Eastern Vice President Josie Grandfield eastvp@fsrpca.org
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 Director Dana McKnight 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
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.
and previous publications of Horizontally Opposed, are
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.
Happy New Year to all our members of Porsche Club of America’s (PCA) First Settlers Region (FSR)! What an amazing year 2025 turned out to be. Over the past year we had a multitude of events happening almost every single weekend, while enjoying record growth in our membership rolls. Your dedication and love for this club is evident by the levels of participation that we’ve seen at every event. I’ve always said that the club has been my “happy place” as we celebrate our beloved Porsches together, and this year didn’t disappoint. For me, the best part was getting the chance to meet and become friends with so many of you. And as I was thinking about all the events FSR had over the past year, the one thought that kept coming to mind wasn’t even really the cars, but the good times we’ve shared together at each event. According to PCA’s National Bylaws, one of the principal guidelines of the club is “the enjoyment and sharing of goodwill and fellowship engendered by owning a Porsche and engaging in such social or other events as may be agreeable to the membership.” We did this without even trying! So many different people with completely different personalities and backgrounds that came together because of the love for our Porsches, and we ended up making friendships that will last a lifetime. That’s pretty cool and something that I think sets us apart from other car clubs… aside from the fact that we drive cooler cars. ;)
In the coming year I’m very excited to continue having some of the great events that have always been popular with everyone. Events like Fun Runs, Drivers Education at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), Rennsport Rendezvous, Metro Meets, and breakfasts. I’m also very excited about new events we have planned for 2026, like the PCA Club Race at VIR in March, AutoCrossing with Shenandoah Region and Tidewater Sports Car Club, Tech Sessions at Porsche Virginia Beach, and Street Survival for teens in May. And with Porsche Parade 2026 being held only a day’s drive away at Lake Placid, New York, I hope that some of you can be there to experience one of the coolest PCA events on the calendar. Earlier, I mentioned that FSR is experiencing a record growth in membership with a monthly average of 1,440 total members (primary and co-member). However, we still have a large percentage of members who have only been able to enjoy their membership from afar. For these members, I invite you to come out to any of our events and say hello. I promise that you will see why so many of us keep coming back week after week for the Porsches and the camaraderie.
Finally, I can’t thank you all enough for all the support and encouragement you have given me and the entire Board of Directors this past year. It’s been such a privilege to serve you all as President, and I cannot wait to meet more of you this coming year. And as I’ve said many times before, if you have ideas for new events that you’d like to see or suggestions on how we can make things better, please send me a note and let me know. Even if it’s to just say hi and introduce yourself, I’d love to hear from you. Drive safely and continue loving your Porsches!
On an official note, there were 2 new member to our board elected at the most recent Region Elections. Josie Granfield was elected as Eastern Vice President and Dana McKnight was elected as Activities Director. Congratulations to both!
Prost!
Rich Cao
December 2025 Wiliamsburg Breakfast at Carrot Tree Kitchen
Rich
Breakfast Raffles Make a Big Impact
A Remarkable Year of Giving in 2025
By Jenny Kay, FSR Charity Chair
Thank you to the 2025 Charity Committee for donating their time, talents, and energy, and to all FSR club members for their generosity and support. Together, you helped make 2025 an incredibly successful year of giving.
Because of you, FSR members raised and donated $47,511.25 to our charities, supporting organizations that make a real difference in our local communities.
Our monthly breakfast raffles continued to be a cornerstone of FSR’s charitable efforts, raising a combined total of $4,501 this year.
❑ Richmond breakfasts contributed $592 to Feed More
❑ Williamsburg and Chesapeake breakfasts raised $3,907, split evenly between CHKD’s Cancer & Blood Disorder Center (CCBDC), Horizons Hampton Roads (HHR), and Samaritan House (SH), with each receiving $1,303
❑ The Chesapeake breakfast also collected urgently needed household items in December
A special thank you to the members who donated raffle items and to the volunteers who organize these raffles each month. These efforts truly would not be possible without your continued support!
