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/2021
July
Conquering the Simpson to fight MND
Robert GATTEREDER CEO, PM Group
Porsche Centre Brighton
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elcome to the latest edition of Turbo Magazine.
We are in the midst of celebrating 70 years of Porsche in Australia. This edition of Turbo reflects the dynamic nature of such celebrations – a respect for traditions that have cemented the Porsche brand as iconic here ‘Down Under’, and the innovations and new experiences that will shape the next 70 years of Porsche in Australia. In this edition of Turbo we celebrate a unique fundraising journey that replays the legendary 1999 ‘Sandmeister’ crossing of the Simpson Desert in a 911 Carrera 4. Tom Barr Smith and his son Tom, in a 2003 Carrera 4, have undertaken this endeavour to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease. This is a deeply personal journey, as the contestants’ wife and mother Jenny Barr Smith died from the disease.
Robert GATTEREDER
855 Nepean Highway Brighton VIC 3186 P: 03 9536 1911 W: www.porschebrighton.com.au
Our Turbo readers can be part of this historical fundraiser by generously supporting the two Toms in their aim to raise $100,000. We also celebrate two young men who are the latest to commence as fully qualified Porsche Technicians. Both Thomas and Rhys have completed their apprenticeships with Porsche Centre Brighton, and will go on as technical leaders in the Porsche business as well as assisting other young apprentices to reach this esteemed position. Please enjoy these and the many other stories of adventure, human endeavour, and of course the fabulous machines that bring Porsche to life.
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CONTENTS
06 70 Years of Innovation Forges an Australian Institution
A chance meeting brings Porsche to Australia, history in the making
14 Porsche 911 GT3
Whether it’s driving the 911 GT3 or GT3 Touring, this flawless technical coup is designed to make any road exciting
18 An Unquenchable Ambition
Melissa Brown, social worker and much more, embraces the Porsche Macan’s unmatchable appeal
22 Looking Forward to a More Open World
Australians are great travellers; when the world opens up again, we can explore the new experiences awaiting us at the Porsche Museum
26 Rolex Creates Positive Change with the Perpetual Planet initiative
With a consistent record of supporting science and environmental issues globally, Rolex has long been quietly recognising those with a commitment and passion for environmental change
28 Richard Catchlove
Porsche Sales Executive, the celebration of a 10-year love story
30 International e-Sports Belongs to Aussie Joshua Rogers
21-year-old Joshua claimed his 10th win of the season at Monza – and more importantly, his second Porsche TAG Heuer Esport Supercup title
32 Feisty 18-year-old Porsche Conquers the Simpson to Fight MND
The Porsche is just the most rugged little car … we’ve beaten the living daylights out of it but it’s still going strongly – Tom Barr Smith
36 eBike the New Mode of Transport from Porsche
Two Porsche eBikes to transfer the thrill and performance of Porsche to two wheels
36 Keanu Reeves Goes the Distance with Taycan
Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter test the Porsche Taycan in a new film ‘Going the Distance’
38 Sparkling Night with Holloway Diamonds
Twenty special guests enjoyed an exclusive dinner at Porsche Centre Brighton where they were treated to jewellery and an exceptional peek into the life of one of the world’s foremost jewellers – Robert Procop. 5
70 years of
A chance meeting brings Porsche to Australia O
n June 8, 1948 the first automobile to bear the Porsche name was registered – 356, simply called the ‘No.1’ Roadster. This day is considered to be the birth of the Porsche brand.
Ferdinand (Ferry) Porsche built an electric vehicle in 1900 – the Lohner – Porsche. He used it as a basis for building the first all-wheel-drive passenger car in the world.
However, Ferdinand Porsche was already designing ground-breaking innovations in automobile construction at the beginning of the last century.
That same year, he provided a template for hybrid vehicles with the development of a gasoline-electric mixed drive.
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Innovation forges an Australian institution
The successor to the 356, the Porsche 911, was designed by Ferry Porsche’s son Ferdinand Alexander. It was this car that helped the company achieve its breakthrough as one of the world’s leading sports car manufacturers in terms of technology and style. The 911, presented to the world for the first time in 1963, has now been constructed more than one million times. Long before the Porsche 911, the Porsche brand made its mark in Australia through the vision of Norman Hamilton, who was on his
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way from Austria to Switzerland when he spied a low-slung silver sports car on the road – the Porsche 356. The 356 captured Hamilton’s imagination. Ever the fearless entrepreneur, he saw a market in Australia for such a remarkable car. After meeting Ferry Porsche, the two shook hands on a deal to secure the Australian and New Zealand commercial rights. Norman subsequently became only the second Porsche agent outside Europe.
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The Hamilton Porsche legacy begins
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n 1 November, 1951, Hamilton introduced Porsche to celebrities and motorsport identities at a function at the South Melbourne Town Hall. Those early days of the brand’s Australian presence were difficult though, as import restrictions severely limited sales. The day of the launch was fateful in another way. During the event, Norman’s son, nine-year-old Alan Hamilton, was unforgettably introduced to the marque. Captivated by motorsport but a little less captivated by school, Alan tried his hand at several vocations before Norman decided it would be best to take his son into the family business.
Back then, Porsches were ordered ex-factory to customer requirements. Even more of a risk-taker than his father, the newly recruited Alan wanted to order cars for stock rather than to firm customer order. Finally, at the age of 29, Alan took over the family business. Over the years, he transformed it into a substantial, vibrant company with its roots firmly in motorsport. Then, in 1989, the recession struck. It all came to a head in February 1992, when Porsche AG took control of all Porsche operations in Australia, ending 41 years of Hamilton family control that laid strong foundations on which the company has grown to be one of the Australian motor industry’s longest continuously represented makes.
