Assistant Eastern Vice President Carlton Harris asstvp-eastern@fsrpca.org
Western Vice President Bill Borowy westvp@fsrpca.org
Assistant Western Vice President
Cedric Wiggins asstvp-western@fsrpca.org
Tour Meister
Dave Wallce tourmeister@fsrpca.org
Secretary & Archivist Carl Bess secretary@fsrpca.org
Social Media Coordinator
Roops Ramdon socialmedia@fsrpca.org
Treasurer John Schwaebler treasurer@fsrpca.org
Activities Officer Keith Stone activities@fsrpca.org
Past President
Erik Apotheker pastpresident@fsrpca.org
HO Editor
Bryan Fox editor@fsrpca.org
Charity Chair
Jenny Kay charity@fsrpca.org
Membership Chair
Ken Thomas membership@fsrpca.org
High Performance Driver Education Chair
Marco Estrada dechair@fsrpca.org
Safety Chair
Mark Hugel mark.hugel@cox.net
Northern Area Chair
Steve Marcom gps@fsrpca.org
Tech Chair
Jim Hamel hameljr@icloud.com
IN THIS ISSUE
From The President
Charity Update
News From the Secretary
Welcome New Members
Membership Anniversary Milestones
Editor’s Corner / Activities Update
944Fest
Charity Vet Dogs
LeMans
Charity CHKD
Porsche Parade
Horizontally Opposed (HO) is the official publication of First Settlers Region (FSR), Porsche Club of America (PCA). All opinions, views and information appearing in HO are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the PCA, FSR, its Officers or the Editor.
The HO Editor reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication. Permission is granted to reprint any material provided that full credit is given to the author and to Horizontally Opposed
This publication, and previous publications of Horizontally Opposed, are available to view on-line at www.fsrpca.org.
Advertising rates, schedules and commercial partner marketing support is available to all parties interested in engaging the members of the First Settlers Region of the Porsche Club of America. Please contact HO Editor, Bryan Fox, at editor@fsrpca.org for more information.
Wow! What a summer! I hope everyone was able to take advantage of the beautiful weather to enjoy some quality time driving your Porsches! First Settlers Region (FSR) had an event almost every weekend during the summer that I’m hoping appealed to all of our members. Our recurring Saturday breakfasts have seen record breaking attendance. We’ve enjoyed multiple Fun Runs through some of Virginia’s most beautiful country roads. We had a second Tech Session at Bobby Chiu’s residence to check out the latest with Bobby’s on-going restoration of his 914. And most recently, for Porsche Club of America’s (PCA) 70th Anniversary, FSR and Shenandoah Region teamed up for the first time to host the Richmond Porsche Meet (RPM) which consisted of an Auto Cross at Richmond International Raceway and a Porsche car show, concours, awards luncheon and fun run at Dover Hall in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia. We also had other events such as Porsche Parade in Oklahoma City, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) race weekend and PCA sponsored hospitality tent at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), 944 Fest at VIR, and the PCA Headquarters Open House in Columbia, Maryland. So, there were definitely lots of events to help get your Porsche passion going this summer. And for you track junkies, don’t worry… we have another Driver’s Education event at VIR coming up in October!
One of the efforts I’m most proud of is our strengthened relationship with our neighboring PCA Regions. During many of our FSR events you probably noticed name tags from these other regions as many of our PCA neighbors from Zones 2 and 3 are joining us more frequently. And while Richmond is technically within the boundaries of FSR we recognize that many of our members in this area also like participating in events with the Shenandoah Region, so we reached out to Shenandoah Region President, Jonathan Perelman, in order to plan more coordinated events (such as RPM 2025) and even offer dual memberships for both regions so that members living on the seam don’t feel they have to pick between the two organizations. Personally, I feel that we are all Porscheloving members of the larger PCA organization who just want to enjoy the best parts of our car club, so we should make every effort to promote this spirit of friendship in the way our PCA founders intended. And in that spirit, I hope we can continue this work by having similar arrangements with our other neighboring PCA regions.
As I mentioned before, your FSR board is still busy planning to bring you new events such as AutoCross, gimmick rallies, off-road tours, street survival courses for teen drivers, and PCA Juniors events like remote controlled car and slot car racing. Those planning efforts are still in the works, so please be patient with us. We’ll get these rolled out as soon as we can. And last but not least, I am extremely excited to announce that PCA just awarded the PCA Club Race at VIR to FSR! This means that FSR will be responsible for hosting every aspect of this now historic event at VIR for the foreseeable future! The next race will happen in March 2026. So, if you’ve ever wanted to see club racing at its best, now is your time to volunteer to be a part of it!
As always, if anyone has new ideas to make our club better or feedback to improve what we’re already doing, please feel free to contact me directly. And for those of you who I haven’t met in person yet, I look forward to meeting you at an event soon. Please drive safely and continue loving your Porsches!
Prost!
Rich Cao
Charity Committee Update, Your Generosity in Action
By Jenny Kay, FSR Charity Chair
Wasserhund Brewing Company’s Charity Night sponsored by GREAT SCOTT!
Entertainment
June’s pop up charity event in Virginia Beach featured music bingo, prizes, a raffle, and good company, all to benefit Horizons Hampton Roads (HHR). Despite the sweltering heat, everyone had a great time dancing to the music, enjoying good food, wine and craft beer. It was especially meaningful seeing members and their families join in the fun on a Tuesday night!
Wasserhund Brewing Company generously donated 25% of their night’s sales, and combined with our raffle ticket sales and donations, we raised $1,189 for HHR! A few weeks later, Scott Hoffman and I visited HHR’s Norfolk campus to present the check in person. Scott was great with the kids, quizzing them on their Porsche knowledge, and everyone wanted a chance to sit in his 2011 Cayman S or pose for a picture with it. It was a memorable visit that brought our club’s generosity to life and made a lasting impression on the students we came to support.
And remember, we are always in need of raffle and silent auction items. We gladly accept new or like new Porsche gear, car related items, wine and liquor, jewelry, gift cards, and other treasures you are willing to donate. Every donated item helps us raise funds and bring our members together for a cause.
