Summer is here and that gives us a chance to look back at the first half of our 2025 season. There’s been plenty of action and there’s plenty more to look forward to. The first track we visit after our summer break is Laguna Seca and you’ll find an article from December 2013 covering one of our exciting events there. Learn more about Nico Silva and enjoy an interview with POC member and aerodynamicist Ryder Liu. Dr. Dyno shares his latest wisdom, and we take a look back at a POC Newsletter from 1956. Luis Vivar’s photography and Don Matz’s graphic design grace our pages once again.
Sadly, we recently lost longtime member, Don Kravig. Don was a great driver and all-around outstanding human being. We’ve reprinted an interview with Don that first appeared in May of last year. He will be sorely missed.
The 2025 season opener at the Streets of Willow Springs featured our TT classes, PDS, and our newly implemented MSF instructor certification program. We enjoyed a beautifully clear, high desert winter day with crisp morning temperatures transitioning to an afternoon of high 50s sunshine.
Photo: Luis Vivar
Photo: Luis Vivar
BIG WILLOW
Image: Luis Vivar / Don Matz
WILLOW
Super Season Opener
Photos: Luis Vivar
Photos: Luis Vivar
BUTTONWILLOW
DAVID FABI
The 2025 season continued with an exhilarating weekend at Buttonwillow Raceway, as we raced on the CCW 2 configuration. Perfect weather set the stage for highly competitive racing across all classes.
BUTTONWILLOW
Photo: Luis Vivar
Photo: Luis Vivar
Photos: Luis Vivar
Photos: Luis Vivar
Sadly, this month we lost one of our most loved and respected members – Don Kravig.
During his lifetime Don became a legend in the race community offering a lot in the way of skill and talent. But, Don will mostly be missed for his kindness and generosity.
The following article is a reprint of an interview with Don just a few months ago.
DON KRAVIG
GeNTLEMAN RACER
ANDREW WEYMAN
AW: When did you first join the POC?
Don Kravig has been a Velocity contributor for many years and has provided us with fantastic event coverage and historical perspectives. I always enjoyed being on the track with Don and talking with him in the paddock. You surely missed something if you never got to know him. If you did know Don, perhaps this interview will shed some light on a few littleknown facts!
DK: I joined as an associate member with my dad in either 1972 or 1973. He started putting me in his car, I think, even before I had a real driver’s license. I started attending POC events at Willow Springs around 1968 or 1969. I was 10 years old. I helped my dad (Big Don) with his car, set up cones… He was a huge guy. Like 250lbs. Like my son. He was immensely strong and gifted. He could get in anybody’s car and go faster than they did.
AW: How long was your dad a member of POC?
DK: From ’72 or ’73 until he died, in 2001.
AW: What is your daily driver?
DK: A Jeep Gladiator pickup with a diesel in it.
AW: Your favorite track?
DK: It’s gone. Riverside Raceway.
AW: I knew you were going to say that.
DK: My favorite west coast track would be Laguna Seca. I love Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen. I love high-speed tracks that aren’t gimmicky. The track is right there in front of you and it says, “Beat me.”
AW: Tell me a little bit about your track car.
DK: It’s a car I bought originally just before the recession around 2008. We were going to build a Bonneville car out of it. Do a twin-turbo, 700-800hp motor. We wanted to set the all-time speed record for a Porsche there. Which, at that time, was 241mph. The recession hit and all those plans got put to one side. Years later, the pandemic hit, and we received a relief check based on our business’ payroll. My guys were just standing around, so we decided to build my current car with that money. It’s the first car I built for myself since about 1983. During the intervening years I was mostly driving other people’s cars.
AW: You’re a fantastic driver with a fantastic reputation. I always enjoy being on the track with you and calculating if, when and where you’re going to pass me. Do you have a ‘most memorable race that you can recall?
DK: In the POC or in general?
AW: In general.
DK: There was a 12-hour at Sebring. It was a team race. We had three or four wrecks in the 12 hours and just kept fixing the car. And we finished! Then there was Daytona when we blew three engines that we kept replacing and we finished 17th out of 84 cars. Professionally, those would be two. In the POC I’ve had so many good races it’s hard to pick one out. I love racing
Photos: Don Kravig
with Dwain (Dement). He’s totally predictable and he’s bloody fast. You can stick your car in beside him pretty much anywhere and have fun. He’s a class act and epitomizes how I like to race. There are a lot of guys in the POC like that. Anders (Hainer) is like that. I also remember a POC Tribute to Le Mans enduro when I drove a Red class turbo in the first stint and switched into John Momeyer’s GSR for a stint in the dark. I raced Mark Foley in his GSR for close to an hour. We were never more than ten feet apart. It was great racing against a great driver.
AW: Do you have an archrival?
DK: I’ve had various ones over the years like Mike Takaki and Leonard Schenkel. Both guys were absolutely good, clean racers. When I was racing in the Red Group, it was Anders. There are so many of them. At least 20% of the Cup Racers running have the skills to drive pro. Everyone trots out their favorite tricks, but they won’t wreck you with them. It’s just like the top levels of SCCA, IMSA and Grand Am. Really, really high quality, skilled driving. I can’t really pick one. I’ve had so many over the years. When I first got started as a teenager it was Mike Hammond. He was top driver in the field for 40-50 years. He’s still fast and he’s 90-something. Aspasia (Zouras) has moved up to GT5. Her skill level continues to grow dramatically. It could develop into an archrival situation. She’s very methodical in her thinking. Let’s see what happens…
AW: Tell me about Precision Motion and Kravig Race Engineering.
