MAY 2008
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my personal goal of 100 people attending the Killarney’s
breakfast can be achieved. If you live in the Riverside
area, or for that matter anywhere in the PCA Riverside
Region’s geographical area, if you own a Porsche and if
you eat breakfast, you really should attend! You’re not
coming entirely for the bacon and eggs, you’re coming for
the natural friendship Porsche owners have for each other,
and the social commitment of being a member of a club.
Plus…. it’s a lot of fun!!
May 2008
FROM THE
PRESIDENT
By Jim LaMonica
Thank you all for the hard work and great participation, It’s
been four months since I became President of the Porsche
Club of America Riverside Region. During that time, the
stock market has taken a hard hit, the war continues on, the
price of gas has increased by a third, numerous endangered
species have become extinct and even Bridgestone has
discontinued making the tires I run on my 914-6.
I don’t seem to have much control over any of those events
and none seem to help me manage a car club. I can attempt
to draw on some of my experiences from flying Captain
on jet airliners - keep the throttles pushed forward, hang
on, and hope that nothing quits working. But seriously, the
thing that keeps me at full throttle is seeing an increasing
number of members attend and participate in the club’s
events. While I don’t have much control over any of that
either, my point is….attendance is what makes a club.
And speaking of attendance, the Riverside region set a new
record in April! Club member Lewis Kasner organized
an event at 911 Design in Montclair which attracted 129
people for an afternoon of viewing some great Porsche cars
in a beautiful automobile service facility. It was fantastic
to see such great enthusiasm and participation from the
members.
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENT
The new Riverside breakfast at Killarney’s shattered
another record with 74 members attending the first
breakfast back in February. With this momentum, I know
Many more great events are planned for the rest of the year
that you won’t want to miss.
After the next breakfast at Killarney’s, member Steve Klein
will lead a tour to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
for a special “just for us, behind the scenes tour” of the
facility. Later in May, member Terry Wells has pulled some
strings to get us a tour of the Porsche Cars North America
distribution warehouse in Ontario. (Huge part’s discounts
will be offered, so bring your shopping list).
September is the month for the annual Porsche Timeline
in Arrowhead, organized by board member and Gedanken
editor, Bruce Herrington. Board member Eleanor Youmans
is working diligently on the club’s 40th Anniversary
Party scheduled for early October. And for a scary good
time, coming in late October just before Halloween,
I’ll be leading a “Haunted Porsche Tour” to the ghost
town of Jerome, Arizona for a night or two in a haunted
hotel, professional ghost hunt and dinner in the Asylum
restaurant. The entire hotel of 24 rooms has been blocked
just for us!
These events represent only a very small number planned
for the club. You can view everything about these events
and a whole lot more on the club calendar at www.
riversidepca.org
Remember, this club exists solely for its members.
Thank you all for the hard work and great participation,
enthusiasm, and support. nthusiasm, and support.
See you there!
SECOND SATURDAY TOUR
Riverside has established a “Second Saturday” tour to the
Ford Design Center in Irvine
Tour departs at 6:15AM from Starbucks Coffee
3434Arlington Ave, Riverside CA 92506
Contact: Lewis Kasner (951) 218-1167
[email protected]
[email protected]
POLE POSITION
RACEWAY
practice session, followed by a 14 lap qualifier race,
and then it was a Grand Prix start to a 16 lap main
event race. There was nurfing, spinning, a little
crashing and maybe even some swearing. We all
had a blast!!!
Article and photos by Jim Lamonica
Action on the Track
On the Starting Grid
How fast do you want to go? How much money
do you have to spend? That was always the phrase
that stuck with me when it came to racing. Driving
skill does have a lot to do with your racing success,
and don’t get me wrong, but money is also a huge
contributing factor.
