PORSCHER Voice of Vancouver Island Region Porsche Club of America
PORSCHER
Volume 30 Issue 3, July 2026
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Contents VIR Executive
4
President’s Message
5
A Note from the Editor
7
Letters of Congratulations
8
VIRPCA—30 Years in the making
12
Feature: The Garages of Vancouver Island
16
Tech Talk
31
In the Zone
33
VI Region Reports
35
In Memoriam
39
Driven by Volunteers
40
911 Ways to Use your Porsche
42
Stories from the Road
43
Around the Bend—Upcoming Events
45
Porsche Pets
46
Gallery
47
12
31
16
Cover Photo:
Marc Klijnsmit PORSCHER
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Vancouver Island Region PCA Executive
Board
President
Paul Rossmo
president@virpca.org
Vice President
Imogen Burr
vicepresident@virpca.org
Secretary
Kevin Root
secretary@virpca.org
Treasurer
Peter D. Everett
treasurer@virpca.org
Director North Island
Marc Klijnsmit
northisland@virpca.org
Director Mid Island
Didier Moinier
midisland@virpca.org
Director South Island
Ray Gumbel
southisland@virpca.org
Chairs and Appointed Positions Club Liaison
Pat Lote
clubliaison@virpca.org
Database IT
Steve Fairbrother
steve.fairbrother@gmail.com
Events
Tim Evans
events@virpca.org
Insurance
James Renfrew
porsche@jamesrenfrew.com
Magazine
Karen Bresler
editor@virpca.org
Membership
Santanna Portman
membershipvirpca.org
Past President
Garth Webber Atkins
pastpresvir@shaw.ca
Rally
Klaus Kreye
rally@virpca.org
Tech/Classics
Paul Rossmo
paul.rossmo@prhistorics.com
Volunteer Coordinator Monika Parker
volunteer@virpca.org
Webmaster
webmaster@virpca.org
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Dave Nickel
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Honouring Three Decades of Passion It is a pleasure to join you as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Vancouver Island Region Porsche Club of America. Reaching a third of a century is no small feat for any organization, and looking back, it is inspiring to see how far we have traveled. Over the past three decades, our region has evolved from a small group of enthusiasts into a robust community, growing significantly in both size and our shared passion for the Porsche marque. This milestone is a testament to the enduring appeal of both Porsche cars and, more importantly, the enthusiasm of the people who drive them. Throughout our history, we have constantly striven to expand the "Porsche Experience" for our members. Our goal has remained unchanged since our founding: to curate diverse, engaging, and unique venues where we can step away from the routines of daily life to share our time, our stories, and our cars together. We are more than just a car club; we are a collection of friends who find common ground in the engineering and heritage of every model. Although the automotive industry is shifting toward a more electronic and complex future, Porsche ownership has proven to be a lasting and singular pleasure. For those of us who have spent decades in the automotive industry, we know that the "pure pleasure of driving" is a rare thing to preserve. As we look toward the years to come, lets continue to enjoy “Driving in it’s Purest Form”, the open road, and the camaraderie of our community. Thank you to every member, volunteer, and executive who has helped shape our story over the last thirty years. Here’s to thirty years of history, and to the many exciting miles still ahead of us. Paul Rossmo President Vancouver Island Region Porsche Club of America president@virpca.org
Zone 11 Rep and member, Gary Glover, and Vice President, Imogen Burr, have an impromptu meeting with the President, Paul Rossmo at the pitstop of the Spring Fling Drive. Photo: Karen Bresler
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Congratulations Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club of America on your 30th Anniversary. It is a true honour to serve as editor of this magazine at such a significant moment in the club’s history. Looking back through past issues of Porscher, I am reminded that this publication is built upon a remarkable legacy of dedication, enthusiasm and community spirit. Yvonne Yakimovich helped give voice to the newly formed region. An extract of the newsletter announcing the creation of our region is captured on page 14; Steve Fairbrother, whose stewardship of Porscher earned it three national awards, helped shape the magazine into what it is today. This commemorative printed edition has truly been a labour of love. I extend heartfelt thanks to our advertisers. Their presence in these pages reflects the strong relationships and shared passion that unite our region– inspired by the beauty, engineering and spirit of Porsche. As I gathered material for this anniversary year, I encountered the club’s legacy at every turn. From the reflections of past Presidents to the enthusiasm of our newest members, entering the Porsche corrals for the first time, there is a remarkable sense of continuity within this community. Along the way, I discovered that the garages housing many of the Porsches across our region are extraordinary spaces. Our feature article invites you inside just a few of these remarkable Vancouver Island garages –places where passion, craftmanship and lifestyle meet in spectacular fashion. They are, quite simply, reason enough to own a Porsche. Thank you to our members who so generously allowed me to visit their garage, and shared their stories and photos of their garages for this feature.
