0812 - December 2008

the drifter Sacramento Valley Region - Porsche Club of America

December 2008

On the Cover Flying Lizard Motorsports won the GT2 Team Championship and the GT2 Drivers’ Championship (Bergmeister/Henzler) of the 2008 American LeMans Series.

The 45, 46 and 44 cars head to turn 5 at dusk during the four-hour ALMS season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 17. Photo by Doug DeVetter

New and improved SVR calendar Go to the SVR home page at www.derporsche.net/ and take a look at the new and more functional calendar, which includes listings of regional, Zone 7, and national PCA events.

You’ll like it.

Got Track?

TrackMasters Racing is a leader in High Performance Driver Education events in Northern California, and invites SVR-PCA drivers to participate in our events.

2009 Schedule Not Yet Available

Come out and stretch your car’s legs on some of the finest tracks in the country!

Fun, safe, and definitely . . .

No speeding tickets! www.TrackMasters-Racing.com

2008 Board of Directors President Mike Willis 916.363.8313 2748 Tiffany West Way, Sacramento, CA 95827 president@svr.pca.org Vice President Bill Keegan 916.415.1539 5104 Par Place, Rocklin, CA 95677-4226 vicepresident@svr.pca.org Secretary Kim Nelson

916.933.4282

305 Glen Ridge Way, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

secretary@svr.pca.org

Treasurer Betty Silva 707.864.0491 12 Oak Lane, Suisun Valley, CA 94534 treasurer@svr.pca.org Social Director Cookie Anderson 916.988.6534 6320 Hickory Avenue, Orangevale, CA 95662 svrsocialdirector@sbcglobal.net Membership Director Rik Larson 916.481.6084 2120 Maddox Court, Carmichael, CA 95608 membership@svr.pca.org Competition & Safety Director Frederick D. Rauch 916.989.0580 9580 Oak Ave Parkway, Ste. 7-188, Folsom, CA 95630

www.derporsche.net

Volume 46, No.12

December 2008

In This Issue Upcoming Events 3 -December through February Events 4 - 2009 Event Planning Meeting 4 - Saturday Breakfast Club 5 - Annual Christmas Party 6 - Zone 7 Awards and Brunch 9 - February 2009 Dinner 12 - 2009 Schedule at Laguna Seca Features and Reviews 8 - Annual Charity Auction 10 - Porsche Wins Manufacturers Title 11- Porscheplatz at Laguna Seca 12 - New California Laws

Technical 13 - Transmission Fluid Columns and Departments 2 - Chilli’s Chatter 7 - Drifting Back -December 2008 14 - November 5 SVR Board Meeting 15 - December Membership Report 18 - Drifter Classifieds 19 - SVR Goodie Store 19 - Index of Advertisers 20 - The Last Word for 2008

Information and Committee Directory Autocross Chair Position Vacant

Rally Chair Position Vacant

Webmaster John Murphy 916.858.2304 11508 Armour Court, Gold River, CA 95670 webmaster@svr.pca.org

Driver Education Chair/Events Frederick D. Rauch 916.595.3371 (Cell)

Technical Chair Lisa Thomas lisa@pure9design.com

Past President Jeff Kinder 916.765.2801 4320 Freemont’s Loop, Rescue, CA 95672 pastpresident@svr.pca.org

Charity Chair Susan Fleming 916.985.4142 107 Cobb Court, Folsom, CA 95630 trfleming@comcast.net

G24 Chair Lee Deter 916.391.9956 758 Clipper Way, Sacramento, CA 95831 ldeter@yahoo.com

Editor Bud Behrens 209.477.6496 6424 Culpepper Place, Stockton, CA 95207 budnmaryann@cs.com

Concours Chair Kent Brandon 916.663.1702 3450 Hector Rd, Newcastle, CA 95658 kbrandon@ncbb.net

Dummkopf Chair Randy Vidmar 916.624.3145 5207 Par Place Rocklin, CA 95677 oldbearbones@sbcglobal.net

Goodie Store Tom Sisson

Advertising Manager Dick MacFarlane

fdr@fdrmotorsports.com

Zone 7 Representative Larry Sharp (GGR)

925.371.2258 1119 Megan Road, Livermore, CA 94550 larrysharp@comcast.net

9580 Oak Ave Parkway, Ste. 7-188, Folsom, CA 95630

fdr@fdrmotorsports.com/deevents@svr.pca.org

209.296.5352

14537 Surrey Junction Ln., Sutter Creek, CA 95685

targatom@volcano.net

916.220.5641

916.482.0652

5740 Windmill Way #11 • Carmichael, CA 95608

dickm@hpsionline.com

Sacramento Valley Region, Porsche Club of America (SVR), publishes the Drifter monthly for its members. Written contributions and photos are welcome and should be e-mailed to the editor. The deadline for material is one month prior to the month of publication. SVR members should notify the membership director promptly of an address change to insure uninterrupted delivery. All material in this newsletter is protected by copyright. However, newsletter editors of others regions chartered by the Porsche Club of America may reprint any article provided that credit is given to the author and Sacramento Valley Region and that The Drifter is cited as the source.

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Chilli’s chatter

by Mike Willis

T

hanks to the membership for supporting my two years as your President. It has been fun and I think we have been able to offer you a variety of events over the years. These events are only made possible through the hard work of the event chairs. I would like to say a very special thank you to each and every one of them for taking the time and effort to bring us these events. You are the “hidden heroes” of our events.

Our annual Christmas Party is on December 6th and also it is the annual awards presentations. This is our time to recognize those who put on events and recognize those events that, in the opinion of the SVR board of directors, were standouts. Please take a look at the display ad for the party on page 5 of this issue.