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Porsche 911 victorious on and off the track
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ithout any doubt, the Porsche 911 has had a long string of successes on Australia’s racetracks. It won the Australian Sports Car Championship six times in succession between 1976 and 1981, and has not had a rest since. Because of the Australian market’s unique and longstanding relationship with the factory and its flair for marketing innovation, many unique 911 Porsches have found their way to Australia. These included three roll cage–festooned 911s built to contest the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon, the show prototype of the first production 911 Turbo, the world’s only right-hand drive Type 964 911 RSR 3.8, and a unique Type 996 911 Aboriginal Art Car. In this benchmark year for Porsche Australia, these distinctive examples will be joined by another unique 911 model – a limited edition, Australia-
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only version in Fish Silver Grey metallic. The colour harks back to the 356 Cabriolet first imported into Australia by Norman Hamilton in 1951. ‘Porsche and Australia have a close bond and tradition and Australians love our sportscars, especially the iconic Porsche 911,’ says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. The special edition model will be a feature of the 2021 celebrations. ‘It’s fantastic that the new special edition model for Australia will be based on an iconic, modern Porsche sportscar, but with a nod to the very first car we shipped to Australia all those years ago,’ says Grant Larson, Director Special Projects, Style Porsche in Weissach. ‘It’s especially pleasing to hear that those first two cars, like most Porsches, are still on g the road being enjoyed by their owners to this very day.’
Two firsts for Australian Porsche enthusiasts
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he Porsche 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition is the first Porsche that has been based on a market-specific edition of a 911 GT product, and the first time a special edition has been created by Porsche for the Australian market.
Only a limited number will be produced, each painted in a new customised colour developed by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. The colour, Fish Silver Grey Metallic, is a modern interpretation of ‘Fish Silver Grey’.
This distinctive model was designed in collaboration with experts from the Style Porsche design team, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur customisation department and Porsche Cars Australia.
Available with either manual or PDK transmissions, the car is based on the new 911 GT3 with Touring Package (Type 992). Deliveries are to commence from the end of 2021.
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The 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition features a unique list of additional specifications over and above the 911 GT3 with Touring Package: • Exterior ‘Custom Colour’ in Fish Silver Grey Metallic • Dashboard trim painted in Fish Silver Grey Metallic with ‘GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition’ lettering in black • Wheels in Darksilver with wheel rim borders in Fish Silver Grey Metallic • Indoor-car-cover in Graphite Blue with piping in Crayon and ‘GT3 70 • Badge on B-pillar (both sides) with Australian flag and ‘70 Years Years Porsche Australia Edition’ lettering on the sides in Crayon as well Porsche Australia Edition’ lettering in silver as the ‘Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’ logo on the front in Crayon • Full bucket seats in leather Graphite Blue with seat inlays in Madraskaro check fabric in Graphite Blue and Crayon • Centre console trim painted in Fish Silver Grey Metallic
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The following specifications are standard over and above the 911 GT3 with Touring Package: • Chrono Package including preparation for lap trigger • Light Design package with additional ambient lighting • Touring package exterior painted in Black (tailpipe trims and side window sills), but with ‘PORSCHE’ logo on rear painted in Lightsilver • Tinted LED main headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) • Brake callipers painted in black (high-gloss) • Wheels painted in satin Darksilver • Lightweight full bucket seats with Porsche crest embossed on headrests • Roof lining and sun visors in Race-Tex • Leather interior Exclusive Manufaktur in two-tone combination of Graphite Blue and black • Loudspeaker trims painted in interior colour • Cup holder trims in leather • Extended package leather interior Exclusive Manufaktur • Storage package • Interior package with decorative stitching in Crayon • BOSE Surround Sound System. Other features standard on the GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition include: • Automatically dimming mirrors including rain sensor • Lifting system for front axle • ParkAssist (rear only) • Rear-view camera • Storage compartment lid with embossing of logo ‘70’ • GT3 multi-function sports steering wheel with 12-o’clock marker in Crayon • Vehicle keys painted in Fish Silver Grey Metallic
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• Gear shift pattern on gear lever in Crayon • Door sill guards in brushed Aluminium in black with ‘GT3’ (illuminated) and ‘70 Years Porsche Australia Edition’ lettering • Key pouch in leather in black and Graphite Blue with stitching in Crayon
• Tyre sealing compound with electric air compressor • Digital radio. The 911 GT3 70 Years Porsche Australia Edition will be available on order for $494,300.
Porsche 911 GT3
A flawless technical coup for any road Porsche 911 GT3
Fine-tuned for maximum performance ‘When we have the same engineers who develop our race cars also working on the design of a new GT car for the road, that is the most direct technology transfer I can imagine,’ says Andreas Preuninger, Director GT Model Line, Porsche AG. The new Porsche 911 GT3 is packed with technical highlights, the result of Porsche engineers pursuing a singular aim – to enhance the overall performance of this famous sports car without compromising on everyday usability. More than 160 hours were spent in a wind tunnel to develop a car that slides through the air while being firmly glued to the ground. This is the first time a suspended rear wing has been fitted on a Porsche series
production car utilising a swan-neck mounting, which is similar to that used on the Porsche 911 RSR and one-make racing 911 GT3 Cup cars. Modifications to this new rear wing allow for four angles that work together with a four-way adjustable front diffusor. This combination generates 50 percent more downforce than its predecessor at 200km/h in the ex-works setting, or as much as 150 percent when employing maximum downforce. Matching these superior aerodynamics with the engine required running the car for more than 22,000 hours on a test rig. This four-litre, highrevving, naturally aspirated engine is based on the engine of the GT3 race car, the 911 GT3 R; at 375 kW, its output exceeds the GT3 predecessor
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model. The car delivers its maximum power at 8,400 rpm, with the electronic limiter only cutting in on this outstanding revving ability at 9,000 rpm. Maximum torque has been increased from 460 to 470 Nm. Porsche’s 911 GT3 racing genes are obvious in practically all details of this new version. The cockpit is in line with the current Type 992 model generation, with the addition of a track screen – at the touch of a button, the digital displays to the left and right of the central rev counter are reduced to information such as tyre pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature, each essential when driving on the
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circuit. It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars and a motorsport-derived shift light. The result is a brilliant driving machine which is efficient yet emotional, precise yet high-spirited – perfect for the circuit and superb for everyday use. In Australia, the new 911 GT3 will be equipped with additional features such as metallic paint, tinted LED headlights including PDLS Plus, automatically dimming mirrors including rain sensor, ParkAssist (rear only), reversing camera, front axle lifting system, tyre sealant, electric air compressor and digital radio.