DK: Precision Motion is gone now. We had a building the size of Dwain’s (Vision Motorsports) and we took care of customers’ street cars and did customization. We lost our lease during the pandemic and had to shut down, so we focused on racing. My dad started as a mechanic on a Streamliner at Bonneville in 1953. He spent his whole life racing anything he could, from hydroplane boats to dragsters to sports cars. You name it. He picked up a ’67 911S and fixed it up. He started campaigning it and within a few years, he was fixing all his competitor’s cars. That’s where Kravig Race Engineering came from. One of my motivations to go to Bonneville was that my dad’s car went over 300mph in 1953. That car is in their Hall of Fame. My mentor, Dennis Aase, still holds a record at Bonneville. I wanted to build a car, go there, and take Dennis with me. Do a Porsche-thing at Bonneville. I wanted to build the world’s fastest Porsche.
AW: What’s the most fun part of your job?
DK: I love car set-up. I’ll spend hours and hours thinking, measuring, tinkering to get 2/10ths of a mile faster in a corner or another mile an hour on a straightaway. Little things that keep making a car better and better. I just love that part of it. The set-up, the preparation. Arriving at the track with a car that’s better than it was the last time is the most rewarding thing I do.
AW: You were working with your dad, setting up cones at the track when you were 10. Now you’re working with your son. That’s an admirable and enviable situation. What’s it like working with your son?
DK: I can feel my dad’s pain working with me. I’m not an instinctual driver like Roush. I’m a deliberate, almost like a spreadsheet driver. I get the lines figured out and work on them until I’ve extracted the last bit of RPM and cornering speed. I’m methodical. It’s almost like playing chess. My son is more like my dad. He just gets in the damn thing and drives it. I can feel my dad’s pain because he would try to coach me and realize we approached things very differently. Interestingly, when we went pro, I did more of the car set-up than anybody. I kept making the car go faster. The instinctual guys would just get in there and drive the crap out of it.
AW: We’ve chatted at Spring Mountain dinners and around the paddock. I love hearing about your experiences.
DK: Years ago, we had our banquet at a car museum in Orange County. I talked about our first trip to Daytona as pros. My dad got arrested at four in the morning. We had an early morning driver’s meeting. On the way, we ran out of diesel for our rig. My dad jumped out when we coasted to a stop and decided to siphon some diesel out of a semi that was parked nearby. There was a guy sleeping inside and he came out with a gun. That was fun.
AW: Big Don sounds like quite a character. I’m sorry that I didn’t get to know him.
DK: PCA National is huge right now. It came directly out of POC. My dad became a Zone 8 Rep. He attended all the national meetings. He essentially took our Porsche Owners Club rules to PCA National and got their racing program instituted. Not only have we had members like Dan Gurney and other pros. Our club is a lot like the SCCA. We’ve had some very famous drivers as members. I don’t think may people know that. We had car classes like the Boxster Spec class we have now. The top ten finishers would be within tenths or hundreds. My dad was Competition Chairman for a while. They would settle disputes by trading cars. Almost invariably the guy who was being protested was a better driver than the guy who was protesting. Now we have so much technology… There’s a lot a sharing of information.
AW: I agree.
DK: Anders is a perfect example. He’ll help anyone, anytime. I try to do that as much as I can. Kevin Roush is another good example. He’ll help you get your car going better. He’s a little like my dad in that he’s a talented, instinctive driver. He could drive anything and be faster than whoever was in it. Crazy good. Dennis Aase was amazing.
AW: If we were sitting around and having a couple of drinks too many, what would you tell me?
DK: That’s a good question. Let’s see. It would depend on my mood at the time. We were racing in Aspen Colorado in the PCA Parade one year and they put on a rodeo for us. I grew up on a ranch, so I rode saddle broncs and bulls. I got thrown by a bull that pushed me around the arena with his head. I’ve wandered around the desert in search of old mines and things like General Patton’s cabin. It’s out in the mountains by Chuckwalla. It’s where he’d take his friends up there to hunt. I’ve been searching for that. I’ve been shot at by prospectors. What else can I tell you? It depends on how much I had to drink.
AW: Ha! Let’s leave it there. Thanks for letting me interrogate you. Looking forward to seeing you at the track.
DK: See ya there!
In anticipation of our next event, here is a Reprint of the Laguna Seca Article that appeared in Velocity Magazine, December 2013. (Great commentary by Craig Ames)
LAGUNA SECA REPORT
by Craig Ames
Who would have expected 85-degree weather all weekend at Laguna Seca in October? With no coastal fog, sunny skies, a slight breeze, unlimited sound, and championships in the balance, it was sure to be an epic event.
Brandon Griffith preparing for action. / Photos by Don Matz
LAGUNA SECA REPORT
Although track management wouldn’t concede us our customary test-and-tune day on Friday (anybody take Ec 10?), many drivers and teams took advantage of a “Hooked on Driving” event to get in some extra practice--albeit limited to a torturous 90db.
Arriving Friday afternoon, I found the paddock already packed with Pirelli Cup folks, POC racers, and BMW drivers. The atmosphere was charged. It was exciting to have so many racers and teams at this historic track together.