PORSCHER is published quarterly, in the months of April, July, October and January
In Tech Talk, Paul Rossmo, takes readers inside the engineering, evolution and performance of Porsche braking systems. Following Tech Talk, you can read our area representative report “In The Zone”, the Presidents report on the Zone 6 Presidents’ Meeting, and Regional Reports. We have our regular features: 911 Ways to enjoy use your Porsche, Porsche Pets and a celebratory piece of art in our Gallery, by member and artist, Trace Hart. At the time of writing, final planning for the main celebration event at Cherry Point Winery on July 11, 2026 is underway. May it be a memorable gathering for all. Here’s to the friendships forged, the roads travelled , and the enduring passion that continues to define our region. I hope you will share your photographs and stories with me at editor@virpca.org as Porscher continues on as the voice of the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club.
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Letters of Congratulations
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Dear Paul Rossmo: Your correspondence received December 17, 2026, addressed to the Lieutenant Governor has been passed to me for attention and response. Her Honour was pleased to receive your kind invitation to attend the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club’s 30th Anniversary Celebration being held July 11, 2026. I regret to advise that, due to commitments of her constitutional and ceremonial calendar, it will not be possible for her to attend. Her Honour does hope that you understand and has directed me to extend on her behalf, her best wishes for a most enjoyable and successful event. Yours sincerely, Jerymy Brownridge, Private Secretary Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Congratulations to the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club of America on celebrating 30 years in the club. From its small beginnings to its current size of well over 400 primary members it now hosts many local events and multi region events every year. I have attended many of your larger events over the years including trips to Painters Lodge, Crown Isle and Blackrock resort. The activities that the region has put forward at these events have been many and varied with everything from beachfront BBQs to golf tournaments to HPDEs and scavenger hunts. It just goes to show the wonderful leadership and volunteer participation year after year to make your club one of the “funnest” and friendliest that I have been able to enjoy. I’m sure you will have as much continued success over the next 30 years as you have for the past 30. Again, congratulations and I will see you on the road. Brad Pape, Zone 6 Rep
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On behalf of everyone at Area 27, congratulations to the Vancouver Island Region of the Porche Club of America on an incredible 30 years of celebrating automotive passion, performance, and the community that surrounds it. As a premier luxury motorsports club in Oliver, British Columbia, we have had the pleasure of welcoming many passionate Porsche owners and enthusiasts to our circuit over the years. Their appreciation for precision engineering, driver engagement, and elevated experiences aligns perfectly with the spirit of Area 27. Designed to capture the flow of a classic Grand Prix circuit while embracing modern technology, Area 27 has become a destination for drivers seeking world-class performance experiences in one of Canada’s most breathtaking settings.
We are also proud to continue growing Academy 27, our public performance driving program, where drivers of all skill levels can experience professional instruction and legendary vehicles on our renowned circuit. Congratulations again on this milestone anniversary. We look forward to continuing to support and connect with the passionate community you have built over the past three decades. Sincerely, The Area 27 Team
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VIRPCA– 30 years in the making
As VIRPCA marks its 30th anniversary this year, we reflect on a journey which started with small gatherings and shared enthusiasm. One that had us break into our own region of the Porche Club 30 years ago. This milestone is more than a celebration of longevity; it is a tribute to the members whose dedication has shaped our identity and ensured our continued vitality. As we honour the legacy of those who built the road behind us, we also look ahead– to new generations of enthusiasts, emerging technologies and the enduring spirit of camaraderie that will guide us into the future.
The 30th Anniversary Logo was created by Don Gosse
VIRPCA acknowledges with gratitude the commitment and service of its Presidents over the past 30 years, as well as the long list of board members and chairs who have volunteered their time, talents and energy to keep VIRPCA running and growing.
The Presidents of VIRPCA 1996 1997-1998 1999-2000 2001 2002 2003-2004 2005-2006 2007 2008-2013 2014—2015 2016-2017 2018 -2019 2020—2021 2022– 2023 2024 –Current PORSCHER
Blair Cooper Ernie Kowal Al Kyle Ernie Yakimovich Mike Woods Brian Nutt Ken Glover Rick Kroeker and Gary Glover Gary Glover Brad Blaney Martin Mansfield John MCGurran Tim Evans Garth Webber Atkins Paul Rossmo July 2026 Page 12
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In 1996, Blair Cooper was the newly chartered region’s first President. The region’s first newsletter produced by Yvonne Yakimovitch has Blair’s observations of this numinous time...
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The Garages of Vancouver Island By Karen Bresler
Photos: as credited
Photo submitted by owner
Polished floors. Walls lined with automative art. Lighting. Tools arranged with precision. Seating to enjoy the full ambit of all the garage has to offer. The cars - parked precisely, and with intention, are shown to perfection. The garages of Vancouver Island offer a feast for the sports car enthusiast’s senses.
more than wealth; they reveal a deep appreciation for the craftmanship, performance, and the emotional connection owners have with their cars. For some of the featured garages, a dedicated space to tinker with the vehicle, or more extensively restore it to its former glory, is an equally important purpose of the garage. Sometimes that is exactly where it all starts.
