the drifter Sacramento Valley Region - Porsche Club of America
January 2007
Get Clicked for Pennies The Sacramento Valley Region, Porsche Club of America, now offers generous advertising space on its very active web site. At $100 per ad, this is a one-time paid placement through the end of this year. Contact Advertising Manager Dick MacFarlane at dickm@hpsionline.com or call 916.482.0652. Direct technical questions may be addressed to Webmaster John Murphy at webmaster@svr.pca.org or call 916.362.8276.
Got Track? Trackmasters Racing is a leader in High Performance Driver Education events in Northern California, and partner with the SVR-PCA for numerous events per season. • • • • • • • •
Thunderhill - Friday, March 9th Infineon/Sears Point - Friday, March 16th Thunderhill - Friday, April 13th Thunderhill - Friday, May 11th Infineon/Sears Point - Saturday, July 21st Thunderhill - Sunday, July 29th Thunderhill - Friday, August 10th Thunderhill - Friday, September 21st
Come out and stretch your car’s legs on some of the finest tracks in the Country!
1206 C St., Sacramento, Ca 95814 916.453.1465
Fun, safe, and definitely . . . No speeding tickets! www.TrackMasters-Racing.com
2007 Board of Directors President Mike Willis 916.363.8313 2748 Tiffany West Way, Sacramento, CA 95827 President@svr.pca.org Vice President Kerner Breaux 916.966.2425 5018 Shadowood Way, Fair Oaks, CA 95628 VicePresident@svr.pca.org Secretary Kevin Dougherty 916.983.7774 P.O. Box 6006, Folsom, CA 95630 Secretary@svr.pca.org Treasurer Betty Silva 12 Oak Lane, Suisun Valley, CA 94534 Treasurer@svr.pca.org
707.864.0491
Social Director Cookie Anderson 916.988.6534 6320 Hickory Lane, Orangevale, CA 95662 Social@svr.pca.org Membership Director Rik Larson 916.481.6084 2120 Maddox Court, Carmichael, CA 95608 Membership@svr.pca.org Competition & Safety Director Matt Deter 916.630.8924 5645 Harvest Road, Rocklin, CA 95765 Porsche@deter.com
http://www.derporsche.net/
Volume 45, No. 1
6
January 2007
Upcoming Events
Zone 7 Awards Banquet
Features and Reviews
5 10 12 14 11
Decorating the SVR Christmas tree Mendocino 2006 tour SVR Christmas party Le Mans, the movie, the movie star, the car An SVR photo album
2 3 4 7 9 17 18 19 20 20
Chilli’s chatter Coming events January social report Drifting back November board meeting Boxster sport exhaust Speaking of Membership Goodie Store The Last Word Drifter Classified
Columns and Departments
Mike Willis Julia Lynn Larry Wilson Julia Lynn Kerry Maguire Tom Sisson Tom Sisson Bud Behrens
On the cover: the Porsche 904 • Photo courtesy Nova Develpoment Corp.
Information and Committee Directory
Webmaster John Murphy 916.858.2304 11508 Armour Court, Gold River, CA 95670 Webmaster@svr.pca.org
Autocross Chair Matt Deter 916.630.8924 5645 Harvest Road, Rocklin, CA 95765 Porsche@deter.com
Goodie Store Tom Sisson 209.296.5352 14537 Surrey Junct. Ave., Sutter Creek, CA targatom@volcano.net
Past President Jeff Kinder 916.765.2801 4320 Freemont’s Loop, Rescue, CA 95672 PastPresident@svr.pca.org
Driver Education Chair Frederick D. Rauch 916.989.3199 9580 Oak Ave. Parkway, Ste. 7 #188, Folsom, CA 95630 http://www.fdrmotorsports.com/ deevents@svr.pca.org
Rally Chair Helen Ashuckian 916.481.2759 5440 Tree Side Dr., Carmichael, CA 95608 Helena@lanset.com
Editor (Temporary) Bud Behrens 209.477.6496 6424 Culpepper Place, Stockton, CA 95207 budnmaryann@cs.com Zone 7 Representative Larry Sharp – Golden Gate Region 925.371.2258 1119 Megan Road, Livermore, CA 94550 larrysharp@comcast.net
Charity Chair Susan Fleming 916.985.4142 107 Cobb Court, Folsom, CA 95630 TRFleming@comcast.net Concours Chair Kent Brandon 916.663.1702 3450 Hector Rd, Newcastle, CA 95658 Kent.Brandon@ncbb.net
Technical Chair Lisa Thomas lisa@pure9design.com
916.220.5642
G24 Chair Rachel Johnson & 916.933.4282 Kim Nelson • 305 Glen Ridge Way El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 kim356@directcon.net
Advertising Manager Dick MacFarlane 916.482.0652 5740 Windmill Way #11 • Carmichael, CA95608 dickm@hpsionline.com the drifter
1
Chilli’s chatter by Mike Willis
T
hanks for your support of our 2007 board. We have a good group that will keep the region moving ahead in a positive direction and continue on with our events. As I mentioned on the nomination sheet, I would like to have a brain storming session in the latter part of January to help us with keeping some old traditions and bring in some new traditions as well. This session will be an in-the-box and also an out-of-the-box thinking and talking meeting. Yes, I have some ideas, but most importantly, I want to hear your ideas. Please do not think this is the same as the event-planning meeting on January 11th; this is in addition to that meeting. I have scheduled this meeting for February 7th at RPM on Bradshaw Road at 7:00 P.M. This will give you time for some dinner and less traffic to deal with. There is a Subway shop in the building if you are not able to stop for dinner. Please confirm that you are coming in case we get more than the room will hold. As mentioned above, our 2007 planning meeting is being held on January 11th in the same location as last year. Good pizza, beer, and Porsche friends are what make for a working party. Bring you ideas for events. You do not have to be the chair of the event, but would help if you were. The Zone 7 awards banquet will be held on January 13, 2007 in Pleasanton. This is a fun event that includes good Porsche camaraderie with members of other regions. Come out and support our region Zone 7 event winners. It is nice when members step forward and offer a little extra, as Mike & Sue Ambrozewicz did, by offering their new home for our Christmas party. Wow, what a fun time. It was a nice time to give some recognition to our members who helped out during the year with events, dinners and were available to pick up the loose ends. We had a good time decorating our Christmas tree in the front of the Cavalcade of Cars at the Towe Auto Museum. After we and the other clubs completed the decorations, we had a very good potluck. Somehow,
