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2018 NEWS ARCHIVE
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With a good 'ole Virginia fire crackling in a rustic setting, our Twelve 2018 Holiday Party Raffle Prizes:
Click here to see the event photo gallery. |
The Christmas tree at Michie Tavern
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15 Years: Rick Kiser 10 Years: Dan Ehrman |
Shenandoah Membership Milestones, December 2018
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Primary Members–267 New members:
Transfer from First Settlers Region:
Please verify and update your postal and email addresses so that we can stay in touch with you. Here are instructions on how to change your PCA member records or renew your PCA membership. |
Shenandoah Region PCA November 2018 Membership Report
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Shenandoah Region 2019–2020 Board Election Results The votes received during the October 30–November 20 balloting period have been counted and validated. The Election Chairman (Bill Blodgett) congratulates the newly elected 2019–2020 Shenandoah Region Officers:
Mark Francis–President I joined PCA in 1992 as an associate member on my father's membership while in college. We were members of the Potomac Region. We mostly attended social events until getting involved in autocross and driver's education events in 1998. I became a DE instructor and started PCA Club Racing in 2000. After a short stint as assistant editor of der Vorgänger (Potomac's monthly newsletter) I took over as editor and served in that position from late 2000 through 2006. I was helper and event photographer for the rally program when my former wife served as rally chair. Currently still active as an instructor with Potomac Region, though I haven't done any racing in four years. What I would like to accomplish during my term in office is to get more members participating in club events. Maybe encourage more to come to the local cars and coffee events, more driving events like rallies, tours, or just social events. All too often, many join the club for a few years, then let their membership lapse because they just aren't that active in the club. Communication is key. Jeff Elmore–Vice President I see myself contributing to our club in some very specific ways. As an autocrosser I would like to become more active in the administration and planning of our events. I am active autocrossing with other area clubs and I believe my input could help to increase participation in our autocrosses, managing scheduling conflicts with the other clubs, and making their members aware of our upcoming events. I feel that I could also contribute to SRPCA's rebranding initiative. As a state-level Adult Education practitioner, I have been involved in rebranding and outreach strategies for Adult Ed programs throughout Virginia. I'm confident that my skills and experience will transfer over to SRPCA's efforts. In particular, I am excited about opportunities to expand SRPCA's social media presence. I have been a member of SRPCA since 2006. I currently own two Porsches: a 2000 Boxster S autocross car and a 1999 Carrera 4. Between 2007–2009, I authored more than 20 Tech Tactics articles for the SRPCA's newsletter, The Heat Exchanger. This effort grew into RennZenn, a (very!) small business performing maintenance, performance, and detail work on Porsches and other automobiles. I live in Palmyra with my wife Ginger and our two Bassett Hounds, Turbo and Sadie. Mark Sackson–Vice President The second thing I did after buying my Porsche was to join PCA. The first was to replace the IMS, RMS and install a new clutch. I have enjoyed the club. It is a very warm and welcoming group of people. As far as the brand is concerned, I've wanted a Porsche since I was in junior high school. I had a long delay: after college I lived in NYC for 16 years, making Porsche ownership impractical. I have served on both nonprofit boards and social club boards for many years. If I had an objective for our club it would be to increase membership. There are a lot of Porsches in our area, and I'm guessing only a small percentage belong to the club. I would work to figure out how to reach theses owners and show them how much fun and how much more they can appreciate these wonderful machines. I grew up in Scarsdale, NY, graduated from Hobart College with a BA, and received an MBA from The Lubin School of Business. I lived and worked in NYC for about 16 years, raising three boys. I moved to Charlottesville about 15 years ago, where we had our fourth child, a girl. About 10 years ago I decided to try my hand at teaching. I'm a substitute teacher and work to keep our farm going. Michael Evans–Secretary As Secretary I want to better document the Club's activities with articles and video recordings of fun events so that members may see their cars. This will include working towards a newer website and having a place for Club members to share their own pictures and video. Jeff Blatter–Treasurer I grew up in Crozet, attended Western Albemarle High school and VA Tech. I learned how to drive a stick in a 1966 Porsche 912 and owned a series of unreliable foreign sports cars. After college, I moved out west and worked in corporate finance in Boulder, CO. In the early 2000's, my wife and I sold everything and moved to Bozeman, MT where I worked as a fishing guide and outfitter in the summer and did tax work in the winter. I returned to Charlottesville 4 years ago and work as a financial planner for a local firm. I am a Certified Financial Planner and an Enrolled Agent with the IRS. On nice days I drive my emerald green Porsche Carrera Cabriolet. |