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Porsche 911 GT3 with Touring Package Flying under the radar Now in its seventh iteration, Porsche’s 911 GT3 with Touring Package is offered with an even greater range of exciting choices to complement its 375kW engine, such as a standard 6-speed GT sports gearbox or the 7-speed PDK dual clutch transmission, available as a no-cost option. The name ‘Touring Package’ goes back to 1973, with an equipment variant of the 911 Carrera RS. Porsche revived the idea in 2017, offering it as a Touring Package for the 911 GT3 Type 991. Ever since, this variant has appealed to lovers of top-class sports cars with a passion for understatement. The exterior is even more streamlined than before with the omission of the fixed rear wing, replaced by an automatically extending rear spoiler that shows its colours only when called into action. The 911 GT3 with Touring Package offers all the atmosphere of a classic sports car combined with an interior package that boasts almost all the optional equipment available for the 911 GT3 including all seat variants, the Chrono package and audio systems.
Inside fabrics are a mix of soft black leather and black fabric, highlighted subtly with black stitching. Head restraints feature the embossed Porsche crests with other trim items in brushed black aluminium. With racing embedded in the 911 GT3 with Touring Package genes, its cockpit is equipped with a track screen for the first time. At the push of a button, the digital displays on the left and right of the central rev counter are reduced to essential information on tyre and oil pressure, oil and coolant temperature, and fuel tank fill level. The 911 GT3 has an easily accessible Mode switch on the steering wheel that facilitates fast switching between Normal settings and the customisable Sport and Track modes. Driving the wheels is 375kW of power from a 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine based on the 911 GT3 R drive unit, tried and tested in endurance racing. Despite a wider body, larger wheels and additional technical features, the weight of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecessor. The Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) bonnet, lightweight glass windows and forged alloy wheels exemplify the focus on weight-saving, as does the lightweight sports exhaust system.
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Features standard on the 911 GT3 with Touring Package include: • LED headlights (including PDLS) • automatically dimming mirrors (including rain sensor) • metallic paint • lifting system for front axle • ParkAssist (rear only) • rear-view camera • tyre sealing compound with electric air compressor • digital radio. In Australia, the 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 with Touring Package are both priced at $369,600.
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An unquenchable ambition Melissa Brown, social worker and much more besides, has had a life that could fill volumes. She discusses her history, her future and her embrace of the Porsche Macan’s unmatchable appeal. 18
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lthough Melissa hasn’t always been a Porsche driver, a test drive was enough to sway her. ‘When looking for a new car, I looked at five different brands,’ she remembers. ‘After visiting several dealerships with my son James, we were invariably disappointed when road-testing each vehicle.’
Melissa recalls her initial visit and warm welcome, also commenting on her observation of the dealership’s culture of care. ‘Our salesperson was Jake; he was fabulous and very generous with his time, thoroughly explaining every single feature and detail of the Macan with us,’ she remembers.
That all changed when her son James suggested a Porsche. ‘His approach was: ‘Come on Mum, let’s just see what it’s like!’. So, we ventured into Porsche Centre Brighton.’
‘I’d had another car for the past 11 years, transporting my son and his numerous friends, all crammed in there,’ Melissa says. ‘It was dependable – but I haven’t looked back since acquiring the Porsche.’
