Turbo Magazine - December 2021

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/2021

December

Robert GATTEREDER CEO, PM Group

855 Nepean Highway Brighton VIC 3186 P: 03 9536 1911 W: www.porschebrighton.com.au

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ustralia is glorious in summer; I think it's the combination of the holiday season, warm weather at the beach, and anticipation of the year ahead.

This year, I suspect, the summer will be even more enjoyable, and many precious moments will become treasured memories as we can gather more widely with our family and favourite friends, feel the sand between our toes, and sit for a read of Turbo Magazine in the sun.

As Porsche’s celebration of 70 years has just taken place, we enter the new decade, full of exuberance and optimism. This next 10 years will be one of tremendous change, with Porsche taking charge with style, innovation, and a focus on continuing to build the dream.

We wish you a very happy holiday season and enjoyable Australian summer. •

Robert GATTEREDER

Porsche Centre Brighton

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CONTENTS

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911 GTS an even sweeter proposition

Porsche’s 911 GTS has always occupied a sweet spot in the 911 range. Now it's even sweeter, with five new model variants to please every discerning sports car driver’s taste.

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904 Carrera GTS – the original, beautiful GTS

After having withdrawn from the Formula One season at the end of 1962, Porsche turned its attention to sportscar racing.

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Sven Burchartz – the law of opposites

Lawyer, motorsport enthusiast, and heartfelt Porsche lover, Sven Burchartz has a passion for engineering and fast cars.

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Gran Turismo Sport – badge of honour

With the new 911 the latest bestowed the GTS badge of honour, this is what GTS really means.

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Protecting the Porsche

Apart from the beautiful lines of a Porsche, the other immediate eye-catching feature is its superb paintwork.

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Restore your paint to a showroom shine

That special glass-like finish and depth of colour inherent in Porsche's paint finish is special and part of what makes the car stand out.

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Courtesy is our driver – Steve Nardoulos

Steve Nardoulos goes above and beyond to provide Porsche Centre Brighton owners with the very best service.

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Creating stronger swimmers – Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club

For three years, the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club has enjoyed an association with Porsche Centre Brighton. PSLC President Matthew Mahon, reveals what’s on at the club this summer.

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A taste of prestige at the Porsche Centre Brighton Shop

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Targa temptress

From the earliest 911 Targa to the latest – the new 911 Targa 4 GTS is the signature car of the 911 range.

Sporty, elegant and minimalist, the Porsche Driver’s Selection of clothing and accessories is characterised by style.

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The perfect living machine

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It’s the devotion to technical and architectural achievement that make SC Land such a perfect reflection of the Porsche philosophy.

Melbourne to Mallacoota – the inland route

Take the inland route from Melbourne to Mallacoota, rejoining the coastal route after you’ve had your fill of crisp mountain air and local gold-rush history.

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Porsche passion lives on in Australia

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Porsche is celebrating its 70th anniversary in Australia this year and with the Porsche Club of Victoria’s 50th anniversary looming, the passion for Porsche cars in Australia is thriving.

Porsche Racing in Australia is fit and strong

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Behind the scenes at Porsche – Liz Nodoulis

Courtney Prince gains a new sponsor. Cooper Murray wins two overseas racing opportunities. Dale Wood joins Ashley Seward Motorsport with a totally new Porsche for next season.

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Liz discusses her role at Porsche Centre Brighton, what she loves about her job … and a few little things that make working for Porsche special.

Bottling tradition – Domaine Laroche Winery

Domaine Laroche, a fine producer of Chablis in southern France, offers a unique approach to winemaking through its dedicated team of winemakers.

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911 GTS an even sweeter proposition

The sweet spot – noun [usually singular]: The particular situation, quality, or combination of things that is the best or most effective possible.

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orsche’s 911 GTS has always occupied a sweet spot in the 911 range. The offering has now become even sweeter, with five new model variants to accommodate the discerning sports car driver's diverse desires.

Twelve years ago, the first GTS version of the 911 was presented to an eager sports car market that embraced the tenets of true enjoyment. Now, a new generation of this popular model has been developed with more power, revised looks, and even better driving dynamics.

One of the model range’s most endearing features is undoubtedly its distinctive look which, despite changing incrementally over time, g has retained its original sporty stance.

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Style with substance Porsche’s new 911 GTS range retains its understated but decidedly sporty appearance, with the body now featuring black contrasting elements with darkened headlight areas. Black is also the interior’s dominant colour, with the black or darkened exterior details characteristic of the 911 GTS. On the 911 Targa 4 GTS, this also includes the model-defining hoop and Targa lettering.

Additional elements are painted in black silk gloss and include the spoiler lip, the centre-lock alloy wheels, the engine cover louvres, and the GTS script on the doors and rear of the car. These exterior details are available in a high-gloss black.

All 911 GTS models have the SportDesign package, with distinctive trim for the front, rear and side sills. The headlight rims and daytime running light surrounds are darkened, and the car is fitted with standard LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus). The rear lights are unique to the GTS models.

The attention to detail continues inside the cockpit, merging looks with function. As an example, the gear lever of the optional seven-speed manual transmission available on the 911 Carrera GTS Coupé has been shortened by 10mm, enabling swifter gear changes at a flick of the wrist.

Steering is via the beautifully designed GT Sport steering wheel, with the Sport Chrono package included featuring a mode switch, the Porsche Track Precision app, a central analogue/digital clock, and a tyre temperature display as standard. For comfort, the GTS offers Sport Seats Plus with electric four-way adjustments to provide lateral support, comfort, and convenience.

Race-Tex features underscore the elegant dynamic character of the 911 GTS with central sections of the seats, steering wheel rim, door handles and armrests, storage compartment lid, and gear lever all trimmed in this stylish material.

With the GTS interior package, the decorative seams are available in Carmine Red or Crayon as an option.

The seatbelts and embroidered GTS lettering on the headrests, rev counter and Sport Chrono clock also come in the same contrasting colours. The decorative inserts on the dashboard and door trim are matt Carbon.

Power and grace The turbocharged three-litre flat six engine in the new 911 GTS delivers 353kW and an extremely flexible maximum torque of 570Nm, an increase of 20Nm over its predecessor.

The 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé with the eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, three-tenths of a second faster than its predecessor.

A seven-speed manual transmission with the shortthrow gear lever is available only for the 911 Carrera GTS Coupé, with rear-wheel drive as a no-cost alternative to the PDK.

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Pricing is: • 911 Carrera GTS Coupé – $314,800 (manual or automatic – rear-wheel-drive) • 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet – $347,700 (rear-wheel-drive) • 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupé – $334,000 (all-wheel-drive) • 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet – $366,900 (all-wheel-drive) • 911 Targa 4 GTS – $366,900 (all-wheel-drive)

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Derived from the 911 Turbo, the suspension has been modified for the GTS and meets exacting performance demands. Thanks to its standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the dampers respond to dynamic changes at lightning speed.

PASM is standard in the Coupé and Cabriolet, and is combined with a 10mm-lower sport chassis. The concept of helper springs at the rear stems from the Turbo models, with the mainsprings under tension in all driving conditions. Rebound remains the same.

The 911 Targa 4S chassis with PASM is used for the 911 Targa 4 GTS. In a nod to the model’s increased performance, the engineers have tuned its stopping performance to match its increased power, making use of the 911 Turbo’s high-performance braking system. The 20inch (front) and 21-inch (rear) black centre-lock alloy wheels are also from the 911 Turbo S. To ensure drivers are treated to an all-encompassing experience, the standard sports exhaust system provides an even more emotive soundtrack thanks to its GTS-specific setup and the omission of some interior insulation.

Driving dynamics are further improved with the Lightweight Design package, available for the first time on a GTS. The package includes lighter carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) full bucket seats, lightweight glass for the side and rear windows, and a lightweight battery. The rear seats are also removed.

Other performance enhancements include rear-axle steering as standard in this equipment package and additional aerodynamic finishing touches. New air guide elements in the front section of the underbody reduce lift at the front, with the adaptive rear spoiler’s programming adjusted accordingly. Altogether, this creates a weight saving of up to 25kg.