2025 Charity Events at a Glance
FSR hosted a full calendar of successful charity events throughout the year, each making an impact:
❑ January: Williamsburg Winery Holiday Party raised $1,055 for CHKD.
❑ PCA Club Race: Charity Laps raised $680 for God’s Storehouse.
❑ March: Porsche-themed Trivia Game Show Night raised $1,310 for SH, and $270 for FFX, also a nonprofit
❑ April & October: HPDE events raised $810 for America’s Vet Dogs.
❑ June: Wasserhund Brewing Company Music Bingo Night raised $1,189 for HHR.
❑ October: 13th Annual Air & Auto Charity Classic Car Show raised $12,589.25 split evenly between CCBDC, HHR, and SH, with an additional $446 raised by the CHKD LemonAid stand and a $500 donation benefiting HHR, all despite the first ever date change due to weather
❑ November: Turkeys in the Trunk events raised a combined $24,161, and members donated an incredible 3,777 pounds of food. Special thanks to Porsche Virginia Beach and Euroclassics Porsche for hosting the Turkeys in the Trunk events and helping make them such a success.
Looking Ahead
2025 was truly an amazing year for FSR charitable giving, and it would not have been possible without the dedication and generosity of our members. We are incredibly proud of what was accomplished and we are already looking forward to building on this momentum in 2026.
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, participated, and supported FSR’s charitable mission throughout the year!
Paula and Bryan Fox
In this edition you will find several articles that we hope you find interesting, but the one that Paula and I found to be most captivating was the Luft article by Brad Jublou. Not only is it a fascinating article with compelling photos but it causes us to reflect back on a previous era when Porsches were air cooled. The transition to water cooling in the 996 variants did not come without controversy. It was the first major shift in paradigm for the 911 in the 32 years of its existence. Most of us driving modern Porsches now understand that such a transition was necessary.
Porsche now faces another seismic shift in technology, without a clear consensus regarding impact and desirability. This is the potential transition of the 718 platform to an all-electric platform. Paula and I own a 718 and routinely take it to track events as well as exhilerating driving on formal fun runs and self-based tours. With the announcement of this platform’s proposed transition, I started to think about how that would impact some of the events that we love to participate in. Recently, we coordinated a fun run on the Back of the Dragon in Marion Virginia, with 24 vehicles. Although it would be possible to drive an electric Porshe from here to Marion, it would require a stop, likely in Charlottesville or Staunton. There are no charging stations within 50 miles of Marion. This rules out the possibility of using an electrically powered Porsche for this event. Similar story regarding a recent trip to Western North Carolina to drive the Tail of the Dragon and the Cherohala Skyway. There is a single charger in the vicinity of the Tail of the Dragon. Group events with multiple electric vehicles at this destination are just not possible with today’s charging infrastructure. Charging station locations were identified on electrifyamerica.com.
Track events are even more difficult since charging is required more frequently. At our home track, Virginia International Raceway, there is no charging capability within 30 miles. Full electrification would eliminate the 718 platform, one of the most affordable and proficient track platforms, from the realm where it truly excels.
But all is not lost. On December 15, a report in the British automotive Journal, Autocar, cited anonymous sources indicating that Porsche was moving away from their plans to electrify the entirety of the 718 platform. As of the time of this writing, those plans have not been confirmed by Porsche but have been widely reported on by US auto industry publications. It does appear that fully electrified Boxsters and Caymans will be available in model year 2027, but Porsche appears to be reworking the Premium Platform Electric Sport Architecture (PPE) to allow for internal combustion engines. Details on how this might look are not yet available.
I do take some solace that Porsche heard us, performanceoriented enthusiast drivers, who for whatever reason, still desire internal combustion engines across the spectrum of available sports cars. There will be much more to follow in this evolving story...
