Clearly enjoying themselves, Curtis Fong and Dave Hampton prepare to head to the buffet line. (Photo by C Kugler)What a gorgeous day it was; blue sky, sunshine and in the distance one small cloud that seemed to be leading us to our destination for the day. It could not have been a more perfect day for our drive to Big Springs Garden.

The trail master had sent an e-mail to all of the tour participants asking them to be at the trail head no later than 9:00 AM. Of course everyone complied and was there on time except the trail master (me). But, being the ladies and gentlemen that they were, the participants held the hoots, hollers, and raspberries to a bare minimum. I was grateful for that.

Debbie & Eric Aust enjoy the natural beauty of the terrace at Big Springs Gardens. (Photo by C Kugler)There were 14 cars in the parade that left McDonalds on Mt. Rose Highway sharply at 9:30. The participants included: Eric & Debra Aust, Tom & Rupa Brooks, Don & Deirdra Beusche, Rich Chew & Christine Beckstead, Douglas & Lois Crook,
Harley & Julie Davison, Jim & Carol Dolian, Curtis Fong, Paul & Nancy
Giannini, Dave Hampton, Craig & Mary Lou Kugler, Scott Walshaw & daughter Brooke and Cam Warren & Sue Kemper.

Following the short drive north on 395 we picked up Don & Dixie Baker at the south end of Red Rock Rd. They had driven 150 miles from Likely, CA (north of Reno) to participate in our event. They assured us that it was a short drive in their brand new 2010 997 Turbo. Don gave us a rundown of all of the latest bells and whistles. Needless to say it drew a lot of attention from our group and everyone agreed that it was a beauty.

Kat Weichert rides “shotgun” as Cindy Christensen and Betty Hollman enjoy the Pierce Arrow’s luxurious back seat. (Photo by D Aynesworth)On Saturday, July 24th, 35 PCA/SNR members braved the hot drive to Minden, NV to view the Minden Automotive Museum (MAM) and attend a country BBQ at the home of member Ned Bacon and his girlfriend, Kat Wiechert. Attendees were to be treated to a private, guided tour of the MAM, which consists of over 100 cars dating from 1910 to 1969.

Ned Bacon explains the fine points of one of the many cars in the Minden Automotive Museum to a large group of SNR members. (Photo by J Strom)As the entourage of SNR members arrived at the museum, they got the first hint of what was in store for them. Ned was standing in front of a beautiful 1914 Pierce Arrow that he was preparing for a tour around Nevada. That huge old car, surrounded by our sleek Porsches was quite a sight. Ned greeted every one and gave some background of the museum. The collection was started in 1954 by Ned's dad, Ted, when he purchased a 1912 Cadillac found in a ditch on a local ranch. The collection focuses mainly on American cars built between 1916 and 1924, a period of time when over 2000 companies were fighting for a piece of the new car market.

The traveling road show that is the PCA Zone 7 Autocross Series wound its way to Marina, CA in late July. Since we had committed to do the full series this year and the Monterey area is one of our favorites, it was a no brainer to hit the road early Friday morning for a leisurely cruise down using alternate routes the Salinas Best Western Hotel, our home for the weekend. Always prepared to take advantage of our weekends away, we headed for the southern Monterey County wine region. A short 25 minute drive south on Hwy 101 took us to Soledad, CA, home to Hahn Estates, Chalone and a few other well heeled wineries. With the afternoon fading and a dinner date on Cannery Row pending, we headed west to the Santa Lucia Highlands and Hahn Estates. This winery is part of the Monterey Bay Region - PCA sponsored tour during Historics Week so it seemed like a natural. Without making this a wine tour article, the large deck replete with market umbrellas and tables, wines of excellent quality, engaging and knowledgeable staff and views of the vineyards and valley below make this a “must see” stop if you’re in this area.

Brakes are not stop on a dime.
924/944/968 (1987-on) | Brakes

Model: 944, Year:1987, Mileage:167000, Type of use:Street use only
My newest 944 brakes were never stop on a dime brakes. I have two 87 944's with ABS. I recentley changed rotors, calipers, brake pads, brake fluid and put braided lines on. There is no change to the braking distance with this car. The other 944 has always had stop on a dime brakes so I know it can happen. Could this be the brake booster?

Lynda Sobus
8/18/2010 12:57:12 PM
If the brake booster is literally the last remaining item to replace, that might be it but intuition tells me there's probably something else. Starting with the basics, I'd consider the difference in the friction between the pad and rotor on both of the cars. We've done so much testing on those components alone I can tell you there are wild deviations in braking power based upon the pad/rotor combination. Most pad compounds are a compromise anyway, trying to balance dry stopping power with wear, dust, squeal, fade and wet performance - and to a lesser degree the same goes for the rotor. If you're really committed to finding the difference, try the 'good' pad/rotor set on the other car and see how it changes the braking performance. I'd do that before committing to a new booster, which isn't likely to make the change you're hoping for.

Catherine & Jeremy Reichenberg relax in the park while Dede Seward (back center) and Grandma Pat trade Porsche “war” stories. (Photo by C Kugler)July 4th is always a special day and this year, with it falling on Sunday in the middle of a three day weekend, it seemed like the annual Genoa “Pops in the Park” celebration was going to have some special musical fireworks, With the beautiful early summer weather you could not have asked for a better weekend to sit in the shade of the fine old trees at Mormon Station Park and listen to the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra play a variety of inspired music.

Ken Hollman looks on as John Strom instructs Ron and Lanette Petersen in the proper way top load a Nerf Gun for the Funkana. (Photo R Chew)Sierra Nevada Region recently celebrated another milestone in its illustrious history, 45 years as a PCA Region. As one of the older clubs in PCA, a special party was planned for Saturday, June 19th at the Washoe Flats Restaurant in Washoe Valley. A western theme was chosen and the large picnic/special events area well behind the restaurant become our ranch for the day. A group of twelve members arrived at 10 AM to get ready for the event. Hay bales were dropped off and arranged in semi-random fashion in front of the “stage”. The Funkana course took the most time as its devilishly serpentine course was marked and several diabolical stage stops were set up for the “special” cowboy events. More on that later. Satisfied with the morning’s work, the field hands retired to their personal bunk houses to prepare for the party.