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A Posse of Porsches at January P.O.S.S.E

Upcoming Calendar

Non-PCA Events of Interest

2/14 - Porsche Marin 2nd Saturday Motor Social, 8-10am @ Strawberry Shopping

Center, Mill Valley

2/15 - 356CAR Breakfast, 9:00am at IHOP Vintage Oaks, Novato

3/1 - Marin County Cars and Coffee, 6:30-10am at Vintage Oaks, Novato

3/7 - "EASY" Cars & Coffee, 8 to 10:30 am at 4060 Harlan St, Emeryville

3/14 - Porsche Marin 2nd Saturday Motor Social, 8-10am @ Strawberry Shopping

Center, Mill Valley

3/15 - 356CAR Breakfast, 9:00am at IHOP Vintage Oaks, Novato

3/27-3/29 - GT World Challenge at Sonoma Raceway

4/5 - Marin County Cars and Coffee, 6:30-10am at Vintage Oaks, Novato

4/10-4/12 - Porsche Sprint Challenge @ Sonoma Raceway

4/11 - Porsche Marin 2nd Saturday Motor Social, 8-10am @ Strawberry Shopping

Center, Mill Valley

4/19 - 356CAR Breakfast, 9:00am at IHOP Vintage Oaks, Novato

President's Message

Pat Burke

President

Happy February fellow Redwood Members!

I would like to thank the many members that reached out to me during the first month of my president duties. I appreciate all the support. I feel extremely optimistic as to the direction that the club is taking. Our January board meeting was well attended, and it was exciting to debut a new agenda method and the work that was completed. VP Jeff Hall and I spent last Saturday at Porsche Livermore at the PCA Zone 7 Presidents meeting (see photo). The all-day meeting hosted the presidents and others from the 10 regions of our zone. Also in attendance was Richard Strahota, the National Treasurer of PCA. It was nice to hear his perspective on the overall health of the club. We covered multiple topics including risk management, social media, subsidies, and management support. It was an extremely informative session.

February brings us a couple of events that are always a favorite. Our annual Run for the Crab is on February 21st at the Marin Yacht Club. There will be a great driving tour in the morning that will deliver us to the Yacht Club for an “all you can eat” fresh Dungeness crab feed. It’s one to not miss. Please check our calendar or links in this newsletter to register.

I’m also excited to attend the PCA Parade the week of June 14th in Lake Placid, New York. My wife, Katherine, and I are looking forward to our first Parade with anticipation. We plan to spend a few days in New York City prior to and a few days with family in Philadelphia after. It should be a great trip. 

Once again, we are always looking for volunteers to help our region, and we would love to have you join us at a monthly Board meeting, which is held on the last Tuesday of every month at Torches Restaurant in Petaluma starting at an earlier time of 6:30PM. We would like to see you there and your dinner will be on us!

I’m honored to be your President for 2026 and please feel free to contact me with anything on your mind for our region. Any ideas, events or your concerns are all welcome. You can reach me at redwoodpcapres@gmail.com.

Thank You,

Pat Burke

Lend a Helping Hand

Sandy and Craig Steele have provided this club with a tremendous amount of time and dedication over the years. Craig served as club President in 2017 and 2018, and both have provided years of volunteerism and service. 

In June 2025, Craig was diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. The VA has linked this to Agent Orange exposure during his service in the Vietnam War. 

Sandy has since been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and is receiving care from her naturopath and Kaiser Oncologist.

After being our friends, our support, and beloved members of our community, it’s time that we unite around them as they experience raising medical bills that they have limited ability to pay.

So, I hope you will join me in contributing to this GoFundMe to help offset some of their medical expenses. Every little bit will help to reduce the burden they are experiencing and treasured as an expression of our love for them.

Please see the link for the GoFundMe here and keep Sandy and Craig in your thoughts.

From the Editor

Connor Newton

der Riesenbaum Editor

One of the most rewarding parts of being in the PCA is sharing our passion for these cars with one another and with the next generation of enthusiasts. That’s why this month I’d like to highlight the PCA Juniors program, a fantastic (and free) way to introduce the next generation to the Porsche community.

PCA Juniors is open to anyone under 18 sponsored by a current member. Registration is available on the PCA website, and once signed up Juniors will receive a welcome kit that includes an age-appropriate gift and a Juniors ID badge. They’ll also receive a monthly Juniors e-newsletter, activity sheets, and coloring pages.