we do have to rig the drawing on who goes up to the line first so as to keep the club with military-type serving trays toward the end. As we say: just another excuse to party with our friends. Dick MacFarlane engineered the Toy Run with Corvettes. Those who attended had good time. Together, we were able to support the community by giving some time and toys for those kids who probably would not be having a Merry Christmas. In the past we have supported Chips for Kids at the Christmas party, but this took its place this year, something like “Sharethe-Wealth”for our toy donations. “Share-the-Wealth,” which has been used in the past to offset some of the costs of our Christmas parties, was brought back by Herb Hoover to be included in our dinner meetings. Usually, the Christmas party is the most expensive dinner meeting we have, and it is nice to be able to reduce the price somewhat with our “Share-theWealth” program during the year. Watch for some new and old things to happen this year, such as CRAB, the San Simeon tour, the Mendocino tour, wine tours, the Oil & Wine tour, dinner meetings, concours, drivers ed., autocrosses, rallies, and those new ideas from the event planning meeting or the brain storming session. Remember that it’s not just the Porsche, it’s the people. But the Porsche helps, because it gives us the common ground to start dialogue. Our goal for 2007 is to have fun at everything we do and keep it positive.
2
the drifter
Coming Events in 2007 January 11
Annual Planning Meeting at Round Table Pizza, 9500 Greenback Lane, Folsom from 6:00 to 10:00 P.M. Cost is $5.00 per person for pizza; drinks are no-host. Bring your ideas for 2007. To register, Contact Kern Breaux at 916.966.2425 (home) or 916.801.2425 (cell) by January 8th
January 13
Zone 7 Awards Banquet in Pleasanton (See page 6.)
February 7
Out-of-the-Box Thinking and Meeting with Mike at RPM at 7:00 P.M.
April 20 – 22
CRAB 33 - Towe Auto Museum, Sacramento
May 18 – 20
San Simeon Tour
July 1 – 5
52nd Porsche Parade, San Diego
November 2 -4 Mendocino Tour
the drifter
3
Aloha!
by Julia Lynn 2005-06 SVR Social Director
H
appy New Year to all! I hope your holiday season was wonderful and that you have all you wished for. Buzz and I had a post-Christmas holiday in Kona, Hawaii. It was wonderful. Our own SVR Christmas party was spectacular. Many thanks go to Mike and Sue Ambrozewicz for having us in their home and to the Christmas party committee members Kim Nelson and Rachel Johnson, Dennis and Judy Stettner, and Jeff and Kim Kinder for all their hard work in putting together the event. As I end my two-year term as SVR social director, I would like you to know how much I enjoyed serving this club. It takes a lot of volunteers to run a club such as this, and I have enjoyed working with the 2005 and 2006 boards. I asked your 2007 social director, Cookie Anderson, to write a few words about her plans and goals for the coming year. Here’s her response. “Since I have been asked by the board to run for the 2007 social director, I thought I should take a few minutes to tell you about myself. But before I start, I would like to thank Julia Lynn, our outgoing social director for all the hard work she has done in 2005 and 2006.
“I moved to Sacramento five years ago from Eureka, a small town in Northern California. I am now semi-retired after working eighteen years in the insurance industry as a licensed property-casualty insurance broker/agent. I enjoy traveling, cooking, gardening, touring, motorcycling, camping and being with a great group of Porsche friends. “My goal for 2007 as SVR social director is to bring fresh new ideas to our club. My duties will include helping those who host the monthly dinner meetings, tours, rallies, and to inform you about coming events by e-mail, The Drifter, or on the SVR web site. “In closing, I am hoping to see new and old friends on the trail of happy motoring. Until we meet again…” Cookie will provide wonderful and enthusiastic service to our members, and I’ll be there to help if needed. We’ve had a year full of tours, dinners, rallies, concours, drivers education, and autocross. Thanks to all those who chaired events, helped out the hosts, and volunteered their time to make all these activities take place. The planning meeting for 2007 is right around the corner on January 11th, so be sure to come and put your name on the calendar as the host of an event. You can figure out the details later; just sign up. There’s always help available from more “seasoned” members on “how to.” Happy New Year!
You Have a Choice!
