Winter came early to the west central mountains of Idaho. The local ski areas’ opening dates are the earliest they have been in 20 years. So, no last-minute opportunities to get the Spyder out for a quick drive.

On our last region visit of the year, I had the opportunity to participate in Pacific Northwest Region’s Tech Ed session with Rod Emory and Cameron Healy. Many know of Rod Emory and his Outlaw 356 creations. Few know the story of the Forty-Six, the birth of Porsche motorsports, and the restoration of Forty-Six. Rod and Cameron told an inspiring story of finding Forty-Six and restoring it to its original LeMans-winning form.

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NewYork. The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia from April 30th – May 3rd. Registration opens on February 5th, 2025. 2025 Treffen at Sea sets sail Sunday, August 30th from New York, NY, returning on Sunday, September 6th. Treffen at Sea registration is now open! 2025 Fall Treffen dates and location have been announced. Fall 2025 Treffen will be held at the Four Seasons Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Treffen Jackson Hole (Fall 2025) | Treffen North America.

Our 2024 Zone 6 region visits are over. We are now focusing on our 2025 Zone 6 region visits. If you have an idea for an event we should attend, please reach out to me. 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.

As we head into the upcoming holiday season, we wish you and yours the very best and happiest of holidays. Happy New Year! 

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2025! 

Fall is upon us.  The first snow has arrived in the mountains.  Shorter and cooler days are the norm now.  Soon my sports car will be winterized and under cover in my shop.  Do you drive your cars year-round?  We drive our Macan year-round, however, the Spyder is stored for a winter nap. 

As I noted last month, this is the time of the year that new region officers are voted.  The same is true at the national level.  All should have received their ballots for the PCA Executive Council.  If you haven’t yet voted, please vote.

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY.  The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30^th – May 3^rd. Registration opens on February 5^th, 2025.  2025 Treffen at Sea sets sail Sunday, August 30^th from New York, NY, returning on Sunday, September 6^th.  Treffen at Sea registration is now open!  Fall 2025 Treffen location is yet to be announced…be on the look out for it.

Our 2024 Zone 6 region visits are nearing an end. We will be visiting the Olympic Peninsula and Pacific Northwest regions in the coming days.  Soon we will be planning our 2025 Zone 6 region visits.  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.  From our Treffen NH visit – fall colors. Credit: John Sommerwerck

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

The leaves are starting to turn, the days are becoming shorter and cooler. My driving season will be coming to an end too soon. Nancy and I are heading out next week to the Fall Treffen Mount Washington at Bretton Woods, NH. October holds a couple of trips, but nothing else is on the books.

So, as we reflect on the past driving season, think about those volunteers that made the events – driving tours, Autocross, DE’s, etc., you enjoyed so much fun. Volunteers are what make PCA successful! Maybe you could consider volunteering for your region. This is the time of the year when regions seek officer and director nominations. Region chairs for; tours, safety, insurance, etc. are sought out. Like driving tours, maybe you could step up and lead one. Appreciate the work the region leadership team does? Maybe you could volunteer to help.

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY. The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30th – May 3rd. Registration opens on February 5th, 2025. 2025 Treffen at Sea sets sail Sunday, August 30th from New York, NY. Returning on Sunday, September 6th. Treffen at Sea registration is now open!

We continue to fill our calendar with Zone 6 events. We are home for a few weeks, then resume our Zone 6 travels. Next up is, Silver Sage Region’s Oktoberfast, check it out at PCA Zone 6 – 2024 OKTOBERFAST. Late October, we head to Seattle for PNWR’s Tech Ed with Cameron Healy & Rod Emory. Check it out at PCA Zone 6 – Tech Ed – Forty Six. Zone 6 signature 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. Oktoberfast 2023. Credit: Greg Myers

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John

Nancy and I have had a great late July / early August participating in PCA activities.  First, cruising with 900+ PCA’rs north to Alaska. The Alaska cruise was on our list and doing it with PCA made it so much more fun.  The ‘at sea’ days were filled with talks about all things Porsche – tires, watches, car values….  The following weekend, it was off to British Columbia to participate in Canada West’s Planes & Porsches at the Abbotsford airshow.    If you have never seen the Canadian Air Force’s Snowbirds perform it is worth the time and effort!  After returning home, we had a quick turnaround and headed west to Cascade Region’s Porsche Car Show @ the Lincoln City Cultural Center. What PCA/Porsche events have you been doing this summer? Driving tours?  Autocross?  High Performance Drivers Ed?  What events do your region and nearby regions offer in the coming months?  Get out and enjoy your cars.  Remembering:  ‘It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.’

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY.  The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30^th – May 3^rd. Registration opens on February 5^th, 2025.  2025 Treffen at Sea sets sail Sunday, August 30^th from New York, NY.  Returning on Sunday, September 6^th.

We continue to fill our calendar with Zone 6 events.  We are home for a few weeks, then resume our Zone 6 travels.  Next up is,  Silver Sage Region’s Oktoberfast, check it out at PCA Zone 6 – 2024 OKTOBERFAST.  Late October, we head to Seattle for PNWR’s Tech Ed with Cameron Healy & Rod Emory.  Check it out at PCA Zone 6 – Tech Ed – Forty Six.  Zone 6 signature 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.  Endicott Arm / Dawes Glacier. Alaska Cruise

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John

Summer is upon us – long hot days with lots of opportunities to enjoy our Porsches out on the windy roads of the Pacific Northwest. Some of my favorite roads include the Beartooth Pass, which goes from the north entrance of Yellowstone to Red Lodge, MT. Within Zone 6, some of my favorites are the Spiral Highway just outside of Lewistown. Another favorite is the North Cascades Highway. I am sure if you ask a fellow PCA’er he/she will have a list of their favorite roads. Other ways to enjoy your Porsche include Car Control Clinics, Autocrosses, and HPDE. Go to your region’s website and find events that get you out and to enjoy your Porsche.

