44 www.pca-chicago.org <strong>November</strong> 2008
The Apple Canyon Rally (Rallye 4) Carl Armand Twenty-four <strong>Porsche</strong>s, lots <strong>of</strong> smiling faces, breathtaking scenery, fall colors at their proudest, rolling hills, and lots and lots <strong>of</strong> turns. Now that’s a recipe for a wonderful Rallye! It was just one short year ago that Carol and I were invited by Jack & Karen Stephensen to participate in Apple Canyon Run I as checkpoint workers. During that event we were privileged to meet some <strong>of</strong> the most fantastic people whose enthusiasm for their cars, their club and their rallyes was downright infectious. So, yes, we did go out and buy a <strong>Porsche</strong> Boxster, joined the PCA <strong>of</strong> <strong>Chicago</strong> and have been enjoying y’all ever since. Prior to the purchase, we thought the pronunciation <strong>of</strong> that brand <strong>of</strong> auto rhymed with an extension to the back <strong>of</strong> the house and Rallye and Boxster challenged our spell-check. We also didn’t know that we had committed the cardinal sin <strong>of</strong> buying a Rain Forest Green car thus ending Ed and Gayle Barnicle’s reign as the only region members with a car <strong>of</strong> that color. Ed still pulls my chain about that just about every time he sees me. This year we were able to participate in Apple Canyon Run II as driver/navigator. Wow! What a difference. We quickly learned that as participants we would be engaging in, well let’s say, “Spirited Discussions” while trying not to run over anyone. The event began on Saturday with an invitation to play golf, and later to have dinner at Black Hawk Run Golf & Supper <strong>Club</strong> in Stockton, IL. Several <strong>of</strong> us played the beautiful rolling hills <strong>of</strong> the golf course, and even more <strong>of</strong> us gathered for dinner at the Supper <strong>Club</strong>. This gave many <strong>of</strong> us a chance to socialize and chat about the coming Rallye. After dinner, many <strong>of</strong> us gathered on the front porch <strong>of</strong> the Country Inn & Suites Hotel where most <strong>of</strong> us were registered. We novices listened to stories <strong>of</strong> classic cars, past rallyes, a demonstration <strong>of</strong> an <strong>of</strong>f-the-shelf breathalyzer, and hints from the “Trap Master” herself. There were games played and strategies discussed into the night which is not unusual for PCA members. On Sunday morning, we attended the obligatory meetings, exchanged wishes with other drivers that did not include their coming in with fewer point than us; and <strong>of</strong>f we went. The rolling hills <strong>of</strong> the Galena Territories greeted us with the most wonderful ribbons <strong>of</strong> blacktop that would at times lift our cars into the air, [whoa yeah, gimme some more <strong>of</strong> that] and turns that would make you wonder what apex was best. The trees and fields <strong>of</strong> gold, orange, red and green challenged us to keep our eyes on the road. There were canyons and ridges that would make us wonder if we were still in Illinois. Breathtaking is a major understatement. The Rallye itself was as described by Jim and Cindy as carved hills, down twisting switchbacks through walled canyons, back up along ridgelines and then back down again to the winding waters <strong>of</strong> Apple Canyon. As the fast thumbs <strong>of</strong> a Blackberry user would write, OMG!!!!! All 24 cars made it back to Rafters Restaurant where we exchanged comments like, “did you see that cliff ?”, “wow, what a trip”, “I’ve never seen such beautiful countryside”, “I couldn’t hold my CAST could you?”; and, “man this is why I bought this car!”. Congratulations are in order for Lee Lichtenstein and John Miller who took 1 st place, John & Cheryl Collier came in 2 nd and Jack and Karen Stephensen (our Prez and First Lady) for coming in 3 rd , and a special thanks goes out to all the checkpoint workers and to all the others who worked so hard to make this a wonderful event. We truly appreciate your contribution. Finally, our special thanks go to Jim Jacisin and Cindy Jacisin for creating and executing a fantastic event that was thoroughly enjoyed by each and every one <strong>of</strong> us. You really did it right! Apple Canyon 2 Results (Rallye 4) Place Driver Navigator Points 1 Lee Lichtenstein John Miller 203 2 John Collier Cheryl Collier 258 3 Jack Stephensen Karen Stephensen 298 4 Claude Reed Rachel Reed 323 5 Carl Armand Carole Armand 596 6 Mark Rusch Margaret Rusch 599 7 Steve Olson Sharon Olson 655 8 Kevin Van Solkema Alden Van Solkema 708 9 Fred Jaconson Marilee Jacobson 737 10 Tom Snyder Ann Snyder 775 11 Bob DeMeritt Marianne DeMeritt 870 12 Pete Faehnrich Pete Brychel 942 13 Jessica Rojus Bryan Reid 957 14 Nicki Sangdahl Stanley Sangdahl 1008 15 Joe Klest Henry Klest 1018 16 Steve Rashbaum Susan Shire 1021 17 Paul DeSalvo Kathy DeSalvo 1027 18 Dave Farley Barb Farley 1036 19 Kit Kuehnle Suzanne Pentek 1380 20 Tom Gorman Lindsay Gorman 1684 21 Rom Rybalchenko Stephanie Rybalchenko 1774 22 Tyler Ferguson Christina Ferguson 1960 23 Bill Lambert Rudy Arias 2500 24 Steve Mitleider James Leeny - - - Rallyemasters: Jim Jacisin and Cindy Jacisin Pre-Run: Art and Janet Kardatzke Checkpoint workers: Patty Jacisin, Bob Rath Patrick and Bonnie Yanahan 45 www.pca-chicago.org <strong>November</strong> 2008