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In this Issue
Upcoming Events at a Glance

 

Click on the event name for a link to additional details, including contact and RSVP information.  Event dates subject to change.   Click here   to view the full 2017 Redwood Region calendar online.
 
May 2017
Saturday/Sunday 5/20-21 Zone 7 and RR AX #3 & 4

June 2017
Saturday 6/17 AX #5
Saturday 6/24 Porsches on the Plaza



From the Editor

by Jamie DeRuiter, der Riesenbaum Editor


The last time I wrote this column I went on and on about my front hood not staying latched at autocross.  It seems I've sorted that issue out as it now stays firmly shut.  Two autocross events this past month have proved that.  I had to miss the Station House Cafe' run to help a fellow autocross enthusiast set up an event at Sonoma Raceway.  I got to meet some cool people and check out some very cool cars.  My car has been handling very well this year after finally sorting out my suspension these past few years.  I look forward to the rest of this season.  My favorite autocross event is days away.  Our annual Zone 7 two day autocross weekend is nearly here.  Come on out for 'Stompin' at the Shulz XII' on May 20th and 21st.  We celebrate as a group on Saturday evening at Mary's Pizza Shack in Windsor.  You don't have to autocross to enjoy the dinner event with us.  

I'm on the verge of an empty nest with both my sons leaving the house this summer for college.  I can't wait to see the adults they become over these formative years.  I will miss the sounds of video games and strange new music flowing from their rooms. When I was younger and the kids were small, people used to tell me all the time to enjoy them as time flies and soon they would be all grown up.  It sure does and they did.

Don't let this spring and summer slip past without coming to one of our events.  Look at the calendar on our website and put an event on yours or before you know it you'll find yourself shopping for Christmas presents and wanting for warmer weather.


Shift Toward Adventure,

Jamie
Presidents Message
by Craig Steele, President

 
May starts our busy season  and I am curious to know if anybody ever reads my messages, so I am asking this question to test my dR readership:
 
What's the most innovative practice, event, service or volunteer effort Redwood Region has launched in the last year and what do you think catalyzed that innovation?  
(Call or text: 707/953-1100 or E-mail: Casteele@sonic.net)
 
 
April proved to be a very busy work month for me. I had to cover for a work colleague on medical leave and had to travel every week to either Sacramento or Chico. As a result, I missed the Hi Tec event. Also, I had to cancel the Brewery Tour on May 22 nd because we couldn't find an event leader and/or a venue. Myself and a few others couldn't attend the RR PCA board meeting on Tuesday, April 25 th so it was cancelled too.
 
May is a much more promising month. For one thing, my work colleague is back to work. This last Saturday, I got to go on one of my favorite Fun Runs and eat at the Pt. Reyes Station Café. Last week, I had a real good autocross (AX) run on Saturday, April 29 th . Speaking of AX, I have rekindled my passion for motorsports photography. John Jackson was my catalyst after I saw his photos used in 2016 AX award plaques. I took 'stop-action' shots during the afternoon AX run (see photo example). I plan to do two days of shooting at our Zone 7 AX event on May 20-21. My goals are to improve my panning and stop-action shots before that event. I have documented my camera settings and photo techniques so I get the best results. Please join me and add more action images to our AX galley and website.
 

 
The Zone 7 tour is just around the corner.  Wednesday  evening, May 31st,, is the Tour Leader and Sweeper Safety Meeting prior to the kickoff drive at Rohnert Park Costco lot on June 1 st . There are 60 Porsches signed-up. I know there have been several cancelations and these have been filled from the waiting list. There are a number of road delays on US 101 and CA299 that are being closely monitored by the Tour Team leader. It still should be a great event. We round June off with another AX and Porsches on the Plaza on June 24 th .
 
Porsche Parade is just around the corner  and we will be driving north to Spokane. I am all set with my lodging and my event selections as well as volunteering for water delivery. Don Krieger has been organizing a Porsche Caravan to Parade. I need to be clear that this caravan is not a Redwood Region, nor PCA sanctioned event. This means that it is not covered by PCA insurance. Plans are to meet in Vacaville on Friday, drive to Bend OR, party with High Desert Region and then on Saturday caravan with them to Spokane. So a lot of fun driving is planned. Please make sure you let the Redwood Region leadership know you are attending Parade so we can be seated together and perhaps tour together as well.
 
One last fun time thing this summer,  I have been going to the Werks Reunion since it started and now it has a new location. It is a great event for Monterey Car week and must Friday activity. If you want to round out that day, then plan to sign-up for the Pacific Grove Rotary Auto Rally. I did this for the first time last year, it was a blast. I just signed-up GATOR (my Cayman S) for 2017 and I hope to see you at the concours before our non-stop rally on the 17 mile drive out and back with our own CHP escort. The dinner afterward is way too much fun with all those car people.