Under new management Refinements to the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) have added functions and significantly simplified operation. The media menu’s touch areas have been enlarged, with the option now available of rearranging the home screen tiles to suit individual preferences. An improved voice assistant recognises natural speech, activated by the words ‘Hey Porsche’.

Compatible mobile phones can be fully utilised in the new GTS models, with iOS and Android users able to enjoy full connectivity.

In Australia, the 911 GTS models will be equipped with metallic paint, automatically dimming mirrors including rain sensor, electrically folding exterior mirrors, ParkAssist (front and rear) with reversing camera and Surround View, Lane Change Assist, Comfort Access, Power Steering Plus, steering wheel heating, seat heating (front), windscreen with grey top tint, tyre sealant and electric air compressor, BOSE Surround Sound System, and digital radio as standard.

The 911 GTS models are available to order now and are expected to arrive in Australia from the first quarter of 2022. •

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904 Carrera GTS The original, beautiful GTS After having withdrawn from the Formula One season at the end of 1962, Porsche turned its attention to sportscar racing.

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he 904 debuted in 1963 for the following year’s racing season as a successor to the 718, with the GTS variant designed to compete in the FIA-GT class at international events.

A street-legal version was made in order to comply with homologation regulations of that era, which required 100 roadgoing variants to be sold. Porsche produced 108, 904s with a list price of around US$7000, which were quickly snapped up.

These 108 cars were made with chassis number 904, with one six-cylinder prototype and two eight-cylinder coupes in the mix.

However, most had the two-litre quad cam flat four-cylinder engine driving through a five-speed transmission. Remember, this is the early 1960s and these were very sophisticated engines; as usual, Porsche did not stop at engineering sophisticated motors.

For the first time, Porsche used a ladder chassis and fibreglass body, bonded to the steel chassis for extra rigidity. Its ultra-sleek and low design enabled the car to achieve a remarkable drag coefficient of just 0.34.

The four-cylinder 904s weighed around 655kg in race trim, though this varied slightly as the moulded fibreglass was of slightly different thicknesses in different bodies. Regardless of a few grams here and there, the car’s low weight gave it the ability to accelerate from a standing start to 97km/h in less than six seconds.

Another first for the 904 was its use of coil springs rather than a trailing arm front suspension and swing axle rear. More than anything, though, the elegant sweeping body of the 904 GTS caught everyone’s attention. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the 911, was tasked with designing the 904 after becoming manager of the Porsche design studios.

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Ken Price's 904

In 1964, the race car took the international endurance racing scene by storm. Its career began with a class win in Sebring and continued at Le Mans; as a highlight, the 904 GTS even managed a double victory at the Targa Florio, the infamous endurance race in Sicily.

While the four-cylinder 904s were racing, the eight-cylinder fuelinjected prototype (904-009) was tested at Le Mans in April 1964.

A week later, the 008 eight-cylinder was entered in the Targa Florio road race in the prototype category. But it was Antonio Pucci/ Colin Davis in a four-cylinder 904-005 that took the overall victory, followed by Gianni Balzarini/Herbert Linge in a four-cylinder 904-006.

For the 1964 running of the famous Nürburgring 1000km Race, 19, 904s had signed up. Not all arrived, but there were eight among the first 12 places. Gerhard Koch/Ben Pon won the two-litre GT class with chassis 904-055, and were third overall after largerengined Ferraris.

Although the 904 was designed as a racing car with low 12cm ride height, two 904s were entered into the Rallye Monte Carlo in January 1965. Despite the title, it was really a rally ‘to’ Monte Carlo as the start was given from different European locations.

All Porsche drivers started from Frankfurt. After six days, the 904 driven by Eugen Bohringer and co-piloted by Rolf Wütherich scored second. Wütherich is known as James Dean’s mechanic who survived the horrific 550 Spyder crash in 1955.

This success was the birth of a new stamp of quality – GTS. The abbreviation still stands for more power, more speed, more performance … in short, more Porsche. The premise was performance and agility plus comfort, originally intended to make it easier for private drivers to concentrate during races. Now, the famous moniker graces the latest 911 series.

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904s in Australia Alan Hamilton, son of Australian Porsche dealership founder Norman Hamilton, was a keen motorsports competitor who raced a 904 with chassis number 906-007. Alan headed for Europe in early 1965, working for a while in the Porsche factory. He purchased the 904/8 Bergspyder at that point, which he shipped to Australia for the 1966 season.

This 904/8 Bergspyder had finished second in the 1965 Targa Florio road race, but later sat unused in a corner of the competition department.

Alan convinced them to replace its flat eight-cylinder engine with a twolitre 906 six-cylinder engine because it would be easier to maintain. After bringing the Bergspyder back to Australia, Alan scored a string of racing successes.

Another 904 that made it to Australia was owned by Ken Price. It was discovered by Ken roughly 10 years ago in the UK, and is now in a private collection. However, it first needed some tender loving care. Ken shipped it across to Australia by air, which is a story in itself.

‘When I bought the 904 in the UK, it was a wreck,’ Ken explains. ‘There was a guy in the UK who was lucky enough to have all the moulds. He restored the body on it, then I flew it into the country.

‘The funniest thing was when I flew it into Australia,’ Ken continues. ‘The 904 is only 39 inches high … and when I was working out the air freight, I thought to myself: "If I took the wheels off, put it on the ground, and built a box around it, how high would the box be?” The box ended up 35 inches high, so I got them to quote on a box and it was about half the price.’

In Australia, the 904 was mechanically restored by John Gregory of Spyder Automobiles, the original owner of the business and a friend of Norman Hamilton. In another twist, Spyder Automobiles had been an authorised Porsche service agent during the 1960s and '70s … but that’s another story. •

The law of opposites Sven Burchartz

Lawyer, motorsport enthusiast, and heartfelt Porsche lover, Sven Burchartz has a passion for engineering and fast cars. Sven traces his path from childhood to the present – including Porsche’s enduring impact on his life.

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ven is now a veteran of his profession. ‘Starting when I was 23, my career in law now spans 34 years,’ he says. ‘Beginning as a litigation lawyer, I went on to also become a commercial lawyer and negotiator.

‘I left the firm I began with 10 years ago to start my own boutique commercial law firm and shortly after, together with a couple of colleagues we formed Kalus Kenny Intelex,’ Sven continues. ‘I now act for a range of businesses large and small, investment funds, advising their owners and managers on a range of commercial disputes and transactions.’

As Partner with his own firm, Sven encounters a diverse range of daily challenges. ‘The core of my job is fixing problems,’ he says. ‘I handle commercial disputes, which are multi-faceted, both legally and emotionally. Working with corporate groups as well as large families, I help people navigate through these conflicts, overseeing outcomes where everyone looks to walk away satisfied.’

Although his clientele ranges from families to international venture capital funds, some aspects of Sven’s work remain constant. ‘The most enjoyable part of being a lawyer is learning so much about how things work in the world,’ he says.

Always keen to expand his interests, Sven is also Director and part-owner of Tickford Racing, a leading Supercars team. While law and motorsport may seem like an unusual combination, Sven expertly combines them. ‘Tickford has a very strong management and ingenuity team,’ he says. ‘My other Director and co-owner, Rod Nash, is responsible for how the team operates, with my technical involvement mainly extending to congratulating the drivers on their results!’

Yet this isn’t the whole story of Sven’s motorsport involvement, as we’ll soon learn.

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During that time, Sven has collected many prizes and accolades – as well as a cache of rare Porsches that would be the envy of any car lover. ‘Along the way, I’ve managed to accumulate a series of Porches, both 911s and 928s,’ he says. ‘At one time, I was well into double figures. Now it’s the low double figures, as I have to be more responsible as I get older.’

Amid the mechanical excellence Sven's surrounded by, it’s the human connections he cherishes. ‘The great thing about my continued association with Porsche is the wonderful people I’ve met and the enduring friendships I retain to this day,’ he says. ‘Every Porsche owner sits somewhere on the “wacky” spectrum, so it’s never hard to strike up a conversation. Whether someone has an old 924 or the latest RS, everyone in the club with a Porsche badge on the bonnet has an unspoken affinity.’

