Content Contributions
Bogdan Chitimus Marsha Buss
Stephanie Reuer Steve Buss
Greg Hartke Rich Ehrlich Rob Carter
James B Beavan III
Mark Miller
Photo Contributions
Bogdan Chitimus Ken Wilmers Jim McKee Jim Orrell Ryan Boxler Steve Wood
Marsha Buss
James B Beavan III Rob Carter Scott Johnson
Editor
Bogdan Chitimus
Bogdan Chitimus
Editor, Porsche Patter
Wow, what a busy month, with so many great events and very “interesting” weather: at least it allowed us to drive more than last month.
Congratulations to our club for passing the 2000 members mark!
This past month I have done the scariest car repair job on the 911 but now that is done is not that scary at all. I can tell the car built quality is great and is meant to be worked on. I cleaned the intake valves as they had a lot of carbon and to do that a lot of things had to come out
due to the limited access to the engine area. Now the car feels great, more responsive.
In the meantime I learned that copper based spark plugs are great at many things but their life is 20k-30k miles. So I am at 20k miles on them and they will need to be replaced. More work to do ...
All the best, Bogdan.
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P S
PRESIDENT Steve Buss president@pcachs.org
SECRETARY Ken Wilmers secretary@pcachs.org
Executive VP
Steve Wood executivevicepresident@pcachs.org
Autocross
Greg Hartke / Michael autocross@pcachs.orgRicketts
Historian
Bob Rassa historian@pcachs.org
Driving Instructor
Ellen Beck instructor@pcachs.org
Community Service
Grace Carter communityservice@pcachs.org
Concours
Paul Koenigsmark, Phil Andrews Dan Zadra concours@pcachs.org
Chesapeake Chlng
Kristen Allen chesapeakechallenge@pcachs.org
Insurance
Wayne Nelms insurance@pcachs.org
Membership
Mark Miller /Rob Payne
Rob Rohrbach membership@pcachs.org
Registrar
Marsha Buss registrar@pcachs.org
Newsletter Editor
Bogdan Chitimus editor@pcachs.org
PCA License
Laurie & Bruce Tarsia pcalicenseplates@pcachs.org
PCA Zone 2 Rep
George Michaels zonerep@pcachs.org
Photography
Jim McKee / Ryan Boxler Jim Orrell photography@pcachs.org
VICE PRESIDENT
Rob Carter vicepresident@pcachs.org
TREASURER Jessie Sanchez treasurer@pcachs.org
Publicity
James Beavan III publicity@pcachs.org
Safety
John Jensen safety@pcachs.org
Social
Stephanie Reuer and Randy Bruscup social@pcachs.org
Sunshine
Doug Ehmann sunshine@pcachs.org
Webmaster
Mark Richburg webmaster@pcachs.org
Tour & Rally
Rich Ehrlich
Andy Powell tour@pcachs.org
Tech
Jim Earlbeck / Randall Richter Rick Hawver tech@pcachs.org
Hello All,
Greetings from Treffen Low Country at the Montage Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC
I am very proud to announce that March 20, 2026 marked our 65th anniversary of the Chesapeake Region. We plan to celebrate this milestone throughout the year.
It is hard to believe 1Q26 is in the books and our winter activities are complete. As we begin the Touring Season, I want to remind everyone of the universal set of PCA driving rules. The emphasis on all events is safety, courtesy and having fun! Please remember our tours are not competitive racing events and drivers must respect the local traffic laws and use common sense at all times. So let’s be safe and have fun driving the wonderful tours our Tour Masters have planned for us.
Our Board meeting on March 11th was very well attended. Due to my unavailability, it was aptly led by our VP, Rob Carter. Thanks Rob for stepping in and leading this important meeting. As a reminder, board meetings are open to all members.
Autocross is off to a great start with the annual AX School and our Tours Committee is set to begin their busy schedule with the annual Tour Academy. There will be four tours this month, Wow! Thanks Rich. Social continues to keep the breakfasts and dinners on the calendar, next up is Bud’s at Silver Run on April 21st.
The Membership committee hosted a New Member Party at our valued sponsor Porsche Hunt Valley, and
the Tech Team enhanced the event with a terrific Paintless Dent Repair demonstration. Members had the opportunity to grab a hammer, make a dent in the hood, then try their skill at the repair. It was a fascinating look at how intricate the dent repair process really is!
An additional Tech Session has been set up at our valued sponsor, Porsche Annapolis, immediately following the Eggcellence breakfast on April 18th. The topic will be Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and Gold Meister Justin Tufts will provide a detailed overview and answer your questions.
Our valued sponsor, Porsche Owings Mills conducted a Tech Session around the 2026 Porsche Restoration Challenge. Peter Simpson, POM Service Manager, discussed the restoration philosophies and plans for the two 911 964’s he is submitting in the challenge. We will return on July 25th for the big reveal.
We also enjoyed a fun and intense afternoon at the P1 Sim Racing facility in Annapolis with a GT car race event. The simulators are incredibly lifelike, and the atmosphere was filled with adrenaline. Dan McNally best Marcus Frank by 4 seconds in the Championship race. Congrats to Dan and to all that raced. Believe me, it was hard to go fast and keep the car on the track! But we had a blast. Many thanks to Clay for putting this together. I’ m sure there will be more Sim racing in the coming months.
Saturday May 2nd is our annual drive to the Porsche Swap Meet organized by our friends in the Central Pennsylvania Region at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. Typically there are 1,000 Porsches on display. Join our Swap Meet Tour and drive up with your friends.
Thanks to all of you for making Chesapeake Region so much fun! It’s the cars that bring us together, but it is the people that make it special.
Let’s be careful out there.
Steve
40 Years
Paul Gentile
35 Years
Denis & Daniel Jenkins
25 Years
John & Peggy Allen
Daniel & Karen Ball
William Leavitt
John & Frances Wolfe
20 Years
Albert Rubeling Gennady Soykher Diane Stahl
10 Years
Yaroslav Burmaka & Meilyn Wigney-Burmaka
Andrew & Sarah Halford Kathy Lawler
by: Rob Payne
5 Years
Jim & Karin Clancy Evan Klein
Amanda & Thomas
Mason
Javier Meade Michael Meissner Vikki Middleton
Julian Pulfrey Chris Stephens
1 Year
Joseph Brannon Jr Eric Jackson Edward Wright
*** Please excuse us for any inconsistencies in reports as PCA HQ continues to improve the system. See CHS PCA website for full Membership Committee Report or contact Mark Miller, Membership Chair, for any assistance. ***
It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.
Robert Blumel 2015 911 Carrera 4S
Troy & Carol Brewer 2026 911 Carrera GTS
Chris Crocker 2009 911 Carrera S
Ronald Dea 2021 Cayenne
David & Jennifer Heller 2008 911 Turbo Cabriolet
Jonathan Kehoe 1972 914
by: Rob Payne
Patricia Rohman & Gary Hembrecht
Brendan Kelley 2020 718 Cayman T 2022 718 Boxster
Sophie Miller 2004 911 Carrera Cabriolet
Anne Parks 2017 Cayenne S
Michael Powers 2024 911 Turbo S
Wesley Sampson 2007 911 GT3
words by The Duke Palmetto Pipes Newsletter
If you asked a Porsche purist in 1975 what they thought of the upcoming 924, you might have received a fairly cold stare. It was water-cooled. The engine was in the "wrong" place. And—heaven forbid—it shared some DNA with a Volkswagen delivery van and an Audi sedan.
But as we sit here in March 2026, looking back at the 50-year legacy of the Porsche 924, it’s time we give this "entry-level" hero its flowers. Without the 924, there’s a very real chance our club wouldn’t exist today.
The 924 has one of the wildest origin stories in Stuttgart. Originally developed by Porsche as a flagship sports coupe for Volkswagen, VW pulled the plug at the eleventh hour during the 1970s oil crisis. Sensing an opportunity, Porsche bought the design back and brought it to market themselves. It was a gamble that paid off. By using "parts bin" components, Porsche created a car they could actually afford to build—and that enthusiasts could actually afford to buy. It became an instant hit, providing the vital cash flow that kept the 911 program alive during some very lean years.
