Tom Provasi Membership Director

Let's welcome our newest members for 2012! Actually, these members joined the club in December but because the membership report from national is at month-end and the Prieta Post is one month ahead, there is a two month gap.

 

Two of our new members come from the southern side of the Santa Cruz mountains, while the third joins us all the way from France. I'm happy to report that Chuck and Rosemary Davis are transferring back into LPR. Those that have been in the club for twenty plus years will remember the Davis' and their volunteer efforts in many positions. Chuck is also one of our past presidents. Welcome back! I look forward to seeing you all at an upcoming event. Cheers!  

 

Interested in becoming a PCA member? Complete information is available here.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tom Provasi

Membership Director 

Article Contributed by Dede Seward

The first LPR tour of 2012 was hosted by past President, Les Schreiber, on Sunday January 15th. We were able to sleep in Sunday morning, with a lazy meeting time scheduled for 10am, departing right at 10:30 am.  

The sold-out field of 30 Porsches met at Hobee's Restaurant in Los Gatos.  There was ample parking for the paddock of 911's, 944's, Boxsters and two 928s. Tony and Joanne Antonowicz drove a pristine Horizon Blue 928 that had my husband drooling. "I now know what I want to do with my year end bonus," he declared, and then added, "Some of us just don't yearn for a car with a bud vase on the dash."

Before the drivers' meeting..."this looks like Disneyland " with everyone standing in the middle of the traffic area" ~ Larry Sharp

After the standard PCA drivers meeting, we cued up for the start. There was a short jaunt on Hwy 17 to Bear Creek Road. We then crossed back over Hwy 17 to Old Santa Cruz Hwy. The road briefly skirted Lexington Reservoir and began a climb through the Santa Cruz Mountains, which were laced with Sword Ferns, Tan Oaks, Redwoods and funky old cabins, where Larry Sharp probably buys his tie-dyes. 

After reaching Summit Road and traveling south, we turned toward the coast on Soquel-San Jose Rd. The scenery changed from lush forest to family farms. We passed several open "farm stands" that had we been by ourselves we would have stopped to check out the offerings.

One stand's sign, in an attempt at poetry, declared, "DON'T PANIC-- WE'RE ORGANIC!!" You could probably get a tie-dye shirt here too.

We arrived in Soquel and picked our way through town and arrived at the Crow's Nest Restaurant at the Santa Cruz Harbor.

After gathering in the parking lot, we entered the restaurant, and all were seated except my husband, who upon arriving at the harbor took off to S & T docks to talk to the commercial fisherman. I wasn't sure if I was going to see him again, and if I did, what he would smell like!

As we all mellowed out with our table mates, and with sailboats gracefully slipping in and out of the harbor entrance in the background, Doug Ryder, our new LPR President, thanked Les for the tour, announced upcoming club events, and introduced new and first time tour club members. 

The food arrived in waves of Calamari, Ahi Tuna, Mahi Mahi, Aloha Burgers and Crab Louis. The food was crowd silencing, with only the scolding of begging gulls and the purr of boat engines to be heard. All in all, it was a successful and fun first outing with a mellow drive and great food!

"What a wonderful way to start the new year! A beautiful day. A beautiful drive. A wonderful brunch at the Crow's Nest with all of our LPR friends. It doesn't get much better than this! A great big thanks to Les Schreiber and his assistant, Peter Ridgway, for a job well done!" 

~ John and Angie Reed

"The tour through less-traveled roads from Los Gatos to Santa Cruz was a scenic delight as it took us to the Crow's Nest Restaurant where we were greeted with a spectacular scene of sparkling sunshine against the ocean. The lunch fare was truly memorable with a fantastic "Chef Special" of Hawaiian Mahi Mahi over polenta topped with asparagus and chanterelle mushrooms in a very light secret sauce. Thanks to Les for a wonderful well-planned tour with fun conversations and sharing with our LPR friends."  

~ Joanne and Tony Antonowicz

To see the rest of the photos from this tour click here.

Anne Roth  Autocross Co-Chair

Get Ready for the 2012 AX Season! 