Thank you to all our members who continue to show up and give generously!
Together let’s continue to make a difference in our community!
Jenny
FSR Breakfast Charity Raffles: Chesapeake, Richmond, and Williamsburg charity raffle funds have continued to grow and as of September we have raised $3,222 combined for our charities, an incredible testament to what our club members can do together.
Looking Ahead to 2026!
The Charity Committee is already making plans for an exciting 2026! We are hoping to bring back the PorscheThemed Trivia Game Show Night, a possible wine tasting event, and additional brewery nights. We would love your help shaping what’s next! If you have an idea for a fun and meaningful charity event, want to recommend a venue that believes in giving back, are interested in sponsoring, or want to join our planning efforts, please email charity@fsrpca.org.
News from the Secretary
Carl Bess
Here are just a few highlights from the most recent of your Board of Directors meetings:
July’s meeting covered various PCA club activities and events, including updates on racing programs, regional gatherings, and charitable initiatives. The group discussed plans for upcoming events such as the Fall HPDE, Fun Runs, and tech sessions, while also addressing concerns about event participation and vendor/sponsor relationships. Administrative matters were handled, including committee formations, new appointments, and discussions about improving event promotion and route sharing through new platforms.
The August Board meeting covered more administrative matters including membership updates, financial reports, with discussions on dual memberships and PCA’s auto-renewal system. The Board also reviewed upcoming events including the Holiday Party at Williamsburg Winery, new member socials in both eastern and western regions, the Air and Auto event, and more Fun Runs, with particular focus on budgeting, volunteer needs, and logistical planning.
Our last meeting before this publication covered various operational updates including membership numbers, website transition plans, and financial reports, with the Board reviewing bank reconciliations and event budgets, to include changes to event reimbursement policies and standard operating procedures. In addition, three Board actions took place during the September meeting:
q Approved planning for a May 2026 Tire Rack Street Survival Class.
q Approved down payment on the Holiday Party (January 2026).
q Approved Board support of the Club Race Committee
While many of the events mentioned above have passed, there are still many more to come, so I ask that you please read on in this issue of Horizontally Opposed for more detailed recaps and announcements from your FSR President, Treasurer, Activities Officer, Membership Chair and Charity Chair, as I don’t want to steal any of their thunder.
As a reminder, your Board of Directors meets on the second Tuesday of each month via Zoom, so any FSR member may attend. If you would like to sit in, just ask me or any board member for the Zoom link.
Well, that should do it for now. ‘Hope to see many of you at upcoming breakfasts and Fun Runs and, as always, thanks to Rich and all those who volunteer for your Board!
New Members
June, July, August 2025
Welcome to our New Members since the Spring 2025 Horizontally Opposed. We are happy to have you join us. Please come to an event soon and meet some fellow members, have some fun and see a lot of beautiful Porsches.
Francis Diskin
Stephen Friedrich
Richard Gray
Andrew Jefferies
Kadeem McCord
William Rich
June 2025
Glen Allen 2021 Taycan 4S
Williamsburg 2025 718 Cayman S
Norfolk 1985 911
Dunnsville 2008 Cayenne Turbo
Chesapeake 2017 Panamera 4
Chesapeake 2008 Cayman S
John Sigler Kinsale 2023 Macan T
John Skinner
Addison Hearn
Joseph Virostek TI Allegheny
Dennis Rudzinski
Lloyd Shabazz
Greys Castanon
Travis O’Neal
Kyle Jones
Michael Turkenkopf
Sean Rapoza
Geoffrey Braun
Ryan Tarantelli
Inga Mintz
David Brown
James Trautz
Michael Mararaj
Meagan Lenertz
Andrew Gallousis
David Talton
Jeremy Ball
Thomas Stroud
David Smith
Brent Gebhardt
Charles Youngblood
Jennifer Palmore
Karen Johnson
Brad Purvis
John Sweeney
Benjamin Harris
Robert Skipper
Chesapeake 1978 911 SC Targa
Richmond PCA Test Drive
July 2025
Williamsburg 2010 911 Carrera Cab
Richmond 2014 Cayman
Chesapeake 2016 Panamera Edition
New Kent 2015 911 Carrera
Chesapeake 2014 911 GT3
Newport News 2018 Macan S
Virginia Beach 1982 911 Sc
Henrico 2014 Cayman S
Norfolk 1992 911 Carrera 4
Moseley 2023 718 Cayman GTS
Poquoson 2021 Macan S
Hampton 2019 718 Cayman
Chesapeake 2025 718 Boxster S
Williamsburg 2025 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Midlothian 2021 Panamera GTS
August 2025
Virginia Beach 2015 Cayman S
Midlothian 2001 911 Carrera
Manakin Sabot 2024 718 Boxster S
Midlothian 1987 944
Glen Allen 2020 911 Carrera S
Midlothian 1986 944
King George PCA Test Drive
Richmond 2025 Macan GTS
Virginia Beach 2015 Boxster S
Toano PCA Test Drive
Norfolk 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
Palmyra 2002 Boxster
Glen Allen 2015 Cayman S
James Cheatham Moseley 2007 Cayman S
Chris Kolloff
John Lewis TI Chesapeake
Brett Havens
Raymond Owens
Daniel Fitzgerald
James Trivette
Charles Youngblood
Derek Formsma
Williamsburg
Virginia Beach
Richmond
Midlothian
Virginia Beach
Henrico
King George
Midlothian
Member Anniversary Milestones for the Third Quarter 2025
Ken Thomas, Membership Chair
Congratulations to all our members who celebrate membership milestones in the third quarter of 2025 Thank you all for your loyalty to the Porsche brand, the Porsche Club of America and First Settlers Region. A special recognition goes to Rob Calloway who is celebrating 50 years of membership.
We hope you all are enjoying your membership and all the benefits that are available to you. If you haven’t come out to an event lately, consider joining us for an event this year. First Settlers offers many popular events throughout the year with a focus on driving, social and charitable activities. Our monthly breakfasts are very popular also. Hope to see you at an event soon.
