DAS FLORIDA KRONE ZEITSCHRIFT
Das Florida Krone Zeitschrift
Board of Directors
Tech Chair – Steve Palmer
Social Media Chair –Jesus Caracoza
Michelle Mullen - Member at Large
Elena Perry- Member at Large
Zone 12 Representative – Leslie Sikorski
https://www.pcafcr.org/contact/
Contributors
Ken Perry , Wayne Kunkel, Chris Pownall, Jeff Jones, Chris Hoyt , Janet O’Donnell, Patrick O’Donnell, Pedro Bonilla, Debbie Cooper, Danielle Bader, Sabine Moeller, Ken Perry
Cover photo by Wayne Kunkel
Board of Directors
President: Chris Pownall
Vice President Chris Tchorznicki
Activities Director: Janet & Patrick O’Donnell
Membership: Sabine Moeller
Secretary: Jeff Jones
Treasurer: James Gilman
Past President – Bob Barren
Autocross Chair:Mel Ward/OPEN
Club Historian: Debbie Cooper
Concours Chair: Hylton Early
High Performance Drivers Education Chair – Marty Flack
High Performance Drivers Education Chief Driving Instructor – Jim Burnett
High Performance Drivers Education Registrar –John Pellerin
Webmaster: Ken Perry
Porsche Jacksonville and Brumos Collection Liaison – Hans Mandt
Committee Chairs
Advertising Chair: Help needed !!
Newsletter Editor: Wayne Kunkel
The Das Florida Krone Zeitschrift is published four times a year by the Florida Crown Region, Porsche Club of America. Permission is granted to reproduce original materials published herein, provided full credit is given the author and Das Florida Krone Zeitschrift No material may be reproduced unless Das Florida Krone Zeitschriftwas given the right to publish another publication’s material. They reserve all rights to that material. Furthermore, the Editor reserves the right to edit all material. All material herein reflects solely the opinion of the authors and NOT the PCA, the FCR Region or its officers. The FCR Region is not responsible for any services or merchandis+e advertised herein. c2024 Florida Crown Region, Porsche Club of America, all rights reserved. Das Florida Krone Zeitschrift is distributed to 1570 N.E. Florida Porschephiles.
From the Editor Wayne Kunkel
The Driver Education Event at the FIRM has come and gone. It was many hours of work to have this event. It was a heart breaker when the weather turned iffy in the forecast. I studied various radar screens and timelines before I said, “Let’s Do This!”
Last July, at the members appreciate brunch, held at the Jacksonville Country Club, the genesis for this event took place. I walked into the banquet room and looked around for familiar faces. I saw a couple of people I knew, but their tables were filled up already. As I surveyed the open banquet tables with no one sitting at them, I was reminded of my first Holiday Party with FCR. How does FCR integrate new members into the region?
I heard a familiar voice behind me and Patrick & Janet O’Donnell had arrived. The 3 of us grabbed an open table and rehashed an SCCA autocross we had both attended at the FIRM. We were lamenting the lack of driving events in the FCR region. Patrick and Janet had transferred in from Gulf Coast Region and had some experience with a few of the chairman slots that all regions have.
One table that was filled up when I walked in had Bill and Debbie Copper there. Their modest collection of Porsches had grabbed my attention at the St. Jude’s benefit concours. Debbie is the walking embodiment of the PCA brand and spirit. She came over to say hello and met the O’Donnell’s. The amount of PCA experience at that table was off the chart. I could feel the synergy building.
We had half a table open at that point. A couple that no one knew sat down. After a brief hello, it was determined that Sabine and Peter Moeller were serious Porsche people. Sabine announced that she had a 997 Cup Car! Patrick, Janet, and I looked at each other and knew that we had found a “driver”!
The conversation centered on driving events, the Porsche experience at Brimingham and Atlanta, autocrosses, Daytona, and Sebring. Between courses being served, Debbie would come over and add her sage advice to a “wheels turning” event. This simple synergy was all about improving the FCR events calendar because we all had positive experiences at prior regions and felt that if we tried things that we liked, we might see more positive energy over the PCA Events that the 5 of us liked from previous regions.
We agreed to keep the conversation going in a positive direction. The original thought was to stage a women’s only driving event at the FIRM. We did not want to plan an event and not have enough cars show up. Sabine Moeller is a cracker jack marketing person with emphasis on statistics and market research. Personally, I couldn’t wait to be done with my 2 semesters of number crunching at Syracuse U.