So why not make the right one when you need auto body and paint work? ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦
Don Joe
3532 La Grande Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95823 (916) 391-4159
State-of the Art Body and Paint Technology Certified Glasurit Paint (Factory Original for Porsche, Mercedes, BMW) Car-O-Liner Unibody Repair Equipment Enclosed Climate-Controlled Spray Booth Industry-Certified Technicians
4
the drifter
Decorating the SVR Christmas tree at the Towe by Kim Nelson
E
ach year this event keeps getting bigger and bigger, and for good reasons: everyone has good time seeing their SVR friends, the Towe Auto Museum is a wonderful place during the holidays, and the potluck is great. This year about fifty SVR members showed up to help trim our tree, and while they say that too many cooks spoil the broth, I think our tree came out beautifully. It all started around 2:00 P.M. As we started, we realized that our tree had been sitting in a puddle of water and had gotten pretty wet. It kind of reminded us of chopping down a real Christmas tree on a cold, damp December day. After we got the tree dried off, we had plenty of ornaments to hang. This year a number of people brought new ornaments with pictures of themselves and their cars: a great touch. When the potluck started it was easy to see that when you have two hundred people bringing food, no one is going away hungry, and certainly not our SVR group. If you missed the event this year, you should look for it next year. It is a great way to start the holiday season.
the drifter
5
Zone 7 Awards Banquet
Series 2006
Saturday, January 13, 2007 Sheraton Pleasanton Hotel (Formerly Wyndham Garden Hotel)
5990 Stoneridge Mall Road, Pleasanton CA (925) 463-3330
Rally Concours Autocross
Come celebrate Porsche Club of America Zone 7 2006 champions in Autocross, Rally, and Concours
Guest Speaker: Prescott Kelley, Incoming PCA President No host cocktails at 6:00 P.M. • Dinner at 7:00 P.M. Dinner choices include London Broil or Chicken Piccata • $50.00 per person (including wine) Indicate your dinner choice on your check, made payable to “Larry Sharp – Zone 7 PCA,â€? and send to: Larry and KC Sharp, 1119 Megan Road, Livermore CA 94550, Telephone 925.371.2258
The deadline for reservations is January 6, 2007. Rooms have been set aside at a special rate. • Ask for the Porsche Club when making room reservations. If you wish to spend the day in San Francisco, there is a shuttle to BART from the hotel. For a day of shopping, Stoneridge Mall is within walking distance.
)TĂŚMAYĂŚNOTĂŚLOOKĂŚLIKEĂŚIT BUTĂŚTHISĂŚBUILDINGĂŚISĂŚANĂŚHISTORICALĂŚLANDMARK .IELLOĂŚ0ORSCHEĂŚISĂŚ!MERICA SĂŚLONGESTĂŚCONTINUALLYĂŚOPERATINGĂŚ0ORSCHEĂŚDEALERSHIP ĂŚĂŚ 4HEREĂŚMUSTĂŚBEĂŚAĂŚREASONĂŚWHY
-HDKKNĂŚ/NQRBGDĂŚ1NBJKHM
ĂŚ'RANITEĂŚ$RIVE ĂŚ2OCKLIN 3HOWROOMĂŚ(OURSĂŚ-ĂŚ ĂŚ3A ĂŚĂŚ AMĂŚ ĂŚ PM 3U ĂŚ !-ĂŚ ĂŚ 00ARTSĂŚ-&ĂŚ AMĂŚ ĂŚ PM 3ERVICEĂŚ- &ĂŚ AMĂŚ ĂŚ 00ARTSĂŚ ĂŚ3ERVICEĂŚ3ATURDAYĂŚ AM PM
/PENĂŚANYTIMEĂŚONĂŚTHEĂŚWEBĂŚAT
6
the drifter
January 2007 drifting back by Larry Wilson
30 Years Ago (January 1977) A short bio published in the January Drifter for each of the 1977 SVR board of directors gave the skinny on President Harvey Cain, Vice President Mike Willis, Secretary Connie Farlinger, Treasurer Kirk Bradford, Activities Co-chairs Georgene and Merle Dodd, Tech and Competition Chair Larry Wilson, Social Chair Al King, Publicity Chair Dan Boone, Membership Chair Ted Fukushima, and Drifter Editor Lettie Larson. This group included two past presidents and two first-year members of the club. One hundred ten SVR members wined and dined January 14th at Posey’s Cottage (corner of 11th & O Street) and enjoyed club officer reports during the meeting. The menu, coordinated by Phillip Marks, featured cracked crab, salad, and spaghetti, all for $8.25, including tax and tip. Our honored guest was Tony Maslowski (of then San Joaquin Region, now Sequoia Region), the PCA National Public Relations chair and noted PolishAmerican storyteller. The crowd voted the Dummkopf Award to a deserving Harvey Cain. He won this award several times during 1977. At the annual January awards banquet, Sacramento Valley Sports Car Council presented 1976 autocross awards to SVR members Darrell Overstreet, Ted Colbert, Diane Colbert, Dale Newhouse, Mike Willis, Vicki Willis, Jack Samples, and Jim Ducoing. Patty Porsche, the SVR gossip snoop and Drifter columnist, said the January 16th Rally School by Phillip Marks and Rik Larson was a “terrific” event for the nineteen participating rally teams. Ground school at the Voyager Inn was followed by a three-checkpoint rally (plus a DITY checkpoint). The top-three rally finishers were Ed and Bev Bayless, Michael and Mary Peters, and Jim and Joyce Karver. 20 Years Ago (January 1987) A new year, a new board of directors for SVR: Jim McDade (President), Randy Vidmar (Vice-President), Stan Breyfogle (Secretary), Herb Hoover (Treasurer), Pam Harley (Social Director), Rik Larson (Competition Director), Bob Jacobson (Membership Director), Larry Wilson (Drifter Editor), Kirk Bradford (Past President). Like ten years before, SVR started the new year with
