Touring the Green Mountain State Since 1986!

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Greetings!

This newsletter is to update you on upcoming tours as organized by our hard-working events chair Duffy (and Bernie) Miller. See the warning below to be there at the dock at 9 a.m. In the rest of the newsletter, I have left in most all items from the last newsletter in case you missed Tech Talk-Ask Jason and other info.

Upcoming Green Mountain Region

Porsche Club Tours

From Duffy Miller

Next tour: This Saturday, June 8. Updated Warning from Events Chair Duffy Miller today, June 4!!

" We have 20 cars and their drivers / passengers participating in the June 8th NY tour. The Charlotte Ferry holds 30 cars, so it’s critical that all participants arrive in Charlotte EARLY - by 9 a.m. for the 10 a.m. ferry crossing to New York. The ferry company stressed that getting in line early is the best way to ensure we all cross together on the same ferry. If arriving late, or close to the crossing time of 10 a.m., you may not be able to cross with the tour group."

--Duffy

Sunday July 14 Vermont Covered Bridge tour led by our president, Carl Wulfestieg. This will be fun, and also is a preview of one of the tours our regional leadership and volunteers are planning for Treffen in September (see below for Treffen).

Saturday August 17 Vermont Mountain Drive over Buel’s Gore* and Smuggler’s notch. We will have two starting points; one in southern Vermont near Woodstock and the central point starting in Waitsfield.

September 4-8 Treffen in Woodstock- See note on Treffen below

Later in September - Our own tour TBA

October - Fall Leaf Tour presented by Pete and Ellen - TBA

Editor's note: What is a "gore" you ask, other than a VP and wounding deeply?

* According to Wikipedia, Buel's Gore is a "small unincorporated area at the southern tip Chittenden County that is not part of any town. In geography, a “gore” is known as a triangular piece of land that typically has very few inhabitants. Buel's Gore is one of four gores in Vermont with limited self-government." Now you know the rest of the story!

Next tour: June 8. Updated Warning from Events Chair Duffy Miller today, June 4!!

" We have 20 cars and their drivers / passengers participating in the June 8th NY tour. The Charlotte Ferry holds 30 cars, so it’s critical that all participants arrive in Charlotte EARLY - by 9am for the 10am ferry crossing to NY. The ferry company stressed that getting in line early is the best way to ensure we all cross together on the same ferry. If arriving late, or close to the crossing time of 10am, you may not be able to cross with the tour group."

--Duffy

PLEASE RSVP NOW TO EVENTS CHAIR DUFFY MILLER. He needs to know how many to plan on for lunch.

See below for tour details Note: this one does not require a Motorsportreg registration. However, please RSVP to Events Chair Duffy Miller so he can give the restaurant the count. Note the need to meet up at the ferry at 9 a.m. so we can get all cars on the ferry (holds 30 - if you are late, you may miss the boat.

Tech Talk -- Ask Jason

We are renewing our Tech Talk feature which also appears on our website . GMR Member and Porsche mechanic Jason Eastman has graciously volunteered to answer members' questions. See below for "Ask Jason." If any members, whether shop owners or handy with their own cars, wish to submit topics, please email to me (reply to this email) or to Webmeister Alessandro Iuppa.

Join GMR PCA:

If you are receiving this email as a "friend of Green Mountain Porsche Club," please consider joining PCA . You get a great magazine, Panorama, and membership in Green Mountain is included in the annual dues of $45 a year. Go online at www.PCA.org , or simply call headquarters in Maryland at (410) 381-0911‬.

Here's to a great tour over Lake Champlain to New York, and lunch in Peru (that is, Peru, NY, not Peru, VT nor Peru, Latin America!)

Sandy Gilmour

Communications Chair/Newsletter Editor



President's Message

The Ferry waits for no one----

 

Our next Green Mountain Tour will be lead by Stu Friedman, a former GMR member from New York. In the past, Stu has found very nice driving roads for us, and I am certain that this tour will not disappoint. The tour start is from the Charlotte Ferry Dock on the 10 a.m. ferry. Please arrive early =, 9 a.m., as noted on the website and Mountaineer posting (see below). I know that many of us drive fast cars, but I don’t think anyone can beat the 33 min. crossing time to Essex, New York by driving legal or illegal speeds on the our Vermont roads.

 

On another topic: Have you checked out the GMR website lately? Al Iuppa, our webmeister, has been working to revise the site and add more content, which will benefit us all. The site is still a work in progress, so check in frequently to see the changes as they arrive. Al welcomes comments from all of you, so if there are ideas or possible links which you think might be helpful please send Al a note .

 

Welcome all new members (see below). We are now up to a recod breaking 177 members in Green Mountain Region, including about 20 new members joined since last winter!

Lastly, when was the last time you signed on to the PCA national website and revised your membership information? Your GMR board and communications chairman need correct information on the PCA site, because this is where we obtain information to communicate with you all. www.pca.org .

