TIPEC All Torque 144

L AL E U Q R TO UARY 2021 N A /J 0 2 0 2 R ECEMBE ISSUE 144 D

SIMPLY PORSCHE 1,000 PORSCHES AT BEALIEU DESPITE PANDEMIC CONDITIONS

FIVE GO TO YORKSHIRE South Central Region take a long drive on some narrow roads.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST A close look at the similarities between the 356 and Beetle.

BODIWORK BY DEVEY Hilary from Dragon’s Den’s bodyshop in Sevenoaks.

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HARTECH ENGINES WIN THE PCGB CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING 996 3.4-3.7

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996 3.6-3.9

987 3.4-3.9 ENGINE CAPACITY CONVERSIONS

All Torque is published bi-monthly by TIPEC (The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club) Text & images are © their creators.

Front cover: Socially distanced Porsches at Beaulieu for TIPEC’s Simply Porsche 2020, photographed by Martin Broadribb.

All Torque is based entirely on submissions from TIPEC members. This is your magazine!

Submissions for issue 145 (February/March) must be in before Tuesday 5th January 2021.

ALL TORQUE 144 DEC 2020/JAN 2021 NEW CHAIRMAN’S CHAT All Torque has always been a big thing for me, I look forward to receiving and reading it and without your writing it wouldn’t happen so please, please keep your articles coming.

Editor & designer: Tony Blow tony@typescape.com The Studio, East Lochhead, Kilbirnie Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4DX Printed by: The Lavenham Press Ltd, Suffolk (01787 247 436) Advertising in All Torque is managed by: Chris Hulme chris@claytonhulme.com Website: www.tipec.net Twitter: @Porsche_TIPEC Search for us on Facebook TIPEC Chairman: Andy Harris (07812 146999) andy.harris@tipec.net Treasurer: Paul Bird (01922 428 409) paulpsb928@yahoo.co.uk Advertising & sponsorhip: Chris Hulme chris@claytonhulme.com Membership Director: Sue Simmons (07530 312 700) sue.simmons@tipec.net TIPEC Membership: Lavenham Group (01787 249 295) membership@tipec.lpl-uk.com TIPEC Valuations: valuations@tipec.net

All Torque & TIPEC are entirely independent of Dr. Ing. H.c.F. Porsche AG, Porsche Cars GB Ltd and its dealers. All registered Trade Marks owned by Dr. Ing. H.c.F. Porsche AG, including the word ‘Porsche’, the Porsche Crest and Porsche Script are acknowledged as such and are their property. Whilst all due care is taken in the production of All Torque; neither TIPEC, its officers or the editor can accept responsibility for the advice, information or opinions expressed herein. Opinions contained in any article published herein are of the author or editor and do not reflect the official position of TIPEC, its management or membership, unless clearly stated by a club official.

A BIG HELLO from your newly appointed Chairman – Sean’s shoes are going to be big ones to fill, especially as I only take a six and a half! Sean will definitely be missed. During his 15 or so years as Chairman the Club, your Club, has gone from strength to strength and a big thank you is definitely due. Hopefully I won’t be troubling him too much for advice over the coming months!

I am pleased to say that we will be coming into 2021 in a strong position with good member ship number s and healthy looking accounts. I am sure the Committee, Sub-Committee, Regional Organisers, Assistant Regional Organisers and you, the members will continue with your most valued support as we move your Club forward.

The AGM eventually took place on Sunday 1st November, in a virtual format, after a couple of cancelled attempts for April and October due to the Pandemic. I am hoping that an actual meeting will be able to be held at a similar time next year.

Facebook is the way forward and has been especially popular throughout our lockdown months with many regions posting photos and a few lines about meetings and trips out. Facebook has definitely helped with communications throughout the regions too, it would be great to keep it going.

As I am sure you are aware, our website needs a little attention, modernising, simplifying and just generally updating.

We are currently looking into a redesign, retaining the forum and regional pages.

As this is one of the key points for any new member looking to join a Club, we need to have it looking clean and modern.

It is very difficult to forecast how 2021 will be, taking into account the difficulties with shows and events of the past year.

Simply Porsche was a bonus as I was doubtful that it would still be able to go ahead, tenterhooks throughout that week for sure! The day came and went without a hitch, the sun came out and both fields were full of Porsches with many positive comments about the day.

I am already in discussions with Beaulieu regarding Simply Porsche for 2021 with Sunday 6th June being the provosional date subjec t to any restric tions or lockdowns – watch this space.

Since owning my 996, for just over seven years now, I have added 30,000 miles to the clock including a number of European road trips with some friends from our Hampshire and Surrey & Sussex regions. Our planned trip to Italy this year unfortunately did not come off however, it is still on the cards for another year. I am looking forward to adding to these miles with a good number of drives out with the Thames Valley region. We do like a Sunday morning breakfast run and I look forward to meeting some of you at either one of our inter-region meetings or at one or two of the shows we put on throughout the year.

Keep well, keep safe.

Andy

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CLUB SHOP ONLINE

MEMBERSHIP CONTACTS

ALL TORQUE SUBMISSIONS

CLUB WEBSITE WWW.TIPEC.NET

OUR OFFICIAL club regalia shop is run by Ewood Print Bar. Our dedicated club store web page is w w w.yourclubmerch.co.uk / product-category/clubs/tipec

THE CLUB HAS a professional membership management agent.

SUBMISSIONS FOR THE magazine are always very welcome – All Torque is your magazine and we rely on your articles, reports and photographs to keep it full of varied, interesting, Porscherelated stuff.

YOU CAN USE the club website to register or renew your TIPEC membership, advertise cars and parts for free, view old issues of All Torque, and keep up with local or national events.

They offer all the usual regalia produc ts, including T-shir ts, hoodies, jackets and polo shirts.

These will be offered with your region and your choice of 911, front-engined, or Boxster logo.

If there is anything that you would like that you cannot see on the club page, please give them a call.

The contact details for any TIPEC membership renewals, changes of address, queries, etc. are detailed below.

Please make sure you mention that you are contacting them about TIPEC, as they deal with multiple car clubs:

Email tony@typescape.com 01787 249 295 membership@tipec.lpl-uk.com TIPEC Membership Arbons House, 47 Water Street, Lavenham CO10 9RN www.tipec.net Go to the membership renewals tab. Password: tipecmember

928 CHARITY CALENDAR Mike Parris from the Kent & South East London Region has been putting together 928-themed calendars since 2013, raising money for different charities each year.

Profits from Mike’s 2021 calendar will be donated to a UK homeless aid charity. The calendar is available in two sizes, for wall hanging or desk use, both featuring 12 great 928 images sourced from around the world.

Printed on high uality glossy paper, the wall calendar (21x28cm) is priced at £13.60. The desk calendar (10x21cm) is £10.60. Both include P&P. For payment details and any other enquiries email Mike on 928calendar@outlook.com (The calendar is not associated with TIPEC.) AT 144

Anyone can contribute – we only ask that it is all your own work (both writing and photography).

Sometimes there simply isn’t room for everything, so please bear with us if your piece hasn’t been printed in this issue – we’ll hold some over for the quieter months when less events are on.

We really do appreciate the effort made by our club members and contributors, and value ever y individual submission.

At the top-left of the homepage, you will find a link to TIPEC’s online discussion forum. This is the place to trade banter with fellow club members on a day-to-day basis, ask questions and share knowledge with your fellow club members, up and down the UK (and worldwide!)

OBITUARY: ZEF EISENBERG

MIDLANDS-ISH MEETING

AUTHOR MARTIN BROADRIBB PHOTOGRAPHY MADMAX AUTOSPORT

AUTHOR RICHARD SIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD SIMMONS

IT IS WITH great sadness that we report the death of Ze’ev ‘Zef ’ Eisenberg, 47, whose record-breaking exploits in his 911 Turbo S we have reported on two occasions. In fact, the last of these was published just as he lost his life in the car on October 1st while taking part in yet another record attempt at Elvington, the ex-military airfield in Yorkshire popular for straight line speed events.

ON SUNDAY 4TH October we had our third Midlands-ish meeting at Weston Park. Originally celebrating Porsche Enthusiast Dunc’s life, five regions where able to meet this year despite Covid-19 and bad weather conditions that threatened to ruin the event.

The weather held out and 22 cars came from all over the Midlands and North West. 24 of us where able to enjoy a good bacon bap in the restaurant. The rest enjoyed the great cars that where shown. Lots of 911s and Boxster, and a good number of transaxle cars.

We will have a regional breakfast at Weston Park in the Spring – everyone welcome. Dates on this TBC.

A multiple land speed record holder, Eisenberg studied design and technology after leaving school at 15 and through qualification and selfeducation became proficient in various engineering disciplines. These stood him in good stead when it came to modifying and creating vehicles for his record attempts, but from an early age he also had a strong interest in nutrition and health, something which grew from his involvement in bodybuilding. This led to his founding the sports nutrition brand Maximuscle, which he was able to sell for £162m 16 years after founding it for £3,000!

While still managing other business interests through his Maxicorp company, over the last nine years his Madmax Race Team has scored many notable speed records using two and four wheeled vehicles which often boasted outrageous power outputs and maximum speeds, such as his 580bhp turbine motorcycle. It was on such a machine that he had a crash at over 230mph in 2017, but he was back on board it a year later, enthusiasm and speed undiminished.

Latterly fronting the ITV4 Speed Freaks series -and who better?- he will be remembered for his success in many fields and for his charitable work on his adopted home of Guernsey, but perhaps we should particularly honour his Porsche efforts. Speed records have never featured prominently in Porsche motorsport, but Eisenberg’s awards for his achievements in his 1,200bhp but road-going 911 have assured him a special place in Porsche history.

BOXSTER BUG DUCKTAIL UPDATE You may remember Alan Aspden’s bright orange track-focused Beetle from the June/ July issue of All Torque.

It’s custom-built chassis, Boxster underpinnings and Subaru engine make it quite a handful, and Alan has put a lot of hard work into disguising all of that beneath a recognisable Beetle bodyshell, albeit a very boldly coloured one.

Alan’s article mentioned that he still planned to fit a ’70s style ducktail spoiler and incorporate a third brake light. Well, he’s now done it and sent us a photo. Doesn’t it look great?

ADDRESS CHANGE NOT MANY PEOPLE send in submissions for All Torque magazine physically any more, but for those who do, please note that the address has changed.

In the rare circumstance that you need to pop something in the mail, from December 11th onwards please send to: Tony Blow The Studio, East Lochhead Kilbirnie Road Lochwinnoch PA12 4DX

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Re:Fuel is held at The Mansell Raceway, Dunkerswell airfield, near Honiton, North Devon, on top of the Quantock hills. The meets are temporarily restricted to 350 cars on a morning or afternoon session and tickets must be pre-booked through their website: www.re-fuel.co.uk

RE:FUEL

Derek Flanagan reports on a new Southwest ‘cars & coffee’ venue.