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Given the hard work Melissa puts into every aspect of her life, the Macan is a well-deserved reward. ‘I posted a pic of the car in my driveway when we picked it up, knowing my friends and family would appreciate this stage of the journey after 19 years of being a single mum.’ Let’s circle back to discover how Melissa reached this point in her eventful life. ‘I was born in Sydney, but moved to the US as my father worked in the film industry,’ Melissa remembers. ‘I grew up in LA for 12 or 13 years; after finishing high school, I became a professional tennis player age 16–21 on the USTA Satellite Circuit.’ After those arduous years of physical slog, Melissa began a new chapter by returning to her country of birth. ‘At 21, I moved back to Australia on my own,’ she says. ‘I’d resolved to only stay for six months, but that changed when I fell in love.’ After getting engaged, Melissa decided to regain her Australian citizenship. While the engagement didn’t last, her new home did. ‘I began striving to get back on track,’ she says. ‘That’s when I decided to gain my qualification in interior design and forge a new career.’ Romance soon diverted Melissa’s life again, however. ‘I met my future husband while studying, and ended up marrying him in the last year of my diploma,’ she says. ‘At around that time, I opened my own interior design business in Brighton, and had soon fallen pregnant with my son.’ Those times were quite challenging for woman entrepreneurs. ‘In the early stages of establishing the business, everyone was telling me to ‘go home and be a mother’,’ Melissa remembers. ‘Even so, I ended up running that business for six or seven years, several of those working from home.’ Melissa’s marriage came to an end around this time. With her signature energy, she returned to tertiary studies, choosing counselling. ‘I took on a Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) at ACAP,’ she explains. ‘I paid my way as a single mother by working three jobs part-time in retail, calling on my interior design talents.’ On graduating, Melissa began an eight-year stint as a Lecturer at RMIT, teaching child protection, suicide prevention and psychology to students entering the police, corrections, customs, or related industries – all while completing her Master of Social Work and obtaining a Graduate Certificate in Developmental Trauma, a genuinely daunting workload. As well as becoming a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers, Melissa’s next chapter began when she met her former Lecturer at an event and mentioned that she was seeking work. ‘She suggested that I apply for work at the Magistrate’s Court of Victoria as a Family Violence Practitioner. So I did!’ That avenue occupied Melissa for the next three and a half years – but true to form, there was more. ‘I noticed there wasn’t much support for victim survivors of family violence where I lived in Bayside, so I started a free counselling group for women at the Community Centre. It really took off.’ Even with such a full plate already, Melissa had further plans. ‘At the same time as my court role, I began building up my own clinic in Black Rock from nothing,’ she remembers. ‘I took on a new space in Beaumaris at the end of September last year, after seeing a room available two doors down from a friend’s workplace. ‘I’m still running the family violence group but as one-on-one, and expanding this to encompass an adolescent support group in conjunction with my private practice,’ Melissa continues. Unsurprisingly, that’s far from all she’s up to. ‘The Court still uses me occasionally, and I’m also the Victorian Branch President of the Australian Association of Social Workers.’ With such a full-throttle life, it’s no wonder Melissa appreciates the pure driving pleasure of her Porsche Macan.
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Looking forward to a more
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Porsche Museum reopens with even more on show
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ne of those offerings is the spectacular Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, which has just reopened to visitors after a stop-start year where it was closed on more than one occasion to meet local regulations. However, these closures only meant that displays and attractions were improved to enhance visitor experiences. ‘We wanted to be able to offer our visitors an unforgettable experience right from day one, so we made the most of the time during the closure to bring forward changes that had been planned for this year,’ explains Achim Stejskal, Director Heritage and Porsche Museum. ‘For instance, we changed some of the exhibits, undertook modernisation work and installed new interactive stations.
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‘We always tried to make the best of the past year,’ Achim continues. ‘We therefore reacted flexibly to current regulations and always acted in the best interests of our fans and staff. Despite all of the challenges, even during the crisis we found new opportunities. We are delighted now about the reopening, which promises many surprises.’ One of the museum’s new features is the ‘Consistent’ station, which has six car models on turntables, one for each model line. When someone approaches, all the cars pause and turn to face the visitor as if to welcome them. Then, as soon as the turntable under the 911 moves, the other Porsches rotate in sync. Meanwhile, red illuminated lines appear on all models to provide a visual depiction of the Porsche design DNA, which is explained in detail on the Multimedia Guide. Rarely has it been easier to visualise the relationships between each model range.
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Every visitor can be kept informed and entertained with the newly designed Multimedia Guide, containing extensive information about the cars in the exhibition. Using the Multimedia Guide 2.0 is intuitive, with a children’s version also still available for young visitors. The guide makes it fun to delve into a wide range of content, using dynamic content to teach visitors about the exhibits. As well as having access to information, audio content and video clips about each different vehicle, visitors can also sample engine sounds and historic images at the touch of a button. Those looking for a real racing driver experience can head to the new Porsche Racing Simulators to experience the true feeling of motor racing, where visitors can play games and race in E-Sports competitions. Using a curved screen specifically oriented towards the driver and a steering wheel from the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the visitor gains a true-tolife racing experience. The simulator features high-performance pedals with direct response and realistic feedback. The racing seat offers exceptional lateral support during cornering, while the D-BOX Motion System moves the driver sideways, up and down, forwards and backwards.
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Children of all ages are also welcome at the museum with a host of interactive displays; there are also tours specially designed to entertain and inform tomorrow’s Porsche drivers. If you’re thinking of visiting, keep in mind that the Porsche Museum can be opened solely for you after 6pm. Whether you have an event already planned or are looking for ideas, the events team can advise you on your options. For instance, you could start with a champagne reception for guests as a prelude to an exclusive evening.
‘We are very happy to announce the first digital sound night to fans and customers all over the world. The Coronavirus Pandemic has presented us with big challenges, but also allowed us to consider new opportunities,’ says Mr Stejskal. ‘Due to numerous inquiries, we noticed that it is not only us who miss the engine sound. For the very first time this year, we will broadcast the typical Porsche sound via a digital live event to all countries and every living room around the world.
After a two-year break, this September the Porsche Museum will play audio recordings of racing and series vehicles from the company’s collection that once made history on the world’s racetracks.
‘So, unpack your headphones and look forward to the first virtual sound night from Porsche. Whether you are at home, at work or on the go, everyone can join.’
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Visit https://www.porsche.com/international/aboutporsche/porschemuseum/ for extensive information on everything the Porsche Museum has to offer.
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Rolex Creates Positive Change Perpetual Planet initiative With a consistent record of supporting science and environmental issues globally, Rolex has long been recognising individuals with genuine commitment and passion to influence positive environmental change while nurturing cutting-edge technological advancement.
Sylvia Earle
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with the
Joseph Cook
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any progressive and forward-thinking companies are now playing their part in tackling our increasingly urgent environmental crisis. One of the very first to do so was Rolex. For well over half a century, this widely respected global company has long been renowned for combining deep-seated traditions and values with an unrelenting commitment to supporting individuals and organisations confronting environmental issues.