 

Unfortunately, I'll be away, but have a great June tour! Best regards, drive safely, and remember it's not just the cars, it's the people!

Carl Wulfestieg

President, Green Mountain Region

Welcome New PCA Members!

Info updated May 28, 2019

177 members and counting, not even including family active members such as spouses, partners and kids! A record for us -- we are growing.

Please say hello to the following new Green Mountain Region Porsche Club members who have joined PCA here, or moved and changed regions, since our last newsletter, according to monthly data supplied us by national PCA. Note: if a member lets his or her membership lapse and then signs up again, they will appear as a "new member." In which case, welcome back!

It would be great if new members would send photos of themselves with their cars so we could post them in The Mountaineer and on the website. Just send to this newsletter email, [email protected] .

Name Tags: We recommend that new members and their spouses/partners purchase "official" Green Mountain Club name tags for wearing at all GMR events. Please email our treasurer, Christina McCaffrey , to request them for you and your spouse or partner, and she will try to get them for you in time for the next event. The cost is $15.00 per name tag.

Our records show the following new members joined since

our last Newsletter -- WELCOME!

Robert Rubin , West Dover. Red 2005 Boxster S. Welcome Robert!

Christopher Cain , Colchester. Silver 1997 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Welcome Christopher!

Corey Duteau , South Burlington. White Metallic 2019 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. Welcome Corey! Can't wait to see it!

New members previously listed, having joined the last

six - eight months or so

Michael and Kathy Rouleau of Barre. Silver 1998 Boxster. Must be one of the first! Welcome Mike and Kathy!

Robert Joyal , West Windsor. Silver 2019 718 Boxster GTS. Can't wait to see it Robert! So now we have a Boxster from one of the first year or two runs, and the latest.

Matthew Progen , Newport, Silver 2003 911 Carrera 4S. Welcome Matthew!

John Barnes , Bristol, Black 1999 911 Carrera. John has joined Green Mountain Region transferring from Central Pennsylvania. Welcome John!

Charles Kofman , Shelburne, Cobalt Blue 2005 911 Carrera S. Charles has transferred up from Everglades. Welcome Charles!

David Loh , Morrisville, Silver 2016 Cayman GT4. Welcome David!

Albert St. Amand , Burlington, 40th Anniversary Silver 2004 911. Welcome Albert!

Bill Lawless, Morristown, Green 1965 356 Cabriolet, Red 1961 356, Grey 1965 356, and a Red 1982 911 SC Targa (Yep, that's what it says on the membership list!)

Marty Wernetrt , South Burlington, Silver 2000 911 Carrera

Timothy Fishburne , Craftsbury, Blue 1966 912

Scott Search , Waterbury (transferred in from Down East Region in January.) Owns a 2006 Cayman S Welcome Scott!

John Van Deren , Montpelier, Joined in January. Owns a 2002 911 Carerra Cabriolet Welcome John!

Joe Beaudoin , Colchester. Joined last November. Owns a white 2013 911 Carrera S. Welcome Joe!

Tracy Meier , South Burlington. Joined last November. Owns a white 2011 911 Carrera GTS. Welcome Tracy!

Kenneth Petrocca , Wardsboro. White1975 911 Targa.

Edward Ryan , Cuttingsville. Red 1998 Boxster.

Stephen Soule , Waterbury. Blue 2000 Boxster.

If you joined since last October/November and have been receiving this newsletter and haven't been acknowledged in this space, please reply to this email and let us know! Better yet, include a photo of you and your car.

Tech Talk - Ask Jason!

Green Mountain PCA Member Jason Eastman, mechanic and owner of Bullfrog Auto in Milton, Vermont, has graciously agreed to answer members’ questions about their Porsches in a club feature we call “Ask Jason,” appearing here in the Mountaineer and in the Tech Talk section of our website .

Any member with a question should email Communications Chair Sandy Gilmou r or Webmeister Alessandro Iuppa who will forward to Jason after which we will publish the answer(s). Likewise, if you would like to submit a an article on a technical subject regarding Porsches, email to Sandy and/or Al.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ask Jason

By Jason Eastman, Mechanic

Q. Jason, when I step on the pedal from a dead stop in low gear, my ’99 Boxster is not taking off like it used to. The last time I changed plugs was seven or eight years ago at 90,000 miles, now I have 122,000. Should I change plugs? 

A. This is not a straight forward simple answer as the car has aged and they are many factors to consider. Think of it like this: A high school track star may run the 200-meter dash in 15 seconds. As this same athlete ages, their body changes, wears and overall, it deteriorates slowly. The same track star won’t be running the 200-meter dash at 15 seconds when they are 70. (Editor’s note: tell me about it!) The same basic principles happen to an automobile engine. The degradation is so slow most people don’t notice until something major happens. 