Paula & Bryan
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou
Photo Courtesy of P. Fox
New Members
October, November, December
2025
Welcome to all our new members. We hope you enjoy your membership and all the related benefits. Most of we hope you get involved and attend some of the many driving, social and charity events. You’ll enjoy the events and the friendships you make.
Kevin Odea
Michael Finnegan
Rob Chesson
Chris Hansin
Bradley Wagoner
Andrew Darr
October 2025
Norfolk 2023 Cayenne GTS
Virginia Beach 2007 911 Carrera 4S Cab
Manakin-Sabot 2023 911 Turbo S Cab
Suffolk 2018 911 GT3
Norfolk 2006 911 Carrera 4S
Montpelier 2013 Boxster
Nancy Sainz Fort Eustis 2023 718 Cayman GT4 RS
James Christmas
Andrew Pope
Dennis McNeely TI Potomac
Alexander Forti
Tyler Hogge
Maritza Amadeo
Aamir Qureshi
James Clark TI Potomac
Justin Price
Joseph Morris TI Central Iowa
Sheenita Hill
Rosana Allison
Omer Khalid
Christopher Holbrook
Edgar Rivera
Ryan Flood
Rich Sykes
John Levy
Jonathan Carter TI N. Country
Dominic Paris
Tom Oast
Debra Laclair
Richmond 2014 Panamera Turbo
Virginia Beach 2016 Cayman
Irvington 2008 Boxster S
Fredericksburg 2000 Boxster
Yorktown 2010 911 Carrera
Yorktown 2023 718 Cayman GTS
Midlothian 2008 911 Carrera 4 Cab
November 2025
Virginia Beach 2016 Macan S
Midlothian Associate Member
Matthews 1990 911 Carrera 2 Targa
Chesapeake 2014 Boxster
Norfolk 2013 Boxster S
Midlothian 2013 911 Carrera
Virginia Beach 1981 911 SC
Newport News 1999 Boxster
Chesterfield 2017 Macan GTS
Chesapeake 2023 911 Turbo S
Richmond 2026 Cayenne Coupe
Fredericksburg 2024 718 Boxster
Midlothian 1984 944
December 2025
Virginia Beach 2000 911 Carerra
Chesapeake 2013 Boxster
Antonio Megias Spain 2020 718 Cayman T
Tawonda Rawles Dean
Fernando Martinez
Derrick David
Ryan Fernett
Mark Stubbs
Dan Bishop TI Hurricane
Marcus Hinkle
Christopher Link
Chesapeake 2013 Boxster S
Virginia Beach 2026 911 Spirit 70
Chesapeake 2015 911 GT3
Fredericksburg 2026 911 Carrera S
Richmond 1975 911S
Kitty Hawk 2025 911 Targa 4 GTS
Virginia Beach 2012 Cayenne Turbo
Moseley 2022 Cayenne Coupe
Charlie Brown
Brad Bradford (Dual Member)
Shaun Kelley
David Wozniak
Mark Newfield
Robert Wich
Marc Cerri
Thomas Berry
Bob Quilez
Peter Evans
Michael Choyna
Leif Lagergren
Jason McGouldrick
Sam Huertes
Henrico
Staunton
Williamsburg
Irvington
Richmond
2025 Cayenne S
1999 911 Carrera Cab
2006 Boxster
2025 Taycan 4S
2025Macan S
Norfolk PCA Test Drive
Williamsburg PCA Test Drive
Henrico
Midlothian
Williamsburg
2003 911 Carrera
2021 911 Carrera Cab
2017 911 Carrera S
Norfolk 2005 Cayenne S
Virginia Beach
Chesapeake
2024 911 Carrera S
2013 Boxster S
Williamsburg 2002 911 GT2
Member Anniversary Milestones for the Fourth Quarter 2025
Ken Thomas, Membership Chair
Congratulations to all our members who celebrated membership milestones in the fourth 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 Mark Leuzinger who is celebrating 55 years of membership.
We hope you 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 in 2026. 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.