Today’s luxury garage is no longer simply a place to park a car– it has evolved into a private gallery, In this feature, we step inside a few of the garages social lounge and architectural statement designed of Vancouver Island– where creativity and around some of the world’s most iconic sports cars. architecture meets horsepower, where fellow enthusiasts gather to share stories, and where the Across North America and Europe, collectors and garage itself becomes as admired as the cars it enthusiasts are transforming traditional garages protects. We also take a peek at a few garages into highly curated environments capable of housing where keeping all the various Porsche parts together several prized vehicles at once. Climate control, in a dedicated space for a restoration is a time custom lifts, integrated lounges and showroom consuming and meditative process. Memorabilia, quality finishes surround vintage 911’s, modern GT dinky toys from yesteryear and trophies spark cars, carefully preserved classics, and charging passionate conversation among fellow enthusiasts stations for electric models. Interspersed are a few and inspire younger generations to ownership. other types of car, or a race or rally car, as the passion spills over. These luxury spaces reflect PORSCHER
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An Architectural Statement
Photos submitted by owner
This garage is built into the house and looks out at the ocean. The owner says: “I love the garage as it is finished as part of the house, rather than a utility space. All Douglas Fir millwork consistent with the home’s interior, and floor to ceiling windows offering a view of the ocean. The windows also allow the cars to be seen from the outdoor patio area, as well
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as the lower level family room. The wall art was all ordered off of Etsy, with some of it coming out of Russia before the war and sanctions closed that off. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the pictures say it all! I smile every time I take the garbage down to the garage.”
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Architecturally designed garages typify how they are no longer isolated utility spaces. Garages are extensions of the home. They are part gallery, part lounge, part workshop and part architectural statement. Collectors are designing spaces that treat their car
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the way an art collector treats the display of sculpture with lighting, climate control, sightlines, and materials all curated around the car. Many garages become deeply personal environments— less about wealth display and more about identity and passion.
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A Property for the Cars When all your cars are driven and raced, and you have a professional international racing licence, you don’t collect cars; rather you bring them into you life to use them in service of a burning passionate love for them and racing. Upon returning to Vancouver Island five years ago, this owner’s search began for a property “to store the cars”. The property is surrounded by beauty, in a rural setting. The 3500 feet barn houses the cars, a workshop area, which has a hoist and there are several social areas. Below: Photo submitted by owner
Above: The Barn, in an idyllic rural setting
One of the social areas in the beautifully decorated, and yet still working garage.
Burning through tires taking your car around the track means you keep a few piles of tires stored as well.
Photos: Karen Bresler
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Where Function Meets Form
things close to home”
Our next garage displays the “function meets form” design philosophy where practical usability and beauty are seamlessly integrated, with neither sacrificed for the other. There is a harmonious balance which the owner clearly demonstrates in his love of the cars and his use of them. Again, the garage is woven into the fabric of the house in that they are connected. The owner says: “its nice to have
On its size, the owner says it is 3400 square feet, stating that “a garage is never big enough.” It is shaped in a U. Planning started in 1979 as “ I was always planning for the next bigger/better garage” The garage was completed in 2022. “It has a 2 bay she-shop; engine shop; bicycle shop; two bay race shop; one bay fabrication shop; two bay paint shop; parking and utility room. The doors are two 16’ x 8’, three 10’ x 8’, three 36” mandoors, all double pane glass. The Windows: all but two are high on the wall so as not to use up valuable wall space...and to reduce distractions! “ There is one window though with a very distractable view.
Photos above and below submitted by owner
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A garage with a view. Photo Karen Bresler
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In floor hearing, two lifts and hot water are just some of the features of this garage.
The areas for socializing have a washroom, television and a couch for the F1 watching parties. The floor is a bare polished concrete. Lights are LED and, “you never have enough lights.” says this owner. He adds: “there is a barn as well…”
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Garage as Tribute
This Porsche Owner writes: “I bought my 1987 944 Turbo for my 50th birthday—finally giving in to something I’d wanted for over 30 years. The fellow I purchased it from had 15 other collectors and had taken great care of this one. It remains mostly original and in exceptional condition. “After I brought it home, I decided it needed a more respectful nest than bare studded walls. I insulated and drywalled the garage and painstakingly painted Martini stripes across my garage walls. Every line deliberate, every edge perfect. It wasn’t decoration—it was a tribute. Photo submitted by owner
“Now the car sits there, framed exactly the way I envisioned. It may not be the flashiest Porsche out there, but it’s mine—and unlike many cars, it’s getting more valuable with time. That was my justification at any rate.”