So, to answer the question — yes, spark plugs can contribute to this concern and as a general rule of thumb should be replaced every 30,000 miles. However, there could be a number of other things that can also be adding up to this concern. For instance, the pistons and piston rings are no longer sealing as tight as they once were when leaving the factory. They will be allowing some air to pass by resulting in less power. The valves are also likely not sealing as well as when new. In addition to mechanical parts, sensors also wear and don’t register as accurately as they should.  Nothing lasts forever but unlike the human body, sensors can be replaced, or an engine can be rebuilt over and over. The only thing that limits this is the cost. 

Q. Jason, how often should I get a wheel alignment?  

A. Wheel alignments are a part of routine maintenance that is commonly overlooked until tire wear is noticed. A basic rule of thumb is to have an alignment performed with every set of new tires. Aligning more often will help extend the life of tires and suspension components. If a vehicle is driven on rough roads then the alignment should be checked more frequently as frost heaves, pot holes and, heaven forbid, curbs, will alter the alignment angles. One last thought: An alignment will typically cost about the same as one tire. By having an alignment performed you can protect your investment and ensure you will get the most out of a set of tires.

Q. Jason, I am getting some oil drip on the garage floor under my 1971 911E. Is that a problem, what should I do?  

A. Old Porsches are prone to oil drooling. Is this oil leak something that has been going on for some time or just started suddenly? Some small spots, dime sized or smaller would be considered normal to me. If the spots are larger than that, or there is a steady drip, then this should be addressed sooner rather than later. First step is to check the oil level. I recommend doing this at every fuel fill up until you are familiar with your engines level of oil consumption. Also, the oil level should be checked at least every 1,000 miles. On this model of Porsche, the engine has to be running and up to operating temperature. The oil level should be about 1/2-2/3 above the min mark on the dipstick but certainly not over the max mark. Anything above 3/4 above the min mark will typically just burn off due to the engine design. 

The gaskets and sealants have improved immensely in modern cars. We often forget this and compare our old cars to the modern cars that are by and large free of oil leaks thinking that there shouldn’t be any oil leaks. There are many areas of an air cooled 911 engine that can leak oil and certain generations are prone to mechanical problems that enhance the ability of an oil leak.

Common areas for oil leaks are from the oil return tube seals, oil pressure switch, cam tower oil lines and rocker shafts. Proper evaluation of these leaks will require someone to investigate who is familiar with these engines and willing to take on a project like this. Some of these aforementioned parts are minor repairs; some such as the rocker shafts are more involved and require special tools and experience to successfully repair the leaks.  

Our thanks to Jason! Please comment on this feature by replying to this email. Your thoughts are sought and welcome!

Photos from the May 4 Spring Tour and New Members'

Meeting and lunch in Bethel

Update Your Membership if Needed, and --

Would You Like a Co-Member Friend or Family to

Receive the Mountaineer?

If you would like your spouse/partner/or any other family member to get the Mountaineer newsletter, please email me at [email protected] and put "Co-Member" in the subject line, and type in the email address you want to receive the newsletters. I will put the address in our "Co-Member" contact list.

It is a good idea to check on your membership information in your member sign in at PCA.org and make sure it's current and correct-- names, addresses, email addresses, family info and data on your car (model, year, color etc).

Check Out the New Look of Our Website , www.gmtpca.org .

GMT Member Alessandro Iuppa, our webmeister, has been doing a great job in improving our website's look and functions. As communications chair I join the rest of the board in thanking him for all this work.

Al welcomes any and all comments. From Al:

Each page now includes the site’s menu options, upcoming events in a list and calendar format as well as links to the Porsche Club of America, PCA Zone 1 and information about Green Mountain Region Membership.

 

In addition to current news and items of interest we now include a new feature, the President’s Message, on the Homepage. Ever wonder what happens to all those photos that are taken at our events? Then click on the Archives page where you will find a treasure trove of photos going back over 12 years. It also includes an archive of events and recent newsletters. Other pages feature our current directors, how to join PCA & Green Mountain Region, and Tech Talk.

 

The website is intended to be a key two-way communication tool for our members, whether to obtain or to share information. Other enhancements are under consideration so please visit often! And if you have any suggestions or comments, we'd love to hear them, so please pass them on to me.

Thanks!

Al Iuppa

Webmeister

About These Email Communications: 

Replies to these GMT PCA emails come to me (Sandy Gilmour), not the entire membership; however, I can forward to President Carl Wulfestieg and other board members if needed. I always welcome any comments on any ways we can improve communications with GMT PCA members.

We welcome any submissions by members who have some fun experiences, photos, tech stuff and other adventures to share! Email me at [email protected]

Remember also, it's a volunteer organization. Any help you can provide -- especially with event planning -- is most appreciated by all!

~ Sandy

 

Sandy Gilmour ('99 Boxster)  

Communications Manager

Green Mountain Region

Porsche Club of America

[email protected]