Ken
50 Years
35 Years
30Years
25 Years
20 Years
15 Years
10 Years
5 Years
Rob Calloway
Keith Bangel
Glenn Davis
David Licciardello
William Reilly
Christopher Kyrus
Mark Hunter
Ralph Nelson
Richard Hall
Antonio McCartney
Gib DeShazo
Robin Marshall
Raymund Banzon
Floyd Hooks
Theodore Robertson
Richard Naigle
Daniel Grieco
Phillip Smith
David Canada
Beth Kiser
Keith Thorogood
Byron Edge
Kevin Clark
Cor Kikstra
John Baron
Tom Fitzgerald
Kevin Crowder
PCA Test Drive
2014 Cayenne
2024 718 Spyder RS
1961 356 Roadster
2003 Boxster
1976 912E
2006 718 Cayman S
2015 911 Carrera S
Emmett Richardson
Kevin Pirkle
Hayward Taylor
Barry Cate
Timothy Wymer
Dennis Herbert
Michael Ball
Thomas Baron
Bill DeBender
Editor’s Corner
Paula & Bryan Fox
On the Cover:
From a fall 2024 Fun Run, white Porsches contrast with the fall colors and blue sky. Photo by Mike Ball.
As we move from summer into autumn, FSR focus shifts somewhat away from driving events to charity. In this edition of Horizontally Opposed, you will find 2 articles highlighting the efforts of FSR and our selected charities. However, our 2 biggest fundraisers are just over the horizon. “Air & Auto 2025” will take place at the Military Aviaton Museum in Virginia Beach while this newsletter is in print. “Turkeys in the Trunk” (or “Furkeys Iin the Frunk” depending upon your preferred Porsche model) takes place on November 25. Please consider participation and donation to these hallmark FSR events. There are also 2 articles highlighting personal experiences/travel of FSR members. Please enjoy the personal insight of FSR member Kevin Pirkle on his experience at the 24 hours of LeMans. This is our third in a series of personal experiences contributed by FSR members on the triple crown of endurance racing. Also, Rich Cao puts a “Porsche Family” spin on his recent trip to Porsche Parade.
Activities Update
by Keith Stone
Paula & Bryan
The Spring was full of Fun Runs and social events. Many more to come! Below is a list of currently scheduled upcoming events.
944 Fest
by George Michaels
Founded in 2001, 944Fest started as a modest HPDE event organized by PCA’s Northern Ohio Region. Held primarily at Nelson Ledges Road Course in Ohio, the event focused on track time, it has also been held at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and our own VIR. Quickly gaining traction among fans of the 944, 924, 924S, 968, and even the occasional 928 owner, attendance has grown significantly, to the tune of some 175 cars.
944Fest 2025 roared into Virginia International Raceway August 29–31, delivering a high-octane celebration of Porsche 944 culture with a multi-event weekend of community camaraderie.
Photo by George Michaels
Photo by Colton Eckert
The event returned to our favorite track, bringing together the largest annual gathering of Porsche 944 enthusiasts from across the country. Set against the backdrop of VIR’s legendary full-course layout, the weekend was packed with things to do.
It wasn’t just a gathering, as the event occurred alongside a Track Daze HPDE event so many attendees took advantage of the opportunity to get on the track. Friday night offered a different track opportunity, a Go-Kart Enduro on VIRs go-kart track, most of which was at night!
For folks not partaking in the HPDE on Saturday, 944s packed local roads on a mystery poker run, a rally that ran from downtown Danville all the way to Martinsville Speedway and back, collecting clues along the way.
After the Poker Run, everyone gathered at VIR’s Gallery lawn for a car show followed by dinner, an awards ceremony and a host of door prize drawings. From pristine restorations to “worst in show” contenders, the car show celebrated every flavor of 944. Even kids got in on the judging, making it a truly family-friendly affair. PCA’s 944 Register representative was also in attendance, with assistance from FSR, pushing PCA membership, handing out swag and prizes to a few smart 944 quiz winners. They even presented some car show awards!
One notable feature of the event was the camping area. One generous sponsor rented the entire area, allowing attendees to camp for free. It was a village of 944s and tents… an interesting sight. 944Fest 2025 showcased the nationwide reach of this event, with participants traveling from coast to coast to share their passion for Porsche’s 4-cylinder, front-engine sports car.
There were a few FSR members in attendance, but some of you who know I don’t own a 944 may be asking, “why go to a 944 event?” It’s all about preservation of the community and as President of the 928 Owners Club, I have a vested interest. Porsche transaxle enthusiasts generally have an appreciation for the other models in the category, myself included, and the average age of 928 owners is about my age. 944 owners are generally quite younger, so by exposing them to the virtues of Porsche’s V8 high speed cruiser, perhaps I might lure some of them over. I did have a few interested folks who now know more about the 928 than they did before, and that’s good enough for me… for now at least.
Photo by Shawn Hansen
including all sales, and income taxes. All prizes will be subject to federal tax withholding of 25% or the applicable rate in accordance with the requirements of Federal law. PCA will collect and withholding on behalf of the winner prior to delivery of prize. requests for entries must be submitted on an official entry form which is available on the www.pca.org, in “Porsche Panorama”, and contained in a PCA direct mail piece. may be reproduced. All entry forms must be submitted by mail to PCA at P.O. Box Columbia, MD 21045 or via online at www.pca.org.
winner will be selected at a random drawing from all eligible entries to be conducted at Lane, Unit 4 c/d Columbia, MD 21046 the week of December 22nd by a PCA whose decision shall be final and binding in all respects. The winning entry will be container in which all eligible entry stubs purchased for the drawing will be mixed. stub will have an equal chance of being drawn. is void where prohibited by law.
1st Grand Prize: A stunning 2026 Porsche 911 GTS + $35,000 cash
Employees and National Executive Council, persons living in the same households and National Executive Council, immediate family members (spouses, children, parents) of employees and council members of PCA are not eligible to enter or to win
2nd Grand Prize: A sleek 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera + $35,000 cash
Acceptance of a prize constitutes permission for PCA to use the winner’s name, regional affiliand photograph in any PCA publicity worldwide in all media including the Internet additional compensation unless prohibited by law. participating in the raffle, participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules. is sponsored by the Porsche Club of America, 9689 Gerwig Lane, Unit 4c/d, Co21046. The entire net proceeds of the raffle shall be devoted exclusively to the lawful the Porsche Club of America.
