Heard ‘Round the Zone – August 2017
The Mid South Region is hosting a Driver’s Ed. It will be held at the Memphis International Raceway on September 23-24. Any questions about the event can be directed to Ric Travis at Rictrav@aol.com or Rob Hale at rhale@glankler.com . You can register at … www.clubregistration.net
I inadvertently left out Herman Jackson as a Parade participant. He participated in the Parade Gimmick Rallye, finishing 26th. Once again, congrats to all the Zone 3 Parade participants, and their placements in the various competitive events!
Many in the Zone know, or know of, Manny Alban. Past PCA National President, now sits on the EC as an active member, as Past President. Manny has been very active in many PCA areas, including the west coast and east coast weekends coinciding with major national concours events, the design of the 60th edition of the 911 that was introduced by Porsche last year. Anyway … Manny suffered an acute heart failure on Sunday the 23rd. His wife gave him CPR, and he was rushed to a local Columbia, MD hospital. He was there the rest of that week…finally out of bed, and chomping at the bit to get home. The hospital ultimately released him on Saturday the 29th, and Manny immediately participated in a Chesapeake Region/PCA event that evening. So…he’s back in the saddle again! Just thought you’d like to know.
The Peachstate Region is announcing a Swap-Shop-Meet. October 21, 2017, from 0830 until 1700. The swap meet will be hosted at Vintage Motorcar Restorations, 770 East Church Street, Jasper, GA. VMR is owned by Ray Morgan, whose restorations have been shown at the Hilton Head Island Concours, and Porsche Parades. Vendor spaces will be $10 each, and spectators are free. For additional event information, feel free to contact Danny Saxton (678.313.2806), or John Hinds (770.312.3524).
Does the ‘e’ in Porsche stand for electric? It might, if you believe the latest news flashes! Porsche is withdrawing from the WEC (World Endurance Championship) LMP1 class, at years end, meaning there will be no competition for Toyota next year, as Audi withdrew a year or so ago. With its announced withdrawal from LMP1, Porsche also announced that they are entering into the Formula E brand of racing. The Formula E style of racing is for electrically powered vehicles, similar in style/build to a Formula 2 race car (www.formulae.com) . Already in the mix of Formula E is Audi, BMW, Renault and Mercedes Benz (who announced their departure from the DTM touring car series at years end). ‘e’ ?
The Peachstate Region recently purchased new two-way radios to use on track days. That leaves their other group of sixteen radios, chargers, and a small group of headsets available for purchase. Bill Crumley did not leave me with an exact dollar amount that they’re asking, but wants the radios to go to ‘a good home’. If your Region is looking for radios for either track days, or to use during tours, contact Bill, at 678.520.6672.
The car enthusiasts’ magazine, AUTOCAR, just published its 100 most beautiful cars list. Not surprisingly, Porsche is in there … #96 – 1964 904; #95 – 1975 917; #78 – 1978 928; #47 – 1953 356 (Speedster); #18 – 2004 997; #5 – 1963 911. Their number 1? 1961 Jaguar XKE Coupe – Series 1.
Peachstate Region has just signed a deal with Barber Motorsports Park, to support a PCA Club Race there, in 2018. Club Racing has been covered up with requests to have a race there, and Peachstate was able to come up with a support ‘battle plan’, that would work for the Region, Barber, and Club Racing.
At the just completed Pebble Beach Concours 2017, Bob Ingram (Ingram Collection), of Durham, NC, won Class O-1:Postwar Open, with his 1952 Porsche 356 Reutter Cabriolet. Congratulations!
One lucky raffle winner! Tom Rose of Taylors, SC (Carolinas Region), was a winner of one of the 911 GTS Porsches in the Spring PCA Raffle. Good job Tom…Enjoy!!!
Porsches racing woes continued in late August, this time at VIR (Virginia Int’l Raceway). In the GTLM class, the #912 911RSR finished seventh. Its sister car, #911 finished eighth. In the GTD class, the best the 911’s could do is 6th in class…#50. The top three cars were … 1st:Corvette; 2nd:Ford GT; 3rd:Ferrari 488 GTE.
Labor Day, I am heading to Peachstates’ Rennfest, in Young Harris, GA. My first trip to Rennfest, was in the mid ‘70’s, with my first Porsche, a 1972 914. I’ve been to well over thirty of these annual, multi event weekends. This one presents itself as a wet one (thank you Harvey…). The 911E, with its freshened engine (thank you Rick Berry at Eurotech…), will stay at home, and the Cayenne GTS will stand in for the TSD rallye, and possibly the autocross (thinking…sport setting, lowered, all wheel drive might just be the ticket…).
See you at the next PCA event!
Vic Rola
Zone 3 Representative