For those long-range planners in the audience, I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY. The 2024 Fall Treffen will be held at the Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mt Washington, NH from Sep. 29th – Oct. 3rd. The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30th – May 3rd. I expect the next Treffen at Sea cruise to be announced on August 3rd.

Zone 6 2024 events are filling our calendar. Next up is Treffen at Sea – Cruise to Alaska. We will kick off the cruise with the Pre-Cruise Event at Nathan/Suzy Merz’s Columbia Valley Luxury Cars in Redmond. Following that we will be attending Canada West Region’s Planes and Porsches. Cascade Region’s Lincoln City Car Show. Zone 6 signature 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. My Next Last Porsche

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John

It has been a very busy time.  First, there was attendance at the 68^th Porsche Parade in Birmingham, AL.  As always, it was a great time made so by; a great venue, much to see and do, and of course, the people.  I returned home and quickly prepared for a trip north to Kelowna and a visit to BC Interior Region’s Shades of Stuttgart @ KF Centre for Excellence.  From their website:  The KF Centre for Excellence unveils the fascinating story of aviation in BC—discover how the power of flight has shaped our province, with roots that run all throughout the Okanagan Valley.  What a great location to view the ‘Rennbow’ of Porsche colors.

For those long range planners in the audience I would note; Porsche Parade 2025 is scheduled for July 6-12 in Oklahoma City and Porsche Parade 2026 is scheduled for June 14-20 in Lake Placid, NY.  The 2024 Fall Treffen will be held at the Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mt Washington, NH from Sep. 29^th – Oct. 3^rd.  The 2025 Spring Treffen will be held at Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA from Apr. 30^th – May 3^rd.

I would be remiss not mentioning some awards that Zone 6 and its regions received at the 68^th Parade:  Canada West Region won the PCA National Public Service Award.  Heinz Holzapfel, President Oregon Region, won first place for both the Zone 6 website (among Zone websites), and the Oregon website (among Class V – large region websites).

Zone 6 2024 events are filling our calendar.  Next up is Treffen at Sea – Cruise to Alaska.  Then we will be attending Canada West Region’s Planes and Porsches.  Cascade Region’s Lincoln City Car Show.  Zone 6 signature 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.   Porsche and Plane

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John

Nancy and I have just returned from Vancouver Island Region’s Wochenende.  What a great event.  Great driving tours, a TSD rally, great folks and thousands raised for charity.  I leave in less than ten days for the 2024 Porsche Parade.  I have been told that we will have a few from Zone 6 in attendance in Birmingham.  If you are attending Parade, I hope to see you at the welcome reception.

Summertime is a very active period for Zone 6 regions.  PCA is very lucky to have some of the best insurance rates of any car club.  This insurance and the low rates make it possible for our regions to hold so many events.  As we hold and participate in PCA events I ask that you follow the PCA minimum standards for your event type.  PCA minimum standards can be found on the PCA website, for example the Driving Tour standards can be found at PCA Driving Tour Stds_1-17-23.pdf.   Included with these standards is the requirement to complete Observer and Post Event reports.  In following the standards and reporting we can continue to keep our insurance costs low.

Upcoming Treffens: Zone 6 regions are working with PCA National to host events in support of the 2024 Treffen at Sea Cruise leaving from Seattle and going to Alaska!  Another Bucket-list Adventure Awaits – Treffen at Sea: Alaska! | The Porsche Club of America (pca.org).  The 2024 Fall Treffen will be held at the Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mt Washington, NH. This should be in the midst of New England’s fall foliage season. Stay in touch with all things Treffen at:  Treffen North America (pca.org).

Zone 6 2024 events are filling our calendar.  For us, next up is BC Interior Region’s Shades of Stuttgart.  Then we will be attending Canada West Region’s Planes and Porsches.  Cascade Region’s Lincoln City Car Show.  Zone 6 signature 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.   Wochenende Driving Tour Relic

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John

I am writing this month’s issue of In the Zone as we work our way home from the Spring Treffen held at the Fairmont Sonoma.  As usual, it was a great time; good roads, good food, and great people.  The next Treffen for us is: Treffen at Sea Cruise, leaving from Seattle and going to Alaska! Registration is now open.  Another Bucket-list Adventure Awaits – Treffen at Sea: Alaska! | The Porsche Club of America (pca.org).

The 2024 Fall Treffen will be held at the Omni Bretton Arms Inn at Mt Washington, NH. This should be in the midst of New England’s fall foliage season. Registration opens on May 29^th.  This event is expected to sell out in minutes! Stay in touch with all things Treffen at:  Treffen North America (pca.org).

Porsche Parade 2024 will be held in Birmingham, AL.  If you are planning on attending, I hope you have already registered and secured your lodging.  I have.  As usual, it will be a two-part registration process.   First, register for Parade and secure housing visit https://www.pca.org/pca-login/parade-registration. The next step is to sign up for banquets, tours, and events. For Parade 101, please go to Welcome | Porsche Parade 2024.

Zone 6 2024 events are already popping up on the calendar.  Nancy and I will be visiting; Vancouver Island Region in May. BC Interior Region in June.  Canada West and Cascade regions in August. Zone 6 signature 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.   Treffen Sonoma ‘scenery’

Stay healthy and we will see you in the Zone in 2024!

John