a January dinner meeting at Posey’s Cottage. Suzanne and Mark Plantz reported on the upcoming Tahoe Tour, and Sue McGlumphy spoke about the club’s 25th anniversary party planned for March 21st. Randy Vidmar won the Dummkopf Award because he left his car out of gear and had to chase it downhill (no damage), and because, after the Christmas party, he left the PCA banner at the restaurant. Another club member picked it up for safekeeping, but Randy, wanting to keep the matter quiet, ordered a replacement in time for the next meeting. We had two banners at that meeting. The January 1987 Drifter was the first SVR newsletter produced by desktop publishing techniques and printed with an offset press on slick paper. That issue featured a cover-photo of SVR president Jim McDade in his 914-6 at speed in an SCCA race at Riverside Raceway. Both the car and the track are now history. Editor Larry Wilson used a Macintosh Plus computer with two floppy drives (no hard disk in a Mac Plus) with PageMaker version 1.2 and borrowed time on an Apple 300-dpi laser printer (with postscript) to produce camera-ready copy for the print shop. J. Toney was rallymaster for “The Night of January 16th” SVR rally which, of course, was a Friday night rally on January 16th named after Ayn Rand’s Broadway stage hit, “The Night of January 16th.” Got that? From Food Circus to Woodland the long way, with a good turnout of rally teams, the routes were challenging for the 1st SVSCC event of the year. Top SVR finishers: Tracy James and Steve Hartzell took second in Expert Equipped class, and Jim McMahen with Linda Perry took second in Beginner class. SVR workers included Ron and Sally Boeck, Allen and Dolores Weddle, Fred and Fran Seigner, Helen Ashuckian, Stan Breyfogle, Don Harley, Dwight and Linda Mitchell, George and Nona Morley, John Turner, Don Rasmusson, and Rik Larson. continued
the drifter
7
10 Years Ago (January 1997) A new board bunch at the wheel of SVR for 1997: Rik Larson (President), Cyndee Peart (Vice-president), Barbara Borzymowski (Secretary), Shelagh Mackay (Treasurer), Bob Peake (Social Director), Dwight Mitchell (Competition Director), Helen Ashuckian (Membership Director), Mike Willis (Drifter Editor), and Greg Peart (Past President). The January 9 Activities Planning Meeting at the Round Table Pizza on Greenback Lane featured the pizza and salad bar for only $5.00 per person. And, what’s more, the group of nearly seventy people was armed with information from over fifty Bob Peake survey forms returned by SVR members suggesting nifty improvements in the way of doing activities. Right. The Second Annual White Elephant Gift Exchange was scheduled for January 31 at Chuck’s Grill in Folsom. In the January issue of The Drifter, editor Mike Willis threw in a photo of SVR smiling faces holding 1996 end-of-the-year Zone 7 awards: Helen Ashuckian (1st place rally), Bill Winkler (1st place autocross class K and Rookie of the Year, Phil Lawrence (1st place wash & shine concours), and Masuo Robinson (2nd place autocross class LI and winner of the Zone 7 Instructor Shoot-Out).
8
the drifter
November 15, 2006 SVR board meeting by Julia Lynn
I
n attendance: Andy Leight, Tom Sisson, Ray Silva, Kim Nelson, Helen Aschukian, Matt Deter, Rik Larson, Mike Willis, Julia Lynn. Late arrivals: Jeff Kinder, Frederick Rauch Andy started meeting at 6:20 P.M. for Jeff Kinder who would be late due to work. The minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed. Tom Sisson moved that they be approved, Kim Nelson seconded the motion, and the motion carried. Board Member Reports: Competition: Matt Deter reported that the second autocross had about thirty-three cars and made a little money. The autocross at Infineon had about seventy cars/drivers. It was a great turnout and earned a net profit for the club of about $1,200.00. Matt is revising the accuracy of timing equipment and will submit two bids to the board for approval of the purchase of a new LED timing display. He would prefer the eight-inch display because it can be read from a greater distance. The projected cost is $3,000.00. Andy asked if the cost of new equipment was included in the 2006 budget; it was not. Kevin will be asked how much of a “profit” a non-profit organization can have. Matt also needs more autocross cones, about fifty of them. Mike suggested looking into Sacramento Safety for prices. Side note: The crossover board meeting will be on Dec. 20th for the incoming and outgoing board members. Goodie store: There were $1,031.00 in sales, with a net profit of $ 617.00. Membership: There are 667 regular members, 13 dual members, and 13 new members.
Social: At the November dinner there were thirty-one attendees. The ballot will be e-mailed again. Julia will ask Cookie to write a self-introduction paragraph for the January Drifter. Vice President: Andy brought e-mail from John Murphy regarding the new printing company for the Drifter. Kerner Breaux scheduled the planning meeting for January 11th, location TBD. Andy and Dianna are hosting the February dinner meeting, most likely at Karen’s Bakery. Past President: Kim reminded the group about the Toy Run with the Corvette Club. Porsche racecars will be on display at the Towe Auto Museum from Dec. 2nd through Jan. 6th. Julia will send out blast to the membership when she receives text from Kim. Kim asked the board for $25.00 for the purchase a door prize for the Towe Christmas Tree decorating party, which will be on November 25th, from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., with a potluck dinner following. The request was approved. Rally: Helen reported that rallies have been poorly attended. There were only three cars at the Kid Rally, but they had fun. Fall is not good times of year for that rally because soccer is very popular with kids that time of year; next year she will try to have it the spring. The rally made $10.00 for the club. Last minute notes: Jeff will make “Hidden Hero” choices. Tom needs more membership directories (about 60) and buttons (100). Jeff said to get them. He will ask Elliot and Aleece Hoffman about preparing the 2007 Membership Directory in February as suggested by Mike Willis. Adjournment was at 8:30 P.M.
the drifter
9
Same time, every year!