Critics often point to the 924’s modest output (about 95 hp in early US-spec cars) as a sticking point. But it’s important to remember the era. In 1976, the "Pollenpocalypse" wasn't the only thing choking the
South; new emissions regulations were strangling every engine on the market.
Even its big brother, the 911, was feeling the squeeze. The base 2.7L 911 of the mid-70s was putting out roughly 150 hp—hardly a massive gap when you consider the 924 was lighter, more aerodynamic, and significantly cheaper to maintain.
While the 911 of the 70s was busy trying to swap ends the moment you lifted in a corner, the 924 was a revelation in stability. By putting the engine in the front and the transmission in the rear (the transaxle layout), Porsche achieved a near-perfect 48/52 weight distribution.
It wasn’t a drag strip king, but on a twisty backroad, it was a momentum car's dream. It laid the foundation
for the 944, the 968, and the V8- powered 928. It proved that a Porsche didn’t need to be air-cooled or rear-engined to handle like a thoroughbred.
The Evolution: From Road to Le Mans
While the base car was a balanced "momentum" machine, Porsche eventually showed the world what the platform was truly capable of. They began a relentless climb up the performance ladder that silenced the skeptics:
924 Carrera GT (210 hp): A homologation special that added a turbo and an intercooler (under that iconic offset hood scoop). With 210 hp, it actually had more grunt than the contemporary 911 SC and could be found in your local Porsche showroom. 924 Carrera GTS (245 hp): An even rarer beast (only 59 made), recognizable by its fixed headlights under plexiglass covers. It was a factory-built "Clubsport" for the road.
924 Carrera GTR (375 hp): The ultimate evolution. This was a pure-bred race car that could hit 180 mph. Porsche built just 17 of them, and they are now among the most coveted "Transaxle" collectibles in existence.
Racing Pedigree
The 924 wasn't just a showroom success; it was a giant-killer on the track. In 1980, Porsche entered three 924 Carrera GTPs (320 HP) into the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In a race famous for its brutal rain, the 924s proved their mettle. The factory team—led by legends like Derek Bell and Al Holbert in the #3 car—didn't just finish; they excelled. The lead 924 #4 finished 6th overall, a staggering result for a "four-cylinder economy car" competing against dedicated prototypes.
The 1980 Le Mans "Photo Finish"
The race ended in one of the most incredible displays of Porsche variety ever seen at Le Mans.
5th Place Overall: The #70 Porsche 935 K3 (Dick Barbour Racing). Driven by John Fitzpatrick, Brian Redman, and Dick Barbour. They finished with 316 laps.
6th Place Overall: The #4 Porsche 924 Carrera GTP (Porsche System). Driven by Jürgen Barth and Manfred Schurti. They also finished with 316 laps.
The 924 and the 935 K3 finished on the exact same lap. After 24 hours of racing in torrential rain, a fourcylinder "entry-level" Porsche was breathing down the neck of the 800 hp, twin-turbo monster that had won the race overall the year before.
The Results: All three factory 924s finished.
#4 (Germany): 6th Overall
#2 (Great Britain): 12th Overall
#3 (USA - Al Holbert/Derek Bell): 13th Overall
55 cars started the race and only 25 finished, of those not finishing 11 Porsche 935's and 3 934's. Is the 924 the real life #53 Herbie the Love Bug?
Legacy Worth Celebrating
Fifty years later, the 924 is finally shedding its "entrylevel" reputation. We’re seeing more of them at Werks Reunion and local meets, often restored to betterthan-factory condition. It represents an era where Porsche was brave enough to reinvent itself to survive. So, the next time you see a 924 at a club meet, take a second to appreciate it. It might not have the 911’s iconic silhouette, but it has the heart of a survivor.
For an article on the 924 from the era, check out the June 1976 Panorama Edition. Also in that edition is an interesting article on the Rocky Mountain Regions first viewing of the 924 when Porsche showed up for high elevation emissions testing.
Happy 50th to the car that kept the lights on in Stuttgart.
Link to a YouTube video about restoring a Porsche 924 GTP
by Ryan Boxler
Every year I make a pilgrimage to Amelia Island to see family for a week or three. It's been a delight to watch this usually humble little beach town descend into mechanized frenzy. A Corvette may be a hotshot on the island fifty weeks a year, but for the week leading up and winding down from the Amelia Island Concourse De Elegance/Werks Reunion/Radwood brings in the most exotic, rare and priceless rolling works of art from the earliest brass era cars, forgotten Bugatti's, 80's nostalgia bait, new concepts and ~1000 Porsche's. It's a car culture scene to itself.
Here's my "Porsche Best in Show" from 2026, I'd highly recommend the 9-12 hour drive if given the chance!
We are pleased to announce that after months of work by Chesapeake members Rich Bauer and myself, we have created the ultimate tribute to our 65th anniversary; a Chesapeake watch created in conjunction with Maryland’s own watch maker, Tsao Watch. Alan Tsao has created a line of watches that truly are incredible timepieces and pay tribute to many of our local hallmarks:
Baltimore Orioles, University of Maryland Athletics, Old Bay, and of course, their Torsk Diver Watch. It pays tribute to the WW2 era submarine docked in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. I personally own two of his watches and one of his first gen Torsk models. You can learn more about the history of the brand here: https://tsaobaltimore.com/pages/our-story
With all that in mind, we present to you the Porsche Club of America Chesapeake Region limited edition 65th anniversary GMT Automatic watch. It will be limited to 50 copies and once all of them are sold, that is it. Here is more info on it:
The PCA Chesapeake GMT is a celebration of craftsmanship, performance, and community — a timepiece born from the partnership between Baltimore Watch Company and the Porsche Club of America, Chesapeake Region.
Limited to only 50 pieces, this 39mm stainless steel GMT embodies the precision and spirit of Porsche engineering. Powered by the Miyota 9075 Automatic GMT movement, it offers true traveler functionality with independent local hour adjustment — perfect for those always on the move.
by Mark Miller
The dial, paint-matched enamel to Porsche’s signature Club Blau, features Speed Yellow accents and Carrera White indices, evoking the dynamic colors of Porsche’s racing legacy. Protected by a domed sapphire crystal and framed by a domed sapphire dive bezel, the design balances clarity with strength. With 200 meters of water resistance, a closed engraved caseback, and a robust stainless steel bracelet (come with one of two optional bracelets), this watch is built for both the road and beyond.
Preorders are live now and shipping will happen in spring of 2026. Here is a link to the watch, more info on it, and where you can pre-order it:
https://tsaobaltimore.com/products/pca-chesapeakegmt
I am truly excited to bring our members this one in a lifetime opportunity
Mark Miller former Vice President PCACHS / membership chair
Our first entry is a 1993 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet, finished in Midnight Blue Metallic over Cashmere leather with 84,000 original miles, competing in the Individualization category. This project will focus on creating a truly unique 964 through thoughtful custom interior and exterior modifications, while returning the mechanical components to their original performance and reliability.
Our second entry is a 1992 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, finished in triple black with 86,000 original miles, entered in the Preservation category. This highly original example will be treated as a time capsule, with careful attention given to necessary repairs and sympathetic refurbishment, all while maintaining its originality, character, and historical integrity.
This 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe was reimagined by Singer Vehicle Design in 2023.
Finished in Aga Blue over a custom Bernini(brown) leather interior.
The “Redington Commission” is powered by an aircooled flat-six that was rebuilt to a displacement of 4.0 liters and has a six-speed manual transaxle.
Additional features:
Carbon-fiber body panels, individual throttle bodies, a ceramic-coated intake plenum, a titanium high-flow exhaust system, two-way adjustable Ohlin’s coilovers, carbon-ceramic brakes in Piano Black, 17” Fuchs-style wheels with nickel RS wheel centers, piano-black seat shells wrapped in Bernini and Coopers Hawk leatherweave upholstery with brass grommets, and a Porsche Classic radio with navigation.
Exterior options include full touring trim in nickel including the bumperettes, an external fuel filler cap centered in the front hood, an external oil filler cap, raised decklid lettering in nickel, rear reflector delete, and clear protective film and ceramic coating over the full body. Additional Singer touches include a retractable rear spoiler with a tinted acrylic screen beneath the grille, bi-xenon headlights, polycarbonate front lenses.