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A Garage is the Sum of all the Parts
All the Owners referenced the Garage as a place to store all the “parts” For those restoring a Porsche, the disassembly and meticulous organization of every part and component is approached with the same precision and care as the final reassembly, as the next owner understands very well. He says: “This is the less classy grungy side of garage and 911 ownership, this garage was hand picked so I could do all my rebuilds myself with my own two hands.
Photos submitted by owner
“This is my first 911 and I was lucky enough to find one that needed engine work so it fit in my budget. I used my skills as a heavy equipment technician to do just that. “I'm currently in the home stretch of putting my car back together and getting it back on the road after sitting for 20 years. “
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Our next owner also has specialist knowledge of engines and tools. Nestled on a retreat like rural property, his garage is multi-functional. 35 by 50 feet and 20 feet high, the owner recently added a car lift to do basic maintenance on the cars.
Photos submitted by owner
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Garage Floors
Vertical storage has also become standard. Hydraulic lifts allow collectors to double capacity while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
Floors– where durability , craftmanship and visual impact merge under the Porsches themselves, further setting apart the vehicles, and the garages which house them. In addition, more and more garages are now equipped with Charge Stations. Our next Owner explains his choice of flooring pictured below. “My choice was to have a black shiny floor finishing with Guards Red Porsche name badge between two smaller Porsche logos, with one large Porsche logo in the very middle of the garage. I also added some Tread plate in Guards Red, 16 inches up the back wall…there is not much space remaining but at least everything is parked inside and very convenient to work on cars or even a SUV.” He concludes: “Garages come in different looks, almost any look is good, as long as you use it.” Photos submitted by owners
Garages of the Future Any article on Garages today would incomplete with out a reference to an increasingly common sight. A charging station for electric vehicles. Designers increasingly incorporate elegant charging architecture into the overall aesthetic. As we move to the modern Porsche, we visit a garage styled with the same modern energy. The owners write: “The floor is SwissTrax. Really easy to order and install and it gives the garage a clean, tidy appearance . We were going for the 1970 Le Mans 917 colours to match the car. “There are some classic Porsche company calendars I’ve collected. The Rennsport poster was from a 2015 road trip down to Laguna Seca.”
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“Our fully electric Porsche has really spoiled us … 98% of our Level 2 charging is done at home. The place feels like another room in our house and a fun place to “hang out”, rather than just a garage. “
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Polished to Perfection Our final garage also has charging stations, and it has one more feature which makes it unique - its own wash bay. The owners decided, upon purchase of a property, to enlarge the garage. One of the owners writes that her husband and the construction friend, also a car enthusiast and member of the club, “conspired to change my storage room into an indoor car wash. While I was disappointed that I didn’t get a storage room (I still don’t have one!), I’m thrilled to have an indoor car wash that allows me to fully wash and detail my car in comfort year-round.”
She goes on to say that the 1300 square feet, twocar garage has a heated workshop with ocean views, and an indoor waterproof car wash. It features underfloor heating throughout; laundry; polyaspartic flooring throughout; hot water in the garage as well as in the wash bay; a fireplace in the workshop; stereo system throughout; detailing lighting in wash bay; built in vacuum in the wash bay and two electric car chargers. “ Photos submitted by owner
Conclusion The idea that the garage is an extension of both the home and the owner’s lifestyle has been a recurring theme throughout this article. Each owner generously offered a glimpse into a space where passion and performance are seamlessly woven together with hearth and home. PORSCHER
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TECH Talk By Paul Rossmo
Kinetic Asymmetry: Engine vs. Brakes Porsche pioneered the focus on braking as a primary kinetic tool in overall car performance. Porsche had a “Plus-Four” philosophy that Porsche brakes should always handle four times the maximum output of the engine. Designed to be completely indefatigable on the track, the Porsche brake system allowed the driver to manage the car’s weight transfer into the corners, lap after lap without pedal fade. Contrast this to Enzo Ferrari, who stated “cars are meant to go fast, not stop”; he didn’t trust what he saw as experimental brakes. His driver Mike Hawthorn demanded his F1 car be fitted with disc brakes and went on to win the season, finally convincing Enzo the ‘drum brake era’ was over. Porsche engines produce impressive horsepower, however during hard deceleration, a Porsche generates the thermal equivalent of between 1,500 and 2,000 horsepower Porsche standardized disc brakes beginning with the 356B Carrera 2. Porsche introduced internally ventilated disc brakes on the 911S. Porsche has always favoured a direct technology transfer from the racetrack to their road cars. As turbocharging pushed the 911 platform into unprecedented speed realms, Porsche sought a braking system to match. Porsche’s solution was elegant and uncompromising adapting the braking architecture of the 917 for the street. The new inter-cooled 930 featured four piston finned aluminum calipers with internally ventilated cross-drilled rotors. This marks the historical inflection point where Porsche firmly established its reputation for race-ready stopping power on production cars.
