Arizona Mountain Region & Porsche News
Porsche Clinches one WEC title, inches closer to another after Fuji
September 17, 2024
Japan was very good to Porsche September 14 at the World Endurance Championship race at Fuji Raceway. The manufacturer locked up the LMGT3 title with one race to go thanks to the second place in class finish of the Manthey Pure Racing’s 911 LMGT3 R 992. In the overall Hypercar category, The #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 charged to victory from its fifth place starting position. The car driven by Andre Lotterer, Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor has a 35 point lead in the championship now with 39 points possible remaining in the final race in Bahrain November 2nd.
More good news for Porsche was the Hertz Jota customer 963 team wrapping up the title for privateer teams. Read all about the race on RACER HERE.
PHOTOS: JEP/Motorsports Images
June 2024 Le Mans and Normandy Trip with GOOD CARMA TRAVEL: A Blog by AZM Member, Jeff Swain
July 28, 2024
Arizona Mountain Region member Jeff Swain and his wife Dana operate GOOD CARMA TRAVEL who also support the AZM Region as an advertiser. They have years of experience operating automotive related tours.
From June 12 through June 23, Jeff and Dana led a trip to Paris, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and an amazing tour of the Normandy area loaded with World War II memorabilia and memorials. A fun sidebar is a Porsche Club from the United Kingdom stayed at the same hotel in Bayeux, France. Read Jeff’s Blog about the trip HERE which includes more photographs of this trip of a lifetime.
Good Carma Travel is also offering trips in 2025 to new venues including an April river cruise in Germany so be sure to check out their website.
Luftgekuhit Air/Water 2024 Costa Mesa, CA.
By Jeff Swain: July 15, 2024
Event date – April 27, 2024
Like Porsches? This is a show worth traveling to see! The team of Patrick Long and Howie Idelson (with their support team, including familiar faces like Jeff Zwart) have created a well-curated show series over the last several years they have branded as Luftgekuhlt – German for Air-Cooled, and it’s been exceptionally well received by the automotive press and enthusiasts alike.
Their first show was in 2014 and their focus was to blend their passion for air-cooled Porsche history with unique venues. It’s a somewhat new take on a concours-like experience. There are no judges milling about, the venues aren’t golf courses (at least not yet), and it’s got a more car-party- vibe to it. The focus is primarily around the cars, but they also celebrate the people responsible for the history.
At Luftgekuhlt 9, held at the old Mare Island Naval Submarine facility in Northern California, the Luft team teased the concept of Air/Water. Being so well received, this past April the Luft team did a full-fledged Air/Water event at their original venue – the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA. The event showcased Porsche’s full 75-year history, displaying both street and race cars from the company’s very beginnings to the latest 2=door, 4-door, combustion and electric vehicles. They even included Porsche tractors from 50-odd years ago.
Now that you have some context and background – what did we experience in Costa Mesa? In a nutshell – an amazing and expansive display of all manner of Porsche vehicles! From the earliest 356 models – survivors, incredibly immaculate restored cars, to fabulous Outlaw builds by folks like Rod Emory and more. All manner of air cooled 911’s – again original cars to wild modified street cars to iconic racing cars they were on display. And then all the water-cooled variants – 924, 944, 928, 996 and newer versions of the 911 – again, stock to modified to racers. Porsche’s off-roaders and Porsche’s sedans were prominent. Super/Hypercars and what we’d term halo cars – like the Reimagined by Singer cars could be seen. Famous sports prototype endurance racers were presented, including the current Jota team 963 Hypercar.
It was amazing the volume of cars presented – the show encompassed the entire fairgrounds complex. And various areas were flexed to feature the cars in a unique and artistic manner – for example the venue’s dirt oval track had a display of a variety of rally and off-road race vehicles. An area featured all-white cars of various models and ages, centered around the 1991 Arrows Footwork Formula 1 racer. Literally a focus area for every kind of Porschephile! Check out our photo page here.
And then the parking lot is a show unto itself too – and of more than just Porsche cars. We spied a wide variety of modern exotics, Porsches of all manner of course, and a smattering of other really cool and interesting cars of all kinds.
Bottom line – if you get the opportunity in the future to attend a traditional Luftkeguhlt show or a future Air/Water event, we urge you to do so. If you have a special or unique Porsche in your garage, why not reach out and get into the show?
You can check out the Luftgekuhlt goings on via their web page here: https://luftgekuhlt.com/
And they do have a mailing list you can subscribe to get advance notice of all their events and merchandise release.
