Paul Christensen and his 1956 356A waiting their turn to take to the track. (Photo by C Kugler)The allure of hundreds of vintage race cars at a world famous race track with Porsche as the featured marquee provided all the impetus we needed to sign up for our first visit to the Monterey Historics at Laguna Seca. We booked our room last November and a good thing we did as reasonably priced rooms were impossible to get months before the races. Along with the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach, the races are the lynch pin to a weeklong series of classic car events around the Monterey Peninsula (see Frans Nelson’s article on the other events).

The new GT3 RS gives up some top speed for increased down force and better handling. (Photo courtesy of Porsche AG)Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is sending the new 911 GT3 RS to the starting line: Delivering even more engine power, offering lower weight, and featuring shorter transmission ratios as well as body and suspension elements upgraded to an even higher standard, the new 911 GT3 RS sets the foundation for homologating the racing version of the 911 GT3 and therefore offers everything it takes for ongoing success on the race track, continuing the series of absolutely uncompromising, sporting 911s homologated for the road.

One of the male elk close by the road in Rocky Mountain National Park. ((Photo by ML Kugler)Porsche Parade offered many activities for those who participated. There were delicious dinners, fabulous cars to drool over at the Concours, TSD and Gimmick Rallies, the Autocross and guided and self-guided drive tours. Craig and I decided to try a self-guided tour to Georgetown and ride the Georgetown Loop Train. We invited Karen & Rich O’Leary and Maiko & Anthony Mendoza, Diablo Region members who have attended our Tour of Nevada for the past two years.

Rosemarie Snickars and Karen & Rich O’Larey help JanSnickars with his lunch selection at the Toiyabe Café in Austin. (Photo by C Kugler)It was a beautiful morning as 10 cars departed from the parking lot of the Gold Dust West Casino in Carson City heading out on US Hwy 50 – “The Loneliest Road in America” - for the 4th annual Tour of Nevada. Returning this year were Ken & Betty Hollman in their 3.2 Carrera, Craig & Marylou Kugler in their Cayman S, Ron & Lynette Peterson in their 996 Carrera Coupe, Tony & Maiko Mendoza from the Diablo Region in her new 996 Carrera 4 Cab and myself along with friend Bonnie, driving my 930 Turbo.

Cam Warren and Sue Kemper’s Concours ready car, on the fairways at Keystone. (Photo by C Kugler)Parade has many dinners, tours, seminars and varied opportunities for meeting PCA members from all over the country. We did all of that but it’s competition that gets the blood flowing. The first of the competitive Parade events is the Concours. To those of you not familiar with the concept of cleaning your car in a competitive way, observing Concours prep is an experience.

Alice Strom with Ron and denise Lewis enjoying the sunshine and cars at the Shop Party. (Photo by B Jordan)Wow, what a party! It’s always fun to get together with everyone over some good food and with great cars and this year’s Carnivore de Elegance was no exception. Among the thirty members in attendance, almost all flavors of Porsches were present, from pristine 356s to 924s to 911s and 930s to Caymans and 996s. They varied from plain vanilla (mine) to Dave Robinson's Gemballa 996. OMG- this car is so hot it might melt my driveway! And that’s before he installs the 3.8 turbo engine currently on order.

Rich Chew arrives for check-in with his ‘89 Speedster. (Photo by C Kugler)Everyone always talks about the weather but no one does anything about it. For this year’s Gilson’s Charity Show & Shine, weather was certainly on everyone’s mind as the unseasonable cool and damp weather of early June refused to cooperate. Not to be thwarted by Mother Nature, the members of the Northern Nevada chapters of the Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mini clubs brought out their cars and opened their hearts (and wallets) to help the North Valleys Athletic Association raise money to support teens who play sports.

Craig Kugler rotates his Cayman S through a tight turn during the Zone Autocross. (Photo by ML Kugler)Back to the cones! The second round of the Zone 7 Autocross series found us back at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton on the beautiful, last weekend in May. Cindy and Rich Wyett and Mary Lou and I had committed to go to this event in late April when we had a conflict for the first Zone weekend. It turned out to be a great choice as round one of the series was held in early May in Santa Rosa in an unseasonable rainstorm. No such worries this time! I had Friday afternoon off so we took the scenic route down Hwy 88 from Gardnerville all the way into Stockton.