Rotor design: vented, cross drilled, slotted
○ Vented – Ventilated rotors quickly became a
foundational element of all Porsche rotors. Rather than a solid iron disc the two friction surfaces are separated by internal vanes which draw air from the hub area and force it outward lowering the core temperature.
○ Cross-Drilled Discs – Easily recognizable by
the radial pattern of holes drilled through the friction surface. Older brake pad materials utilized bonding agents that would vaporize under extreme temperatures. This ‘off-gassing’ created a microscopic layer of gas which when trapped between the pad and rotor prevented the pad from making full contact and caused extreme brake fade. Modern compounds no longer off-gas, today cross-drilling primarily serves to shed water rapidly and reduce unsprung rotating mass. The holes also act to shave the pad material keeping a fresh friction surface. Their liability is structural stress propagation where under extreme track heat cycles, cracking can develop around the holes.
○ Slotted Discs – Favored in modern motorsport
applications, these have shallow slots machined across the rotor face which act as continuous scrapers, cleaning the pad face and maintaining a fresh friction surface without compromising the structural integrity of the disc. They provide excellent water escape routes but accelerate pad wear slightly.
Material Science: Cast Iron, Nickel Alloys, Carbon Ceramics The choice of rotor material determines how effectively the brakes absorb and transfer heat.
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Specialized high-carbon cast iron is often alloyed with nickel to improve thermal shock resistance and minimize warping.
Using brake pads below 50% or forgetting a cool down lap can permanently damage the disc.
The negatives are the cost of replacement and a risk of chipping the disc when serviced.
Pad Compositions: The friction interface
Furthermore, how these components are secured Porsche introduced PCCB (Porsche Ceramic Compo- matters. Initially we relied on floating pins or simple fixed backings, Porsche systems implement floatingsite Brakes) on the 996 Turbo. They offered two rotor designs with stainless steel drive pins. This profound advantages. Utilizing a carbon-fibrepinned architecture allows the outer iron or ceramic reinforced silicon carbide composite, PCCB rotors ring to expand radially as it heats, independent of the provide immense thermal stability at braking aluminum center hat, eliminating the thermal coning temperatures where iron begins to degrade. and warping that plagues single-piece castings. The real benefit is their approximately 50% reduction in weight of the braking components. This significant By treating the braking system as a primary tool for reduction of about 44 lbs. yields dividends in steering handling and balance Porsche fundamentally changed how sports cars are driven. It is why a response and transitional handling agility. The Porsche’s brake pedal always feels firm, progressive substantially reduced rotational inertia meant the and deeply communicative. The goal is total wheels could accelerate, decelerate and change command over the car’s momentum on the road. direction with far less resistance.
I always suggest if you are tracking your car put on ‘Nickels’ and keep your carbon discs for the street and resale. I have seen more than one set of carbon discs thermally damaged by inexperienced drivers. When pushed past their threshold, the carbon fibers inside the disc oxidize leading to delamination. An inexperienced driver can easily trigger this through a combination of driving technique and a reliance on the car’s electronics. PSM (Porsche Stability Management) and PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) utilize the rear brakes. The driver may feel he is doing great, but meanwhile the rear PCCB’S are getting destroyed by the computer. On a track day, running the car with traction and stability controls fully active you can destroy a set of rear rotors in a single afternoon.
Selecting the correct brake pad requires balancing the need for ‘cold bite’, operating temperature ranges, noise and dust. An OEM pad offers immediate cold bite, no noise and low rotor wear, but some brake dust. They support touring and spirited driving. A Racing pad will be immune to thermal fade and once hot offer exceptional high speed bite. They will however require warming up, and aggressively wear your rotors when cold accompanied by loud squealing. These are only suitable for track use and competitive Motorsport.
Your brakes are the most powerful component of your car The next time you press the center pedal of your Porsche and feel the immediate, reassuring, deceleration that pulls against your seatbelt, remember that you are commanding an engine of thermodynamics. It is a system forged in the crucible of endurance racing, engineered to harness and dissipate massive amounts of kinetic energy.