Annapolis
April 18 @ 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Porsche Annapolis will graciously open their facility on April 18th at 9:30am to host PCA Chesapeake for a highly informative tech session presented by Gold Meister Technician Mr. Justin Tufts. Mr. Tufts will discuss which ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) require calibration, the conditions or repairs which may prompt requirement for calibration, and how these systems work together to provide the modern Porsche driving experience.
So what is ADAS? ADAS are technologies that assist drivers with the safe operation of a vehicle. Through a human-machine interface, ADAS increases car and road safety. ADAS uses automated technology, such as sensors and cameras, to detect nearby obstacles or driver errors and respond accordingly. ADAS can enable various levels of autonomous driving. As most road crashes occur due to human error, ADAS are developed to automate, adapt, and enhance vehicle technology for safety and better driving. ADAS is proven to reduce road fatalities by minimizing human error. Safety features are designed to avoid crashes and collisions by offering technologies that alert the driver to problems, implementing safeguards, and taking control of the vehicle if necessary. ADAS may provide adaptive cruise control, assist in avoiding collisions, alert drivers to possible obstacles, warn of lane departure, assist in lane centering, incorporate satellite navigation, provide traffic warnings, provide navigational assistance through
smartphones, automate lighting, or provide other features. According to the national crash database in the US, forward collision prevention systems have the potential to reduce crashes by 29%. Similarly, lane keeping assistance is shown to offer a reduction potential of 19%, while blind zone detection could decrease crash incidents by 9%.
Registration is limited to 80 participants and will open at noon March 2 and close at noon, April 15th.
Everyone must register here for this event, opens at noon, March 2
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Location: Porsche Annapolis 20 Hudson St, Annapolis, MD 21401, (866) 982-9002
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am
Cost: $5 per person
If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
Feel free to reach out to Randy Richter, Tech Chair, tech@pcachs.org
Registration will be capped at 80 attendees. If the cap is met after registration, you will be waitlisted and may be eligible to attend if there s availability.
April 11-12, 2026
SATURDAY, April 18, 2026
Come out and join your fellow PCAers for a morning of fun in Annapolis. We’ll meet Saturday morning, March 7th, at 8am in Annapolis. Eggcellence Brunchery features comfort food for breakfast including waffles, pancakes, build your own omelettes, benedicts and more. Check out their menu here.
All participants must register for the breakfast on www.MotorsportReg.com by March 6th.
Seating is limited to 35 people. There is no registration fee for this event.
Get more info here.
Come out and join your fellow PCAers for a morning of fun in Annapolis. We’ll meet Saturday morning, April 18th, at 8am in Annapolis. Eggcellence Brunchery features comfort food for breakfast including waffles, pancakes, build your own omelettes, benedicts and more. Check out their menu here.
All participants must register for the breakfast on www.MotorsportReg.com by April 17th. Seating is limited to 35 people. There is no registration fee for this event.
Get more info here.
Sat, April 18, 2026
Porsche Annapolis will graciously open their facility on April 18th at 9:30am to host PCA Chesapeake for a highly informative tech session presented by Gold Meister Technician Mr. Justin Tufts. Mr. Tufts will discuss which ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) require calibration, the conditions or repairs which may prompt requirement for calibration, and how these systems work together to provide the modern Porsche driving experience.
Get more info here.
Let’s meet at Bud’s at Silver Run! Please mark your calendars for Tuesday night, April 21st, at 6:30pm (5:30 cocktails) at Bud’s at Silver Run located in Westminster, Carroll County. Bud’s at Silver Run expresses a friendly atmosphere that is great for casual dining and catching up with friends. The exceptional and warm service adds to the relaxing experience. Check out their delicious menu here.
Get more info here.
PCA Chesapeake Region held our March Social Dinner at Kelsey's Restaurant & Irish Pub - our annual "After St. Paddy's Day" event. As is always the case, the team at Kelsey's did a great job. The food at our table of 10 was excellent, and my husband finally got his annual corned beef and cabbage dinner.
Next up for Tuesday, April 21 is a great place in the very Northern part of our region: Bud's at Silver Run in Westminster, MD. Many thanks to Bob Rassa and Mark Miller for putting this together for our group. The menu looks terrific with something for everyone, including a duck confit with wild mushrooms and tomatoes. From soup, salad, sandwiches, seafood and an array of steaks, chops and poultry, this restaurant should satisfy all variety of our diners. Our group will fill nearly the entire restaurant, so please make sure to attend if you've signed up. If you find that you cannot attend, please cancel your registration as promptly as you can to ensure that we can notify the restaurant with a correct total number of guests. Although we are at capacity, there is nobody on the waitlist yet, so if you want to join us, there's a pretty good chance you will get in.
Our dining adventure on May 12 will be to the iconic Boatyard Bar & Grill in Annapolis. As usual, 5:30 cocktails and 6:30 dinner. It's a favorite hangout of racing sailors for post-race "yachty karate" and has a mighty impressive collection of all things boating, fishing, sailing and racing. The food here is always terrific, including their award-winning crabcakes (a former First Lady favorite.) We are already sold out for the event, with a pretty healthy waitlist, but things do change, so if you want to join us, please do register. The founder of the Boatyard, Dick Franyo is a Porsche owner - he rocks a 1979 Targa - and he hopes to join us for a bit during the evening. Let's get him to join the club!
One more thing of note for this event. Parking in downtown Annapolis can be a bit challenging. There is a municipal parking lot on Severn Ave, directly across from the Boatyard on 4th St. There are more than 50 spots in that lot and we recommend that you get there early to snag one. There is also a parking garage at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel - Autograph Collection, on Compromise St., across the bridge. They have both self
by Stephanie Reuer
and valet parking. It is a short, scenic walk from there to the restaurant. We will send out additional information about parking arrangements as the date draws closer.
Thanks to everyone who comes out for these Social Dinners. It really is so great to get together over a meal and catch up with friends - or make some new ones. Randy and I consider ourselves very fortunate to have found this wonderful club and the wonderful people that make it so terrific!
April 18 @ 8:00 am - 9:30 am
Winter Breakfast #5 at Eggcellence in Annapolis. Due to their popularity we are offering some additional breakfast gatherings this year. Please mark your calendars for Saturday morning, April 18th at 8:00 am.
All participants must register for the breakfast here by April 17th.
Seating is limited to 35 people (you will be placed on the waitlist if the limit is met but may be contacted should anyone cancel and there is availability). There is no registration fee for this event. If you must cancel, please do so promptly so we can alert Eggcellence. They appreciate being able to set the room to accommodate us and other guests if our numbers are less than expected.
WHEN and WHERE
When: April 18, 2026, Saturday
Meeting time: 8:00 am
End of social: 9:30 am
Meeting Point: Eggcellence Brunchery, 2625 Housley Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 Cost: Members are responsible for their own breakfast and beverages. "Couples" checks will be offered. Registration is free and required for planning purposes.
If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
MENU
You will be able to order off the menu a la carte.
QUESTIONS
Send social event related questions to the Social Committee at social@pcachs.org.
Social Dinner at Bud’s at Silver Run April 21 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Let’s meet at Bud's at Silver Run! Please mark your calendars for Tuesday night, April 21st, at 6:30pm (5:30 cocktails) at Bud's at Silver Run located in Westminster, Carroll County. Bud's at Silver Run expresses a friendly atmosphere that is great for casual dining and catching up with friends. The exceptional and warm service adds to the relaxing experience. Check out their delicious menu here.
All participants must register here by April 18th.
Seating is limited to 40 people (you will be placed on the waitlist if the limit is met but may be contacted should anyone cancel and there is availability). There is no registration fee for this event.
WHEN and WHERE
When: April 21, 2026, Tuesday
Meeting time: 6:30pm (5:30 cocktails)
Meeting point: Bud's at Silver Run, 4115 Littlestown Pike Westminster, MD 21158 - 410.346.6816 End of social: 8:30pm
Cost: Members are responsible for their own dinner. Registration is free and required for planning purposes.
REGISTRATION
Registration will close at midnight on Saturday, April 18
Register at https://www.motorsportreg.com
If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
QUESTIONS
Send social related questions to the Social Committee at social@pcachs.org.