The first FCR member interest poll was created, and it showed great interest in a driver training event but not just for women. The track rental costs showed that we needed about 45 cars to break even for an event staged there. We got ambitious and had an event booked for November 2024 but that proved to be too fa ahead of the curve so that got cancelled and we were able to dovetail onto 2 SCCA events in March and June. It was tremendous fun for all involved. Thanks for your help and support.
2025 marks Porsche Club of America’s 70th anniversary, so PCA decided to create a video to share our celebrations with the automotive enthusiast community at large. With club community scenes captured on video as far back as the 1950s through today, we hope you enjoy looking back and recognizing how far our members have taken the club. Watch the video: PCA.org/news/pca70
From the Prez
Chris Pownall FCR PCA President
Can you believe we’re already into April? Time certainly has been moving by at a steady pace. To all of you Florida Crown Region (FCR) members who volunteered at WERKS Reunion this year, I want to extend a hearty THANK YOU! It’s due to the enthusiasm and dedication from all of you that helped propel WERKS into yet another successful day. Truly, events of that caliber could not function without your assistance.
I feel the Region has been off to a great start this year, increasing the number, types and different locations of events that have been held. Our new board members have been bringing fresh ideas to the table of what we can offer to you. Did you miss the Driver Skills training event at the FIRM in March? If so, don’t fret – we have another coming up on June 15th, and look forward to seeing you there! While the weather was not as agreeable as we had hoped, everyone who participated left safely and in good spirits. Please see attendee comments in the FIRM article section this newsletter. Here’s hoping that June will be pleasantly dry.
Don’t forget to attend the FCR’s Spring Concours at the Brumos Collection is on April 12! Come on out and take in the sights of some excellent cars both outside and inside.
A new twist on a drive & dine is set for May 3 & 4. Peel back the layers of this pleasing weekend through some beautiful countryside to learn the secrets of the Vidalia onion. Those will be tears of joy to experience, believe me.
On June 16, Florida Crown marks its 65th anniversary! We’ve certainly come a long way since 1960, and there’s still plenty more fun and experiences to be had.
Keep an eye on the website’s Events page and on Facebook for news and upcoming events! Stay safe out there, and enjoy the miles driving your Porsches.
The FCR Welcome Wagen
SABINE MOELLER FCR PCA Membership Chair
FLORIDA CROWN REGION MEMBERSHIP REPORT APRIL 2, 2025
REGION SUMMARY
New Members 24
Transfer In 10
Transfer Out -4
Lapsed -47
Life Members
Total Primary Members 1049
Affiliate Members 574
Total Region Membership 1623
NEW MEMBERS Feb and March 2025
NAME
Bolanos, Joshua
Burghard, Bodo
Florida
Florida
718 Cayman GT4
911 Turbo S
Hague,
Lessner,
Florida
718 Boxster
2023 911 Carrera GTS
Gainesville, Florida 2020 911 Carrera 4S
Byers, William St. Augustine, Florida
912
Egan, Kevin Ponte Vedra, Florida
Race Car
Russell L. Hughes
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 2014 911 Carrera S
Farmer, Weston Palm Coast, Florida
911 Turbo S Cabriolet
Peter
Janus, Jeffrey
Ponte Vedra Beach
Alan M.
The FCR Welcome Wagen
SABINE MOELLER FCR PCA Membership Chair
Mccranie, Dan Fernandina Beach, Florida
Pollock, James P.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Ackerman, Arnold W. Palm Coast, Florida
Bobear, Dan Kristen Bobear Fernandina Beach, Florida
Brady, Drew
Chamberlain, Brenda
Cook, Lynnette
Darby, Stephen
Davis, Dan
Hart, Rebecca
Jabot, Jesse
Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida
Florida
Florida
Beach, Florida
Beach, Florida
Merlo, Adele Orlando, Florida
Morrow, Greg Saint Johns, Florida
Parot, Celine M Saint Augustine, Florida
Speltz, Kevin W Jacksonville, Florida
Warnken, Frank A.
