2026
BEND
Submission Guidelines All submissions are subject to editors approval and editing. Submission deadline is the 10th of each month. Full details of written policies will be sent as needed or upon request.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Jay Seeley President, High Desert Region PCA
president@highdesertpca.org
First off, congratulations to our downshift editor-in-chief, Ralph Anzellotti, on the occasion of his 4th anniversary at the helm of our club magazine. It’s a great publication, celebrating our members, their cars and their journeys. Thanks Ralph for all your work in putting it together each month! Contact Ralph if you have an article to submit or an idea for a future article.
With summer now in full swing, I’ve been enjoying some great drives along the Chimney Rock section of the Crooked River Highway, the Camp Polk/Indian Ford roads north of Sisters, Skyliner Road…too many to list. I’d love to hear about your favorite drive in Central Oregon; if you want to share, just send me an email.
July is a busy month, starting with the Smith Rock/Metolius River Arrive and Drive on Saturday the 11th, a trip over to Salem the next afternoon to visit the renowned Brothers Car Collection, the 3-night tour to Walla Walla and Wallowa Lake leaving Bend on the 18th and on Saturday the 25th, we’ll be celebrating our new members at the club’s annual picnic at the Wildwood Ranch east of Sisters. Check out the website for details and to register for these events.
Need a new High Desert Region hat or grill badge? In honor of our nation’s 250th birthday, the club is having a sale on all of our logo merchandise: everything is 17.76% off through the day of the picnic!
Check out the offerings in our online store and at the picnic.
On behalf of the club’s officers and directors, have a safe and fun 4th of July with your families!
Cheers, Jay
HIGH DESERT REGION-PCA LEADERSHIP TEAM 2026
Executive Board
Jay Seeley, President
Randy Lervold, Vice-President
Jeanine Faria, Treasurer
Stein Nielsen, Secretary
Directors (Board Members)
Fred Nielsen, Prior President 2024-2025
Mark Taylor, Membership
Lisa Sarmiento, Safety and Insurance Monday Morning Announcements
Hack Heyward, Tech Team
Volunteer Leadership
Ralph Anzellotti, downshift Editor-In-Chief
Laura Clark, Webmaster
High Desert Region PCA
Post Office Box 113 Bend, Oregon. 97709
HDR-PCA Established April 29, 2000
www.highdesertpca.org
I am celebrating fours years producing the HDR downshift magazine.
I started as an assistant and within a short time I was thrown into the deep end of the pool trying to produce downshift all on my own. I had to learn a new software, get stories and content, and had five weeks to produce my first issue.
Fear was a great motivator!
It seems my first downshift was a complete success and I received lots of positive feedback from the membership.
Big thanks to all that have supported my efforts.
Ralph
advertising@highdesertpca.org
DOWNSHIFT Magazine
Published near the first of every month Deadline 10th of each month
HDR-PCA Email Contacts
president@highdesertpca.org (Jay Seeley) vp@highdesertpca.org (Randy Lervold) secretary@highdesertpca.org (Stein Nielsen) membership@highdesertpca.org (Mark Taylor) safety@highdesertpca.org (Lisa Sarmiento, Monday Announcement) socialevents@highdesertpca.org (Stein Nielsen) tours@highdesertpca.org (Stein Nielsen) carevents@highdesertpca.org (Randy Lervold) advertising@highdesertpca.org (Ralph Anzellotti, downshift) webmaster@highdesertpca.org (Laura Clark) merchandise@highdesertpca.org (Stu Malakoff, Online Store) complaints@highdesertpca.org (Fred Peaches)
Each Monday morning, Lisa emails out event announcements to the membership. These important announcements give information about club events and other activities of interest. If you are interested in being involved with HDR-PCA please open up these once a week emails and see if there is something of interest.