AUTHOR DEREK FLANAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY DEREK FLANAGAN RE:FUEL IS THE Southwest’s newest and biggest ‘cars & coffee’ venue – a home for anything with wheels to come and chill out at the weekends. They’re currently open to the public on the third Sunday of every month – and it doesn’t matter what you drive, everyone is welcome.

It’s not a ‘car show’, so you can bring absolutely anything you like from daily family wagon to an Ariel Atom – as long as you’re an enthusiast, you’re welcome. The range of cars on display is extremely varied, with vintage, classics, sports cars, rally cars, hot hatches, saloons, and even hypercars. The August meeting had at least eight McLarens, an LFA, a Koenigsegg (first I’ve ever seen in the flesh) and the newly released

Aston Martin SUV (I didn’t even know they had released one!) In September one of James Hunt’s Grand Prix cars and a Porsche Taycan were on display.

Admission is £5 per vehicle (not per person).

To comply with Covid-19 ‘track & trace’ they are temporarily asking that people pre-book.

The atmosphere is relaxed, with quality coffee and great food – the gourmet burgers are fantastic and their crêpes are very tempting.

Unlike some of these monthly meeting places, the venue is totally tarmaced, so we don’t have to park in potentially bumpy, muddy or dusty fields and get our pride and joy dirty.

Although Re:Fuel are currently only open once a month, the enthusiasm and feedback from their open days so far has been fantastic. The resounding message from the community has been that the Southwest has needed a venue like Re:Fuel for a long time. So they’re continuing with their aim to gradually build up to being open both Saturday and Sunday, every weekend – and to purchase (or build their own) premises as a permanent home.

Re:Fuel have their own merchandise shop, s e llin g T-s hir t s, hood ies, be a nie h at s, stickers, keyrings etc. They also have their own environmentally friendly range of car care products, and uniquely they offer refills at low prices.

AUTHOR SALLY HERSANT PHOTOGRAPHY SALLY HERSANT FOLLOWING A VOTE from the members (TIPEC is ever inclusive!) the Cotswolds came out on top as a route for possibly the last drive out of the year. Porsche fanatic YouTuber ‘Mak911’ and videographer Manuel would also be joining us, taking action footage from Mak’s beautiful black 996 C4S Cabriolet and Manuel’s equally gorgeous Cayman.

Not even getting up early on a Sunday morning on one of the wettest weekends since March could dampen our spirits as we met up in different cafés and McDonald’s stops (no more than six people at each) along the start of yet another great route, mapped out by James Tayler and the TIPEC South Central organisers.

Our guardian in his Guards Red 991 C2S and a Sapphire Blue GT3 leading the group were in good vocal form – we could hear their goosebump-generating full throttle as they approached our pick up points, allowing us to get ready to pull out into position behind them.

From the start in Towcester, Northamptonshire, we went north on the A5 to Weeden Bec before snaking our way through Northamptonshire and Warwickshire villages. A straight run south on Fosse Way led us onto a meandering route through Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire countryside and into the Cotswolds proper, with occasional large pools of standing water and wet, leafy road surfaces drawing on an additional level of driving skill for some.

Initial disappointment at the cancellation of October’s Bicester Heritage Scramble was short-lived for the TIPEC South Central posse as the organisers quickly put their heads together for an alternative.

CLEARLY COTSWOLDS We made an interim stop at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farmshop in Chipping Norton. We received a mixed reception: a friendly welcome in the shop and a Clarkson-style taunt on their Instagram page: “Pleased to welcome the VW Beetle owners club to Diddly Squat today”!

The Instagram post appears to have kept at least a 100 or so people occupied online that grey rainy Sunday afternoon, with their quips and digs at our pride and joys!

Stocking up with organic juices and highly recommended Clarkson Scotch Eggs, we continued our journey through Oxfordshire and the picturesque town of Burford with its mix of Tudor and Georgian fronted shops and houses. Into Gloucestershire next, to the beautiful village of Bibury and across to the A429. Keeping together as we skirted Bourton on the Water and taking a leisurely roll through

Stow on the Wold, we arrived in convoy at the Cotswolds Distillery Centre & Café, just outside Stourton, in time for lunch.

Remaining in ‘rule of six’ groups we caught up with fellow drivers to compare and contrast our cars and their performance from the morning’s run out. Reassuring social distancing measures and Covid track and trace procedures at the Distillery allowed us all to enjoy excellent refreshments in their café, and take a mooch around the shop with their home-crafted selection of spirits and liqueurs. (www.cotswoldsdistillery.com) Once fed and watered, it was time for the return run. This was more of an ‘as the crow flies’ route with drivers peeling off as they reached their home tur f. It still included some interesting twists and turns and, by all accounts, a memorable manoeuvre or two from the more experienced drivers amongst us … you know who you are!

Thank you to TIPEC South Central for yet another great drive out, and for the routes that have been organised this year – all within the social distancing rules prevailing at the time. We’ll be keeping an eye on the Facebook page and WhatsApp group for details of the next one.

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EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

THANKS SEAN Thoughts on our outgoing Chairman.

AUTHOR PAUL BIRD

AUTHOR MARTIN BROADRIBB PHOTOGRAPHY PORSCHE AG I WAS LOADING some shopping into the car the other day when I heard some extremely loud music. Looking up and expecting to see the usual attention-seeking youngster – who always fail to realise that people are looking at them for an entirely different reason than they assume! – I was surprised to see a new red Boxster with the hood down, music system blaring. Dismissing the scene with a mental ‘oh dear’ I was later prompted by something else to consider how Porsches today can appeal to a different type of person to their traditional buyer and how the company actively encourages this.

That prompting came from a press release about the (deep breath) 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition. This is a product of the Exclusive Manufaktur department that replaced the Special Wish division of the company in 1986 and is a version of the 992 Targa that is said to draw on classic Porsche design elements.

This it does in various ways – some more successfully than others – but the application of a large number 50 on each door instantly relegates it to ‘boy racer’ level and frankly trivialises what the company is setting out to achieve. There is nothing sadder than a road car pretending to be a racing car and competition numbers (pseudo or otherwise) on the road have always been specifically discouraged by the MSA due to the impression that they gave of irresponsible behaviour, such as racing on the public highway. The Jaguar F-type Project 7 made the same stylistic mistake some years ago, not only drawing tenuous parallels with the legendar y D-type racer but applying number roundels to the doors.

Aside from the fact that Porsche have no intention of using the car for racing – and it is very unlikely that any of its buyers will do so either– a company with the successful competition history of Porsche really does not need to deck out a road car in this embarrassing way, although people buying Porsches to make a ‘look at me’ statement is nothing new.

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Perhaps its first manifestation was back in the 1980s, when a red 911 and a mobile phone so big that it made its user look like the incredible shrinking man became ostentatious signs of success. At that time Porsches had always been sold on the basis that they looked good and drove even better and as they have evolved up to the present they have generally avoided the chest-beating excesses that characterise some other marques.

H owe ve r, w i th Po r s c h e n o l o n g e r a n independent company I guess that we should expect all sorts of attempts to capitalise on its name by people who lack a true understanding of the meaning of its heritage. You cannot buy your history and so if you possess one to be envied it needs careful handling and it is certainly unwise to squander it. As pointed out in the piece on the latter-day 935 in All Torque 137, there is no need to recycle your past if you have a future and while it can be productive to acknowledge it, thoughtful use is required to avoid looking as though you are running out of ideas. For instance, the heavy referencing of the 718 racing cars – not to mention using the same model number – when the four cylinder Boxster was released smacked of excusemaking about the lack of its traditional engine as much as promoting its merits.

As I write this a London borough is installing sound-triggered cameras specifically to capture ‘supercars’ being driven unnecessarily noisily, some emitting up to 126db (74db is the type approval limit). It would be better if Porsche left the ‘loud in looks and sound’ market to Ferrari, Lamborghini and others following this path and stuck to making impressive road c ars and racing c ars – particularly those that actually win races – as they traditionally did.

At least the coming of electric vehicles will ultimately banish offensively loud exhausts from the roads, but what other options will be employed to grab the attention of the easily impressed? Perhaps the 911 with LEDs illuminating its underside like an 18 year old’s Corsa may be just around the corner!

I WRITE THIS after the Club’s AGM, conducted via Zoom, at which Sean Smallman stood down to be replaced

by Andy Harris. I offer my best wishes to Andy in his new role, and wish him every success.

Turning to Sean, I think it only right to mark the end of this era for the club with a few personal comments. I first got involved with the club around 2005/6 as a regional organiser, and once my accountanc y background became known, I was asked to look at the finances. I think it’s fair to say the club’s finances were in a very sorry state.

Income levels were low and the club had a paid secretary it could not afford. The club was nearly bankrupt and needed a fresh start.

Sean took on the role of Chairman and gave the club a shake up that secured it’s survival. He has run the club since then (with a couple of years’ break) and during his time in the role the club has been transformed into a professional and financially viable entit y. The club magazine, online presence and its national standing are all vastly improved and we now offer a tremendous membership package to the Porsche owner/enthusiast.

This has happened as a result of hard work and effort from many ROs and Committee members over the years, but all driven by Sean in the Chairman’s role.

We would not be where we are today as a club without the immense effort he has put into the role for over a decade and the new Chairman has inherited a strong, well run club as a result.

Thanks for everything pal – it’s been a pleasure working with you.

Paul Bird Finance Director, TIPEC

A LOOK BACK Derek Flanagan reviews our club’s history and Sean’s influence.

AUTHOR DEREK FLANAGAN AS A FOUNDER member (and longest serving member of the club) I am one of only a few who can say they have known and supported all of our Chairmen over the past 27 years.

However, Our club very nearly didn’t even last two years. After its first year as the 924–944 Club our founder Gary Downs was planning to merge the club with PCGB. However, Barry Hart decided to oppose this and in 1995 became Chairman and formed a committee. The club rapidly grew; 356, 968, 928 and even 911 owners wanted to become members, which initiated several changes to the club name and logo, but that’s another story.

My memory is not as good as it used to be, so I had to rely on my complete collection of club magazines to retrieve detailed data and establish a list of all the past Chairmen of the club, as shown.

Sean Smallman has been the only member to be Chairman twice with over 11 years ser vice in the role – over double that of any other Chairman – an amazing record that will probably never be equalled. With Sean standing down at the 1st November (virtual) AGM, it is important to recognise his contribution and achievements, making many significant changes and managing the ever increasing expenses of the club and magazine.