This year’s Mendocino tour offered a lot of time for relaxation. Room parties were the norm and there was time for to fit in some between the raindrops. This year Emily and I stayed at the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast. The head lightkeeper’s home has been convertend into to a four-room B&B, and each of the two outbuildings has been made into two ADA-compliant rooms. All of the rooms have baths and are restored pretty much to the style of the early 1900s. The breakfasts were wonderful and staff was very helpful. Very knowledgeable docents conducted the lighthouse tours.

Rik Larson, Frederick Rauch and Tom and Tambra Kroetz deserve a big “thank you” for their help in arranging for the other lodgings. Once again this year, the welcome party was at the MacCallum House and was attended by all of the tour members. Some attendees even wore costumes.

Your 2009 Board of Directors will be introduced at the Christmas party. I know they are already taking over the reins and moving SVR forward into 2009. Please give them the same level of support as you have given the 2008 board. The 2009 activities planning meeting will be held on January 8th at the Round Table Pizza in Folsom. For more particulars, see the information on page 4.

If you are not able to attend, please send your ideas to me or to Cookie Anderson, or to the others mentioned in the ad, and we will include them in our event planning agenda.

Since the weak economy is having an adverse effect on attendance at our region events, and one of the major adverse impacts will be on CRAB, it has been decided to delay this annual event for one year. There would not be an adequate number of sponsors, and it is likely that attendance would suffer, too. So, rather than put on a more expensive CRAB for both SVR members and those from other regions, we will wait and see what happens with attendance at our other events.

Again, thanks for all your support, and yes, it was fun.

Mike

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ZONE

December through February Events Social December 6 - Saturday Breakfast Club at Marie Callender’s; see page 4.

December 6 - Annual Christmas Party; see page 5.

January 3 - Saturday Breakfast Club at Marie Callender’s January 10 - Zone 7 Annual Awards Presentation and Brunch; see page 6 February 7 - Saturday Breakfast Club at Marie Callender’s February 11 - SVR Dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory; see page 9.

Other December 3 - SVR Board Meeting at RPM, 3130 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento January 7 - SVR Board Meeting at RPM, 3130 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento January 8 - Annual Event Planning Meeting; see page 4.

February 4 - SVR Board Meeting at RPM, 3130 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento

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SVR 2009 Event Planning Meeting Thursday, January 8th

9500-1 Greenback Lane, Folsom, CA 95630 (Madison Avenue at Greenback Lane) 916.989.1133

Meeting begins at 6:00 P.M. • Pizza at 6:30 P.M. Cost is $5.00 per person and includes pizza and soft drink Beer, wine and salads available at extra cost RSVP by January 6th to SVR President Cookie Anderson at 916.988.6534 or Vice President Bill Keegan at 916.415.1539 If you can’t attend the meeting, but have an idea for an activity in 2009 that you would like to host, contact Bill Keegan at 916.415.1539 or e-mail bkeegan@ssctv.net. Or call SVR Social Director Babette Hatten at 916.772.5280.

SVR Saturday Breakfast Club December 6, 2008 Marie Callender’s 5525 Sunrise Boulevard, Citrus Heights (Across from Sunrise Mall)

Meet in the parking lot at 8:30 A.M. • Breakfast at 9:00 A.M. Price: $11.00 per person, including tax and tip • Please bring exact change!

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Annual Christmas Party Saturday, December 6, 2008 Aerospace Museum of California 3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan, CA 95652

Cocktails at 6:00 P.M. Dinner at 7:00 P.M. • BYOB Cost: $37.50 per Person Dinner Menu Pear-Walnut Salad with fresh mixed greens, candied walnuts, pear slices and bleu cheese crumbles tossed in light poppyseed vinaigrette Entrée Selections (All selections include garlic mashed potatoes, fresh vegetable medley, and a roll with butter.)

Slow-Roasted Prime Rib served with horseradish Grilled Salmon finished with lemon dill cream sauce Vegetarian Pasta Penne Pasta and fresh vegetables in a light garlic cream sauce Dessert Assorted Cookies and Brownies Program Introduction of the 2009 SVR Board of Directors Year-end and Special Recognition Awards

Reservations and Prepayment Required • The Deadline for Reservations is November 25 Indicate your menu selection(s) on your check, made payable to “PCA-SVR” and mail it to: Mike Willis 2748 Tiffany West Way Sacramento, CA 95827 The Aerospace Museum will be open beginning at 9:00 A.M. and will be open during the party hours. Admission is free for SVR members who show proof of membership. Both the primary member and the family/associate member must show their PCA cards and provide proof of identity (a valid driver’s license). Free admission is only for those who have made dinner reservations.

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Zone 7 Awards Ceremony New Zone 7 Representative Introduction January 10, 2009 from 10:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M.

Cost: 38.00 per person No Host cocktails

1333 N. California Boulevard Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Breakfast Choices: 1. Fresh Scrambled Eggs in a Puff Pastry Shell with Champagne Sauce and Hickory smoked Bacon or Breakfast link Sausage 2. Seasonal Fresh Vegetable Frittata with Breakfast Potatoes or Seasonal Fresh Fruit Both Choices include Fresh Orange Juice, Coffee, Assorted Pastries, Muffins, Scones, Sweet Butter and Preserves.

Special Room rates at the Marriott Walnut Creek, 2355 North Main Street, Walnut Creek CA 94596. Call 925.934.2000 ask for the PCA Discount.