What better way to prepare for the upcoming autocross season than our Second Annual AX Ground School? Join us at Borelli Motor Sports on March 10 at 10:00 a.m. for a morning full of valuable information. From classing your car and tech inspections to helmets and grid control, you'll learn everything you need to make you comfortable your first time out. And of course, we'll have valuable information and perhaps an informal tech session for our AX veterans. Watch your mid-month activity blast for more details. 

Our AX Season schedule has been finalized! Check out the dates on the LPR Event Calendar and watch for the 2012 AX Season Page coming soon to the new website. 

A big round of applause to our 2012 AX Team! 

Trailer Storage:  Borelli Motor Sports 

Trailer Transport:  The Ryders and the Delimons 

Course Set-up:  Bill Charon, Chuck Dewey, Dave Dunwoodie

Tech Inspection:  Dave Dunwoodie, Chris Schaut

Timing & Trailer Set-up:  Chuck Dewey, Kevin Laird

Registration:  Kris Vanacore

Chief Driving Instructor:  Barry Pangrle 

Results, Timing & Scoring:  Rena Schaut

Safety:  Chris Schaut

Early A.M. Gate Security:  Les Schreiber

AX Chair:  Anne Roth

AX Co-Chair:  Larry Sharp 

See ya in Marina!

Anne

________________________________________________________

Larry Sharp Autocross Co-Chair

It's February and autocross season is just around the corner! 

These free days provide a great opportunity to reflect on your driving and to inspect your car to improve the results you get at our events. For your car, consider a 4-wheel alignment. Ask them to check that your car's wheels are all pointed the way they should be for AX use! This is also a good time to check your brake pads and bleed your brakes, which should be done yearly. Maybe you want to try out stickier tires and move up to competing with the big boys! Click on the ads in the Post to explore the websites of our great partners. You'll find just about everything you need to get your car running at optimal performance.

Now let's talk about the most important part of autocrossing--driver improvement. My off-season routine is to do a few go-kart days to keep the muscle memory going for driving in competition. If you can arrange to share some sessions with drivers you know are better than you, you can improve your skills by following them around the course. If you can afford it, attending a driver's school is always a good option as well. Money spent on improving your skills is always better than spending money on your car. You keep those lessons the rest of your life. 

'Til March's column

Larry Sharp 

LPR AX Co-Chair

February is the time for LPR's longest running annual event: Soup Night! 

Join us on Saturday, February 25 as Bill and Lorraine Glathe, once again host this LPR tradition at their beautiful home in Almaden. Since 1987 LPR members have gathered to ward off the winter chill, socialize and enjoy a soup-centered potluck. So grab your aprons, dust-off your cookbooks and fire up the crock-pot for a great evening of warmth and camaraderie!

Join your LPR friends and help make this an event to remember! Soup night is a potluck so we need volunteers to bring an assortment of appetizers, salads, entrees, breads and desserts.

RSVP by Feb. 22 to Bill or Lorraine at 408-268-7251. Cost: $10 per person. Please sign up to bring an appetizer, soup, salad or dessert. For directions from your home to the Glathe's, please click on Soup Night on the LPR Event Calendar and then click on "map" for directions from your home.

By the time March rolls around our AXers are rarin' to go! And LPR's AX season is not to be missed! However, if you've never autocrossed, the whole process can be rather intimidating. Get ready by joining us at 10:00 a.m. March 10 at Borelli Motor Sports for LPR's Second Annual Autocross Ground School. 

Anne, our AX Chair will cover car classing, registration, tech inspections, and everything that happens at an AX so you'll be comfortable the first time out. And for the AX veterans, the folks at Borelli are sure to have some great advice on getting optimal performance from your car. Come on down! Refreshments will be provided including some of Anne's signature goodies! For a more information and directions, click on the Ground School on the LPR Event Calendar. 

Les Schreiber LPR Technical Chair

• Begin by checking your car maintenance log. Don't have one? Start one now by recording when the oil, wiper blades, tires etc. were changed and make a commitment to keep it up-to-date.

• Check the tire air pressure even if you have a sensor. Do a test inflation of the collapsible spare to ensure that it holds air, and does not have cracked sidewalls. Make sure the air pump works or carry a can of air. 