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Flow Porsche of Charlottesville hosted a launch party for the third-generation Cayenne at the scenic King Family Vineyards near Crozet on the evening of November 8. It was well attended by PCA members from the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Regions, plus other area "car guys." A wine bar and excellent heavy hors d'oeuvres added to the draw. To see the photo gallery covering this event, click here. The third generation 2019 Cayenne includes "glass cockpit" with touch-sensitive controls and increased power from smaller engines. The capital-T Turbo model now produces 550 hp and, with the aid of Sport Chrono, will launch the massive Cayenne from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. After an introductory presentation by Will Reifsteck of Flow Porsche, Chris Beverage and Ray Tinsley unveiled the new Cayenne for all to see and sit in. |
Chris and Ray uncovering the new Cayenne
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It's that time of year again to take a drive thru the countryside of Virginia and enjoy the fall foliage. The 13th Annual Fall Foliage Shenandoah Region drive held on October 21st took us back to Sperryville. Randy Bell had previously guided us on this route two years ago. It was so delightful, that we decided to take it again. A total of 39 Porsche enthusiasts participated in 23 Porsches and a Jaguar. The participants included Bill Blodgett, Hal & Cyndi Fredrickson, Tim Messer, John & Michelle Odden, Charles & Genie Passut, Dick Pitini, Mark & Bert Sackson, Hank & Jolly Weil, Gary Hunter, Jeff Blatter & Karen Yonovitz, Bob Duntley, John & Susan Carpenter, Lynne Taylor, Zach Connor & Desiree Choe, Engelbert & Claudia Muelhaupt, Cam & Lisa Abernathy, Ray Olsen, Roger Borsink, Jack & Heidi Adams, Michael Evans, Henry Haefele & Kathy Winteringham, Walter & Tina Adamek, William & Will Lansing and Troy Adamek & Lisa Humpage. What a great turnout for a really fun drive thru the inviting Virginia countryside. We gathered at the Dunkin Donuts, a very short drive off Interstate 64, in Zion Crossroads. After some fresh brewed coffee, a donut or two and socializing, Hank Weil conducted the driver's meeting and we headed to our Porsches. Hank lead the drive; Tim Messer was the Group leader and John Odden the sweep. John had arranged for a Gordonsville police officer to ensure that the group was able to stay together as we drove around the roundabout in Gordonsville onto route 231. This was a great plan. Off we went!! Our driving tour took us on some fantastic country roads on routes 15 & 231 thru Greene, Orange, Madison, Culpeper and Rappahannock counties. About 65 minutes later, we arrived in Sperryville and parked at our destination, the Headmasters Pub. We did not lose track of anyone during the drive. It was a beautiful day in the 70's, but unfortunately, the foliage had just begun to turn and the colors were muted to non-existent. Nonetheless, it was a fabulous drive over 55 miles from Dunkin Donuts to the Headmasters Pub. When we arrived at the Pub, the management had set up tables for us in the large back game room where we sat at four tables and had a wonderful time socializing, talking Porsches and renewing old acquaintances. We ordered from the Pub's October menu and the food and drink was delicious. I don't believe any of us left hungry. What a great gathering and another successful Shenandoah Fall Foliage drive. If you haven't taken the opportunity to participate in one of the Shenandoah drives, I highly recommend it. If you have participated in one I'm sure you will agree it is worth doing again. Remember it's not just about the cars, but the people too!!!! To see the photo gallery from this event, click (here). |
Fall Foliage Tour
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15 Years:
5 Years: |
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Primary Members–266 New members:
New Test Drive Member
Please verify and update your postal and email addresses so that we can stay in touch with you. Here are instructions on how to change your PCA member records or renew your PCA membership. |