Mendocino 2006 tour by Rik Larson, photos by Ira McKee
W
e set a new record for the tour this year: more than sixty cars and more than one hundred twenty people were in the mix. Of course, we had a little help from the Redwood Region folks who added ten cars to the group after they arrived in Mendocino on Saturday. In addition to the folks from Redwood Region, there were cars from San Diego, Golden Gate, Diablo, Sierra Nevada, and Sacramento Valley regions. More than forty cars convened at Niello Porsche in Rocklin at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, November 3rd to begin the tour. The folks at Niello provided everyone with coffee and donuts. Mike and Emily Willis took care of the registration duties, and they were off. The first stop (i.e. potty break) was near Dixon. About six cars joined the group at this point, and everyone proceeded to the lunch stop in Ukiah. Redwood Region President David Bunch and I were there to welcome them. The setting was the back patio of the Mendocino Wine Company (also known as Parducci). Several more cars join the group here as well. After lunch, folks split up into smaller groups to make their way to the coast. A number of cars were observed stopping at the many wineries after passing through Boonville. The location for the Friday evening social was moved to the MacCallumn House Suites. Frederick Rauch had arranged for the use of the entire kitchen, lobby, and dining room for us. T-shirts were handed out that evening (thanks to Steve and Diane Harris). The shirts were the same design as used in 1993, but this time the design was on the back of the shirt: another collectors item. Saturday morning rolled around with many folks opting to have breakfast at the Bay View Cafe. The Boecks even walked the McKee’s dog out to the headlands while the McKee’s enjoyed breakfast. A quick trip over to the MacCallumn House main building found several folks chowing down (breakfast is included with the MacCallumn House Suites stay).
And then the town of Mendocino began to fill up with people. Almost everywhere you went, you encountered Porsche folks gathered in small groups and sharing their experiences of the day. Although 2:00 P.M. came, the winds did not. Our kite flying was not to be, at least not at 2:00 P.M., so to pass the time, I handed out a Porsche magnet car (provided by Niello Porsche) to each car. And then the cars from Redwood Region showed up. The wind finally came up around three o’clock, and about ten kites were observed hanging in the sky. The Saturday evening social was held in the Willis’ room at the Little River Inn. Gifts of appreciation were handed out to each of the couples that had assisted in the operation of the tour. Sunday morning found about forty people taking in the breakfast at the Fort Bragg Grange ($5.00 per person). This has become a tradition for many of the group attendees, including the folks from Redwood Region who were in attendance. The drive back home was done in small groups. One group even had arranged a wine tasting at Claudia Springs (coordinated by Susan Duvall-Serota and Dave Hoffmann).
10
the drifter
Same time, next year!
The planning for the 2007 Mendocino tour has already begun. It will be the first weekend in November. Twentyfive couples have already indicated they will be participating. Rooms will fill up fast. Flyers will be available at the planning session on January 11 th.
the drifter
11
December 16, 2006
Elegant Dining at the Ambrozewicz’s
Barbie & Ben Flores Beth & Bob Jacobson
Claudia & Dan Rowland Herb & Jan Hoover
12
the drifter
SVR Christmas Party
Emily & Mike Willis Dianna Leight, Cathy Keegan & Pat Wilson
Steve & Barbara McCrory & Bud Behrens
Host Mike Ambrozewicz & Rachel Johnson
Kern & Cindi Breaux
Patrick Contreras, SVR Enthusiast of the Year
Photos by Mary Ann Behrens the drifter
13
Le Mans, the movie, the movie star, the car
by Mike Mulligan, San Diego Region (from THE WINDBLOWN WITNESS) photos by Skip Carter or courtesy of Symbolic Motor Car Company
F
rom time to time in the world of sport there are individuals who feel the need to branch out into occupations beyond those in which they are known to excel. Unfortunately, many attempt to move into show business. We’ve all seen some former athlete delivering lines with stiffness worthy of a Formula 1 chassis, but there are occasional successes. Here we have one of the most spectacular. You see, while the Porsche 917 has been called one of the greatest racing cars of all time, this particular example gained fame not on the track, but as a film star. The 917 shocked the motor racing world when it appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1969. Conceived and built in great secrecy at the Porsche works, it was a product of rule changes designed expressly to eliminate its type from international sports car racing. Alarmed by the speeds (and perhaps the nationality) of the seven liter Ford GT-40s and their counterparts from Lola, the FIA decreed that for 1969 all prototype sports racing cars would be limited to a maximum of 3-liter engine displacement, and that “production” sports cars would be allowed a maximum of five liters. In this case “production” was defined as a minimum run of fifty (later reduced to twenty-five) cars. The thinking was that the many privateers who were running Fords and Lolas would still be allowed to compete (albeit with smaller engines) since there were easily twenty-five of each already in existence, but that no manufacturer would be willing to ante up the enormous cost to design and build twenty-five copies of a new five liter prototype
917-002 at Symbolic Motor Car’s restoration facility in Sorrento Valley
The start of the 1970 LeMans 24-hour race as captured by the camera of Solar Productions
racing car. They had significantly underestimated the Porsche racing work’s desire for victory. In April of 1969, the FIA’s representative was summoned to the Porsche factory and was stunned by the sight of twenty-five 917 coupes lined up side-by-side outside the Werk 1 building. Though they most likely weren’t very happy about it, the FIA had no choice but to homologate the new car for the coming season. Getting there was only half the battle however, and Porsche spent the better part of the ’69 season sorting out the new car. The 917 was fast right out of the box, but tricky handling made it quite a handful for the drivers, and reliability issues caused several retirements. In spite of the difficulties, a 917 led the 1969 Le Mans 24-hour race until a cracked bell housing sidelined the car after nearly twenty-one hours. The type’s first win would come at Zeltweg in Austria in the last race of the season. 1970 would bring a significant change of fortune. Development work in the off-season had sorted out the 917s handling woes, and Porsche hit the ground running in 1970. Porsches won five of the first six races of the season. The exception was Sebring, where Porsche came in second to Ferrari, not with a 917, but with a 908 driven by Peter Revson and some Hollywood-type named McQueen. These five victories gave Porsche the 1970 World Championship, but there was little time for celebration. The next race was Le Mans. The 24-hour race was valued above all others for Porsche. They had a remarkable record of class wins at Le Mans, but they had never won the race outright and were desperate to do so. There were no