The environmental legacy of these awards has been immense. Since their inception in 1976, an estimated 5 million people have benefited globally – around 18 million trees have been planted, 34 endangered species and 26 major ecosystems have been protected, hundreds of new species have been discovered, 16 challenging expeditions have been completed, and 48 innovative technologies have been developed.
Rolex has historically been acclaimed for its commitment to fostering exploration. With today’s explorers exceedingly concerned about the state of Earth’s ecosystems, Rolex is drawing attention to the planet’s fragility while proposing workable solutions.
Notable beneficiaries of the Rolex Awards for Enterprise include Joseph Cook, who studied the Greenland ice sheet to understand the influence of microorganisms, Lonnie Dupre, whose Arctic expeditions continue to draw attention to the perils of climate change, and Miranda Wang, spearheading an innovative process of transforming unrecyclable plastic waste into valuable materials.
This duty of care is embodied by Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative, providing a roadmap for the company’s future conservation efforts. Launched in 2019, the Perpetual Planet initiative seeks to restore balance to our ecosystems. This programme encompasses a range of projects designed to increase our knowledge and find solutions to preserve these fragile yet essential assets. One of these crucial initiatives is Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue (which Rolex has partnered since 2014), which aims to help preserve the oceans through a network of marine-protected ‘Hope Spots’. Included under the Perpetual Planet umbrella is the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, supporting exceptional individuals’ innovative projects improving knowledge of our world for the past 45 years. These accolades support exceptional individuals with innovative projects that improve our knowledge of the world, protect the environment, and improve human wellbeing.
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Many environment-preserving technological developments have stemmed from the advanced tracking technologies developed by Rolex Laureates. For decades, Rolex has supported organisations and initiatives raising environmental awareness. Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf’s vision of the world as a ‘living laboratory’ still guides the company today, especially his vision of promoting conservation through exploration. With the Perpetual Planet initiative, Rolex is committed to supporting explorers in their quest to protect our precious environment before time runs out. To find out more about Rolex’s ongoing efforts in conservation, exploration and technological advancement, visit www.rolex.org
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t was meant to be a three-week assignment for Richard with Porsche Centre of Brighton, but it became so much more. As his name alludes to, it was love at first sight. ‘The brand excites me every single day. I am blown away with what comes out from Germany – Porsche is an incredibly intelligent organisation in the automotive design and manufacturing area. ‘I’ve always loved cars, but my involvement in the car industry … it was something I had always thought about, then it really fell into my lap,’ Richard explains. But let’s start from the beginning. A young man straight out of boarding school looks for an opportunity and sees a cadetship offered in the printing trade and takes it up; three years later he sets up his own printing business. That business prospered for nearly 40 years before Richard moved to Perth to work for Kim Ledger’s driver training school – yes, the father of Heath Ledger.
Richard Catchlove
What was meant to be a three-week assignment will have evolved into a 10-year relationship on 10 August this year
‘I was the marketing manager for Kim Ledger’s company, a driver training school which was also involved with motorsport,’ Richards says. ‘And so, I got to understand the car industry in Perth. ‘The huge involvement I had with the driver training school in Perth enabled me to have a connection with what was then AHG, the company that owns a very large number of dealerships in Australia. ‘They had a range of companies in Perth, and I got to know them really well. That’s how I initially learnt about the automotive industry. On my return to Melbourne my experience was conveyed to one of the guys at another luxury European auto brand. He understood, and asked me to work for them.’ After four years, it was time for a move. ‘I knew Steve Ellett, who was at the time the General Manager of Porsche Centre Brighton. He connected and asked if I could fill in for three weeks. On 10 August this year, that was 10 years ago,’ says Richard. At this point in our conversation, you can hear the excitement building in Richard’s voice as he says with absolute honesty that he just loved everything about the job from day one. It was the very early days of Porsche Centre Brighton when Richard says they were over the moon if they sold 10 cars in a month. ‘When I first started, Australia was purchasing about 1300 new Porsches every year, but now it’s closer to 5500,’ Richards says. About the same time Goran Lukic, now Pre-Owned Car Manager at Porsche Centre Brighton, was also working in new car sales. Together, the pair have marked a few milestones together – including both being appointed global ambassadors for Porsche. ‘I see the expertise that is required of us and the training we have to have with Porsche as very important. The achievements of that training have been very dear to my heart,’ Richard says.
Porsche Sales Executive Porsche Centre Brighton
‘Along with Goran, we are two of the very few salespeople that have achieved a global ambassadorship. In fact, our achievements were so highly regarded that Goran and I were given a trip to Germany to visit the various plants in 2018.’ In his early days with Porsche Centre Brighton Richard’s varied skills enabled him to offer more than sales figures. As his background involved marketing and motorsport, he was instrumental in organising drive events and other marketing programs for about four years, all to expand the experience of Porsche Centre Brighton’s Porsche owners. As Porsche Centre Brighton became larger and more heavily staffed, Richard was able to concentrate on his role in sales. That has been to the benefit of all his clients, who rely on him to be their conduit.