55 Years
Mark Leuzinger
35 Years Clemae Smith
30 Years
20 Years
15 Years
10 Years
5 Years
Mark Hackbart
Alex Bell
David Williams
Randy Harritan
John Perry
Donald Ebner
Mike Witynski
Keith Kasmire
John Whitmarsh
Bob Coleman
Marvin Frank
Russ Wilkins
Andrew McCully
Ken Thomas
Edward Peele
Howard Gordon Jefrey Green
Larry Dix II
Marios Sofroniou
Geneva Spreen
Todd Bernard
Alexander Raring
David Henry
Mike Normansell
David Struminger
Robert Hudgens
Wally Schmader
Paul Lanzilotta Ferrel McLain
Activities Update
by Dana McKnight
The Spring was full of Fun Runs and social events. Many more to come! Below is a list of currently scheduled upcoming events.
Luftgekühlt 11
By Brad Jublou Captions by Ed
Back in 2023, when I was the Editor of Horizontally Opposed, I was talking on the phone with Alex Llorente about an article I was doing, and he told me that he was soon out the door to fly to San Francisco for Luft 9. Being a “Porsche newbie,” I asked, “What is Luft?” Alex filled me in and later wrote an article about it, “The Evolution of Luft,” which was published in the Winter 2023 edition of HO. (Still available for viewing in the FSR App!) Fast forward to April 2025, and we found out that that Luft 11 was going to be held 4 October in Durham, NC. Since this was the first time Luft was held anywhere near the east coast, Kathy and I jumped at the opportunity to attend!
Luftgekühlt (meaning air-cooled) was created by former Porsche factory racer and two-time Le Mans winner Patrick Long, along with art director/designer/brand marketer Howie Idelson, supported by the show’s Creative Director, photographer/racer/commercial film director Jeff Zwart. The idea was to have a curated display of air-cooled Porsches, typically in an industrial setting, which would provide a fitting contrast with the cars
Luft 11 was held at the American Tobacco Campus, the site of the old American Tobacco Company factory, which has been refurbished and repurposed into a venue, which also includes some cafes and shops. It was an awesome setting for a spectacular show. About 400 cars were displayed throughout the complex and out on the street beside it. Incredible cars were also stashed around corners, in stairwells, and even in a lobby area in front of a couple of the restrooms! (How did they get that in there?!?) Every time I thought I’d seen everything, I’d turn a corner or go through a door and find more amazing cars.
After the show, 37 members of the FSR and Shenandoah Regions finished the day off with a Saturday night dinner at Tobacco Road Sports Café.
Luft 11 was one of those events that reminded us why we love these cars, equal parts art show and time capsule. The pictures don’t really do it justice; it felt like a living museum. But here is a selection of pics from the show. Many additional pictures are available on our FSR Facebook page; definitely recommend scrolling back to October on FB and checking them out!
A crazy Dakar conversion!
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou
A beautifully restored 356. Originally released in 1948, the 356 was the 1st production sports car for Porsche. In production through 1965, the 356 had multiple variants, each with improved performance. The boxer 4 engine layout was used throughout, with the earliest versions sporting a 1.1 litre, 40 hp powerplant that grew to 2.0 litres and 107 hp in the 356C model, which also boasted 4-wheel disc brakes. Curb weight was 1700-2300 lbs.
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou
The 993 was the last 911 variant powered by an iconic air cooled flat-6. In production from 1994 to 1998, it is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful 911 designs. All variants were powered by a 3.6 litre flat-6 with base models generating 282 hp and Turbo S models producing 424 hp”
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou,
Beyond its racing heritage, the Porsche 550 Spyder occupies a unique space in popular culture, forever linked to Hollywood legend James Dean and his fateful drive in “Little Bastard”. Today, an authentic Porsche 550 Spyder commands exceptional value, typically ranging from $4 million to upwards of $6 million. This example is a Porsche 550A, chassis number 550A-0142, only the first 90 copies of the 550 did not have the “A” suffix.