Social Dinner at Boatyard Bar & Grill May 12 @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Let’s meet at Boatyard Bar & Grill! Please mark your calendars for Tuesday night, May 12th, at 6:30pm (5:30 cocktails) at Boatyard Bar & Grill located in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County. The Boatyard is where local sailors, fishermen and lovers of the Chesapeake enjoy pint drinks, great crab cakes and the freshest local seafood. Specialties include smoked fish of the day (on premise), cream of crab and Maryland crab soups and an extensive list of crab and seafood specialties. The Boatyard has the most extensive raw bar in the area including a variety of oysters, clams, shrimp and mussels. The Boatyard receives awards for being most family friendly and having the best crab cakes and burger on the Bay. Check out their menu here.
All participants must register here by May 5th.
Seating is limited to 50 people (you will be placed on the waitlist if the limit is met but may be contacted should anyone cancel and there is availability). There is no registration fee for this event.
When: May 12, 2026, Tuesday
Meeting time: 6:30pm (5:30 cocktails)
Meeting point: Boatyard Bar & Grill, 400 Fourth Street, Annapolis
End of social: 8:30pm
Cost: Members are responsible for their own dinner. Registration is free and required for planning purposes.
Registration will close at midnight on Tuesday, May 5. Register at https://www.motorsportreg.com If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
Send social related questions to the Social Committee at social@pcachs.org.
words by Rich Ehrlich
For the 2026 tour and rally season, The Chesapeake Region Tour and Rally Committee is planning several events for this year. We will have some great new destinations as well as some old favorites. Registration will open several weeks in advance of each event and will be announced via email, www.pcachs.org, The Porsche Patter, and www.motorsportreg.com.
March 28 Tour Lead, Sweep, and Development Academy at Porsche Silver Spring
April 11&12 Off We Go tour (Saturday and Sunday)
April 22 Weekday Wander #3
April 25 Safeway to the Bay, Guest Tour master Hank Lucas
May 2 Drive to the Porsche Swap Meet
May 27 Weekday Wander #4, Guest Tour master Eric Tipton
June 6 Wags, Wings and Wheels, Guest Tour master Tom Divillo
June 10 Weekday Wander #5
June 28 Ladew Topiary Gardens, Guest Tour master Marsha Buss
July 18 Battlefields and Backroads, Guest Tour master Dan McNally
Aug 7-9 Zum Schulhaus Fahren, an overnight tour in WV
Aug 19 Weekday Wander #6
Aug 22 Off-Road Tour
Sept 17 A tour by Tour master Andy Powell
Sept 26 Motor to the Museum, a visit to Barry’s Car Barn with the Central PA Reg
Oct 3 Chesapeake Challenge 57 Gimmick Rally
Oct 11 A tour by Guest Tour masters Craig and Linda Davidson
Nov 7 West Virginia Fall Colors tour
Dec 5 Linda’s Legacy
*Please note that all dates and events are tentative and may be changed.
Send questions to tour@pcachs.org Tour & Rally Committee
To preview and register for upcoming Tours, visit the Tour and Rally page on PCACHS.org: https:// pcachs.org/tour-andrally/
The Tour & Rally Committee hosted our second annual Tour Academy on March 28 at Porsche Silver Spring. Bruce Kim, the General Manager, graciously allowed us to use the training room at the dealership.
Thirteen people attended the Academy and learned to plan a tour, as well as be a lead or sweep driver. While this class is not mandatory for someone to be a lead or sweep, or to design a tour, it does help build a larger pool of people to help with the tours.
The day started with a continental breakfast, and a presentation on planning tours. Then, John Jensen, our Safety Chair, gave a presentation on safety concerns in tour. The class ended with a presentation on the mechanics of being a lead or sweep driver, as well as how to use the radio and the Scenic app for running tours. As an aside, I am planning an online class to cover both the use of radios and Scenic.
We then finished up the Academy with a practice tour to give everyone a chance to lead and sweep a flight of cars. The tour ended at Restaurant 198, where we all had lunch together.
I want to take a moment to thank my fellow committee member, Andy Powell, as well as our Vice President, Rob Carter for their help and support in executing this event. I also want to thank Fabian and Roger, who are members of the Tour Committee for the BMW Club for attending as well. They not only provided some great information, they both did well on the practice tour.
While we won’t hold another academy until 2027, I am more than happy to help anyone who wishes to develop their own tour, or help you learn how to be a lead or sweep driver. We are always looking for volunteers to join the Tour & Rally Committee as well as people to plan a tour as a guest Tourmaster. And we can always use more people to serve as lead and sweep drivers.
We have published a revised schedule for 2026. First, for some unfathomable reason, I scheduled the Off Road Tour on Labor Day weekend. It’s been moved to either September 22nd or September 23rd. Once we are a little closer in time, I will be able to confirm the date with the Springfield Manor Winery, Brewery and Distillery in Thurmont, MD, and announce the official date.
Also, we have added an all new event on September 26th. In conjunction with the Central Pennsylvania Region, who host the Porsche Swap Meet, we will do a combined tour to Barry’s Car Barn in Intercourse, PA. Stay tuned for more details on this tour as we work to develop this event.
For more about Barry’s Car Barn, see their web page: https://www.barryscarbarn.com/.
In addition to the webinars on using the Scenic App and the radios, I will soon be publishing a Tour & Rally FAQ to help out both first-timers as well as experienced tour participants.
The announcement for the Wags, Wings and Wheels Tour on June 6th should be out a little later this month. Watch your email and Chesapeake’s social media and web page for this.
There are only spots for five more cars for the weekend tour in WV, the Zum Schulhaus Fahren, that runs Aug 7th-9th.
Don’t forget that you can get a 50% discount off of your first year of the premium version of the Scenic App using code: PCACHSPK50.
And finally, I want to remind you all that if there is a tour you want to do, but it is full, please get yourself on the waitlist. I always try to do my best within the constraints of the event, to clear out the waitlist.
And, as a courtesy to the other Chesapeake members, if you are registered for a tour and realize you will not be able to go, please cancel your registration so I can fill it from the waitlist. Thanks.
Thank you all for your continued support of the Tour & Rally committee. It could not work without all the volunteers who help out.
Click Here to Register
Join us on Saturday, April 11th, for our first tour of the year. Our new route will take us through 64 miles of some of the better backroads that Carroll and Baltimore counties have to offer. Wake up your Porsche for the spring tour season and polish up your car or not. Come and join us for the start of a brandnew tour season.
We look forward to seeing you on this tour but register soon, as there is limited capacity for this tour.
Post-Tour Lunch (Optional)
We will have an optional post-tour lunch at Kecco's Woodfire Kitchen, 14 Westminster Pike, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Kecco’s is a family run restaurant that has been a longtime friend of the Chesapeake Region. Kecco’s offers some of the best Italian food in the area. More information on Kecco’s can be found here, https://www.keccoswoodfire.com/. You will be responsible for paying your own bill.
Assembly Point: Mount Airy, MD, address will be sent to confirmed registrants by April 10th
When: April 11th, Saturday, at 10:30 am
Driver’s Meeting: 10:45 am
Departure: First cars off at 11:00 am
Destination: Kecco's Woodfire Kitchen, 14 Westminster Pike, Reisterstown, MD 21136
Distance: 64 miles
ETA: Approximately 90 minutes
By signing up for and joining any of our driving events, registrants acknowledge and assume all the risks in and full responsibility for their participation. PCA waiver forms must be completed and signed by all, online or on paper. Note that planned events are subject to change, for weather-related or other reasons.
· Log on to your MotorsportReg account at http:// msreg.com/offwegotour
· Registration is open and will close at 1:00 pm on April 9th.
· PCA members and their guests must be registered and confirmed to join this event.
· Drivers must be adult PCA members with a valid driver’s license.
· Fee $5 per adult; maximum fee $10 per car; minors (17 and younger) free.
· MotorsportReg charges a $2 booking fee for every registration (not for every person).
· Route instructions and other documents will be sent to confirmed registrants via e-mail by 6:00 pm on April 10th.
· All PCA members and their family are welcome.
· This event has capacity limits for cars and people.
· When you register, please indicate whether you and your passenger(s) will attend the post-tour lunch.
