Slipstream - January 2005

No doubt, there were more qualified
people that could have held the
office, but here I am, the new
President of the Maverick Region of the PCA.
Looking back, it doesn't seem that long ago
when it all started, when I first became a
Maverick. While I have owned a wide variety
of sports cars over the years, Austin Healy,
Jaguar, several Triumphs, I always wanted a
Porsche. Finally, in May of '98, I ordered one. After a seemingly
endless wait, in Oct. of '98, I was the proud owner of a
Silver '99 Boxster. That was all I would ever need. After a lot
of help from patient Autocross, Time Trial, and Drivers
Education instructors (too many good ones to mention them
all) I was starting to feel like I (almost) knew what I was
doing. At least, I usually wasn't the slowest one out there.
Then the Boxster S came out - bigger engine, better
brakes, improved suspension. I really "needed" one of those;
in fact, it would be all I would ever need. More help from
... I was the proud owner of a Silver '99
Boxster. That was all I would ever need. ...
more talented instructors and I was starting to go a little
faster. If only I had "R" compound tires, I could really go fast.
Of course, that requires an extra set of wheels, preferably
lightweight, and, ideally, a little trailer to get them to and
from the track. I recall several of us put hitches on our
Boxsters in my garage. Now I was set; that was all I would
ever need.
By now, I was moving up to the faster run groups at DE's
and, on occasion, turning a really respectable time at an AX
or TT. The Boxster S was a daily driver, so there were limits
to what I could comfortably do to the suspension, seats, harnesses,
etc. If only I had a dedicated track car. That would be
all I would ever need. That's when the white 968 came into
the picture. When I first got the 968, I used the same small
tire trailer I built for the Boxster S. Then I started dreaming
of a "real" trailer to haul the 968; that would be all I would
ever need. So I bought the trailer our esteemed editor had
made for his trip to Parade in Florida. It towed great, but was
a little heavy for my tow vehicle. So I obtained a lighter tiltback
trailer with an aluminum deck. By the second trailer, it
became obvious, I needed a tire rack and tool box built for
the trailer, since club racing seems to require lots more
"stuff ". By now, you know, that would be all I would ever
need.
However, since I am in the early stages of exploring a different
tow vehicle, I have been counseled by several fellow
racers to buy one with plenty of towing capacity, just in case
the perfect enclosed trailer becomes available or a different
race car enters the picture. If that happened, it would, for
sure, be all I would ever need. At any rate, that's the semicondensed
version of my Maverick timeline to date. Time
sure flies when you’re having fun.
Since our Presidential campaign was less hotly contested
than the one with George and John, I didn't have to go out on
a limb with a lot of wild promises. That should make life a little
easier. I realize it will be difficult to improve on the great
job Keith and others before him have done, so I will have the
more modest goal of trying not to take too many steps backward.
Since I have been in the club, we have always done a
very good job of recognizing our AX and TT participants,
both in Slipstream and at Founders Day. I would like to see
us do the same good job regarding our Club Racers and DE
participants and instructors. Hopefully, those involved in
these events will support this effort with pictures and articles
for Slipstream. If I should drop the ball or overlook important
areas, I know I can count on you all to bring it to my
attention. I look forward to 2005 and I hope you do as well.
We should be back behind the wheel before we know it. I
know I'll be ready…
Word on the Street
by Mike Holloway, Managing Editor
I
asked
few guys I know from other parts of the
country what they thought of their PCA chapters.
Here is what they had to say.
“Many PCA chapters have plenty of DE events
and Club Races. Some like my region are too small to
throw large events so they focus on eating, drinking
and showing off cars.” S - Central Plains.
“The Chicago Region has a very active chapter
with events nearly every weekend. HPDE 1-2 per
month, Rally's, AX, and socials fill all free time if you
want to. The chapter's monthly mag? Ugh. I'm SO
tired of seeing the same 15 people in the magazine.”
C - Naperville, IL
“Here in Fla the PCA is a great way to meet great
people and there are enough events, DE and autocross
to keep folks busy most months of the year. For the
annual fee it's hard to beat.” D - South Florida
“Mostly wine and cheezers showing off their prize
cars. Few are involved in AX and more into Concours.
I would much rather race than show. The regional
mag is good enough. The ads and classifieds always
help.” M -San D CA
Involvement is the key - the more you do the
better it gets. If racing isn’t for you, prehaps showing
your Porsche would be fun. The Maverick chapter is
also a great place to get involved in civic projects. If
you have a passion for writing, contact Slipstream. We
are alwasys looking for interesting articles to publish.
Feel free to voice your ideas and opinions on
Slipstream at editor@mavpca.com.
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