• Perform a visual tire inspection. Are the wear bars showing? If so, invest in a safe new set. If they are showing unusual wear, head to the alignment shop before you ruin those expensive high-performance tires. Unusual wear could also be a sign of worn bushings, shock absorbers, or ball joints. If a wheel shows a crack, replace it for your own safety.

• Check the torque of the lugs or lug nuts and don't forget about hubcaps or center caps. No torque wrench? Then visit your tire dealer. Usually, they'll check it for free. If you have wheel locks, and drive a convertible, be sure the key is the cockpit, not in the trunk where you can't get to it should you be locked out for some reason. Real life story here (scroll down to read).

• Check your gas cap and gasket to make sure it's not loose or leaking.

• Check for brake pedal fade while the car is running. New cars have power-assisted brakes, so starting the car is a must. Find a back road and do a couple of emergency stops (with no one behind you!). Check the brakes for fade and pulling of the car to one side.

• Check the engine compartment. Examine the belts and hoses for cracks or tears and be sure clamps are tight. Make sure the battery is securely in place. Look for fluid leaks. While you're at it, check all fluids - brake, oil, power steering, coolant, windshield washer, etc.

• Sit in the driver's seat. Check that the seats are secure and the seat belts are working and not frayed. Make sure the steering wheel does not have excessive play. Check the gas pedal to be sure it returns smoothly. Check the operation of the heating and cooling system--the defroster system is especially important in winter weather.

• Check all lights for function with the engine running. If something is not working, check fuses first then check the bulb in question. Your owner's manual lists the bulb type and fuse box location for your vehicle. 

• Organize your trunk. Check for the jack, tools, spare tire, and other items and be sure they are secured properly.

• Shake your car...up and down and sideways!  If there are any abnormal clunks then you might have a suspension problem. 

 

Chase those tax day blues away by joining Kris & Tony Vanacore on a tour of the local back roads on April 15. We'll drive familiar, and maybe not so familiar, roads ending at the Martin Ranch Winery. This year we'll be staying put to enjoy a catered lunch and maybe a little LPR musical entertainment! 

There's also an opportunity for us to do a "Bottle Your Own Wine", if we can commit to 24 cases (one barrel). The wine is usually $105 to $110 per case. Folks can split a case as long as we take 24 total. We need a show of interest in order to set up the BYOW so please email Tony at tonyvan@mac.com ASAP! 

Please watch the mid-month activity blast and the Prieta Post for details as they are confirmed. See you at the ranch! 

As they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same! 

The February 2002 Prieta Post welcomed a new Editor, Robert Henricks. The Post sported a new full color cover, inside and out and for the first time, PDF copies of the Post were available by request. 

Ten years later, LPR welcomes new Post Editors Laurie Delimon and Pam Ryder who introduced a new full color online format!

The 2002 Board Meeting and Newcomer's socials were held at Mountain Mike's Pizza in Los Gatos. How many of us remember the 17.5 foot 12,000 pound carved wooden statue of Mountain Charley that graced the outside entry? In 2012, pizza is still our Board Meeting food of choice, now at Round Table Pizza in San Jose. 

Soup Nite is an LPR Tradition and the Glathes continue to host this favorite event. Of course we have to expect a bit of inflation with cost increasing from $5 in 2002 to $10 in 2012. Still a great deal for a night out! 

Whether it's 2002 or 2012, our LPR advertising partners are the best! Bodystyle by Cecil Beach, Don Wise, Custom Alignment, PartsHeaven, Tom Provasi and Emilie Highley were featured in the 2002 Post and ten years later are still found in our new online version! 

In, 2002 the Board Meeting Minutes included a plea for help in towing the new AX trailer. Ask any AX Chair. Some things NEVER change!

The 2002 Board of Directors included a familiar face. John Reed was Activities Director and has taken that role again in 2012! Rumor has it that John has a drawer full of name badges displaying the various titles he's held over the years. Now that's what we call dedication!  

Preparations are underway to present a rallye school in mid-April for those interested in learning about the TSD (time-speed-distance) rallye. The TSD rallye is one of the competitive events offered at the Porsche Parade in July in Salt Lake City.