If you are not receiving these weekly emails or have questions, you can contact Lisa.
safety@highdesertpca.org (Lisa Sarmiento)
Introducing a new page on the website called "The Year At A Glance." Check it out here:The Year At A Glance.
https://highdesertpca.org/The Year At A Glance
If you want to see more about a particular event on the page, just click on the bolded name of the event. That will take you to the login page and then directly to the detailed view of that event.
The HDR Classic Car Group is planning something different to wrap up the season in October: The Classic Cars, all members and all Porsches are invited to this overnight tour heading north to the Maryhill Loops Hill Climb
(https://sovrenracing.org/maryhill-hill-climb/),
The trip begins on Saturday morning, October 3rd with an overnight in Dufur at the historic Balch Hotel. A block of rooms has been reserved, but be forewarned that some of the rooms share a bath, so reserve early. There’s a car show at the Maryhill Museum on Saturday and the Hill Climb is Sunday the 4th. After watching the hill climb you can return home on Sunday. It should be a great weekend and all are welcome; details can be found at Maryhill Loop Tour -- Savethe-Date.
2026 PCA HPDE events in our area
By Randy Lervold, HDR Driving Events Chair
As a PCA member you may be aware that one of your club benefits is access to PCA’s Driver Education (aka “DE” or “HPDE”) program (https://pca.org/driverseducation). These programs are managed at the regional level, and PCA sets very high standards for the program’s operation. These HPDE programs require significant club infrastructure such that in fact there are only about a dozen Regions in the country offering them. We are most fortunate to have the Pacific Northwest Region (PNWR) just to our North with a longstanding and very well-developed program.
Though as a smaller PCA Region the HDR lacks the resources to put the needed infrastructure in place, the good news is that we are most welcome to attend PNWR HPDE events. Every year they hold events at a selection of tracks, mostly in the Seattle area, but they typically hold an event or two in Oregon. Such is the case for this year with an event in July at Oregon Raceway Park (ORP), and another at Portland International Raceway (PIR) in September.
As a former member of the PNWR I’ve attended a number of them over the years. I have never once not thoroughly enjoyed the entire day (or days) and not been quite glad that I made the effort to attend. I’d especially encourage those of you who might be newer Porsche owners but have never attended one of these events discovering more about what your car is really capable of in a controlled and safe environment is unbelievably valuable to your ownership experience
Interested? The thought of attending your first DE event at a racetrack can be daunting though, so what can you expect at your first event? Everything about the event is well described in advance including prep items that you’ll be responsible for. Upon arriving at 7:00 AM you’ll go through “tech” and then be introduced to your instructor. The staff and instructors are very welcoming and supportive of complete newbies. You will be paired with a qualified club instructor for the day who will very patiently guide you through what you need to know about the event procedures, and driving your car on the track by starting very slowly and never exceeding your comfort zone.
You’ll be put in one of three “run groups” with similar pace drivers and will be registered for six or seven 20 minute sessions for the day depending on the track. Between your sessions you’ll attend a session debrief, have some water, check your tire pressures (if you’re being attentive), and get right back out for your next session. I promise, you will learn so much more about your car and your ability to use it that the experience will seem priceless in retrospect. My personal opinion is that every Porsche sports car owner should do one HPDE at some point with each Porsche they own.
As your current Driving Events Chair I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about these events, and provide some info about prepping your car etc. This year I’m planning on attending the Sunday July 12th session at ORP and also likely the Sunday September 27th session at PIR. Note that both of these are two day events, you have the option of attending either day or both.
For more general info: https://www.pnwr.org/DE
INFO HERE
If you’re considering the ORP event be advised that the Saturday session will run in reverse direction, Sunday the normal forward (preferred) direction. PIR is always the same direction.
-Randy randy.lervold@gmail.com 360-901-2150
HDR Cars and Coffee has found a new home, at Junction Roastery and Social Club. There is plenty of parking, coffee, and bakery goods.
This will be our new location for Cars and Coffee the third Sunday of each month.