‘I try to build a relationship where my customers feel as though they can contact me any time on any matter: it can be about their car, service, extra products, what vehicles are coming … I try to keep in touch with as many as possible,’ he says. ‘At my fifth-year anniversary I was given a set of pens encased in a timber box. I’ve never used the pens myself; I’ve only let customers who come in to sign documents use them, and I use it as an interesting story for them. ‘Here I am nearly 10 years in the job, and I’ve said that when the ink runs out, I’ll retire. Fortunately, the ink is still flowing. Maybe somebody has put a refill in there. It’s one of those little oddities and it always gets a bit of a laugh. It helps firm the relationship with my customers.’ Personally, Richard is a very keen motorsport man, who has competed for a very long time and is highly involved with the Porsche Club of Victoria, currently as Secretary of the Competition Committee. ‘Motorsport is very important to me. I’ve now owned nine Porsches and regret selling a couple of them. They’ve been amazing cars every single one of them; they’ve all been a little bit different,’ Richard says. His current car is the 718 Cayman. Equally important to Richard is Porsche Centre Brighton. ‘The company I work for is really fabulous. Robert Gattereder is incredibly involved and enthusiastic as CEO and General Manager, and is extremely approachable,’ he explains. ‘Patrick Tomljanovic, Sales Manager has been an immense support to me too, both as a brilliant manager, but also as a mentor to me and my colleagues since my commencement. ‘Our customers really like to know that the most senior people in the organisation are actually interested in them and what they do, and their motor vehicle. Both Robert and Patrick are very good like that. Ultimately in many ways it’s all about understanding the customer.’
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International e-Sports belongs to Aussie Joshua Rogers Two Porsche Esport Supercup titles
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oung 21-year-old Joshua who races for the VRS Coanda Simsport team not only claimed his 10th win of the season at Monza, but also won his second Porsche TAG Heuer Esport Supercup title at the same time.
In late 2015, Joshua competed in the V8SCOPS league, finishing his first full season at the end of 2016. After qualifying for the 2017 Blancpain GT World Championship Series, he successfully qualified for the 2018 World Championship Grand Prix Series.
In addition to a very noteworthy title, he also takes home US$50,000 in prize money and a coveted TAG Heuer watch. These will be presented to him at an end-of-year Porsche Night of Champions event.
As an Australian competitor, he has faced additional struggles in the past when racing at European or US championships, such as different time zones as races often started at midnight and finished at sunrise.
Joshua, who has been a champion kart racer, harbours ambitions to slide from Esports to real world racing. He is content for the time being to contest another Esports championship as the current worldwide pandemic is clearly not ending soon and will very likely keep affecting real motorsports events. Around 13 years ago, Joshua made his first start as a racer in a classic way, starting with karting at the age of seven. It was a logical leisure time activity for the boy from Gladstone, whose parents were V8 Supercar fans. Not surprisingly, he and his friends from karting ventured into the virtual racing world just for fun – but they quickly used the simulations as a tool to practice racing whenever they couldn’t be karting. Despite coming close to winning a national karting title in 2017 and with V8 Supercars out of his financial reach, Joshua chose the iRacing platform, which offered the tightest competition and international gaming opportunities.
Eventually he made a decision to base himself in Germany rather than to remain in Australia. It was a decisive move in his career ascendancy. Joshua’s breakthrough year was 2019 when he started to enter highly stacked events, having his first full season in iRacing’s GT World Championship Series. He dominated the first season of the Porsche Esports Supercup, claiming the title with an impressive margin of 34 points. Porsche Motorsport took notice. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic; regular racing shut down and sim racing exploded. Instead of the traditional Le Mans endurance race in June, with the real world event postponed until September, Porsche Motorsport threw all its resources at the online version of the French enduro.
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Joshua at Le Mans For the Virtual Le Mans, Joshua and Norwegian Tommy Ostgaard were paired in the cockpit of the factory #93 RSR with Britain’s 2015 Le Mans outright winner Nick Tandy and Turkish Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven. Their real-world Porsche teammates in the other three ‘works’ RSR included Porsche factory driver and fellow Australian Matt Campbell, Germany’s André Lotterer, and former Carrera Cup Australia champion Jaxon Evans. The organisers took care to keep race conditions as realistic as possible with competitors driving day and night, and a random generator making changes to the weather to reflect actual conditions at the Sarthe circuit the same weekend. Over the race’s 24 hours, each of the four drivers per car had to spend at least four hours at the wheel, but no more than seven hours in total, or more than three hours within a five-hour period. Failure to stay within the track limits was also penalised, as were collisions. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ said a delighted Rogers after the #93 RSR took the chequered flag to win by a full lap. ‘We put so much work into this project — it was a massive team effort.’
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Feisty 18-year-old Porsche conquers the S The Porsche is just the most rugged little car … we’ve beaten the living daylights out of it but it’s still going strongly – Tom Barr Smith
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ack in 1999, 22 years ago, two respected motoring writers – Michael Stahl and Michael Browning drove a Porsche 911 Carrera (type 996) across the Simpson desert to demonstrate the technical mastery of the vehicle. Today’s crossing by Tom Barr Smith and his contingent of six had little to do with demonstrating the mastery of his 2003 C4S Porsche and everything to do with honouring Tom’s wife Jenny and her battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Though simply by completing the trip it will inadvertently demonstrate the technical mastery that can be extracted from a Porsche, even one 18 years old. After all the Simpson Desert is one of the roughest and most remote places on Earth, even in a good year it is notoriously difficult to cross and nowadays made that little bit trickier by our constantly changing border closures due to Covid. Before heading off there was some trepidation because there is no guidebook on how to get a Porsche through the challenging conditions of the trip. Afterall the car was designed for highways not byways, hence the schedule had to incorporate some fluidity.
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‘We are determined not to be bound by a tight schedule for several reasons because we have no idea just how a Porsche without modifications will cope with the sand dunes,’ Tom senior said. ‘It could also be that the dunes are ok but the gibbers on the stony Cordillo country might roll along underneath and create some major dilemma we haven’t planned for.’ Tom Barr Smith junior joined his father on the trip. Along with the two Toms were Andrew Hardy of Hardy’s Wines, Andrew Burgess, Andrew Nikakis, John Beresford and Nick Van der Merwe – apart from Tom Snr, the others rode in 4WD utes as back-up vehicles. Tom (senior) not to be confused with his father Tom (and grandfather also Tom), but in a similar vein to them was brought up on remote properties and so is no stranger to the outback. His early days were spent in the dirt, rallying. In 1975 he won the Central Yorke 500, the opening round of the SA Rally Championship, an event of some consequence. Later, in 1993, he completed London to Sydney marathon in a Rover P6B, quite an achievement in anyone’s book.
