I am sitting in front of my computer screen anticipating Redwood's two days of Zone 7 Autocrosses this weekend.  Last month I wrote about the planned changes to my '83 SC -- some have come to pass, some are not yet done.The lightweight battery (Odyssey PC680) arrived on time, but the aluminum housing to mount it to the smuggler's box wall did not. I decided to fabricate it myself from the pictures I had seen. It was actually a lot of fun to do and it came out even better than the one I had ordered. It's amazing what you can do with rudimentary fabrication tools (clamps, a cast iron table saw, a vise, and a weighted rawhide mallet).

This work gave me the bug to do more in the trunk. After relocating the battery, I got inspired by the smuggler's box and blower motor covers I saw on Rennline, and built them as well. I have included pictures below.The more I work on this car the more I love it.

Lightweight Battery - Odyssey PC680

Smuggler's Box Cover

The SSI's I ordered back in the beginning of May have yet to arrive. For those that do not know, company ownership has changed, and manufacturing has moved to Denmark.  I now have an anticipated arrival date of June 21.  The good news is the website that I ordered from agreed to a 20% discount for my trouble. I just hope the build quality is as good as before (fingers crossed).  While I wait for these heat exchangers to arrive, I continue to puzzle over what kind of muffler to buy.  The stock muffler will no longer suffice as it has a single input, whereas the SSI's need two.  I have looked at Dansk, Bursch, M&K, and am open to looking at others.Brad at Hi Tec was good enough to bring in his SC for me to listen to. Although I loved the sound it made, the jury is still out on just what to purchase. If you have an SC with modified exhaust, I would definitely appreciate an opportunity to hear it. 

Okay, enough about my car... June starts our Region into the busy months.Below you will see that we have not only the two days of autocross, but a three-day tour through Northern California on some of the State's best secondary roads (still time to sign-up for this one!).  We originally had a drive and dinner scheduled at Pech Merle Winery for the 29^th, but due to permit timing we have had to reschedule this event to later in the year. It has been replaced by a dinner run to the Plaza Bistro in Sonoma.  Those of you that attended this event last year know how great the food is.  We hope to see you back.

July will continue the trend. Porsches on the Plaza promises to be even better this year than last.  Our Event Director and Treasurer, both avid bicycling enthusiasts, are providing added value to the July 13 event by organizing bike rides to take place in conjunction with the car show. As in past years, all proceeds will go to our charity, CASA, who will have a booth on the Plaza.  Please come out, show your car, and do a good deed for the challenged youth of Sonoma County. July also has a Redwood autocross and a wine tour (Far Niente). August activities include another wine tour (Fieldstone in Alexander Valley), autocross #7, and although not a Redwood event, Legends of the Autobahn and Holy week in Monterey. I have received big help on putting together the driving route for the Fieldstone Tour from new member Scott Buchannan.  Susan and I met Scott and his wife Diane on this year's Whale Tale Rallye. Thank you Scott for all the scouting and driving of our proposed routes.

As I have said many times before, if you have an event that you would like to see and help the club put on, please contact any Board member.  

That's all for now. Down the road,

Vern

Last August I was given the opportunity to participate in the Porsche World Road Show at Point Alameda: a more intense (although shorter) test drive than you would expect at a dealer. Fortunately I had the opportunity to participate again, but this year at Sonoma Raceway with actual track time! Vern Rogers and I signed up for the 7:45 am segment (I got there at 7:00 since I woke up the first time at 3:20 am), had the introduction to the schedule of events and was assigned to group 2 of 2. Both groups were treated to a demonstration of two Carreras on a water covered skid pad to show the difference between two wheel vs. four wheel drive/with stability control and without. I never considered four wheel drive in a sports car before, now I am a convert. Without stability control the first car (full time, professional Porsche driver), spun out and the one with four wheel drive lost traction and control. With stability control, no loss of control and much faster; impressive.

We then moved to the track where three groups of four cars (plus lead driver) were ready for our testing. Following the leader as close as possible (he tried to keep the pack together), we did a lap of the portion of Sonoma Raceway used for Nascar racing. Starting with the 2014 Cayman, then the Carrera, Cayman S and Carrera 4S, we did one lap, changed driver/passenger, did another lap then changed cars. Depending upon the other drivers, we were able to go at a speed exceeding dealership test drives. While the power of these cars was impressive, their braking is exemplary. A portion of Sonoma Raceway requires a very hard braking before a nearly 90degree turn and these cars slowed with no drama, flat, firm. Wow!

Next stop was the low speed SUV/sedan autocross course (just not as fast as our Sonoma County airport venue). This portion was focused on the difference between the two styles of each class. The Panamera hybrid vs. V6 gasoline powered car and the Cayenne vs. Cayenne diesel. The most measurable difference for me was the initial torque of the hybrid and diesel and the lighter weight of the V6. Four people, 150 mph (on the autobahn) for hours at a time, these vehicles are unimaginable. While my focus was performance, the interiors and exteriors are world class. Rich leathers, brushed aluminum and stainless steel, sport seats with an electric extension of the seat bottom for us who need more leg support (get the 14 way power seat; money well spent). Wow! A static display of Carreras, Boxster, Cayenne and Cayman models were available for inspection, seat adjustments and storage considerations (I think my current Cayman has more room for golf clubs but would not get me to the course in the same level of style). Our parting gift was a Porsche hat in black. Porsche is doing ten of these three day events across the country (our event was the first on their calendar), so if you have the opportunity to attend, take it, great fun.

PS. Porsche is developing two venues to provide a facility for people to have the "Porsche Experience" in a controlled environment. One is being developed in Atlanta in conjunction with their headquarters and one in Carson, California. While not racetracks, they will provide areas for education in low traction driving, autocross, off-road and high performance driving. The Southern California facility is expected to be open sometime in 2014. Considering how professional these roadshows are run, you can only imagine what these facilities will offer.