ZONE RSVP by January 3, 2009. Make your check payable to “PCA Zone 7 Larry Sharp” and send it to:

Larry Sharp

1119 Megan Road

Livermore, CA 94550

Niello Porsche will meet or beat any written repair or service order estimate by any licensed independent Porsche repair facility... and perform the work where no one else can, the area’s most modern, state-of-the-art Porsche dealership.

Complimentary 29 point inspection for Porsche Club Members by appointment. Call today.

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 Porsche has designated a Premier Porsche Dealer by Porsche Cars of North America. So now Niello is not only recognized as the longest continually operating Porsche dealership in America, we’re officially one of the best.

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Drifting Back – December 2008

by Larry Wilson

30 Years Ago (December 1978)

The December issue of THE DRIFTER profiled, complete with photo and vote-for-me statement, candidates for all 1979 elective offices: Ted Colbert, Randy Blaesi, Kern Breaux, C.C. Craig, Trische Robertson, Gwen Clark, Lendine Nelson, Paul Baldarelli, Nick Schultz, Leon Biren, Stan Breyfogle, and Geary Lyons. (Read next month’s column for names of the winners.)

After conclusion of the 1978 San Francisco Region, SCCA, racing season, THE DRIFTER gave special recognition to SVR members Clint deWitt and Hank Feenstra and to Frank Lettini of Frank’s Automotive (a long-time DRIFTER advertiser). It was a championship year for both Porsche 356 drivers and for Frank Lettini. Clint won his third San Francisco Region E-Production championship, and Hank won the inaugural Pacific Coast SCCA E-Production Championship. Frank’s Automotive supported and maintained both racecars.

The SVR Christmas Party chaired by Connie Farlinger, Friday, December 22, was held in the Golden Eagle Room at The Firehouse, 1112 Two Street, in Old Sacramento. The evening started with Social Hour at 7:30PM, then dinner at 8:30PM with live-music dancing starting at 9:30PM. The program, annual awards and new board introductions, was sort of squeezed in the gaps as they happened. Outgoing President, Paul Bates, introduced incoming President Ted Colbert who, in turn, introduced other incoming board members. 1978 Most Active Member awards were given to Stan Breyfogle (new member category) and Pat and Larry Wilson (old member category).

20 Years Ago (December 1988)

The December 3 Christmas Party was at the El Rancho Hotel in West Sacramento with Kirk and Linda Bradford as co-chairs. Out-of-towners Oran and Grace Crumley were down from Oroville for their annual visit. Connie and Harvey Cain came up from San Francisco (Harvey wore his tux), and Jay and Carla Cross were there from Pleasant Hill. The vote was really close for the Event of the Year award. It got down to the Halloween Party organized by Bob Peake, and the Graeagle Tour by Ken Mitchell and Randy Vidmar (Randy wore his tux). Graeagle won by only three votes. Rookie of the Year was easy to decide - the duo of Elizabeth Carr and Bob Denison.

Votes on the top three Christmas ornament designers went to Tom and Tambra Kroetz, Ron and Sally Boeck, and Fred and Fran Seigner. Outgoing President Jim McDade turned the gavel over to new prez, Randy Vidmar, and the group got into serious partying and dancing to the hired DJ.

A new holiday season touch - Tambra’s Christmas Lights Tour and Party, Saturday night, December 17 with Tom and Tambra Kroetz in charge. This was not a passive deal - you had to sing. When Tambra gave the order, a chorus of, “You expected US to sing?” rang out. At that point, Linda Calvert, Bob’s new bride, stepped forward and saved the day by becoming SVR’s new and very assertive choir director. The group hit the road, Christmas caroling on the way, with Randy Vidmar

and Phil Lawrence particularly responsive and enthusiastic, if not tone-deaf. The group followed the route tested days before

by Dolores and Allen Weddle, and Sally and Ron Boeck. Karen Taggart especially liked Walton Way, and the chocolate chip cookies folks on that street. Then down Folsom-Auburn Blvd., it was police lights, lots of them . . .the Folsom Police were escorting Santa Claus around town. The piece de resistance was Dovewood Court in Orangevale with every house decorated to the hilt. Everyone’s favorite was Snoopy on the Aerodrome revving the engine before takeoff. The group caroled the Starks and was treated to hot cider and chocolate. Bob and Mary Siles were really lit that evening. Bob’s cap blinked “Ho-Ho,” and Mary’s sweater blinked “Happy Holidays.”

10 Years Ago (December 1998)

Judy Hanna, new associate editor of THE DRIFTER, reported that Talley and Gerry Wade did a super job of arranging the December 5 SVR Christmas Party at Andiamo’s on Folsom Boulevard. SVR members were asked to bring unwrapped toys for needy children, and enough toys to fill a small sleigh were collected. Bob Peake introduced both the 1998 and 1999 board members, and then highlighted the Zone 7 banquet results congratulating Rita Chamberlain (Rookie of the Year), Rik Larson (Enthusiast of the Year), and Dwight Mitchell (whose number 30 was retired from Zone 7 autocross competition). Bob also presented the President’s Award to Mike Willis for his 20 years of service to the region, Social Event of the Year award to Jude and Tom Sisson for their Octoberfest weekend, and Competitive Event of the Year to Mary and Larry Clark for their gimmick rally and pool party. Helen Ashuckian received honorable mention for her sailboat tour in San Francisco Bay, and Oran and Grace Crumley were recognized for their long PCA membership.