(All photos shown are for illustration purposes only. Options may vary.)
FSR Gives Bank - America’s VetDogs
Restoring Hope
Jenny Kay
Not Just a Service Dog, But A Lifeline
For many veterans and first responders, life after service comes with invisible wounds, physical, emotional, or both. America’s VetDogs was created to walk alongside these heroes, offering highly trained service dogs that provide not just assistance with daily tasks, but a profound sense of purpose, trust, and unconditional love. These dogs are trained to help with mobility, guide vision impaired handlers, respond to PTSD symptoms, and more, giving recipients the ability to reclaim their independence with dignity. For many, that first moment of connection with their dog marks the start of healing. While the cost to breed, raise, and train one dog exceeds $50,000, America’s VetDogs provides all services at no charge, thanks to generous donors.
National Reach, Local Impact in Virginia
Though based in New York, America’s VetDogs maintains a strong presence in Virginia, with 3 field staff supporting a growing network of graduates and 50 active puppy raisers across the state. As of their fiscal year ending July 1, 2025, they have placed 85 service dogs and 29 guide dogs with veterans and first responders in Virginia. These “boots on the ground” efforts ensure ongoing support and training, strengthening the bond between each dog and handler. From puppy raising to lifelong partnerships, America’s VetDogs is changing lives right here at home.
FSR’s Involvement, Driving Impact Beyond the Track
This year marks the third consecutive year that the First Settlers Region has supported America’s VetDogs, and we are honored to continue that partnership. Currently, the only funds donated by FSR come from proceeds raised by our High Performance Driver Education (HPDE) Charity Laps. We extend our sincere thanks to every driver, volunteer, and donor who participates in these events, you are doing far more than enjoying time on the track; you’re restoring hope, one veteran and one service dog at a time. America’s VetDogs is always looking for passionate volunteers to serve as Full-Time Puppy Raisers, Puppy Campers, or Temporary Home providers. No experience is required, and the America’s VetDogs’ expert team provides guidance every step of the way.
To learn more about America’s VetDogs, their service dog programs, and how you can get involved, visit www.VetDogs.org
Bucket List - You Can Only Do The Math
Once
By Kevin Pirkle
The year was 1997. I stopped into a Porsche specialty re-seller along West Chester Pike on Rt. 3 between Philadelphia and West Chester, PA. The salesperson didn’t care that I couldn’t afford to buy the G50 sitting on his floor. He was a fellow enthusiast, and he was more than happy to pass the time with another Porsche lover. While we were discussing my aspirations, he imparted words of wisdom. Among a number of things he shared were instructions to avoid buying any car that had been in an accident…” You can only do the math once.”
Since then, I’ve applied this phrase to countless other things…first impressions, choices, and even my bucket list. If there’s something we want to do in this life, we have to either make it happen or seize the moment.
Enter the year 2020. Having been born on June 14th, 1970, I was about to turn 50. Some of you likely recall that Porsche’s first overall victory was claimed in a 917 on June 14th, 1970 as well. Since then, Porsche cars have won more 24 Hours of LeMans races than any other marque. And with the 24 Hours of LeMans having been on my bucket list for years, I’d been telling my wife, Giniene, that if we ever made it to Paris, it would be awesome to attend the longest running endurance race in the world! She quickly agreed (with the ulterior motive of visiting every art museum in Paris), and we made plans in 2019 to visit France and attend the race. As we got closer, the Covid-19 Pandemic hit the world, and the only thing I’d end up having to show for the race was my WEC (World Endurance Championship) iPad app and a refund for the VIP tickets I’d purchased… It subsequently took our family until 2022 to visit Paris, and with schools not letting out until after the race, we would simply have to postpone my dream.
So upon recognizing that 2025 was going to be my 55th birthday, Giniene asked if I might be interested in returning to Paris, this time specifically to include the 24 Hours of LeMans! It was on… The start of the race would be on my birthday, and the conclusion of the race would be on Father’s Day. I couldn’t have been more excited, and we immediately went to work last summer, booking the high speed TUV train from Paris Montparnasse to LeMans, then the Tram from LeMans Station to the track. Tickets for the race were purchased along with an ACO Membership directly from the official website of Automobile Club de l’Ouest, www.lemans.org. Since my wife and daughter don’t quite share my level of interest, we made plans for them to join me for the start of the race, and then I would accompany them back to Paris... I booked grandstand seats in Turn 3 (Chapelle) for the first day and VIP/Hospitality tickets over Pit Lane on the front straight for my solo return.
Day 1
Having navigated the Paris Metro in 2022, Giniene was a pro, so all I had to do was pay attention this time to make certain I wouldn’t screw it up on Day 2 when I returned solo. The one hour high-speed train was full of race-goers, and we met a wonderful Frenchman who was also on his way. At some point in the conversation, it was established that all of us sitting in proximity were Porsche fans, so if there were any Ferrari or Aston Martin fans in our cabin, they kept it to themselves! Once at LeMans Station, we boarded a standing room only Tram that took us directly to the East Entrance of the track, Circuit de la Sarthe. The official app of the 24 Hours of LeMans was helpful, allowing us to see where we were in relation to any destination input, and soon we were inside the circuit.