Laguna is a world class track, but it’s known for its low grip surface under the best of conditions. The first practice session on Saturday morning was filled with spins. I must have seen at least seven cars spin in the first session, probably due to a mix of excitement and pleasure listening to our cars at full pop at Laguna Seca. It sure was nice to give the county sound workers a day off and spread the joy to our friends in the surrounding Salinas community through unsuppressed Porsche exhausts.
Saturday Qualifying
In Saturday’s Orange group qualifying session GT4 continued its tight competition, with the top four drivers all qualifying within one second of each other. Drew Waterhouse took P1 with a 1:37.876, followed by Blair Boyce (1:38.360), and Steve Radenbaugh (1:38.479).
Saturday Red Cup Race
Saturday’s race started with Brandon Griffith and Craig Ames on the front row; Dan Aspesi and Dan Davis shared row two. As the green flag dropped, Griffith got stuck in the wrong gear. He quickly lost his inside position to Ames and had to fight desperately to hold off Aspesi and Davis going into Turn 2. Aspesi dogged him relentlessly for three laps before Brandon got some distance and settled in to begin the pursuit of Ames. But Ames drove his fastest laps of the day in the middle of the race—three sub1:30s—to keep Griffith at bay. The fight for third ensued between Aspesi, David Donner, and Gene Sigal. In a shortened race, the podium’s three steps were claimed by GT2 drivers Ames, Griffith, and Aspesi. In V3, Monsalve ran away from the field, winning by 15 seconds over Tachovsky. Steve Parker was somewhere back there in third.
With only one practice before qualifying, you had to be on your game fast, and a few notable performers showed up. In the Red group, young GT2 phenom Brandon Griffith seized pole with a 1:29.81, while Rob Tachovsky edged Mike Monsalve by 0.110 to get the inside line for the V3 class. In my mind, though, the standout qualifying performance was turned in by Dan Aspesi, our 2012 Driver of the Year. Driving his 2001 996 Cup with a stock H-pattern gearbox, he qualified fourth overall, beating six other 997.2 Cup cars. All weekend Dan was just terrorizing cars much newer and faster than his.
Saturday Orange Cup Race
With Blair and Drew on the front row and a hungry field behind them, it was another strong battle in GT4. Drew had a problem with third gear and had to give up the lead to Blair within the first lap. Blair held on to win the race, with Drew second. But the real battle took place behind them between Steve Vandecar, Steve Radenbaugh, and Brad Keegan. Radenbaugh, who started in fourth, dropped to fifth within the first lap. Keegan, now in fourth, was able to hold him off for six laps, while Vandecar for now was in third unchallenged. On
Andrew Weyman’s colorcoordinated Boxster.
Photo by Don Matz
lap seven Radenbaugh passed Keegan for fourth and then began his pursuit of Vandecar. On lap 11 Radenbaugh passed Vandecar and went on to finish third. In BSR Nathan Johnson clinched his class championship with his dominant win.
Sunday Qualifying
In Red qualifying, Craig Ames secured P1 (1:29.971) with David Donner 0.3 behind in P2, followed by Brandon Griffith and Gene Sigal. In V3 Vali Predescu (1:37.691) edged Rob Tachovsky by .2 while Mike Monsalve was uncharacteristically back in fifth, which augured a monumental battle in V3 in Sunday’s race.
In Orange qualifying, Shawn Howard threw down a commanding 1:35.947 to secure P1. He was more than two seconds faster than Blair Boyce, his closest competitor in GT4. Drew Waterhouse qualified third.
Sunday Red Cup Race
In the formation lap of the Red Race, P2 driver David Donner had a mechanical and was forced to pull out, which brought a rematch of Craig Ames and Brandon Griffith to the front row. Into Turn 2 Ames took the lead and then managed to maintain a safe distance from the pack throughout the race. Gene Sigal on lap one was able to overtake Griffith for second place and hold it to the end. An intense battle ensued between Aspesi and Griffith for third, with Aspesi passing Brandon on lap nine and Griffith overtaking Aspesi on the next lap, to finalize the podium: Ames, first; Sigal, second; Griffith, third.
In V3, it turned out to be a big showdown between Vali Predescu, Rob Tachovsky, Eric Olberz, Bob Mueller, and Mike Monsalve. On lap three, Tachovsky was able to overtake Predescu for the class lead. Once in the lead, Tachovsky held on tight, while a race-long battle full of back-andforths took place between the other four. As the
•
Jim Cullen and curious crow.
Photo by Don Matz
Dave Gardner heads down the Corkscrew with Martin Brauns and Chas Wirken in pursuit.
Photo courtesy of Chas Wirken
race progressed, so did the intensity of the racing between Monsalve, Olberz, and Predescu. The race came down to the final corner, as Monsalve and Olberz went two abreast into Turn 11. Monsalve went wide to give racing room, but his rear tire hooked the sand and rocketed his car towards the pit wall, hitting Olberz at full speed. Eric’s car launched into the pit wall, crashing hard and catching on fire. It then rolled back across the track, while other drivers alertly took evasive moves to avoid contact.
The mood was somber in impound. We could still see the smoke billowing from the main straight, and we all hoped that everyone was OK. Fortunately, the drivers involved were able to walk away, although Eric suffered a broken rib. (As we were about to go to press, Eric informed us that he was sufficiently mended to drive in the Willow Springs Finale.) Final results in V3 for Sunday’s race: Rob Tachovsky, first; Bob Mueller, second; and Eddie Marseilles, third.
