Redwood & Zone 7 Concours in Sonoma!!!

Upcoming Calendar

Non-PCA Events of Interest

11/17 - 356 Registry Cars & Coffee @ Vintage Oaks, Novato

12/1 - Marin Cars & Coffee @ Vintage Oaks, Novato - 6:30 to 10 am.

12/15 -356 Registry Cars & Coffee - Vintage Oaks, Novato

President's Message

Sharon Neidel

President

It is hard to believe 2024 is coming to a close. It is time now to turn our attention to planning a fun-filled 2025. We want to out on events that are of interest to the members. If you have an idea for an event remember our annual calendar planning for

2025 is in conjunction with the Board meeting November 26th at Torches Restaurant in Petaluma.

If you have never put on an event there are plenty of experienced members willing to help. I am certain we will have all the usual popular events but we welcome fresh new ideas.

We still have our Holiday Party on December 14th at the Marin Yacht Club which will be a

wonderful opportunity to celebrate the holidays with Porsche friends. We will again kick off the new year with a New Years Day drive. I am planning a morning drive ending with brunch at the historic Washoe House.

This is the time of year for elections. We are lucky the entire Executive Council is willing to continue to serve the Region. Please be sure to give them your support. There is also a bylaws amendment on the ballot. This is just some clean-up to be sure they remain current and reflect the operation of the Region. Please be sure to vote so we may continue to operate the Region we all know and love.

November is a time for giving thanks. I want to thank you all for being part of the amazing Porsche Club community. I am grateful for all the friendships I have made through the Club.

I wish you all a very happy holiday. Hope to see you at the Holiday Party.

Hope to see you at an event soon

Questions? Email me.

Sharon

Vice-President's Message

Pat Burke

Vice-President

Hello fellow Redwood Region Members!

November is here and after a very busy year we’re winding down our

activities. We’re beginning to think about our 2025 future events at our

annual planning meeting which will take place at 7PM on Tuesday, the 28th at Torches Restaurant in Petaluma. Please consider joining us if you are interested in our event schedule or just being more involved in our club. We’d love to have you join us and your dinner will be on the us!

As you are reading this, I’m in Indianapolis for an experience of a lifetime! I’ve been invited to be a judge at the World Food Championships! I am honored to judge in the BBQ rib category and a 3-hour, 30 entry session, where the BBQ teams will present their final, fabulous, silver plated, spectacular dish of the Chefs choice of, “ANYTHING” that they would like to be judged on! I can only imagine what this amazing experience will bring, other than a completely FULL stomach! What an honor and privilege to be a part of such a Worldwide event!

Our Region’s Board elections are also on tap so make sure to check your emails for your opportunity to complete your ballot and vote for the 2025 executive committee. We thank you for your support!

We’ll finish off the year with our annual Holiday Party on December 14! This year’s festive gathering will be held at the fabulous Marin Yacht Club! The party will begin with appetizers during the social hour and a no host bar. A wonderful Marin Yacht Club buffet dinner featuring Prime Rib, salmon, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and a vegetarian option. And then, put on your dancing shoes for the sounds of a great band that we’ve had for several years, “Void Where Prohibited.” This event is not to be missed! You might want to consider booking a local hotel and an Uber so you can enjoy the evening without driving.

Registration is open by following this link 2024 Holiday Party

I am extremely honored to be your Region’s Vice President, and I look forward to seeing you at the Holiday Party or at one of our 2025 events and, if we haven’t met, please introduce yourself. I’d love to meet you!

You can always reach out to me directly at email with any questions.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Thank you!

The Turkey Run Rally

A Time'Speed-Distance Road Rally

Saturday Nov. 16, 2024

The rally starts at Brookfield's Restaurant on Taylor Road in Roseville and finishes at Siino’s Pizza, Pasta & Grill in Lincoln.

The rally is approximately 4 hours in duration, including breaks, and 150 miles in length. The rally is designed to be fun for all with simple instructions and a route that traverses mostly agricultural and rural areas of Sutter County including a loop around the scenic Sutter Buttes. The Richta scoring and timing system will be used for the rally. Participants will need to download the FREE Richta Competitor app to their smart phone. Information about the Richta Competitor app is available at: richtarally.com. The General Instructions will be posted to MotorsportReg. Any needed Supplemental Instructions will be emailed to entrants the day before the rally.