One of Sven’s defining events was joining Sonic Motorsport in 2005, an elite race team offering him the chance to drive with some geniuses on the track. ‘As a driver with Sonic Motorsport for six years, I learned from and raced with David Reynolds, James Moffatt, Dean Fiore, and many other really talented young drivers in the Sonic team,’ he remembers. ‘That’s where I learned to drive – fast.

‘Sonic has always had some of Australia’s best drivers, who I was fortunate to have access to as teachers. Having done eight years of Porsche Club competitions as well as many track days, I’ve had a series of highly talented people teaching me the basics of how to steadily go more quickly.’

The Sonic Racing experience means a lot to Sven. ‘Together with team owners Michael and Maria Ritter, the people working with Sonic were simply on another level,’ he notes. ‘We were racing on GT3s and Cup cars, which were incredibly well-engineered; I enjoyed access to the best skill sets, both in engineering and driving.

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Sven’s love of Porsches started early. ‘When I was young, my mum had the chance to borrow her employer’s 911 for a weekend and competed in a rally. Some years later – around 1974, I believe – I bought my first car magazine, Modern Motor, which had a 930 Turbo on the cover.

This is where it all really began for Sven.

‘That really ignited my passion,’ Sven recalls.

‘So, to scratch that itch, I bought my first 911 in the late ‘90s. I started enjoying that car, competing in the Porsche Club Victoria Championships for eight years. As well as having a lot of fun, I won a couple of club Championships.’

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This promising start was followed up by further success. ‘In 2005, I started racing a GT3 in the Australian GT series, which I competed in over two years and won the Porsche Cup. Then, from 2008 to 2011, I did a deal with Porsche to own and run the GT3 Cup Challenge for it, winning a couple of Championships with that as well. I’ve been racing now for almost 25 years, including Touring Car Masters and historic events.

I have strayed from the Porsche fold once.

I shared a 1968 Ford Mustang with Chris Stillwell in 2015, and we were lucky enough to win the Touring Car Masters Pro-Am division together that year.’ Another itch scratched.

‘I was an acceptably quick driver before starting with Sonic, but learned invaluable skills from the talented people there – not just driving fast, but also how to race,’ he remembers. ‘Sonic is an incredibly professional outfit. I wanted to do as well as I could in events – and win if possible, both of which fortunately happened.’

Among his own Porsches, Sven has a clear favourite. ‘It’s a 1973 911E, a left-hand-drive car which is the first I ever restored,’ he says.

‘The 911E holds a particular spot in my heart.

Both kids grew up in the back, with two big baby seats strapped in. My wife and boys greatly enjoy being part of the Porsche family – so whenever I suggest selling the 911E, there’s a family uprising!’

To this day, Sven cherishes his deep connection with Porsche Centre Brighton and the PM Motor Group. ‘Not only am I a loyal and passionate customer, I also do their legal work.’

It’s all in a day’s work for this versatile lawyer with a passion for engineering excellence. •

Gran Turismo Sport – badge of honour

With the new 911 the latest to be bestowed the GTS badge of honour, it’s time to look at what it stands for.

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he first part, GT, stands for Gran Turismo (Italian for ‘Grand Tour’), while the S is generally accepted to stand for Sport. Although GT comes from the Italian, it was Germany’s Porsche who first used the abbreviation with the 904 Porsche Carrera GTS; some 10 years before, there had also been a 356 Carrera badged as the GT. To further mix the Italians and Germans, it was Italian Baron Antonio Pucci who first competed in the silver 904 Carrera GTS in 1964, winning the Targa Florio at the same time.

Gran Turismo is more than just a name. It stood for an era of motorsport denoted by long, open endurance road races like the Targa Florio or the Mille Miglia. Targa Florio competitors covered around 700 miles (1100 km), while those in the Mille Miglia traversed around 1000 miles (1600 km) flat out, pushing cars, drivers and navigators to their limits.

To win one of these events was physically demanding, making any car manufacturer who stood on the podium highly revered. Porsche mounted that top spot many times over.

Sportscars of the late 1950s and early 1960s were not kind on drivers – they were stripped-out, bone-shaking machines that assaulted the eardrums. That wasn't critical in circuit racing, which was only a few hours long, but the Gran Turismo events still proved gruelling.

Power, reliability and speed have always been the defining characteristics of outstanding sports cars. The driver's comfort became a decisive factor in retaining complete focus for each race’s duration, especially in these exhausting long-distance competitions held on public roads. In other words, a new type of vehicle had to be developed – one that would be fast, but also safe and comfortable.

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The engineers from Zuffenhausen answered the call with the Gran Turismo Sport (GTS).

Since those early days, the GTS classification’s meaning has changed substantially. Whereas the three letters initially signified additional comfort in a hot-blooded sports car, they eventually came to serve as a label for an even sportier driving experience that would also offer what was now a customary high level of comfort.

The GTS moniker embodies the spirit of those early challenges, allowing this tradition to live on in every Porsche GTS. Take the new 911 GTS, built for performance, endurance and safety. The Porsche GTS badge honours cars that can handle hairpin bends, rough terrain, wind and rain, all without losing their edge.

That’s why GTS stands not just for the words ‘Gran Turismo’, but also for the indominable spirit of those races, embodied by that classic badge.

GTS has become one of the Porsche driver's most popular abbreviations, with a GTS now featured in almost every model series. In the 1990s, the first of Porsche’s road cars to be granted the GTS badge was the 928 GTS, with the latest being the 911 GTS. Where once GTS stood for a hot-blooded sports car, it now represents the ‘sweet spot’ in each model range – one with the ideal mix of sportiness and comfort, perfect for a spirited driver who also enjoys a satisfying ride. •

Targa temptress

From the earliest iteration of the 911 Targa to the latest in the new 911 Targa 4 GTS, this is the signature car of the 911 range.

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ecades ago, at the 1965 International Motor Show in Frankfurt, the very first 911 Targa revealed a new style of sports car to the world – one that was neither a coupé nor a cabriolet, but something new to tempt the senses.

Driving in the open air is an indescribable feeling, but it comes with complications, especially in the 1960s when safety features were less prominent. The 1960s 911 Targa was thus a huge step forward, adding safety without taking away the open-air experience.

The Targa concept was the start of a totally different kind of Porsche driving experience that would feature in all future 911 generations, as well as in other cars such as the 914 and Carrera GT.

By August 1965, Porsche had applied for a patent for the Targa. Then, from Autumn 1966, the Targa roof was out on the roads. From 1967, Targa models could be ordered with a fixed and heated rear safety glass window in place of the original fold-down plastic rear window. This became standard a year later, remaining until 1993.

Targa tops remained a fixture in the second 911 generation built in 1973. The 911 body was modified for the first time, most obviously with the new box-shaped bumpers with black bellows on the side, designed to absorb impacts up to 8 km/h. All Targa roll bars had been brushed stainless steel to this point, but were now also offered in black.

By 1988, Porsche had introduced its first all-wheel drive, the 911 Carrera 4 Type 964. While the car retained the 911’s classic body shape, mechanically it was all new.

Just a year later, a rear-wheel drive became available – the 911 Carrera 2. Both the Carrera 2 Targa and Carrera 4 Targa, built until 1993, kept the classic Targa roll bar and removable roof centre section.

A total of 87,663 Targa models were built in the first three 911 generations. The fourth-generation 911 Type 993 came in 1993 with a new body, followed by a new Targa concept from November 1995. The 993 took the Targa idea in a different direction, omitting the roll bar.

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The roof, made of tinted heat-insulating glass, ran from the front window to the rear within a longitudinal safety structure. Divided into electrical moving segments, it opened at the push of a button and retracted behind the rear window. This new Targa concept combined open-top driving without fundamentally changing the classic coupé roofline.

The fifth 911 generation arrived in 1997 with the 911 Carrera Type 996, with the Targa available from December 2001. Just like its predecessor, the car had an electrically operated glass roof, now with a surface area of more than 1.5 square metres.

The new Targa was also the first 911 to provide a rear window that could be folded up, making it easy to access the rear storage compartment with up to 230 litres of luggage space.

