We are lucky to have excellent instructor training for the Porsche Club. And our instructors are well regarded as being of very high quality. But, until recently, no third party has wanted to play the role of certifying DE instructors. The Motorsports Safety Foundaton (MSF) has stepped up and created a certification program with six levels to it. Ross Bentley, who recently came to Massachusetts for an instructor training course for NER, is also involved with this initiative. Read more about it >
Archive for year: 2017
Cars with Automatic Braking and/or Lane Drift Correction Systems / Lane Change Assist will only be allowed to participate in DE events if the systems can be turned fully off while the car is on-track. Proof of the ability to fully shut off these systems must be provided (i.e. information in Owner’s Manual, etc.). Drivers must be aware if the system reverts back to operating position if the car’s ignition is turned off and on again.
Copy by Dave Melchar
The second Cars and Coffee of the season for South of Boston (SoBo) was held Sunday, May 7, at Sweet Berry Farm, Middletown, Rhode Island. The previous two days had seen heavy rain and there was concern that the grass field at Sweet Berry Farm would be too wet to use. Thanks to the farm owner, Jan Eckhart, we parked cars on a strip of mulch between the parking lot and grass field, thereby avoiding the soggy lawn.
There was a good mix of Porsches including an early 944 and 911s from the 70s to current, and an ‘88 930, as well as an assortment of Boxsters and Caymans. There were also several first-time attendees. Two first timers were David and Thania Valentine who arrived in their meteor gray Carrera S, with a most interesting terracotta interior. They reside in East Greenwich, having recently relocated from Puerto Rico. David has loved Porsches his whole life, been a PCA member for 12 years, having previously owned a Boxster and Cayman, in addition to currently also owning a Macan Turbo. They are excited to be here now and looking forward to engaging in NER activities.
Also, attending their first Cars and Coffee were father and son Karl and Austin Spooner who arrived in an ’83 944 and an ’88 930, both red and impeccable, from Fairhaven. Karl mentioned that he had rescued the 930 and restored it back to its original glory. They had hoped to participate in the previous day’s Zone 1 Concours, but decided against it because of the inclement weather.
Additional first time father and son attendees were Bob and Cooper Stearns from East Greenwich who brought a ‘15 agate grey Cayman GTS. Bob is new to NER, but participated in this year’s Ramble and is looking forward to driving in track events. Finally, the last first timer was Fred Johnson from Wakefield who drove his black on black ’85 911 Targa that he had entered the previous day in the Zone 1 Concours. He has been a PCA member since ’85 and also has a ’71 albert blue 911T coupe with cashmere full leather interior.
One of the most interesting and beautiful Porsches at the Cars and Coffee was Lee Hower’s ’72 signal yellow 911 ST tribute Coupe. It was an extremely accurate example of the early 911 racer, powered by a 3.5L fuel-injected twin-plug engine. This 911 was recently acquired in California and joins Lee’s other Porsches, including a ’74 Euro Carrera Targa, ’77 930, ’13 Boxster and a ’73 911 T. Overall, it was a very pleasant day and it appeared that a good day was had by all!
The next SoBo Porsches and Coffee is scheduled for Sunday, June 11, 10:00-12:00am at Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI. Many thanks to SoBo photographers Tim Pafik and Paul Soares.
For any SoBo related questions, please contact Roger Slocum at [email protected].
It’s hard to believe that Porsche has made over one million 911’s since 1965. But take a look at the Irish Green – with houndstooth cloth – and proper manual transmission – that is the millionth. Tasteful, understated, lovely. Well done, Porsche.
You know that actor, race driver, Porsche-nut guy with great hair? Yes, well he also founded a cancer support center in Maine that benefits from your love of seeing great cars. Check it out on July 15 in South Portland. Seems to be a happening food scene up there too, so this should be a great time.
There was once a time when “race car for the road” really meant something. The GT1 class in the mid-90’s is when Porsche decided that taking a street car and modifying it for GT1 Class racing wasn’t as efficient as building a full-on race car and then adding a “strassenversion” – a street version. They did use a 993 shell as a starting point. But from there, the body is carbon fiber, the engine is mid-mounted, and everything else is pure motorsport. But you could buy one for the road. And some have even been transition from actual Le Mans winning race cars back to road cars with number plates! Enjoy a bit of history of these amazing machines.
The Decision has been made to move the Saturday Concours to the Hotel Property instead of the Prowse Farm.
We plan to use the covered area originally set aside for Porsche Parking and Concours Prep. It is the “P1” area which is immediately to your right as you enter the Hotel Property. Look for the “Porsche Parking” sign. We have access to that area for Concours Prep after 5 PM today for the weekend. We will have a security person on duty from 11 PM to 7 AM both Friday and Saturday nights in that area..
We plan to place the cars for Concours judging in the same area at 9 AM, and start judging at 10 AM.
The Car Wash Area is adjacent to the Hotel Loading Dock also on your right as you enter the hotel property.
Trailer parking is available on the top Deck of the white Hotel Parking building.
The Hilton Boston Dedham Hotel is at exit 14 of Interstate 95. Take the traffic circle around to Allied Drive and follow the PCA signs to the hotel entrance. Address is 25 Allied Drive, Dedham, MA.
It’s not what we hoped for, but we doing the best we can based on the weather
Jeff McFadyen (201) 410-3171
& Murray Kane
Is it true that George Lucas was inspired by his 718 when creating the iconic landspeeder in Star Wars? Perhaps not likely.
But there is a certain resemblance sometimes…