Redwood Region Juniors are welcome at many events. P.O.S.S.E and driving tours are great ways to connect with the brand. Werks Reunion Monterey will include Juniors Judging (Sign up here!). Licensed Juniors can participate in Autocross and HPDE events, with event director’s permission. As a Junior, I participated in San Diego Region’s Performance Driving School - this proved to be a great way to develop technical driving knowledge.

Growing up, I lit up seeing Porsches drive by on the road. Know a similar kid? Sign them up for PCA Juniors today. I look forward to seeing them all at our future events.

Have a great story you'd like published in der Riesenbaum? Are you a new member and want to introduce yourself to the club? Email me at redtreeed@gmail.com or fill out this link. I am also welcoming photos from your latest drive or club event. Let's see your cars!

Vice President's Message

Jeff Hall

Vice President

As the Groundhog is proven wrong and our weather turns to beautiful, we look toward a spate of upcoming driving events along with traditional February feasts! As always, please keep your eyes on our Calendar of Events as it continues to change with new and exciting events designed for you driving enthusiasm in mind.

Kurt Fischer has increased his responsibilities in his Event Coordinator role. Beginning immediately, Kurt will partner with “event owners” to manage the entire process from the inception of an event to its conclusion. Thank you, Kurt, for stepping up to ensure all of our events run smoothly with all the moving parts that need to be managed to ensure a perfect event. We welcome suggestions for future events and volunteers to help run events!

Speaking of events, our annual Run for the Crab is coming up on Saturday, February 21st. With two weeks to go, this perennial sellout still has spots available. As always, we will feature a spirited drive prior to arriving at the Marin Yacht Club for fresh, local Dungeness crab with all the fixings! To assure a spot for you and your partner, registration can be found here!

Other events on the horizon are Porsche Marin’s 2nd Saturday Motor Social on February 14th (see ad this issue). Last month attendees witnessed a Porsche 918 followed in by a 959! This event has grown in numbers and stature over the past year. Oh, let’s not forget about the Pagani that showed up in December!

Our P.O.S.S.E. Cars and Coffee will be on Sunday, February 22nd and our next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24th. All members are welcome to join, and the club will pay for your dinner – hope to see you there.

Please join the Redwood Region and our sponsor Porsche Marin for the monthly

“Marin Motor Social” Cars & Coffee at Strawberry Village in Mill Valley.

The next event is on Saturday 2/14!

Hosted by Porsche Marin on the second Saturday of EVERY month - we’ll see you soon.

See over 100 cars including Lamborghinis, McLarens, Ferraris AND lots of Porsches.

Take a look at the latest news from Porsche Marin here!

Jeff Hall

Vice President

Porsche Marin, our Premier Sponsor, hosted a wonderful BBQ luncheon at the Center on January 17th! The event sold out in less than an hour and was attended by over 70 Redwood Region members. Every Board member, save one, was in attendance which is a testament to our relationship with Porsche Marin.

Kyle Festog, General Manager of Porsche Marin, along with his executive team, generously rolled out the red carpet for our members. We got ac-

-quainted with Kyle’s management team while strolling among beautiful Porsches both old and new. One of the featured cars was a beautifully restored 1972 “Gold” Targa complete with the infamous two filler caps… where does the gas go? Perhaps the only vehicle that outshined the gold Targa was Don Magdanz’ recumbent bike which was parked conspicuously amidst the Porsches.

Kyle Festog (right) welcoming David Bunch to the event.

We dined on pulled pork and brisket sandwiches complemented by salad and all the accoutrements. Per usual, we were able to accommodate those members with dietary restrictions. To say the least, no one went hungry!

Kyle and his team at Porsche Marin have become a staunch and valued supporter of the Redwood Region. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for their generosity and commitment to the Porsche Club of America!

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

8am to 10am

Starbucks at the Vintage Oaks Shopping Center, Novato

All Porsches are invited to the Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event, every 4th Sunday of the month.

This is 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!

Ben Davoren, Redwood Charity Liaison Emeritus

Happy February! I hope that this month’s overly-mild weather is working in your favor and that each of you is getting an opportunity to exercise your Porsche at least a little bit. In the pre-driving season downtime, I’d like to take this month’s Charity Corner to describe the longest-tenured of our charities, Sonoma CASA. Almost always abbreviated, they are the “Court Appointed Special Advocates”.

For whom, you ask? Well, their mission statement notes that they are “…committed to serving abused and neglected children coming before the Juvenile Court for protection and rehabilitation services…and the purpose of the CASA program is to humanize the complex child welfare system for the child victim by providing a trained volunteer who will act as a consistent role model, advocate, and potential life connection.”