September 2006 saw the introduction of the sixth 911 generation, type 997, retaining the same Targa roof design but adding a rear lid. However, the use of special glass made it possible to reduce the weight by 1.9kg; two high-gloss polished aluminium strips along the edges of the roof were especially eye-catching.

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The 911 Targa was now available only in all-wheel drive variants – the 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. Five years later in 2011, Porsche introduced the seventh and fully redesigned 911 generation, and then the 911 Targa in January 2014. Just like the legendary original Targa, the new model had the characteristic wide bar in place of B-pillars, a moving roof section above the front seats, and a wraparound rear window without a C-pillar. Unlike the classic models, this roof opened and closed at the push of a button to be stowed behind the rear seat.

Now with the 992 generation, Porsche has added the 911 Targa 4 GTS offering all-wheel-drive traction and that open-air experience, with added safety and style. Its quick-fold retractable hardtop is gone in less than a minute, ensuring the new 911 Targa 4 GTS continues to blur the line between coupé and convertible.

Porsche’s 911 Targa continues a well-defined lineage that started in 1965, with every Targa a new expression of that year's original classic comes to life. •

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The perfect living L

ance Chu is the co-founder of SC Land, experienced creators of unique residences. The company’s latest spectacular project – 26 & 28 Esplanade, 11 residences on Brighton’s Esplanade overlooking Port Phillip Bay – exemplifies what makes the company special.

The company’s affinity with Porsche runs deep. ’When we finished Stage 1 of the townhouses, we displayed a collection of vintage Porsches on opening night,’ Lance remembers.

‘Porsche symbolises precision engineering, beauty, and aesthetics, values we feel a deep kinship with.’

Since establishing SC Land in 2000, Lance and co-founder Chenghan Tan have collected 20 prestigious awards for their influential residential projects. With backgrounds in architecture and development, Lance and Chenghan produce dwellings of uncommon quality and consequence.

Lance’s love of the Porsche philosophy is embedded in his practice as a developer. ‘Porsche is about timelessness over fashion, and the expression of pure form embedded within function,’ he explains. ‘The marque’s “truthful” aesthetic holds virtually universal appeal. Like Porsche, at SC Land we strive to achieve timeless elegance over the fashionable.’

Lance articulates the personal journey that’s driven him to this point, drawing on his background as an architect. ‘Chenghan and I passionately believe in achieving optimal architectural outcomes at every opportunity,’ he says. ‘We firmly believe that a project is realised to its fullest degree when a talented architect, landscape architect, builder, and client share an interest in achieving the highest-quality potential possible.

‘We also strongly believe in thoughtful landscaping, and the effect this can have on an apartment,’ Lance continues. ‘The “Esplanade” project was conceived in two phases separated by a specially designed common landscape garden. Stage One, 30 Esplanade, comprises low-density townhouses, split over three levels with rooftop terraces taking advantage of the coastal environment. Stage Two, 26 & 28 Esplanade, consists of two boutique buildings with four whole-floor and seven half-floor apartments, each building with its own lift.’

For the task, Lance and Chenghan assembled an unrivalled team of partners. ‘We worked with Wood Marsh Architecture, one of Australia’s best firms, for the project. TCL, renowned landscape designers, created a wonderful garden design for us,’ Lance says.

‘Minicon Construction, our builder (known as Icon Construction), is known for their high-quality residential dwellings.’

Just as Porsche is taking our current environmental challenges seriously with its acclaimed electric range, SC Land sees environmental sustainability as far more than a catchphrase. ‘We’re extremely serious about this,’ Lance confirms. ‘For that reason, our buildings are designed and constructed to a 7.5–8 star (ESD) energy rating.’

One aspect this philosophy shines through is in the development’s choice of glazing. ‘The Esplanade residences reduce energy consumption via double glazing, which is essentially three panes of glazing,’ Lance explains. ‘The inner layer of glass is double-laminated, and this glazing is set in thermally broken frames, a construction technique rarely used in major apartment developments.’

Lance is justifiably proud of SC Land’s environmental ambitions. ‘We invested heavily in the building’s technical aspect to receive the highest environmental rating,’ he says. ‘In this way, it’s an echo of the Porsche approach to design. Achieving a 7.5–8-star rating is a lot about what you can’t see – it’s dependent on the building’s technical and mechanical aspects, not about how expensive its marble or taps are.’

26 & 28 Esplanade individual private lock-up garages

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machine The facilities will also hold strong appeal for Porsche owners.

‘We wanted each of the 11 units to have its own private lockup garage,’ Lance says. ‘The basement therefore contains 11 separate garages, giving each residence a clean, neat, and private look.’

This welcome innovation demonstrates Lance and Chenghan’s prescience. ‘When electric vehicles were just coming on board a few years back, we wanted to provide individual charging facilities,’ says Lance. ‘This meant that each person has a connection going to their own meter, enabling the electricity used to charge the car to be monitored.’

Amid all this focus on technical prowess, luxury hasn’t been forgotten. ‘Each unit and apartment has Gaggenau appliances – including induction cooktops, which look great and are highly efficient and easy to clean,’ Lance points out. ‘Chenghan and I strive to make each development unique, and the Esplanade project is an ideal example of our personalised focus.’

The development’s perfect position makes 26 & 28 Esplanade Brighton highly anticipated. ‘With only 11 units and apartments located on the water, the scarcity value counts,’ Lance says.

‘They’re situated in a great suburb facing the water, right next to Brighton Beach Gardens. By the time they’re finished in October 2022, we’re confident they’ll have been snapped up by people keen on living by the bay with those unrivalled views.’

At home, Lance’s enthusiasm for engineering takes full expression in his long-standing love of Porsches. ‘I have a vintage 911 from 1989, as well as a 911 GT3 Touring on order,’ he reveals.

‘I’ve always appreciated the Porsche aesthetic, which combines technical excellence and beauty unlike any other brand.’

It’s this devotion to technical and architectural achievement that make SC Land such a perfect reflection of the Porsche philosophy.• Visit www.26and28esplanade.com.au

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Lance Chu and Chenghan Tan, SC Land

28 Esplanade - Front View

Porsche passion lives on in Australia With Porsche celebrating its 70th anniversary in Australia this year and with the 50th anniversary of the Porsche Club of Victoria looming, the passion for Porsche cars in Australia is clearly thriving.

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A history of passion Motorsport is where the passion for Porsches is most tangible. It all started 69 years ago on Australia Day in January 1952, at the unsealed Hurstbridge Hillclimb in outer Melbourne. Just one year after the marque arrived on our shores, experienced hillclimb competitor Ken Wylie completed two runs in a maroon Coupé.

In 1968, a young Alan Hamilton entered a unique 911T/R in a field of 30 cars, up against the heavy hitters of the day – the V8s in the hands of people like Bob Jane and Norm Beechey.

Alan’s nimble orange 2.0 litre finished third, a win that surprised many.

By the end of the 1969 season, he had finished second in the Australian Touring Car Championship.

By the end of 1969, the Porsche 911 had attracted attention from private concerns eager to take advantage of the sports car’s speed and reliability.

What followed was a string of titles with a total of eight Sports Car and GT Championships with 911 derivatives during the 1960s through to the 1980s, plus a record number of Targa-style tarmac rally victories.

Today the Porsche Australian Carrera Cup, which started in 2003, has established itself as the essential one-make event in which to compete, with the race serving as the major support category of the V8 Supercars and the Australian F1 Grand Prix.

‘Yep, it was the battle of David and Goliath and a hell of a lot of fun,’ Alan recalls.

Porsche has gained a host of podium places – but more importantly, the attention of an Australian public keen to enjoy a true sports car on and off the track.

‘My car was very little removed from a standard road car. It had standard 911 S brakes, wheels, gearbox, and basically a standard engine.’

Now, as Porsche celebrates 70 years in Australia, the Porsche Club of Victoria is nearing its 50th anniversary.

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Porsche Club feels the need, the need for speed On 26 August 1975 a group of Porsche owners came together for the first time at the Light Car Club of Australia clubrooms opposite Albert Park Lake in Melbourne.

‘Approximately 60 people attended that night,’ says Russell Sturzaker, who was there with his father and has been an active club member ever since. ‘The guest speaker that night was Norman Hamilton. A year after that, we were up to 107 members.’

The club now has just under 2000 members, one of Victoria’s largest car clubs, with membership increasing from 300 to more than 1800 members in 15 years.

Although Russell wasn’t old enough to own a Porsche when he attended the first meeting, there was already one in the family – his father’s. When he grew old enough, Russell purchased a new 924 Carrera GT in 1981, one of only 15 that came to Australia. Like many Porsche owners he sold it, regretted it, chased it down, and bought it back. Now, he says, it’s staying.

Barb and Will Darvall also attended the very first meeting of the PCV and are still members.

‘It was really exciting to have the idea of a club, because before that you drove around looking for other people who had them and flashed your lights at each other,’ Barb remembers. ‘It was a tiny little club full of families. We’d go up to Winton and take the kids in the back of the Porsche, then race the car that day and take out all the picnic stuff.’

Will and Barb have two Porsches, one a 550 Spyder replica.

‘This car was designed by Graham McCrae … Will ordered the body,’ Barb explains. ‘It has as many Porsche parts as it can, including a 2.7 litre 911 engine. And we’ve also got a 2006 Cayman S.’ Barb reminisced about the early terrific annual interstate gettogethers of the 1980s, held at Easter where club members would spend three to four days together competing in Motorkhanas on the track and in the Concours. These events grew bigger in the 1980s, but then died out in the 1990s.

Will and Barb competed in club track events from the earliest days, but have since moved into the administration of track events which they enjoy just as much.

Russell, like many others in the early days of the PCV, was keen to get onto the track to test the limits of his car. His passion hasn’t waned, and nowadays there is a group of around 160 people who compete regularly.

‘There’s a lot of guys in the club, all they want to do is race the car among other guys doing it, but they don’t want to go out in full all-out circuit work,’ says Russell.

To enable first-timers to safely negotiate track days, the club has put together a novice section where only beginners are on the circuit during a morning and an afternoon session. The class has its own name, the Entrée Class. Competitors initially race with an instructor, then strike out on their own after a certain number of events. It’s a great way to learn the circuits, your limits, and the capacities of your car in a safe, controlled environment.

Alan Hamilton at Warwick Farm, Sydney 1968, in his new 911T-R

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Mixing it up Where once the club relied heavily on motorsport involvement (still a major drawcard), it now also serves a growing number of members wishing to attend social events. According to Russell, the events calendar has an even spread between motorsport and social events.

There’s also a very good spread of ages in the car club, so there's friends to be made in any age group and doing whatever suits – whether that's on the track or on the open road.

‘The age spread in both the social and competition would be virtually identical,’ Russell says.

Barb and Will still keep in touch with many past members. There are Concours held in non-Covid times, with the one for the 356 Register held at Como Park.

‘Como Concours days are just so much fun, because you see so many people that you have known for 50 years and it’s squeals of recognition with these gorgeous little cars around you,’ Barb says. ‘The 356s are exquisite little machines.

‘Basically, it’s been a lot of fun being in the club all that time, just mixing with a cross-section of people who you wouldn’t have met in your normal life.

Barb and Will Darvall – Cayman S

‘There’s a whole social side to the club now. They’re a terrific bunch of people, and an incredibly successful club. A lot of people have been members a long time.

In lockdown, a whole lot of people have been making a great effort to keep in contact.’

Because of the early connections with Mike Stillwell and Bob Jane, initially the club met at the LCCV and then at various other locations until the late 1970s or early 1980s, when there was a directive from Porsche AG that Porsche dealerships worldwide should offer their premises for club meetings. They felt that the dealerships were not connecting closely enough with clubs, and this was an opportunity.

When Porsche Centre Brighton opened, it was obvious that PCV should be holding club nights there.

Over the past couple of years, the number of people keen to attend these has grown hugely as the club has attracted excellent speakers, including the likes of Mark Webber and Jim Richards. Turnout has been in the vicinity of 400 people, a big gathering when the meeting includes drinks and a sit-down dinner.

Will Darvall – Spyder

The club has grown steadily, and has started Registers to cater for specific models. As well as the 911s Register, there’s a Turbo Register, a GT3 Register, a Torque Tube Register (covering 924, 944, 968, and 928), and a Cayenne and Macan Register. The club is now looking at one for Taycan.

Registers hold their own social events on top of the normal social outings, with only that corresponding category of cars welcome.

One thing that has remained unchanged throughout the Porsche Club of Victoria’s history is its soul, which is the same now as it was when it started nearly 50 years ago. If the passion is strong, so too is the future of the Porsche Club of Victoria. •

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iz Nodoulis has been working at Porsche Centre Brighton for more than a decade, witnessing some significant changes in that time. She discusses her role at Porsche Centre Brighton, what she loves about her job … and a few little things that make working for Porsche special.

As the customer’s first point of contact, Liz is constantly engaged with Porsche lovers. ‘I do reception and administration work at Porsche Centre Brighton,’ she says. ‘I welcome customers as they enter the dealership, ensuring they’re being looked after. In that way, I’m quite like a Concierge.’

Liz Nodoulis

Behind the scenes at Porsche

After understanding what each customer's after, Liz does her best to help out. ‘I show them to the cars, including if they’re enquiring about a particular vehicle,’ she says. ‘After we’re in the showroom, I direct them to a Sales Consultant.’

The full range of Porsches on display gives Liz a great backdrop for her day-to-day work. ‘The full Porsche range is there right in front of me, offering a great aspect,’ she says. ‘They’re beautiful cars, with a range of classic and current models. There’s always something new to see on the floor of Porsche Centre Brighton, even racing cars from time to time.’

While there’s been many changes in Liz’s decade at the dealership, she singles out one. ‘The biggest change was our expansion, where we more than doubled our footprint and services,’ she explains. ‘Launching the new Macan was also a highlight, and more recently the launch of the Taycan and Porsche’s move to electric vehicles.

‘As we’ve grown from a boutique dealership into a larger purposebuilt facility, our staffing levels have increased and our services have expanded; it’s been an exciting time,’ Liz continues.

Concierge

Porsche Centre Brighton

The aesthetics and engineering aspects of Porsche suit Liz’s passions well. ‘I’ve always liked sports cars, and thought they looked amazing – but I had a particular love for the Porsche 911,’ she reveals.

Fortunately, Liz’s job gives her the chance to fully indulge this enthusiasm. ‘I get a chance to drive the cars occasionally, which is a real privilege,’ she says. ‘When Pike Peters, our Marketing Business Partner, organises a Ladies’ Day, I sometimes get to go along. The last time that happened, we all took the Porsche Boxsters down to the Peninsula and had a real drive, which was certainly memorable!’

Liz has also had real-world practical experience with Porsche on the track, on a day etched in her memory. ‘I attended the Porsche Driver Training Course back in 2016, where I drove the car under test conditions,’ she says. ‘I learned a number of useful skills, including how to brake on a skidpan. To cap it off, I did a lap with a pro driver, which was great fun. That was my first time really experiencing the cars’ capabilities, including the Cayenne and the sporting models.’

Liz appreciated this experience of learning the ropes (in a mechanical sense). ‘When I had the chance to drive each of those Porsches on the Driver Training Course, I gained an instant understanding of why Porsche drivers love their cars so much,’ she remembers. ‘Being able to really put your foot down and enjoy the car was something I will never forget.’

So, what’s her favourite part of the job? ‘Meeting so many lovely people here at the dealership every day, with both our clients and the fantastic team I work with – it’s such a great environment.’

With such an affection for the entire Porsche Centre Brighton family, Liz is a natural fit for this classic brand. •

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Protecting the Porsche Apart from the beautiful lines of a Porsche, the other immediate eye-catching feature is its superb paintwork – no matter the colour.

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orsche Centre Brighton now offers a paint protection service to keep the paintwork of your new Porsche looking as good in years to come as it does when new. This new paint protection film offers a lasting defence against day-to-day assaults from our increasingly harsh climate, rain pollutants, dust, and wear and tear.