Photo Courtesy of Rich Cao
The 550 Coupé. Debuting in 1953, the 550 was a potent combination of agility and reliability that allowed it to secure victories at iconic races such as the Carrera Panamericana, the Targa Florio, and numerous class wins at Le Mans. Weighing in at only 1200lbs and powered by the 110hp “Furmann Engine” (1500cc, DOHC flat 4), it earned the nickname “Giant Killer” because of its dominance over larger, more powerful competitors. This particular example is chassis #001, and was lost for several years prior to restoration.
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou
Even Orcas are jealous of that tail
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou
The license plate says it all!!
Photo courtesy of Roops Ramdon
Photo Courtesy of Brad Jublou
Introduced in 1984, the Porsche 962 was a highly successful prototype racing car that served as a successor to the 956. Various models captured over 180 victories, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1986 and 1987. Using an aluminum monocoque chassis and a turbocharged flat 6 engine of 2.6 to 3.2 litres, it was capable of speeds up to 218 mph. The use of advanced fuel injection and ignition systems enabled the 2.6 litre engine to develop 630bhp with the larger displacement variants generating up to 780 hp. Torque ranged from 464-527 lb-ft. Recent auction prices range from $900,000 to $1.5 million.
Photo
courtesy of Roops Ramdon
News from the Secretary
by Carl Bess
It’s that time of year again to take a breather from the holidays and start dreaming about putting those summer tires back on. It’s also time to bring you a brief recap of what your Board of Directors have been doing for the last few months of 2025.
The last quarter started off with a bang. I won’t steal all the thunder from the other Board members who may be contributing to this issue, but here are just a few highlights:
• Ken reported a significant increase in membership from the same period as last year
• Dates for the PCA Club Race at VIR have been set for 20-22 March 2026.
• Marco reported a very successful October DE event, which had 130 participants.
• The Bavarian Chef event was a resounding success with 20 cars and 33 participants.
• “Air & Auto” had to be pushed out a week due to inclement weather; however, we all know by now that it still stood out to be a class show with great participation.
• The RPM event just outside of Richmond also produced a good turnout. Stay tuned for a redux in 2026!
• Phil announced plans to host a Tire Rack Street Survival event at Franklin Airport on May 16. The event is a one-day driving clinic designed to reduce the number of traffic incidents amongst new drivers, combining classroom learning and on-on-one coaching on a closed driving course. Phil’s looking at 20 teen participants and will need 30-40 of our members to support the event, so think about volunteering!
These are just a few of the many activities that occurred last quarter, and I hope many of you were able to enjoy them firsthand.
Finally, Rich will be announcing in this issue the results of our Region’s elections, welcoming our new Eastern Vice President and Activities Officer. On a personal note, I wish to congratulate our new officers and offer my sincere thanks to Scott Hoffmann and Keith Stone who served admirably in those positions and look forward to our continuing friendship.
As always, thank you Rich and to all who volunteer for your Board and FSR events!
For the 12th time in 13 years, the Hampton Roads automotive enthusiast community gathered at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach for our annual Air & Auto Classic.
Despite a one-week rain delay and a crowded calendar of competing events, we were rewarded with a beautiful day and an outstanding turnout of owners, show cars, and attendees—all united in support of our beneficiaries: CHKD, Horizons Hampton Roads, and Samaritan House. Judging by the smiles, laughter, and enthusiastic comments throughout the day, it’s clear that everyone enjoyed the full range of activities and hospitality we had to offer.
Our volunteer teams were instrumental in creating this experience. The raffle team, led by Ruth Apotheker; the Water, Wine & Beer tent, led by Jerry Kent; the Registration Station, led by Jenny Kay; and the Judging Team, led by John Kopp—all delivered exceptional service with the help of their dedicated volunteers. Guests were welcomed with true Southern hospitality by our Greeting Team, headed by Scott Hoffman.
Sponsor recruiter and event co-chair Ken Thomas worked his usual magic to ensure a smooth event flow, helping us execute the day with a graceful simplicity that felt almost effortless.