Fundamentally, they are a volunteer organization that steps up to be an abused or neglected child’s voice in our complicated legal system, complementing the court and child welfare systems of government. In fact, they were founded by a Sonoma Superior Court judge in 1996 who recognized that children often languished in the foster care system without anyone continuously supporting them. Their $500,000 annual budget is used to recruit, train, place, and supervise the advocate mentor and matchee. Currently, there are about 220 child matchees in Sonoma County. They have 100 volunteers (and are always looking for more!) who have stepped up to become advocates.

Redwood Region PCA has generously donated to Sonoma CASA for at least the 13 years that I have been a member, and it’s a unique entity that has a personal connection for me. My mother was a psychiatric social worker in Denver when the first coordinated medical understanding of the “Battered Child Syndrome” was being publicized in the early 1960s. I couldn’t help but read her copy of the seminal book The Battered Child (since she was a chapter author) and be astonished at what children were subjected to in their own homes or in foster care. I’m proud to be part of a club that helps support their journeys to recovery.

If you’d like to learn more, their website is very detailed, but we typically invite them to come and staff a table at our annual Porsches on the Plaza event in downtown Sonoma. Come by this year on June 27th and say hello.

Stacy O'Connell, Autocross Director

The off-season is behind us, and that means it's time for acceleration, exhilaration, and dodging cones in autocross.

Redwood has two weekends booked with our sister club SVR in May and October at Thunderhill. We're also invited to join ESCA at their events closer to home at the Sonoma Fairgrounds. If you're interested in any of the ESCA dates below, reach out to either ESCA chair Craig or me.

Additionally, Zone 7 autocross events are open to everyone, including those looking to compete for points and bragging rights. Redwood is proud to welcome one of our own, Drew Powers, as the new Zone 7 Autocross Chair. Thanks to Brant Ballantyne for serving in the role for the last four years. Find out more about the Zone autocross series here.

New to autocross? Don't let that stop you! Instructors are always available, and new drivers are warmly welcomed and encouraged. I still remember my first event – the nerves, the uncertainty – but I was hooked after just a few runs. Thirteen-ish years and four Boxsters later, I love the sport even more. (For the record, I still don't own all four, though my 2009 Base is currently for sale if you're interested.)

Here's to a great upcoming season. I'd love to see you out there.

Brad Williams

Membership Director

This February Membership Report addresses changes that occurred during the past month of January. At the end of January our Redwood Region had a total of 1,189 Members/Co-members (768 Primary Members and 421 Affiliate/Co-Members), 14 of whom joined PCA and the Redwood Region in January. In January we also had 4 members transfer in from other regions, while two trans-ferred out of the Redwood Region. We currently have 17 Active Test Drive Participants.

Don’t forget, if you are an active primary member and haven’t named a co-member, don’t forget that, except for the hardcopy Panorama magazine that arrives in your mailbox, your co-member can have almost all of the benefits of a full membership, at no extra charge! Your desig-nated co-member will also receive their very own PCA Redwood Region name badge, free of charge!



Twenty-seven of our Redwood Region members will be cele-brating their five year, or more, PCA Membership anniversaries in February. They are shown in the table above. This month, Mr. Darnell Walton is our longest continuous membership cham-pion. Darnell has been a PCA member for a very impressive 58 years, having first joined the club in 1968. Have you seen a 1972

914 scooting around the north shore of Clear Lake lately? There’s a very good chance that was Darnell!

Brian Adkins

Zone 7 Representative

Email

Hello Zone 7!

February is here, and you can feel it - the days are getting longer, the weather is starting to cooperate, and that familiar itch to drive is back. As we move out of winter, the calendar is filling quickly with opportunities to get behind the wheel, connect with fellow members, and kick off what promises to be a fantastic PCA year.

Driving season is fast approaching, and many of our Regions are already gearing up with Driver Education, tours, autocross, and social events. If your Porsche has been sitting a little too quietly lately, that’s about to change.

Porsche Parade Turns 70!

One of the biggest highlights of 2026 is the 70th Porsche Parade, being held June 14–20 in Lake Placid, New York. Parade is truly PCA’s signature event—part motorsport festival, part social gathering, part Porsche celebration.

If you’ve never attended, Parade offers something for everyone: autocross, concours, rally, tech sessions, scenic driving tours, hospitality events, banquets, vendor displays, and plenty of time to connect with members from across the country. It’s an unforgettable experience and a milestone year makes it even more special.

Phase One registration opens January 28, and I strongly encourage you to take a look at the details. Information and links are provided below.