D O W N S H I F T F E A T U R E D
The Classic Car Group has a special feel of Porsche heritage, these are the cars that made Porsche what it is today. Owners of air cooled Porsches are a special breed, they can work on their cars, eager to share their knowledge, and they drive cars that turn heads where ever they go.
Though these air cooled Porsches can not compete with modern launch control and big horsepower turbos, just try to keep up with this group on a drive. They zip along taking curves with ease.
This Classic Car Drive started at Eagle Crest Resort and ended at Black Butte Ranch. The drive was a mixture of forest lined roads, curves, spectacular scenery, and perfect weather. The stop at Camp Sherman Store was a welcome treat to socialize and smell the pine tress.
There are two main ways to participate in the Classic Car Drive. Own an air cooled Porsche or come to a drive and hitch a ride.
Would you like downshift to feature your Porsche? Please contact me. ralph@teleport.com
“It’s not just the cars…….it’s the people”
Paint protection film, window tinting, custom wraps, interior/exterior detailing, ceramic coatings, and so much more.
HDR Arrive and Drive
June 6th
Submitted Ralph Anzellotti
The Arrive and Drive on June 6 had mixed weather including snow, Porsche rated roads secondary mountain roads, and about 40 cool cars.
We started out from Bend Athletic Club and headed to Mt Bachelor for two brief stops and then back towards Bend to our final destination at Good Life Brewing.
Snow on way to Mt. Bachelor
photo by Audrey Moore
Porsche Seats
Article by Jeremey Williams
Please Take Your Seats
How often do you adjust the seat positioning in your late-model Porsche? Are you the type who’s always fiddling with the adjustments? Or do you just set it and forget it?
Are you aware of how many different “ways” your seats can be adjusted, and how these adjustments may further enhance your driving experience as well as comfort, especially on longer drives?
In the majority of most modern Porsches, there are 5 different seat styles, which vary in adjustability from 4-way adjustable to 18-way adjustable. For the sportscars, there are only 2 different sport seat frames, but each frame has 2 different adjustment capabilities to choose from;
1. Sport Seats (4-way) & Power Sport Seats (14-way). Think of these as "less bolstered."
2. Sport Seats Plus (4-way) & Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way). Think of these as "more bolstered."
The 14-way and 18-way are the more adjustable versions of the Sport and Sport Plus. For the SUVs, there’s an additional seat style, called Comfort (8-way).
2. Sport Seats Plus (4-way)
Let’s review all 5 styles here;
1.
Sport Seats (4-way)
The front seats offer power/electric adjustment of:
Seat angle; i.e, tilting the entire seat forward/rearward.
Seat height; i.e., moving the entire seat up/down.
Sliding the seat forward/rearward is a manual (non-power/electric) adjustment.
There are no seat memory functions with this seat, the steering column is manually adjustable, and the passenger mirror will not tilt down when the transmission is in reverse.
The front seats offer power/electric adjustment of:
Seat angle; i.e., tilting the entire seat forward/rearward. Seat height; ie moving the entire seat up/down. Sliding the seat forward/rearward is a manual (non-power/electric) adjustment.
There are no seat memory functions with this seat, the steering column is manually adjustable, and the passenger mirror will not tilt down when the transmission is in reverse.
Both the driver and passenger “Plus” seats have extended bolsters (ie wings) on the seat backrest for additional shoulder support.
3. Power Sport Seats (14-way)
The front seats offer power/electric adjustment of: Seat angle; ie tilting the entire seat forward/rearward. Seat height; ie moving the entire seat up/down.
Backrest side bolster; ie contract/expand bolsters at kidneys area. Fore-and -aft; ie sliding the seat forward/rearward. Backrest angle; ie tilting the backrest forward/rearward. Lumbar support; 4-way, ie lumbar support in/rearward & out/forward, up/down.
These seats allow power/electric adjustment of the steering column; tilt (up/down) and telescope (in/out).