Sunday Orange Cup Race
With such a dominant performance in qualifying, it was no surprise to see Shawn Howard winning from the front row in GT4. Blair Boyce took second and Drew Waterhouse, third. Each held his position from lap one through to the checkered. There was a big battle between Steve Radenbaugh, Brad Keegan, and Steve Vandecar as they traded fourth, fifth, and sixth places throughout the race. Nathan Johnson won first in BSR, starting from the back of the field.
The Laguna event lived up to its hype. The weather was just beautiful and the competition fierce. I really
Randy Beck gives last-minute advice.
Photo by Don Matz
Fred Poordad in his clean, green machine.
Photo by Don Matz
The Laguna event lived up to its hype.
Blair Boyce follows Andrew Weyman out to the track.
Photos by Don Matz
Shawn Howard, the winner of Sunday’s Orange Race.
Garry Grant
Keith Meggs
Photos by Don Matz
Turn by Turn
On a final note, I want to share how I mentally prepare for Laguna Seca. Below is what I constantly roll through my mind before and during the race weekend. It’s one thing to know exactly what the lines, braking zones, and apexes are, but executing your knowledge lap after lap consistently and fast is a whole different challenge—and how I judge my improvement as a driver.
So here we go, one lap around Laguna Seca in my mind. Onto the straight; it’s so short you only have a brief second to wave to your fans, and then it’s back on for Turn 1, flat on the gas over the blind hill. Car gets a little weightless, but you trust it and stay flat.
Turn 2: straight braking, then trail brake to rotate the car. Wait for it—must be patient for the rotation to complete—then flat on the gas, clipping the inside curb of the second apex, and track out to the right.
Turn 3: set up far left, mild braking, wait, don’t turn in too early, run the inside curb, track out left, use all the track.
Turn 4: tap the brakes to get the nose down, turn in and get all the curb, gradual to the throttle as you track left—careful out here, no wheels in the dirt—go flat.
Turn 5: once under the bridge, brake hard and straight, then trail almost all the way to the inside curb, get all of the curb, then back to flat as you track right and head up the hill.
Turn 6: medium brake to get the car settled and the nose down, then flat on the gas, only running the flat part of the inside curb; track out right, stay in the gas.
Turn 7 (Corkscrew): stay straight and to the right on approach and stay off the right curb under hard braking. Trail brake to the curb, look down the hill and head for the special tree.
Eyes up, gradual to the gas and touch Turn 8’s curb. Track left, then flat until past the bridge.
Go further than you think into Turn 9. Look down the hill and turn in—no need to get the side curb; track right, stay off outside curb if you can.
Into Turn 10: set up left and parallel to the track, brake and trail, clipping inside curb, stay in the gas, track left on exit.
Turn 11: set up to the right, get car straight and brake at the “3,” trail to the inside curb, track out right, get the right rear tire on some solid surface, then go flat. Wave to the fans and do it again— just faster!
A little more to go.
Mike Sutton talks it over with Dan Davis.
Brandon Keegan, the other half of Brad’s pit crew.
Photos by Don Matz
Club spirit on display as Matt McFadden and Ed Mineau lend a hand.
LAGUNA SECA 2017
Brad Keegan leads Ron Palmer down the Corkscrew
Ask
Dear Dr. Dyno,
Advice to Keep You on Track
I’ve been following your career and insights for a while and I’ve always admired your skill, consistency, and especially your race craft. Your ability to read races, manage pressure, and make decisive moves on track is something I want to develop in my own driving. I would be incredibly grateful for any advice or guidance you might be willing to share on how to improve. Specifically, I’d love to learn more about how you approach race scenarios like overtaking, defending positions, race strategy, and maintaining composure under pressure.
I understand how busy your schedule must be, so even a few thoughts or recommendations would mean a great deal to me. Thank you very much for your time and for the inspiration you provide to drivers like me.
Fanboy in Fontana
Dear Fanboy,
Thanks for reaching out. It’s great to hear from someone who is so driven to improve and clearly worships me. Race craft is one of those areas that separates good drivers from great ones. It’s not just about speed. It’s about how you think, adapt, and make decisions under pressure.
Don’t be an idiot. Use your head, not just your hands and feet. Think and plan. Pace is important, but the smartest driver often wins. Always think a few corners, or laps, ahead. Anticipate what others might do and plan your moves carefully. Positioning is everything.
Don’t be an idiot. Whether you’re attacking or defending, pressure changes everything. A driver ahead of you under pressure is more likely to make a mistake. Be patient.
Sometimes the best overtakes happen when you force an error.
Don’t be an idiot. Defend smart but not desperately. When defending, choose your lines early and make it clear where you’re going. Sudden moves can be dangerous. Make your car wide, but don’t block reactively. The goal is to make your rival choose the longer, harder way around.
Don’t be an idiot. Practice race starts and first Laps. The start and first few corners can set the tone for your entire race. Practice your reactions and study the opening laps of your rivals. Know where chaos usually happens and plan a clean escape.
Don’t be an idiot. Review everything you can. Use data, video, and debriefs. Watch your videos, including where you got passed or couldn’t pass. Ask yourself why. Learning from your own race behavior, and that of your competitors, is one of the fastest ways to improve.
Don’t be an idiot. Be a student of the sport. Watch racing at all levels. Study how great drivers manage tires, time their attacks, and work through the field. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from observing, not just doing.