Sean’s financial and management expertise and dedication enabled the club to raise its status and profile in the Porsche community.

Before Sean became Chairman, membership management had being handled internally by voluntary or part time secretaries (initially Jackie Butterfield, followed by Llyn Reddall, Karen Sewter, Dean Watling, Alan Wells (known as Sharky), Trig Ellis (whose 924 Carrera GT I envied!) and Dave Doherty. Sean recognised that if the club was to grow it needed to streamline the administrative activities and thus outsourced membership to a specialist club membership management company.

The Club’s major event of the year is it’s ‘National Porsche Day’ gathering. It was initiated in 2001 by our past Chairman Steve Taylor, who was always full of ideas (some of them off of the wall). This brilliant idea quickly took off and Steve twisted Paul Chare’s arm to become the club’s ‘National Event Organiser’.

It was held at Walton Hall from 2001 to 2006, when Walton Hall was sold.

The club volunteers organised ever ything in those days: ticket sales, catering, toilets, childrens’ entertainment, trade stands, craft village, concours, entertainment, PA system and a car clinic. The event even managed to attract Derek Bell with his 1984 924 Carrera GTS. In 2007 we moved to Thoresby Park, Notts for one year – when the UK had one of its wettest summers and we ended up with ‘Porsches in the mud’.

Advertising, marketing and sponsorship was also an aspect of the club that Sean focused on during his reign and he used these skills

in moving and changing many aspects of our ‘National Porsche Day’ to reduce the ever increasing burden on the club.

From 2008–2014 we held our national event at ‘The National Heritage Centre’ at Gaydon which was the first time that we had the benefit of a venue with better facilities – further reducing the burden on the club and volunteers. It provided a tarmac surface instead of using grass (or muddy) fields, proper catering facilities, and access to the motor museum.

In 2015 Sean initiated the move to Beaulieu Heritage centre, again reducing the burden on the club, as Beaulieu took over the ticket sales and gave our event a presence on their website and wider programme of events. This has became the largest Porsche event in the UK with over 1,500 Porsches.

In addition to his role as Chairman Sean also provided a valuation service for members wanting agreed value insurance policies etc.

Sean, it’s sad to lose you as chairman; we all appreciate your invaluable contribution and I’m sure everyone has their own memories of your achievements and friendship. I’m sure your passion for the Porsche marque and our club will continue, as you take on the role of Kent & South East London Regional Organiser.

Many thanks for the ride Sean – it’s been a Grand Tour.

Welcome to Sean’s successor, Andy Harris from the Thames valley region.

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FIVE GO TO YORKSHIRE

Breathtaking mountain passes, a near miss, and ‘special’ fuel stops on South Central Region’s drive around Yorkshire and Cumbria.

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Above: Our five intrepid Porsches at the top of Hardknott Pass in the Lake District.

Right: Convoying from the Yorkshire Dales across to Cockermouth for the overnight stop.

Far right: James Tayler’s 996 C4S manual descending the Hardknott Pass in rather inclement weather.

AUTHOR GARY HOWARD PHOTOGRAPHY BEN WOOD, CRAIG APTED, GARY HOWARD, JAMES TAYLER & STEWART THUMWOOD AS THE YEAR draws to a close, and the impact of Covid-19 continues to affect us both individually and for the club’s activities, the South Central organising team are looking over the horizon to 2021 with the positive view that there will be some return to relative normalcy.

We are often heard mulling over topics like ‘Where shall we go? When shall we go? How far is reasonable? Is there fish and chips? And should we stop at attractions as well as petrol stations?’

With that, a combination of breakfast meets and endless WhatsApp chats, we concluded that a Yorkshire trip and a Cumbria trip should be on the agenda. Having seen photos of Ribblehead Viaduct, Buttertubs Pass and the Hardknott Pass we focused on those for a plan … and ended up doing them all!

Fast forward to Friday 23rd October and ‘Hash Brown Ben’, ‘Craig the Giant’, ‘Gary the Gin’, ‘James the Sausage’ and ‘Three Hours Stewart’ were setting off from the picturesque and dry setting of J15a of the M1. We headed to our first stop, The Anchor Inn at Skipton. A relatively uneventful drive ensued, other than learning that one of our group may need glasses and a hearing aid.

We arrived safe and well, and with two hours before closing, set about the beers we needed in order to relax. Beers and gins consumed, we all headed off the relative luxury of our Lenny Henry boudoirs after laughing out loud at #cauliflowergate and having watched the intense concentration of our resident ‘Routemeister’ tapping away at his screen, we knew that we were in for a route of epic proportions.

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Saturday … here we go. Literally minutes of planning were now upon us. We woke to a slightly moist Yorkshire morning, excited at the prospect of our planned drive. A couple of photos, and a sweaty palm moment when it was noticed a front number plate had fallen off.

This happened to coincide with a local traffic cop stopping to use the facilities at the pub.

Drama averted, and we were off. First stop was Ribblehead Viaduct for the compulsory photo and the first real acknowledgement from the crowds huddled around the fast food van that the 996 Turbo has as much exhaust growl as a Taycan.

Undeterred, and dodging the hand gesturing youth out orienteering across Yorkshire, we set off for a long jaunt to Cockermouth in Cumbria.

The route would take us up the Yorkshire Dales and through the North Pennines, taking in the spectacular views, and drops, from the Buttertubs Pass. An epic route and a spirited drive, albeit a little wet. Quick bits, bends, switchbacks, this route had it all, and was punctuated by fuel! Now for those of you less familiar with a couple of our band of brothers, this is a whole debate and subject that on its own could take a weekend. Needless to say, a ‘slight’ detour for the ‘correct’ fuel and off we head. I say off we head, we were going in the wrong direction. So around we turned, where we had our first near miss of the weekend. Now, I think it is because of the Dyson exhaust not being heard, or the sun was in his eyes, maybe even a greyhound in a high-viz turtleneck, but whatever it was, our intrepid 996 Turbo decided to take on a Massey Ferguson in what can only be described as a reducing gap. Luckily, despite a hands off, feet off, eyes closed approach to the problem, he survived. Maybe it was the Shark Skin Technology on the tyres that saved an imminent disaster, but thankfully, all is good.

A quick lunch break at The Inn at Brough. Ham egg and chips, scampi and chips and a ‘manly’ ham salad roll, and we were suitably refreshed and on our way again. Now en route to Cockermouth via the B6276, which turned out to be yet another epic drive. I have to say, all of us enjoyed that leg, however ‘Big Red’, the TIPEC SC equivalent of a Merc F1 car, was somewhat hindered by the ‘safety’ cars around him and let’s say this was a good thing.

Having taken the opportunity for a drive by video, ably filmed by Ben, three of us found that a hidden corner came up unexpectedly and the term ‘run off area’ was used, not once but three times. What a road though, and this particular spot provided another stunning photo at Hartside.

We pulled into Lenny Henry’s other country home in Cockermouth at around 16:00. We had made good time, and done so safely. We had more beer, food and banter time before the 22:00 lockdown. Did we use the time wisely to plan the route for the next day, understand the impending weather conditions, plan our fuel stops, and reflect on the journey so far?

I’ll let the readers be the judge but when the bar ran out of firstly gin and secondly tonic, you can probably guess. It was clear however, that the lager drinking ‘man’ of the group was not one for making decisions, and the rest of team set to the plan.

We had all fallen headfirst into the banter bag, and the night was a real pleasure of bonding, learning, mildly abusing, giving and taking and was a clear illustration of what TIPEC is all about. Porsches, cameraderie and common interest (in seeing if Craig made it for breakfast). Fear not however, the Sunday plan was concluded and we had a fantastic route around the Lake District and back to Kendal. Here we planned to refresh, find (another) petrol station, eat and then head home via the Yorkshire Dales and the A1.

For all of us, it was our first experience of the renowned Hardknott Pass (please take time to view some of the videos on You Tube). I have to say, this is up there as one of the most scenic routes I have driven, and it is in our own beautiful country. I have driven passes in Switzerland and Italy as have other members of our party, but this was different. Very different. Rugged, unspoilt, pot holes, fleeing sheep, standing sheep, Yeti’s (the Skoda type) views to die for and equal to anything I have seen.

This pass has a challenging ascent and an equally challenging descent, but we got through it, we took some great pictures and as I stood on the top of the pass looking down at the rest of the group with some walkers, we reflected on – and they loved – the fact that Porsches were able to navigate such a route with ease.

And that was what this was about as much as anything, could our near 20-year old Porsches handle the route, the pace, and the conditions? In summary, and in true Top Gear style, here’s the consumer advice bit.

If you want a car that can put in a shift in all conditions and weathers, handle extreme and variable roads, can put in the pace, carry the luggage, deliver 15 MPG when pushing, or 35 MPG when not, is value for money and smiles per miles, can accommodate all shapes and sizes … then Porsches are the cars for you. They were without fault.

Get out and drive your Porsche and do it with TIPEC. We will be doing this again with our region next year for sure.

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SIMPLY PORSCHE

A global pandemic isn’t enough to stop Porsche enthusiasts from gathering at Beaulieu.

Although it did make things a little trickier to plan.

15

AUTHOR ANDY HARRIS PHOTOGRAPHY MARTIN BROADRIBB, SUE SIMMONS & VINCE DALLIMORE WILL IT OR won’t it? That was the question everyone was asking leading up to Simply Porsche this year. Especially us, the organisers.

I am delighted to be writing this, soon after the event, with the great news that it did go ahead as planned – albeit not quite in the same format as previous years.

I am sure those of you who attended will agree that under the circumstances the event was very successful. Restricted to 1,000 tickets, all sold and both allotted fields were full of all things Porsche – from very early 356s, which I must say were absolutely stunning, to the latest fully electric Porsche Taycans. We were also blessed with sunny weather and really couldn’t ask for anything more.

The marshalling at Beaulieu was well organised this year, people were getting into the grounds and being parked up relatively quickly with plenty of space being left between the cars. Just as well, I didn’t want my 996 to catch the big C-19!

The day began early with some of you arriving before 9am, parking up and enjoying a cheeky breakfast from Beaulieu’s appointed outside caterers. The only way to start your day! Our Club gazebo was up and running with plenty

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of magazines and freebies to help yourself to – unmanned this year unfortunately, though I did manage to speak to a number of you and am pleased to say that a good number of new members are joining our Club. For those new members who attended Simply Porsche, we hope you had a very enjoyable day and your Regional Organisers will look forward to seeing you once the Government restrictions have lifted. Keep an eye out for their emails until then.

Most of the regions have a Facebook page too, if you use Facebook and have not joined, it is well worth doing.