In the December issue of THE DRIFTER, editor Mike Willis announced that Larry Clark would be editor in 1999, ending a yearlong search for a replacement. Larry Clark also wrote an article in the December issue outlining his plans for the newsletter and introduced Judy Hanna as associate editor and Jim Finley as DRIFTER photographer along with Phil Lawrence.

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Annual charity auction benefits Make-A-Wish

by Susan Fleming, SVR Charity Chair, photo by Mary Ann Behrens

O

n a lovely Sunday in September, approximately fifty members of SVR got together at the home of Daymon Nightingale, and Greg and Cyndee Peart for our annual charity auction. This year the auction benefitted Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento and Northeastern California.

Kerner Breaux mixed up margaritas, while Larry Wilson and Kirk Bradford did an amazing job of keeping the merchandise moving and the event entertaining. An eclectic variety of items were up for auction as usual. Items such as spa packages, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, mosaic trays and Tommy Bahama shirts went quickly. Other items such as old CRAB trophies and a 100-CD changer needed the addition of terrific baked goods such as Kim’s caramels or Cyndee’s shortbread cookies to “sweeten the bid.”

Special guest Tanya Strong and her parents, Rob and Leah, attended the event. Tanya, a former Make-A-Wish recipient, brought her memory book from her trip to visit a taping of the TV show “Charmed.” She spoke of the wonderful experience that Make-A-Wish was able to provide the family.

Also on hand as an added treat were Mark and Connie Chan of The Healing Station in Folsom. For a $15.00 donation, ten-minute massages were offered. We thank them for donating their time to come out and helping to make our event successful.

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As all wonderful traditions do have to come to an end, we saw THE very last Steve McQueen poster auctioned off. We must also say good-bye to auctioneers-extrodinare, Larry and Kirk.

After more than twenty years of tag-team antics and auctioning, they have decided to retire. It is with heartfelt gratitude I thank them for their hard work. Their act will be missed, but not soon forgotten.

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Sacramento Valley Region Porsche Club February 2009 Dinner 12401 Folsom Blvd. Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 In the Nimbus Winery near Hazel Ave and Hwy 50 Hosted by Dave & Kaye Mitchell on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 Social Hour is at 6:30 followed by Dinner at 7:15

$15.00 per person dinner includes: Salad with Creamy Pesto Dressing, fresh sourdough bread, Spumoni ice cream and your choice of coffee, tea or milk Tax and tip included Entrée Choices: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese Spinach and Cheese Ravioli Fettuccini Alfredo A variety of (cash & carry) drinks and sodas are available Please RSVP with your choices by February 7th to: Hogman7@comcast.net or call 916-721-3650 The Social Director, per the SVR policy statement, may bill members for their meals if they cancel after the deadline or fail to show for dinner.

Be sure to bring a contribution to “Share the Wealth.”

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Porsche wins LMP2 and GT2 manufacturers titles from PCNA (Porsche Cars North America)

O

n October 18, Porsche entered the Monterey Sports Car Challenge, the final round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series, with the LMP2 prototype drivers championship and the GT2 production-based drivers championship already clinched, but the manufacturers titles in both classes were still up for grabs.

But, when the checked flag fell on the four-hour sports car classic early Saturday evening, a Porsche race team in each class scored a third point finish - good enough for the marque to win both manufacturers championships.

In a race which featured thirteen yellow flags and a racing surface which lost its grip due to excessive gravel on the track from the many racing incidents, the 2007 and 2008 LMP2 drivers champions, Romain Dumas (France) and Timo Bernhard (Germany), overcame an offtrack incident of their own to guide their Penske Porsche RS Spyder to a third-place finish - just high enough to edge Acura by a single point in the final standings. Porsche ended up with 214 points, and Acura, with its one-two finish at Laguna, finished second with 213. Penske Racing had previously clinched their third straight LMP2 team title.

In the production-based GT2 class, Porsche had a more comfortable lead of 15 points going into the last event, but a strong contingent of Ferraris threatened to overcome those points with a sweep of the top position in the four-hour finale. But the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Patrick Pilet (France)/Johannes van Overbeek (USA) finished fourth in class to seal the manufacturers championship, 220 - 215. Originally, Dirk Werner (Germany)/Bryce Miller (USA) in the Farnbacher Loles Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR had finished third, but the car was excluded at post-race tech for a ride height violation due to a broken right front spring.

make this happen. A special thanks must go to Penske Racing and Flying Lizard Motorsports, the teams that produced the drivers championships and contributed heavily to the manufacturers titles,” said Kristen.

Paul Ritchie, president of Porsche Motorsport North America, was particularly gratified with the success of the 2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR after the 2007, when Ferrari got the best of Porsche for the championship.

“Over the winter, the engineers at Weissach, led by Roland Kussmaul, completely revamped the race car, including a new aerodynamic package and a four-liter engine, and provided us with a great package - and our teams did the rest. Special thanks must go to my staff at Porsche Motorsports North America, who provided critical parts and service support to keep everyone on the track,” said Ritchie, whose organization is based in Santa Ana, Calif.

Previously, Joerg Bergmeister and Wolf Henzler (both Germany) had clinched the drivers championship in their Flying Lizard Porsche, and Flying Lizard Motorsports had sealed the team title - their first. Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche Motorsport, couldn’t have planned the season any better for this final result.

Other LMP2 Porsche finishers included Helio Castroneves/Ryan Briscoe in the Penske Porsche RS Spyder (fourth); Guy Smith/ Chris Dyson in the Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder (fifth); and Marino Franchitti/Butch Leitzinger in the other Dyson Racing Porsche RS Spyder.