By the end of the show, we awarded nearly 40 trophies, including Best of Show to Sam Gassel—who, fittingly, helped start the Air & Auto Classic many years ago. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and the support of our community, we raised more than $19,000
Ty from Porsche Virginia Beach presents Michael Marajah a handmade award
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang made a special appearance. One of the four movie cars, she was the perfect personification of air and auto.
Article and photos courtesy of Erik Apotheker
Sam Gassel take top honor with his beautiful and super fresh 1973 Porsche 914-6
First Settlers Region Speeds Past 900 Members
by Ken Thomas, Membership Chair
2025 was an outstanding year of membership growth for First Settlers. We ended the year with 942 Primary Members and 489 Affiliate Members. That equates to a primary member growth rate of 6.6%. We should all be proud of this growth. It says that we, along with PCA, are offering an experience that Porsche owners want to enjoy.
I especially want to thank those members who never fail to engage a Porsche owner who is a non-member and those members who stick a “Nice Porsche” recruiting card under a windshield. Those efforts pay off.
We’ve had a three-prong strategy to growth: Recruit – Engage – Retain. We attempt to engage by offering a wide range of events. Thank you to our members who plan and manage our events and who volunteer at these events. Our goal is to reach members’ areas of interest whether their interest is in driving events, concours, social events or charity events. We do know that when members engage, it is more likely that they will remain a member.
I’ve been a member for 20 years and a benefit that I appreciate and have enjoyed are the friendships, the camaraderie and the fellowship.
These benefits are there for all of us. It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.
Calling all Carrera Canines, Porsche Poodles, Boxster Boxers, Doppelkupplung Dachshunds and Macan Mutts!
Does your precious pooch enjoy your Porsche as much as you do? We would love to get captioned photographs for an upcoming edition of Horizontally Opposed. Please forward your favorite picture of your puppy and your Porsche to Editor@FSRPCA.org.
IMSA at VIR
Article and Photos courtesy of Phil Grandfield
The Virginia International Raceway is one of the most iconic racetracks in America, and it’s in our backyard. Located near Danville, Virginia, VIR is only a few hours from most of our Region, so you really don’t have any excuse for not attending a race there. So why haven’t you?
IMSA at VIR Primer - The three-day weekend of racing has multiple races and classes. Here is a short summary:
Michelin GT Challenge, sponsored by WeatherTech This is the premier race with the fastest vehicles. GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes.
Michelin Pilot Challenge/Virginia is for Racing Lovers Grand Prix. Grand Sport (GS) and Touring Car (TCR) classes. Very competitive racing showcased on Saturday.
VP Racing Sports Car Challenge. Le Mans Prototype 3 (LP3), Grand Sport X (GSX) and GT Daytona X (GTD X) classes
Maza MX-5 Cup and Mustang Challenge
IMSA is unique in motorsports by giving fans nearly unlimited access to the paddock. Every weekend includes a “Track Walk” before the race to allow fans to walk among the cars, watch the mechanics at work, and snag an autograph from your favorite driver. That doesn’t happen in Formula One, Indy Car, or NASCAR.
The International Motorsports Association, better known by its short name IMSA, brings professional racing to VIR every August. The prototype class does not race at VIR, but most of the other cars are the same classes, and cars, that race the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring earlier in the year. We all love Porsches, but in IMSA the competition is fierce between Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW, Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Acura, Lexus, Cadillac and Ford. The drivers are some of the best in the world.
Motorsports/Hampton Lumber 718 GT4RS CS set to compete in the GS Class with David Hampton and Thomas Merrill at the wheel.
The Porsche Club of America supports a Hospitality Tent and Corral exclusively for Porsches and their owners. The tent is pitched outside of Turn Four and is a perfect place to watch the action. Inside the tent, you can chat with fellow Porsche folks while watching the race on the big screen TV. The activities inside the tent include guest speakers who can explain everything you need to know about oil and tires. Raffles throughout the day include an opportunity for a guided tour of the paddock and watching a team in action. In most years, folks in the tent are treated to visits from some of the Porsche drivers.