Cheers, hope to see you at some of these Redwood events... 

Craig



In the Zone
by Sandy Provasi, Zone 7 Representative

 
 
Events in Zone 7 are in full swing starting in May. You might need to make a choice or two. Do you want to autocross or attend a concours? Maybe you would like to go for a drive or drive a track? From now to October you can do just about all of it on any given weekend. Please visit the new and improved zone7.pca.org site for more info. From the Zone site you can check out any and all of the 10 regions in Zone 7 and see what they are up to that month.
 
May brings another two-day autocross this time in the Redwood Region in Winsor. Join RR on Saturday and Sunday, May 20 and 21st for Zone events #3 and #4. RR will have a dinner at a local restaurant on Saturday night so we can continue meeting other members.
 
Also falling on May 21st is the first Zone Concours of the year. This will be held at Fields Family Winery in Lodi. Please join Yosemite Region for their charity event and concours. You can come out and show your car or just attend the event to support UC Davis Cancer Research Center.
 
Golden Gate Region will host their second Drivers Education and Club Race for 2017. It will be held at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, May 27-28.
 
Looking toward early June, the first Zone 7 Tour will begin in Redwood Region, travel through Shasta Region and end in Sacramento Valley Region from June 1-4th. The tour is sold out, but stay tuned for more tours to be planned.
 
Golden Gate Region will host another Drivers Education and Club Race at Mazda Raceway June 2nd-4th, one weekend after Buttonwillow.
 
June 3rd will be Zone Autocross #5 put on by Sacramento Valley Region at Stockton Fairgrounds. Also that weekend on June 4th will be Zone Concours #2 put on by Loma Prieta at Partsheaven in Hayward. Along with the Concours will be a swap meet and plenty of people to meet.
 
Looking Forward:
Sacramento Valley Region Concours, Niello Porsche, Zone #3 Rocklin, June 11th
Sacramento Valley Region TSD Rally School and TSD Rally June 25th, Livermore (another tune-up for the Porsche Parade)
Golden Gate Region Drivers Education and Club Race, Sonoma Raceway, June 30-July 2
Sacramento Valley Region Zone Autocross #6, Stockton Fairgrounds, July 1
Spokane Parade July 9-15
Monterey Bay Region, Zone Concours #4, Carmel Valley, July 23
Sierra Nevada Region, Zone Concours #5, Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno, July29-30
 

Drive safe,

Sandy Provasi
Zone 7 Representative
 
 

 

Mobile Works West

 




 
New online Goodie Store

Visit our NEW Goodie Store!





 To see our NEW online store click HERE.

sonnen

 

Partsheaven Swap & Concours


 
axAutocross #2  April 29th
by Greg Matsumoto, Autocross Director

                         
 
We had another great autocross on Saturday, April 29 th !  A nice clear sunny day in the low 80's with another nice turnout of 46 drivers.  A handful of drivers from other regions that came to our site for the first time as well as a couple of novices that had big smiles all day long. 

Last year, Tristan Bayless had designed a great course for our last autocross.  Unfortunately, we were rained out but we took advantage of the time being together and went out for an impromptu omelet breakfast.  We dusted off his course and set it up Saturday.  Tristan designed a great course that tested us in many ways.  We started out going through a series (3) of diamond shaped sets of cones that could be described as optional slaloms which ended with a hairpin turn.  The turn was deceiving on the first run when many of us were going too fast and were hoping that we wouldn't wipe out several cones after the hairpin.  This was followed by a tricky series of turns before the fast straightway with an off-center cone to for an added challenge (see Craig's article for a picture of that cone in flight).  I hit the same cone twice in a row.  It turned out to be a popular cone for many.

Tristan had arrived early to set up the course and did not plan to drive since his car was not ready.  Mark Campagna generously offered Tristan his car (2013 911 with non-sticky street tires) to drive.  Little did we know that we would be treated to an awesome display of driving.  We all know that Tristan is an exceptional driver but that day we watched in amazement.  Although the Stalker again took top time for the day, the Stalker is in a different league with a big V6 dropped into a low-slung frame that is like a big go-cart.  Even though Tristan was not being familiar with Mark's car, the closest Porsche competitor was almost a second behind.  He left the 911 Turbo, GT2, GT3 and GT4 times in the dust. It was one of those, "you had to be there" moments.  Mark did benefit since he was able to ride with Tristan and get some great instruction.  Mark learned quickly and took 4 seconds off his time.

Last month I mentioned the ladies' competition is heating up.  It sure is.  Deborah Suttkus in her new 2010 911S edge out Katy Thelen by 0.048 seconds.  Followed by Stacy O'Connell.  But the PAX times reversed the order with Kim Powers, Stacy O'Connell and Anita Benzing placing first, second and third.