· To obtain a refund, cancellations must be made before the closing of registration.
· If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
Click Here to Register
Due to the overwhelming response for this tour, we have added a second day.
So, join us on Sunday, April 12th, for a second day of our first tour of the year. Our new route will take us through 64 miles of some of the better backroads that Carroll and Baltimore counties have to offer. Wake up your Porsche for the spring tour season and polish up your car or not. Come and join us for the start of a brand-new tour season.
We look forward to seeing you on this tour but register soon, as there is limited capacity for this tour.
Post-Tour Lunch (Optional)
We will have an optional post-tour lunch at Kecco's Woodfire Kitchen, 14 Westminster Pike, Reisterstown, MD 21136. Kecco’s is a family run restaurant that has been a longtime friend of the Chesapeake Region. Kecco’s offers some of the best Italian food in the area. More information on Kecco’s can be found here, https://www.keccoswoodfire.com/. You will be responsible for paying your own bill.
Assembly Point: Mount Airy, MD, address will be sent to confirmed registrants by April 10th
When: April 12th, Sunday, at 10:30 am
Driver’s Meeting: 10:45 am
Departure: First cars off at 11:00 am
Destination: Kecco's Woodfire Kitchen, 14 Westminster Pike, Reisterstown, MD 21136
Distance: 64 miles
ETA: Approximately 90 minutes
By signing up for and joining any of our driving events, registrants acknowledge and assume all the risks in and full responsibility for their participation. PCA waiver forms must be completed and signed by all, online or on paper. Note that planned events are subject to change, for weather-related or other reasons.
· Log on to your MotorsportReg account at msreg.com/Offwegotoursunday
· Registration is open and will close at 1:00 pm on April 9th.
· PCA members and their guests must be registered and confirmed to join this event.
· Drivers must be adult PCA members with a valid driver’s license.
· Fee $5 per adult; maximum fee $10 per car; minors (17 and younger) free.
· MotorsportReg charges a $2 booking fee for every registration (not for every person).
· Route instructions and other documents will be sent to confirmed registrants via e-mail by 6:00 pm on April 10th.
· All PCA members and their family are welcome.
· This event has capacity limits for cars and people.
· When you register, please indicate whether you and your passenger(s) will attend the post-tour lunch.
· To obtain a refund, cancellations must be made before the closing of registration.
· If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
QUESTIONS: Send tour-related questions to the Tour & Rally Committee, at tour@pcachs.org.
To preview and register for upcoming Tours, visit the Tour & Rally page on PCACHS.org: https://pcachs.org/ tour-and-rally/
Last season, our mid-week tours were very popular, so our first weekday tour of 2026 will take us on one of the best driving roads in the area, Pennsylvania Route 26. PA 26 has always been a favorite road, as it offers not only great driving, but excellent scenery. We will start the event with lunch at Jimmy Joy’s Log Cabin Inn and then do a round trip drive of Route 26, ending in Little Orleans, MD, for some ice cream.
You are welcome to join us for the lunch and then go off on your own or join our tour groups. But, like all Weekday Wander tours, capacity is extremely limited.
Assembly Point: The Hancock, MD, address will be sent to confirmed registrants by April 20th
When: April 22nd, Wednesday, Lunch at 12:00 pm Driver’s Meeting: approximately1:15 pm
Departure: First cars off approximately 1:30 pm
Destination: Little Orleans, MD
Distance: 73 miles
ETA: Approximately 90 minutes
By signing up for and joining any of our driving events, registrants acknowledge and assume all the risks in and full responsibility for their participation. PCA waiver forms must be completed and signed by all, online or on paper. Note that planned events are subject to change, for weather-related or other reasons.
· Log on to your MotorsportReg account at https:// msreg.com/WW3
· Registration is open and will close at 1:00 pm on April 19th.
· PCA members and their guests must be registered and confirmed to join this event.
· Drivers must be adult PCA members with a valid driver’s license.
· Fee $5 per adult; maximum fee $10 per car; minors (17 and younger) free.
· MotorsportReg charges a $2 booking fee for every registration (not for every person).
· Route instructions and other documents will be sent to confirmed registrants via e-mail by 6:00 pm on April 21st.
· All PCA members and their family are welcome.
· You will be responsible for the cost of your own lunch. To obtain a refund, cancellations must be made before the closing of registration.
· If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
This year brings a new end point for one of the best tours PCA Chesapeake has in its repertoire. We will end at the Rams Head Roadhouse for lunch. Guest Tour master Hank Lucas will lead us on his amazing driving tour through some of the most scenic and enjoyable roads in Anne Arundel and Calvert counties.
For more information on Rams Head Roadhouse: https://ramsheadroadhouse.com/. WHEN and WHERE
When: Saturday, May 2nd, 10:00 am
Where: The Annapolis, MD, address will be sent to confirmed registrants by May 1st.
Participant’s Meeting: 10:15 am
Departure: First cars off at 10:30 am
Destination: Rams Head Roadhouse, 1773 Generals Hwy, Annapolis, MD 21401
Distance: 73 miles
ETA: Approximately 90 minutes
By signing up for and joining any of our driving events, registrants acknowledge and assume all the risks in and full responsibility for their participation. PCA waiver forms must be completed and signed by all, online or on paper. Note that planned events are subject to change, for weather-related or other reasons.
Registration is open and will end on April 29th at 1:00 pm.
To register, log on to your account at Motorsport.reg: msreg.com/SWTB2026.
$5 registration fee per adult; maximum fee $10 per car.
No fee for minors (17 and younger).
MotorsportReg charges a $2 service fee per registration (not for every person).
PCA members and their guests must be registered and confirmed to join this event.
Drivers must be adult (18 and older) PCA members with a valid driver’s license.
Route instructions, and other documents will be sent to confirmed registrants via email by 6:00 pm on May 1st.
All PCA members and their family are welcome.
You will be responsible for the cost of your own lunch.
To obtain a refund, cancellations must be made before the closing of registration.
If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
QUESTIONS: Please send questions to the Tour & Rally Committee, at tour@pcachs.org.
To preview and register for upcoming Tours, visit the Tour and Rally page on PCACHS.org: https:// pcachs.org/tour-and-rally/
Click Here to Register
Come and join PCA Chesapeake’s Tour & Rally Committee for the drive to the annual Porsche-Only Swap Meet organized by the Central Pennsylvania Region of PCA at the Carlisle Fairgrounds. This event is the largest Porsche gathering of its type in the world. It features hundreds of vendors, countless parts, a variety of paraphernalia, several Porsche-related seminars, as well as about 1,000 Porsches, including many that will be for sale in a special corral. In addition, there will be a People’s Choice Concours, live Porsche auctions, and other exciting events.
For additional information, or to pre-purchase your ticket, visit; https://cpa-pca.org/events/2026/5-26/ swap/index.html
When: Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 7:00 am
Assembly point: The Reisterstown, MD, address will be sent to confirmed registrants by May 1, 2026
Driver’s Meeting: 7:15 am
Departure: First cars off at 7:30 am
Destination: Carlisle, PA
Distance: 72 miles
ETA: Approximately 90 minutes
Annual Porsche-Only Swap Meet
· Admission with Parking: $30 per Porsche
· Admission payable in cash only at the gate, you can purchase advance tickets
· Swap Meet runs from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm
· People's Choice Concours
· Complimentary Porsche Seminars
· Porsche Corral for buying and selling cars
· On site food, beverage, and indoor restrooms
· No pets, animals, drones, or motorized carts are permitted
By signing up for and joining any of our driving events, registrants acknowledge and assume all the risks in and full responsibility for their participation. PCA waiver forms must be completed and signed by all, online or on paper. Note that planned events are subject to change, for weather-related or other reasons.
Click Here to Register
Join the Tour & Rally Committee for an unforgettable weekend getaway to West Virginia, the state often called "almost heaven" for its rolling hills, scenic byways, and charming small towns. Our base for the weekend will be the Schoolhouse Hotel, a boutique hotel located in White Sulphur Springs, WV, created from a historic high school. We spend the weekend enjoying some of the fantastic roads in West Virgina, and spending time with your fellow Porsche enthusiasts.