We grabbed a quick bite of track grub, then watched the last part of the Mustang Challenge race before heading to the official Museum to glean more of the historic aspects of the 102-year-old race. The weather was overcast, which was a nice break from the previous day’s hot sun. The line for the museum was a couple hundred yards long but moved along steadily, and soon we were inside enjoying the full gamut of LeMans history…the companies and their Owners (Ford, Ferrari, Porsche, Toyoda) the Drivers (McQueen, Dalmas, Bell, Ickx, Kristensen), and the cars themselves!! The museum even had a circular room full of dedicated display cases that housed every car that ever raced in the 24 Hours of LeMans, including the 93 cars that raced in 1959. The top 3 cars were on podiums by year, and they were meticulously curated with the precise liveries for each. Just incredible. Continuing, I was ecstatic to show my wife and daughter actual cars that I’d previously only seen at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany and Rennsport Reunions V and VI at Laguna Seca in Monterrey. They also had a special exhibition to highlight the McLarens, but I digress…
After the museum, we figured we’d better get situated, since the race would promptly start at 4pm. WOW… It was not that we hadn’t noticed how many people were in the train station and on the Tram, but I don’t think it was until this point that we realized how many people were attending the event. The 24 Hours of LeMans turned 100 years old in 2023, and apparently this year would set yet another record for attendance…332,000 people! We were amazed how many more people had arrived at the track between 10am and race start! It was just about this time when Giniene and Shannon realized how fortunate we all were to have grandstand seats. People were lined up as many as 50 deep from the fence line to the walkway just in front of the grandstand at Turn 3, leaving limited standing and walking room behind the crowds. It was just incredible…race day fans as far as one could see!
As 4pm approached, we enjoyed a flyover by two French fighter jets followed by the release of plumes of pink and blue smoke. Brian Haggard, another FSR member and close friend, had armed me with a PDF of the Spotter Cards he uses on race day. I’d laminated these to make identifying the cars easier, and it was time to put them to use! Just about then, the Porsche 911 pace car rolled over the hill out of the Dunlop curve (T2) heading toward Chapelle (T3), followed first by the Hypercar Class, then LMP2, and finally the LMGT3 cars.
The cars were incredible, and this was our chance to
take it all in, since this was the slowest, they’d pass by us… the 24-hour clock would start counting down shortly!
Within minutes, the Hypercar class came screaming out of T2…and the race was ON! Ear plugs were very much appreciated, especially when the band of LMP2 cars came through! I found it incredible how quiet the LMGT3 class sounded, especially knowing how loud these cars would
have sounded up close at VIR. It was a relative thing… The Hypercars and LMP2s are just SO loud that the LMGT3s sounded like street cars with our hearing protection in place!
It was an amazing start. Giniene and Shannon asked questions, and we enjoyed watching the three different classes of cars come through repeatedly. Then over the next couple of hours, we watched the Hypercars catch the field and begin working their way through the LMGT3s. By the time we left to take them back to Paris for the night, there was a constant stream of traffic on track, now with all three classes of cars spread out and navigating one another constantly.
Heading back to Paris for some sleep yielded a surprise. As it turned out, many people were doing the same exact thing we were…heading home for the evening while following the race on headsets, then returning the next day for the rest of the race! I suppose I’d seen so many advertisements for camp sites at the track in advance of the trip, that I’d imagined far more people stayed all night long. Instead, people were commuting!
Day 2
I grabbed some sleep and was back up at 6am to head back to the track (race ended at 4pm). Breakfast and coffee behind me, I’d end up navigating solo this time…my wife hoping I wouldn’t end up in Spain. Haha… While on the Tram, I struck up conversation with a fellow Porsche enthusiast I’d met the previous day. After I noticed he was wearing a Ferrari hat for his return to the track, I asked when he’d switched teams! Humorously, he shared that his sons had stayed at the track all night and made friends with someone who had gotten them into the factory Ferrari team quarters. Even though he was a 993 owner and longtime Porsche enthusiast, he figured that he should appear supportive to gain acceptance with his sons’ new circle of friends. We shared some laughs, and I told him that I’d be alerting Penske and Manthey that he was switching sides for the day.
Once back at the circuit, instead of returning to Turn 3, I made my way to my VIP experience inside the track called Pavillon. This is also where I picked up my ticket for entrance to the grandstands over Pit Lane on the Front Straight. Like other VIP Hospitality venues on offer at the 24 Hours of LeMans, there was a full selection of refreshments & drinks, gourmet food, screens for viewing the race, private restrooms and a few random sitting areas with couches where one could sit and enjoy some time out of the sun! This turned out to be welcome, since the sun was back, and it was pretty darn hot! So the Hospitality venue was just what I needed to cool down before heading to my seats over Pit Lane. I stayed in the suite for about an hour or so and had the chance to meet someone visiting the race from Dubai. I can only imagine how many countries were represented by their 332,000 racing fans!
By 11:15am or so, I was seated on the Front Straight, and I finally realized that the race would be over in less than 5 hours. I walked down to watch a few cars enter Pit Lane, but the overhang prevented me from watching the teams execute driver and tire changes, taking on fuel, etc. As the cars entered, they disappeared under the overhang, re-emerging just a few seconds later. Somewhere around 1:00pm, I grabbed a quick snack along with a picture of a bunch of driving suits hung over railings to dry behind the grandstands. I can only assume this is where crew members hung their suits to dry in the sun before the next scheduled pit.
What I experienced next was almost surreal. I was back in my seat before 2:00pm, refreshed and ready for the last two hours of the race. In addition to seeing the cars enter the Front Straight from what are referred to as the Ford Chicanes (T30-T33), I could also watch the race easily from two massive Jumbo-Tron style screens on either side of the Front Straight. This was like watching the race on TV at the same time as seeing the race live. I found myself getting lost in the experience, and what happened over the course of the last two hours made me feel like I was re-living history…yet simultaneously experiencing it in the making. All eyes, of course, are on the Hypercar class at this point, since this class inevitably produces the overall winner.
1:50 left - The #6 Penske Porsche is in 3rd place and closing on the two factory Corsa red Ferraris. Having come from dead last place due to a weight infraction during qualifiers, I’d been amazed to see this car keep climbing the leader board throughout the race. The Ferraris were in a better position, since the Porsche had stayed out longer and was in desperate need of a tire change.
1:46 left - The #5 Penske Porsche pits.
1:20 left - The #6 Penske Porsche pits, as does the #50 factory Ferrari. Something doesn’t go well for team Ferrari, and the Porsche makes it out of the pits and into 2nd place!