And, what you've all been waiting for,  the times are now posted!!!   Grady Carter was able to resolve the software issues with our new Pronto Timing System.  What used to take days for Grady to calculate by hand are now immediately available. 
We are now preparing for our two-day Zone 7 event (5/20 and 5/21).  Zone events are great since they pull drivers from all over the region hoping to win points for their zone awards and bragging rights.  It's nice seeing drivers and old friends that generally don't make it to our regular events often. 

An extra bonus is that we are having dinner together at the local Mary's Pizza in Windsor on Saturday (5-7 pm).
 
Please join us for dinner.  If we are lucky, maybe, we can twist the arms of the winners of the Top Time of the Day (TTOD) to share the bottle of wine that they've won.  Not likely, but we can always dream.

If you are tempted to autocross please watch the videos on our Redwood website and check out the links I provided in last month's newsletter.  Autocrossing teaches you how to gain more confidence in car handling and will teach you about the REAL capabilities of your Porsche. Our cars were made to race vs. sitting in city traffic. So please be nice to your stallion and let it stretch its legs. For many years, I deceived myself by thinking that I was a good driver. I had several driving jobs working my way through college.  I even had a very brief stint driving a cab in Chicago racing through the city and darting through traffic.  Little did I know that I was a rookie when it came to autocross driving.  So please don't hesitate to join us.  Our instructors will teach you the ropes and we all give each other tips on how to improve. 

Please join us May 20 th & 21 st for our Zone 7 events.  Many folks have been signing up immediately on the first day registration opens.  And, if you have any questions, drop me an email.

See you then,


Greg Matsumoto
  
 
Meet Enrique My First Porsche


 
by Katy Thelen
 
Meet Enrique, the first and only Porsche I've ever driven. Last June, I bought Enrique, a 2013 Boxster, from Caleb Porter, a fellow PCA member of the Sacramento Valley Region and an autocross instructor. It was love at first (car) sight, and I like to think the feeling was mutual. I named my car Enrique-my Latin dance partner-because when I drive it, we dance. But Enrique and I didn't start out dancing the tango or the cha-cha. It was more like the John-Travolta-meets-Pee-Wee-Herman (and the car was definitely John).

The excitement of buying my first Porsche went something like this: heart pounding, palms sweating, pupils dilated, a huge smile on my face . . . and this was just me looking at it in the driveway. I remember Caleb saying to me while I was test-driving the car, "You should autocross." I didn't understand. Autocross? It sounded way too technical. I wasn't even sure I was going to buy the car. I could hardly breathe. I was driving a childhood dream. Of course, I did buy the car-it was love at first car sight, after all.
Imagine the feeling I had when I showed up at my first autocross event. I could hardly stand, weak in the knees just being around so many GT3s, 911s, Caymans, and Spyders. "Is this real life?" I thought. "How could so much fun be legal?" I couldn't stop smiling, and I may have even drooled. A little.

My steady friend, former owner of Enrique and dedicated autocross instructor, Caleb, assured me about a hundred times I wasn't going to hurt the car. This car is a dream come true for me, and the thought of zipping around an obstacle course in a car I still swoon over was nerve-wracking. Even though autocross is a safe, fun space to take your Porsche and run it as it was built to run, it can be daunting.

Get set, ready, go! My first time autocrossing, I went around the course in something like 45 seconds. It was a good thing it didn't take any longer because I don't think I breathed the whole time-in fact, I know I didn't! But each time I ran the course, I steadily got better and better and grew more and more confident. I remember Caleb telling me numerous times after a run, "You can do this, Katy. You can pretty much go faster everywhere." Easy for him to say . . . I would love that as it would mean I wouldn't have to hold my breath so long.

My amazement for the sport has grown as I've gotten to know the other drivers and fellow PCA members. Everyone is so encouraging and helpful. Even when you beat someone's time they cheer for you, and I think they mean it-in fact I know they do! You're sure to find a friend autocrossing. There are drivers of all ages, experience levels, and performance expectations. I would like to think that if autocross had to have a business name, it would be "Cheers."

I recently participated in my sixth autocross event. It was good thing I was sitting down when Caleb said to me, "You did great out there. In fact, I was about to tell you to slow down a little." Proof that Enrique and I are officially tangoing and cha-cha-ing on the same dance floor now.

Happy motoring.

 

Sacramento Valley Region Zone 7 Autocross Series

 
Zone 7 Autocross Redwood AX# 3 & 4  May 20-21zone7



Register HERE for Zone 7 AX#3 May 20th
Register HERE for Zone 7 AX#4 May 21st
 
62nd Porsche Parade Spokane - July 9-15, 2017

 
Niello Zone 7 Concours


 
Sierra Nevada Region Concours D' Elegance


Bertolli's Auto Body

 

Club Racing West Coast Series 2017

 
AXPaddock.com




 

Board Meeting Minutes

by Alan Geddes, Redwood Region Secretary

Redwood Region Board Meeting Minutes - The minutes from the March 28th, 2017 Board meeting will be available after approval at the May 30th, 2017 meeting.  Read previous board meeting minutes here.  
 
Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on May 30th, 2017 at Novato Mary's Pizza Shack, 121 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94945. All members are welcome to attend.  

Membership Information

Please contact Tom Short, Membership Director for general information about Club membership, including changes of address and/or contact information, dual-membership inquiries, inter-region transfers, membership referrals, and name badges.

Redwood Region Members are welcome and encouraged to attend monthly Board Meetings, held on the last Tuesday of each month (except December) at 7:00 p.m. Month Day Year meeting will be at Novato Mary's Pizza Shack, 121 San Marin Drive, Novato, CA 94945.
CASA Flyer

 

Redwood Region Contacts
2016 Redwood Region Board of Directors

Executive Council                                                                        Appointed Directors



707.953.1100

Jamie De Ruiter






Chip Witt, Vice President
 chip@wittzend.com
707-481-8804



707-266-4470




707.525.8623


bob schoenherr headshot 2011


707-289-4304




Alan Geddes, Secretary

Mac Cranford


415.577.0647




707-963-7827




415.258.9619




   Ad-Hoc Committee






kurt fischer headshot


415.819.2210

Tom Short


Tom Short, Membership Director
pcaredmembership@gmail.com
415-300-7457
david bunch headshot 2011






707.525.8623



   
Zone 7 Representative

david bunch headshot 2011


415.717.4117







707.725.6110







der Marktplatz
 

FORSALE  Set of Fuchs rims 16x6 and 16x7 in excellent shape Rims dated 4/87 and 11/87 not curb rash, two rims have a very small defect. will send more photos if interested.  $1300.
 
George Nostrant
707-695-2402

PORSCHE 911 993 Left and Right Headlight Lenses 1995-1998
From 1998 993 with 140,000 miles.  Mild pitting.  Driver's side has small hole patched with clear tape (see photo). $175


Contact:  Alan Geddes
Phone: 415-377-7120


Porsche 911 993 Front OEM Windshield Glass W/ Antenna 1995-1998
Good condition,- mildly pitted, no cracks. Came from car with 140,000 miles that was converted to show car. Green tint at top, antenna at center. 
$395

Contact:  Alan Geddes
Phone: 415-377-7120


1995 Carrera 993 Coupe w/Sunroof & 6 speed manual transmission
* Well maintained in super clean, original, stock condition inside and outside.
* Mechanically sound, runs strong, everything works as intended.
* Numbers matching supported by Porsche Certificate of Authenticity.
* Clean CarFax with no accidents.
* 87,950 miles.  New tires at 80k, new clutch at 77k.
* Original Porsche manuals plus service records.
* $49,750.     Send me an email for more photos (20+).
 
Contact: David:   david@mcfet.com or 707-433-3508 (Healdsburg, CA)


Rims and Tires for sale $800 
Two 7.5x18 ET 50 mounted with Toyo R888's 225/40Z R18.
Two 9X18 ET 52 With Toyo R888's 285/30 R18.
 
The rims are powder coated black and are in excellent condition.
Tires are in good condition with 5-8 heat cycles. Lots of life left.
 
Contact Mac Cranford
temgren@comcast.net
 

 

 

 

Classified ads for Porsches and Porsche-related parts or accessories are available at no charge to PCA members and may be submitted to the editor via  email by the 5th of the month to be included in that month's issue of der Riesenbaum. Ads will run for three months, space permitting, unless canceled by the seller. Classified ads are also included in the  der Marktplatz section on our Club website. Editor may modify ad copy as needed based on space constraints, and is not responsible for content, errors or omissions. Commercial ads are not accepted. Please contact  Sponsorship Director Simone Kopitzki at 415.299.7563 for sponsorship information and rates. 
 
 

 

Der Riesenbaum is the official newsletter of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, encompassing Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. This publication is intended to inform Club members about Club activities and other related matters of interest. The opinions expressed in der Riesenbaum are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, its officers, or its members.

 

Letters to the editor, feedback, questions, and suggestions about der Riesenbaum and the Redwood Region in general are welcome. We also encourage members to submit photos and/or write-ups about Club events or related activities. Written contributions and photos are welcome and should be emailed to the editor. The submission deadline for publication in der Riesenbaum is the 5th day of the month for that month's publication. Material received after the deadline will be considered for publication the following month. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication.

 

All written content and images in this publication are protected by copyright. Permission is granted to reprint any original content herein provided credit is given to the author, to der Riesenbaum, and to the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region. 

 

Click here to visit us on the web or here to visit our Facebook page.

 

Thank you all for supporting your Club!

 

Jamie DeRuiter, der Riesenbaum Editor

Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region

 

2012 PCA RR Logo Gray Bkd