Slipstream - December 2002

Photo by Wendy Shoffit
MUSR #4 (Mid US Ramble)
By Charlie Davis
Iknow that MUSR #4 was not strictly a Maverick Region event, nor
was it sponsored by MR. But several MR members attended it, so I
guess it’s relevant. We renamed it the Mid US RainRamble
(MUSRR), because of light rain for 4 days. The nice weather we
ordered showed up Sunday afternoon and really came out in force on
Monday...lasted all week. Darn!
This year, we met in beautiful SE Oklahoma. This part of the
state has some of the bets Porsche roads anywhere. For example State
routes 1 and 2. We explored both of them. We stayed at the Kerr
Mansion south of Poteau for 2 days, then rambled over to the Belle
Starr Lodge at Robbers Cave. Both were wonderful locations! I’m
thinking about organizing a MR tour next year and using these
venues. Ted? You listening?
The cars wait as we explore the Robbers Cave.
party. About half came in uniform. No tricks...just treats. We may do
this again, in spite of the interesting costume worn by Joe Yoder. He
wore part of his costume all weekend. I think he was trying for the
Dave Darling look—pony tail and all!
A couple of entrants went back and actually found the
Runestones the next morning. The effect would have been better on
Halloween night in the dark!
The seminars were WONDERFUL!!! Jon Lowe’s session about
the “Evolution of the 914” was superb. He presented a few pictures
nobody had ever seen before, plus we learned a lot about how and
why the 914 came to be. Most importantly, we learned how lucky we
are that some of the proposed designs never made it to production!
Dave Darling’s talk about “Suspension 101” was equally well
attended and generated lots of good discussion, including arguments
about the best setup. But the panel discussion about “Why would
you ever want to become a CW”...well, it was actually called, “How
and Why to Prepare Your Car for Concours, was the best of all. The
climax of this seminar was when Jean Yoder (a retired physician and
1st time MUSR attendee) stood up (everybody else just asked
questions sitting down) and announced that she had found a new
career. She now understands Joe better and knows that we are all
terribly sick. Even has a clue what is wrong with us and thinks she
can help us. Next year, after going back for a psych refresher, she will
conduct group therapy. She doesn’t understand that we are in denial
and don’t WANT to be cured...
Photo by Bill Dugan and Wendy Shoffit
While the weather didn’t cause anything to be canceled,
it did encourage us to spend more time indoors and talk. We
bonded a lot...
We had 55+ people and 25+ cars this year, down somewhat
from previous years. We have a little bit of money left, which will be
used next year. That’s the way we planned it.
Can you believe that my navigator didn’t see the sign to the
Runestones and we drove around for hours in the dark, leading a
P-train? Everyone else saw the sign but didn’t say diddly. Later in the
event, they gave me a WONDERFUL “Crimson Shaft” award that
Lawrence “Rusty” Bonkoski made, for devotion to duty beyond all
reason or the biggest screw up or something. Oh joy...
After the futile search for the Runestones, we had a Halloween
Who would have thought you could find this scenery in Oklahoma?
Photo by Bill Dugan and Wendy Shoffit
Smiles all around at the Cave.
Everyone agreed that Jean is a saint to put up with Joe and his
obsession with old German sports cars. This weekend, she saw that
Joe is not alone in his obsession. She liked MUSR 4 and plans to
return...plus, she has work to do. Actually, I think she liked us and
starting to get an obsession?
The Winding Stair Mountains were fogged in. Bummer! The
fox didn’t like the fog either. Neither of us saw the other until too late.
Oh, yes...Al Swanson collected the “Deerslayer” award this year, but
not in the fog on the Mountain. It’s been 2 years since the last one
was awarded. The car was drivable. The deer wasn’t.
We had the Concours in the rain. Went like this: Each car was
driven under the portico in front of the Kerr Mansion and the
peanut gallery inside the lobby (where it was warm and dry) would
clap and assign a score. Teri would write them down. Then the next
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