Registration at 9:00 AM with First Car out at 10:01 AM. A competitor’s meeting will be held starting at 9:20 AM. Awards will be given to first place in Novice, Senior, and Expert Classes. Awards beyond first place in class dependent upon number of entries. This event is open to the public, all types of cars, not just Porsches.

Registration and payment

Advance Registration is Required. Discounts will be available to PCA members and those that have participated in an SVR rally in 2023 or 2024.

Uncle Ferry wants you to join the P.O.S.S.E!

November 24th, 8 am to 10 am.

What’s this, you ask?

It’s the Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event…

Who’s invited?

Any Porsche owner or driver, regardless of the model they have.

When is it?

Every fourth Sunday of the month from 8 am to 10 am.

Where is it?

In front of Starbucks, at the familiar Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, in Novato.

How much will it cost?

Nothing, nada, zip, zero.

Why is this happening?

It’s an opportunity for Porsche owners to have an informal get-together, at a North Bay location, before going to brunch, heading to the hills, cruising to the coast… or, wherever one wishes to drive that day. It’s a chance to meet and talk to your fellow Porsche owners. It’s a chance to put names and faces with the cars. It’s a chance to show off your ride!

See you there!

Sharon Neidel – President



My name is Sharon Neidel and I have had the pleasure of being your 2024 President.

I am coming up on my 50th anniversary in PCA. I love the cars, the activities and, most of all the people. Over my years I have held many board positions for both Golden Gate and Redwood Regions and as your Zone 7 Representative from 2009-2012.

I would be honored to continue as your President for 2025 and appreciate your support.

Pat Burke - Vice-President

My name is Pat Burke. I am honored to be your current Vice President and excited to be nominated once again for the position for our Redwood Region PCA.

I have been a PCA member for 6 years and hopefully many more to come. I currently own a 2007 Carrera 4S.

My wife, Katherine, and I live in Napa. I have over 40 years of

experience serving on boards and currently serving on three non-profit boards and I’m very active in my Napa Valley Community.

My work history has taken me on an interesting life path, which included 15 years in law enforcement, 10 years in insurance claim management, 20 years in wine business management and most recently, 10 years as a Chef. I recently, almost, fully retired from my Chef/Instructor position at the Napa Valley College Cooking School. and I’m once again honored to be the Culinary Chair for The Collective Napa Valley Barrel Auction held in June of every year.

I’m a Master Swimmer, which keeps me centered and physically active. And, most importantly, I enjoy everything Porsche! I hope you will support my candidacy and trust that I will do my best for our organization! Thank you!

Eileen Gaines - Secretary

I am Eileen Gaines and running for the position of Secretary for the Redwood Region Board of Directors.

I have held this office for the last two years and am eager to continue my role.

 Our region has a great group of members who support the club's activities and I have enjoyed being a part of this organization in the position of Secretary.  

I look forward to continuing as a Board member for the upcoming year. Thank you!

Don Magdanz - Treasurer

II have considerable experience with financial systems and reporting for my personal, real estate, corporate entities and other non-profits. I was elected to the Redwood Region office of Treasurer in November 2023. I started using Quicken in January 2024 to account for all the Redwood Region financial reporting. Our financial depositories needed to be changed in early 2024. First Republic Bank was merged into Chase, which was a huge problem; I transferred the checking

account and the CD to Redwood Credit Union. West America VISA as impossible to deal with; I got a new credit card with Chase VISA which is working well. I have setup a budget system in Quicken which keeps track of profit and loss for Events and other Income and

Expenses. This will be fully implemented with Budget approvals for the Board starting in January 2025.

I feel like I have everything in the finances under control, and if you elect me as your Treasurer, I plan to continue maintaining your financial systems for the future.

Jeff Hall

Membership Director

On behalf of the Redwood Region of the Porsche Club of America (who just celebrated their 55th Anniversary) I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our new members! If you are new to the club, you will soon be receiving a complimentary Redwood Region name badge for you and for your co-Member. Please wear your badge to our events and meetings.