“To win all six championships - team, driver, and manufacturers titles in both LMP2 and GT2 - is so much satisfying than any individual race that we could win. This team effort included all our teams, their drivers and crews, our engineers - both at the track and in Germany - and all the Porsche AG, Porsche Motorsport, and Porsche Cars North America employees that helped

Other GT2 Porsche finishers: the Darren Law/Seth Neiman Flying Lizard Porsche (fifth); the Joerg Bergmeister/Wolf Henzler Flying Lizard Porsche (ninth after an early-race accident resulting in a long pit stop for suspension replacement). The Francesco Pastorelli/Nicky Pastorelli/Mark Basseng VICI Racing Porsche did not finish due to an early-race accident.

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Porscheplatz at Monterey Sports Car Champtionships Mazda International Raceway at Laguna Seca October 17 - 18, 2008 photos by Larry Adams (Golden Gate Region) and Bud and Mary Ann Behrens

Porscheplatz Hospitality

Clever license plate

PCA President Prescott Kelly, with the assistance of Zone 7 First Lady K.C. Sharp, solves a knotty problem. Pam Kelly looks on with amusement.

Mary Ann Behrens wishes this was hers.

A sea of Porsches

A GT3 and a GT3 RS

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2009 schedule for Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca courtesy CORKSCREW NEWSLETTER

T

he 53rd season of racing officially kicks off May 15-17, with the Monterey Festival of Speed featuring the GrandAm Rolex Sports Car Series with the Koni Challenge, Mazda MX-5 Cup, and Mustang Challenge as support series.

The event will mark the fifth consecutive year for Grand-Am’s Daytona Prototype and GT cars in Monterey. Tickets, camping and hospitality go on sale December 15, 2008.

The fifth annual Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is set for July 35 and features the prestigious MotoGP World Championship. At the 2008 race, Tom Cruise, along with 131,250 fans watched Valentino Rossi score his first victory on American soil. It was an epic battle between Casey Stoner and Rossi, with many changes of the lead and some very close racing. Rossi sealed his victory with a kiss, parking his bike in Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s legendary corkscrew, a series of turns with a 300-foot elevation change, and kissing the pavement. The new race date will give extra incentive for American riders Nicky Hayden and Colin Edwards as they take on the worlds best on the most patriotic weekend of the year. The 2009 event will include support races from the AMA Superbike Championship and, back again, the Red Bull U.S. Rookies Cup.

The 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the premier historic race in North America, returns to the Monterey Peninsula on August 14- 16, 2009. Each year, a featured marque is chosen to commemorate the event. This annual celebration of a specific manufacturer has intrigued thousands of compassionate enthusiasts from around the world. In 2009, the featured marque will be Porsche. Ticket sales commence on November 17, 2008.

The Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series race into the darkness will be on October 9-11. This race weekend concludes the 2009 season in dramatic fashion with the high-tech, high-speed Le Mans prototypes and GT machines of the American Le Mans Series staging a Saturday afternoon-into-evening four-hour race. Sunday’s action features the season finale of both the SPEED World Challenge Touring and GT series, the IMSA Challenge and Star Mazda Raceway Atlantic Series powered by Mazda.

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GPS on windshield soon O.K.

New California motoring laws

by Bud Behrens

B

eginning Jan. 1, 2009, under a new bill that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law in October, California motorists who have been placing their portable GPS devices on the front windshield of their vehicles won’t be ticketed any longer.

Though it’s typically common practice to mount a GPS unit to the windshield, folks in California have long been unable to take advantage of a windshield-mounted GPS outside of their own driveways. Under current state law, it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle with any object obstructing or reducing the driver’s view through the windshield, including items attached to the dashboard. The exceptions are rearview mirrors, certain sun visors and electronic toll devices such as FasTrak transponders. Under the new law a seven-inch GPS screen may be mounted on in the lower corner of the passenger-side windshield or a five-inch screen may be mounted on the driver’s side.

Schwarzenegger signed two additional bills that deal with drivers and their vehicles.

Under AB1209 by Assemblywoman Betty Karnette, D-Long Beach, drivers who total their hybrid vehicles that have “clean air” stickers allowing them to use carpool lanes at all times could receive a replacement sticker if they purchase another vehicle that qualifies under the DMV program. The DMV already has issued the entire allotment of 85,000 stickers, and the new law would allow those drivers to avoid the department’s waiting list for possible additional allotments.

AB2241 by Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego, would impose a $50 fee for temporary 30-day smog permits for drivers whose vehicles have failed the smog test and are in the process of getting their automobiles repaired to meet the state requirement. Until now, the DMV has been issuing such temporary permits without charge.

A bill addressing motorists that Schwarzenegger vetoed was AB2233, which would have made it illegal for drivers to have pets on their laps while behind the wheel. The veto came three days after the governor signed another bill banning drivers from text-messaging while driving. The author of AB2233, Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia (Tulare County), had argued that pets on motorists’ laps can distract drivers and pose a hazard on roadways. Schwarzenegger didn’t provide a specific reason for rejecting AB2233 but wrote in his veto message that the late state budget, which was signed on Tuesday, has forced him to sign only “bills that are the highest priority for California.”

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Checking and replacing transmission fluid

by Corey Jacques of The Sports Car Workshop reprinted from DER PCA, Down East Region newsletter

W

e recently purchased a Porsche that was in excellent cosmetic condition - very well preserved and well presented. However, the road test was a letdown. The car shifted miserably and, when letting off the gas, would experience backlash that was getting worse each trip. A check on the lift confirmed that the transmission had much internal wear as the differential had let out a bang when suddenly accelerated or decelerated. This kind of damage could have been the result of a rear-end accident at some point, but it also could be due to poor transmission maintenance.

