PARADE, AWARDS & SUMMER DRIVES

Welcome to Summer. June was a busy time for all of the clubs and me too. Just a small sampling of how the regions are doing, to date this year I have received 244 insurance requests which means, all of you are attending and putting on many, many club events. Congratulations to you. Kelly and I managed to fill our month pretty well. On June 6th we joined our region in a North Meets South drive where we met up with some of the members from Kamloops at a halfway point and proceeded through the back roads to Salmon Arm for lunch. On June 10th we flew out of Kelowna and met up with Gary Glover the Zone 11 Rep. in Calgary we then flew on to Ottawa, picked up a rental car and stayed the night in Cornwall, Ontario before proceeding to Lake Placid for the 2026 Parade and National Assembly meetings. Parade this year was the largest on record with more than 1300 cars and 2500 participants. All of this taking place in Lake Placid population 2500. It was hard to believe that that many people could fit into that small of a town. The streets were Porsche, Porsche, Porsche, Porsche, Toyota, Porsche. It was quite a site. Although the weather didn’t cooperate very well, it looked like everyone was having fun. The concourse was located on the Olympic speed skating oval with more than 150 Porsches shining in all of their glory. Congratulations go out to Oregon Region for being selected Region of the Year and 1st place in their category for website of the year. Greater Columbia was third in their website category. Zone 6 was 2nd with our zone website thanks to Heinz Holzapfel for keeping it updated. In the newsletter categories we had: • Vancouver Island 2nd in their class • Canada West 2nd in their class • Oregon Region 3rd in their class Overall it was a pretty darn good haul for Zone 6 awards. We returned from Lake Placid where I spent a couple of days catching up on emails etc. Next up was a drive through the South Okanagan with a group of 17 cars ending at a pub in Penticton just in time to watch Canada defeat South Africa in World Cup Soccer. A first for Canada. Next up is a busy July starting with the BCIR 35th anniversary BBQ then off to Boise for the Silver Sage 60th. See you next month.

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

Brad Pape

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME!

Welcome to the spring driving season. It looks like all of the regions are in full swing just by the sheer number of insurance forms I am receiving. Just remember, after your events you must submit both an Observer Report and a Post-Event Report. Most of you are doing this but I am not receiving all of them. Kelly and I joined members from several regions on a tour beginning in Tri Cities and ending in Hood River. It was a fantastic Journey Through Time where we visited many small, historic towns throughout central and eastern Oregon. The first day was a drive south and east on mostly back roads in northern Oregon through varied countryside with forests, rivers, mountain passes and an amazing amount of farmland ending in Baker City. Day two was a drive through empty winding roads to visit Sumpter for a tour of an old gold mining dredge sitting right where it stopped many decades ago. After lunch we headed through the tiny town of Seneca and up onto the high mountain plateaus before winding our way into our evening stop in the historic town of John Day. The final tour day took us back in time 65 million years as we visited the John Day Fossil Beds and one of the richest areas for ancient fossils in the world. Who knew that relatives of modern day elephants and other African animals lived in this area? From there we headed towards the coastal mountains and discovered a heavy snow storm while passing on the eastern side of Mount Hood. We all made it through safely even though several inches of the white stuff was on the road. We ended the tour in Hood River where we were treated to a lovely dinner and final conversations with all of our new friends. Sunday morning sent us packing on an 8 hour journey back to Kelowna and a rest after 2200 km of adventure. A member from the Upper Canada Region was in town and posted on social media if anyone had time to meet up for a coffee. I responded and had a great conversation for a couple of hours over coffee at a local eatery. What a great way to meet up with folks if you are ever visiting other regions. PCA people are a great bunch. This weekend, May 30th, I dropped by the local dealership to send off the ladies on their annual Ladies Only Drive sponsored by Porsche Center Kelowna. It was great to see the ladies revving up their engines for a scenic drive through the Okanagan Valley.

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

Brad Pape

WELCOME TO SPRING!