In the month of October, the Redwood Region celebrated a total of sixty-three anniversaries! Thirty-eight members celebrated five plus years, and ONE member celebrated being with the club for FIFTY YEARS!!

Congratulations to all those celebrating anniversaries, but a special mention goes out to Steve

Hunter who joined PCA in 1974! Please join me in congratulating Steve on his FIFTIETH

anniversary with the Club. Thank you, Steve, for being such a long-term and dedicated member!

New members have participated in numerous recent events, and I urge you to keep taking

advantage of our many, varied events – events for all interests and all levels within those interests.

Registration for our annual Holiday Party is open and can be found here. It’s great to see so many new members joining us at these events! Please keep your eyes on our Calendar of Events both in the der Riesenbaum and on our website.

Don’t forget about the Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event. P.O.S.S.E. is a Porsche only Cars & Coffee held on the 4th Sunday of every month. This is a wonderful chance for new members to come to a casual event, see a bunch of P-cars and mingle with like-minded folks! See you on November 24 th at the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center in Novato (in front of Starbucks) at 8am.

All members are invited to join in our monthly Board Meetings held on the last Tuesday of each

month. We meet at Torches Restaurant in downtown Petaluma. Everyone is welcome AND the club picks up your dinner tab (food and non-alcoholic beverages only).

As always, please email me any questions about membership.

 We packed over 11,000 meals!

Ben Davoren

Redwood Charity Liaison

We had another tremendous volunteer experience at the Redwood Empire Food Bank on Friday October 11th. Eleven hardy Redwood Region members made it a very memorable and productive day!

In keeping with our new tradition, we started out with a one-hour driving tour from Airport Road out east along Mark West Springs Road, up across the always-fun Franz Valley Road, then north on Highway 128 and back into Windsor along Chalk Hill Road. The skies changed from foggy and damp to glorious and sunny while we “weathered” the challenges along our route (a school bus going to a field trip, various work trucks including one with a horse trailer, and two surprise automated construction zone stoplights). Thanks to sweep Don Nohai for shepherding everyone successfully into the Food Bank parking lot!

  Redwood members on the senior box assembly line!

Inside the Food Bank, we teamed up with another group and started filling the “senior boxes” right away. Within 90 minutes we had filled up 378 boxes, which makes a combined total of 7905 meals! After a brief break, we headed into the pear-sorting room which was quite the contest. Using scales that maxed out at about 5 pounds per bowl, we created 30 pound bins of pears for local families, tossing the occasional rotten one into the “for the pigs bin”. The 3600 pears we ultimately sorted brought a sense of victory. One last task of finding the three rotten jalapeños in banker-box size containers brought our amazing shift to a close. Be sure to wear gloves for that adventure! All told, our morning’s work equated to 11571 meals.

After that it was time to get our own meals at the never-a-disappointment Barley & Bine Beer Café in Windsor and be proud of our group putting in a tremendous effort in support of Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino county families. Thanks to Rod Williams, Don Nohai, Eric Moeller, Don Magdanz, Eileen Gaines, Essy Fariab, John Dolan, Lorna Williams, Angelo Carpinelli and Lisa Davoren for making such a great Team Redwood. We hope to have YOU join us in 2025.

That is seriously a lot of pears!!!

As noted last month, Homeward Bound of Marin is holding a community-oriented 50^th Anniversary celebration at their main site in Novato on Tuesday November 19th from 3-5 pm, where you can take a free tour of “Sweeney Place”, 26 apartments almost ready to take new formerly homeless occupants. Plus, there’s a 50-foot cake! RSVPs are necessary on their website... Parking is at the Hamilton SMART station with a free shuttle, and remember if you are 65 or older, you can just take the SMART train there for free too!

Our longstanding primary charity, Sonoma CASA, is also holding a Gratitude Gathering and Open House on Thursday November 21st in Santa Rosa, with music, food, drinks and door prizes. RSVP via email here.

This fall, in addition to providing financial support to those three charitable organizations and Toys for Tots, we will be supporting the engineers of the future by donating $1000 to support the Technology High School Robotics Team in Rohnert Park. This STEM-focused magnet prep school just might impact the design and function of our future Porsches. We look forward to seeing how they do in their Spring 2025 competition.

