Slipstream - June 2015

“ . . . it’s the people”: Team Howard
By Linda Bambina, PR Chair
Travis and
Robyn
Howard
have been very
active members of
Maverick Region
since 2003. They
are approachable,
dedicated to the club, and excellent
drivers in a Region filled with many
top-notch drivers. Their contributions
to the Region and area are of
epic proportion.
“Robyn and Travis have a passion
for Porsches, but a bigger passion
for helping others.” - Bryan Bell
(past AX Chair and Maverick VP)
Travis has been Time Trial Chair
since 2008, and in 2013 also assumed
the position of Autocross
Chair, stepping down at the end of
2014. Prior to taking on that additional
position, he worked very hard
to train prior AX Chairs and worked
seamlessly with them to put on great
driving events.
Since 2011, Robyn has contributed
in a major way to the AX/TT program,
having been the Registrar for
every event. As
Registrar, she handles
all pre-event
advertising and
communication
with registrants.
The day of the
event she checks
them all in, handles
any classification
changes, and
generates the list
of corner worker
assignments. She
often works in the
timing trailer to
ensure that the
official scores are
8 June
correct. All this she does when she’s
NOT driving IN the event. When she
drives, she wins her class and tries
to beat her husband’s times. She
was even the Region’s Top Ladies’
Driver in 2011. Not be outdone,
Travis won the Mens’ Top Driver the
following year! Now that’s a great
driving team!
Not only did Robyn and Travis run
the AX/TT events, but they continue
to participate in other organizations’
events to get other ideas and
build camaraderie. Robyn actively
promotes our events using social
media.
As a couple, they have put on the
annual Autocross School event since
2010. This is the introductory level
event for many new drivers who are
curious about how these beautiful
cars are REALLY meant to be driven.
Not only do they set up the logistics
of the event, they recruit instructors
and workers to make it an event that
is unforgettable for attendees.
Travis also maintains a critical piece
of equipment for the program. We
lovingly call it the “Truxster,” which
is a step van that houses all of our
necessary apparatus (cones, timing
Travis and Robyn at the Monterey Autocross Awards
Photos by the Author
devices, flags, loaner helmets, etc.),
and which requires a great deal of
maintenance, including fabricating
door panels from scratch. It’s a constant
battle keeping the thing moving,
but he’s always up for the task.
Robyn has chaired our annual Swap
Meet event since 2010. She provides
enthusiasm sweeter than the doughnuts
they bring in the morning. This
is a great opportunity for members
to come find great deals while socializing
with PCA friends.
Our Driver Education program was
enhanced when Travis took over the
very difficult task as Gridmaster in
2010. He did such a great job, he
was invited to be Gridmaster at our
PCA Club Race that same year. He
is now “Gridmaster T” at the multiregion
Club Race at Circuit of the
Americas. The COTA event is one
of the largest Club Races in the
country and Travis, along with wife
Robyn and a grid team, do a job that
is second to none.
Travis and Robyn don’t just care
about the Porsche Club and its
members. They are also huge supporters
of our Region’s charity, the
Hope House. They find ways during
the year to raise
money, and have
put on a “Run
What You Brung”
Charity Autocross
in years past. During
their work at
the DE events,
Travis sacrifices
his lunch hour
(his only break)
to make sure that
Charity Laps happen.
These events
alone raise hundreds
of dollars
for the women’s
shelter. At our
annual Founders’