Is your Porsche kept highly polished and pampered in a nice dry environment where you don’t even drive in the rain unless necessary? How often do you crawl under your car for the same type of loving care? Newer cars don’t require the frequent maintenance that our older Porsche do. It’s easy to forget that routine maintenance checks are due. Your transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles or every two years. (Check your owner’s manual for intervals of your model, a 356 may require changes between 6,000 and 12,000 miles and be checked every 3,000 for proper level.)

The importance of the level and quality of transmission fluid is due to the fact that it directly affects the wear of the transmission. If the fluid level is low, it can significantly accelerate wear of the synchro rings, sliders, and gears. Once wear starts, the additional metal particles in the fluid only assist the wearing process by acting like a grinding compound. If your transmission seems to be getting more difficult to shift smoothly, the fluid level should be one of the first items to check. The fluid also assists in cooling the transmission. Like engines, transmissions generate heat, and a function of the transmission fluid is to help dissipate the heat. (Some models even have an external fluid cooler to deal with the heat generated.)

A good place to start is by checking your transmission fluid level and noting when it was last changed. There are probably cars out there that haven’t had the level checked, let alone changed, for many years. The process to check the level is very basic, but because it does require getting under the car, it probably doesn’t

get the attention it deserves. There are two plugs in the transmission; one to check the level and also used for filling (upper plug), while the other (lower) plug is used for draining purposes. First you will need to remove the fill/inspection plug. (Consult your owner’s manual for exact location of the plug.) With the engine cold and the car on level ground, simply stick your finger in the hole and curl it downward to see if you can feel any fluid. If you can feel fluid, the level is OK. If not, it may require just a little to bring it back up to just below the hole.

If you are planning on changing the fluid, have a drip pan available that is capable of holding at least five or six quarts of fluid. Having some rags at the ready would also be a good idea - just in case! Driving the car for a few minutes beforehand may be a good idea to warm up the transmission fluid a little so that it will flow and drain easier. Then remove the filler plug first to check to see if the level was low to begin with, and also to vent the transmission case allowing the fluid to drain easier. Next remove the drain (lower) plug. Note that the drain plug is magnetic and will attract small metal particles. You want to completely clean the plug of metal particles before replacing it in the case. Replace the drain plug and torque to 17.6 ft/lbs.

To refill the transmission fluid, you will need a simple, handoperated transfer pump. Most any auto parts store should sell one of these pumps to transfer the fluid from the container of fluid to the upper hole in the transmission. Simply put the hose in the hole and pump the fluid until it just starts to drip out of the hole, and then reinstall the fill plug.

As for the type of transmission fluid, we recommend Swepco 201 Multi-Purpose Gear Lube 80/90. Porsche enthusiasts and weekend racers alike have been very pleased with using Swepco 201 for years. Many have commented that it has improved the operation and feel of their transmissions and helped prolong the life of the components. My own 1985 Carrera was quite difficult to shift when I purchased it, and a simple change to Swepco made a very noticeable difference. A transmission rebuild can be a very expensive event - not to mention the “down time” while the work is completed. Why not avoid unpleasant surprises from your transmission? Put on some old clothes and check or change your transmission fluid today.

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November 5, 2008 SVR board meeting

by Kim Nelson, SVR Secretary

P

resident Mike Willis called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Attending: Mike Willis, Bill Keegan, Kim Nelson, Cookie Anderson, Jerry Culper, Betty Silva, Ray Silva, John Murphy, Frederick Rauch, Rik Larson, Jeff Kinder, Kim Kinder, Sue Fleming, Lee Deter and Juan Calderon. The October minutes were reviewed and accepted.

Old Business • Year-End Awards: Bill Keegan led a lively discussion about the events the club put on this year and the club members that made them happen. With discussion from the entire board, events were selected for year-end awards.

New Business * Trailer Maintenance: Frederick noted that a tire blew out on our club trailer and requested that we authorize the purchase of new tires and a bottle jack, alltogether not to exceed $738.00.

Frederick made a motion; it was seconded and approved.

• Use Of Funds: Rik Larson discussed the club’s current financial condition, given the fact that we no longer have the major expense of printing THE DRIFTER. Betty Silva had done an analysis of the club’s ending balance as of December 31st for the last ten years and reported that our year-end balance has been fairly consistent. After much discussion it was agreed that the 2009 board should monitor the club’s financial condition closely next year to see if a surplus begins to build up.

• Charity Auction: Sue Fleming discussed this year’s Charity Auction and the success it was. The auction netted $5,926.00, which goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sue noted that the actual cost of sending a child and family to Disneyland is $6,200.00 and requested that the board approve an additional $274.00 being added to the donation. A motion was made and seconded and unanimously approved by the board.

•Towe Auto Museum Christmas Decorating Party: The Board approved a request from Kim Nelson for $75.00 to purchase several

door prizes for the museum’s annual Christmas Tree Decorating Party and Potluck on Sunday, November 30th.

Board Member Reports • CRAB 35: Mike Willis noted that the Redwood Region has expressed an interest in chairing CRAB every other year with SVR. After a brief discussion, a motion was made to not have a CRAB in 2009 because of the current economy. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved • Competition (Frederick Rauch): TrackMasters is getting more track days for 2009, which greatly benefits SVR members.

• Drifter: (Bud Behrens): Report received and approved.

• Financial Report: (Betty Silva): Betty reported that we have money in the bank. A motion was made to accept the budget as received.