Luft 10 is on the horizon and promises to be another special event with an incredible venue. Sadly, I’ll miss it (participating in an event is another state) – someone needs to go and take a pile of pictures to share with us!
2nd Annual AZM Autocross is a BIG success and super fun
June 7, 2024
Arizona Mountain Region completed its second Autocross at the Findlay Center parking lot in Prescott Valley, Arizona on June 2nd. 35 drivers took to the course. The success of the event would not have been possible without the assistance of Mike Sutter, Phil Mullen and Bob Frith in particular and many volunteers.
Marc Tate led the way on the day with a time of 39.78 seconds followed by Ted Lewis at 40.56 seconds and Kevin Cote at 40.73 seconds. See all the times from the event HERE. Also be sure to check out photos from the event HERE.
Porsche Announces an all-new approach with the unique 2025 911 GTS T-Hybrid
June 4, 2024
Porsche announced the first electrified 911 and it is an approach like no other. The T-Hybrid system has three activation components combining to make up the intriguing new approach to propulsion.
Read more about the technical aspects from the writers at MotorTrend HERE.
Currently the T-Hybrid is only the GTS trim level but there is no doubt Porsche innovation with electrification has no boundaries in the future.
A Fun Article: Camping with a new Porsche 911 Dakar Edition
May 16, 2024
Michael Teo Van Runkle is an automotive writer who recenlty posted an article on Yahoo about camping with a new Porsche 911 Dakar Edition in California. This is a fun read about the $222,,000+ offroad juggernaut. 911s are not thought of as off-road vehicles but the 911s history in rallying and offroad competition is very impressive.
Go to THIS LINK to read the full article.
2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Sets New Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca Track Record
March 11, 2024
The Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca production car track record (of any propulsion type) has been broken by a 2025 Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package. Driven by Porsche factory development driver, Lars Kern, the car similarly broke the record last year at the Nurburgring until being unseated by the specialty Rimac Nevera supercar. The stunning purple Taycan Turbo with its Formula E inspired powertrain was a sight to behold.
Check out the stories about the effort in the automotive press.
Initial WEC Victory & Podium Sweep Highlights World Endurance Championship Round in Qatar.
March 3, 2024
The #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 claimed its first and a historic victory for the team and the LMDh formula in FIA WEC competition under the lights Saturday March 1 in Qatar. And, Porsche enjoyed a podium sweep! It was the first overall Porsche victory in WEC since 2017.
Finishing second was the #12 Hertz Team JOTA Porsche of Norman Nato, Will Stevens and Callum Illot. Filling out the podium was the #5 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963, just one-second behind the JOTA Porsche, driven by Matt Campbell, Michael Christensen, and Frank Makowiecki.
Porsche also took the laurels in the LMGT3 class as the #92 Manthey Pure Rxcing Porsche 911 LMGT3 R 992 made it a perfect race weekend for Porsche.
Full race details available at these two locations:
RACER.com: HERE
Motorsport.com: HERE
Penske Porsche Wins Rolex 24 at Daytona
January 30, 2024
Porsche enjoyed its 19th overall victory at the Rolex 24 on January 28 when the #7 Penske Porsche 963 crossed the finished line only 2.1 seconds ahead of the Action Express #31 Whelan Cadillac. Beyond winning the race, the second Penske Porsche 963 #6 finished fourth and all the Porsche 963 GTP machines finished the race. The privateer cars from Proton Competition (5th) and JDC-Miller MotorSports (6th) ran the whole event with limited drama. The winning driver lineup of Felipe Nasr, Dane Cameron, Matt Campbell and 2023 Indy 500 Champ Josef Newgarden were near perfect in claiming victory, the first for all of them and the first victory for Penske since 1969.
Porsche Parade in Birmingham. Registration Phase I opens January 31.
January 30, 2024
Parade Registration: Phase I will open on Wednesday, January 31 (12:00 PM ET) at the following link: https://www.pca.org/pca-login/parade-registration.
At this time, you will have the ability to register for Parade. Once you have successfully registered for Parade, you will be sent a confirmation email to book your housing via ConferenceDirect. Please make sure to look over the room types on the website.
Parade Registration: Phase II and the ability to select banquets, tours, and events will open Wednesday, April 3 (12:00 PM ET) at the following link: https://www.pca.org/pca-login/parade-registration
General Information on parade is available at https://www.pca.org
2024 Porsche Parade is coming to Birmingham, Alabama
December 23, 2023
Special Track Experience Offer at Barber Motorsports Park
Porsche Parade 2024 is scheduled for June 9th through 15th in Birmingham, Alabama at the Convention Center. The proximity of Barber Motorsports Park to Birmingham offers Parade attendees a special opportuntity. If you plan on attending Parade 2024, PCA has a special offer for you to partake in the Track Experience operated by the Porsche Track Experience team at the facility. Call the number on the flyer now to reserve your spot. Registration closes February 13, 2024.
To get all the details about Parade 2024 click HERE.
“Fill a Frunk” Veteran’s Assistance Event a Huge Success!
November 4, 2023
The Region’s very special charitable campaign to help our local Veterans who are building back their lives made the delivery of items to the VA on November 3rd, a heartfelt undertaking.
40 backpacks packed with essential items were delivered by Club Members to a group of appreciative vets at the VA’s Domicilliary in Prescott. Read the story about the event (photo is from Prescott E-News) on the news website HERE.
Thank you to the club members that donated and to Lorraine Friedman and Keith Guidus who led the effort for the club.
Treasurer Position Open on AZM Board – VOTE NOW –
Updated October 22, 2023
Vote Now! Click HERE
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Meet Candidate Bradley Cain
Growing up in (then) sleepy and thoroughly car crazy Huntington Beach, Bradley Cain prized the wild diversity of enthusiast rides cruising nearby Pacific Coast Highway and chatted up endless neighbors about their weekend and project cars. The local liquor store prominently stocked air-cooled VW parts near the entry to hasten relief for frustrated surfers; high school kids compared auto sketches over lunch…including my numerous “modified” 944 designs.
After graduating University of Southern California, Bradley attended University of San Diego School of Law and practiced in the areas of contracts & intellectual property before transitioning to a career in technology in the early dot com era. For the last 25 years, Bradley has led noteworthy technology enablement initiatives at Caltech, Capital Group, and other enterprise organizations, successfully managing large teams and operating budgets most of that time. Bradley joined Microsoft in 2017 and currently serves as a dedicated Customer Success Executive after several years consulting with large Financial Services organizations as a Director of Technology Strategy.
Bradley and his amazing wife Fabiola moved to Stoneridge from Long Beach, CA in 2022 and joined PCA in 2023. Along with cars (2 Porsches, a BMW, Fiat & VW), Bradley is deeply passionate about music and audio – did someone say synthesizer? – and feels fortunate to have grown up as a Gen X digital native. He and Fabiola spend more time than they care to admit hunting for the perfect taco.
Veteran’s Assistance Selected for Charitable Event!
August 1, 2023
This year we have a very special charitable campaign to help our local Veterans who are building back their lives. There are 80 men and women in the VA program this year that need assistance. We are aiming to fill 80 Backpacks with essentials. Please join us by making a tax deductable donation. $100 buys a backpack and fills a back pack. $50 fills a backpack. DONATE HERE.
Backpack Delivery Event – Fill a “Frunk”!
- Friday, November 3rd:
- Donors are welcome to join the “Fill a Frunk” backpack delivery
- Timing is TBD. More info to come closer to the event.
Questions
- Contact Lorraine Friedman at friedmanlorrainem@gmail.com
Arizona Mountain Region takes 2nd Place in PCA National Website Awards & Places in Technical/Historical Quiz Competition
June 22, 2023
During the awards banquet at Porsche Parade Palm Spings, the Arizona Mountain Region was awarded second place among all regions its size nationally for its new website! AZM Region President Lorraine Friedman and website consultant Bill Simon were on hand to accept the laurels. Congratulations to the website team of E.C. Mueller and Jeff Swain for the accomplishment! It is terrific to have a wonderful new asset serving the needs of the members in the Region.
Also, in the Technical and Historical Quiz competition at Parade, two AZM members demonstrated their Porsche knowledge and took home trophies.
2nd Place Jeff Boehm 914 Historic/Technical quiz
3rd Place Phil Mullen 914 Historic/Technical quiz
CONGRATULATIONS!
The First Annual AZM AutoX was a huge SUCCESS!
June 11, 2023
Our day at the Findlay Center started early and ended late, and a great time was had by all drivers and volunteers. If it wasn’t for the Arizona Region, we could not have pulled it off, so enormous thanks to Kim Kemper, Ken Mitchell, and the entire team from az.pca.org for contributing to our event. If not for their 200+ cones, sophisticated timing equipment, loaner helmets, and expertise on the ‘course watch’ we could not have held the event.