Keep racing with passion, humility, and a hunger to improve. Race craft takes time to develop. Every lap is a lesson if you pay attention. Above all, Don’t be an idiot.
Dr. Dyno
Send your questions for Dr. Dyno to:
The Porsche Owners Club R ecognizes
Nico Silva
as a Valued Sponsor
STEVE TOWN Sponsorship Director
Before I begin this month’s sponsor article, please allow me to talk briefly about Don Kravig. As with so many of us in the POC and elsewhere in the motorsports world, the very sad news of Don Kravig’s recent and sudden passing has left a hole in the club, in the club’s history, and in many racer’s hearts. I came to know Don these past few years through our events, and in my view there’s not a more wonderful and genuine gentleman in the POC.
In a quiet, and yet powerful way, Don gave himself to anyone who needed help, wisdom, support, and knowledge. Kris and Deb, your father and husband will be missed by all.
As Don would have had it, this month’s featured sponsor is Nico Silva Racing. Nico told me about his special relationship with Don. Nico said plainly, “I would not be here today, doing what I’m doing without Don. He was so selfless with what he did to support me. I was introduced to the POC by Matt Hollander, from our SIM days together, and then introduced to John Momeyer and Don, and of course Kris his son. I’m so thankful for all they did, and I was so thankful to be able to see Don in the hospital, before I had to fly to Germany.” Thank you, Nico, for sharing that.
While we’re taking a little on track breather until August 22nd at Laguna Seca, it’s
a pleasure to be able to share more information about Nico, his business, and his racing life.
I asked Nico to describe his business. “I’ve been working and trying to build my company since 2015. What I focus on within my company is really five things: driver coaching and development, motorsports consulting, motorsports tourism, and representing and selling product brands such as Arai Helmets, AiM Data Systems, Radio Communication Solutions, as well as others. And finally, my racing.”
I asked Nico what he meant by motorsports consulting. “This is really related to consulting for race car set up, race planning, and track day planning.” He went on, “My driver development work has been built out of many years of building a base of racers along with track enthusiasts. One of my most recent young racer talents is Jake Johnson, he is 15, and just did Dwain’s POC Racers Clinic in a BSR. I think the POC BSR group is maybe the best launching pad for a young racer in the west. It’s the best club racing, and the cars are great to learn in too. Jake is focused on getting as high up in motorsports as he can go. What I look for are racers, track day drivers, and enthusiasts who want to develop their
motorsports skills to the next level.”
Nico described the motorsports tours part of his business. “I am targeting motorsports enthusiasts of any level who want to experience the trip of a lifetime, at race tracks they’ve seen on TV, and would love to see and drive. I’ve developed relationships with track managers and teams at the biggest tracks in Europe, and Brazil Interlagos, too. My first trips are scheduled around my races at the Nürburgring. The current schedule for my Rennsport Tours is September 9th-16th, September 22nd29th, and October 6th-13th. These dates coincide with the Porsche Endurance Trophy – Nürburgring races that I’m running with Adrenaline
Motorsports. We race the Ring on Sep 12th14th, September 26th-27th and October 10th-11th.”
Nico continued to describe the Rennsport tours part of his business. “I work from both a San Fernando Valley location and a Nürburgring area apartment. The trip will include hotels, food, a private tour of the Porsche factory at Zuffenhausen, a tour the Manthey racing factory, a drive in a Porsche of your choosing on the Autobahn, a drive on the full Nürburgring track (first in the right seat of my race car, and then on an open
In memory of Don Kravig
track drive day). It also includes enjoying the Porsche Trophy Endurance races in our VIP lounge. This Porsche experience will be amazing.”
That sounds like a once in a lifetime trip. It’s a trip that checks all the boxes of the track drivers I know. I asked Nico about his goals for the next-three-to five years. He said, I want to continue climbing the racing ranks with sponsorship deals, continue developing future talent that will climb the ranks giving a good name to the club, develop availability of a catalog of only the safest and best product, and grow and offer multiple motorsports experiences to members and other enthusiasts.”
We circled back to the POC and discussed how the club is a key part of his business and racing life. He said, “POC has become more than a club where I can conduct business. It has grown to become a group
of friends and family that has helped me get to where I am today. I want to do my best to return the love the club has shown me by sharing my knowledge and what I learned. I want to help improve the POC experience for members.”
Nico has gone a long way in the sport so far. How did his motorsports journey
POC paddock with John, Don and Kris
POC paddock with John, Don and Kris
start and grow? “My parents are both from Brazil. I was born and raised in Los Angeles area (Encino), but Brazil has always been a part of our life. I started racing karts at the age of five in 2001. My interest started with Formula 1 and Ayrton Senna. I was determined to go racing. We were in Brazil visiting family when I was four or five years old and we went karting. My cousin worked at the F1 Interlagos track, and he saw that I loved being behind the wheel of a kart. What was incredible is that in December we got a notice that a large item was at the LAX shipping containers location, and we’d have to bring a truck to pick it up. My dad had no idea what it was, and luckily, I went with him. The box was like 6’x4’, huge and heavy. My dad said to the shipping guys, “What the hell is that?” They had no idea, so we opened right there, and it was a kart. My cousin in Brazil sent me a red kart. I was hooked!”
