Back to Back - Space Coast Region - Porsche Club of America

…As Visions of Carreras
Danced in their Heads
Christmas trees, holiday music, slinky
cocktail dresses, and racing art were all in
evidence at the Space Coast Region Holiday
Banquet and Annual Meeting held at Eau
Gallie Yacht Club. I stood in the corner (near
the bar), sipping my scotch and enjoying the
view. With a sold-out attendance of 128, talk
of Porsches filled the air, and there wasn’t a tshirt
in evidence, making this an event unlike
any other held by our club. Perhaps this is why
it was the best attended of all the 58 events
hosted by Space Coast Region in 2010.
Eau Gallie Commodore and Space Coast
member Donna Hahle was introduced and
offered a gracious welcome. We were also
joined by 5-time Le Mans winner Derek
Bell, who entertained us with anecdotes of
his career and introduced us to a fabulous
collection of original racing art on display and
for sale. Several members purchased some of
the art pieces of which 50% of proceeds from
the sale benefited the Hope for Tomorrow
charity.
Derek Bell recounts the
inspiration for displayed art
Officer’s reports followed a wonderful plated
dinner. Report highlights included that we
have money in the bank, more members than
we used to, and that our members continue
to participate in a seemingly ever-increasing
number and range of events—just what you’d
expect from the club named “Region of the
Year” by PCA. The nominating committee
report offered a slate of candidates that were
accepted by acclamation, there being no
other applicants or nominations from the
floor. Officers for 2011 are: David O’Neal,
president; Steve Hoffman, vice-president;
John “Blake” Blakely, secretary; and Kirk
Stowers, treasurer.
Sold-out crowd at Eau Gallie Yacht Club
Newly-elected President David O’Neal spoke
to the many accomplishments made by our
region during the tenure of President Ralph
Fritsche, including leadership in membership
growth and national awards for Escape
Velocity Magazine and the 2009 Region of
the Year Trophy. A limited-edition Space
Coast watch was presented to Ralph as a gift
by his officers.
The business concluded, we moved on to
door prizes generously provided by several
of our members and sponsors including
David Kelly, Dan and Teri Cleary from the
Werkshop, Shay and Monica Rowe from
Porsche of Melbourne, and Jack and Lois
Roberts from Brown & Bigelow Promotional
Products. Specially made coasters featuring
the “Region of the Year” cover were presented
as gifts to Escape Velocity advertisers and
contributors, and Space Coast logo coasters
were given to all who attended.
Outgoing President
Ralph Fritsche accepts
his EV magazine
portfolio
volume 5, Issue 1
Derek Bell with young fans
Lilly and Grace Parker
Article by Jack Roberts
Photos by Tom Gorsuch
Tom Gorsuch announced that all but a
handful of the Space Coast watches had been
sold; the remainder now available at Porsche
of Melbourne Parts Department, where you
will also find a variety of Space Coast Region
of the Year apparel.
On December 17, 2011, we will again return
to the Eau Gallie Yacht Club for this event,
this time to their main dining room with its
180 person capacity and fabulous view of the
Christmas decorated boats. Put it on your
calendar now.