The Adventure Starts It was not long after Tom’s wife Jenny died of MND six years ago, that he and son Tom were at the Birdsville Pub when he spied a photo of the first Porsche crossing the Simpson Desert and that set his mind racing. So, at the crack of dawn on 10 July 2021 with his Porsche loaded, the team headed out for its first overnight stop at Burra after which it was off to Commodore Station and a welcome meal at the Parachilna Pub. From there they travelled to Beltana Station around 550km north of Adelaide by now they were well into the desert and enjoying the open night sky under swags. Everything was going to plan until they had travelled another 360km to William Creek where the first puncture set them back a little, but what set them back even further was a grader on the road.
Simpson to fight MND
‘Disappointed as I am stuck in William Creek, but only because we’re now a little behind time. The grader was on the road and much needed, but they tend to turn up some nasty sharp rocks, hence our dilemma,’ Tom (senior) had said at the time. Onward through wet roads to the Algebuckina Bridge just shy of Oodnadatta. Forget the 5g network, there’s not even 4g in most of inland Australia other than perhaps around major towns so it was onto the satellite phone for any communication with the outside world, and even that was limited. No phone coverage in the middle of Australia would send today’s generation into a psychotic episode, you can only imagine how tough it would have been in 1936 when Ted Colson crossed the desert – other white men had explored its edges, but he was the first to cross it. It wasn’t until 1962 that it was crossed by a motor car, and even then, it was a 4WD. After eight days behind the wheel, Tom (senior) proudly drove his Porsche into Birdsville, but it was a tough drive over the Simpson. ‘The sand dunes are unpredictable you come over a sand dune and you have to go reasonably quickly and then you don’t know which way the road goes because they’re so steep and the drop offs are so blind that you come up to find an immediate full lock right hand turn at the top of the sand dune,’ explained Tom (senior) with excitement still obvious in his voice. ‘If you haven’t got the speed up, particularly in a low-slung car, you just don’t get there.’ The highs and lows of the trip were more than the sand dunes. ‘The highs were the fact that we got here, the lows were that it hasn’t done the car any particular favours we’re trying to get it up on a hoist today to have a major inspection underneath,’ Tom continued. ‘Really, I think it’s a credit to the car, it’s amazing what it has handled. It’s taken the most frightful beating. The roads were rough and made rougher by the fact that we had no clearance and we had to drive almost permanently with the wheels on the middle ruts.’ g
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Tom junior was equally impressed with both the car and its driver. ‘I know it was tough for dad in the Porsche because he had to concentrate; if you let your concentration lapse for whatever reason something will come up, so all day he had to be on guard. He did an amazing job,’ he said. ‘The car did extraordinarily well, about 80 percent of the sandhills we were amazed that the car went over. In the end I hung back because I hated seeing the car grounding out. There would have been countless times when I thought something catastrophic was about to happen, but it would just keep going. ‘We all love Porsches, but if you’d seen what it went though there would be few people who would think it would get through. There were no mechanical issues.’ There are not many standard cars, especially not ones 18 years old that could have completed that trip without any major issues. And it was a basically standard vehicle, the suspension was not lifted as it had been for the prior trip with the two Michaels. In hindsight the only thing that Tom would have changed was to put a full underside bash plate on the car. ‘The Porsche is just the most rugged little car … we’ve beaten the living daylights out of it but it’s still going strongly,’ Tom (snr) said. ‘It’s running fine, the air conditioner is buggered I don’t know what we did to that, so the car is like driving around in the internal organs of a vacuum cleaner with dust everywhere. My son who’s with me said this is a keeper dad, we’re not going to get rid of it.’ That Jenny wasn’t part of the adventure was a great sadness for both husband Tom and son Tom. ‘She is not here partly because she was amongst the 10% of MND sufferers who tragically have the ‘familial’ gene about which little was known when her mother and her aunt died of it many years ago,’ explained Tom (senior). ‘Neale Daniher and Jenny were diagnosed at the same time and she only lasted 20 months, and my three children – because she had that particular gene – my three children have a 50/50 chance of getting it. It’s near to our hearts.’ And as far as MND is concerned Tom is not giving up until there’s a cure. Hence his parting words were that he was thinking he would head to Cape York next year. But this time he said, ‘I’ll put a total skin underneath the whole car, other than that nothing – it runs beautifully’. To contribute to fundraising visit: https://hub.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisefor-fightmnd/tom-tackles-the-simpson-to-beat-the-beast
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Tom Barr Smith Senior and Junior
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eBike the new mode of transport from Porsche Porsche eBike Sport and eBike Cross transfer the thrill and performance of Porsche to two wheels.
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orsche’s eBike Sport is the perfect companion for everyday life, while the Porsche eBike Cross is what you need for off-road fun.
Not surprisingly these Porsche additions are high-tech and striking with a full-suspension carbon frame with a shape that harks back to the lines of the Porsche Taycan. Power is added using the latest generation Shimano motor, and stopping is easy with the Magura high-performance brakes. Both models were developed in collaboration with eBike expert Rotwild and are manufactured in Dieburg, Germany.