For the weekend club racer….. by the time you pay
the entry fee, buy new tires, trailer your car to the
event, get a hotel, eat, buy gas, fix a few things on
your car, hope that nothing breaks or blows up, and
worst case, you hit something or something hits
you, you have spent a lot of money. That is why on
March 15th Dave Andrews organized the Riverside
Region PCA’s race day at the Pole Position
Raceway after the monthly breakfast at Killarney’s.
Twenty-two Riversiders wanted to test our driving
skills, but none of us had much money to spend.
The Pole Position Raceway is a ¼ mile indoor
“euro-style” road course. The cars are electric
powered karts that can reach speeds up to 45mph.
Equal cars, unequal drivers, wheel to wheel racing
in a controlled safe environment. We ran a 12 lap
In the end, when the time sheets were printed out,
the only PCA member left standing was Clive
Manser taking second place. Third place went to
Matt Andrews, son of member Dave Andrews. First
place went to Alex, a guest of one of the members
and obviously a “Ringer.”
More Action on the Track
After the race, I walked outside to my Porsche in
the parking lot. The tires were still in great shape,
there was still gas in the tank, there were no dents
or rock chips, nothing was broken, and I had only
spent $60. Not bad for a race day.
TOUR
TO
Photos by
Jim LaMonica and Dave Krikpatrick
RIVERSIDE
REGION
2008
See Calendar entries at http://www.riversidepca.org
for event details and the latest updates.
MAY
3 Sat
10 Sat
12 Mon
17 Sat
17 Sat
24 Sat
31 Sat
8:30AM Breakfast at Carrows, Palm Springs, with possible tour to Patton Museum
6:15AM Cars & Coffee tour leaves Starbucks Riverside
7:00 AM GPX AutoCross, Streets of Willow, Rosamund, CA
8:30AM Breakfast at Killarneys, Riverside,
10:00ish, Tour of Long Beach Acquarium departs from Killarneys
9:00AM PCNA Parts Distribution Center, Open House, Ontario, CA.
10:00AM OCR White Gloves Concours at Huntington Beach Car Show,
JUNE
7 Sat
8:30AM Breakfast at Carrows, Palm Springs,
7 Sat 10:30 Afterbreakfast Tour to Wood Boat Show, Arohd
14 Sat 6:15AM Cars & Coffee tour leaves Starbucks Riverside
18-22
356 West Coast Holiday, Squaw Valley, CA
21 Sat 8:30AM Breakfast at Killarneys, Riverside; tour to NHRA Race Museum
28 Sat Porsche Parade begins, Charlotte, North Carolina.
JULY
5 Sat 8:30AM Breakfast at Carrows, Palm Springs,
12 Sat 6:15AM Cars & Coffee tour leaves Starbucks Riverside
19 Sat 8:30AM Breakfast at Killarneys, Riverside
19 Sat 10:00AM Optimist Car Show, Redlands
26-27 Wknd Tour to Little Italy
Pastor’s
PORSCHE
By Rev. Vernon Baumgardner
I haven’t always been a pastor - I was a teenager, until I
was 35. I realized early in life that I was born to speed;
by the time I was 19 this heritage had earned me many
tickets, fines, 5 days in the county jail, a driving license that
was limited to work use only, and a 5 year probation that
the judge made clear if I violated I would see jail again for 6
months.
Now you might think that would have calmed the savage
“Goofy” in me, and I guess in a way it did, at least I came to
forget the idea of ever enjoying something I once had - with
fast cars.
As they say God is good, merciful, and He is surprising.
After many years of patience and prudence - I was,
providentially, led to acquire a new 2006 Porsche Boxster.
My wife and I had been drooling over Boxsters for years,
but, frankly, the idea of ever actually having one was not
even a consideration. I’m sure if we would have taken
the time to give it too much thought we would have talked
ourselves out of it - such is the way of faith that saves us
from ourselves at times!
Of course, the next day, the thought occurred, “Oh my God,
what have we done!” as visions of jail cells danced again in
Being the sensible young man that I was I reasoned it was
my 1959 El Camino with 315 HP that had lead me into
temptation - so I did the only reasonable thing and traded
it off on a car with lesser power, a 1958 Corvette with only
270HP!
One lovely spring day found me doing 135 mph, as fast
as the vette would go - with a little downhill help. I caught
sight of a black and white blur out of the corner of my eye
that threw me into a fit of paranoia - the dreaded Highway
Patrol! Visions of my old jail cell danced in my head - and
I knew this had to stop! I made one of those foxhole deals
with God that if He would let me off this time I would repent
and reform - He honored the bargain.
The Corvette was then traded in on a brand new 1961,
bright red, Volkswagen - with 36 h.p. This did the trick,
even though most who saw me drive it thought it had a
Porsche engine in it. It was a simple car to drive - it was
either idling, or it was full throttle - anything between that
was far less than interesting.
I lived a life of suppressed desire through low powered
vehicles for many years - and even at that I managed to
make Driving School on a few occasions, where I learned
something important about myself. One of the films you
had to endure had to do with the Walt Disney character
“Goofy” who was an easy going sort until he got behind the
wheel of a car and he became obsessed with - something
- that made him a danger. I knew immediately that I was “Goofy”!
Advancing age seasons us all with varying degrees of
caution - so I managed to, barely, keep the “Goofy” side of
myself under wraps. Along the way, God, evidently, was
somewhat impressed with my efforts to keep my part of the
bargain we had made years before - that kept me out of jail
- so He offered me a job, and I became a pastor.
my mind! Well, it will soon be 2 years and no tickets - and
no temptation. There is something about driving that car
at moderate speed that feels - rather athletic - and is very
satisfying. I get real thrilled and check the speedometer
and it says 35!
Not to say I’m any driving saint - because I ain’t! But,
clearly, God knew what He was doing when He put me
behind the wheel of that Boxster, because for the first time
in many, many, years I am completely satisfied in a car - I
no longer flirt with other cars - I have eyes only for my
Boxster! I rejoice when I am in traffic - I feel exceptional!
What about “Goofy” you might ask - “Goofy” appears to
have abandoned me, as I find the Boxster so satisfying
as an all around daily-driver I never feel the overwhelming
compunction to get “Goofy”.
Thank you God for my Porsche!
CELEBRATE ! ! !
RIVERSIDE
REGION’S
40th Anniversary
Saturday, October 11th,
at the The Riverside International Automotive Museum,
815 Marlborough Avenue #200, Riverside, CA 92507
Fun & games, free nostalgia trips, exhibits, food and beverages for all ages, competitions, awards and a few speeches. (this is an
election year after all). Porsche cars and Conversation. Contributions to Riverside Region historic exhibits are encouraged.
More details later, but mark your calendars now!
For info, contact Bruce Herrington, (760) 363-0041;
[email protected]
Pebble Beach
Concours d’ Elegance
by Steve Klein
This year, Sandy and I will be driving to Carmel
for the entire third week in August. The Pebble
Beach Concours d’ Elegance, art show and
people are the best ever.
2007 was the first time in all the years we have
been attending that I picked the “Best In Show”
the day before the event. The moment I laid
eyes on the “Mormon Meteor” I knew it would
win. Listening to the sound it developed from it’s
straight pipe I will always remember.
Sandy and I will be driving the Sunday before
the Concours if any of the Unsere Gedanken
readers would like to caravan with us past Hearst
Castle and lunch at Nepantha in Big Sur before
arriving in Carmel. Needless to say the scenery
on Highway 1 is spectacular (great time to put the
top down & enjoy).
At Pebble Beach, the cars, stars, corporate car
managment, art galleries, 17 mile drive, dinners
at Casanovas, etc. would be even better if you
would join the adventure. The action begins
this year the Monday before the Pebble Beach
Concours. (Of course you could come up any
day of the week or weekend and we could “hook
up”).
Visit 2008www.pebblebeachconcours.net.