We will start the event with a reception and buffet dinner on Friday night. After a continental breakfast on Saturday, we will spend the day driving, with a stop for lunch, as well as a visit to the New River Gorge. We will end the day with a sit-down dinner. On Sunday, we will enjoy a continental breakfast, then we will make our way over to the Back of the Dragon, ending our event in Tazwell, VA.
While the details such as the exact route and lunch stops, are still being finalized, there will be swag for tour participants, as well as an option for a tour to the Schoolhouse Hotel on Friday morning.
Don’t miss out on this tour and register today, as we a limited capacity.
For more on the Schoolhouse Hotel, visit their website: https://theschoolhousehotelwv.com/.
WHEN and WHERE
Assembly Point: Schoolhouse Hotel, 125 Schoolhouse Way White Sulphur Springs, WV
When: Friday, August 7th thru Sunday, August 9th Welcome Reception: 5:30 pm on August 7th Tour End: Back of the Dragon, 592 Main St, Tazewell, VA, on Sunday, August 9th.
By signing up for and joining any of our driving events, registrants acknowledge and assume all the risks in and full responsibility for their participation. PCA waiver forms must be completed and signed by all, online or on paper. Note that planned events are subject to change, for weather-related or other reasons.
Log on to your MotorsportReg account at msreg.com/schoolhousetour.
Registration is open and will close at 1:00 pm on July 19th.
PCA members and their guests must be registered and confirmed to join this event. Drivers must be adult PCA members with a valid driver’s license.
Registration is $375 for each driver and $350 per each passenger.
MotorsportReg charges a $2 booking fee for every registration (not for every person).
While the Schoolhouse Hotel is holding a block of rooms for us at a special rate, you are responsible for booking your own accommodations.
Instructions on how to register for a room will be sent via email after you have registered. Route instructions and other documents will be sent to confirmed registrants via e-mail by 6:00 pm on August 5th.
All PCA members and their family are welcome. This event has capacity limits for cars and people. To obtain a refund, cancellations must be made before the closing of registration on July 19th. No refunds will be granted after this time.
If you have already registered and need help to cancel your registration, refer to this link for detailed instructions.
Your registration fee will include the following: Continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning Cocktail reception on Friday night Buffet dinner on Friday night Cocktail hour/seated dinner on Saturday night Tour swag- each registered driver will receive a special limited edition grille badge. There will be additional swag for all participants. Incredible drives on Saturday and Sunday. Once finalized, the daily schedule and other details, such as lunch on Saturday and Sunday will be published.
You are responsible for your own hotel reservation. You are encouraged to have a radio in your car, as this makes the drive safer and easier. Recommended models include the BaoFeng UV-5R (8-watt), Radioddity FS-T1, and the Midland LXT630VP3, as well as others, which can be found inexpensively on Amazon.
Room rates:
Arriving on August 7, Departing August 9, 2026
Rate per night
STDQ Standard Queen – 4 guest rooms $210
STDK Standard King – 4 guest rooms $215
PRMQ Premium Queen – 3 guest rooms $225
PRMK Premium King – 5 guest rooms $230
SPK Superior King – 2 guest rooms $245
SPQQ Superior Queen (2 beds) – 6 guest rooms $250
DXK Deluxe King – 2 guest rooms $290
DXJSK Deluxe Junior Suite – 2 guest rooms $340
STEK King Suite – 1 guest room $360
STEQQ Queen Suite (2 beds) – 1 guest room $360
Sales and occupancy tax additional.
Check in is 3pm, Check out is 11am. Early arrivals will be honored based on availability.
QUESTIONS: Send tour-related questions to the Tour & Rally Committee, at tour@pcachs.org.
To preview and register for upcoming Tours, visit the Tour & Rally page on PCACHS.org: https://pcachs.org/ tour-and-rally/
The 2026 autocross season is off and running! It was a tough off-season for me as (just like last year) I took care of some medical problems and recovery from that fun had me way behind in getting ready for the first event, which was Intro to Autocross (aka the AX School) on Saturday April 4th. A week or so before the School, I was sweating bullets because the forecast was not especially inspiring. In fact, it was kinda crappy. It was early, though, and I had a feeling from what I knew of the atmospheric dynamics that there was a good chance that it would improve. Sure enough, by early in the week before the School, the forecast looked just about perfect. Warm, but not too warm, light wind, and mostly sunny to partly sunny skies. My sigh of relief was heartfelt!
For a couple of weeks before the School, I pretty much spent all day every day preparing for the AX season in general and the School in particular. It was only during those last couple/three weeks beforehand that I could sit for any significant length of time at my computer to get work done, so I was way behind. For the School, there was the usual pile of work to be done getting the Student and Instructor materials ready and prepping equipment, but it got done. Co-chair Michael Ricketts and I went up to Aberdeen the Saturday prior to the School to take up a mass of equipment that had been removed for the winter for servicing and store it in the trailer. We also dropped by Ripken Stadium while we were there to examine the condition of the lot, then stopped for a late lunch to discuss details of the School and the racing season.
words by Greg Hartke
The AX Team had met at the end of the 2025 racing season to discuss improvements to the School and our AX events in general. That meeting was incredibly productive and we came out (in particular) with a bunch of changes we wanted to make for the AX School. First, we added a second skidpad because the Students never seemed to get enough seat time at that particular exercise, while they got plenty at the other two. Secondly, we shortened the Chalk Talk to 20 minutes or so to allow more seat time at the exercises. Thirdly, we decided to start the exercises by having designated Instructors demonstrate the exercise to the Students by taking them twice through the exercise in the Instructor’s car. The goal is to show the Students what can actually be done by putting them through the exercise with an expert driver, thereby giving them an idea of what’s actually possible (and safe) with their cars. We’d been kicking around ideas for a good way to do Instructor demos for several years, but this year was the first year that we feel we came up with a good plan to actually do it.
What makes the School especially challenging is trying to coordinate Instructors for the Students. The registration is capped at 36 and it filled in early February, at which point entries went to a waitlist. Thirty-six Students meant we needed 18 Instructors since I want no more than two Students per Instructor. I wanted one AX Team member at each exercise station keeping things organized and moving smoothly, but due to my convalescence, I knew that this year I wouldn’t be physically able to take that on. There were four exercise stations this year (2 skidpads, the mini-course, and the slalom/ threshold braking), so Co-chair Michael Ricketts and AX Team members Phong Nguyen, Pinto Soin, and Doug Slocum took on those tasks. Michael, Pinto, and Phong are all Instructors, so (counting myself) we actually needed 22 Instructors for the event.
I sent out my request for Instructors to work at the AX School on Jan 6th and the response to my request for help was incredibly gratifying. In the end, I had 26 Instructors lined up, though a late cancellation cut it to 25. That was not terrible since my minimum was 22. Unfortunately, another Instructor cancelled at 9:00 PM Friday night due to a medical emergency. That was scary and I now know he’s OK after spending a day in the hospital,
but even 1 day is too much IMO. Phew!
Constructing the Roster for the AX School is a complicated little exercise because of all the constraints involved. I won’t detail them, but adding in the designated demo driving Instructors (3 for each exercise group) and assigning the skidpad to the Student/Instructor combos while dealing with last minute changes and cancellations (requiring pulling from the waitlist at the last minute) had me sending out so many updates that I prefaced my email intro with “Update Umptyseven”. I did that when I sent out my last update, only to find it wasn’t my last. I had to send out one more (after 10:00 PM on Friday) that I labeled “Update Umpty-twelve”. Sheesh! At that point I gave up and started printing the material I needed.
Last year, then-Co-chair Mark Hubley came up to Aberdeen the day before each race and took care of renting a vehicle and pulling the trailer out of storage, but with Mark stepping down as Co-chair, I was going to do it myself, driving up to Aberdeen the day before, then driving back home to get ready for event day. Pinto would hear nothing of that, though, and stepped up to take on that task. Many thanks to Pinto for making my life considerably easier!
I’m moving a little slowly in my convalescence, so I didn’t get to Ripken Stadium until 4:50 AM on race day and found Michael and Pinto busy, having already unloaded equipment from the trailer. Wow! That might be the first time anyone has ever beaten me to the venue, but I didn’t mind. John Cho and Phong arrived shortly thereafter, as did Mark Hubley, and we got started in earnest. It doesn’t take as long to set up the Exercises as it does to set up a full AX course, so once the exercises had been built, Michael and I went out to test them.