Florida
911 Carrera T
911 Carrera 4 GTS
718 Cayman GT4 RS
911 Carrera 4S
911 Carrera 4S
911 Carrera T
911 Carrera S
Boxster S
Boxster S
Macan S
911 Turbo S
Cayenne E-Hybrid
911 Carrera
718 Cayman
911 Carrera S Beige
911 Carrera S Cabriolet
The FCR Welcome Wagen
SABINE MOELLER FCR PCA Membership Chair
Transfer in Members
Crawford, Russell L
Transfer From: Ocmulgee (OCM)
Lukehart, John
Beverly Lukehart Transfer From: Gold Coast (GCT)
Pauly, Jeff
Cathie Pauly
Transfer From: Fox Valley (FV)
Sundt, Mark R.
Debra Esposito
Transfer From: Jersey Shore (JSH)
Pinto, Stephania
David Rodriguez
Transfer From: Ocmulgee (OCM)
Bonsignore, Rosario
Transfer From: Metropolitan New York (MNY)
Connors, Walter A
Pamela Connors
Transfer From: Chesapeake (CHS)
Metcalf, Robert
Saint Simons Island, Georgia 2009 Cayenne GTS
Palm Coast, Florida
911 Carrera Cabriolet
Fernandina, Florida
Yulee, Florida
Cayenne Turbo
Brunswick, Georgia
Cayenne Diesel
Palm Coast, Florida
911 Carrera S
New Smyrna Beach, Florida 1988 911 Carrera
Transfer From: Central Indiana (CIN) Carmel, Indiana
35 YEARS
Jody Cummings
Jim Cummings
25 YEARS
Jane Duvall
George Duvall
20 YEARS
Shelley Bertsch
Craig Geiger
15 YEARS
Marty Flack
2025 FCR ANNIVERSARIES 2nd QUARTER
The FCR Welcome Wagen
SABINE MOELLER FCR PCA Membership
10 YEARS
Jim Tanner
Frank Lonza
Matthew Masi
Michael Louis Adams
Stacy Masi
Aida Pazos
Robert Haines
Rick Land
Rick Domini
Marlene Domini
Danilo Emnas
Jim Martin
Karla Riebel
5 YEARS
Jerry Batteh
Marlene Melcher
Steve Cook
James Keegan
Adam Chaifetz
Frank Reinstine, Jr
Karma Jenks
Brandon Sheasley
John Lukehart
David Dungan
Wayne O’Banion
THE FIRM DRIVING EVENT
WAYNE KUNKEL
The FIRM event was a success and over 45 drivers and instructors made use of the facilities In Starke. The weather allowed us to get a full morning in and get everyone on the track. We did have to modify our training to make sure everyone got track time. We debated what this event would look like for over 2 months. We didn’t want a timed event. We didn’t want an autocross because that is not a driver skill training event. I personally would recommend that any driver try their hand at an autocross after they have done a basic drivers skill course. It would also be a logical step before going to your first D.E. at Roebling, Sebring, Daytona, or Porsche Experience.
The feedback has been good, even with the obvious issue of the weather cutting our track time short. Somebody makes that call at 5:30 or 6 am on the day of the event whether it’s a go or not for the day. That somebody was me in this case. Track events are hard to reschedule just for a date. Now add in all the logistics of pylons, people, conflicts on other dates and I went with beating the rain.
We needed more help! Tech got off to a slow start as I was at the gate making sure waivers got signed before any tech started. I think I saw 15 drivers come through before I left the gate area and saw the backlog of cars needing to be teched. I promise FCR will do better on June 15th . We have a backlog of drivers who need a basic drivers skill course. SCCA, Corvette Club, BMW club, and surrounding regions all asked for another basic driver event. We are also in discussions with the Corvette to hold a like event at the St. Mary’s airport in St. Mary’s, GA. This airport is closed and would serve to help fill the need for an event in our northern communities. Our PCA basic drivers’ event would be on a Saturday. The Corvette club will hold an autocross event on the following Sunday. A Porsche vs Corvette autocross would be a logical thing to have. No date has been set yet.
June 15, 2025 is Driver Training Skill event #2.
THE FIRM DRIVING EVENT
PCA at the FIRM a first impression
Michael Patton
I likened my experience with highperformance driver training to walking and chewing gum.
Most people can successfully do both, but how many accidentally bite their tongue?
Sure, you probably drive your car every day, but do you really “drive your car“? Upon arrival, there is a flurry of activity and a lot of socializing. Once divided into groups, we were “paired” up with our instructor (seems Sam had more than one student). Somehow, my instructor and I never connected, but there was a surplus of instructors, so I was able to receive some personal instruction. This being only my second event with Porsche Club of America I was eager to get my feet wet and was pleased to receive multiple runs before the rain set in.