The driver's seat features a memory function for the seating position, steering column and side mirrors, as well as individual settings for components such as lights, wipers, climate control, door lock setting, instrument cluster and PCM. These settings can be recalled using the additional memory buttons on the driver's door. The passenger mirror will tilt-down when the transmission is in reverse.
4. Adaptive Sport Seats Plus (18-way)
The front seats offer power/electric adjustment of: Seat angle; ie tilting the entire seat forward/rearward. Seat height; ie moving the entire seat up/down. Backrest side bolster; i.e., contract/expand bolsters at kidneys area. Fore-and-aft; ie sliding the seat forward/rearward. Backrest angle; ie tilting the backrest forward/rearward. Lumbar support; 4-way, ie lumbar support in/rearward & out/forward, up/down.
Thigh support; ie moving the seat bottom cushion more/less under your thighs/hamstrings. Seat cushion side bolster; ie contract/expand bolsters at outer thighs area. These seats allow power/electric adjustment of steering column; tilt (up/down) and telescope (in/out).
The driver's seat features a memory function for the seating position, steering column and side mirrors, as well as individual settings for components such as lights, wipers, climate control, door lock setting, on-board computer and PCM. These settings can be recalled using the additional memory buttons on the driver's door.
The passenger mirror will tilt-down when the transmission is in reverse. Both the driver and passenger “Plus” seats have extended bolsters (i.e., wings) on the seat backrest for additional shoulder support. By “Adaptive," Porsche means that the seats are highly configurable to each individual, due to the 18 possible adjustments.
5. Comfort Seats (8-way) (now in the Macan and Cayenne)
The front seats offer power/electric adjustment of: seat angle; i.e., tilting the entire seat forward/rearward. Seat height; ie moving the entire seat up/down. Fore-and-aft; ie sliding the seat forward/rearward. Backrest angle; ie tilting the backrest forward/rearward. The driver's seat features a memory function for the seating position, and the steering column is manually adjustable.
If you already have one of these five seat styles, I invite you to play further with the adjustment switches and see if you can find an even better position for your body. Then drive and test. Perhaps make further adjustments, drive and test again. Rinse and repeat. Keep in mind that what might feel uncomfortable at first may actually be more comfortable for your body in the long run. It may seem counterintuitive, but the firmer the seat, the better the seat will support your body, thus allowing your body to actually relax on long drives.
Contrast this with the seat being too overly comfy (i.e., soft), which will require your body to support itself, which over 6-12 hours of driving will usually lead to fatigue and body aches.
If you’re shopping for a new Porsche, you’ll want to sit in all of these seats at least a few times, making adjustments along the way, since we all have different body shapes and preferences. Note that the 18-way seats, with their additional thigh support adjustments, are often preferred for taller drivers and for sportier driving environments.
If you have any questions regarding this topic, please feel free to ask. No question is a silly question.
Jeremy Williams co-owns Matrix Integrated (European automotive workshop) with his brother Justin.
Eleven Porsches
Submitted by Ralph Anzellotti
Eric Peterson occasionally sets up a Porsche drive and June 12 was a warm sunny day with Porsche rated roads. We met at Sky Park and drove east towards Prineville Resovior, then spirited curvy roads back to start point.
IT’S NOT JUST THE PORSCHES IT’S ABOUT THE PUPPIES!
A monthly feature by
Audrey Moore, ajsdots@msn.com
4th of July Edition
Jordan, with Fred and Pat Neilson
Life with the Neilson’s is never boring. Besides all of those 356’s in the garage, there is something special upstairs. Jordan, a 90 lb. Boxer, (not a Boxster).
Especially when watching sports on TV, Jordan is always there. In the middle of everything, laying on a rug (mandatory) and waiting for a pet on the head or a dropped hot dog. At 9 years old, he has maintained the status of being named after celebrities. Yes, Jordan, is named after the MBA basketball player.
Besides the 356’s, the Neilsen’s do own a Macan GTS, whose function is just to take Jordan around town. He is the king of the dogs in that Macan. Of course, Jordan himself is designed just like a 356. “Slow and Juicy.”