By this point, I feel my heart! Prior to the pit, the Porsche had been chasing the two factory Ferraris. After the pit, the Porsche was being chased by the #50 Ferrari, and at the 1:07 mark left in the race, the Porsche was being chased by both the #51 and #50 Corsa red factory Ferraris! But it gets better…
With less than an hour to go, I noticed that the #6 Porsche was starting to gap the Corsa Ferraris, and for the first time, I wondered if there was a chance that an overall win could be within reach! I watched intently as the #6 Porsche continued to gap the factory Ferraris while it pursued the yellow AF Corse Ferrari 499P piloted by a customer team owned by a Polish Oil Company. It wasn’t until there were only 23 minutes left in the race that I came to terms with the fact that it would be impossible for the #6 Porsche to overtake the #83 yellow Ferrari, since 11.55 seconds simply could not be made up by the Porsche unless something catastrophic were to happen to the #83 car
And so, the end of the 24 Hours of LeMans arrived with the Ferrari customer team coming in 1st, the Penske Porsche #6 coming in 2nd, and the two Corsa red factory Ferraris coming in 3rd and 4th followed by a Cadillac in 5th.
What followed was the spectacular presentation of the class winner trophies and spraying of Champagne by the podium winners on their teammates. All this time, the crowds were pouring over the fences and onto the track while the announcements and music played, confetti flew, and Ferrari flags waved in victory. For a moment, in the midst of this incredible sight…(with tens of thousands of people flooding the track, and people all around me in the stands) …I only wished that Porsche had come in 1st instead of 2nd. I even felt a little momentary resentment at the sight of all the Ferrari fans reveling in the #83 car’s victory.
Within moments, however, I began to realize everything that was/had happened at once!
• I had been able to realize a bucket list event that I’d wanted to attend since I was a kid, and I’d experienced the start of the race with both my wife and daughter on my 55th birthday and Father ’s Day weekend in France.
• Porsche had competed in both the Hypercar and LMGT3 Classes and podiumed in both.
• Penske Porsche #6 had come from dead last to 2nd place overall in the Hypercar class, besting the two Corsa red factory Ferraris.
• Manthey Racing #92 “1st Phorm” had won its second consecutive win in the LMGT3 Class.
And what about that #83 Ferrari that won? Well, if Porsche had to take 2nd place during my special weekend, I’m happy to say that the winning team was very deserving. The #83 Ferrari 499P had been piloted for 166 of the 387 laps (43% of he race!) by none other than Robert Kubica, the ex-Formula 1 driver who had been in a near death F1 crash in 2007 followed by a horrible rally car accident in 2011, keeping him from realizing a pre-contract agreement to race with Ferrari F1 in 2012. Kubica recovered from his 2011 accident, and made an incredible F1 comeback in 2019. Together with his equally determined teammates, Kubica executed a tremendous effort and truly deserved this year’s win.
If I had to guess, it was a tough week at Ferrari Factory Racing the next week. They’d been beat by Kubica in a privateer, customer car. They’d also been beaten by Penske Porsche. And just to add a little more insult, their #50 car which finished in 4th place ended up being disqualified after recording it’s highest top speed late in the race, only for the race scrutineers to find that four bolts were missing from the rear wing support. Remember that #12 Cadillac I mentioned earlier? It was promoted to 4th place in lieu of the #50 car. Ouch…
What an incredible experience in every regard! The 24 Hours of LeMans did not disappoint! If there’s something you want to experience in this one life we have, just remember…” You can only do the math once!”
FSR Gives Back - CHKD: A Legacy of Care
by Community
Jenny Kay
Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD) traces its roots back to 1896, when a group of compassionate young women came together as The King’s Daughters, united in their mission to serve the health needs of children in Hampton Roads. What started with humble beginnings, hiring a nurse on a bicycle to provide care for the community and establishing a small children’s clinic, grew into something extraordinary.
In 1961, their dream became a reality with the opening of CHKD, an 88-bed pediatric hospital in Norfolk. Today, it stands as Virginia’s only freestanding pediatric hospital, with 206 beds and a health system that spans over 40 locations across Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, and northeastern North Carolina. CHKD provides comprehensive care for children from birth through young adulthood.
FSR Supports CHKD’s Cancer & Blood Disorders Center
CHKD’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (CCBDC) follows over 500 childhood cancer patients and more than 500 patients with sickle cell disease each year. In 2024, the center recorded more than 8,500 visits, including 70+ new cancer diagnoses in our region. Patients range in age from infants to young adults and come from every corner of Virginia and North Carolina.
More than just medical care, CHKD supports the emotional and educational needs of children, offering academic help, counseling, in-hospital proms and holiday celebrations, incorporating support for the entire family, all free of charge.
With cutting edge innovations like CAR T-cell therapy and a state-of-the-art PET scanner, CHKD delivers world class treatment close to home. As a member of the Children’s Oncology Group, CHKD ensures their patients benefit from the latest research and clinical trials in pediatric cancer care. To learn more about CHKD and their mission of Health, Healing and Hope for All Children, visit CHKD.org.
FSR’s Involvement
In 2023 and 2024, CCBDC was one of three featured beneficiaries at the Air & Auto Classic Charity Car Show, where The King’s Daughters also hosted their Anthem LemonAid stand raising over $500.
While we have not had a pop up fundraiser for CHKD this year, we are excited to welcome them back again for the 13th Annual Air & Auto Classic on October 11, 2025. CHKD was also personally selected by each of the silent auction winners at our Williamsburg Winery Holiday Party to receive their donations, a heartfelt reminder of generosity from within our FSR community.
Through our charity efforts, we are doing more than supporting a hospital, we are standing beside hundreds of local families during some of their most difficult moments and helping to ensure that expert care is never out of reach.
Thanks to our amazing members for giving so generously, time and time again; your support is truly making a difference in the lives of children and their families.