Having previously enjoyed track time at Roebling Road, I was expecting to run the track with my color-coded group based on “experience”. However, what I experienced was cornering, negotiating cones and usage of all of the track. I became familiar with Apex’s and esses and found the techniques and information I received enlightening and applicable in my everyday life. Anyone who has driven I-4 can probably attest to that :) If this is any indication of what’s to come, I anxiously await the opportunity to get behind the wheel and test my skills while acquiring new ones! Great information and a good time!
MY EXPERIENCE at the FIRM
Scott Koizum
My experience at the Florida Crown driver’s skills training at The Firm was fantastic! I would like to take DE courses in the near future, and this was a perfect event to get my car (2017 911S) out on a track for the first time. As a beginner, it was helpful to have an instructor providing advice on how to best maneuver the course. The track set-up was well done with cones letting the driver know where to go, and how to hit the apex in the turns. I also enjoyed the comradery, talking cars, and getting to know others that have a passion for Porsches. Thanks to Wayne Kunkel, and all of those involved in organizing the event!
DRIVING TRAINING SKILL AT THE FIRM
Susan Amatrudi
On Sunday, March 16, I experienced my first Autocross event at the FIRM. Admittedly, it was a bit intimidating at first, just the thought of driving fast, dodging cones on a track. However, with guidance and feedback from the instructor in the passenger seat, it was easy to get the hang of the course. It quickly became a lot of fun and there was an urge to go a bit faster with each lap. The event was a great and safe way to experience the capabilities of my Porsche. The set up of the autocross course included turns, straight ways, and slaloms that gave me a chance to understand how the car handles in different scenarios from braking to quick turns, to accelerating. Participating in the driving skills event built up my confidence and taught me some important skills that I can apply to everyday driving. The best part was meeting a lot of great people from other first-time track drivers like me who wanted to experience a different type of driving to the instructors who were excellent at teaching as well as sharing knowledge about the car’s potential.
FCR CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
SOCIAL EVENTS
Patrick and Janet O’Donnell
We have some exciting and fun activities planned to this year and hope you can join us!
Beginning this February, here are a few things that are already planned.
Also make sure that you go to our Florida Crown PCA website for more details on these events and to make your reservations. https://www.pcafcr.org/club-events
February 8th 9:00 am to 11:00 am its Porsches and Coffee at Classic 9 Motorworks. If you appreciate a first-class restoration shop. Located across from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, this is a must Go to Event! https://classic9motorwerks.com/reimagined-porsche-911
February 8th is also Caffeine and Octane at the Avenues Mall. This time of the year with our cooler weather is a perfect time to show your car and meet the other Porsche owners. Porsche Jacksonville sponsors the Porsche Corner where you will park. If you enjoy all types of cars including classic Volkswagens hot rods, rat rods in you name it you’re going to enjoy this event
February 11TH 6 PM to 8 PM is our Social held at Finn McCool’s Irish Pub and Restaurant We have our own private room in the atmosphere in this pub is very enjoyable in the food is great! The menu includes some very unique and amazing choices for dining. Some of our favorites are the Fish and Chips, the Dubliner sandwich (a Reuben) in the Guinness barbecue meatloaf is absolutely incredible! Here’s a link if you’d like to check the menu www.fionnmacs.com.
February 22nd is a Drive and Dine to the Castaways Restaurant in Astor Florida. We will be meeting in Green Cove Springs and then driving through beautiful country roads together. Our own “drive team”, Wayne Kunkel, James Coleman and Bruce McDougall that did last year’s very successful Farmland and St. John’s River tour, did a great job planning this one! Like last year it will have mileages, visual waypoints to keep it fun in a rally like format however it will not have the stress of needing to be at any particular location at a particular time!
March 7th is WERK’s reunion at Amelia River Golf Club
March 11th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm is our social at Julington Creek Fish and Oyster House
March 16th, we have a Driver Skills Training located at the FIRM (Florida International Rally Motorsports Park in Starke FL. This event is a “first” for us of Florida Crown and was established based on a survey of our members wishing to learn how to better handle their cars. It’s also an event for experienced autocross drivers.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Patrick and Janet O’Donnell
We are currently planning other activities such as a Drive and Picnic lunch at the Okefenokee Swamp (May 18th), a Drive and Dine “Onion run to Vidalia Georgia (approximate 3 hour drive one way) with an option for those that wish to spend the night.
NEW Monthly Event! A soon to be launched Porsche’s & Pancakes will be announced for our members that live near Palm Coast (Bob Evans Restaurant), Fleming Island (Cracker Barrel), Baymeadows area (Cracker Barrel) and are requesting any members in the Gainesville with suggestions for a location to PLEASE send us an email.
Lastly, we are REALLY trying to improve a more timely posting (& hopefully immediate posts) on our Facebook page, while adhering to PCA National Guidelines. We encourage those of you on Facebook to join our Florida Crown page and share your Porsche experiences with others communicate with others.
Thank you for your participation!
your Porsche or Porsche parts or accessories?
Porsche market trends?
Mart is the best solution!
Sign up for PCA’s free monthly e-newsletter, Mart Fresh News!
The Porsche Club of America features news, videos, and information about the current market for used Porsches in the monthly Mart Fresh News email newsletter.
Mart shoppers are PCA members who know Porsches, know what they’re looking at, and are serious, ready, willing, and able buyers — not tire kickers. Because PCA members take care of their Porsches, vehicle quality in The Mart is better than other websites. And these are not anonymous buyers and sellers, they are registered PCA members.
The Mart is one of the most visited parts of PCA.org, recording over 650,000 page views per month. In addition to your online Mart ad, you get a summary version of your ad in Porsche Panorama.
Mart Fresh News also highlights a variety of Porsche listings from PCA’s Mart Classifieds. When you find a vehicle in The Mart, you can be assured that it’s been cared for by a registered PCA member — not some anonymous seller.
It’s a free benefit of membership — there is no charge to place an ad in The Mart!
mart.pca.org
April 2025
Danielle Badler
I Give Up
Well, I started watching season seven of Drive to Survive last night. And I stopped. I don’t think I’ll go back.
Why? It’s simple. Because I know what’s going to happen. So I don’t really care. I watch all the F1 telecasts and, if I can’t see them live, I record them for playback when I can. Also, I subscribe to Planet F1. And what I get are updates on the rumors, the backbiting, the total soap opera that is the F1 circus, delivered to my e-mailbox, on a daily basis.
But wait, you say, the cinematography is good … and that’s true … so is the soundtrack … but that’s not enough.
The last six years, yes, six whole years, I’ve devoted this space to a review of the series. I’ve turned blue in the face from exhorting the producers to do something, anything, to get beyond the cry to “push, push, push.” I feel like I’m trying to give birth. Excuse me while I have a bout of morning sickness.
I’ve recommended they dive into just how to drive one of these monsters. Who are the mechanics, what do they do, why, how much do they get paid? When a team makes upgrades, what are they? And how do they know the upgrades work? Which means just what is an F1 simulator, where they actually test this stuff? What’s the performance envelope of current F1 cars? Why do companies sponsor? How much do they pay? For what exposure? What does an F1 “pilot” actually do, off the track, during a full race weekend?
And that’s just off the top of my head. None of this. Nothing is covered, beyond which driver (not car) is fast, which driver is slow, and what’s going to happen to them as a result. Ever.
To lift a phrase shamelessly from a clothing retailer who used to advertise regularly when I was growing up, “an informed consumer is our best customer.” Right? What’s so hard to get, Netflix? If I want to watch a soap opera, I’ll tune in “The Days of our Lives.”
Oh, I’ve compared Drive to the golf series, the tennis series, the Indycar series. I even watched the series on polo. Why? Let’s just say I was curious. And what did I find? The same derivative format. A demonic commitment to a hyped-up human drama. To the near total elimination of all else related to the sport. Although, oh wait, I did learn how they score polo … what a chucka is, or is it chucker. I don’t remember, and I don’t care.
No, what’s happening here is something we see again and again. An unwavering commitment to what works. It’s a pattern. First, there’s the breakthrough event. Like season one of Drive. Good for Netflix, nothing like it had been done before. And it put F1 on the map in the US, for the first time. Which, for us car nuts, was a great thing.
Then they began to slavishly stick to the formula. To what works.
Is it laziness? Rampant risk-aversion? I don’t know. But I do see it in other places, like the creation of an entertainment “franchise.” The book, the movie, the Broadway play, the cast album, the road show, the sequel, another sequel. It’s safe. It’s boring. It’s overdone.
Hey, creating that franchise is hard. It’s risky. It’s expensive. I get that. It’s hard to get out of one’s “comfort bubble.” Especially when your owners or shareholders, and their accountants, are breathing down your neck.