Jordan:
"You ask what the 4th of July means to me. The first thing that comes to mind is the strong possibility of a hamburger smelling good on that shiny thing on the patio. I normally benefit from leftovers and hopefully get one patty made especially for me. That is a perfect 4th of July celebration.
A fond memory I have of 4th's past is when a friend of my parents asked ME to participate in the 4th of July Pet Parade. WHAT A PARTY with many of my kind!
However, there is a scary part of the 4th that comes at night when these loud bang-bang thundering noises start. I don't understand what they are and I hang close to my human parents, perhaps covered in a blanket to hide my shaking legs. Not that I am not a very brave and formidable presence, but you can never be too cautious, you know."
When asked if his human parents love him; “I know they do. We go on a walk everyday! But I won’t or can’t do tricks, but my human think I am perfect!”
SkidCar Training
Desch y g ement program taught with the aid of the SKIDCAR System. The SKIDCARframework attaches to the suspension of a vehicle to allow the front and rear tires to be lifted or lowered independently with a controller. The system allows drivers to experience the inclement driving conditions that cause a vehicle to lose traction in a safe and controlled learning environment. The course costs $100.00 and is available through Deschutes County Risk Management and sponsored by the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.
Training includes one hour of classroom instruction followed by three hours of hands-on driving in the vehicle. The instructor will cover various techniques, including proper eye placement, acceleration, braking, steering, weight and energy management, as well as proper tire decisions and maintenance. Participants will learn the proper use of anti-lock braking systems and understand the differences between rear wheel drive, front wheel drive and four wheel drive systems, as well as Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Traction Control in modern vehicles. Participants will also learn about skid prevention, control and recovery.
https://www.deschutes.org/administration/page/skidcar-training vp@highdesertpca.org Randy Lervold;
HDR-PCA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Mark Taylor, Membership membership@highdesertpca.org
Mike McCarthy
Bend, Oregon 97703
1987 911 Carrera Targa
Andrew Zook
Bend, Oregon 97701
2020 Macan S
Robert Helfer Bend, Oregon 97703
1973 914 2.0
PCA ANNIVERSARIES
Tenure Congratulations!
We are very grateful to these members for their membership tenure, not only with the High Desert Region but also with PCA, through the end of Jun 2026:
July 1 PCA Anniversaries:
Sonjia Smethers & Rian Gant: 30 years
Kevin & Carol Neary: 25 years
Joseph & Janet Amos: 17 years
Ralph & Joy Conradt: 17 years
Victor & Karen Grandidier: 14 years
Steve & John Anderson: 14 years
Paul & Lois Vallerga: 12 years
John Ralston & Leslie Shick: 12 years
Greg & Polly Snyder: 12 years
Howard & David Koff: 12 years
Michael Marchant: 10 years
Rob & Penny Byrd: 10 years
Linda Leffel & Angelina Lindsay: 10 years
Troy & Lisa Lindquist: 9 years
Bob & Linda Brookman: 9 years
Quentin Ransone: 9 years
Thomas Foerster: 9 years
Michael & Sheryl Chandler: 8 years
Scott Davis: 8 years
Mike & Kizzy Tessen: 8 years
Stu & Vicky Malakoff: 6 years
Zachary Meneyev: 5 years
Craig Bramscher: 5 years
Benoit & Susana Gateau-Cumin: 5 years
Bruce Dunlap: 5 years
Matthew Nahlik: 4 years
Ken Nava: 4 years
Cary & Suzanne Gressinger: 4 years
William & Eric Taylor: 3 years
Teresa Gail Hinton: 3 years
Ellen & Kayla Bartholomew: 3 years
Justin Groza: 3 years
Michael Murray: 3 years
Chris & Karla Thomson: 3 years
Julie Conde: 2 years
Harold Lawrence: 2 years
Frank Willingham: 2 years
Stefan & Chloe Coreth: 2 years
Christine & Bill Scofield: 2 years
Jaime Dispenza: 1 year
Kirk & Jennie Anderegg: 1 year
William Perez & Jane Van Dyke-Perez: 1 year
Patrick Getzen: 1 year
Denise Hakala: 1 year
Rob Matteson: 1 year
Did You Know?