Jeff Hall

Sponsorship Director

The U.S. Marine Corps has been delivering hope to children at Christmastime and beyond! Through the gift of a new book or toy, Marine Toys for Tots programs bring the joy of the Holidays and send a message of hope to America’s disadvantaged children.

Last year, the Redwood Region contributed significantly in helping to fill Santa’s sleigh with all types of unwrapped toys!! This year, through the generosity of our members and our sponsors, we’d like to surpass our 2023 efforts. To do that we need your help!

All of our sponsors (listed below) have drop boxes for your convenience… Please take an unwrapped toy, or book, to one of our sponsors’ locations (see addresses below) between now and December 12, 2024. We will collect the toys on December 13 and deliver them to Toys for Tots headquarters!

We will also have collection boxes at our Holiday Party on December 14th!

To date, this amazing program has distributed 652 million toys to 291 million deserving children! We know we can count on the generosity of our members and sponsors to continue this tradition! 

Thank you!

Sponsor Locations:

Porsche Marin 

900 Redwood Highway, Mill Valley, CA 94941 

Autobahn Automotive 

1801 Ferdinand Court, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 

Santa Rosa Auto Body

3546 Santa Rosa Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Hi-Tec Automotive

779 Anderson Drive, San Rafael, CA 94901

Auto Sport Detailing

1945 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

A huge benefit to our members is that our sponsors offer discounts on most services to our members – mention that you are a PCA Redwood Region member! Be sure to patronize our Sponsors!!

If you have questions about Toys for Tots OR our Sponsorship Program Jeff Hall.

We were

Brian Adkins

Zone 7 Representative

Email

Hello Zone 7,

October saw the last Zone 7 Series Concours and Autocross events. Thank you to Roy Schauben and Simone Kopitzky, our Concours Co-Chairs and Brant Ballantyne our Autocross Chair. They work with the Region Chairs and team to bring two series to our members. Thank you to ALL the volunteers that make these events happen. And thank you to all the participants. I invite each of you to come check out either or both of the Zone Series in 2025. We have many classes where you can be part of the event. Or come out and just visit. Calendars and information to come soon.

There is a Zone Series Awards event that will be held early March, look for info. Fun times, GREAT people and of course some amazing cars we all love. I participated in both series this year and learnt that even without the cleanest car or the “cleanest” / fastest course time you can have a blast.

Now I know what to clean and what’s needed on the AX course. (Anyone got some rims for a Boxster? I “need” sticky tires, Ohhh and maybe some microfiber polish cloths)

Look for results on the Zone web and I’ll add to a future “In The Zone”.

November brings the time of year when we give thanks. I am thankful for my family and friends. Many of my friends are those I have met through PCA over the years. I feel so fortunate to have YOU in my circle of friends. Best to you in these and the upcoming holiday season.

Looking forward to seeing you at an event.

Brian

Highlighted Region / Zone events:

Please let me know if your Region has an event that is open to other Regions / needs broader

participation reach. I am happy to share that information.

Registration is now open for the Turkey Run Rally, SVR's 6th and final time-speed-distance rally of the 2024 series. The Rally, with an interesting course that includes a loop around the scenic Sutter Buttes, is designed to be interesting to both the experienced rallyist and the first timer. 

Register

Zone 7 … stay connected.

Zone 7 Website - zone7.pca.org

Zone 7 Facebook - Zone 7 Facebook

Zone 7 AX Facebook – Zone 7 AX Facebook

Zone 7 Concours Facebook – Zone 7 Concours Facebook

2025 DE Schedule

… Info to come but here is an early scoop

Drivers! Our first scoop of GGR's 2025 track dates is served!

- March 22-23 Thunderhill (w Diablo March 21)

- April 26-27 Thunderhill (w Diablo April 25)

- May 31-June 1 Buttonwillow (w Central Coast May 30)

- June 28-29 Sonoma (w Diablo June 27)

- October 18-19 Thunderhill (w Diablo October 17)

More scoops to follow!