Welcome to a beautiful spring season in Zone 6. The past month has been picking up for Kelly and myself. I spent the first week of April preparing for our annual President’s Meeting in Sydney BC. Lots to do like setting up a zoom link for presidents that were unable to make the meeting and also arranging for Lindsey Robinson, National Membership Chair, to join in and finalizing my powerpoint presentation. Also, our group was the first to use the hotel’s newly remodelled conference room so we got to test out all of their electronic equipment.

In the end, the meeting went off without a hitch. Lots of information was exchanged between the presidents, vice presidents and Aaron Ambrosino who made time in his busy schedule to present us personally with the current PCA items and information.

The second phase of parade registration happened….sort of. Almost as soon as the registration opened, the website crashed. Most people couldn’t log in at all. Some people got part way through and some actually got registered. It was quite a kerfuffle. Eventually the problem was fixed and members were able to register. Tours and other popular events filled quickly so, I am sure there will be some disappointed folks out there, including us.

Kelly and I also registered for Greater Columbia Region’s – Journey Through Time Tour Leaving from Pasco Washington and heading through the back roads of Washington and Idaho. It looks like a lot of fun and we are looking forward to our first drive as a zone rep.

Silver Sage Region wanted me to mention their annual Octoberfast Weekend October 2-4, 2026. Registration will open for this in August but I thought I would mention it here while it is top of mind. I will be posting more information on the Zone 6 website as it comes available.

As a reminder, please remember, if you have juniors on tours or participating in events, please make sure that the appropriate junior waivers are signed by the parents as per your RPM. See you on the road!

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

Brad Pape

WELCOME TO APRIL!

Good April everyone. This month’s In The Zone will be short and sweet. Here is what is going on In The Zone this month.
Kelly and I are heading to The Vancouver Island Region for the yearly President’s meeting taking place in Sydney, British Columbia, April 12th. It is the annual gathering of all of the presidents in our region to discuss the goings on in PCA, Zone 6 and in the regions. It’s also a chance for the presidents to discuss topics of interest or concern to them and their region. This year we will have as our guest from the executive council Aaron Ambrosino, the president of PCA and also via Zoom, Lindsey Robinson, PCA membership chair.
Get ready, phase 2 of Lake Placid Parade registration is set to open on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Zone 6 has 37 registered for Parade.
It’s good to see that the regions are taking advantage of the many subsidies that are available to the regions. Don’t forget, some of the new subsidies including 2 New Member subsidies and also the new EV subsidy and hospitality subsidy.
I have also just signed up for my first upcoming trip to the regions with the Greater Columbia, Journey Through Time tour Starting May 14th. It looks like a great adventure.
If your region is having a feature event that you would like me to attend, please let me know soon so that I can fit it into my calendar and I can also mention it in upcoming In The Zone news blasts.
It’s great to see so many insurance forms coming through. To me it shows the zone is active. Don’t forget to look up other regions in the zone for their activities. There might be one close to you that you can join.
This year, four of our regions are having anniversaries, BC Interior, Silver Sage, Oregon and Vancouver Island. Keep an eye out for their celebrations.

Well that’s it until next month. Enjoy the spring weather and get out and warm the oil in those cars.

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

Brad Pape

WELCOME TO MARCH!

Greetings Everyone, Welcome to March.

February was a great month weather wise in all of Zone 6. It showed that everyone is excited to get out in their cars to enjoy the sunny and unseasonably warm winter weather. By the number of insurance forms I received, the season has definitely started early.

Entry for parade in Lake Placid, NY June 14-20, 2026, opened at the end of January and entries came in by the truckload. Currently more than 1300 primary and more than 2500 total attendance is already booked. It will be one of the biggest on record. Speaking of Parade, it’s a long ways away but, planning is well underway for the 2027 Parade which takes place in our Zone 6, Boise, ID and hosted by The Silver Sage Region.

Big news: The Rose Cup at Portland International Raceway will also be hosting a Porsche Club racing event on the same weekend, July 11,12. It is the first time in many years that club racing has returned to the Pacific Northwest. If you have the time, this will be a great event to attend.

Plans are still ongoing for the upcoming President’s meeting on April 11th In Sydney, B.C. Kelly and I are looking forward to meeting all of the presidents at that time. Currently, we are starting to fill up our summer calendar and planning to get out to most or all of the regions for one of your events.