Kudos to Bob Frith and Phil Mullen who planned the course and logistics for the entire day on our end. They were relentless with all the details to be sure nothing was missed, and the day came off without a glitch. There were many volunteers from AZM who came to help the day move along as well. They checked in the drivers, made safety checks on their cars, stood watch at key spots on the course, set up coffee for the early morning workers, served lunch for everyone, and took photos. It truly takes a village!
The course set up and take down were the largest job, and both regions’ members pitched in at 6:45am until the course set up job was completed. They also stayed until 4:00pm until every cone was picked up and back in the trailer to go home until the next time.
The Findlay Center confirmed we were good tenants and invited us back for another event, so we will be enjoying AutoX again. Maybe even as early as the fall, but next Spring as an annual event for certain.
Check out the scores for the day HERE
Porsche Unveils Mission X Electric Concept Hypercar
June 8, 2023
During the 75th anniversary celebration event on June 8, Porsche unveiled an all-new, and all-electric oncept car, the Mission X!
Car & Driver media did an article on it. Read all about the Mission X HERE.
Where Did the Porsche Model Names Come From?
May 18, 2023
Have you ever wondered where the Porsche model names came from and what they mean? Check out the article from The Sun in the United Kingdom. It’s a fun rundown. CLICK HERE
Porsche 963 Scores Maiden Victory at Long Beach
April 15, 2023
The Porsche Penske Motorsport entry of Nick Tandy and Mathieu Jaminet scored a thrilling first victory for the Porsche 963 GTP category in the IMSA series at the Long Beach Grand Prix weekend. Read about the amazing finish HERE.
Arizona Mountain Region Celebrates 5th Anniversary
March 18, 2023
The Arizona Mountain Region celebrated its 5th Anniversary at the Centennial Center in Prescott to the day on March 18th. The attendees enjoyed conversations with their Porsche friends, a fiesta taco bar, beverages, and a Porsche Trivia Competition hosted by DJ Scot Proud. Current President, Lorraine Friedman, led the salute to the first officers and leaders of the Club.; Donny Blackburn, Maynard Goff, Steve Sweet, Steve Beer and Bob Frith. A night of great fun shared with Club sponsors, Matthew Gastelum of Immaculate Detail and Daniel Martinez of Goosehead Insurance. Check out the photo gallery HERE.
AZ Mountain Region Member Bernie Cygan has Passed Away
February 22, 2023
The Region is saddened to communicate the passing of Bernie Cygan. Bernie and his wife Geri have been members of the AZMR since 9/2/20 and enjoyed driving their 1998 Porsche Boxster to Region events. A full obituary for Bernie can be found at: https://dcourier.com/news/2023/feb/18/obituary-bernard-michael-cygan/
Geri and Bernie Cygan at AZM’s 2022 Holiday Party
Porsche Club of America Sets Membership Record
February 5, 2023
Porsche Club of America (PCA) National Office Announces RECORD membership gains! Now over 150,000 members! Up 6% over 2022!
Donation to Yavapai County Food Bank
December 22, 2022
Outgoing Arizona Mountain Region President, Robert Taylor (L) and incoming President, Lorraine Friedman (R) present $1,000 donation check to Ann Wilson, Executive Director of the Yavapai County Food Bank (www.YavapaiFoodBank.org/). Thank you AZM members for helping to make this possible!
Bob Taylor and Lorraine Friedman present check to the Yavapai County Food Bank, December 2022
Zone Rep Report : 2022 4th Quarter
The last quarter of the year was quiet in comparison. There have been a couple of parade planning/update meetings by Zoom. My home region had a grand-opening for a member’s service garage at his new location and ÜnStock was also held in our Zone. The end of the year I was fortunate to have gone on the “Zonefest at Sea” put on by Zone 12 with PCA sponsor, Princess Cruises. There were more than 600 members on the cruise with events and activities exclusively for PCA.
I am looking forward to 2023 to be able to visit all of the regions in Zone 8 and as my position as Zone rep. This is truly one of the most enjoyable “jobs” in PCA.
Happy New Year to all.