Once applied to the surface it becomes self-healing with excellent scratch and stone chip resistance, protects against harmful ultraviolet rays, is long-lasting with outstanding resistance to stains and discolouration, and provides a high-gloss finish.

John Nielsen had just purchased his new Volcano Grey Porsche Macan GTS from Porsche Centre Brighton and asked about paint protection when he was there.

'I’m a huge fan of it,' Mr Nielsen says. 'I had it done before I took delivery of the car. I look at my car now after a wash, and it has a much better shine. You can see that it’s been properly looked after.'

Mr Nielsen sees it as a small additional cost to have the comfort of knowing that the car’s paint will always look as good as new, which will also be a benefit when it comes to reselling the vehicle.

Keeping the paint in tip-top condition can’t be left up to chance, with paint protection the first step in ensuring it stays that way.

The second important step is ensuring it's properly cleaned.

As Mr Nielsen points out, many of the drive-through car washes damage paint, just as do many of the hand washes around as they aren't experienced car detailers. Using these will often do more damage to a car’s paint than is apparent, since they frequently use dirty water or washing equipment.

This is good reason to get your car detailed at Porsche Centre Brighton. Ollie Broda has 10 years of experience and training, knowing exactly how to care for a Porsche’s paint whether it has paint protection or not. •

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Restore your paint to a showroom shine

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That glass like finish, that depth of colour that is inherent in the paint finish from Porsche is special and it is part of what makes the car stand out.

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ver time it can dull or become tarnished due to the ordinary wear and tear of driving. Having it sit under Australia’s harsh conditions, even for a short time, can have a detrimental effect on the paint to say nothing of what happens when you put it through a roadside car wash.

Roadside car washes do more damage than you may imagine, dirty brushes can embed dirt into the paintwork or leave small scratches. Porsche Centre Brighton recognises that you need experts to professionally clean your Porsche.

Washing is only a part of detailing, detailing is a thorough inside and outside clean by professionals who use only the best products, tools, equipment, and knowledge to clean a car with expertise that results in a perfect showroom finish.

At Porsche Centre Brighton the onsite detailers use a ceramic coating that bonds with the Porsche paint resulting in a protective barrier to keep your car looking its best. A topcoat prevents staining and environmental contaminants from attaching to your paint. What this adds up to is a car that has showroom shine paintwork, and a finish that will make keeping it clean so much easier.

Contact Porsche Centre Brighton to book your car in for detailing, that can be after a service or at any time when you want to make your car look like new. •

John Nielsen Fivelements Retreat wwww.fivelements.com

Steve Nardoulos

Courtesy is our driver A

s a long-standing and valued team member at Porsche Centre Brighton, Steve Nardoulos has always gone above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service.

His years of experience as a Porsche Technician at the dealership has recently led to a new opportunity, with Steve now managing the new Porsche Centre Brighton customer courtesy driver service.

'Loan vehicles have always been available for our service customers,' Steve explains.

'We can now offer a pick-up and drop-off courtesy driver to or from homes or offices for all customers having their vehicle serviced. Increasingly we’re noting our customers are time-poor, so we also arrange to just pick up and return the vehicles, allowing customers to continue with their busy schedule uninterrupted.

Following every service, customer vehicles are returned washed and vacuumed, with our protocols ramping up further during COVID. All the touch points in the vehicle are disinfected – including the steering wheel, interior and exterior door handles, gear shift and indicators, with every Porsche returned in pristine condition.

We’re taking every step possible to ensure the safety of our customers and our team on site.'

Consider booking a Porsche Centre Brighton courtesy driver for your next service. •

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Creating stronger swimmers The Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club For three years, the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club has enjoyed a productive association with Porsche Centre Brighton. Matthew Mahon, PSLC President, reveals what’s taking place at the club this summer – not least the highly popular and widely acclaimed Nippers program.

Matthew is justifiably proud of the PSLC’s signature education program, the Nippers. ‘I’ve always appreciated how important educational programs are, especially our Nippers program for ages 7–13,’ Matthew says.

‘This is an over-the-holidays program with over 600 kids enrolled this summer – about the size of a decent primary school. Over the course of several weeks, we try to provide each child with a real mix of surf awareness (including a working knowledge of rips and how to identify them), and a general sense of what to do if they ever get in trouble in the water.

‘This is supplemented with some First Aid theory, including a range of situations where they might need to help administer First Aid or contribute, whether on the beach or in the schoolyard.’

Yet it’s not all about the serious side of staying safe in the surf – there’s plenty of fun to be had at Nippers, too. ‘We definitely make sure the kids are enjoying themselves,’ Matthew confirms.

‘That’s why we introduce them to a bunch of great beach-based games and activities, including board racing and beach flags.'

The club is grappling with the impact of Covid, which has kept many people away from the beach. With the end of lockdowns looming, though, people are itching to return to the water.

‘Last year saw unprecedented demand for Nippers,’ says Matthew.

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‘Our partnership with Porsche Centre Brighton continues to be a genuinely positive one,’ Matthew begins. ‘The dealership initially approached us with an interest in a whole range of activities, with the Portsea Swim Classic being the key one. Since then, they’ve become a major supporter.’

‘We were wondering whether we’d sustain the numbers post-Covid, but this surge of interest makes us extremely confident.

‘When we reopened registration for this year’s Nippers, it sold out within a week,’ he continues. ‘This shows us how happy our members are with the program, along with the community’s genuine interest in learning about practical lifesaving skills. The program’s really grown over the last 5–10 years – we began with 75 kids a decade ago, and could fill even more places in the program if we could meet demand.

‘As well as parents volunteering and involved in the program’s delivery, we have COVID-safe officers and a selection of young lifesavers on board. As a lifesaving club, one of our key focuses is developing young people’s characters by giving them opportunities away from school to develop new skills, including those of educators, leaders, and lifesavers.’

The program’s impact endures. ‘Many of the kids start with Nippers when they’re young and keep coming back each year,’ Matthew says. ‘We’re seeing many kids starting their lifesaving journey at age 7–8, then getting their Bronze Medallion when they turn 15,’ he says. ‘I can even remember attending a Nippers session myself when I was 10!’

With the club’s major events viewable on the website, Matthew draws attention to two important ones. ‘The Portsea Swim Classic is the first event we were able to get a COVIDsafe plan approved for,’ he says. ‘Held on Saturday 15 January, this day features four

events – the Junior Swim Classic, the Tribe Women’s 500m team event, the 1.5km Open Classic, and the 2.5km Gold Swim – each finishing at Point Nepean National Park.’

The second event is the Pier to Pérignon, starting in 1989 when the two humble founders swam from Sorrento to Portsea, with the wager being a bottle of Dom Pérignon. ‘It’s still running today, with the 34th event being held on Sunday 13 February,’ Matthew notes.

‘Bookings are essential for each event, so head to the PSLC website to register.’

Given the impact of Covid on skill levels, Matthew has an urgent message. ‘I’d like to remind everyone to play it safe by the water, especially when they’re getting back in after

a long break,’ he says. ‘This is particularly heightened with Covid, as many people’s fitness and skill levels have dropped off.

‘This issue encompasses all ages, from kids missing swimming lessons to grandparents not getting to the pool,’ he continues. ‘Covid has also made people more likely to seek seclusion by visiting remote waterways. Tragically, these factors have combined to result in record drownings in Victoria this year, a situation we’re urgently trying to avoid repeating.’

With so much going on at Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club, it’s the perfect time to get back in the water – while taking care to stay safe. Head to the Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club website to find out more. •

A taste of prestige at the Porsche Centre Brighton Shop C

all in or shop online at the Porsche Centre Brighton Shop for a wealth of gift ideas, from personal accessories to clothing, toys to vehicle accessories. It’s stocked with great Christmas or birthday offerings, perfect for that Porsche lover in your life – or as a treat for yourself!

Be it a T-shirt, a model car, a car care kit, luggage, or sunglasses, all items are high-quality Porsche-branded products to suit every occasion.

Sporty, elegant and minimalist, the Porsche Driver’s Selection of clothing and accessories range is characterised by style.