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

Brad Pape

NEW BEGINNINGS!

First of all, I am proud and honoured to be selected the Zone 6 Rep. Hopefully I can do as good a job as my predecessor John Sommerwerk. I think he and his wife Nancy did a wonderful job. Over the past couple of years we got to know them and have become great friends.

As I began my journey January first, I found out that easing into the position was not in the cards. The year started off with Kelly and I flying out to Fort Meyers to attend the National Staff Assembly. My head was completely full to overflowing with information fed to us from many of the national staff over two full days of meetings. On Saturday night we were all taken to The Revs Institute for a private tour of some of the rarest and most exotic of cars from the history of the automobile. It also houses the largest collection of Porsche race cars outside of the museum in Stuttgart.

After that, we returned to Phoenix, our snowbird home, and prepared ourselves for the journey back to Canada. We left Phoenix January 31 and travelled to Las Vegas where we visited the Grand Prix experience centre located in the paddock club of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. It was a great display of historic items and experiences. I also had a go at the go cart track which was also great fun.

We departed Vegas and went up the Great Basin Highway which has to be the longest, straightest, loneliest highway on the planet. After reaching Boise, we had a great Italian dinner with Anthony Vera, Vicki and Bob Pentecost from the Silver Sage Region.

We arrived back in West Kelowna after an overnight stop at Moses Lake in Washington. The drive back was uneventful as the entire area has been experiencing unseasonably warm weather so, no snow anywhere.

The rest of February looks pretty quiet although we may try to make a local event or two.

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

Brad Pape

GOOD BYE AND FAREWELL!

This is my last In the Zone. My term as Zone 6 Rep ends December 31st. Starting January 1st, Brad Pape will be the Zone 6 Rep. Brad is, in my opinion, a great selection as Zone 6 Rep and I know he will do well.

It has been our privilege to be the Zone 6 Rep. Yes, I noted; ‘our’, Nancy has been supportive and, in many cases, leading me all along. She was the brains behind the zone region presidents’ meetings, she edited my musings in these pages, and many more. We will really miss all the opportunities to help and interact with all our friends in Zone 6. However, I fully support the idea that Zone Reps should have specific terms. It keeps the position fresh with new ideas and energy.

Nancy & I have several PCA activities planned for 2026. First up is a trip to Parade – Lake Placid in June. I will drive out and Nancy will meet me in Columbus, Ohio. We will also be participating in Canada West/ BC Interior’s Escape 2026 in Penticton in September. We hope to connect with many of you at these events.

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2026 will be held in Lake Placid, NY starting June 14th, 2026. Registration opens in January 2026. Spring 2026 Treffen will be held at the Montage Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, SC) March 29th to April 2nd. Event registration opens December 18th at 3 PM EST. 2026 Treffen at Sea Pacific Wine Country cruise will depart from Vancouver, BC on September 19th, 2026. Parade 2027 will be held in Boise, ID, starting July 11th.

Nancy and I have thoroughly enjoyed all our visits to the Zone 6 regions over the last four years and look forward to enjoying Zone 6 signature region events in the future. Zone 6 abounds in great roads to drive and great automotive venues.

Parting shot. Santa’s sleigh reimagined.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

A BUSY TERM IS NEARING IT’S END

As I wind down my term as Zone 6 Representative, I have been reflecting on what a breath of offerings are available to PCA members. As a zone rep I have participated in almost all; socials, driving tours, Parade, Treffen, Treffen at Sea, autocross (as a volunteer), and this past weekend I volunteered at the PCA Club Race at The Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Our PCA has continued to grow and thrive. We now have 149 – the creation of Greater Columbia Region was the 149th. While there are over 170,000 members yet we retain, with PCA’s region structure, a smaller feel.

My successor as Zone 6 Rep has been named – Brad Pape from the BC Interior region will be the Zone 6 Rep starting January 1st.