14
the drifter
crashed or encountered mechanical difficulty. If you’ve seen the movie, you’ve ridden aboard 022. Cameras rigged to various parts of the 917 filmed all of those wonderful in-car and on-car shots. If you know where to look, the camera mounting brackets are still visible on the chassis, though by now it was perhaps the most publicly-visible example of a 917, the car had never actually turned a wheel in anger. It would have to wait until 1971 to get its chance. Reinhold Joest ran 022 in selected events in 1971, but only managed a fourth place at Spa and a sixth at Brands Hatch. Brian Redman bought the car from Joest, but did very little with it, finally selling it to Le Mans winner Richard Attwood in 1978. Attwood had the car repainted to match his 1970 winning car and raced and displayed the car rather infrequently until 2000. When Attwood sold the car, it made its way across the pond to Gunnar Racing in Florida where it underwent a complete restoration, including the return of the original Gulf livery. 022 passed through the capable hands of Symbolic Motorcars, who, if the rumors are accurate, sold it to a certain individual who once had a TV show “about nothing…” (as he often put it). Though 917 chassis number 022 might not have the finest of motor racing pedigrees, it certainly has one of the unique histories of any purpose-built racing car. Perhaps it is this lack of hard competition miles that has preserved it as one of the most original examples of a truly incredible breed. For that, not to mention the tour it gave us mortals of the classic Le Mans circuit, we can be truly thankful. Steve McQueen in a poster from the movie “Le Mans”
917-002’s chassis number
less than seven 917s entered that year, and Ferrari countered with eleven 512S models. The event was looking like a standoff between the two greatest sports car manufacturers in the world, a true clash of titans. In the end, bad weather and attrition would decide the race. Richard Attwood and Hans Herrmann’s 917 won overall, with another 917 placing second, followed by a trusty old 908 and two of the Ferraris in fourth and fifth. As a 914 driver, I feel obliged to point out that the car that placed sixth overall, and first in the GT class, was in fact, a 914/6 GT. Ahem… The 1970 Le Mans event brought Porsche the first of its sixteen victories in the great race. It was also unique in that the whole event was filmed, from every possible angle, by a team of Hollywood filmmakers. Shortly after the actual race, several of the cars and drivers returned to the Sarthe circuit to complete the filming that had begun during the race in June. It is at this point that we first meet our film star, and become reacquainted with that chap that finished second at Sebring. The car you see on these pages is 917-022, the 22nd of the original batch of twenty-five built in 1969. It was unused until it sold to Steve McQueen’s Solar Productions for use in the film Le Mans. It was to serve as a camera car and back-up in case one of the other 917s was the drifter
15
www.fdrmotorsports.com drifter classified
Offering PCA Club Member Pricing on Performance and Appearance Products
Frozen Rotors Brey-Krause Crow Enterprises Porterfield Pagid Sparco CarGraphic USA UniChip Call or Visit Our Website Phone: (916) 989-0580 E-mail:fdr@fdrmotorsports.com 16
the drifter
Factory Boxster sport exhaust by Kerry Maguire, San Diego Region (from THE WINDBLOWN WITNESS)
R
ecently I had the Porsche Factory Sport Exhaust system installed on my 2000 Boxster S. For years I have enjoyed the 993 motor sound package offered by Porsche and have been awaiting a similar offer for the water-cooled cars. Finally, the upgrade sound package arrived, and I couldn’t wait to have it fitted. Does it sound like a 993 motor sound package? Not in the least. Does it look like a factory part? Not in the least. Does the Sport Exhaust have a nice growl at idle? It doesn’t even do that. So, why am I so enamored of this new accessory? The Sport Exhaust Package for the Boxster doesn’t wail and scream so much as it whooshes under load while accelerating. The sound can be described as a “mature” sound, not an annoying, tiresome growl every time the camshaft turns around. The sound produced by this exhaust system is best described as what one would have expected a Boxster to sound like the first time you heard it, but were mildly disappointed that it didn’t sound as good as the car looked. There is absolutely no boominess nor drone in the cockpit. As a totally unexpected plus, the car sounds marvelous on deceleration, like a jet winding down. I have learned from personal experience, and by talking with other folks, that people who buy after-market exhaust systems for their daily drivers usually end up doing one of two things. The sound gets to be so tiresome that they either remove the aftermarket exhaust or reinstall factory equipment or some even go so far as to just sell the car. I have done both. Tom Muehl, lead Porsche technician at Pioneer Centres in San Diego, installed the new exhaust system on my car. When the installation was complete, Tom hooked up the Porsche computer to the Boxster and electronically controlled the exhaust passageways, opening and closing them by varying the speedometer on the tester. The car opened the passageways at idle, closed them at 6 mph and then reopened the passageways at 27 mph, whereupon they stayed open from then on. As Tom controlled the speed of the car via the computer, I looked underneath the vehicle while it was on the lift and could see the passageway flaps opening and closing. I have never before witnessed such a sophisticated exhaust system. On the 993, the technician simply removed the stock exhaust and then bolted on the new motor sound package.
The new Boxster Sport Exhaust Package required the running of extra wiring to the control unit of the vehicle to electronically operate the passageways. The rear bumper was removed, the soft top was released at its mounting points, and even the driver’s seat was removed to facilitate this installation. The complete installation time is about seven hours. Lennie Yee, the Parts Manager at Pioneer Centres, tells me that the Factory Sport Exhaust System is still a relatively rare product, since Germany only ships four to five total assemblies to the U.S. at a time to serve over 200 Porsche dealers. Don’tbe hesitant to consider this Sport Exhaust System. If you are looking for it to growl and wail on start-up, you will be disappointed. However, if we happen to be cruising down the highway side by side, lower your window and you will be treated to the most melodic tone to ever come out of a Boxster. The Sport Exhaust System does not burn your ears with loud noises but, instead gives a nice, subtle but powerful note that one could enjoy for several hours of driving like when one makes a San Diego to Vegas run. By the way, the Sport Exhaust System is available for all 2.5, 2.7 and 3.2-liter Boxster engines. Ed: Kerry Mcguire is the Sales Manager at Pioneer Centres in San Diego and a proud new Boxster S owner.