We didn’t really do much in the way of changes –the exercises had been built very well. The minicourse was actually a lot more fun to drive fast than it looked and the slalom was excellent. In building the slalom, it had been decided to use 5 cones instead of 6, an excellent decision because the increased spacing made it much easier to backside the cones at speed – a much-improved teaching situation. Michael and I also placed a cone to indicate the braking zone for the threshold braking exercise, which ran next to the slalom.
The skidpads were interesting. My reaction when I first drove them were that they were smaller than I wanted them. We were on the verge of expanding
them when I decided to leave them the way they were. The reason for this is that their size was perfect to get up a good pace around the skidpad and strongly feel how you could throttle steer to keep the car on the driving line. Smaller, and the pace would have been too slow. Larger, and the throttle steering effect is not as obvious. Add in that the skidpads were on a slight slope so that the driver had to deal with camber changes and you had a really good exercise. I was very glad we left it the way we did.
The School got started with Michael providing 20 minutes or so of instruction to the Students via his Chalk Talk, which is the classroom portion of the AX School. While Michael was busy with the Students, I walked through the exercises with the Instructors (which was the most I’ve walked since my surgery!), discussing what to emphasize and how the exercises were to be run. We keep the Chalk Talk short because the emphasis is on seat time, so as soon as Michael was done and I was back in the paddock with the Instructors, the Students gridded up and we got right into the driving exercises.
With 3 exercises, the Students were broken up into 3 groups of 12, then further subdivided into what amounted to A and B groups with a single Instructor assigned to one driver in group A and one in B. In theory, when driving the exercises, group A started and we cycled through all the Students in that group while the group B Students watched. When the time came to changeover, the Instructors swapped to their other Students and the group B Students drove. It didn’t always work out that way in practice, but the point is that each group drove for half of the exercise time.
While all this was going on, I was carefully noting the times on my master schedule so that we could keep everything running smoothly. The Students were scheduled for 75 minutes at each exercise, which broke down into 15 minutes for Instructor demos, 25 minutes of driving for each group and 5 minutes for the changeovers. If you think all this seems complicated, that’s because it is. Amazingly enough, it all works out quite well, though we did have some trouble at times getting Instructors and Students where they were supposed to be. We’ll clean that up next year now that we have experience with the new format.
As you can see by the map, we have three exercises. Exercise A is a mini-course where the Students practice reading the course, finding the line through the course, finding the apex of the corners
and looking ahead. Exercise B is a slalom where the Students practice being prepared for the cones, getting on the backside of the cone to set up for the next one, and modulating throttle / keep consistent speed throughout slalom. We also set up a threshold braking exercise adjacent to the slalom that the Students used to get the feel of maximum braking without locking up the brakes. Exercise C is a skidpad where the Students practice throttle steering and modulating speed around the skidpad.
All of these are vital skills to be mastered for autocross. The Students always start off driving a bit tentatively (perfectly normal!) and it’s getting past this that’s so important to progress. The Instructors need to gently push the Students to get out of their comfort zones and push the pace. The Students don’t learn anything about car control if they just cruise around – you have to actually push the car to get a feel for what you can do.
It was interesting watching the Students as they progressed. At the skidpad, they worked up to driving very fast, which is good. They had trouble, though, driving a tight line and a tight line through the skidpad is always the fastest line. The minicourse was also a lot of fun to watch. I was really impressed with how fearless the Students became, driving this exercise very fast. They did, however, have a lot of problems with the corner delineated by walls of cones (which we were calling a “Chicago corner”). After the really fast, straight section, they continually entered that corner too fast and on a bad line, causing them to understeer and wipe out cones. Alan Shulman (a volunteer from Potomac) stationed himself there to reposition cones and he was very busy all morning.
The Students would always position themselves properly down the left side of this straight, but as they neared the Chicago corner, they kept diving for the apex cone instead of staying left, braking hard into the corner, and backsiding the apex cone. Students were doing this at times all day, even during the afternoon racing. Those cones on the Chicago corner were yelling “Ouch!” all day! ;)
Marilyn went to get the lunch from Jersey Mike’s and once the exercises completed, the Students broke to eat while Michael and the Team moved cones to configure them for racing and Pinto and I got race timing set up. As soon as Michael and the gang had the course in shape, he and I went out for the safety checks in my car, which is the normal procedure after completing the course build at one of our races. Michael and the Team did such a great job converting the exercises to a course that IIRC we wound up changing absolutely nothing. That’s really rare!
With the course set up and tested, I did a little bonus exercise. I gathered all the Students and went around, asking them to pick a number. When someone chose the number I was thinking, I told that person to get in my car and I’d take them out on a fast lap. I hit the half-circle fast and tight, then rolled on the throttle hard enough to move a bit to the right on exit to set up the entry to the skidpad. I braked late and was tight by the time I hit the second cone from the bottom of the skidpad (which was just what I planned). I kept it in tight and fast on the skidpad and started to roll on throttle at about the 9:00 position to get a little easily countered power oversteer and move me to the right for the run up to the skidpad entry.
The slalom entry was really cool because there was a nuance that was obvious to experienced drivers that allowed you enter it very fast. The trick was to stay as far as possible to the right down that very fast straight out of the skidpad, brake late very hard, rotate the car to the left, and go through the last gate diagonally and aimed outside the first cone of the slalom so you could turn in and backside it. If you did that, you had a fast line to enter the slalom, which was well spaced for a fast pace.
The end of the slalom was a little tricky because the last cone made your entry to the that corner in the upper right of the course more to the left than you would like for entry into that hard 180. Even so, I was able to kick the car around (it actually slid all four wheels here) and rolled on the throttle, making sure I (very importantly) kept to the left to straighten the line thru the chicane for lots of speed down to the Chicago corner.
It was interesting watching everyone have so much trouble with the Chicago corner. Again, if you took the right line, it was surprisingly fast and easy, whereas if you didn’t, the whole finishing sequence was difficult. The proper line was to stay to the left as you headed down towards Worker Station 2 (WS2) and aim the car outside the left edge of the Chicago corner, brake like a madman as late as you could, and rotate the car past the apex cone. Staying to the right, you can backside the left cone below WS1, stay to the left through the next gate, then turn the car into the stop box backsiding the right cone on the last gate. I got a little overexcited with the finish and actually hit three cones on the left side of the stop box (2, 3, and 4), something really unusual for me and quite a no- no. Oops. It was a fun run, though. ;)
The course is a straightforward connection of the exercises, which were (of course) designed with an eye to what was needed to create a full course. The course was truly excellent and provided great learning possibilities. Still, it’s hard to prevent inexperienced drivers from simply diving at apex cones and that was often what separated the slower drivers from the faster drivers. It takes varying amounts of time for new drivers to learn that skill and it only comes with practice and selfevaluation of mistakes.
After the morning exercises, the afternoon racing went pretty smoothly. The Students got 9 runs each in two heats with the first Heat taking about 75 minutes and the second 60 minutes. That’s an amazing pace for an AX, but of course there were
only 32 drivers. (One driver retired with a coolant leak before even starting the School (what a disappointment!) and several had to leave for the afternoon.) As the one running the show, I can never say without bias that the event went very well, but the Students sure looked as if they were having a great time and they must have learned a lot because they were flying. As always, it was incredibly gratifying for me and the Instructors to see the fabulous progress made by the Students as they worked on the exercises, then translated those skills to the AX course. They were amazing! That's a tribute to the work done by the Students in the exercises and how they applied it to driving on the course, as well as a tribute to the Instructors for doing a great job working with the Students to improve and use their skills. Truly impressive! It was a long day, but well worth it.
FTD was garnered by Joe Zuramski in his 2016 Porsche GT3 RS. He was certainly putting up some pretty impressive times! I’m sure Mark Miller was mighty pleased to take a solid second, too, only about 1/3 of a second off FTD.