The first step to being part of the fun is to buy a ticket to the race on the VIR website and check the box for Porsche Corral parking. Having a Corral Pass gives you dedicated parking, up close and personal, adjacent to the hospitality tent. You can come and go during the day as often as you like. The bonus that comes with a Corral Pass is an opportunity to drive on the track. This year, the parade laps were scheduled early on Sunday morning and gave a long list of Porsche owners a taste of the track. They all drove up the famous Climbing Esses, turned right at the well-known Oak Tree Corner (even though the oak tree is long gone), and back down the twisty Roller Coaster to the front straight.
A commissioned artist works on a Rexy Rendition
Some serious downforce! Wright Motorsports 911 GT3R (992) piloted by Adam Edelson and Elliot Skeer in the GTD Class
Like everything else in PCA, none of this happens without volunteers. Members coordinate parking in the Corral and manage the activities in the hospitality tent. The benefit of volunteering at the IMSA race at VIR is a complimentary ticket to the race. If you are a race fan, this is a must-do event!
Editor’s sidebar: All races utilize the same 3.27-mile Full Course that is used for HPDE. The GTD PRO teams reaching the podium in the WeatherTech Challenge all had fastest lap times of 1:46. Those of you who have participated in track events at VIR can appreciate what that number means! Competition was tight, over the course of the 2:40:20 race, the margin of victory was only 1.07 seconds! The podium positions in the GTD PRO Class were held by:
Our beloved Porsche team of Klaus Bacher and Lauren Heinrich finished just off the podium in 5th place in “Rexy”, their AO Racing 911 GT3 (992).
In the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Rennsport 1 (RS1) Team of Jan Hehyken and Luca Mars took the top step of the podium in their 718 GT4 RS CS with a 0.6 second margin over the 2nd place Ford Mustang GT4. Their best lap time was 1:54:384.
(Results courtesy of imsa.com)
The RS1 718 GT4 RS CS on its way to Victory! (Photo Courtesy of imsa.com)
Rexy on her way to a 5th place finish. Photo reproduced with permissin from newsroomporsche.com
Turkeys in the Trunk 2025
By Jenny Kay
Two Locations, One Shared Goal, with Incredible Results
November 22nd was a great reminder of what makes the Porsche community so special. First Settlers Region members, along with friends from Shenandoah Region, came together for two Turkeys in the Trunk events that delivered big results, despite the weather!
Richmond: First Settlers & Shenandoah Team Up
Rainy weather didn’t slow things down in Richmond, where First Settlers and Shenandoah Region members teamed up together for a very successful Turkeys in the Trunk event hosted by Euroclassics Porsche in Midlothian.
Thanks to the generosity of everyone who participated, the group raised $8,150 and collected over 680 pounds of food. Of the total raised, $7,150 went to Feed More, while $1,000 and the food donations went to Good Samaritan Ministries, an organization that supports Feed More’s food collection and distribution efforts.
After the collections wrapped up, participants enjoyed a fun run to Fine Creek Brewing Company in Powhatan, where everyone had the chance to relax, socialize, and enjoy some well-deserved food and refreshments.
Photo Courtesy of Mike Ball
A big thank-you to Euroclassics Porsche for hosting, Bill Borowy for coordinating the event, and to all the donors who contributed food and monetary gifts. Most of all, thank you to everyone who came out and supported this important cause.
Virginia Beach: 16th Annual Turkeys in the Trunk
In Virginia Beach, First Settlers Region members took part in the 16th Annual Turkeys in the Trunk in support of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia & the Eastern Shore’s Mayflower Marathon.
Rain and wind didn’t stop this group either. By the end of the day, members collected an impressive 3,097 pounds of food and donated $16,011 in checks and cash, including a surprise donation that showed up the following Monday.