Horsepower makes a car fast down the straights…….Porsche brakes make the car fast everywhere else. Paul Rossmo
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PCA Zone 6 Rep - Brad Pape
Welcome to a beautiful spring season in Zone 6. The while it is top of mind. I will be posting more past month has been picking up for Kelly and myinformation on the Zone 6 website as it comes self. I spent the first week of April preparing for our available. annual President’s Meeting in Sydney BC. Lots to do like setting up a zoom link for presidents that were As a reminder, please remember, if you have unable to make the meeting and also arranging for juniors on tours or participating in events, please Lindsey Robinson, National Membership Chair, to make sure that the appropriate junior waivers are join in and finalizing my PowerPoint signed by the parents as per your RPM. See you on presentation. Also, our group was the first to use the the road! hotel’s newly remodelled conference room so we got to test out all of their electronic equipment. Brad Pape In the end, the meeting went off without a hitch. Lots of information was exchanged between the presidents, vice presidents and Aaron Ambrosino who made time in his busy schedule to present us personally with the current PCA items and information. The second phase of parade registration happened….sort of. Almost as soon as the registration opened, the website crashed. Most people couldn’t log in at all. Some people got part way through and some actually got registered. It was quite a kerfuffle. Eventually the problem was fixed and members were able to register. Tours and other popular events filled quickly so, I am sure there will be some disappointed folks out there, including us. Kelly and I also registered for Greater Columbia Region’s - Journey Through Time Tour Leaving from Pasco Washington and heading through the back roads of Washington and Idaho. It looks like a lot of fun and we are looking forward to our first drive as a zone rep. Silver Sage Region wanted me to mention their annual Octoberfast Weekend October 2 - 4, 2026. Registration will open for this in August but I thought I would mention it here PORSCHER
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Zone 6 President’s Meeting – April 2026 — Generating New Ideas By Paul Rossmo
At the Zone 6 Presidents’ meeting held in Sidney in April, PCA President, Aaron Ambrosino, presented President Paul Rossmo with a letter of Congratulations to VIRPCA. Vice President Imogen Burr holds the commemorative 30th Anniversary plaque while Zone 6 Rep Brad Pape looks on Left to Right: Paul Rossmo, Aaron Ambrosino, Imogen Burr and Brad Pape Photo: Gary Glover
The Vancouver Island Region had the pleasure of hosting the Zone 6 Presidents’ Meeting this past April 11th at the Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa in Sidney-by-theSea. Imogen Burr, our Vice-President, attended with me, and together we represented VIRPCA with pride. It was a terrific gathering, bringing together leadership from across the zone for a productive and enjoyable few days. We were especially honoured to welcome Aaron Ambrosino, President of the Porsche Club of America, who joined us and presented a commemorative 30th anniversary plaque in recognition of our region.
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The weekend was marked by open discussion, fresh ideas, and a strong sense of camaraderie among the regions. Just as importantly, it gave us the opportunity to showcase Vancouver Island to our Region counterparts, many whom remarked on it’s beauty. There was genuine enthusiasm for the idea of future Island-based events and travel, and I believe we left a very positive and lasting impression. Below: The Zone 6 Presidents’ Meeting participants in Sidney, BC Photo: Gary Glover
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South Island This year is particularly special for the Vancouver Island Region as we celebrate our 30th Anniversary. On February 10th, 1996, Vancouver Island was granted a charter and VIR-PCA was established as a spin-off from Canada West Region. I am also marking my 20th year as a member of the Porsche Club of America. I reflect on all the fantastic regional and national events we've attended, but ultimately, it is the people we've met who truly make a difference. Over the last two decades, we have forged many incredible connections thanks to PCA. My wife and I have made great friends across North America and have been warmly welcomed, and continue to make wonderful friendships since our move to Vancouver Island three years ago. The friendships we have formed go far deeper than just our love for cars. While we enjoy discussing Porsche topics, our conversations often extend to other shared interests when we gather with friends from the club. We have travelled together on vacations, greeted each other with hugs, and shared jokes and laughter as if we were family. We support one another and offer helpful advice. Joining the PCA has not only enhanced my experience as a Porsche owner but has also enriched my life overall.
Ray Gumbel South Island Director southisland@virpca.org
I encourage you to attend events and get involved. It’s a great way to meet people with similar interests. Please consider volunteering and even organizing some events yourself. We are always looking for our regional members to share ideas for tours or rallies, suggest group dinner locations, or contribute articles to our regional newsletter. It is a volunteer-run organization, and the effort invested in the club yields tremendous rewards for everyone.
Photo: Wyman Lee
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Mid Island Director: Didier Moinier
This year I have been a PCA member for 15 years. During this time, I have loved getting involved with the club members as much as possible. When I was living in Sidney, I was the South Island Director for four years. I now live in Errington. Being the Mid-Island Director is wonderful. Being a part of the Cars and Coffee every Sunday at Café 356 is fantastic and it is a great place to meet all the members of the club.
Didier Moinier Mid Island Director
midisland@virpca.org
This year is very special as it is the 30th Anniversary of the club and I look forward to celebrating with everyone.
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North Island Director: Marc P. Klijnsmit
Happy 30th anniversary to the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club! My motive to become a member of the Porsche Club only four years ago was to see the cars. Just the cars. But as we celebrate three decades together, it’s worth pausing to remember what truly makes our region special. It’s not just the cars. It’s the people.