Joe’s story is an interesting one. He had raced AX a number of years ago and, if I’m not mistaken, had even run AX for the CHS PCA at one point. When the AX Team met at the end of the 2025 racing season, Joe happened to see us in the parking lot of the restaurant where we were meeting and stopped by to chat. IIRC, since he now had the beautiful GT3 RS, he was looking to get back to racing, so I told him he should think about the AX School – it’s a great way to knock off the rust. Nice to see that he came out and did a great job!
Our former VP, Mark Miller, has recent experience AXing, but he really wanted to come out, sharpen his skills, and get even better. Same for Dan Mattes, who has been racing regularly for a little while, but also was looking to improve. Aaron Taylor came out for two races at the end of last year, had a great time, and came to the School to get even better. Justin Carney is a good friend of Dan’s and had raced in several events last year, coming out, like these others, to get even better. Tim Schreiner came out to one race at the end of last year and was immediately hooked – look how well he did! Ditto Dennis Allen, who took advantage of the School even after previous experience. Bryan McGahan had previous experience, as well. To round out the top 10, David Kulp and Mark Mahaney are true beginners and look how well they did!
You can see a pattern. Even AXers with some
experience come out to the School and all I can say is that I hope these drivers found improvement from their experience at the 2026 AX School.
We finished racing at 5:14 PM and in appreciation and thanks for their long day of work, our fabulous corps of Instructors did fun runs in their own cars until they had enough. The Instructors work very hard and after a day of working with their Students, I know they were just itching to have a little fun of their own. Even with the fun runs (and my inability to do anything quickly right now, which slowed everything down), we were cleaned up and ready to leave by 6:30 PM.
It was a really long day for the AX Team of Michael Ricketts, Phong Nguyen, John Cho, Mark Hubley, and the ever-helpful Doug Slocum as well as our dedicated corps of Instructors, but well worth it.
Hopefully we’ll see some of the Students continue to enjoy the sport. AX#1 is fast approaching (April 25th) and the registration is already filled, but there are still spots open for AX#2 and beyond, of course.
Don’t forget about our Taste of Autocross program! If you’d like to see what AX is like, show up at one of our races (no registration necessary), and we’ll arrange for you to go out for multiple rides with our Instructors during their competitive laps. Believe me, this has really been a fun activity for those who have shown up to take advantage of the opportunity. Just look for me or one of the AX Team and we’ll be happy to set you up.
Stay fast!
Greg Hartke CHS AX Chair
By: David K. Whitlock
The 1992 964 Carrera RS was Porsche’s lightweight, track-focused Rennsport model, developed with clear ties to the Carrera Cup race car. To reduce weight by roughly 286–330 pounds compared to a standard Carrera 2, Porsche deleted rear seats, power steering, power windows, sound deadening, and undercoating, while fitting an aluminum bonnet and thinner glass. Power came from a revised 3.6-liter M64/03 flat-six producing 260 bhp and 240 lb-ft of torque, paired with a lightweight single-mass flywheel for sharper response. A seam-welded chassis, significantly stiffer suspension, and a 40 mm lower ride height delivered the raw, unfiltered driving experience that defines the 964 RS.
This 1992 911 Carrera RS was finished in Maritime Blue over a Black leather interior with Blue inserts and showed 25,590 miles. Recently imported to the U.S. in 2025, it was accompanied by Polish service records and showed a bit of wear, including a small scratch on the driver-side rear bumper, a slight 1x1-inch bubble on the passenger side of the roof, and minor wear to the seats.
Over the past twelve months, 964 Carrera RS values have averaged $268,408 online, with a low of $170,250 and a high of $337,000 for a 47,000-mile Rubystone example sold last May. Although our Spotlight Car had lower mileage, a few minor imperfections kept it from topping that mark. Still, it came close, selling for $310,800 all-in.
What a color combination: Paint-to-Sample Riviera Blue with a Brown top and Espresso leather interior with deviated stitching. But the matching wheels, is it too much Riviera Blue? Either way this 2014 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, showing just 24,000 miles, should do exceptionally well and have no problem topping the current twelve-month high of $77,500, which is held by a 14,000-mile Agate Gray car. Looks like someone bought this 2005 911 Turbo S Coupe 6-Speed and put it on ice as it shows just 222 miles on the clock. Finished in Slate Grey Metallic over a Black Full Leather interior, the car features a few extra Carbon Fiber bits on the inside and some impressive undercarriage shots in the gallery. It has already sailed past the twelve-month high and currently sits at a bid of $150,996. This is going to be a big one, but find another with 222 miles. This 1963 356B Coupe is a stunner, finished in as much of its original Oslo Blue paint as you can get with just the hood having been refinished by the seller, who bought this car off of the original owner in 2021. The Red leatherette interior has a perfect patina as well and you can tell this one has been loved by the documentation in the gallery along with historical photos of the car’s life in California. They’re only original once, $100k+ here.
The last time we saw this Midnight Blue Metallic 1992 911 America Roadster 5Speed was in July of last year when it failed to sell at a final bid of $95,000. Showing 29,303 miles on the odometer, it wears a Classic Grey leather interior and looks to be in very nice condition with hundreds of detailed photos in the gallery. It brought all the money this time around, hammering at a final bid of $155,000 and setting a new twelve-month high along the way.
This 2011 911 Turbo S Coupe came finished in Ice Blue Metallic over a Black and Titanium Blue leather interior and showed 28,000 miles. It looked to be in excellent condition with plenty of photos in the gallery including paint meter readings, service records, and an extra set of wheels. While mileage comps put estimates in the $107-144,000 range, it sailed past, selling at a final bid of $219,000. Quite the bump for the rare color combo.
Refinished in its original shade of Bali Blue in 2001, this 1965 356SC Cabriolet showed 15k on the clock and featured a Tan soft top along with a Fawn leatherette interior. Other work completed during said refurbishment included replacement of the front fender, floors, but no mention of anything mechanical. Still, even with some missing info, and not much from the seller during the auction, it sold at a strong $156,000. Imagine what this one could have done with a bit more info.
1997 Porsche 911 Coupe by Kaege
Retro $652,000 Bring a Trailer
2019 Porsche 911 Speedster $529,000
Bring a Trailer
1992 Porsche 911 RS $310,800*
duPont Registry Live
2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe $219,000
Bring a Trailer
2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe $189,000
duPont Registry Live
The Market
Sell-Through Rate (STR): 78%
Market Volume ($): $3,281,227
Market Volume (Units): 32
Mecum Houston - April 9th-11th
Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach - April 16th-18th
Broad Arrow Air|Water - April 25th
Bonhams Miami - May 3rd
Mecum Indy - May 8th-16th
Chesapeake Region PCA coordinates the purchase of PCA Organizational License Plates issued through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The PCA License Plate Program promotes the visibility and camaraderie of PCA. PCA Maryland License Plates are prenumbered Organizational Plates, not vanity plates. PCA License Plates are available for all cars, trucks and minivans, but not for motorcycles or trailers.
Cost: The one-time cost for the PCA License Plates is $45.00, which includes the $30.00 MVA fee and a $15 Chesapeake PCA fundraising fee to support the PCA License Plate Program and Chesapeake Region events.
If you have any questions regarding the purchase of PCA Maryland Organizational License Plates, please contact us at: pcaLicensePlates@pcachs.org. Safe and Happy Motoring.
How To Apply: The only way to apply for PCA Organizational License Plates is to complete the online PCA Maryland License Web Form at https:// pcachs.org/pca-maryland-license-plate/ and submit it electronically. Please click on the above link to learn the details and requirements to apply for PCA License Plates.
Requirements: You must be a PCA Member and the car must be registered in Maryland. The PCA Plates are not limited to Porsches. You can apply for PCA plates for all your cars registered in Maryland!
Get a heavy “gold- plated” Chesapeake Region metal car badge. Each metal car badge comes complete with stainless steel slotted retaining plate, screws, washers and nuts to mount it through your car grille or separate mounting plate.
The cost per metal car badge is $30 or two for $50, inclusive of shipping and handling. To order: Go to www.pcachs.org and use the “STORE” menu from the main page. Click the button and complete the order form page and make your payment.
Get your Chesapeake Region Name Badge!
Go to www.pcachs.org and use the “STORE” menu from the main page. Click the button and complete the order form page. The Name Badge cost is $25, inclusive of shipping and handling.
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