There was plenty of friendly competition along the way, with some standout contributions: Porsche 2-Door: Betty & Jim Kendall with 294 pounds Porsche 4-Door: The Cao Family with 164 pounds Car Guyz: An incredible 720 pounds packed into their Suburban
Huge thanks to Porsche Virginia Beach for the venue, prizes, and great food. Special thanks as well to John Kopp for the use of his scales, Pam and George Michaels for hosting a fantastic after-party catered by Pollard’s Chicken, who provided excellent service and a charity discount. Thanks also to Phil and Josie Grandfield for coordinating the drive to the Foodbank and the poker run, and to all the volunteers who helped keep everything running smoothly
Photo Courtesy of Mike Ball
FSR Members with BIG CHECK to be delivered!!
Together, both Turkeys in the Trunk events raised more than $24,000 and collected over 3,700 pounds of food, creating a meaningful impact for local food banks across Virginia. We’re already looking forward to building on this success in 2026!
Hosts George and Pam Michaels with Mark and Lauré Ferguson
Food drop off in the rain with an admiring glance from the forklift driver
On the Cover:
by Brad Jublou
from Luft, Durham, NC
The legendary porsche 906
By Bryan Fox
The Porsche 906, also known as the Carrera 6, is a legendary race car produced by Porsche in 1966. Prior to Porsche 906 was the 904 which achieved many racing victories. At the age of 28, Ferdinand Piëch, the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche was given the important job of overseeing the development of the new Porsche Racing cars. The project was aimed at endurance racing in FIA’s Group 4 Sports Car Category. His goal for recreating the 904 to the new 906 was to make it as lightweight as can be. This would mean stripping all the heavy steel from the body and using unstressed fiberglass instead.
Unlike previous racing Porsches, the 906’s body was tested in a wind tunnel, resulting in a top speed of 280 km/h (170 mph) at Le Mans, quite fast for a 2-liter engine car. At the time it showed a close resemblance to future Porsche racing cars. As in the Mercedes Benz 300SL, gull wing doors were fitted, and the mid-ship mounted engine was covered with a large plexiglass cover. The Porsche 906 was fitted with a 901 engine that actually came from the Porsche 911R with just a few modifications done to it. These changes included some exotic metals (titanium) in the connecting rods and the crank case (magnesium) to help the car perform at a higher level.
Its lightweight fiberglass body, advanced aerodynamics, and mid-mounted 2.0-liter flatsix engine made it a significant step forward in performance and technology for Porsche. Weighing in at only 580kg (1280 lbs) and making 210 hp at 8000 RPM, it boasted an impressive 6.1 lbs/hp power to weight ratio. For comparison, a 992 GT3 has a power to weight ratio of 6.5 lbs/hp!
The car achieved notable success on the racetrack, including a class win and sixth place overall at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and an overall win in the 1966 Targa Florio. The 906 also won all 2 litre classes of the 1966 World Sportscar Championship and the 1966 European Hill Climb Championship.
The 906’s combination of speed, handling, and reliability contributed to Porsche’s racing reputation and laid the groundwork for future models like the 907 and 910. The 906 remains an iconic symbol of Porsche’s innovative spirit during the golden era of sports car racing.
Only 65 units of the Porsche 906 were built, making it a rare and highly sought-after vehicle among collectors today. Recent auction prices range from 2-3 million USD.
References (With assistance from Wikipedia)
1. M.L Twite, The World’s Racing Cars, 1971, page 130
2. FIA/CSI Homologation Nr. 226 Voitures des Sport https://historicdb.fia.com/car/porsche-carrera-6
3. Institute, The Revs (2016-08-19). “Here’s How The Porsche Carrera 6 Helped Change History Forever”. Petrolicious. Retrieved 2019-05-04.
4. Bissett, Mark (20 August 2015). “Alan Hamilton, Australian Champion: His Porsche 904/8 and two 906’s…”primotipo.com. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
5. Willie, Albert. “Porsche 906”. High Stuff. Retrieved 25 August 2023