Marc P. Klijnsmit North Island Director northisland@virpca.org
It’s the familiar faces waving you into the ferry lineup at 7 a.m. for a driving tour. It’s the friend who shows up with tools when your car decides to act up. It’s the laughter echoing across the table after a long day of driving, the stories swapped over cars and coffee, the quiet support when life throws a curveball, and the genuine joy of sharing this passion with people who just get it. Whether you drive a classic air-cooled 911, a sleek new Taycan, a nimble Spyder, or anything in between, the cars are simply the excuse that brings us together. The real magic happens in the friendships we build, the memories we create, and the sense of belonging we all feel every time we roll out together. To every member — past and present — who has helped shape our region: thank you. Your energy, generosity, and enthusiasm are what keep this club thriving. Here’s to the next 30 years of great roads, great drives, and — most of all — great people. We can’t wait to celebrate with you all throughout 2026!
Photo above: Ken McLean Photo left: submitted by Marck Klijnsmit, pictured (left) with Candice Keller and Gordon Halkett (right) at the Mittwoch Essen in May
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Membership Report Membership Chair: Santanna Portman I’m incredibly excited to step into the role of Membership Chair for the Vancouver Island Region of the Porsche Club of America. One of the best parts of this club is the people — from longtime Porsche enthusiasts to first-time owners, everyone shares the same passion for driving, community, and unforgettable experiences. There’s something special about welcoming new Santanna Portman members, introducing them to the friendships and events that make this club so Membership Chair unique, and watching those connections grow. I’m looking forward to helping our membershipvirpca.org community continue to expand and making sure every new member feels right at home from day one. We have the privilege of meeting new members and car enthusiasts at Café 356 and I look forward to our first New Members Social , which at the time of printing, is being planned for June. We will host another new membership event in Fall/Winter. So, stay tuned and keep up with these and many more events on our website or Facebook page!
New Members We welcome the following new members: - Robert Ferguson - Mark Mawhinney - Matthew Campbell - Mae-Claire Locke / Lindsay Locke - Scott Webber - Daina Goodinson - Henry Kucera - Teresa Christison / Richard Long - Chris Seipio - Berkley Scott - Keith Lehman - Thomas Sherk - Lyle Boyce - Mike Chow - Steven Raduy - Christopher Pouget - Peter Stofko - Paul Laissarian - Dave Ladouceur - Paul Ouellet - Esther Zelotes - Oliver Ayling - Vern Kemp - Charles Johnstone - Rob Dykeman - Cathie Lank - Dan Olive
If we missed your name here, please let us know and we will publish it in the next edition of Porscher. New members and anniversaries are announced in the President’s Monthly Update to the membership. PORSCHER
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In Memoriam
Editors note: When I first met Roy at Cars and Coffee in 2024, he told me how the members of VIRPCA had assisted him through good and bad times, for which he was deeply grateful. Roy was so full of passion for Porsches and driving. I was glad I stopped to chat. I went to visit him, in my capacity as editor of this magazine, at his home during late Fall last year. Even though he was very ill and had to take his time speaking, we had a meaningful exchange. One of the things he told me was that he would love to go for a drive again in “a nice Porsche.” I asked him what a nice Porsche would be to him and he said a GT3. I said we would arrange this for him, subject to medical permission. Roy answered that he trusts any of his friends in VIR to take him on a drive. I was in contact with his caregiver afterwards and she spoke with the family about the proposed drive. It was decided that we would wait until warmer weather and check in with the family and medical team then. She chatted with Roy about it and he understood, and was pleased it was being planned. Sadly, he has passed before this could be arranged. I feel he held it in his heart, as he did his long-time friends in VIRPCA. A wonderful man and loyal member. PORSCHER
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Driven by volunteers By Monika Parker Hello Members, As your Volunteer Coordinator, I look forward to helping you connect, contribute, and get the most out of your membership experience.
Monika Parker Volunteer Coordinator volunteer@virpca.org
Our club thrives because of members like you— individuals who share a love for driving excellence, camaraderie, and giving back. Whether you are interested in supporting events, assisting with community initiatives, or simply meeting fellow members, there are many rewarding ways to get involved. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, ideas, or would like to get involved. I look forward to meeting you at upcoming events and working together to make this an exceptional year for our club.
