Well I'm back from the Euro 928 2002 event and finished editing about 400 photos for my personal collection. We had a great time, met many new friends and put faces to many that I've only had email correspondence.

There were over 200 attendees and about 100 Porsche 928s. The longest distance driven was from Finland. The guys that came from Spain also had quite a drive. Michael even came from Aruba ... Michael are you out there?

The real treat was to meet the creators of the 928. I had about an hour chat with Anatole “Tony” Lapine, the chief stylist. He is a real character and loves to talk. He gave full credit for the actual external design work to Wolfgang Möbius. He is a quiet guy that has a lot of passion about the design. I had a good chat with Jörg Austen, the guy in charge of the transaxle. I’m attempting to get some discussion going about thrust bearing failure. Jörg did recall writing a special service routine that is documented in the workshop manuals and flying around the world to educate Porsche shops, however, that procedure is only for cars up to model year 1984. The project managers were all there, Wolfhem Gorrisen was there from the start and then Prof. Wolfgang Flegl and Peter Falk took over. Peter oversaw the development of the Weissach axle design.

I am writing an article for Forum 928 on this subject, so I won’t give too much of the secrets that were exposed.

I have to give credit to the German 928 Porsche club for hosting such a great event. There were a million little things that all worked. We had quite some drive to Weissach and then Malbronn. The next day we drove to the Zingelfingen factory. They had arrows posted at the major junctions so we couldn’t get lost. The banquet with so many Porsche personalities was great. They even had real-time translators so the English and French speakers could understand the proceedings.

I do need to make a semi-commercial statement: Samuel Fournis of the Amacale commissioned a 25 year anniversary lithograph of the 928. There were 300 printed. I purchased number 14 and had Tony Lapine autograph it at the event. There are some remaining (sorry, without Lapine's autograph). This is a real collector's item and it is a very beautiful piece of art. For 98 Euros (about $100) you can own one. For more information go to:

<a href="http://www.amicale928.org/928_souscription.htm#sec2" target="_blank">http://www.amicale928.org/928_souscription.htm#sec2</a>

A brave group of us went to the Nürburgring on the following Monday. That is the most fantastic track I’ve ever seen and experienced. We had the good luck that a “ringer” volunteered to meet us and show us the track. Little did I know that he was a retired rally driver and had trained on the track! So we had a clinic on what to do and where. Given the 20 km length (14 miles) and 300 m (1,000 ft) elevation changes, there is a lot to remember. I made six laps in my rental (BMW). Johnny and his wife (from Sweden) were treated to their first high speed roadwork in their GTS. There were at least six GT3s making the runs that day. What a sight.

Feel free to ask questions. There are already pictures posted, look to these URLs:

<a href="http://www.update.uu.se/~bqt/euro2002.html" target="_blank">http://www.update.uu.se/~bqt/euro2002.html</a>

<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/jeifert/Euro_928_02.html" target="_blank">http://members.rennlist.com/jeifert/Euro_928_02.html</a>

<a href="http://groups.msn.com/socal928/euro9282002.msnw" target="_blank">http://groups.msn.com/socal928/euro9282002.msnw</a>

Enjoy,
Rich

 

Great pix.


[quote] I made six laps in my rental (BMW). <hr></blockquote>

Good use for a rental car, in my opinion!

Question: What's the differnece between a jeep and a rental car?

Answer: A rental car can go anywhere

Greg

 

Thanks for the update - great pictures.

 

Great pictures Rich, John and Dan!!! I am truly envious of all who went fromt this side of the pond. Looks like you all had a great time.

Does anyone have pictures of the yellow GTS? Looks very interesting.

<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Rich,

Thanks for sharing those pictures. Now more then ever I wish I had done my homework and gone to that event.

Does this event take place every year?

Tim Delarm <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

 

Oh how I wish I had cashed in my FF miles to attend that event.

Not to sound too sophmoric, but all I can say is COOL! <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

 

Does this event take place every year?

No, there is only one 25th anniversary

The Europeans often have yearly group meetings, with a pan Euro event hosted by Amacale (France/Swiss), the Dutch Club or German Club. So there is a good excuse to see the fantastic sites, meet and enjoy beautiful cars, and dring good beer!!!

Rich