Come Ramble with Us in Newport, RI on April 29-May 1
Registration Opens Wednesday January 19 on www.clubregistration.net
Since 1986, many club members have kicked off their driving season by attending NER’s Annual Spring Ramble. In recent years, over 300 people driving 175+ Porsches (some Ramblers do occasionally drive vehicles other than Porsches) have turned out to enjoy good friends, good food, and a weekend at a top-notch resort hotel. You’ll arrive Friday (or earlier at our inviting rate), and begin your activities before the serious driving commences on Saturday morning.
For 2022 we’re visiting Newport for the first time ever! Come experience the secluded roads and scenic vistas that the Ocean State has to offer. After viewing the architectural and natural wonders of Newport and Jamestown, we’ll travel from Watch Hill (perhaps glimpsing Taylor Swift in the village) to Warwick. As always, my objective is to find Porsche-worthy roads that you can enjoy at the posted speed limit, and I take particular satisfaction in introducing “locals” to some challenging byways that have been hiding just off the beaten path.
Our Overall Event Sponsor is once again European Performance Engineering in Natick, MA. Give these talented folks a call at (508) 651-1316 for anything from an oil change to a full street-to-track conversion. Or, visit their website at www.epe.com.
At this time, it’s impossible to know whether Covid-19 will have morphed from pandemic to endemic by the end of April. Our intention is to remain flexible, while implementing necessary safety restrictions to enable everyone to enjoy the event with peace of mind. Rest assured that Gurney’s Newport Resort will conform with all CDC guidelines. We would prefer that everyone be fully vaccinated and boosted before attending the Ramble to offer maximum protection for your fellow attendees. If you’re unwilling to be vaccinated, we would urge you to get a Covid test within 72 hours of arriving at the Ramble, and not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms, test positive, or recently have come into contact with anyone who was experiencing symptoms or tested positive. If appropriate, these guidelines will be modified based upon the ever evolving public health landscape.
On Friday from 6:00–7:15 p.m., see old friends and meet some new PCA’ers at the Welcome Reception in the Rose Island Ballroom – sponsored again this year by Porsche of Warwick. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres and snacks available, along with a couple of cash bars to quench your thirst. Stop by and say hello before you head out for dinner on your own.
Even though we’re not visiting during their peak season, there are still many restaurants to choose from in the Newport area, and reservations are always a good idea. If you’d like to dine at the Resort, Showfish Restaurant is open for dinner from 5:30 – 10:00 p.m. To book a reservation, phone (401) 851-3325, or book online at www.Opentable.com.
Insurance and liability waivers will be signed on www.clubregistration.net when you register for the Ramble. Therefore, everyone staying at Gurney’s Newport Resort will receive their registration packet when they check in. Those not staying at the hotel will pick up their packets Saturday morning outside the Grand Ballroom during continental breakfast (service begins at 7:00 a.m.), before the 8:30 a.m. start of the mandatory drivers and passenger’s safety and route briefing. The “leader” car will depart immediately at the conclusion of the briefing, and everyone should plan to depart on their morning tour by 9:30 a.m. (which would have you arriving at lunch around 1:00 p.m.)
For 2022, the attendees of our largest single event will be visiting Newport for the first time ever! Come experience the secluded roads and scenic vistas that the Ocean State has to offer. After viewing the architectural and natural wonders of Newport and Jamestown, we’ll travel from Watch Hill (perhaps glimpsing Taylor Swift in the village) to Warwick for lunch. As always, the objective is to find Porsche-worthy roads that you can enjoy at the posted speed limit.
Following the buffet lunch, you’ll embark on another navigational, directions-based tour that will take you back to Gurney’s Newport Resort. Or, if you prefer to return sooner to hike, stroll, shop, get a massage (request your 20% discount at the Seawater Spa), or whatever, simply take the more direct route that will also be provided.
For anyone joining us for the first time – a hearty welcome. Your registration packet will include a detailed route to and from our lunch stop, that my wife Carol and I have traveled many times, revising and correcting along the way. Unlike most PCA tours, you’ll drive on your own (not as a convoy). You’ll typically find yourself part of a multi-car pod. Make a pit stop or pull off to take a photo when you want, and pick up the next pod coming down the road. Want to spend time with some different Porsche models of varying vintages and colors? Just safely pull off the road and join the next pod to come along. However, if you decide to take an extended off-route excursion, or make a lengthy stop, and the sweeper car passes you by, you will have “officially” left the tour for insurance purposes.
The Saturday evening festivities commence in the Rose Island Ballroom at 6:00 p.m. for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by dinner in the Grand Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. After dinner there’s time for more socializing.
From 7:30–10:00 a.m. Sunday morning, a full, hot, buffet breakfast will be provided in the Rose Island Ballroom. After breakfast, you’re on your own again to head home, or stay longer and enjoy the charms of Newport and surrounding communities. One reason to arrive early or stay a bit longer is to visit either, or both, the Audrain Auto Museum in Newport https://www.audrainautomuseum.org/ or the Newport Car Museum in Portsmouth https://newportcarmuseum.org. Discounted tickets ($10/person) are available when you register online.
Remember, this is a Tour, and we expect you to follow all the laws and regulations pertaining to the public roadways we’ll be traveling. We’ll be on many narrow, 2-lane roads, so please give pedestrians and bicyclers a wide berth. If you have the urge to exercise your Porsche more fully, we would highly recommend attending one of the many High Performance Driver Education or Autocross events hosted by the Northeast, North Country, and other PCA Regions. IMPRUDENT OR DANGEROUS DRIVING BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED DURING THE RAMBLE.
- Your registration fee covers the Friday Welcome Reception with hors d’oeuvres and snacks, Saturday’s continental breakfast, Saturday’s lunch, your magnetic plastic name badge, your commemorative pin, and many other costs incurred in organizing and conducting the Ramble.
- The Friday rate is for your room only, and includes all taxes and fees. As you’ll see below, this year we are pleased to be able to provide an even lower rate for stays pre & post Ramble should you wish to extend your stay.
- The Saturday Package Rate includes your room, Saturday cocktails and hors d’oeuvres (cash bar after using your drink ticket), Saturday night dinner (jackets for men and festive attire for the ladies), Sunday morning hot breakfast buffet, and all service charges, gratuities and taxes.
- The resort fee is included in the room rate and includes free wireless internet, the fitness center, parking, and luxury shuttle transportation to/from downtown Newport.
- Unless you like being on a waitlist, register for one of the 160 rooms in our block after you receive your registration confirmation. Check-in is 4:00 p.m. and check-out is 11:00 a.m.
For 2022, our room block includes 4 different room types as listed below, plus a reduced room rate for 2 nights before and 2 nights after the Ramble. This link https://www.gurneysresorts.com/newport/rooms-and-suites provides pictures and room details
Please don’t make your hotel reservations before you have registered online and received your confirmation email. We will be matching registrations against the hotel-supplied rooming list on a weekly basis, and those registered will receive priority within our room block. A ROOM RESERVED WITHOUT AN EVENT RESERVATION IS NOT GUARANTEED. We expect to occupy our entire room block, so please make your reservations with Gurney’s Newport Resort promptly after you receive your registration confirmation to avoid disappointment.