Jackie, age 12 is a cancer survivor and will be at the Air & Auto 2025 lemonade stand
Porsche Parade Oklahoma City: The Great American Family Road Trip
Rich Cao author and photo contributor
The Porsche Parade is more than just a gathering of Porsche enthusiasts—it’s a celebration of community, adventure, and family fun. This annual event brings together Porsche owners and fans from across the country to embark on unforgettable journeys, explore scenic routes, and create lasting memories with loved ones. This year will be our family’s second trip to Parade. The only issue is that it is in Oklahoma this year… 1,384 miles away from our home in Suffolk. And in the middle of the summer. The last Porsche Parade we attended was in 2022 when it was held in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, but that was a single day’s drive. Oklahoma City is over 20 hours each way. But what if we broke up the drive into reasonable stints? Nashville is along the way down Interstate 64, about the mid-point and only a nine-hour drive. I’ve never been to Nashville and I’ve always heard great things about that city. And on the way back we can take the northern route through St. Louis and Louisville! OK, let’s do it! But with four of us, we’ll do it in the 911 and Macan that way we’ll have plenty of space for our bags and anything we want to bring back. Plus, with the 911 I can still do the planned Auto Cross (AutoX). A solid plan. And with the kids coming, we decided to register for all the planned PCA Juniors activities so they could be the center of our memorable experience in Oklahoma City.
Porsche Parade officially started on Sunday, 6 July so our plan was to depart home on the 3rd and get into Nashville the same day, spend the 4th touring the city and enjoying the 4th of July party, then head to Oklahoma City on the 5th, arriving the Saturday before Parade started. Another solid plan. Enter Murphy. The day before our departure I’m at the gas station filling up the 911 then I see it… a bulge in the right front Pirelli tire. There’s no way I’m starting a 3,000 mile trek with a damaged tire. OK, no problem… I’ll head over to Discount Tire and get them swapped out. Yeah... we have a problem. There are no Pirelli P-Zeros anywhere in the state of Virginia. The best they can do is a new set of Michelin Pilot 4s for the front but delivered the following day… ugh. OK, no problem… I’m flexible. We’ll just leave later than expected. Easy peasy. And my OCD will have to deal with Michelins in the front and Pirellis in the rear… well, that part might not be so easy, but I’ll soldier on. Fortunately, everything went according to plan and the next day the new front tires got installed and by mid-day we were off! Next stop, Nashville
The drive to Nashville was uneventful, but because we left so late, we ended up arriving at our hotel close to midnight. After that 9+ hours of driving we were all ready to jump in bed and get some rest. The next morning, we were up early so we could see as much of the city as we could, from Vanderbilt University to the Parthenon, to the downtown Music City area we saw just about everything we could. Because it was the 4th of July, the city of Nashville closed off most of the downtown area to traffic for the celebration. It was an almost Mardi Gras-like atmosphere with over 365,000 people in attendance. What an awesome city! Live bands were playing while everyone wearing their best red, white and blue patriotic outfits went from bar to bar and restaurant to restaurant. And the night finished off with a spectacular fireworks show that lasted for almost an hour. I can’t believe I’ve been missing out all these years by not coming to Nashville! What a city! The next morning, we hit the road first thing in the morning with about ten hours left until Oklahoma City. That’s without any stops of course… and as we approached Memphis my son, Richie, reminded me of a place we had always wanted to see… the Bass Pro Pyramid along the eastern bank of the Mississippi river! There’s no way we were going to miss this! My wife, Amanda and daughter, Elsy who were following behind in the Macan, were good sports about it and didn’t mind the short delay as we explored one of the coolest outdoor stores in the U.S.! And an hour later we were back on the road, crossing over the mighty Mississippi River into Arkansas and on our way to Oklahoma!
We made it to the Porsche Parade Headquarters at the Omni Hotel Oklahoma City around 9pm and settled in for the night, looking forward to all the events planned for us. We checked in with Porsche Parade Registration first thing on Sunday morning, confirmed all our activities that we previously selected for the week, and the fastest week of the year officially began. Almost immediately Richie was off to the PCA Juniors area where he met up with his FSR buddy, Dimitri Horner, as they both jumped in the racing simulators on their way to competing for their fastest lap times. Fellow FSR members, Jason and Priscilla Horner (and their son Dimitri) are Porsche Parade veterans, and our family was very excited to see them again at Parade. Since our sons are almost the same age (and Porshe nerds like their dads) they also love hanging out together at Parade. While the boys were in the racing sim, Elsy decided she was going to tap into her artistic side and paint mini wooden Porsches for one of the PCA Juniors competition. This year she decided to go with the red and white 917 Salzburg livery on her car for the Mini Painted Car Concours, earning her a 2nd Place trophy! The PCA Juniors program did a fantastic job at having lots of activates to keep the kids busy throughout the week. From remote controlled (RC) car racing (indoor and outdoor) to STEM projects, to Sim Racing there was so much for the kids to do (Big kids got to race the RC cars too! As a matter of fact, Richie and I won a trophy for being the fastest family!). The greatest part of the PCA Juniors experience was the friendships they made with other kids from around the U.S. and Canada. Friendships that carried on months after Parade facilitated by social media and group texts. Now our kids can’t wait for Porsche Parade 2026 in Lake Placid, NY.
One of the highlights of Parade is always the Porsche Concours, and this year did not disappoint as it was held at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. This exhibition of Porsches was amazing as almost every type of car Porsche has ever produced was on full display. Josie and Phil Grandfield represented FSR well by having their well-travelled 2014 white Cayman on display. And it wasn’t just the cars present that made it an extraordinary experience. We witnessed PCA’s Manny Alban and Damon Lowney making their famous PCA videos as they highlighted the most interesting examples of Porsches on display. We also got to watch FSR member, Alex Llorrente, go to work as one of the official PCA Concours Judges. One of my personal highlights was getting to meet and talk with Porsche Director of Special Projects, Grant Larson, who designed the first Boxster! It was such an amazing experience at the Concours that you almost forgot that it was a cool 112 degrees outside! There was also one other special thing that happened at Parade the night before… the special unveiling of the 911 Club Coupe celebrating PCA’s 70th Anniversary! A special collaboration between PCA and Porsche Auto Group (AG), with only 70 examples made exclusively for PCA members lucky enough to win an allocation by drawing, and we all got the opportunity to see this amazing 911 up close!