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The Shenandoah Region hosted a New Member Event on October 7th at Hank and Jolly Weil's home in Crozet. We had 24 in attendance and everyone had an outstanding time. All of the new members can now understand why we say, "It's not just the cars, its the people!" Ed and Donna Rehorn brought their 1974 914 Porsche. Kevin Sheets drove his gorgeous, newly purchased, graphite blue metallic 2018 Boxster. David Seidenfeld brought his father who was visiting from Pittsburg and thoroughly enjoyed the cars along with the great conversations (David's Dad is a long time car lover). Everyone enjoyed meeting David and Amber Tyson who drove up from Scottsville. Hank and Jolly's neighbors were overwhelmed with the eye candy parked on both sides of the street. The food was catered by Smoked Taphouse & Kitchen which is now my favorite barbecue restaurant! Michelle Odden, always the team player, helped with the planning and food presentation which I could not have done without her. Many thanks to Hank and Jolly Weil for opening up their home and their wonderful hospitality. |
New Member Event
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No Milestones this month |
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Primary Members–267 New members:
Transfer out of the Region:
Please verify and update your postal and email addresses so that we can stay in touch with you. Here are instructions on how to change your PCA member records or renew your PCA membership. |
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A forecast of afternoon rain didn't stop the final autocross of the 2018 season on Sunday, September 8 at the Augusta Government Center parking lot in Verona. Rick Ebinger designed a fast course to give everyone a good shot at getting six dry runs, but a light rain moved in during the fourth heat. Notably, Sherry Westfall made a 48.777 s run in the rain, a sure sign of smooth driving, to win the Ladies class. To see the photo gallery covering this event, click here. The top five finishers were all within one second of each other, led by Will King (45.207 s) and Ray Schumin (45.444 s) in Honda S2000s. Close behind were the three quickest Porsches driven by Eric Huggins (45.830 s), Jim Condon (45.896 s), and Jeffrey Elmore (46.005 s). The class winners were:
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Eric Huggins
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On Sunday, August 26, 50 Shenandoah Region PCA members gathered to celebrate the Club's 23rd anniversary with a summer picnic at the Market at Grelen, in Somerset, VA. They came from Richmond and its environs, led by John and Michelle Odden and from Charlottesville and points west, led by Mark Doherty and John Pfaltz. The day was bright, the views were sensational, and it didn't rain! To see a photo gallery covering this event, click here. The program consisted of a Club Sponsor award presented to Mike and Ana Kilmer for the sponsor banners displayed during the Richmond Porsche Meet by Hank Weil, President. Mike received a plaque with a model of his Porsche! Three door prizes went to the following lucky attendees:
This event also benefited the Feedmore Food Bank in Richmond and the Blue Ridge Food Bank in Charlottesville. The Club issued checks totaling $260, including a donation from Beverly McNeill. |
Our summer picnic destination
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5 Years: Hal Fredrickson |
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Primary Members–269 New member:
New Test Drive member:
No Transfers in or out of the Region Please verify and update your postal and email addresses so that we can stay in touch with you. Here are instructions on how to change your PCA member records or renew your PCA membership. |
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The top races of this multiday event at VIR took place on Sunday, August 19. As usual this summer, heavy rain was predicted, but all of the races were completed on a dry track. The PorschePlatz tent was set up on NASCAR Bend this year, not just after Turn 4 as before. Shenandoah Region members in attendance on Sunday included Cam & Lisa Abernethy, Kim Butcher, Jim Condon & Sherry Westfall, Howie Dunbrack, Michael Evans, Dan Graff, Steve McCaughan, John Odden, Dick Pitman, Alex Smith, Bill Speidell, Steve Upman, and Keith Welty. To see the photo gallery from this event, click here. After the early morning practice session, the first race was the Porsche GT3 Cup (platinum), with best lap times about 1 minute, 49 seconds. Next up in the morning was the Lamborghini Super Trofeo. In the PorschePlatz, a representative from Michelin described their race tires, answered questions from the audience, and gave a set of tires to a lucky winner. Michael Levitas and the TPC racing team told us about their GT3 Cup efforts.
The Michelin GT Challenge ran from about 1 PM to 3:45 PM. Sherry
Westfall and Dan Graff won passes to the Porsche pit area during the
race, were given an explanatory tour of the pits, and got to watch
Porsche GTLM car #912 come in for a pit stop. Dan made a short video of
the pit stop; click on the arrow in the image below
to play it.
