CRAB 33 - last call by Buzz Lynn
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t’s time for CRAB, the acronym for “Crab, Rally, Autocross, and Begegnung” (A little Deutsch lingo: “Begegnung” is German for a meeting or gathering). It really means a big regional Porsche party that lasts a whole weekend. And it’s right here in our own back yard at the Towe Auto Museum. Plan to attend CRAB 33 beginning Friday evening, April 20th through Sunday, April 22nd. CRAB 32 was the biggest ever, with around 190 people attending and with over 90 Porsches from 6 PCA regions. Why not join in this year’s fun? Here’s what you’ll be in for. Friday Reception: Following registration, visit the beer and wine bar and mingle with the other CRABbers. Friday Funkhana: This is a sort of closed, precision driving course on a parking lot. Last year it tested the ability of all contestants (including men) to apply lipstick while backing their cars through a set of cones. Walking Tour: This is sort of scavenger hunt for information taking you through the trivia of little-known automotive history. Interstate Oil sponsors this event. Saturday Tours: There are two tours this year: a guided tour to Malakoff Diggings in the northern Sierra foothills, and a self-guided tour into the Sierra foothills. Either tour affords an opportunity to drive your car, and mingle with Porsche friends. Both are sponsored by Engine Builders Supply. Saturday Crab Feed: The high point of CRAB is the full crab feed, brought to you exclusively by Niello Porsche, and catered by Rudy’s Hideaway Restaurant. Kirk Bradford, “The Voice of Crab,” returns as master of ceremonies. Dick MacFarlane, SVR’s own resident DJ, will spin your favorite tunes all weekend. You will leave happy, full of crab, with a door prize in hand, having spent an evening of fun. Sunday Rally: Helen Ashuckian will be our rallymaster and will lead us on an excursion that will test our skills at following directions and at arriving at each check point on time. You won’t need a map, just the ability to follow directions and get from point A to point B. Give it a try! Thanks to Frank’s Automotive for their generosity in sponsoring this event. Sunday Concours d’Elegance: a serious one (elegant) and a fun one (not so elegant), both sponsored by Fabrication Specialties. The fun one is the more popular, since the cars do not need to be pristine or rare. Points are won in the wackiest of ways, from clutter, extra mud, paint chips to the presence of stickers and stuffed animals in the back seats. You never know on what criteria your car will be judged, so it is impossible to prepare, and even more impossible to resist entering your car. The serious one is – well, you know.
The social scene
by Cookie Anderson, SVR Social Director
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or all of you new and old members now is time to wash and wax your cars and get them out on the road. Our activity schedule has a few open Sundays, so if of you have any ideas and would like to help set up a tour, don’t hesitate to give me a call or email me at social@svr.pca.org. We want to make this year interesting and fun for all. The new members joining Sacramento Valley Region have pushed our membership to a little over six hundred. Being an active member is what keeps this club going, whether it is though participation in tours, rallies, autocross, concours or dinner meetings. I want to express a few things to our new members: I know that being a new member of an organization such as SVR may be a little intimidating. I was in that position a little over a year ago, so I can speak from experience. As your social director and as a member of the board, I have learned how important it is to get involved. My job is to help you set up your tours, dinners or rallies by getting the information out to our members through e-mail blasts or phone calls. If you have any suggestions, but don’t really want to chair an event, you may be able to get one of our older members to assist you. I know it’s sometimes hard to step forward and make suggestions, but I am willing to listen and help you. Have you ever thought of getting yourself certified in first aid CPR for adults and children? Well here is your chance. I have set two days for these classes to be offered October 13th and 14th. So mark your calendar, and if you are interested in such training, look for information I will be sending on these classes at a later time.
Sunday Beer and Brat: This Sunday lunch includes “brats” (German sausages, not spoiled children), the usual accompaniments, and keg beer or soft drinks. The sponsor is IPB-Autosport. For those who have never attended CRAB, this is an event not to be missed. For those who have been here before, it’s still an even not to be missed – ever! So come one, come all, and join your Porsche buddies for the best Porsche-inspired weekend this side of Parade. Mark your calendar now, and plan to attend CRAB 33. Get CRABby! Comfortable, safe and affordable hotel rooms will be available nearby at Marriott Fairfield Inn-Natomas with special rates and shuttle service to the Towe Museum available for CRAB attendees. Remember to check out the SVR website at www. derporsche.net for more details as April 20th draws closer. A special thank you to European Auto Body, Reflections in Glass, and Batteries Plus, for their sponsorship of this outstanding event, as well. See you there!
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the drifter