Porsche eBike Sport
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Daily rides on the way to work, whether in the city or countryside, are even more enjoyable knowing there’s no hill too hard to conquer with the powerful and ultra-compact Shimano EP8 motor providing support up to 25 km/h, and Shimano electronic gear shifting system guaranteeing optimum performance. The elegant design is emphasized by M99 LED lights from lighting specialist Supernova, embedded in the handlebar stem and aerodynamic seat post.
Porsche eBike Cross For rides off the beaten path, there’s little to equal Porsche’ eBike Cross. With its powerful Shimano motor, it can easily tackle difficult terrain. The Magura-MT Trail high-performance brakes have extra-large heat-resistant brake discs that ensure optimum deceleration, while the mechanical Shimano XT 12-fold shifting system enables fast gear changes according to the rider’s needs and the terrain. Ergonomically designed handlebars feature the Shimano colour display, which shows not only speed but also distance and range in real time. The clean design is rounded out by a full-suspension carbon frame, which perfectly combines the spirit of adventure with style. A unique rear carrier for the new Taycan Cross Turismo Porsche is perfectly designed for transporting the eBikes. Thanks to long wheel rails and a high payload of 50 kilograms, up to two eBikes can be mounted and the tailgate can still be opened while loaded.
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Keanu Reeves goes the distance with Taycan Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter test the Porsche Taycan in a new film ‘Going the Distance’
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wo cars, two friends, one charge of electricity and one epic drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Porsche Experience Centre Los Angeles.
Racer and stunt driver Tanner Foust makes a guest appearance for the first stop in the film, giving Reeves and Winter the chance to experience the thrill of Launch Control in a Taycan Turbo.
Friends and Porsche enthusiasts Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter embarked on an epic road trip in southern California that featured a test of nerve, skill and the Porsche Taycan Turbo.
Next, the two accept the subsequent challenge set by Porsche factory driver Patrick Long – a 3.2-kilometre hill climb up the Pacific Coast Highway following a 918 Spyder.
‘Going the Distance’, an eight-minute film about the road trip, is available to view on the Porsche YouTube channel.
The two complete their day of trials on the Porsche Experience Centre Los Angeles track, where they attempt to beat the Taycan’s drift record.
In it, the two American Hollywood actors are given challenges by an allstar cast which test both friends to their limits, on closed roads.
You can view the video at ‘Going the Distance’ on the Porsche YouTube channel
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Sparkling night with Holloway Diamonds Twenty special guests enjoyed an exclusive dinner at Porsche Centre Brighton where they were treated to jewellery and an exceptional peek into the life of one of the world’s foremost jewellers – Robert Procop. Guests were able to wear jewels from his collection on the night while they listened to his fascinating story spanning 30 years of high-end jewellery design. Widely respected as one of the most knowledgeable diamond and gemstone experts around the globe, Robert Procop is as gracious as he is talented. Born in Southern California, Procop has been a curator of exceptional gems since the age of 16. Robert has provided his unique and exquisite pieces to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie and Brooke Shields, and US First Ladies starting with Nancy Reagan. His pieces are exclusive to Holloway Diamonds and can be viewed by appointment at the Brighton and Canterbury showrooms.
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Golfers to the green Around 90 keen golfers from Porsche Centre Brighton and Porsche Centre Doncaster enjoyed perfect weather and a perfectly beautiful golf course at the Victoria Golf Club on Friday 23 April. Victoria Golf Club is in the very elite tier of golf courses, located in the sandbelt of Melbourne at Cheltenham. The course has a remarkable set of greens with pure surfaces and sits as one of the international top 100 courses. The course was established at Fisherman’s Bend in 1903 and moved in 1926 to its present 128-acre site in Park Road, Cheltenham. It was opened on 14 May 1927 when the Prime Minister of the day, Stanley Bruce, struck the opening ball in front of a 1000-strong crowd. Overall winner at the recent golf day was Leslie Mencio with runner-up Michael Aisenberg. They will represent Porsche Centre Brighton with their respective partners – Maurizio and Leeanne – at the next Porsche Australia Golf final.
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Soul food Four Taycan models – two Taycan 4S, one Taycan Turbo and one range-topping Taycan Turbo S were the soul food that stirred up an appetite for all 32 guests of Porsche Centre Brighton following the launch of the Taycan in Australia.
855 Nepean Highway Brighton VIC 3186 P: 03 9536 1911 W: www.porschebrighton.com.au
TURBO Magazine is published by Jill Johnson Pty Ltd
Contributors Mandy PARRY-JONES
Two Taycan drive experience days allowed eager Porsche guests to test the capabilities and technology over a three-hour drive that presented a range of roads from high-speed freeways to winding country roads.
Performance, safety, technology and innovation were the buzzwords of the day as Porsche’s chief driving instructor Warwick McKenzie led the groups over his individually devised route.
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Tim ROBERTS Jill JOHNSON Pike PETERS
Design Brigid FRASER
Top technicians Thomas Bladier and Rhys Dicker saluted Thomas Bladier and Rhys Dicker of Porsche Centre Brighton have the distinction of being the first home-grown Porsche technicians after completing many years of specialist training.
Photography Lisa SAAD Courtesy of Porsche AG Rolex - Perpetual Planet initiative ©Rolex/Stefan WALTER ©Rolex/Joseph COOK Porsche Conquers the Simpson Andrew BURGESS Mary ILES
Advertising Enquiries Jill JOHNSON P: 0409 217 624 E: jj@jilljohnsonmedia.com.au
All material appearing in Turbo Magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.
After four years of TAFE training and four years of specialist Porsche technical training Thomas and Rhys are now both fully qualified Porsche Technicians.
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They will be joined by more equally highly qualified technicians who are currently completing their apprenticeships at Porsche Centre Brighton.