Lori DeCristo, Zone 8 Representative
ZoneRep@zone8.org
PCA’s Zonefest at Sea with Princess Cruises
December 2022
Porsche 993 Carrera RS vs Clubsport: Everything You Need to Know
December 2022
Porsche developed the Carrera RS since its inception in 1973, and by the mid-1990s, the automaker was still churning out newer and faster versions of the car. In this video, Vu Nguyen and Bob Miller tell us everything we need to know about the 993-generation 911 Carrera RS and Carrera RS Clubsport, both street-legal track cars in the markets in which they were sold.
Porsche 993 Carrera RS vs Clubsport
December 2022
Zone Rep Report : 2022 3rd Quarter
The third quarter of this year has been a busy one for Zone 8 with more events throughout the regions. My quarter started with a breakfast meeting at the Orange Coast Region which was attended by approximately 140 members. In August, there was a breakfast with the Santa Barbara Region with a drive afterwards to the Mullin Museum. The next weekend was San Gabriel Region’s involvement with the San Marino Symphony of Cars and the following day their concours. The concours was held in conjunction with the San Marino event which held a concours for not only our Porsches, but also, classic cars, many which had been shown at Pebble Beach, muscle cars, and of course the “Italian” variety of sports cars. September brought me back to my home region of Cal-Inland for their hospitality tent at the Santa Clarita Porsche Dealership labor day extravaganza. Then it was off to Arizona for new membership events at Arizona Region as well as Arizona Mountain Region. Both events went extremely well and brought enthusiasm to the new as well as seasoned members of their regions. Finally, there was Parade 2023 planning meeting at La Quinta in the Riverside Region of the Zone. It’s going to be a great event at a great location. After all of this travel, I have 2 more regions to visit this year to complete all 15 of them.
Respectfully Submitted
Lori DeCristo, Zone 8 Representative
ZoneRep@zone8.org
Exceptional Cars and People, Millennium Scottsdale Resorts
October 2022
Rennsport Site Visit and Luftgekühlt 8 Impressions
October 17, 2022
Join Vu, Manny, Damon and special guest, Ilko Nechev who is Porsche Panorama’s Advertising Director. Vu and Manny give an update on their recent site visit to Laguna Seca with Porsche. Damon tells us how many quarts of brake fluid he needed to use to get all the bubbles out. Ilko describes his Luft 8 experience in Los Angeles. Plus, there’s Porsche news, updates on unStock, LA Auto Show Member Preview and Tech Tactics West.
Rennsport Reunion Site Visit and Luftgekühlt 8 Impressions
October 2022
Zone Rep Report : 2022 2nd Quarter
The second quarter of the year showed an increase in activities throughout the regions. I was able to visit 4 more regions in the zone, to include a “kick off” breakfast in Riverside, our newest Vineyard Region’s inagural installation, at a temecula winery and Las Vegas Region’s new member picnic where approximately 100 members were in attendance. I was also able to attend my home region’s breakfast as well as the reception for our scholarship recipient which is the College of the Canyon Automotive department. This event is special, even though a non-PCA event as this scholarship program was instituted by me when I was President and has continued through the years. The Zone 8 Grand initial interest meeting was in May. The tour is taking shape and will hopefully be a big success in 2023. Zone 8 continues to see growth in membership. With the renewal of the Zone 8 Concours’ series, some of the regions have seen some very clean cars! This quarter will end with Porsche Parade and I am looking forward to meeting all of the staff and their significant others in person.
Respectfully submitted
Lori DeCristo, Zone 8 Representative
ZoneRep@zone8.org
Porsche Parade, Kalahari Resorts, Poconos, PA
June 12 – 18, 2022
Where is the Porsche Market Headed in 2022?
February 22, 2022
Listen to Nathan Merz, owner and founder of of Columbia Valley Luxury Cars, discuss where he sees the Porsche market heading after visiting the Scottsdale auctions, as well as what to keep an eye on for the future. Find out what the first auctions of 2022 are telling us about what to expect for the rest of the year.
Where is the Porsche Market Headed in 2022? | Tech Tactics Live
February 2022
Dry Ice Blasting a Porsche
February 22, 2022
Have you wondered if there’s a way to thoroughly clean the underside of a car without damaging the paint? Well, now there is. Dry ice blasting is the latest trend of the last few years in automotive detailing and cleaning, probably the best, safest way to remove layers of undercoating and road grime. If you think you’ll be able to DIY ice blasting, think again. The ice blaster itself is a significant investment in the tens of thousands of dollars — only dwarfed by the requirement of a super heavy duty generator to run it.
Dry Ice Blasting a Porsche | PCA Spotlight
February 2022