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Visit www.shop.porschebrighton.com.au to delve into the full range.

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To find out more about this exclusive range of ultra-desirable accessories, simply visit the Porsche Centre Brighton Shop – either in person or online. •

Melbourne to Mallacoota Coastal drive – inland route

Take the inland route from Melbourne to Sydney, rejoining the coastal route after you’ve had your fill of crisp mountain air and local gold-rush history.

Stop in Walhalla to get a glimpse of life as it was in the gold-rush era. Wander through this tiny town that’s been preserved as it was in its 1860s gold-mining heyday.

Drive on through lush farmland to Metung, gateway to the expansive Gippsland Lakes. Bust out your hiking boots or hire a boat to explore the pristine waterways.

Melbourne to Walhalla Set out from Melbourne through picturesque farmland to historic Walhalla.

Break the highway drive halfway at Warragul, where you can stretch your legs amid heritage buildings before heading to Hogget Kitchen for a meal of exceptional local produce.

Ease into picturesque Walhalla. This was once one of Australia’s richest gold mining towns where more than 4000 prospectors spent their days searching for yellow dust after the discovery of

Cohen’s Reef, a three-kilometre vein of gold. Now the peaceful valley town is preserved in time, with a beautifully restored centre and just a handful of residents. Learn about the history behind the town’s heritage facades on the selfguided Walhalla Historic Township walk.

spring. Venture deep into the mountain on a tour of the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine or join a ghost tour to the cemetery.

Try your luck panning for gold at Stringers Creek or ride the historic Walhalla Goldfields Railway through Stringers Creek Gorge, crossing old trestle bridges and viewing stunning seasonal landscapes from golden foliage in autumn to bright wildflowers in summer and

Walhalla to Bairnsdale

Stay overnight in one of the town’s cosy cottages and B&Bs, enjoying open fires and magical valley views.

Rouse yourself from the place that time has forgotten and depart from Walhalla for the next stage of your journey. Make sure you’ve thanked the locals for their hospitality.

Walhalla

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Cape Conran Coastal Park

Take the highway route through Rosedale and Sale. Stretch your legs at the Sale Common Wetlands, where you can amble along the boardwalk or explore walking tracks through redgum woodlands and grasses.

Alternatively, wind through farmlands and country roads, stopping for a pub meal along the way – the restored Tinamba Hotel is perfect for tasting some of Gippsland’s finest produce and local wines, as is Sale’s Criterion.

Drop in for a cellar-door tasting at Glenmaggie Wines, Blue Gables Vineyard, or Vines on Avon, then press on to Bairnsdale. You’ll stay overnight in this laid-back town, gateway to the Gippsland Lakes and sprinkled with great spots to eat.

Heading 20 kilometres east brings you to the popular holiday destination of Lakes Entrance, where the mighty Gippsland Lakes enter the Southern Ocean.

Here, you’ll find Australia’s largest inland network of waterways. Cross the footbridge to the popular Ninety Mile Beach, patrolled by lifesavers during the summer months, or take a walk to the entrance of the Gippsland Lakes. Enjoy a boat cruise on the lakes or hire a paddleboat or catamaran. Keen birdwatchers should visit scenic Lake Tyers nearby.

From here, it’s an hour’s drive to Cape Conran Coastal Park. Visit the East Cape day visitor area and Yeerung River, where you can stroll on the beach and fossick in rockpools.

Continue on towards Mallacoota, a pretty coastal town blessed with Victoria’s warmest winter temperatures and renowned for its beautiful sunsets. Spend the night within the tranquil surrounds of this stunning landscape at Gipsy Point Lakeside resort, located on the banks of the Mallacoota Inlet.

The locals at Origami Coffee, Lucy’s, and Mallacoota Hotel will be happy to see you.

Count kangaroos and lorikeets or swim and snorkel at nearby beaches. Rent a bike, boat or kayak to enjoy the inlet and surrounds. Sit back, relax, and listen to the sounds of the Australian bush. • Words and pictures supplied by Visit Victoria www.visitvictoria.com.au

But the day’s not over yet. From Bairnsdale it’s a 20-minute side-step down to Paynesville, where you can hop aboard the ferry to Raymond Island, free of charge as a foot passenger.

On the island, walk the 20-minute Koala Trail and keep your eyes out for koalas, kangaroos, and echidnas. (Make sure you look up, too.)

Allow at least two hours for the ferry ride, sightseeing on the island, and the return drive between Bairnsdale and Paynesville.

Bairnsdale to Mallacoota Greet the morning early in Bairnsdale and drive half an hour to Metung, where you can set sail around Australia’s largest group of inland waterways.

Take a cruise through myriad lakes and rivers and get close to native birds and kangaroos grazing by the water, or throw down your anchor a while and feed the local pelicans.

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Mallacoota

What a challenge!

Courtney Prince’s debut season in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge is back on track

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acing has been a major casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic, with half the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge races struck off the calendar due to lockdowns. It’s has been a difficult start for young racer Courtney Prince in her first year in the series.

'It's really frustrating, but everyone is in the same boat,' she says. 'We’ve done only two rounds so far. It’s a six-round Championship, and we’ve done one at Phillip Island and one at Sydney. The Bend will host a double header event from 11–13 December.'

In order for the series to be declared a Championship, at least four rounds must be completed.

At the start of the season, it looked like it would be a splendid year for Courtney after her debut race at a wet Phillip Island.

That’s been the case for the year, though, as just after Sydney in April there were no more races until December's scheduled event at South Australia’s The Bend Motorsport Park.

'The first round was Phillip Island, and we came home third overall which is excellent,' Courtney said. 'I actually led my first race in a Porsche. I led race two for basically all of it, which was really exciting in the wet. It was also my first time driving the car in those conditions.

'Again, being out of the car for three or four months – I’ve never been out of the car for so long before,' Courtney explains.

'It was a great start and a solid round, not to mention a privilege to get on the podium in my first Sprint Challenge race.'

Sydney Motorsport Park was the second race, with Courtney placed fifth overall. As it was her first time on the track with the Porsche, she didn't have as much time in the car as she needed.

'We’re in Victoria, so it's hard; the only place we can test is Winton because it’s regional and they’re open, but you need to get a permit to go there.'

Even more exasperatingly, Courtney had just signed a new sponsor. Her Sonic Motor Racing Porsche attracted the backing of Local Legends Beef Jerky, and the new livery was done in time for the next event at Sandown. Unfortunately, it was cancelled.

'I’ve just secured a new sponsor, but haven’t been able to race with the new livery yet. I got it just after the Sydney round,' Courtney explained. When we went into lockdown just after I signed with them, I said: "Are you kidding?"'

Now her car is unmissable with its new fluoro yellow, orange and black colours, it’s probably the brightest in the field.

Courtney hopes to finish well at The Bend in December and finish what was a chaotic year on a high note.

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'I’m super happy with how we’re going, as we’re fourth in the Championship,' she says.

For the future, all Courtney's looking forward to is getting a full season under her belt and doing really well in the Championship. •

Double delight for young Porsche Junior star Two sensational overseas opportunities have arrived for talented young Australian Cooper Murray

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espite all the racing disruptions of 2021 Cooper Murray has had one of the best years of his young life – first as the winner of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Junior Australia program, which will see him contest the Porsche Junior Shootout later in the year; second, being chosen to test new 911 GT3 Cup (Type 992) prior to the Global Shootout.

After taking the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia round win in Townsville early this year, Cooper held a 25-point lead in the junior competition over McElrea Racing teammate Harri Jones. The cancellation of the Bass Coast Festival of Motorsport at Phillip Island meant that as the Points Leader he earned the nomination from Carrera Cup Australia to enter the Porsche Junior Global Shootout.

Cooper will have the opportunity to contest the Porsche Junior Shootout against the best junior drivers from Porsche Carrera Cup Championships around the world.

The Shootout plays a crucial role in the development of the best emerging talent, and is seen as a proven pathway for talented drivers to progress to the highest level abroad.

When you're from Australia, so far from the international motorsport scene, it's a prime opportunity to showcase your abilities.