Nico continued, “When I was seven, we went to the F1 race at Interlagos. It was 2003, in the rain, when Fisichella won in a Jordan, after an appeal. I will never forget that day. I wanted so badly to race. So that’s where it began. I karted in SoCal and where I could get to races, and eventually, in 2012, got into the Skip Barber National series, earned two wins and some podiums in the open wheels. That led me to a seat in the South American F3 series in 2013, then F3 Brazil in 2014. Tony Roma’s restaurants sponsored me in 2014, when they opened locations in Brazil. I kept after it, and in 2016 I got offered tests for F3 in Spain and France, but sponsor dollars were not enough, and nobody goes anywhere without it. So, I came home and started focusing on GTs, LMP3s and endurance racing. I had made my way to a 2020 European Porsche Super Cup seat, with a few European Carrera Cups too, and Covid killed it. That was my real break, but
we couldn’t do it. That was really hard. But it still led me to where I am today, finding the POC from SIMs with Matt, and the last two years racing in the Porsche Trophy Endurance - Nürburgring series.”
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Nico’s racing. Talking about the Nürburgring gets any racer’s attention. Nico described his latest race. “Last weekend was the Nürburgring 24-Hour, and our series runs in it. I brought three amateurs into my team to run it, and I had us up in 3rd place with four hours to go, when the engine blew. It was so disappointing, but running a 24-hour at the Ring is incredible. Imagine, 12-mile laps, fuel management, tire management, and night racing. It’s like nothing else. The series is Spec 718 Clubsports with some Manthey parts added, but not an MR.”
We brought our talk back to the United States and POC. Nico said, “As Covid shut down the series I aimed for, I started doing weekends with POC hanging with Don, Kris, John Momeyer, and Matt. We just clicked and it’s been really important to me. I have only done one race with the club, but it was great. Me, Don, John, at Tribute. That was awesome.”
I asked Nico about his best track memory. “Setting the fastest time in class at night in the 718 GT4 Clubsport at the 2025 24Hour Nürburgring.” Wow, that’s special! What keeps Nico fresh and coming back to the track for more? “The never-ending pursuit of perfection and the desire to win!” I love that.
As we wound down our talk, I asked Nico to tell us a little about his family and his interests away from the track. Nico shared, “My parents are still in the Encino home I grew up in, the one they moved
into over 30 years ago. I have a younger sister, and a dog named Beco. My father is a retired pilot, but he’s still in the industry. Off the track I also enjoy engineering, music, and nature, but really the famous quote from Steve McQueen kind of says it all for me: ‘Racing is Life, everything before and after is just waiting.’”
It was such a pleasure talking with Nico about his business and racing career. I always enjoy catching up with him as he globe-trots the world aiming for wins and the perfect lap. Best of luck at the Ring in August, Nico!
...and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of you in August, at Monterey!
Steve
THE ARCHIVES
Even back then: Our members would rather race Porsches instead of spending hours polishing and dusting! (regarding the Pebble Beach Concours on page 2)
Image: Don Matz
PORSCHE OWNERS CLUB
Movin’
Photo: Luis Vivar
on Up
ANDREW WEYMAN
I remember meeting Ryder Liu at his first POC event. I wondered what my newest BSR competitor was all about. He seemed thoughtful, analytical and fast. As an aerodynamicist with insights into downforce and lift, Ryder uses his skills to diagnose the feedback he senses from his car. Here’s what he had to say…
AW: When did you join the POC?
RL: I think it was January 2022. I don’t remember the exact date.
AW: What were you driving?
RL: I had about five years of time trial experience with random track-day groups in my Cayman. When I joined POC I was driving a Spec Boxster.
AW: You recently decided to go to another class (GT3). What’s that all about?
RL: That was, kind of a, not a spur of the moment decision, just an opportunity to try something else. Ana (Predescu) had moved up to 991.2 and her car was for sale. I thought I’d give it a try and see how I feel about it in a year-or-two.
AW: How’s it working out so far?
RL: So far, it’s been great. The car is amazingly fun. The class (GT3) has been pretty good. It’s not as big of a field as the Spec Boxsters but it’s been fun racing with those guys.
AW: Do you have an archrival at this point?
RL: I don’t know if I’d say “archrival” yet. I’m still kind of new to the class but Brett (Gaviglio) and Brad (Keegan) have been really fast. I’ve had some really good battles with them.
AW: They have so much experience in those faster cars so if you’re being competitive that’s terrific. What’s your biggest challenge on the track?
RL: Right now, I feel it’s wheel-to-wheel capability. I like to drive as safely as I can around other people. I think that kind of holds me back from attacking and defending
well. I think my biggest challenge is figuring out where that limit is, especially in the faster car. I was pretty good in the Boxster but with the faster cars, I’m trying to work that out.
AW: What, if anything, have you learned about yourself through your experience as a driver?
RL: That’s a tough question. I think, looking back at my progress, I’m pretty proud of how my skill has developed. Recently, I took my Cayman to Buttonwillow for a trackday with some co-workers. I hadn’t taken that car to a track since I joined POC. Two or three years. Something like that. I completely obliterated the times I had previously set in the Cayman on that track. Having that reference and seeing how much I’ve improved is something I’m proud about.
AW: That’s great.
RL: The other thing I’ve learned about myself is not so much in the car, but the prep work outside the car. The last couple of years I’ve focused a lot more on physical fitness. I was never out of shape, but I’ve never been strong endurance-wise. Racing has kind of forced me to focus on that. Seeing the improvement with that over the past year-and-ahalf or so has been quite eye-opening.