Have you experienced COTA as a spectator or a racer? My visit this past weekend was my first. COTA is quite the track and PCA Club Racing in conjunction with the local regions put on quite an event. This was the final race of the 2025 season and over ninety racers registered in two run groups for a two-day event. Providing yet another opportunity for PCA’rs to enjoy their vehicles. It was something to roam the pits where F1 teams work and go to the podium balcony where the race winners receive their trophies. Did you know that select club races are live streamed? To see a live stream recording go to: https://www.youtube.com/live/SarZkxnvlQg

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2026 will be held in Lake Placid, NY starting June 14th, 2026. Registration opens in January 2026. Spring 2026 Treffen will be held at the Montage Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, SC) March 29th to April 2nd. Event registration opens December 18th at 3 PM EST. 2026 Treffen at Sea Pacific Wine Country cruise will depart from Vancouver, BC on September 19th, 2026. Parade 2027 will be held in Boise, ID, starting July 11th.

Nancy and my Zone 6 region visit plans are complete. We have visited ten regions so far and have plans to visit the last one in December. Zone 6 signature region events can be found PCA Zone 6 – The Pacific NW Regions. Zone 6 abounds in great roads to drive and great automotive venues.

Parting shot. Podium at COTA

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

A BUSY YEAR NEARING IT’S END

I just returned from a very full weekend of region visits.  I had dinner on Friday night with the Olympic Peninsula leadership.  I went to PNWR’s TechEd with Alwin Springer on Saturday.  Then closed the weekend with a ferry ride up to Victoria to have lunch with the Vancouver Island region leadership.   

Last year I wrote about the 46 car and Rod Emory/Cameron Healy’s restoration of it.  At this year’s TechEd we learned about Alwin Springer, founder of Andial and leader of Porsche Motorsports North America.  Alwin’s insights were great.  I will soon be seeking a copy of his book – “Racing with Porsche in North America.”  The session concluded with the entrance of a 962.  Per Jay Gilloti, it was a 962C chassis number 105.  It started as a Group C car for John Fitzpatrick Racing, so it is one of the rare 962’s that raced on both sides of the Atlantic.  The owner’s mechanic was removing some of the cowling and Alwin quickly pointed out he had forgotten to disconnect a wire.    

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2026 will be held in Lake Placid, NY starting June 14^th, 2026.  Spring 2026 Treffen will be held at the Montage Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, SC) March 29^th to April 2^nd. 2026 Treffen at Sea Pacific Wine Country cruise will depart from Vancouver, BC on September 19^th, 2026. Parade 2027 will be held in Boise, ID, starting July 11^th.

Nancy and my Zone 6 region visit plans are complete.  We have visited nine regions so far and have plans to visit the last two in November. Zone 6 signature region events can be found PCA Zone 6 – The Pacific NW Regions.  Zone 6 abounds in great roads to drive and great automotive venues. 

Parting shot.   962

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Nancy & my September was relatively quiet. We only had one region visit, but it was a great one. We visited with the newest Zone 6 Region – Greater Columbia and celebrated PCA’s 70th anniversary in style enjoying German food and beer.

My term as Zone 6 Rep is nearing its end. Zone rep terms are for two years and can be renewed once. So, we are now trying to figure what comes next for us. It is also that time of the year when PCA regions seek volunteers to staff the key positions. PCA as the saying goes: Is fueled by Volunteers. Will you be a volunteer?

Fall is a special time of the year. The last of the Zone 6 signature events take place. Oktoberfast, 101 Loop Tour, Tech Ed with Alwin Springer to name a few. I will be making two of these three great events. Unfortunately, two of these events overlap. How about you? Or will you be attending Treffen Jackson Hole. Then I will be thinking about getting my cars ready for winter; storing my Spyder. Putting snow tires on the Macan.

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2026 will be held in Lake Placid, NY starting June 14th, 2026. Spring 2026 Treffen will be held at the Montage Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, SC) March 29th to April 2nd. 2026 Treffen at Sea Pacific Wine Country cruise will depart from Vancouver, BC on September 19th, 2026. Parade 2027 will be held in Boise, ID, starting July 11th.

Nancy and my Zone 6 region visit plans are complete. We have visited six regions so far and have plans to visit the remaining five. Zone 6 signature region events can be found PCA Zone 6 – The Pacific NW Regions. Zone 6 abounds in great roads to drive and great automotive venues.

Parting shot: Fall Colors

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone!