Spiel

FEBRUARY 2015 6 President's Column – February, 2015 My Porsche Story – to be continued... I would love to hear how you came to know the Porsche brand, and how your passion evolved. I was thinking about how I started down the path of owning my first Porsche and becoming a fervent Porsche fan. It started with little metal cars that I would race across the carpet as a child. A few years ago a cousin, upon riding in my first Porsche, reminded me that I had been driving a toy red Porsche at our family events as children. I don't recall the passion that early, but I do remember defending my love for Corvettes when faced with a neighbors' uniquely shaped dark blue 356. I was quick to quote the higher power ratings of the Corvette, but he pointed out on any curvy road, the Porsche was sure to come out ahead. Funny how little has changed, aside from my coming over to the Porsche side. I was about 16 at that time, and neither Corvettes nor Porsches were within my budget. In fact, between college, military, marriage, job changes, house payments, and raising a family, it was not to be for many years. I do recall the envy I felt when a friend showed up in a new 2.2 liter 911 with the unmistakable snarl of that air-cooled engine. Later, I visited the Porsche dealer for a 911 brochure which I subsequently cut up and kept with other goal reminders. But, it was over ten years later when I finally walked into a dealer, saw a used '86 Guards Red 911 Cabriolet, and fell 'head-over-heels'. I took it for a ride, overlooking the gears crunching going into first (maybe that's normal). How expensive could synchros be? And then there were those oh-so-cool looking Yokohama A008R tires with the smooth tread on one half and modest grooves elsewhere. They turned out to be near-suicidal on the rainy streets of Seattle and I had no idea the prior owner loved to track the car. But, I drove the car home that day after trading in a family car and really surprised my wife and son! Later, I took it to Chris Powell for a 'pre-purchase' inspection. Luckily, it was basically solid mechanically, as I doubt I would have returned it after a weekend in the sunshine. I was hooked. I drove that car for about four years until we visited the Porsche factory in Stuttgart and I realized how cars change over 14 years. While bidding on a new one (there was a long waiting list for 996's at the time!) I found an almost new Carrera C2 at a local dealer – some poor tech exec was forced to sell it with only 1100 miles. Wow, 300 HP instead of 200, and 6 speeds! Screamer! A test drive and I was hooked. That car lasted me for 11 years as a daily driver, but it was not until I started to be more active in the Club that I really gained an appreciation for the cars' capabilities. Friends invited me to try autocross, and that was a game changer – not just the car and the thrill of the event – but the people and the Club. So, if you are a Porsche driver, already a club member, or thinking about joining, let me encourage you to actively participate in our events as a way to really extend the appreciation you have for your car. Join us for a Tour, Skills Day, Autocross, Drivers Education Day, Tech Session, Concours, Social, Special Event, Highway Cleanup, or even a Board Meeting. We really do have lots of fun and you'll meet some great people who, like you, have a real passion for Porsches. FROM THE PRESIDENT Ward Carter 6 FEBRUARY 2015 1986 Guards Red 911 Cabrolet. My first 'real' Porsche. "Later, I took it to Chris Powell for a 'pre-purchase' inspection. Luckily it was solid mechanically, as I doubt I would have returned it after a weekend in the sunshine."

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