AW: I love hearing that. Tell me a little bit about your work and how things might apply to your driving and inform your choices on the track.
Photos:
Ryder Liu
RL: My work is perhaps a unique aspect of my being a member of POC. I’m a professional aerodynamicist for Honda Racing. I’ve also worked in Formula 1 designing race cars. I have a pretty broad technical insight, especially about chassis. Doing this has been really interesting for me because it gives me more of a direct feel. At work, I get driver feedback, and a driver might tell you the car is loose here or there. You need to be able to translate that into what about the chassis caused that. Racing with POC has given me more physical insight into that kind of feedback and helped my work quite a bit.
AW: Wow. That’s an interesting twist.
RL: Yeah. Because when you’re working on the factory side of racing you don’t have that direct connection to the track side. Doing this on my own time has given me some good insights between the two.
AW: That’s so cool. I know I’m bouncing around here but what’s the first car you ever owned?
RL: A BMW 3-Series. A 2009 328i e90 generation.
AW: A fun car.
RL: I sold it a few years ago after having it for 13 years or something like that.
AW: Tell me about your Cayman.
RL: It’s a 2016 981 GT4 in racing yellow.
AW: It’s beautiful.
RL: I love that car.
AW: What’s not to love?
RL: It’s a car I can probably hold onto forever if it allows me to. I’ve never felt the desire to replace that car even with all the new GT3s and RSs coming out.
AW: Can you comment on the aerodynamics of the car? Is there anything in particular about the design that impresses you?
RL: Not so much about the aerodynamics. They did some aerodynamic work on first generation with the front splitter and obviously with the very noticeable rear wing. I have some friends who have done some aerodynamic work on those cars and the cars actually
Photo: Luis Vivar
don’t make much, if any, downforce from the factory. Cars can lift in their standard designs. Pretty much every car does. Even Porsche 911s do before they deploy their rear spoilers. The aerodynamic work they did on the 991 GT4 kind of brought it to, more or less, lift neutral. It’s not really a downforce car. The newer 718 and the RS are much more capable in that regard. I love the look of the rear wing so that doesn’t really matter to me.
AW: It catches your eye for sure. It’s beautiful looking.
RL: I have a lot of respect for Porche from an engineering standpoint because when they do their GT car stuff, they’re chasing their performance lap times and all that keeping the naturally aspirated 500hp engine in the GT3s and they do all of it with gains on the chassis side. Then you look at other cars like Ferrari and Corvette. They’re pushing similar performance but with much more powerful engines. It’s a really good testament to the chassis work Porsche does.
AW: You have to respect that. Anything you’d like to add?
RL: POC has been an excellent group for me. I had years of time trialing experience before joining and I told Dwain (Dement) I wanted to go wheel-to-wheel racing. He talked to all the organizers, and he said I could take the Racer’s Clinic. It kinda got me going a lot quicker than I had thought would be possible. It was really nice. This organization has been great. It’s helped me get to where I am. Last year, I went through the MSF (Motorsports Safety Foundation) instructor certification program. Now I’m giving back to the club by volunteer instructing when I can.
AW: That’s so great. I love that. Thanks for agreeing to do this. I’ll see you at the track.
Watkins Glen International in upstate New York hosts round six of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Sunday, June 22 Alongside Daytona, Sebring, Indianapolis, and Road Atlanta, the storied six-hour classic forms part of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. Porsche Penske Motorsport will field two 480 kW (653 PS) Porsche 963 prototypes in the top-tier GTP class. Customer teams JDCMiller MotorSports and Proton Competition will tackle the six-hour race with an additional hybrid prototype from Weissach. Porsche will be represented by a Porsche 911 GT3 R in both GT categories, with AO Racing in the GTD Pro category and Wright Motorsport in GTD.
Watkins Glen leading the championship
Atlanta. Following victories at Daytona, Sebring, Long Beach, and Laguna Seca, plus a podium result in Detroit, Porsche travels to round six on the IMSA calendar as the championship leader in the GTP class. The two factory-run Porsche 963 racers finished first and third at Watkins Glen last year. With GTP vehicles reaching average lap speeds of more than 132 mph, Watkins Glen International is the fastest circuit on the IMSA calendar. “After our strong performance at Le Mans, we head into the IMSA race at Watkins Glen full of confidence,” Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, said. “The track suits our Porsche 963 perfectly. We won in our 2023 debut season, and last year we finished first and third. We’re enjoying a fantastic run in North America and want to build on that momentum to take another step toward defending our title in Watkins Glen.”
“Watkins Glen is a real highlight for teams, drivers, and fans alike – nowhere else in IMSA does our Porsche 963 set such high average lap times,” Urs Kuratle, Director Factory Racing LMDh, said. “The results over the past two seasons show how well this circuit suits us. I hope we can be back on the top step of the podium next weekend.”
Fans can look forward to the return of “Rexy” in the GTD Pro class. At the previous races in Laguna Seca and Detroit, its pink sister “Roxy” stepped in for the bright green dinosaur-liveried 911.
Porsche Becomes the Official Car of
Porsche, Friends of Laguna Seca sign sponsorship agreement which will include a new West Coast-based Porsche Track Experience starting in 2026
Atlanta. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) announced today it will become The Official Car of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. Since 2011, Laguna Seca has been home to the Rennsport Reunion, the world’s largest ticketed gathering of Porsche enthusiasts. As part of the sponsorship, Porsche will support Friends of Laguna Seca in its commitment to revitalize the Raceway and Recreation Area.