How hard? To find out, I did a Chat GPT search on “complacency.” Out came a document titled “Over 100 Inspiring Quotes to Overcome Complacency.” In categories, no less. Here are a few highlights.
Under the subhead “Quotes on the Trap of Complacency” was “Complacency is the enemy of progress,” “The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there,” and “Momentum is lost in the quagmire of contentment,”
Under the subhead “Quotes to Break Free from Complacency” were “Take risks, that’s where the magic begins,” and “Never mistake a hint of success as a sign to stop pushing forward.” Maybe I’ll forward the list to Netflix. Then again, maybe I’ll first finish season three of “The White Lotus.” Or maybe I’ll imprint on my forehead this quote from the list, “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.” I don’t know. I don’t know.
Online Version of Christophorus Magazine Jeff Jones
When I first purchased my new (to me) 2013 Porsche Boxster the dealer gave me a subscription to Christophorus. When I sold my Boxster in 2022, the magazine stopped coming.
Recently I found out that there is an online version on the My Porsche Application. If you don’t have this application it can be downloaded for free. To find the magazine on the My Porsche App, follow the following path:go to menu, then to Experience, then to Christophorus, then click on Learn More. At the top of this page go to archive to read on-line any of the previous magazines.
If you prefer to receive the paper version, a four-issue subscriptions are available for €24 a year (including sales tax and shipping).
JUNE 15, 2025 8 AM - 4 PM
BACKROADS 4 COUNTY DRIVE AND DINE @ the CASTAWAYS
March 19, 2025
On a fabulous February an awesome array of new and vintage Porsches gathered in Green Cove Springs, Palm Coast and South St. Augustine for an awesome backroads drive ending at the Castaways Restaurant in Astor, Florida.
The three groups had about a 90 mile trip taking us on the pristine “B” roads found in Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia. We are blessed to have a decent amount of choices to enjoy our cars and have a great destination waiting for us.
Thanks to Janet and Patrick for working with the restaurant. Wayne and James for planning the route, and Bruce to provide boots on the ground support and coordination. The weather cooperated, the roads were clear and most were recently paved and the folks at the restaurant could not have been more accommodating. This is a prime example of we are listening to you when we surveyed the region and the overwhelming response was “We want to drive our cars!”.
Florida Crown Region History & 65th Anniversary Milestone
Debbie Cooper
Back in October 2024, I raised my hand to be the Florida Crown Region (FCR) region historian, and the board approved my appointment, having been a PCA region historian with Riesentöter (RTR) from 1987 until 2022. Two 4-drawer file cabinets at our home in PA captured the rich history of RTR, including the region charter, newsletters and special region anniversary plaques and other special recognition awards received from Porsche AG, many with Ferry Porsche’s signature. With this as background, I am collating Florida Crown Region (FCR) historical information to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the region. FCR was chartered on June 16, 1960 as the Central Florida Region and the name was changed to Florida Crown Region on January 25, 1975. FCR includes 16 counties in north central and northeast Florida.
Bob Barren graciously presented me with a large box of FCR goodies and having reached the bottom of the box, I was very disappointed to find that the oldest “artifact” in the box was the JanFeb ’83 issue of Porscheklatch. There are many missing issues of the region newsletter, including full years for 1989, 1993-94, 2001, 2003 and several years with a single issue until 2006. Connie Schmitt graciously provided electronic copy of the newsletters from 2007-2009, when she was the Porscheklatch editor, but all issues from 2010 -2023 are missing.
As this is the 65th anniversary of the Central Florida / Florida Crown region, I would like to assemble as much important memorabilia from 1960 until the present. Hopefully, some of you have the missing “pieces” of our history, and can share their significance with me, so in turn and we can share them with all of the membership during our anniversary celebration later in the year. If you have any historical information that you would like to contribute to our celebration, please give me a call at 484 437 9779. Looking forward to hearing from many of you!!
This article is Shocking!
by Pedro P. Bonilla GCR PCA
A car’s suspension is the link between the road and the car. Its job is to reduce the vibrations from the wheel and the car body caused by the road surface and steering. The suspension encompasses many different parts such as strut support, bearings, springs, shock absorbers, connecting rods, stabilizers, axle and wheel supports, wheel bearings, suspension arms, brakes, rims, tires final drives and steering.