Below: the tell-tale sport exhaust outlets Right: the old system (top) and the sport exhaust (bottom)
the drifter
17
Speaking of membership by Tom Sisson, Membership Director
SVR has 663 Regular Members and 12 Dual Members. Please make sure that we have a correct anniversary date, e-mail, and phone number on file. Last Report. This will be my last membership report. Your new director, Rik Larson, will be taking over these reports with the February issue of the DRIFTER. I have enjoyed being the director over the Last 6 years. Special Congratulations to Gerald Tanzi [20 years of membership] and to Wilmer & Janet Foster [30 years of membership] New Members
Transfers In
Lauren Anderson Grass Valley, CA 95945 lauren@ladesign2.com 530/273-2600 ’65 356
John Jackson Sacramento, CA 95824 jjackson@jacksonprop.com 916/354-1961 ’88 911
Matt Day Sacramento, CA 95825 wurizitup@hotmail.com 916/454-6699 ’01 911
Greg Louie & Rosie Reyed Sacramento, CA 95822 geeps914@comcast.net 916/834-7161 ’74 914
Christopher & Renee Devine Folsom, CA 95630 cdevine33@hotmail.com 915/985-4467 ’90 964
Jim & Tony Martin Sacramento, CA 95825 jim.r.martin@gmail.com 916/821-5944 ’01 Boxster
Bob & Beth Jacobson bobjacobson@yahoo.com
Tim & Joanne Dobbins Meadow Vista, CA 95722 tjjsdobbs@aol.com 530/878-6997 ’76 912E
Gregg Mason Sacramento, CA 95824 gmason@jacksonprop.com 916/684-1414 ’78 911
Tom & Kathy Sansone 916/686-1654
Kurt Dunn Sacramento, CA 95825 magamokes@aol.com ’86 911
Dale & Lynn Shetley Grizzly Flats, CA 95636 grizzlys@internet49.com 530/626-4131 ’01 Boxster
Peter & Amy Gallo Rocklin, CA 95765 p.gallo@starstream.net 916/847-6029 ’99 911 Jeff Guy Rocklin, CA 95677 jeff-guy@sbcglobal.net 916/316-0087 ’02 996
Tom & Julia Wilbert Fair Oaks, CA 95628 twilbert@pacbell.net 916/825-6079 ’07Cayman
Alexander Buller & Barbara Lafargue-Buller Oakley, CA 94561 siralex@mingspring.com 925/684-2199 ’75 914 (from Diablo) Transfers Out None Changes
Michael O’Connor gmikeoc@gmail.com
Dave & Ray Trimble dtrimble@mindsync.om 530/637-1001 Michelle Willis Antelope, CA 95842 Mike & Emily Willis mikew@derporsche.net, ewillis@cwo.com January Anniversaries Margaret & Russell Weaver [5] William & Nancy Conner [10] Bill & Kathi Gaffaney [10] Jim & Kellie Finley [10] Rod Birch [15] Gerald Tanzi [20] Wilmer & Janet Foster [30]
18
the drifter
Happy New Year
H
ere it is: the New Year, and the Goodie Store has some items to help you use up all that money you saved at the Christmas sales! Don’t miss out! The hot new items are the Hanes Beefy-T T-Shirts with PORSCHE embroidered across the front. ONLY $18 total. Colors in stock are navy with gold Porsche, red with gold Porsche, black with red Porsche, and grey with red Porsche (see the neat pictures in the Drifter on-line at the web site). Green and white are also available, and the script can be in different colors. For you colder types, heavyweight SWEATSHIRTS with Porsche script are available in red, black, white and navy for only $35. Also available are JACKETS, POLO SHIRTS, DENIM SHIRTS, and other garments. And the logos aren’t limited to the Porsche script; we can order the crest in the old style, the new style, and black and white. Various cars can be put on the garments-there are 911s, 356s, 928s, 914s and Boxsters. It may even be possible to match your car’s color. WOW!!! Some of these colors are so bright you will need sunglasses! BTW, did you know that Fifteenth Century Chinese judges may have invented sunglasses? They didn’t worry about being recognized, but, in the interests of being even-handed, they didn’t want people to follow their eye movements and reactions to trial testimony so they wore smoked-tinted quartz spectacles to conceal them. Our modern use of sunglasses to keep out the glare, however, comes largely from pilots in the 1930s, who wore them to shield their eyes from the sun. Civilians quickly emulated the aviators. Some even adopted sunglasses for fashion as well as protection, hoping to make their social life take off. Another educational moment brought to you by THE GOODIE STORE! Contact your friendly Goodie Store people! See Tom Sisson at meetings and events, or contact him at 14537 Surrey Junction Lane, Sutter Creek, CA 95685, 209-296-5352 or e-mail targatom@volcano.net. Items can be mailed for a small shipping/handling fee.