• G24: (Lee Deter): Lee reported that at the last G24 Breakfast they had a good turnout, but the planned tour was cancelled because of rain.

• Goodie Store (Tom Sisson): Report received and approved.

• Membership Director (Rik Larson): SVR has 605 primary members with 492 affiliate members for a total of 1097. The club also has 10 dual members. We had 4 new members join in October and 2 transfers in.

• Social (Cookie Anderson): The club’s February dinner is going to be hosted by Dave and Kaye Mitchell at the Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cordova on February 11th. SVR’s annual planning meeting will take place at the Round Table Pizza in Folsom on January 8th.

• Webmaster (John Murphy): John wants all club members to know that if they have an event or club activity that they would like to have listed on our web site to please let him know.

• Vice President (Bill Keegan): No Report • Past President (Jeff Kinder): The new on-line voting system that Jeff put together for the club seems to be working very smoothly.

Adjournment was at 9:24 P.M. The next meeting will be at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 3, 2008. This will be a joint meeting with the new board of directors.

Respectfully Submitted, Kim Nelson, 2008 Secretary

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Join in – December membership report

by Rik Larson, SVR Membership Director

SVR has 605 Regular Members, and 492 Affiliate members for a total of 1,097 members plus 10 Dual Members.

New Members (Joined October 2008) Philip & Rosa Cordero Sacramento, CA 95829 mr986s@aol.com 916.682.1749 Scott & Lorena Heatley Shingle Springs, CA 95682 sahmdphd@pol.net 530.672.1970 Paul & Amy Thomas Carmichael, CA 95608 pthomas@apthomasconstruction.com 916.296.9577 Mike & Bryan Zanoli Sacramento, CA 95835 mike.zanoli@cdph.ca.gov 916.704.0651

Transfers

’00 Boxster

’01 996

Donald & Chris O’Neill (from Lone Star) Granite Bay, CA 95746 doneill@stewart.com 832.379.1832 Erika & Ron Taylor (from High Desert) Ione, CA 95640.9612 kgunit804@benbroadband.com 541.382.5104

’02 996

’04 C4S, ’87 911

Changes ’07 997

’05 911

Mark Ford Orangevale, CA 95662 Greg Gularte ggularte@att.net 530.889.2313 Continued

want to see it in your rear view mirror?

Call us, we can make it happen!

Pacific Power Motorsports

2330 Bates Ave, Suite D5 Concord, CA 94520 925/525-0470

Track & Race Preparation  Custom Fabrication  Street & Racing Parts Fire Systems  Chassis Set-up  Alignment  Chassis & Engine Dyno Tuning the drifter

15

Robert & Lorraine Rinker karmakreations@hotmail.com David Schnitzer & John Rivett West Sacramento, CA 95691 dschnitzer@wavecable.com Joseph Skowron Granite Bay, CA 95746-6958 joe.skowron@gmail.com 916.872.1222 Donald and Diane Terry 916.793.9833 Karl Wagenhoffer & Ellen Worland k.wag@live.com 916.214.0150

Anniversaries Dave & Dawn Bennett [5] Donald & Dianne Terry [10] Christopher Schofield [10] Jim & Linnea Stimpson [15] Bruce & Mary Lagomarsino [25] Jack & Connie Presley [25] Don & Pamela Harley [25] If you would like to receive the various e.mail BLASTS at a special or additional e.mail address other than the one in our database, just let me know and we will be glad to add it to our ‘special people’ list. Examples of use are for more than one person in the household or office place or your Blackberry (or similar device).

Roger & Janet Walker Folsom, CA 95630 pcarnut@att.net Tom & Julia Wilbert tjwilbert@comcast.net 916.933.3764

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BMW • PORSCHE® • MINI Schatz & Krum – Independent BMW – Porsche®

FACTORY CODING & PROGRAMMING I Tune-ups I Brake Service I Transmissions I Electrical Repairs I Alignments Factory-Trained Technicians

Since 1985

I Fuel Injection I Computer Diagnosis I High Performance Upgrades I Air Conditioning

916-381-3144

8460 Belvedere Avenue Sacramento, CA 95826 www.schatzandkrum.com

www.fdrmotorsports.com DE/AutoX High Performance Brake Packages Zimmermann Cross Drilled Rotors PFC Compound 97 Pads, Dampers 610 Degree H-P Brake Fluid Braided Steel DOT Brake Lines 996 C2/4 and Boxster-S $1299.00 (With PFC Two-Piece Front Rotors $1799.00) 911-Carrera 1974-1986 $899.00 (Track Tested Testimonials Available)

996 C2/4 and Boxster-S Street Package - Rotors, Pads, Dampers and Sensors $829.00 Other Products and Packages Available Tax, Shipping and Installation Not Included

Support Your Local PCA-SVR Member Phone: (916) 989-0580 www.fdrmotorsports.com Email: fdr@fdrmotorsports.com the drifter

17

Drifter Classifieds Drifter Classifieds for Porsches and/or Porsche-related parts or accessories are available at no charge to PCA members. Non-members may submit ads at $20.00 per ad. Make check payable to PCA-SVR and send to PCA-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 the month of 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 three months unless cancelled.