They will be honoring the General Motors
Centennial, Lancia’s and Lamborghini’s and
GM historic models with 175 invited collector
cars in the classes. This year will be the 58th
annual Concours d’ Elegance (the granddaddy of all
Concours).
Concourso Italiano
by Steve Klein
For over 5 years, the third Friday of August
attending “The Concorso Italiano” gets more
friendly and interesting. It is held now at the
Bayonet Black Horse Golf Course in Seaside,
California the Friday before the Concours at
Pebble Beach. We have had perfect weather,
temperature, sun, and interesting, knowledgeable
people to spend the day visiting. Both of us
(Sandy and I) were studying Fiats, DeTomaso’s,
Alfa Romeo’s, Lancias, Lamborghini’s and
Maserati’s from classics to brand new.
I counted over 300 Ferrari of every color. I
especially enjoyed a 1972 246 GTS. There
was a tremendous amount of pleasure visiting
the vendor booths to purchase all kinds of items
from Italian coffee to Ferrari Enzos. What an
education.
The Concorso is relaxed and tons of fun. We
would love to see other members of our club
there. Also, I’ll bet Mike Marix would love to
discuss his Ferrari’s and driving and travel
adventures.
Book Review
by Bruce Herrington
in a reader friendly fashion about the what, and
particularly the why, of car preparation and driving
techniques. The fact that he owns a ’73 911
makes it all the more fitting for PCAers to have this
book in their libraries.
I’ve always felt that any book with a Porsche on
the cover can’t be all bad. Autocross Performance
Handbook by Richard Newton, Published by
Motorbooks is virtually all good. Autocrossing
is the safest and most exhilarating way to learn
the way your car (and yourself), respond to out
of the ordinary performance requirements. The
Autocross Performance Handbook does not read
like a text book, but it will teach you a great deal
about how Autocross events are conducted, and
how to improve the capabilities of the car and the
skill of the driver.
Written for the beginning autocrosser, this book is
160, very readable, pages long. As per the name,
it is in handbook format, roughly 8-1/2 x 11 inches,
softbound, with 160 pages, including two pages for
personal notes
Lavishly illustrated with 346 color photos, , the
armchair or novice autocrosser can be well
entertained (and educated) just by reading
the extensive captions of all the pictures. The
experienced autocrosser will certainly be inspired
by all the trick setups shown in the illustrations.
But the meat is in the detailed descriptions,
explanations and suggestions made in the body of
the text.
The author, an ASE-certified Master Technician,
and a self –confessed autocross addict, talks
A feel for the thoroughness with which the author
presents his material can be implied from the
section headings of the Tuning and Modification
Chapter: tires, tire pressures, wheels, alignment;
sway bars, shocking facts, chassis braces, brakes,
exhaust, interior, and quick hints. The value of the
presentation comes from the way he points out
differences between autrocoss application and pure
racing set-ups, and how he describes the affect on
street use of any particular autocross enhancement
to a dual purpose automobile. Throughout the
book, theory is presented in terms of real-world
practicality.
This reviewer is not necessarily in full agreement
with the author’s recommendations regarding front
anti-roll (or sway) bar, or alignment settings, as
applied to Porsches. However, there can be no
argument with his harping on the importance of
keeping complete notes of various changes and the
need to test, test, test the effects of any changes
made.
Oriented toward the general enthusiast reader,
it presents SCCA Car Classification information
in detail, but also includes PCA and BMW
Club classifications. Numerous quotes from
autocrossers, presenting their personal experiences
and observations, are included in the text to
supplement the author’s exposition of various
topics. Shots of competitors on the track with
captions analyzing the car’s handling, positioning,
and driver’s actions are very instructive.
Autocross Performance Handbook is available
for $29.95 through www.Motorbooks.com or
1-800-826-6600. It is part of the Motorbooks
Workshop series which includes such titles as
Corvette Performance Projects, The Ultimate
Garage, How to Tune and Modify Engine
Management Systems and the Performance
Welding Handbook.