Our Thames Valley Region met up at Sutton Scotney services in readiness for a prompt 8:30am departure, with eleven cars in convoy enjoying a ‘safe but spirited’ hour or so run to Beaulieu. A big thank you to Graham Driver for putting this little road trip together, it made a great start to a fabulous day. I believe a couple of the other regions also put on an organised drive to Beaulieu for their members, possibly the last drive out for a while!

Simply Porsche is a great day out for all the family and am pleased to say that the Motor Museum remained open along with the house and gardens, which overlook the picturesque Beaulieu River millpond. The house was considerately redesigned and extended during the 1800s and is a stunning example of a Victorian country house. Beaulieu is one of the ‘Treasure

Houses’ of England, a collection of ten stately homes, palaces and castles which are open to the public. Inside it is bustling with character, portraits and treasures. The Cistercian Abbey ruins are spectacular, dating back to King John.

The Abbey has been beautifully conserved, walking through and around the ruins you get a feeling for what monastic life was like.

It is a little early to be planning for next year’s Simply Porsche, but the first Sunday in June is the likely date – subject to Coronavirus and Government restrictions of course!

I would like to say a big thank you to Beaulieu for allowing the event to go ahead, you kept us all safe and well. Thank you to Sean for bringing the gazebo, magazines and freebies and for also helping put this event together. It has been a bit uphill at times but we managed to keep the show on the road!

We owe an apology to the traders who were all looking forward to joining us. Unfortunately Beaulieu’s guidance stated that it would be safer to not have trade stands and specific club parking areas this year.

The club’s annual event was a little different this year … but then, isn’t everything?

On a positive note, I felt that all the cars being ‘mixed up’ worked really well and we look forward to welcoming you, our members and our trade stands back in 2021. Until then, keep well and keep safe.

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COMPARE AND CONTRAST AUTHOR ALAN ASPDEN PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN ASPDEN

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The Aspden’s have only had a 356 Cabriolet for two years so far, but they’ve had a 1303 Beetle Cabrio’ for 35 years. Both sort of developments from the early Beetle, Alan can’t help comparing them. The results might surprise you.

AS MOST PORSCHE enthusiasts know, the original Beetle was designed by Ferdinand Porsche just before the war. The car featured a fairly radical design in the days when most cars had girders for chassis members.

There was a very light beam holding the front suspension which contained torsion bars with trailing arms at the ends. Steering was by a conventional steering box. This worked very well for a car with 25 bhp and was later used in single seater racing cars.

The only real issue was a lot of bump steer on the driver’s side due to the very short track rod. At the rear, the flat-four air cooled engine was hung out behind a gearbox onto which it was fixed with four bolts and no other engine mounts. The gearbox also contained the differential with the rear hubs mounted directly onto the end of the driveshafts. This caused massive camber changes as the suspension travelled up and down, resulting in the possibility of rear a wheel tucking in under lift off on a corner. Consequently, the tyres had to be very tall and narrow. Not the best solution, but again acceptable with only 25 bhp. The brakes were cable operated drums, due to an unwillingness to pay royalties to Girling, a British company, for the right to use hydraulic brakes. Or so the story goes.

My Beetle Cabrio’ and the Porsche may not look very much alike, but they are parallel developments of this original Beetle.

The original Porsche 356 made extensive use of Beetle parts at the time.

These reduced as the cars were developed, but all of the above points used to describe the early Beetle are still present on the Porsche. Despite that, the developments seem to add up to a competent package. For example, the front suspension is now integral to the bodywork rather than a bolt on beam. Being a lower car most of the suspension issues are less noticeable and the essential ‘Porscheness’ is somehow dialled in despite all the limitations.

Power of course is significantly increased, to 75 bhp in the standard model or 90 in the ‘Super 90’. The brakes on my 1963 C variant of the 356 are discs all round, but on older models, drum brakes were used with finned aluminium covers to tr y and dissipate the heat.

All without the benefit of servo brake assistance.

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The 1303 model of the VW Beetle was a significant development of the original, not just a new windscreen. The front suspension features McPherson struts, with rack and pinion steering fitted from 1975. The rear suspension uses an A-arm, a design later used in the Porsche 924 – and no one says they handle badly. This of course pretty much eliminates the camber changes so problematic on earlier cars. Despite the engine being the same size as the 356 at 1,600cc, the power output is a pretty poor 50bhp. The brakes on the front are discs of the same size as the 356, in fact they are larger than those on the thencurrent 3.0 Granada. Despite having drums on the back, the brakes are surprisingly effective for the time. Beetles with engines of less than 1,500cc retained drum brakes all round though, which were woeful. Possibly the source of the reputation these cars had for poor brakes. Once again all without any assistance, so a really heavy push is needed to stop quickly.

Right from the start all Beetle Cabrio’s were built by Karmann, who also of course built some bodies for Porsche. The hood mechanisms and threelayer covers are very similar and I wouldn’t be surprised if Karmann had a hand in the development of the 356 hood. Rear windows on Beetle Cabrio’s have always been glass, much better than the plastic used on the 356 which has to be zipped open to lower the roof. The seal arrangement at the front is much better on the 1303 – a later design with a channel to carry water away. It’s the same as that used on the VW Golf Cabrio’, while the 356 is more similar to earlier Beetles. There are also some rather poor over centre catches holding the 356 top down.

I have done DIY maintenance of the Beetle for many years and now do some on the Porsche too. What keeps catching me out though, is that it looks so similar to the VW that you expect it to come apart the same way. Subtle differences keep cropping up, which is very annoying when you get it wrong.

So, what are they both like to drive? Obviously the 356 is faster with nearly double the bhp per ton. Being lower down also benefits the handling but the gap is much less than you might expect. My Beetle has slightly larger, lower profile tyres, which work well due to the superior suspension which has been stiffened up somewhat. After a fettle by Chris at Centre Gravity I am confident that it now handles better than the 356 and with a much better ride. If comparing two standard cars no doubt the Beetle would be too soft, would roll too much, and suffer from early understeer. Again, after a little improving by me, the Beetle brakes are better than the 356.

As is the refinement level generally, due to more soundproofing and the better fitting hood. The gearbox on the Beetle is significantly better to use than the 356 ’box which can be very difficult to find second. This of course could be due to its use over the years, as the early history and total milage of the car is unknown. In fact, poor gearboxes have been a general disappointment of my air-cooled Porsches, particularly annoying when the Porsche-designed Beetle gearbox is so good.

There is no doubt that both cars are a great deal of fun to drive, particularly with the hood down, and both attract lots of attention wherever we use them. The Porsche does edge it though, the extra power and that feeling of being lower down do add up to a great fun drive. In short it is simply more ‘special’. The Beetle has the edge however on a longer drive and has taken us all over Europe, including to the Mediterranean several times. It has been over the Alps and many other far off places and clocked up an impressive 170,000 miles now. It’s taken our children and bikes on many family holidays to the south of France, played a prominent role in both of their weddings, is part of the family and will never be sold by us. We do however hope to have lots of adventures in the coming years with the 356. We just need to take much less luggage.

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Right: Trailing arm suspension Beetle style (actually Alan’s Karmann Ghia).

Far right: Trailing barm suspension Porsche style – so similar.

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CERAMIC COATING: WHAT IS IT? AUTHOR LAWRENCE BALWDIN PHOTOGRAPHY SOUTH WEST AUTOWORX & DELUXE DETAILING

NO MATTER THE type of vehicle owned, as enthusiasts we like to ensure our vehicles are clean, protected and – most importantly – look fantastic. A couple of issues back we at South West Autoworx provided a guide on how to safely clean your Porsche. This time I’m going to elaborate on the steps we take to further enhance, but also protect, a client's car using ceramic coatings.

One of the sayings we live by here at South West Autoworx is quality over price, I wanted to ensure the products I sold and used were the absolute pinnacle of quality.

The market is flooded with different ceramic coating brands. After in-depth research, I decided that South West Autowor x would exclusively use IGL Coatings. They are the only ceramic coatings which are REACH compliant, TUV Certified and ISO9001 compliant, ensuring consistent quality. South West Autoworx are an IGL Flagship Centre and I am a certified IGL Master Detailer, meaning I can offer and install their full range of ceramic coatings – including their flagship coating, IGL Kenzo.

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BENEFITS A ceramic coating is a liquid polymer which creates a permanent or semi-permanent bond with the vehicles paint and thus creates a layer of protection.

PREPARATION Preparation before applying a ceramic coating is a vital part of the process. Before we apply any ceramic coating, we offer two detailing or machine polishing options to our clients.

Ceramic coatings are not like waxes which break down fairly quickly. Because of the chemical bonding of the ceramics to the paint, they last significantly longer and offer more protection. Ceramic coatings tend to have a slightly different finish to a wax, however depending on the coating taken the gloss and finish can be incredible.

We suggest ‘enhancement’ for new or nearly new cars or where you are generally happy with the vehicle’s paint. It will enhance the gloss and general finish, and offer up to about 40–50% correction.

The biggest and probably most overlooked benefit of a ceramic coating is that it makes cleaning your car a breeze. Because of the hydrophobic and protec tive benefits, maintenance washes become quicker and most importantly leave a stunning but very clean car.

Other benefits include: • A deep gloss (depending on paint finish), • Protection against chemicals, road grime, salt and light marring/swirl (resistance varies depending on the coating used), • Much longer lasting than a wax.

For older vehicles we suggest ‘correction’.

Using various techniques and products gained from experience, we of fer up to 80–90% correction, removing swirls, light scratches and other defects by machine polishing. The gloss levels once finished are incredible.

Fundamentally the aim is to leave a completely clean and contaminant free surface for the ceramic coating to bond properly with the paint, but also it is much easier to do any correction before applying a ceramic coating than after.

APPLICATION We use a series of processes and products to ensure the paint surface is totally free of any oils, waxes or compound after machine polishing, leaving the paint surface at its absolute best prior to coating.

We are then ready to apply the chosen ceramic coating, using a microfibre applicator or IGL’s own ceramic applicator. Depending on which coating is chosen, it may require a base coat and then a topcoat.

Once the ceramic coating has been applied, it is then levelled and left to cure for the specific time scale – different for different coatings, but up to 24 hours. Following this we apply a final topcoat or protective coat (this protects the ceramic coating whilst it hardens – which normally takes five to seven days) before the vehicle is prepared and final checks are completed prior to customer handover.

AFTERCARE When our clients collect their vehicles, we talk them through basic maintenance of their new coating. Alternatively we can offer a maintenance package to take care of the vehicle ourselves. All clients receive an aftercare pack including our maintenance guide and safe wash guide.

Most premium car care products are generally safe for use on ceramic coatings – PH safe or PH neutral – but always check the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure this before use.

Although totally at our clients’ discretion, we do advise that before and after winter a safe wash and IGL Premier top-up is performed, so that the coating is cleaned properly, enhanced and protected.

We strongly advise against using hand car wash services. With or without a coating on your vehice, the products used can be incredibly aggressive and the techniques used will simply negate the time and investment you have put into your beautiful vehicle.

IGL COATINGS Whilst there are many different brands and detailers out there in the UK, I would strongly recommend looking at IGL Coatings if you are considering getting a ceramic coating, the results are truly incredible! I don’t just work with them, I genuinely am a fan.

IGL of fer a range of ceramic coatings at different price points up to their flagship product, Kenzo. As well as paint protection, IGL offer products that protect wheels, glass, headlights, plastic trim and fabric.

Photos provided by South West Autoworx, Somerset, and Deluxe Detailing, Darlington.

Both use IGL products.

South West Autoworx Ltd www.swautoworx.co.uk Phone: 07808 206816 Instagram: @swautoworx Facebook: South West Autoworx Deluxe Detailing Instagram: DeluxeDetailing Facebook: Deluxe Detailing IGL Coatings www.iglcoatings.com 23

PEAK PERFORMANCE AUTHOR MARTIN BROADRIBB PHOTOGRAPHY PORSCHE AG

SOMETIMES IT’S GREAT to be proved wrong. For instance, one of my criticisms of the 935-19, the 991.2 GT2RS-based 935 update/backdate/whatever released by Porsche last year, was that while it looked like a competition car it was not aimed at any racing formula. This seemed a rather sad situation for a company that is one of the world’s greatest motorsport names, but in September 2020 the model confounded expectations and successfully took part in one of the most challenging events in motor racing.

Pikes Peak in Colorado, sometimes referred to as ‘The Race to the Clouds’, is not as well known a motorsport venue to Europeans as it deserves to be despite some transatlantic car and driver participation since 1984. The public road has been used as a hill climb since 1916 and the 2020 event

marked its 98th running, the course not only covering 12.42 miles but rising from 9.390 to 14,115 feet from start to finish.

This altitude change can bring about some very different (and often dangerous) weather conditions during a run – this year the start was delayed due to ice on the finish line – not to mention a power reduction of up to 30% approaching the summit. There is also the small matter of its 156 corners to take into account. Many of these are either bordered by natural hazards or unprotected long drops and only since 2011 has its formerly gravel surface been sealed for its entire length, a process which only began in 2002.

The annual climb always produces a strong entry and is open to various classes of cars and motorcycles, although only two of the divisions at the 2020 running are of particular interest to us. The first of these was only established in 2018 and caters solely for the Cayman GT4 in four guises: Clubsport, Clubsport Trophy, Clubsport MR and Clubsport IMSA. This division is sponsored by Yokohama and competitors run on one of their high performance but street legal tyres.

The current record holder is Travis Pastrana with a time of 10:33.897 and this year there were four entrants in the class out of the 11 Porsches competing overall. While failing to break the class record, Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams’ 10:52.622 was enough to take the class and in third place with 11:36.345 was Kathryn Mead, the only female in the entire field. Her time was also good enough for her to take the Rookie of the Year award.

Despite a variety of other runners among the 44 fourwheeled entrants – including a 996 and a 914 – the main Porsche interest was to be found in the Time Attack 1 class for production-based closed four-wheelers, where two 911 GT2RS Clubsports were pitted against the 935-19.

One of the GT2s was in the hands of David Donohue, the son of legendary driver and Porsche Can-Am star Mark.

Above: Back in 2018, Cayman GT4 record holder Travis Pastrana shows why ‘The Race To the Clouds’ is an apt name.

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Right: The Cayman GT4 Clubsports of (L to R) Kathryn Mead, Charles Wirken, Blake Williams and George Hess III.

A successful racer in his own right including a Daytona 24H victory, Donohue was seen by many as a top contender and while his practice time placed him at the head of his class a slide off the tarmac on his run damaged the NSR wheel and he was unable to finish.

Second of the GT2 qualifiers was David Donner, a triple winner of the event and also someone with a family Porsche heritage, his father have also taken three outright wins in a 718RSK during 1959/60/61. Donner’s car appeared in a striking livery advertising the Porsche magazine 000 which was designed by their creative director and his 9:36.959 gave him the class victory and third overall. This was respectably close to the outright winner and runner up who were both from the Open Wheel class, the fastest time this year being 9:35.490. The Porsche record for the ascent is held by Raphaël Astier in a 911 Turbo at 9:23.721 and the outright record of 7:57.148 was set by Romain Dumas in a prototype electric VW in 2018, a world away from the 20:55.60 that took the Romano Special to the first win 104 years ago.

It is certainly pleasing to report that the 935-19 saw action in this event, practicing third in class and finishing fifth overall at 9:43.921. At the helm was course veteran Jeff Zwart, a writer and photographer well-known in US Porsche circles and yet another with a family Porsche connection as he learned to drive using his father’s 901! His eight outright Pikes Peak wins have all been in 911s and while he missed out on top honours this time he was able to demonstrate that the £764,000 ‘Moby Dick tribute’ has winning potential as well as investment potential.

Top: David Donner, 911 GT2RS Clubsport, in its 000 ‘art car’ colour scheme. The project was only begun three weeks before the event and the livery references the Rare Shades events that encourage the attendance of Porsches in unusual factory colours.

Above and top left: Jeff Zwart, 935-19, in a special Pegasus livery referencing the former symbol of its sponsors Mobil.

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BODIWORK

BY DEVEY

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The Kent & South East London Region paid a visit to their newest local body shop.

AUTHOR SEAN SMALLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY STUART WATSON AS A REGION we enjoy our Saturday morning tyre kicking visits to anything automotive. We were delighted to receive an invite from Karel, to visit Kent’s newest body shop – Bodiworks

by Devey.

When you hear the name Devey you think of Hilar y, a household name af ter her appearances on Dragons Den. Her passion for transport and motor vehicles led her to invest in this female-led business, bringing her ideas to the accident repair industry.

The unit based in Sevenoaks is brand new, well equipped and also includes a design studio for special projects. This is the smartest body shop I have ever been in – and that includes my visit to the RUF workshops in Pfaffenhausen. Karel explained that he has specialist teams working on three key areas: accident repair, restoration and upkeep maintenance.

A Karman Ghia was having a full restoration, the shell was stripped to bare metal and being fitted with new floor panels. I gave one of the techs the challenge of trying to colour match my Tahoe Blue, when scanned into the computer it came up as a Daewoo colour!

Unfazed he went about mixing paint and spraying test cards until he nailed it.

It was good to meet the rest of the team, who are all long serving professionals in the repair/ restoration industry. They were all comfortable answering questions, offering advice and seemed to be enjoying the morning as much as we were.

Paintless dent removal is one of the services provided at the body shop. Karel had organised one of his technicians to be present on the day to demonstrate. We were all wowed by his skills, he spent the entire morning working his magic and no-one could see where the dents had been. It is quite surprising how much damage gets done to our cars, especially as we would consider ourselves to be quite precious. My 964 included – I thought I knew every imperfection in all of my cars. They spotted a dent in the bonnet that I had not picked up, which was duly removed.

Not only did we get the opportunity to talk cars, we also enjoyed excellent hospitality and an endless supply of drinks and pastries were available throughout the morning.

We were even given some rather scrummy themed cup cakes and a goody bag to take away with us. As a Porsche owner himself, Karel clearly shares our passion and he got a big kick from seeing so many Porsches parked in front of the workshop.

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Richard Simmons was looking for a project car he could spend time and effort on, and a bargain 944 seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

PROJECT 944 AUTHOR RICHARD SIMMONS PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD SIMMONS When I had my 996 and later my 987 I often felt as though I wanted to ‘go and do something to my Porsche’ but nothing really needed doing …

So when my 987 destroyed its engine I looked for a project 944.

I had seen one on ‘The Tunnel’ and both Deana and I felt that it was from the same era as our Audi Quattros and we loved it. There were lots around but we focused on two – one in Southport at £2,000 and another in Norwich which had a starting price of £2,000.

The Southport car had no interior, having been taken off the road in 1997 and stripped for racing.

Nothing happened until 2008 when the last owner bought and was going to race it. I had a long chat with him and found he had spent quite a bit on it, but never got as far as racing.

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The Norwich car looked amazing, but it turned out the owner wanted a minimum of £3k and the car had been stripped for respray.

So I went to see the Southport car.

Apparently no rot or corrosion but lots of yellow paint where work had started on the bodywork.

The engine started first time and sounded good. Sunroof and lights worked. Driver’s side window and door were not good, but so what?

The boot had to be opened from inside – not easy for me. Brakes looked okay. It drove well and all gears selected easily, including reverse. It had a new clutch, lots of work had been done, and tehre was a water pump in the boot.

So I offered £1,800, which was accepted, and it was delivered for £150 from Southport. The car arrived and work started.

The first thing to do was to get all extra bits out of the car and get the rear window opening!

I tackled the rear hatch first. Badly corroded, it was not good. I took the lower catch parts off and cleaned them all up. The nearside catch was good – so obviously I dropped and broke it! Ooops.

Why could it not have been the offside one? That was a great start.

I have now stripped the parts on the boot itself and found all the parts I needed in the ‘spares’ box, saving the best part of £100.

I removed the seats – passenger side was good, driver’s seat was knackered. I removed both door cards and swapped the two switches over … and the window now works! I spent a bit of time cleaning up the driver’s door handle and that works now too.

The armrest is good, but the gearbox cover is knackered. The instruments all work. There are a couple of cracks on the dashboard, but on the whole the car is okay.

Everything WORKS!

I took the bumpers off and got the car up on blocks (thanks for the help Mick). Wheels off next, ready to work on. The tyres were about 20 years old, so I scrapped them.

The engine just needed a bit of restoration and repair. Lots of leaves and crap to clear out. The battery is okay, but I fitted a CTEK conditioner permanently. The air filter was new but needed fixing properly, with new screws and a bit of Hammerite. The main belt is new, which is good, but the water pump needed replacing (again, a new one was in the boot). The coolant was clear and the brake fluid was clean. Let’s get it MOTed and really get the engine good.

I got quotes of between £1,500 and £4,500 for a respray – so I thought let’s do it ourselves. Apart from the back of the boot there is no rot or serious corrosion. But it has been inside for over 20 years and not looked after. I decided to have a play with Simonize primer and black acrylic paint (£5 a can!) to get rid of all that yellow. I can do a better job later.

I gave it a good rub down with a sander, sprayed with primer and then with top coat. Not that good but okay for a first attempt. My mate Brad then got to work on the other wing. Much better, but I need to get it polished and add a top clear coat on it, as acrylic is very soft.

The boot was really quite bad, but is now working well and looking okay. New parts were included with the car. The bottom catch was okay, the top is new parts.

It all shuts and opens okay, both with the key and the switch on the driver’s side.

The car arrived with a pretty bare interior – just the front seats and door cards. I looked online and spoke to Nigel Greenfield in Bradford. He had a few options – I went for the check interior. All carpets, seats, trim and gearbox cover came to £600 with £50 delivery. Job done.

Nigel delivered them for me and showed me where ever ything goes. I started with the boot but should have started with the rear seat, which was an earlier model – I needed the appropriate catches but again they were already present in the box of bits.

The carpets seem almost new and are looking really good. I have fitted the old driver’s seat while I wait for the checked one to be repaired, and fitted the new passenger seat.

The centre console was a pain as again it’s out of an earlier model. I had to cut out holes for the electric sunroof and light switch, and the heater control area was totally different.

The brakes are nearly ready. Rear nearside needs a new hydraulic pipe bent (I should have taken it off!) and the rear offside might need a new carrier.

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REGIONAL ROUND UP R2

Scotland

R20

South Central

R3

North East

R8

Anglia & North Essex

R5

North West

R11

North London, Herts & South Essex

R4

Yorkshire

R13

Thames Valley

R18

Cheshire & Staffs

R12

Kent & South East London

R6

South Yorkshire & North Notts

R9

Surrey & Sussex

R26

Shropshire & Mid Wales

R21

Hampshire

R7

Central

R22

Bristol, South West & South Wales

R19

East Midlands

R23

Southern

R24

Peterborough

R2

R3 R4 R5

R18

R26 R7

R22 R23

R2

R6 R24

R19

R8

R20 R13

R11

R21

R9

R12

SCOTLAND

scotland@tipec.net RO David Clelland • 07794 600 808 ARO (West) Neil Baird ARO (East) Tim Price Facebook: TIPEC Scotland Meetings are held first Wednesday of every month 7:30pm for an 8pm start in the 007 bar, upstairs at Bo’Ness Motor Museum, Bridgeness Road, Bo’Ness EH51 9JR. www.motor-museum.bo-ness.org.uk Regional sponsors: McLean and Stewart, Solicitors & ClipperTrek Motorhome Hire

at Bo’Ness got cancelled and our summer programme of car shows, weekends away and lunch runs had to be abandoned. Although, we did make an attempt to have a virtual meeting and quiz night during this time.

By August, things were starting to look a bit more promising and with restrictions being eased we managed to have a run down the east coast with lunch at Haddington. I’m pleased to say that we even managed to have a weekend away to Kirkcudbright at the very beginning of September. However, later that month, Coronavirus cases started to increase again and we were into a second wave of the virus which brought more stringent restrictions again. As I write this (end of October) it looks as if it will be some time before we are back to normal.

R5

NORTH WEST

RO Colin Hammerton • 07500 908 091 col.hamm@hotmail.co.uk ARO Richard Sholl • 07970 147 779 n22rks@googlemail.com ARO Dave Gort • 07800 825 241 davegort@icloud.com ARO Joe Turner • 07599 100 151 joe@joesshineshop.uk ARO Cumbria Dean Mason • 07599 015 694 deanthediver@gmail.com Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month from 7pm (with club business dealt with at 8pm) at The Bowling Green, Preston Road, Charnock Richard PR7 5LA.

Our annual general meeting normally takes place at the start of December. This is when we need to elect a new committee for 2021 and by the time you receive this copy of All Torque I hope the new management team will have been decided. I’m sure that they will be in touch to keep you up to date with all that is planned.

An impressive lineup and socially-distanced Scots

What a strange year this has been. I hope that everyone is still well and coping during these awful times. After a very successful 2019, which ended with our annual ten pin bowling night, our Christmas party night, and a curry night in December, 2020 started as planned with a Burns supper at South Queensferry in January.

In February we had a Sunday lunch at Dalgety Bay and in March we had our first run of the year to Moulin. Then Covid-19 struck a couple of weeks later and the country went into lockdown.

Due to restrictions, all of our monthly meetings AT 144

In the meantime, stay safe and let’s hope 2021 will get us back enjoying our cars and the club the way we used to. Finally, Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to one and all.

R3

NORTH EAST

RO Derek Ellison • 07862 794 149 derekdse123@aol.com ARO John Tomlinson • 07595 166 187 Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month from 7pm at The Old Farmhouse, Darlington DL2 1JZ.

Looking moody under a dramatic sky

As this crazy year draws to an end, I can report that the North West membership continues to grow at a steady rate. As I write this report our membership stands at 270.

I’d like to thank all our members, old and new, for sticking with us through these strange times.

Let me assure you that when things return to something resembling normality, club life will get back into full swing. The lack of club nights

has been a great loss to us this year. I’m sure you’ve all missed the camaraderie, chat and banter - I know I have.

Government restrictions and local lockdowns in Lancashire have made it very difficult to organise anything over the last few months but we are working behind the scenes to make plans for 2021, when restrictions will hopefully be lifted or at least eased somewhat.

We continue to have occasional small, six person, socially distanced runs to keep within the rules, organised through our very busy Facebook page.

I know some of you don’t use Facebook but it’s been an excellent way of keeping in touch and also keeping up to date with what’s going on in the NW during these very restricted times! You can find us on Facebook as North West RegionPorsche Enthusiasts Club.

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CHESHIRE & STAFFS

RO Chris Hulme • 07775 794 291 chris@claytonhulme.co.uk ARO Stefanie Mahan • 07776 132 389 ARO Gareth Aldridge • 07881 228 944 gj.aldridge@yahoo.co.uk ARO Ian Highfield ianhighfield@talktalk.net facebook.com/groups/TIPEC.CS Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month at 8pm at The Kilton Inn, Warrington Rd, Knutsford, WA16 0PZ.

Seven NW cars attended the ‘Midland-ish Gathering’ at Weston Park in early October, organised by the Shropshire & Mid Wales Region, with 22 Porsches in attendance. ARO Richard Sholl organised the run down, the breakfast stop and a run back via Porsche Centre Chester for coffee.

Socially distanced on the Halloween drive

A late October post on Facebook saw 12 NW members enjoy a 200+ mile round trip into Cumbria. Two separate groups of cars left the Tickled Trout Services, Preston and took the M6 to Kendal where the first group were joined by new member Martin Mackay. We then had a scenic drive at TIPEC NW pace via Tebay, Appleby in Westmorland, Penrith and Melmerby, finally taking the A686 hill climb to the top of Hartside Moor. The weather was cold and wet but that didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirit. It was just nice to get out and drive!

Club nights are now back on Zoom. It’s nice to see everyone keeping safe and maintaining the social element of the club … Please keep your eyes peeled for passwords from Chris to join our virtual get-togethers.

I’ll finish by wishing you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year from Richard, Dean, Dave, Joe and myself. Stay safe and take care. Let’s hope that 2021 can be enjoyed fully at club level!

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YORKSHIRE

yorkshire@tipec.net RO Laurence Parkin ARO Tony Hartley • 07714 822 808 Facebook: The Independent Porsche Enthusiasts Club Yorkshire Meetings are held third Monday of every month 7:30pm at The Red Lion, Main St, Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley LS29 7BT.

In maintaining safety and following the Government guidance for the pandemic we are living through, a lot of our events have understandably been cancelled.

Before the second lockdown hit we were able to enjoy some open roads for our annual Halloween drive, though as with everything in 2020 it was not like our usual Halloween drive.

No Porsches were dressed up, though their custodians did partake in the fun and we had some members wearing fabulous costumes.

We are currently planning our socially distanced Christmas drive out; though please keep your eyes peeled for final plans as this could all change. We are in the hands of Boris at the moment (sadly not John’s 928!) though I do hear that Boris the 928 is going to be mile munching again soon … Cassie (Stef’s 928) can’t wait!

Normally in this edition I would be thanking everyone for their ongoing support within the Cheshire & Staffs region, along with a roundup of our antics during the year. Covid-19 has had an alternative plan for 2020, though this hasn’t stopped our region getting out when they can, partaking in ‘stay at home’ car shows, and getting on with copious polishing of our Porsche beauties.

One thing I can say is THANK YOU to everyone for following the Government guidance in keeping safe, and fingers crossed that 2021 will enable us out to enjoy our Porsches more, making memories as a region. Stay safe everyone.

S OUTH YORKSHIRE & NORTH NOTTS.

RO & ARO wanted urgently Meetings are held first Sunday of every month at 7pm at Ye Olde Bell Hotel, Barnby Moor, Retford, Notts DN22 8QS Keep up to date at www.synn.org.uk or look for us on Facebook as ‘Porsche Enthusiasts Club - South Yorkshire & North Notts (TIPEC)’ R26

ARO Richard Sholl organised another socially distanced breakfast meet at Rivington Barn in late September. 33 hungry members enjoyed a fry up and a good old catch up, all at a safe distance and within the rules!

I’m not going to add the usual list of diary dates for this edition of All Torque, as it makes little sense at this time. We will keep an eye on Government announcements and put together a calendar as circumstances change. I will then send out a list of events via email to all NW members.

R6

S HROPSHIRE & MID WALES

RO Richard Simmons • 07972 811 221 richardjjs@yahoo.co.uk ARO Mick Duckworth • 01952 411 697 mickduckworth156@hotmail.com ARO Neil Thomas ARO North Wales Vinny Jones vinnyckjones@hotmail.com After we return to normal meetings will be held first Tuesday of every month from 8pm at the Fox and Hounds, Wytheford Road, Shawbury, Shrewsbury SY4 4JG.

924 Turbo at Weston Park

Weston Park breakfast meeting was a great success with 24 cars coming from Shropshire, Mid & North Wales, Cheshire & Staffs, North West, Central and East Midlands. We are looking at making it a bi-yearly event, perhaps in March and late September.

The runs that were organised and cancelled will be held as soon as possible. Lined up we had: North Wales Drive with Neil Thomas, Mach Loop, Llanbrynmair with Terry Allen, and Mr Scarlet’s Magical Mystery Tour. Hopefully next year will bring runs out every month as this is what we like to do. Breakfast meetings in between are also on the agenda. We have been invited to visit Concorde College in Acton Burnell next year. They will provide food and will film us as we drive in.

They also have a very interesting old castle which is well worth a visit. We could make it a ‘breakfast Run’ - will tie up a date in March/April. Wales is locked down as I write this but maybe …

Please check our Facebook page to confirm events and send Richard your email address if you want to be added to our email list.

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R7

CENTRAL

tipeccentral@outlook.com RO Lindsay Brown • 07768 442 050 ARO Steve Jones • 07775 581 044 ARO Neil Smith • 07899 961 429 Meetings are held second Monday of every month 7:30pm onwards at The Bull’s Head, Birmingham Road, Shenstone WS14 0JR. www.vintageinn.co.uk/thebullsheadshenstone Due to the Covid-19 restrictions I have no events to report on and unfortunately as we are now back in lockdown all our events are cancelled for the foreseeable future. I’m not even sure if we can use the ‘rule of six’ and have a drive out somewhere and use either a café or table service, but I will look into options and let you know. With the pubs closed again we are unable to host club nights at the moment – I have included provisional dates for January and February, but prepare for them to be cancelled depending on the Government guidelines. We will contact members by email, or keep an eye on our Facebook page.

With the lockdown I’m sure many of you will be back in the garage finishing off any jobs that are required on your P-cars, I for one am hoping to find the paint shop that I use open to get some paint defects corrected, and then get her prepared for a possibly long lay up over winter.

If any of you do manage to get some work done on your cars, please take some pictures and send them into our editor, Tony Blow, along with a little write up and he could perhaps publish your feature in All Torque.

If anyone hears of any events that are lockdownfriendly please let us know and we can look into attending, I for one am itching to get out and see you guys again. Keep safe and hopefully we can get back to some form of normality in 2021.

January 11th (Monday) Club night at The Bull’s Head (provisional) February 8th (Monday) Club night at The Bull’s Head (provisional)

R19

EAST MIDLANDS

east.mids@tipec.net RO Jim Stevens • 07879 885 260 ARO Mark Frearson Meetings are held first Wednesday of every month 7pm at The Packe Arms, Rempstone Road, Hoton, Loughborough LE12 5SJ. I’m not going to lie – it’s been a tough few months in the East Midlands. With first Leicester, then Nottingham heading into high Covid numbers followed by the inevitable lockdowns, it’s been impossible to get any activities organised since the club night in early September. So, like everyone else in the group I’ve been hunkered down and having to satisfy myself with the odd AT 144

bit of polishing and occasional solo run. To all East Mids members – please rest assured, as soon as we get the okay to meet up again, we will definitely get things back up and running.

The regional Facebook group has remained active throughout this time, so if you haven’t joined the group yet, just type “Porsche enthusiast East Midlands” into the Facebook search box. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date with what your fellow regional members are up to and I would strongly recommend it.

Sadly, all future face-to-face meetings are on hold until we find out what happens in December.

arranged; all very Covid-friendly. The event itself was the largest collection of Porsches in 2020. Lovely examples from far and wide joined us there for a great day of Porsche! The weather was fine, the company was good and the surroundings great.

We continue to be made very welcome at the Bertie Arms at Uffington. Although our last meet there was limited by Covid restrictions, we all had a good time reminiscing over tales of derring-do.

Ranging from Neil’s rallying tales to Michael’s biking exploits. We even had some time to talk about Porsches! A good evening was had by all.

Hopefully see some of you soon. Keep safe.

I wish all members a safe and healthy few months.

Keep an eye on the reports here, regional emails and the Facebook page to find out when we’ll be back in action.

R24

PETERBOROUGH

peterborough@tipec.net RO Stuart Wand • 07725 328 183 ARO Sunny Hoyle • 07976 931 621 ARO Neil Kenefec • 07709 932 627 facebook.com/groups/PeterboroughTipec Monthly meets are held second Wednesday of every month from 7pm at The Bertie Arms, Bertie Lane, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4SZ.

December 9th (Wednesday) Club night – hopefully a Christmas meal out somewhere – TBC

R20

SOUTH CENTRAL

south.central@tipec.net RO Gary Tipping • 07875 468 503 ARO Ben Wood • 07912 745 692 ARO James Tayler • 07836 579 190 ARO Stewart Thumwood • 07957 225 282 Instagram: @tipecsouthcentral Facebook.com/groups/southcentraltipec Meeting venues to be advised, please refer to our Facebook and WhatsApp posts for current locations.

As I’m writing this it looks very much as we are about to begin a further period of national lockdown. The South Central team have been incredibly busy planning and organising events in a Covid safe manner.

Member’s Porsches at The Bertie Arms

At time of writing we’re on the verge of another National lockdown, but at least we can look back on the last few months with some fondness. It also makes us even more eager to plan events for next year. We’re looking forward to making Spa Classic and Circuit des Remparts d’Angoulême next year to name just two.

One bright Sunday morning a group of us drove down to Brands Hatch to watch some great Porsche club racing. Any one-make racing event pretty much guarantees close racing, and this event was one of those. Tight battles for each class ensued from start to the chequered flag. There were also some GT4s racing in the Porsche Sprint Championship which was just as competitive. Let’s say one or two of our group were quite keen to look at GT4s after that. A great day out!

We continue to enjoy inter-regions with our near neighbours. The greatest of which was a run down to Simply Porsche. This jaunt was masterfully organised by the guys from South Central with various routes and meeting places

Before the rule of six was imposed, we managed a couple of breakfast meets and a club evening, both very well attended. Great drives out, with groups of six starting from different locations, all following a route that brought us together on the road, and remaining in our groups at the destination. ‘Southwold or bust’ took us to the east coast for fish and chips. ‘Clearly Cotswold’ took in some great roads en route to Jeremy Clarkson’s farm shop and the Cotswold Distillery.

A small advance party headed for Yorkshire, as a recce for a trip next year. And our arranged run to Simply Porsche proved very popular.

Our WhatsApp groups are very popular with both members and prospective members, and are doing a great job of keeping us in touch, and allowing some banter to cheer us up!

As I write this we still hope to be flying the TIPEC flag, literally, at the Rennsport Collective event taking place at Stowe School near Buckingham on Sunday November 1st. Our planned fish and chip run to Skegness on 7th November will now sadly be cancelled, which is disapointing for the 20 members who were making the trip. The new team are bursting with ideas for drives and visits, many of which were arranged but had to be cancelled. Most will be back on the calendar

as soon as we can. Hopefully we can put a proper programme together for 2021 with plans for regular club nights, breakfast meets, drives out and visits to interesting Porsche-related businesses. Hopefully longer trips to Wales, Yorkshire, Scotland and Europe too, and TIPEC national events like the Silverstone Classic and Simply Porsche.

Thanks to everybody who’s attended any of our meets and a very merry Christmas to all, and all the very best for 2021.

R8

A NGLIA & NORTH ESSEX

RO Ian Jones • izzy.spyder@sky.com ARO Adam Jiggins • adamjiggins69@gmail.com Treasurer Yvonne King • yvonneking@hotmail.com facebook.com/groups/618348854957396 Meetings are normally held fourth Tuesday of each month from 7pm at The Beagle, Hadleigh Road, Sproughton, Ipswich IP8 3AR. www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/ east/thebeagleipswich (01473 730607)

(mainly to the opposition!) The weather held out for us too. A very enjoyable day was had by all … apart from Adam, who had a chat with a policeman about some dodgy number plates on the way home. Oops!!

We are looking into a post-Christmas get together if possible and if we are allowed to do so – details to follow.

Again, there has been a lot more tinkering and a few members putting their loved ones to bed for the winter months – their cars, before anyone calls for hostage rescue …

Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Fingers crossed for 2021, best wishes to all and stay safe.

R11

N ORTH LONDON, HERTS & SOUTH ESSEX

NLHSE@tipec.net RO Vince Dallimore • 07798 630 649 ARO Peter Musk • 07734 769 953 facebook.com/groups/1217447545000223 Meetings are held first Sunday 10am at Foxholes Farm Shop, Foxholes Farm Drive, London Rd, Hertford SG13 7NT (overflow car park). Second Saturday Pistonheads breakfast 8:30am at White Elm Garden Centre, White Elm Rd, Bicknacre CM3 4LR. Last Monday Porsches only 6pm at The Ace Café, Ace Corner, Stonebridge NW10 7UD (Nb. The Ace is shut to car events until further notice).

944 at Glemham Hall Classic & Sports Car Show

With the nights and the weather drawing in and the renewed dreaded Covid-19 restrictions in place for the foreseeable future, club nights have been understandably low on numbers. So, we plan to go back to having a virtual club night for our isolating members, as well as our normal one.

On the plus side we did manage to get to one show in the intermission between lockdown and it all kicking back off again. Glemham Hall Classic and Sports Car Show had an excellent turnout due to, I think, most people becoming stir-crazy and needing to get out.

We all met up for a convoy into the show in an exceptionally large retail park so as to adhere to the distancing regulations. With a total of 16 cars it was quite a spread and with more meeting at Glemham, we arrived at the gate to find they had lost our club stand booking (after months of emails, confirmation of vehicle details, Covid regulations and tickets issued). It was suggested that we could park with the other Porsches! Well that would never do, we dug our heels in and convinced the organisers otherwise. We took the high ground (quite literally) and set up overlooking those parked in the marsh! A great day with a few new members attending, lots of interest in the club and many cards handed out

The Goat is suspended as a venue for NLHSE meetings until further notice. We have instead adopted Foxholes Farm shop just up the road from the Goat as a NLHSE meeting point on first Sundays from 10am. Takeaway food is available and can be eaten in their enclosed external garden area. The venue is obviously weather dependent, but gives members the chance to blow the cobwebs off our cars! We head to the overflow carpark to facilitate group parking. As with all region events, the Foxholes Farm Shop meetings are now suspended until further notice due to the lockdown.

The Facebook group ‘Classics at the Goat’ remains active, and some interesting videos and reminiscences have been posted recently.

Pistonheads Essex has worked with the operator of the garden centre to find an accommodation for the second Saturday breakfasts which have restarted; attendance means complying with the sanitising and social distancing rules which will require external only gatherings for non-family members. When meeting in the car park and viewing cars, it is important members observe social distancing rules.

With the current lockdown restrictions, these breakfast meetings are suspended until further notice. We will check with the venue going forward and any news will be posted to our Facebook page.

The Ace Café are keeping in touch with customers via their Facebook group, take a look if you’ve any time on your hands? The venue reopened for car meetings in October and Porsche night went ahead. At the time of writing we can’t be sure how the ACE will respond to the latest lockdown, but meetings are suspended until further notice; any updates will be posted to Facebook.

Simply Porsche at Beaulieu in late September was well organised with circa 500/600 cars and 1,000 tickets sold. It was good to catch up with friends and members.

R13

Vince’s 928 with it’s biggest fan at the East breakfast

We will all be in the second lockdown by the time you see this report; the impact of the lockdown on club gatherings was discussed at the club AGM on November 1st. Please look out for club guidance, but for now our region’s events are suspended.

THAMES VALLEY

thames.valley@tipec.net RO Andrew Harris • 07812 146 999 ARO Graham Driver • 07799 625 279 ARO Jason Gibson • 07958 459 725 Meetings are held second Tuesday of every month 7:00pm at The Bell & Bottle, Bath Rd, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead, SL6 3RX.

Our North London, Herts & South Essex Facebook group now has 74 members registered; future events are posted here for your convenience, as well as being noted in All Torque, where events will be posted to aid communication with you all. Find and ask to join the Facebook group for our region at www.facebook.com/ groups/1217447545000223 We don’t use email for general communication, but Peter and I can be contacted via our club email address NLHSE@tipec.net

Simply Porsche here we come!

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Our last three ‘actual’ monthly meetings at the Bell & Bottle have been steadily getting busier, especially our September gathering with 14 Porsches and a good number of members enjoying a lovely warm evening chatting in the car park. Unfortunately, with the Government changes during September relating to Coronavirus, and only being allowed to have a gathering of a maximum of six people, we were unable to hold a meeting in October.

A number of the Thames Valley members attended the Boxengasse Oilcooled event held on the 22nd and 23rd August. One of our region‘s members has commented: “I hadn’t been to Franks/Autofarm before, fabulous venue and a lot of space to park. The event was very well organised with marshalling being helpful and professional. The trade stands were minimal but were quality Porsche and motoring enthusiasts. An amazing array of very special Porsches in both the barn and the workshop plus of course, the outdoor areas. Social distancing was maintained – altogether a worthwhile day out.”

We have lots of events coming up and it would be great to see you. Don’t forget about our Facebook page too: Thames Valley Region – Porsche Enthusiasts Club. If you are unable to attend any of the events, please feel free to pop along to our monthly meeting at the Bell & Bottle, it is always an enjoyable evening with lots of friendly people, the food is good too!

R12

K ENT & SOUTH EAST LONDON

kent.sel@tipec.net RO Sean Smallman • 07500 332 790 sean.smallman@tipec.net ARO Stuart Watson Meetings are held first Wednesday of the month from 7:30pm at The Moody Mare, 501 Seven Mile Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5QY (On the B2016 road nr. Mereworth)

We are very pleased to report that Simply Porsche was able to go ahead, albeit a little differently from previous years. With 1,000 tickets sold, the event was still very busy and had a nice ‘club’ feel to it. It was a little disappointing that we could not have trade stands as per our plans at the beginning of the year, however hopefully 2021 will see the back of Coronavirus and we will be able to welcome back our favourite traders.

Graham organised a drive out to Simply Porsche for a number of our Thames Valley members, meeting at Sutton Scotney services for 8am in readiness for a prompt 8:30am departure, with 11 cars in convoy enjoying a ‘safe but spirited’ hour or so run to Beaulieu, it made for a great start to a fabulous day.

The attractions at Beaulieu were open for all to take in along with outside caterers offering tea, coffee, burgers etc. The showground was packed full of all things Porsche from 356s and early 911s through to the latest 992s, with 912s, 914s, a good variety of transaxles, very early to the latest Boxsters, Caymans, Cayennes and even a couple of fully electric Taycans.

Keeping with social distancing, a number of us from the Thames Valley, Hampshire and Surrey & Sussex regions unpacked our picnics and had a relaxing time on the lawns and enjoyed the late summer sunshine, we could not have asked for anything more.

December 8th (Tuesday) Club night at the Bell & Bottle January 12th (Tuesday) Club night at the Bell & Bottle February 9th (Tuesday) Club night at the Bell & Bottle Dates above are subject to lockdown restrictions – please keep an eye on our diary page of the website at: www.tipec.net/regions/thames-valley AT 144

dozen of Porsches were parked at Boughton Golf Club, where we had a very nice breakfast.

The drive to Deal could not have been in more atrocious conditions, some of the B-roads were quite challenging. I was really pleased to see so many cars sticking with it regardless, and we were rewarded with a nice rainbow when the sun finally came out.

Watch out for updates via our newsletters, Facebook and the regional page on the website.

December 13th (Sunday) Christmas curry at Raja of Kent January 1st (Friday) New Year’s Day drive, TBC January 6th (Wednesday) Club night at The Moody Mare January 16th (Saturday) Winter Stages Rally February 3rd (Wednesday) Club night at The Moody Mare

R9

Breakfast at Boughton Golf Club

We would like to thank everyone for their support over the last few months. It is great to see so many cars at all of our events and we have proved that you can have fun whilst complying with the social distancing guidelines. Club nights have resumed, the arrangements in the teepee work really well and it was nice to hear the laughter.

SURREY & SUSSEX

surrey.sussex@tipec.net RO urgently wanted ARO Michael Bowden • 07724 016 592 ARO Chris Cook • 07840 984 196 facebook.com/groups/tipecsurreyandsussex Meetings are held second Wednesday of every month from 7:00pm at The Bolney Stage, London Road, Bolney RH17 5RL, 10 miles south of Crawley off the A23.

The alternative club night at Bewl Water went well, we have not done anything like this before. Janet made some scrummy cakes and we spent a very pleasant morning sitting by the lake in the warm sunshine. A big thank you to Kevin & Graeme for organising September’s drive and dine. Some great A and B-roads through the Downs into West Sussex to Beachy Head and then on to Eastbourne.

Chris Cook’s weeping Cayman

Simply Porsche was excellent and a group of us made a weekend of it. A really nice curry the night before and a brilliant show on Sunday. It was so good to catch up with friends from all over the South and see so many Porsches.

At the time of writing the second wave lockdown has just been announced and therefore our current regional meetings are on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation and advise as soon as we can restart meetings.

A group of us went to Bodiwork By Devey, a very well equipped and pristine workshop in Sevenoaks. A nice morning chatting with the technicians, drinking coffee and eating pastries.

While we were there several cars had dents removed, the poor guy was under pressure as we watched him work.

During these times a lot of us have been able to spend a little time fettling our cars. Chris Cook has a bit of a job to deal with on his Cayman:

We saw an excellent turnout for our drive and dine around the east of the county. A baker’s

“When I got the car out of the garage, I spotted a water leak from the nearside front. Upon further investigation it appears that the crossover cooling pipework at the front of the car has reached the end of its serviceable life and needs to be replaced. The car is now 11 years old so it’s done well so far.

“This will require the removal of the front subframe to get access to all the pipes, it’s pointless to just replace only the one leaking joint as the other could fail any time soon. It makes sense to do it properly and change everything at once. Not cheap but it has to be done.”

Our Christmas dinner, scheduled for the 2nd of December, will now have to be rearranged for later in December – or maybe even January?

My own fettling recently has included a ‘lazy’ starter motor on the 944. A quick search of the web showed various replacements at very varied prices, including one at £700!

Wishing everybody a happy and safe Christmas.

Let’s hope things can get back to normal in 2021.

I removed the starter and took it to Power Components in Emsworth who diagnosed worn bushes and overhauled the unit for £45. It pays to repair rather than replace.

The regional calendar for 2021 is still very much undecided. However, some of the events we hope to have include: • Mid-May regional WOTY, a weekend away for our annual tour, scheduled for mid-Wales.

• Trip to Southern France, seven to 10 days in early October, with a stay in the Dordogne.

• A car show organised between our region and the local BMW & Mercedes clubs at The Hawth in Crawley.

• Local car shows including Capel, Cranleigh and Brooklands.

Hopefully by the New Year we will be able to start planning some drives out and breakfast meets.

Updates can be viewed online through our region’s page on the club website at www.tipec.net/regions/Hampshire R22

B RISTOL, SOUTH WEST & SOUTH WALES

RO Sue Simmons • 07530 312 700 sue.simmons1@gmail.com ARO (Bristol) Debs Bradshaw 07423 436 503 • debbradshaw@sytner.co.uk ARO (South West) Ian Marsh ARO (South Wales) Sarah & Brian Hughes Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm at The Plough, Pilning, Nr Bristol BS35 4JJ. www.theploughpilning.co.uk And third Wednesday of every month from 6:30pm at The Keepers Cottage Inn, Cullompton EX15 2EB.

see light at the end of this long tunnel for the resumption of managed club nights and drives in the Spring, with some smaller drives once the restrictions are over.

I’ve everything crossed for our big Isle of Man trip in September – it will be here sooner than we know.

I know that those of you who travelled to Beaulieu enjoyed a sunny day – thanks for the photos.

All that remains is for me to stay ‘stay safe’. Enjoy being close to home for a bit longer, have a very peaceful Christmas period and I look forward to seeing you in 2021.

If you have any questions about anything club or region related please get in touch on sue. simmons1@gmail.com or 07530 312 700.

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SOUTHERN

RO urgently wanted ARO Jim Tarrant • 0120 260 1886 jim.tarrant@consequia.com Meetings are held first Tuesday of every month from 7:30pm at The Old Thatch, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7NW.

• National events at the NEC such as the Classic Car Show.

Stay safe everyone and happy Christmas from the Surrey & Sussex Region Committee.

R21

HAMPSHIRE

hampshire@tipec.net RO Members collective ARO Andrew Morle • 07450 435 347 Facebook.com/groups/361024217594761 Meetings are held first Wednesday of every month from 6pm at The Hinton Arms, Petersfield Road, Hinton Ampner, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0NH.

Martini Stripes at the Canford Classics Porsche Pull-in A Beaulieu favourite!

I am writing this just after two things have taken place – the TIPEC AGM and the announcement of lockdown two.

Our club AGM was conducted on Zoom – a very interesting meeting where Andy Harris took over as new Chairman.

I’m looking forward to supporting Andy in particular, along with three others, on the upgrade of the TIPEC website and links to social media. Any ideas to simplify the website (or highlight the best bits) are welcome.

Hampshire member’s cars parked up

Just as we were getting back to some sort of normality, we now find ourselves plunged back into lockdown. We had have had three well attended club nights, socially distanced with tables of four.

The other thing that has happened was the announcement of the month long (fingers crossed) second lockdown. As we’ve managed many weeks and months of restrictions already I am sure we can cope with this in a pragmatic way too.

It does mean the dates are tight for our Christmas weekend in Wales but it may still be possible – who knows? But 2021 is in our sights and I can

Another slow few months with not much to report. I missed Simply Porsche at Beaulieu but it was a good day by all accounts, if a little smaller than usual.

Let’s hope things start to improve soon. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

If anyone has any words and/or pictures of what what they've been up to with their cars, please do email them to me for publication.

December 1st (Tuesday) *CANCELLED* Christmas dinner at The Old Thatch, Wimborne January 5th (Tuesday) *TBC* Club night at The Old Thatch, Wimborne February 2nd (Tuesday) *TBC* Club night at The Old Thatch, Wimborne Please visit our website at www.tipec.net/regions/ southern as we are continuously updating our events page. Members will also receive email notifications of upcoming items.

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