While our family decided to make PCA Juniors a priority for all the events we signed up for, we did however also sign up for two driving events. The first driving event we signed up for was a Gimmick Rally starting off at Porsche Oklahoma City and taking us through the old country roads, part of which was along Historic Route 66. The challenge was to match 20 different photos we had on our sheet and find the actual objects along the planned route. We made stops at places like Pops 66 Soda Ranch, the Seaba Station Motorcycle Museum, the old Chandler National Guard Armory, and the Route 66 Bowling Alley for lunch. The route even took us through the beautiful Iowa, Kickapoo, Sac and Fox Tribal Jurisdictions while we searched for the various objects along the way. And our efforts paid off with two 4th place trophies (one for the kids and one for the adults)!
The second driving event was the Porsche Parade AutoX held at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. The PCA AutoX committee designed a great course designed to test the skillset of each driver. And it was a blast! But competition was tough as PCA’s best AutoX’ers were in attendance. Did I mention that the temps were around 112 degrees? And while I wasn’t fast enough to earn a trophy, I’m hoping that Rick Ebinger from Shenandoah Region’s AutoX Committee will help me prepare for next year’s Porsche Parade!
All in all our family had an amazing time at Porsche Parade in Oklahoma City. The PCA organizers did an outstanding job of planning events that catered to the needs of everyone in attendance. While our
family focused on attending PCA Junior events almost exclusively, there were people I spoke to who had no idea so many kid-friendly events were going on. And it wasn’t just the kids who made knew friends at Parade. Amanda and I also made some great friends from Hawaii, Texas, Oklahoma, Maryland, and even Canada! In addition to all the Porsche Swag we purchased from the PCA merchandise store, we were also lucky to load the car up with eight different trophies we won from all the events we participated in! Definitely a great time had by the entire family, and we still had the drive back home to look forward to! Although there would be one last memorable Parade moment to be had. Hours before the Parade of Porsches, which was the culmination of the week’s activities, the entire hotel woke up to a fire alarm which caused the evacuation of the entire hotel. So, we had one more opportunity to meet more PCA members and OKC’s finest firefighters as we hung out on the street in our jammies! Definitely a memorable experience.
The following day we loaded up the 911 and Macan and set out for our first stop on the way home… St. Louis, Missouri. But because it’s all about the drive we decided to take the longer way on Historic Route 66. Along the way we got the opportunity to see things we would’ve never known about traveling on Interstate 44. Places like the Great Blue Whale in Catoosa, OK; the Totem Pole Park in Chelsea, OK; the Cherokee Nation Museum in Vinita, OK; Mickey Mantle’s childhood home in Commerce, OK; and the Tri-border marker of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri. Arriving at our hotel in St. Louis late at night we rested up and explored the city the next day, visiting the St. Louis Arch and National Park Museum, steaming up and down the Mississippi in a river boat, and walking all over the city. Unfortunately, the Cardinals were not in town, but we did get to tour around the ballpark area and take in the sights.
After two nights in St. Louis, our next stop was Louisville, Kentucky where we stayed another two nights. The biggest thing for us to see there was the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum, and that place did not disappoint. Seeing the process of them making Major League wooden bats out of huge tree logs was incredible. Not to mention getting the opportunity to see the actual bats used by Hall of Fame players such as Babe Ruth, Rickey Henderson, and Tony Gwinn. I was even able to look up the Louisville Slugger contract of my great uncle, Jim Cronin, who played for the Philadelphia Athletics under Connie Mack when they won the World Series in 1929. And of course, the visit wouldn’t be complete without Richie and I having a couple of custom bats made. What a great bucket list visit to make.
The entire trip so far was absolutely amazing. My family and I were able to see some of the most beautiful places in America. But what happened at breakfast the next morning was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. During the days we were in Louisville, there happened to be a Veterans Administration Conference going on at the same Downtown Marriott we were staying at. The hotel was full of VA employees, active-duty members, and veterans, but I really didn’t think much of it. For breakfast we went down to the lounge and as we are eating, I look over at the couple eating at the table next to us. An elderly gentleman and his companion
are drinking their coffee and talking about their day. The gentleman was wearing shorts and a golf shirt with a leather motorcycle vest on… a normal guy, nothing extraordinary. Then I see it. In the mix of his U.S. Flag and Vietnam Veteran patches, my eyes lock onto one patch in particular… an embroidered Congressional Medal of Honor patch over the right side of his chest. I had to ask. It turns out that we were sitting next to former U.S. Army Specialist Fourth Class Kenneth J. David from Ohio who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for actions taken on May 7, 1970 in Vietnam. Mr. David was a very humble man that told us his life story and about what happened on that fateful day in 1970. He told us about his short enlistment in the Army, and about his life after the Army when he became an HVAC repairman in Ohio. Mr. David was first awarded the Silver Star when he left the Army in 1971, but during a routine Army decorations review last year, his award was upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor and presented to him this past January, in the final days of President Biden’s term in office. We probably talked for over an hour as we sat in the Marriott lounge. He even asked about my military service as we exchanged war stories despite us being a generation apart. Needless to say, I was honored to have spent time talking with, and getting to know this true American hero. This chance meeting was truly the best part of our cross-country drive in our Porsches. His story can be seen here: https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/kenneth-j-david
The next day we once again packed up and headed home, with one last night in Beckley, West Virginia. Amanda was suffering from a migraine that came on as we were driving through the mountains of WV, so we decided to make an early stop so she could rest. Wanting to give her some quiet time, the kids and I ended up finding a small-town bowling alley in New River Gorge where we enjoyed pizza and bowling on the last night of our Great American Adventure. When we got home the following day, we recounted the days of the last two weeks of our “Porsche road trip,” trying to figure out which were the best moments we each had. So many amazing memories. So many new friends made along the way. And while I initially thought this trip was going to be all about Porsches, I realized that our family love of Porsches and our affiliation with PCA wasn’t the main event. Instead, I realized that Porsches and PCA were literally the vehicle that allowed us to create these great family memories that will last a lifetime. And we cannot wait to start the next Porsche road trip to Lake Placid, New York for Porsche Parade 2026 next June.