Porsche #911 led the race from lap 32 to lap 40, when it caught fire at the top of the climbing esses and had to drop out. #912 driven by Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor finished fifth in GTLM, with best lap times 1 minute, 43 seconds. Patrick Long and Christina Neilsen drove the Porsche #58 car to second place in GTD with lap times as fast as 1 minute, 46 seconds. Selected race results:
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The Porsche #912 car driven by
Earl Bamber and |
The threat of afternoon rain hung over Autocross #4 on Sunday, August 12 at the Augusta Government Center parking lot in Verona, VA, so we started a bit earlier than usual. Fortunately the sunny weather held out longer than predicted and we all got in our usual six runs on dry pavement. Rick Ebinger designed a course that with a long east-west straight that ended in a U-turn just before the flat field to the east. Drivers who braked too late demonstrated how to let the smoke out of their tires (see the photo gallery covering this event by clicking here). Then, instead of having fun runs afterward, we quickly picked up the still-dry cones just before the rain hit. Jonathan Newhall's 42.806 s was the FTD, Jim Condon was the "first loser" at 43.736 s, and Richard Gray came in third with a 43.857 s time. The class winners were:
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Richard Gray, 2004 Turbo
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Drive the Plank After almost a week of heavy rain in Albemarle County, our Saturday, August 4 "Drive the Plank" tour led by Tim Messer was welcomed with "Carolina" blue skies and somewhat mild conditions. A total of 39 drivers and navigators participated with 20 Porsches, a Maserati, a BMW Z4, and a Mini Cooper. The participants included Mark & Marty Doherty, Hal & Cyndi Fredrickson, Dan Kuchenberg & Paula Ironmonger, Jason Wavell & Victoria Mason, Tim & Andrea Messer, John & C. R. Odden (John's Dad), Charles & Genie Passut, Dick Pitini, Bruce Russell, Mark Sackson & Jim Ballheim, Bruce Vlk, David & Nancy Wallace (FSR), Bill & Sara Barony (FSR), Hank & Jolly Weil, Tony Wilson, Charlie & Robin Winzer, Steve Ham, Shannon & Kathy Kennedy, Kevin Sheets, Michelle & Stew Whitehurst, Jeff & Ginger Elmore, Shawn Pharr, and Steve & Penny Heim. What a great turnout for a really fun drive thru the Virginia countryside. "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plan" is a lyric from an old country song. It could also have been our theme song for the day. Although the route had been driven three hours prior to the drive, we ran into our first surprise within the first three miles. A full road crew had appeared, complete with dripping blacktop that no Porsche driver would want to drive through. This led to a quick decision to change our route to go around the construction. Many thanks to Andrea Messer for jumping out of the lead car to quickly explain the situation to everyone and Steve Ham for offering her a ride out to Devil's Backbone. We were able to rejoin our route three miles later and although the mileage figures were now off, the basic directions held true. We appeared to form a tight group as we headed west along Carters Mountain Road and onto historic Plank Road. Our second major complication happened along Plank Road as a tree branch fell somewhere between two cars within the group. Many thanks to whoever jumped out of their Porsche and quickly solved the problem. Although the tree limb and traffic on Highway 151 caused some separation, we all arrived at Devils Backbone Basecamp and Brewpub safe and sound, hungry and thirsty. Although the pub was somewhat crowded, the food was good and the beer was cold. All in all, it turned out to be a very successful drive on a beautiful summer day. As Hank likes to say, "It's not JUST the cars, it's the people." Mahalo everyone for attending. To download a short video from the tour, click here. (Caution for those with slow internet service: this is a 19 Megabyte video.) |
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20 Years: Jan Shearin, Rick Ebinger 5 Years: Kevin Allocca, James Miller, Jonathan Newhall, Tim Mabes |
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Primary Members–265 New member:
New Test Drive member:
Transfer out of the Region:
Please verify and update your postal and email addresses so that we can stay in touch with you. Here are instructions on how to change your PCA member records or renew your PCA membership. |
PCA 2018 Public Service Awards: Shenandoah Region Honorable Mention
by Mark Doherty Posted 2018 August 1
Michael Soriano, PCA National Awards Chair, has announced that the Shenandoah Region PCA has been recognized by PCA as Honorable Mention for the 2018 Public Service Awards, as part of the annual National Awards program. The write-up submitted for consideration focused mainly on Literacy Volunteers and Turkeys in the Frunk. Toys for Tots at the Holiday party and the contribution to charity from last year's Summer Picnic would also be examples. I believe we are the smallest region to be so recognized.
2018 Cayman GTS driven by Jim Condon and Sherry Westfall
2018 Richmond Porsche Meet (RPM) concours cars on the
Virginia Crossings lawn. The Porsche corral is in the background.
The 996/VW Lemons car: Is it coming or is it going?
Porsche of the Week Photo
Jonathan Newhall's 3-wheeler
Porsches on the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Shenandoah Gearheads
Jacque Landry waiting for Ray Schumin to release him
A thank you note from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Daniel Wendell polishing Steve Upman's Carrera
Pat with "Fast Frieda" at the 2009 RPM concours
Autocrossing at Southside Speedway
You couldn't miss Pat's car with the badges.