First, the springs connect the unsprung masses to the sprung mass of the vehicle. They cushion the effects of the road surface but left to themselves the car ’s body would just bounce up and down every time we drive over an uneven surface. In order to reduce the “springiness” shocks are introduced to the equation.
Your car’s shocks, or more correctly, shock absorbers, limit excessive suspension movement but their main purpose is to dampen the suspension’s spring oscillations. And then there are also struts. The difference between them is that shocks merely dampen motion, while struts also act as a piece of the suspension. Struts are generally heavier and stronger than shocks, but today the two words are almost interchangeable.
Shock absorbers are basically hollow tubes (cylinders) with pistons which use valving of oil and/or gases to absorb excess rebound energy from the springs.
Some also have pressurized gas to keep the oil under pressure which helps eliminate the “shock dissolve” caused by the oil overheating and changing its dampening characteristics.
When the suspension “BUMPS”, the piston moves down in the tube. This forces the hydraulic oil through the bump-valve. The smaller the diameter of the valve, the more the shock resists the bump. On a “REBOUND”, the piston moves up and hydraulic oil is forced through the rebound-valve.
These diagrams are an oversimplification of what is included in our Porsches. The struts and shocks in modern Porsches are true engineering marvels.
The Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Option, for example, uses sensors which record the body movements that accompany powerful acceleration, braking or uneven road surfaces and actively and continuously regulates the damping force for each individual wheel according to road conditions and driving style.
The driver can select between two different modes: Normal and Sport. In the Sport Mode, the suspension is set to a harder damping rate. If the road surface is uneven or rough, PASM automatically switches to a softer setting thereby improving contact between the tires and the road. When the road surface improves, it hardens the setting one more.
We always get the question: “When do I have to replace my shocks?”
My answer is when the oil leaks out of the tubes, then you replace them. A little seepage is normal for older shocks and struts, and that doesn’t indicate a need to replace, unless there are other symptoms, but if the entire unit is wet or dripping with oil, replacement is indicated.
If you notice excessive bouncing this is an indication that the shock is not damping the springs’ movements and is generally an indication of bad shocks. But note that:
1.- Neither shocks nor struts will make a car lean. Leaning is generally caused by a broken spring or another suspension problem.
2.- Neither shocks nor struts cause vibration when driving at speed. Vibrations are caused by tires/rims that are not round or by out-of-balance rotating components.
3.- Scalloped tires are rarely caused by worn shocks or struts. Scalloped or chopped tires generally result from a bad wheel alignment or out-of-round tires/rims, but keep in mind that out of round tires or rims can damage the struts or shocks.
AMELIA ISLAND 2025
AMELIA ISLAND 2025
Porsche Classic Kickoff at Porsche Jacksonville
March 1, 2025
All the Porsches were out in style on a cloudless and warm first of March at Porsche Jacksonville to kick off Amelia Week in style. The parking lots were full of Porsches, old and new and Aaron and his staff rollout the welcome for all of us. Thank you!
REDLINE MARKET PLACE
FABSPEED MUFFLERS for 993 model
Robert D Sewell
robertsewell1954@gmail.com
Supercup Mufflers $750.00 (new)
MaxFlow $950.00 (used)
GET MORE INFORMATION
Robert D Sewell
robertsewell1954@gmail.com
COLLECTORS AND MAN CAVE DECORATORS
I lived just over an hour from Watkins Glen for many years as a member of Central New Year Region PCA. My collection of Watkins Glen Formula One ORIGINAL POSTERS has 8 posters from the 1972- 1980.
I also have some Porsche Posters from various races. These are unframed original posters with no holes or tears.
Framing available
991.2 GT3 RIM AND TIRE SET (NEW)
2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Rims and Tires (I recently sold the car).
Rims are flat black, used, excellent condition
Tires are brand new, never used
Set is track ready, balanced with metal stems and TPMS
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
Front: 245/35ZR20 (95Y) XL
Rear: 305/30ZR20 (103Y) XL
$4,250
Charles Ferry chuckferry19@gmail.com (813) 614-3573
Prices comminsurate with condition and rarity. Wayne Kunkel Lotusrpv@aol.com
OEM/ORIGINAL 20″ PORSCHE 982 BOXSTER CAYMAN S 718 WHEELS/RIMS BRILLIANT FINISH OEM/Original 20″ Porsche 982 Boxster Cayman S 718 Wheels/Rims Brilliant finish
hoistBazar hoistBazar@mail.com (173) 268-4222