Above: Dean Gaschermann volunteers his photography at events, as well as for articles in this magazine. Photo: Karen Bresler
Wyman Lee volunteers his photography. Wyman and Sandy (right) also host many events, including the ever popular Christmas Lunch and the Chinese New Year Dinner. Photo: Eric Maitland
Member Liaison Pat Lote, with Volunteer Coordinator, Monika Parker and Vice- President, Imogen Burr at Imogen’s Spring Fling Drivers meeting in May. Photo: Karen Bresler
Five Reasons to Volunteer
3. Personal Growth and Fulfilment
1. Connection and Community
4. Turning passion into participation
2. Keeping the club strong for the future
5. Being a part of creating memorable experiences
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911 ways to use your Porsche Using your Porsche to Fundraise: Featured here is seven week old rescued lamb, Sawyer, who was part of pre-event planning for High Tea at A Home for Hooves Animal Sanctuary, taking place in June, just before printing of this issue. President, Paul Rossmo said that Sawyer was petitioning him for rides in a Porsche for the other animals at the sanctuary The final amount raised for A Home For Hooves from this event was not available at the time of printing. (Editor’s note: See A Home for Hooves advertisement on page 43 to see ways to support them) Photo: Karen Bresler
If you would like to share a photo of your Porsche being useful or doing unique activities, please email the Editor with your photo/s and a brief description to editor@virpca.org
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Stories from the Road Spring Fling The sun was out and so were the Porsches for Vice-President, Imogen Burr’s Spring Fling in May. Imogen took us on a delightful route, with many winding country roads, and a pit stop along the way. Funds from this event will be donated to the Greyhaven Exotic Bird Sanctuary, a charity close to the “Bird Lady’s” heart.
Photo: Dean Gaschermann
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Photo above:: Ken McLean Youtube link: https://youtube.com/@europeancarsandcoffeeyyj?
Photo: Eric Maitland PORSCHER
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Ongoing Cars & Coffee Times North Island Cars and Coffee is every second Saturday in Campbell River at the Quinsam Crossing Starbucks- 10am to 12.Cars and Coffee is also every 4th Sunday at Bean Around the World on Cliff Avenue in Courtenay. 10am to 12. Mid Island
Sundays 9:00 am, Café 356, 1025 Lee Road, Parksville
South Island
Sundays 9am, Whole Foods Market, 3587 Blanshard Street, Victoria
A few upcoming events July— September 2026 Please check the website as events are updated all the time. Some notable upcoming events are featured here so you can “Save the Date” and register in time. We look forward to the cars, people and lively discussions. July 11
30th Anniversary Celebration Event at Cherry Point Winery
July 18
Blackstaff Heritage Museum
July 19
Oak Bay Collector Car Festival
July 26
Annual Picnic
Porsche Ladies of Vancouver Island Book Club meet up, Victoria– monthly August 8
Gimmick Rally
August 15
Marine Circle Drive
August 29
Ladies Drive
September 16
Dinner at French Creek Pub
September 19
John Clark Memorial Drive to Gold River
September 26
Volunteer Appreciation Event
Photo: Eric Maitland
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Porsche pets Wiz loves his Porsche Rides, and Café 356, as it is very dog friendly and has yummy treats.
If you have a Porsche Pet and would like to have your pet featured here, please email the Editor editor@virpca.org with the photo and a brief description of how your pet enjoys the Porsche experience.
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Gallery “Celebration” By member Trace Hart . Many of Trace’s recent Porsche themed pieces are displayed at Café 356 and in members homes and garages.
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Porscher Advertiser Index
A Home for Hooves Animal Sanctuary
Porsche Victoria
Brian Danyliw– Sothebys International Café 356 Cherry Estate Point Winery French Creek Pub Goodfellas Cigar Shop Mark Dalton
PR Historics Appraisals Riverbend Cafe Ronnefeldt Tea The Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa Unique Accommodations Villamar
Please show your support for these businesses by giving them the opportunity to serve you. Also mention that you saw their advert in Porscher. The display of adverts does not constitute an endorsement of the company by VIRPCA or PCA.
Submissions to Porscher Members are invited and encouraged to submit articles and photos that would be of interest to the Club. Photos in JPG or PNG formats. Articles should not exceed 750 words. Longer articles will be considered on a case by case basis. If submitting photos, please send a caption describing the photo or the people depicted and please indicate the name of the photographer. Please send submissions via email to the Editor at: editor@virpca.org Magazine Deadline The deadline for the next issue is the 10th of the month prior to the issue date. Porscher is issued April, July. October, and January. Photo Credits: Karen Bresler; Dean Gaschermann; Eric Maitland; Ken McLean; Wyman Lee. Others are credited in articles. If we have omitted anyone, our apologies. Please advise us and we shall credit you next issue.
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www.virpca.org Porscher is the official publication of the Vancouver Island Region Porsche Club of America and is published quarterly.
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EDITORIAL: Statements appearing in PORSCHER are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Porsche Club of America, the Vancouver Island Region, its Executives or the Editor. All articles and photographs are copyright the author or contributor (unless otherwise noted). Permission for reprints or reproduction of the contents must be granted by the Editor and the author or contributor. Copyright © 2017-2026 by Porsche Club of America, Vancouver Island Region. All rights reserved. July 2026 Page 48
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