Parts for Sale Wheels (Stock) and Tires: From 2002 Porsche Boxster S, rims and a set of Yokohama tires front size 205/50Z R17 93W, rear size 225/40Z R17 94W. Rims are in excellent condition; tires have some track time. Asking $500.00. Call Cookie Anderson at 916.988.6534. (10/08) 2008 Turbo Wheels: Taken off at 600 miles. Finished by the dealer in Speed Yellow. Will sell cheap so you can refinish in your color. $1200.00 OBO. Contact Bill at _Bills911997@aol.com. (12/08) Porsche Prince Child Safety Seat: with air bag disconnection belt for children 20 to 40 lbs. Model 411-13. Free to good home. Call Carl Brakensiek at 916.612.3274. (11/08)

Cayenne S 18-inch Wheel: Factory take off wheel (part number 7L5.601.025 A), 8x18-57 offset. No curb rash or bend, but slight scuffing on the wheel face (can be polished or touched up).

Perfect to replace damaged wheel or use as full size spare. $100.00 obo.

Call Rich Tsai 530.219.8125 or e-mail rich@eurosunday.net. (10/08)

Boxster Roof Transport System: PN 986.801.202.00; never used, requires assembly; retails new for $645.00; asking $400.00.

Contact Bud Behrens at 209.477.6496 or e-mail budnmaryann@cs.com. (11/08) Porsche Winter Wheels and Tires: Four Sport Edition Cup silver wheels - two 18x8.5 & two 18x10; four Bridgestone Blizzak LM25 XL tires – two 225/40VR-18 & two 265/35VR-18. Purchased new from Tire Rack on 11/07; 3,030 miles. $1,500.00 OBO. Call Dan Boone at 775.323.4179 or e-mail daniel_boone@sbcglobal.net (11/08)

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Santa Porsche rides again

by Tom Sisson, SVR Goodiestorekeeper

I

f Macy’s and Penney’s can have Christmas sales, so can the SVR Goodie Store! Any order for two items you make from now to Christmas will receive a 5% discount. Order three items at once and you will get a 10% discount!

I have already ordered additional items to have on hand. However, remember that with the Goodie Store’s low markup, we can’t stock a big inventory. To keep from being disappointed, order early and often! I may be able to order items I don’t have and still get them in time to be under the tree. The offer includes SVR and PCA car badges, T-shirts, polo shirts, denim shirts, fleece vests, microfiber jackets, everything we have.

Check the web site to get an idea of the wide range of embroidery.

Such a deal! You would have to be off your trolley to pass up an offer like this! I know you younguns are saying, “What’s a trolley? And why would you be off of it?” Well, the phrase is over one hundred years old, and comes from Boston, where the development of an electric trolley system changed lives. The last horsedrawn streetcar made its rounds on Christmas Eve, 1899.Those that didn’t like this modern “contraption” criticized the tendency of the electric streetcars to slip off their trolley (overhead wires) resulting in a loss of power. Eventually the phrase was applied to anyone that strayed from the norm to do something crazy. I know none of you would do that!

Remember, your Goodie Store is the place for good deals and important information about topical issues!

Call your Goodie Store people: Cookie Anderson 916.988.6534 or Tom Sisson 209.296.5352. Samples may also be available at various events and meetings. BUY NOW!

Index of Advertisers A & S BMW Dream Car Solutions

FDR Motorsports Frank’s Automotive

IPB – Autosport

Niello Porsche

OK Tire ‘n’ Wheel

Pacific Power Motorsports PartsHeaven Performance Products The Racer’s Group Reflections in Glass RPM Kart Racing Silver Star Recycling Schatz & Krum TrackMasters

Vineyard Specialties, Inc.

Walt Stickel

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18 8 17 IBC IFC 6, BC IBC 15 18 16 17 2 3 19 17 IFC 14 9 19

The last word for 2008

by Bud Behrens Thank you!

It’s time to thank those members of SVR who submitted articles and/or photos for publication in The Drifter during the past year. Their contributions have helped make this newsletter informative and comprehensive.

Here they are (and hopefully no one has been left out):

Mary Ann Behrens (lots of photos at various events) Kent Brandon (coverage of the SVR Zone 7 Concours at Niello Porsche) Matt Deter (coverage of the CRAB 34 Autocross) Doug DeVetter (race photos, including that on the cover of this issue) Kevin Dougherty (article on front license plate issue) Mark Judish (CRAB 34 photos) Bill Keegan (Los Angeles Auto Show) Jeff Kinder (coverage of CRAB 34 Concours) Doug Klein (lots of photos at various events, coverage of the CRAB 34 Driving Tour) Rik Larson (coverage of CRAB 34 Rally, Zone 7 rally series, Mendocino Tour, monthly membership reports) Phil Lawrence and Emily Barbee (coverage and photos of Rennsport Reunion III) Keith McMahan (article on front license plate issue) Linda McMahen (coverage and photos of Presidents Day Tour to Pacific Grove) John Murphy (photos of March New Members Tour, Mendocino Tour) Kim Nelson (monthly board meeting reports) Dan Rowland (coverage and photos of Los Angleles Auto Show, photos of WP Railroad Tour) Lisa Thomas (technical articles and photos) Rich and Millie Tsai (photos of Zone 7 Concours in Gardnerville) Tom Sisson (monthly Goodie Store column, coverage of Sanders Aeronautics Tour) Randy Vidmar (coverage and photos of 2nd Annual BS Wine Tour) Emily Willis (coverage and photos of Half Moon Bay Tour) Mike Willis (monthly “Chilli’s Chatter) Larry Wilson (twelve months of “Drifting Back”)

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Frank’s AUTOMOTIVE Since 1969 Since 1969

Independent Service and Repair Porsche | BMW | Audi | Mercedes | VW | Volvo

916-452-0917

Frank Lettini Nick Lettini 5220 Folsom Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95819 Lic # 010502

Our motto: “If you like our work,tell others.

If not, tell us.”

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover Cards

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