Porsche will take your high-mileage 911, strip it down completely at the factory in Germany, rebuild every component from the ground up, and return it to you with zero kilometres on the odometer officially, fully documented, and factorycertified.
The programme is called Factory Re-Commission, part of Porsche’s Sonderwunsch (“special request”) division, which has been around since 1978. The car is fully disassembled at Porsche’s facilities, every technical component is restored to original factory specification, and the finished vehicle is officially recorded as being in zero-kilometre condition. At the same time, you can redesign the exterior colour, interior, and specification to match the car you always wish you had ordered.
Porsche hasn’t revealed the price, but if you have to ask, you already know the answer.
Porsche 911, minor rust, few paint scratches, drivers door slight mis-alignment,, tires have decent tread. AM radio works great.
Make offer.
Jay
downshift features FREE HIGHLY CLASSIFIED ads for our club members. Private ads for Porsche related items such as cars, tires, wheels, accessories, or parts. You can place a free ad with a photo and up to 40 words.
Ralph@teleport.com
Removable hardtop for 996 (’97-05 911). Can fit 997 (’05-13) once a few OEM parts are added—I can provide further info. Comes with rolling stand and soft support. Good condition. Black in color. Paint is shiny. One smaller ding in center of top. Located in Portland, OR. $1800. Jeremy Williams
Matrix Integrated Inc.
jeremy@matrixintegrated.cc
Bend 541-241-5348
For Sale 912 Coupe 1969 912 5 speed
$75,000. OBO
Bought in Sacramento, California where it resided until recent sale in 2022. Numbers match, solid original floors. 2- owner car. original interior. New sport seats. Original seats are included. New OEM Porsche dash pad. Tangerine color. One exterior repaint. All new brakes. All maintenance records. Fresh rebuilt SOLEX carbs.
Cary Gressinger Redmond, Oregon
503-780-5730
cgressinger@yahoo.com
$800 for 4 Michelin X-ICE Snow Tires 20" (For front narrow/rear wide staggered Porsche SUVs)
These Michelin X-ICE Snow SUV tires are basically brand new, with approximately 600 miles of winter driving on them. These tires cost about $1,700 for the set from Kendall. ($350 ea. for the fronts and $475 ea. for the rear tires) We just need to sell them to someone who can use them, and to get them out of our garage. They do not fit our new SUV. Tires were always stored in a warm space.
All 4 tires fit 20" rims:
2 tires are 265/45 R 20 for the front
2 tires are 295/40 R 20 for the rear
Tires are for Porsche Macan and Cayenne SUVs with wider tires on the back than the front, with Staggered 20" rim set-up (Also fits with SUV's by BMW, AMG, Lambo, and Mustang Mach-E)
1974 Porsche 914 2.0 project. Yellow, pretty complete, but basket price. Has title. Price, lets discuss. Depends on what is included
1974 Porsche 914 2.0 project. Phoenix Red (bright orange). Rolling chassis with typical rust. Could throw in 1.8 motor. Has title $1,500
1977 911 coupe tub. No suspension etc. Has title. $8,500. Trade for boxster or?
3 piece aftermarket 20” 911 Turbo wheels off 997. Chrome is chipping and they bend when you look at them. With tires. Good rollers and front tires are good. $100
Matt Carey
541 410 1932
PCAHistoryBook
Updated for 2026, the PorscheClubof America History Book is online now.Inside, you’ll find a comprehensive look at the club’s journey, detailed sections on keymilestones,ashowcase of events, and prominent National Awards, complete with descriptionsand past winners. Read the updated book here: https://ww2.pca.org/pca-history
Porsche Ponderings
JULY 2026