Rosa & Essy Fariab

Concours Chairs

On Sunday, October 6th, 2024, we headed to beautiful Sonoma Plaza early, expecting to be the first to arrive. To our surprise, Joe Burroughs was already there, joined by a Sonoma County employee using a leaf blower to clear away fallen leaves around the horseshoe in the dim morning light. And even though our Concours event flyer clearly stated that the "gates" wouldn’t open until 8 a.m. to deter the early birds, there were already two Porsches parked inside before 7 a.m.!

Thankfully, Kurt arrived shortly after to help Essy, along with Brad and Pat, as they strategically placed the judged and display cars within the horseshoe. The day started off with a cool, crisp temperature, but as the morning went on, the sun rose higher, warming up Sonoma Plaza. Eileen and Paige brought much-needed hot coffee, while David Bunch and Sharon Neidel arrived with their Cayenne packed to the brim with tables, chairs, tents, banners, bags of ice and a cooler. Along with many others, David and Sharon helped us set up everything for the event and stayed afterward to take it all down again. We couldn't have hosted such a successful and spectacular event without all this support.

As the morning progressed, more cars arrived, and Sonoma Plaza gradually filled with participants from across Zone 7. We were happy to reconnect with friends from the Diablo, Golden Gate, Sacramento, Monterey Bay, Yosemite and Shasta Regions as they drove into the plaza and parked. Those competing in the Judged Car class registered and got started on polishing and attending to details to be ready for the competition ahead.

Judging began mid-morning, with participants adding the final touches to their cars as each one was carefully evaluated. Owners watched patiently, awaiting the results, which would be announced after lunch. Lunchtime provided a chance for everyone to relax and enjoy a meal in the lovely setting of Sonoma Plaza. Afterward, attendees gathered for the awards ceremony and raffle prizes. Thanks to our wonderful Sponsorship Coordinator, Jeff Hall, Redwood Region received generous support from our sponsors, Porsche Marin and Auto Sport Detailing. Neil from Porsche Marin brought a stunning cobalt blue Porsche Macan EV for interested parties, and Auto Sport Detailing donated gift baskets for the raffle.  By 2 p.m., we finished up just as temperatures climbed past 90 degrees, nearing record highs for October —a stark contrast to Concours 2023, which went ahead in a downpour.

We would like to thank our Zone 7 Concours Chairs, Simone Kopitzki and Roy Schauben, for their continuous hard work over the years to help bring this event to life. And a great big thank you to everyone who came out to help make our Concours a fun and memorable event.

The streets around Sonoma Plaza were filled with Porsches!!!!

Redwood Region's Concours Winners!!!

Enjoy the Concours photos!

Find our event photos albums on Flickr

Eileen Gaines

Secretary



The next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, November 26th from 7 pm. to 9 pm.at Torches in Petaluma at 256 Petaluma Blvd North.

Our monthly Board meetings are open to all Redwood Region Members. The club will buy your dinner; you pay for your beverage.

If you’re interested in joining the next meeting via Zoom, send me an email and I will forward you the meeting link.  

You can read previous Board meeting minutes here.

PORSCHE Motorsports News

Also,  Pascal Wehrlein wins the "Formula E Drivers's Championship, the "TAG HEUER Porsche Team" finished 2nd in the Teams competition and Porsche was 2nd in the Manufactures standings.

From the Editor

David Bunch

der Riesenbaum Editor

I hope you enjoy this month's der Riesenbaum.

If you have an article you'd like to include in a future issue, please email me.

Visit Redwood's on-line Goodie Store here.

Porsche Marin

When you want the best selection and prices on new, used and pre-owned Porsche vehicles, Porsche Marin offers exactly what you’re looking for. 911, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Macan, Panamera and more.

Mill Valley

415 578-9101

porschemarin.com

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. 

We encourage letters to the editor, feedback, questions and suggestions about our newsletter and the Redwood Region in general. Want to contribute to the newsletter? Submit photos and articles about Club events or related activities. Please submit your entry by the 5th day of the month for inclusion in that month's newsletter. Articles received after the deadline will be considered for the next month's newsletter. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all materials submitted for publication.

Want to reach an audience of Porsche enthusiasts with your marketing message? Consider advertising in der Riesenbaum. Contact the sponsorship director for more information and rates.

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, the der Riesenbaum and to the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region. 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.

Cover photo courtesy of Paige Gaines