A Porsche Driving Center (PDC) will also launch at the legendary raceway in 2026. Customers will be able to choose from introductory courses, which start with the basics of vehicle control, through intermediate and advanced training for those seeking to sharpen existing skills.
“Many of the greatest moments in motorsport history have happened at Laguna Seca,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of PCNA. “We are excited to be a part in the track’s exciting plans for the future and to allow the next generation of enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of a Porsche.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Porsche as the official car of Laguna Seca,” said Friends of Laguna Seca board member Bruce Canepa. “I have been a fan and owner of their cars for five decades. This partnership brings together two iconic brands, and we are excited to celebrate our collective histories and race into the future together.”
Porsche’s legacy at Laguna Seca is extensive, including hosting four Rennsport Reunions in the last 15 years and earning the marque’s 600th and 601st IMSA victories just last year. In February 2024, the Taycan Turbo GT earned the title of fastest electric series-production car at the track with a time of 1:27.87minfaster than any other road-approved electric car. In 2023, Rennsport Reunion 7 hosted more than 91,000 attendees over its four-day span, the biggest attendance of any Rennsport Reunion to date, and a testament to the enduring passion of Porsche fans in the United States.
The sponsorship launches with Porsche serving as the official safety car for the TireRack.com Monterey Sportscar Championship IMSA race weekend, May 9-11. The race will be broadcast live on Sunday, May 11, at noon PDT/3 p.m. EDT on NBC.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA
Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America, which features two module-based 1.6 mile driver development tracks, a business center and Restaurant 356. The campus is also home to the U.S. headquarters of Porsche Classic. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, Restaurant 917 and the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport North America. PCNA supports 203 independently owned and operated Porsche Centers in the U.S., four Porsche studios and five satellite stores in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand’s 75-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.
Photos and video footage are available to accredited journalists on the Porsche Press Database and on the Porsche Cars North America Newsroom.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned motorsport facility located in Monterey, California operated and managed by Friends of Laguna Seca, a 501c(3) nonprofit. Nestled among scenic hills, it has a rich history of hosting premier racing events, making it a favorite destination for motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. The raceway features challenging turns and elevation changes including the world-famous Corkscrew, providing a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans. Friends of Laguna Seca is committed to delivering top-tier racing and entertainment experiences year after year.
Find out how you can get involved at FriendsOfLagunaSeca.org\
SIMRACING SIMRACING
2025 Season Results
Jan 13 Daytona
Jan 27 Watkins Glen
Feb 10 Road Atlanta
Feb 24 IMOLA
Mar 10 Sonoma
Mar 24 Sebring
April 7 MOSPORT
April 21 Road America
May 5 Suzuka
May 19 Big Willow
June 2 Catalunya
June 16 Montreal
June 30 Redbull Ring
1st Michael Johnson 1st Sam Mayorga
2nd Mark Rondeau 2nd Frederico del toro
3rd Michael Bolton 3rd Larry Haasa
1st Andrew Chinnici 1st Sam Mayorga
2nd BJ Fulton 2nd Michael Bolten
3rd Mark Rondeau 3rd BJ Fulton
1st Sam Mayorga 1st Frederico del toro
2nd Michael Johnson 2nd Daniel Vaverko
3rd BJ Fulton 3rd Adam Abrahms
1st Andrew Chinnici 1st Matt Hollander
2nd BJ Fulton 2nd Bob Russell 3rd Mark Rondeau 3rd Kristopher Marciniak
1st Andrew Chinnici 1st Matt Hollander
2nd Dylan Scott 2nd Frederico del toro
3rd Jad Duncan 3rd Kristopher Marciniak
1st Andrew Chinnici 1st Frederico del toro
2nd BJ Fulton 2nd Kristopher Marciniak
3rd Mark Rondeau 3rd Larry Haase
1st Dylan Scott 1st Kristopher Marciniak
2nd Jad Duncan 2nd Adam Abrahms
3rd Jeffery Shulem 3rd John Momeyer
1st Dylan Scott 1st Frederico del toro
2nd BJ Fulton 2nd Rob Russell 3rd Jad Duncan 3rd Adam Abrahms
1st BJ Fulton 1st Frederico del toro
2nd Jad Duncan 2nd John Momeyer
3rd Andrew Chinnic 3rd Jim Ghahremani
1st Dylan Scott 1st Matt Hollander
2nd Mark Rondeau 2nd Kristopher Marciniak
3rd Jad Duncan 3rd Rob Russell
1st BJ Fulton 1st Frederico del toro
2nd Jad Duncan 2nd Kristopher Marciniak
3rd Michael Bolten 3rd Adam Abrahms
1st Michael Bolten 1st Frederico del toro
2nd BJ Fulton 2nd Larry Haase
3rd Thomas Isabel 3rd Adam Abrahms
1st 1st 2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd
CLICK HERE for YouTube SIM RACES
All club members with track experience or online sim racing experience are invited to participate – however, you will need an iRacing Membership and a simulator.
Cataluya
Montreal
SIMRACING
Now you can order your favorite POC garments and other specialty items “Online” simply by clicking on any one of the above photos!
Laguna Seca August 22-24, 2025
After a long hiatus, we’re finally heading back to this iconic track outside of Monterey. This will be a very popular event...be sure to get your reservation in soon! Register Today!