This exact opportunity helped launch the international motorsport careers of Australians Matt Campbell (2016 winner) and Jaxon Evans (2018 winner). Matt is now a Porsche factory driver with victories in Bathurst 12 Hour and

Le Mans 24 Hour to his name, while Evans is a two-time Carrera Cup Champion with regular appearances in top-level GT competition globally including the Le Mans 24 Hour, World Endurance Championship, and Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, where he finished second this season.

A European racetrack has been booked for the three-day Junior Shootout, which starts early on Tuesday 23 November and ends Thursday 25 November 2021.

'I’m very excited and grateful to have been nominated,' Cooper says. 'I hope to follow in the footsteps of fellow McElrea drivers Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans.'

Just prior to the Global Shootout, Cooper will be enjoying a two-day test session at the Paul

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New team, new car for Dale Wood in 2022 Dale Wood joined Ashley Seward Motorsport for the 2021 Carrera Cup. Next year, a new car's on the horizon

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ne thing transcends all others for any Porsche racers over the past two years, regardless of what class or series. Dale Wood summed it up when he said that last year was a mess; although everyone thought it was all behind us in 2021, unfortunately that wasn't the case.

For Dale, 2021 was a new season with a new team, which brings with it major adjustments.

'I went into a new team for this year. My first three years in Carrera Cup I was with Sonic and then this year I went to ASM (Ashley Seward Motorsport), a new team; it hasn’t been as smooth as we’d like,' he says.

The Covid scenario with quick border closures meant that just three rounds have been completed to date, definitely not what was hoped for at the beginning of the season. The three rounds so far were Sandown as the starter, then The Bend in South Australia, followed by Townsville. As Dale says they were pretty lucky to get to Townsville before everything ground to a halt again.

'At every round, there’s been lots of positives – we’ve been at the top of the time sheets in quite a few sessions, and I think there’s plenty to learn from.'

Bathurst is the next round for Carrera Cup, a round which is combined with the Supercars to be run from 30 November until 5 December as part of a new six-day extravaganza of motorsport.

'It’s been a big learning year, but I think there’s still plenty that has come from it that will probably put us into a good position for next year,' he speculates.

'I’ll be in the Supercars for the Bathurst 1000 and also in the Porsche for the Carrera Cup race, so it will be busy that weekend,' Dale says. 'We have heaps of stuff we want to try at Bathurst and The Bend, with possibly a test day before that.'

'There’s been little time for testing just because of what’s happened. We got a bit of testing at the start of the year, but nothing like what we had planned.

Hot on the heels of Bathurst, Carrera Cup Australia will go to South Australia from 10-12 December for a double-header to finish the 2021 Championship.

Next year is different again as the Porsche 992 car debuts in Carrera Cup Australia.

Each Porsche 911 car does a four-year cycle.

As this is the fourth year for the current Porsche, it’s the new car next year, so there’s a lot of excitement around that. A new car will be to Dale’s advantage, as everyone is starting from scratch.

'Because Porsche Mobil1 Supercup overseas always runs one year ahead of us, it looks like there’s a lot of speed difference. The car is very different, so I’m not sure there will be a whole lot you can take from this year into the next,' Dale explains. • Ricard Circuit in France with Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Team Martinet by Almeras.

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This is very different from the planned 2021 calendar, which had 25 races across eight rounds in Adelaide and at the Australian Grand Prix, Phillip Island, Darwin, Townsville, The Bend, Bathurst and the Gold Coast.

'To be given the opportunity to drive the new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car before the Junior shootout event is amazing, not to mention joining the Carrera Cup France grid for the last round of their Championship in Portimão,' Cooper said.

'I’m also fortunate enough to do an additional two days in the car to prepare myself in the best possible way going into the shootout.

'I can’t thank my Mum and Dad enough for all their hard work to make this possible, as well as McElrea Racing and Porsche Motorsport Australia. I’m looking forward to the challenge that is ahead of me. New car, new tracks, new team and new countries.

Bring it on!'

Cooper is the youngest-ever race and round winner in Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia history. •

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Bottling tradition – Domaine Domaine Laroche, a fine producer of Chablis in southern France, offers a unique approach to winemaking, including its dedicated team of winemakers.

An all-embracing philosophy Domaine Laroche is devoted to large-scale sustainability, an ambitious approach requiring an environmentally holistic ideal of viticulture.

This vineyard’s gentle philosophy displays the deepest possible respect for the intertwined relationship between vine, soil, climate, and environment. Each of the winemakers carefully observe whether their plants are well-balanced. A vine which is ideally situated and cared for requires significantly less treatment, as these plants can naturally fight off pests and diseases.

Domaine Laroche’s strict specifications for their wines rely on several simple principles – no weedkillers, no pesticides, and no anti-botrytis treatments. Everything used during growing and harvesting must help the vines flourish, rather than disturbing the natural ripening process.

While harsh chemical treatments have been rejected for their impact on the vines, Domaine Laroche has developed natural alternatives that don’t harm the plants or affect the wines.

Having experimented extensively with natural treatments based on nettle and valerian, the winemakers use these to great effect.

It’s not just the elimination of chemical pesticides that defines Domaine Laroche’s unique approach to viticulture. Every aspect of the growing environment, no matter how small, has been carefully considered.

For this dedicated team of passionate winemakers, considering the environment solely in terms of viticulture makes little sense. Instead, a holistic approach is taken. Every part of the winery is structured according to the same principles – notably minimal treatments, reduced energy consumption, and the use of rainfall for irrigation.

Fostering such a close relationship with the environment requires skilled winemakers with a deep sensitivity to their surroundings. Connected to this philosophy is the longstanding tradition of apprenticeships at the winery, a system which sustains the winemakers’ venerable traditions within each successive generation.

Savouring a millennium of history If they could speak, the walls of the Obédiencerie in Domaine Laroche would tell the wonderful story of Chablis wines.

Over centuries, those working at the Obédiencerie have built up a strong reputation for these wines, thanks to their exceptional vineyards and unrivalled sense of quality. Chablis Saint Martin is created only from the finest plots and grapes, with excellent acidity and remarkable finesse.

Thanks to their insistence on ageing fine lees – yeast remaining from the fermentation process – Chablis Saint Martin possesses the signature minerality of the wine region’s best terroirs. Perfect as an aperitif or to pair with seafood, prawns or fish, this signature wine is justifiably sought-after.

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Laroche winery 855 Nepean Highway Brighton VIC 3186 P: 03 9536 1911 W: www.porschebrighton.com.au

TURBO Magazine is published by Jill Johnson Media Pty Ltd

Contributors Mandy PARRY-JONES Tim ROBERTS Jill JOHNSON Pike PETERS

Design Brigid FRASER

Photography Lisa SAAD Courtesy of Porsche AG The Porsche Club of Victoria Visit Victoria Gavin Hansford Geoff Stanton Photography

Going back further, Domaine Laroche is directly linked to the rich history of Chablis. One of the most respected and largest landholders of Grand Cru vineyard, Domaine Laroche owns 90 hectares of vineyard situated among the best crus (growing area).

The winery’s headquarters, the Obédiencerie of Chablis, reveals a complex heritage dating back to the Middle Ages when the Canons of Saint Martin of Tours were making wine.

Saint Martin’s relics were hidden in the Obédiencerie for a decade, and the site’s exceptional history is still very much alive today. Domaine Laroche still

elaborates and ages its Premiers and Grands Crus in these historic cellars, making its wines a testimony to a thousand years of winemaking history.

The Laroche philosophy is expressed in a very special care for the terroirs (the environment’s effect on the wine’s flavour), enabling each unique environment to express its own characteristics in the glass.

Maintaining a precise ecological balance, then, is crucial to honouring this unique vineyard’s heritage. Respecting the soil, the workers, and the surrounding environment remain Domaine Laroche’s defining commitments to this day. •

TURBO WINE CLUB OFFER 6 bottles of Domaine Laroche St. Martin 2019 Chablis @ $324 Simply order at www.simplywines.com.au

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Portsea Surf Lifesaving Club Domaine Laroche

Advertising Enquiries Jill JOHNSON P: 0409 217 624 E: jj@jilljohnsonmedia.com.au

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