PCA Treffen @ Sea – Pacific Wine Country Cruise

Registration is also open for the PCA Treffen @ Sea Pacific Wine Country Cruise, sailing September 19–25 aboard the Grand Princess. This is a unique PCA experience that combines great destinations, camaraderie, and Porsche-themed activities at sea.



I highly encourage you to consider joining this cruise. Several Regions are already planning shore excursions and group activities for those attending, making it a fantastic way to travel and connect with fellow members in a relaxed, fun setting. Details and registration information are included below.

Spotlight Event: CRAB 39

Up next on the Zone calendar is Sacramento Valley Region’s CRAB 39, being held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain—and it’s now open for registration and hotel booking.

CRAB 39 is a can’t-miss event and includes:

• Welcome Reception
• Crabkhana
• Driving Tour
• Treasure Hunt
• Paint & Sip
• Gala
• Rally
• Concours
• Tech Session
• Sunday Beers & Brats
• Vendor Row
• Autocross
• Awards Send-Off Event

If you’re looking for a weekend packed with variety and fun, this is it. Information and links are provided below.

Zone Series Updates

The Zone 7 Autocross Series calendar is now complete and posted below—time to pick your events and start planning.

The Zone 7 Concours Series is nearly finalized, with full details listed below as well.

New additions this month include Driver Education dates from Diablo Region and Golden Gate Region. If DE is on your list this year (or if you’ve been thinking about trying it for the first time), now’s the time to check those out. Links and information are included below.

We’re also highlighting PCA Club Racing West Coast Series events that will be hosted by Zone 7 Regions in 2026. These events are listed in a chart below, along with links for additional information.

Stay Connected

A quick reminder to stay connected with Zone 7 on social media and on the web. Our Facebook pages and Zone website are the best way to keep up with events, schedule changes, and opportunities across all Regions. Links are included below—make sure you’re following along.

There’s a lot happening, and this is only the beginning. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you out on the road, at the track, or at an event very soon.

Until then—drive safe, stay connected, and enjoy the season ahead.

Brian

PCA Zone 7 Representative

2026 Sacramento Valley Region (SVR) Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) Rally Series

• Open to all members in all Regions.



The Sacramento Valley Region (SVR) of the Porsche Club of America will be hosting a series of Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) road rallies that start at various locations within the greater Sacramento Region. The rallies are scheduled for Saturdays with the first car departing at 9:31 AM. They will typically be 90 to 120 miles in length and less than four hours in duration. The rallies will have reasonably easy to follow directions using mostly scenic low volume paved roads.

• Route instructions will be consumable for the beginning rallyist but still providing challenges and learning experiences for all participants.
• Time and location details for all events will be posted to the SVR website svr-pcaor.org
• Registration for all events will be through MotorsportReg.
• The entry fee for each event will be $25 per car. Entry requires a street-legal vehicle, a licensed and insured driver, a navigator, and a smart device (e.g., cell phone or tablet) running the FREE Richta GPS Competitor ‘app.’

The first event will be a road rally school and practice rally to be held on March 28^th and 29^th in Rocklin.

Click here for link to the event registration page.

Click here for a list of upcoming PCA events (the national website).

• Werks Reunion Amelia Island, FL – March 6^th
• Treffen Lowcountry – Montage Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, March 29^th to April 2^nd
• Porsche Parade 2026 – Lake Placid, June 14^th to 20^th; registration opens January 28^th
• Werks Reunion Monterey – August 14^th
• PCA Treffen @ Sea 2026 – West Coast Wine Cruise, September 19^th -25^th

Mark your calendas for Parade 2026!

June 14th to 20th 2026, Lake Placid, New York.

Also, Parade 2027 - Boise, Idaho.

Then a full calendar of different events multiple Regions.

See you at an event SOON

Brian

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

Congratulations to the Porsche Penske Racing for their phenomenal 3rd consecutive IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona victory! Stellar driving by Julien Andlauer, Felipe Nasr and Laurin Heinrich in the Porsche 963. Read more

Congratulations also to the Porsche Formula E team for their double podium finish at the 2026 Miami E-Prix! Read more

Find our event photos on Flickr

Eileen Gaines

Secretary



The next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday, February 24th, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 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.

der Marketplatz

der Marketplatz is back! 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 at redtreeed@gmail.com. Ads will run for three months, space permitting, unless canceled by the seller, and will appear here and on the website.

Dress in style and get your Redwood Region branded items in our Goodie Store.

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 nmore.

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.

Thanks for supporting our Club!

Connor Newton

der Riesenbaum Editor

Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region

Cover photo courtesy of Paige Gaines