they had a GOOD week!
Photo submitted by Gordon Halkett.
Photo: Gordon Halkett
Day 7 9:00 AM Pirelli seminar, which I was going to skip as well, but didn't as a group of people were horse trading drink coasters, in order to get a full set, and I had a 356 coaster that I traded for a " GT3 Burnout Maple Old Fashioned" coaster, that now adorns the coffee table. Glad I didn't skip this presentation it was fascinating. The details of tire technology, and where it is going, incl the needs of the EV industry.
Interesting factoid: The 305/30 R21 tire made for the new 911 has quite different performance characteristics than the identical sized tire made for Ferrari, or Aston Martin or Lambo or Jag. Each car manufacturer gives each tire manufacturer specific performance requirements, and the tire manufacturer builds each tire to suit that particular vehicle. So, buy tires specifically designed for your particular vehicle, including the grocery getter.
The activities kept coming- Q&A with PCA guest presenters, the state & direction of Porsche Clubs worldwide with Paul Gregor again a fascinating presentation- then Porsche model racing.
Dis-Embarkation: I was fortunate in being allowed off the ship in Victoria, and not have to travel back to Seattle. A ships officer delivered me DIRECTLY to Canada Customs.
Our VIRPCA Porsche group turned out in force to greet PCA members off the ship. Great fun.
Gordon Halkett
Arriving in Victoria.
VIRPCA members meeting the Treffeners.
Photos by Karen Bresler
Treffen-at-Sea
Photos: Eric Maitland
Photos: Eric Maitland
Photo : Henry Choi
Photo: above and below Dean Gaschermann
Photo: Larissa Lawrence, who spotted the cruise ship approaching Victoria caught this photo with her Boxster parked in the forefront
Photo Karen Bresler
Photo: Larissa Lawrence’s Boxster, Luna, with the Treffen-at-Sea cruise ship in the background approaching Victoria.
Photo: Dean Gaschermann
Ongoing Cars & CoffeeTimes
North Island Cars and Coffee is every second Saturday in Campbell River at the Quinsam Crossing Starbucks- 10am to 12.Cars and Coffee is also every 4th Sunday at Bean Around the World on Cliff Avenue in Courtenay. 10am to 12.
Mid Island Sundays 9:00 am, Café 356, 1025 Lee Road, Parksville
South Island Sundays 9am, Whole Foods Market, 3587 Blanshard Street, Victoria
More upcoming events October — December 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!
A photo from the Genoa Bay Drive, led by Tim Evans along Herd Road, heading toward Maple Bay. Photo: Karen Bresler
President’s Corral and Bull Sessions:
The next President’s Corral and Bull Session will be held at Café 356 in French Creek on October 27, 2024 at noon. The topic will be Overland Travel. Contact Paul Rossmo at president@virpca.org for further information or watch for the President’s Letter. Sign up on MSR
Annual General Meeting:
November 3, 2024 Please save the date and plan to be there. See page 83 for full details. Sign up on MSR
PC Tea Mid and North Island
This is being planned for October 26. Details will be announced shortly. Email editor@virpca.org to be put on the mailing list to continue the conversation about women in
Fast Food Events and Pop Up Bevvies in South Island and Time to Dine Events in Mid-Island.
Fast. Food. November 7th , Camosun College Classroom Restaurant on the Camosun Interurban campus. The cost will be $44.95 per person plus taxes and gratuity for a prix fixé 3-course meal. This VIRPCA-exclusive event will be hosted by the students and instructors in Camosun's Culinary Arts program. More information at 2024 Fast. Food. Camosun College Culinary Arts (motorsportreg.com). Registration opens October 4, 2024 at noon.
Check the website and sign up early as they usually sell out. You won’t want to miss these.
All wonderful ways to get to know fellow members.
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. Selling for $1,750.00.
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 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.
Article on Café 356 pg. 38 incorrectly referred to Gary Glover’s car as a Cayenne S. It should read “Gary Glovers Cayman S”, Apologies to Gary Glover for the incorrect description of his beautiful Porsche.
For sale
4, 18 inch Porsche Macan rims and winter tires. The winter tires are Scorpion tires with 5mm of thread depth. The Porsche rims are pristine. Tires come with Porsche tire carry all. Tires were garaged when on the car. $850.00.
Contact Richard at 250-479-3031 or email : richardzuk@shaw.ca
Porsche pets
Andre Meesschaert writes:
Ronan, a Red & White Irish Setter, loves coming to cars and coffee, mainly because we share a croissant. He would however prefer we took the Cayenne….
Vancouver Island Motor Circuit Profit Guard Consulting
Porsche Victoria Good Fellows Cigar Shop
Dancia Motors Café 356
Villa Eyrie
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: editor@virpca.org
Magazine Deadline The deadline for the next issue is the 15th of the month prior to the issue date. Porscher is issued April, July. October, and January.
Photo Credits: Dean Gaschermann; Wyman Lee, Eric Maitland, Karen Bresler, Paul Rossmo . Others are credited in articles. If we have omitted anyone, our apologies. Please advise us and we shall credit you next issue.
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Porscher is the official publication of the Vancouver Island Region Porsche Club of America and is published quarterly.
EDITORIAL: Statements appearing in PORSCHER are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Porsche Club of America, the Vancouver Island Region, its Executives or the Editor. All articles and photographs are copyright the author or contributor (unless otherwise noted). Permission for reprints or reproduction of the contents must be granted by the Editor and the author or contributor.