Index of Advertisers A & S BMW European Body Shop Fabrication Specialties FDR Motorsports Frank’s Automotive IPB – Autosport Karma Kreations Niello Porsche OK Tire ‘n’ Wheel
16 2 4 16 IBC IFC 8 6, BC IBC
PartsHeaven Performance Products The Racer’s Group Reflections in Glass RPM Kart Racing Silver Star Recycling Trackmasters Walt Stickel Weidman’s Wheels
19
16 9 16 15 3 8 IFC 7 19 the drifter
The last word by Bud Behrens
A
n issue that frequently arises at the board meetings of some PCA regions is the cost of printing and mailing the region newsletter; in some regions (not necessarily in SVR) discussion of the issue is an annual exercise. Cost-cutting proposals usually include downsizing (smaller and/or fewer pages), imposing a newsletter subscrription fee, increasing advertising rates, publishing bimonthly or quarterly rather than monthly, or, as is being done by some PCA regions, discontinuing the printed newsletter altogether and distributing an “electronic newsletter” via e-mail or over the Internet. The main argument offered in favor of the electronic newsletter is that the expense of printing and mailing is eliminated, resulting in huge savings that translate into more funds being available for other region activities. Other supporting arguments include timeliness, punctual delivery, unlimited content, color, and fewer hours required to prepare the document. Opposing arguments include the fact that not everyone owns a computer or has access to the Internet, and that reading from a computer monitor is not always a comfortable activity. An aspect of this issue that has been overlooked is the fact that receiving a newsletter or a magazine in the mail is a passive experience; i.e., one does not have to make an effort to receive it. It arrives at your home and you either read it or toss it, whereas in order to read the electronic alternative, you must make an active effort to receive it. One final observation: there have been indications that some of the regions that have gone to the “electronic-only” newsletter have experienced declining membership.
Drifter Classifieds Drifter Classifieds for Porsches and/or Porsche-related parts or accessories are available at no charge to PCA members (pictures with text are $15 each); non-members may submit ads, $20 each; pictures with text add $15 each (member & non-member). Make check payable to PCA-SVR and send with ad to PCS-SVR, P.O. Box 254651, Sacramento, CA 95865-4651. Commercial ads are not accepted. Please contact our Advertising Manager for commercial advertising information and rates. All ads must be submitted by e-mail to the Newsletter Editor and received by the editor by the 1st day of the month prior to publication. Ads may be shortened to fit available space. Editor is not responsible for content and reserves the right to reject any ads submitted. Not responsible for any errors or omissions. As an additional benefit to our members, all ads are included in the classified section of our web page. Ads are not verified for content. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify the information in the ads. Ads run for two months unless cancelled.
Porsches for Sale
Porsches Wanted
Parts/Accessories
2002/05 RUF 3600S: Incredibly rare and fun seal gray RUF Boxster converted to the 3.6L X51 motor with RUF exhaust (headers, sports cat, mufflers), springs, RUF aerokit, and more RUF stuff than I have space to list. With approximately 360hp, this car is everything the Boxster should be. Easily outpace most 911s in this car, and enjoy the 2-seater, mid-engine polished handling that goes with it. Less than 13k miles since conversion in early summer of 2005. Asking $72,500 for what I think is the best roadster on the planet. Contact Hill Bullock at 214 418-8329 or hill_bullock@yahoo.com. (12/06)
993 TARGA: 1996-1998, clean, straight, low mileage, concours quality a plus; condition more important than year. Prefer Arena Red or Blue Metallic with grey or Cashmere interior. Contact Jim Hodos: at (775) 885-1717 office, (775) 8825466 home, (480) 236-1578 cell, email jhodos@msn.com (11/06)
Wheels, etc: Factory KPZ chrome wheels: three 41⁄2 x 15 (dates 11-65, 1-64, 6-64) one – 5 1⁄2 x15 (date 8-67); fair condition - $130.00 Four 356C or 912 hubcaps with Porsche emblem - $100.00 Bilstein jack, rubber part missing -$60.00. 356 ZF limited slip, bullets, remanufactured - $20.00 each. Telephone (530) 8781027 (Auburn area) or e-mail riedel@ infostations.com. (12/06)
1972 914-6: Recent restoration/conversion by Motor Meister (2/06). 2.4L six and 915 trans (total re-builds), dual carbs, new brakes, suspension, wiring, interior (black), gauges, paint (millennium yellow), tires, etc.; 2.0 wheels, fogs, CD, & luggage rack; 175+ HP, 36K miles, warranty; ready to go. $25,000. Contact Glenn Thiel at (530) 477-7251, email glennthiel@sbcglobal.net (11/06)
Tires & Wheels: 19-inch sport wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Tires; excellent condition, only 7000 miles. I upgraded the tires and wheels on my 997S and would like to sell the OEM. No track time. Front: 235/35 ZR 19, Rear: 295/30 ZR 19. $2500. Contact Tom at (916) 737-2372 or e-mail sgassoc@msn.com Sacramento location. (11/06)
20
the drifter
Frank’s AUTOMOTIVE Since 1969 Since 1969
Independent Service and Repair Porsche | BMW | Audi | Mercedes | VW | Volvo
Frank Lettini Nick Lettini 5220 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95819 Lic # 010502
916-452-0917
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Cards
Our motto: “If you like our work,tell others. If not, tell us.”
Sacramento Valley Region Porsche Club of America Post Office Box 254651 Sacramento, CA 95865-4651
(c)2006 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.
Niello Porsche has been designated a Premier Porsche Dealer by Porsche Cars of North America. So now we’re not only recognized as the longest continually operating Porsche dealership in America, we’re officially one of the best.
Visit today and see why.
Niello Porsche Rocklin
4525 Granite Drive, Rocklin Showroom Hours M - Sa. 8:30am - 8:00pm Su. 10:30AM - 6:00PM Parts MF 8:00am - 6:00pm Service M-F 7:00am - 6:00PM Parts & Service Saturday 8:30am-3:00pm 1-888-298-3070 • (916) 625-8300 • niello.com
Presort Standard US Postage PAID Permit # 237 Great Falls, MT