ROG100

Pablo,
Very interesting thread. The 928 crowd is big here in DFW and very close and social. We have so much going on that we have "no need" for the local PCA chapter. With over 400 928 cars here in DFW and growing every week we could have a big impact - in a positive way.
In retrospect maybe we need to "influence" the local PCA chapter and start getting involved - maybe I will make that a task for me to take on and get involved with.
Best,
Roger

jleidel

Rog, I've always wanted to see someone spearhead a a DFW German auto fest of some sort. The Maverick Region PCA [despite our misgivings] is quite large. The 928 crew is large. There is a very healthy following in the local BMW and Mercedes clubs. I believe there is also a relatively active VW [air & water cooled, respectively] club.

If we can swing 20+ 928's on a good Saturday breakfast, then one would assume 100-150 cars w/ all the German marks in one event.

A bit off topic... so take it with a grain of salt...

Keith Coe

Roger: I think you hit the nail on the head. With as big a 928 group as you have in the DFW area, you could definitely influence the local PCA chapter and increase awareness and appreciation for the model. As long as 928 owners avoid involvement with other Porsche car owners, then the "us vs. them" stand off will continue. Here in Houston we're slowly getting more 928 owners coming to the social events - hopefully they will begin to participate in other type events as well. Just my 2 cents as a diverse Porsche vehicle owner.

Tom. M

The only way to influence them is to join and then become involved in their hierarchy. We've had tons of 928 attend the various PCA events out here...and get nary a mention in the magazine or facebook page.

I swear, this last XXX Drive In Show and Shine, they purposely avoided publishing pics of the 12 plus 928's that took over the front row Now if a 928er wrote a story to publish, we may have gotten some press....

You need to get in and take over..then

dianeandpablo

Roger, you have a way with words.You, Keith and Tom have the same sentiments as I. Look, it's pretty simple really...you've get out there and publish. The fact is that there's a new generation coming up behind us and when they tire of Boxsters, Cayennes, and Panameras and begin looking for "vintage" Porsches, these babies are going to be it. How will they ever know about this? Yep, publishing.

My guess is, and I may be wrong, that this new lot may not care to shoot some bull with club members in real time. and given the increasingly busy nature of society, they would prefer to sit at home and experience these old water-cooled Porsches from the comforts of I-pads and the like. 928s, 944s, 968s, and 924s will be the only "affordable" vintage Porsches to experience at the moment for them and maybe the ones they feel more acclimated to with the comforts they've come to experience from the '96 and up models.

So, rather than be like artists and make art for ourselves, let's spread this good stuff around to others who will be as passionate as we are with a proper introduction. My new article coming out mentions the "custodians" of 928s for the future gen...and you guys are it.

They're our clubs and they happen to possess the perfect medium in which to channel these legends.

CT Rob

Member since I got my 928S4 in 2001 -- Connecticut Valley Region. Other than occasionally having to compete with Cayennes in the annual Father's Day show-and-shine, I think the water-cooled owners are well-treated here. The air-cooled people like my car, if for no other reason that it's not competing with them in their model/year class.

linderpat

and that right there is the secret - you can make these things, or make of them, anything you want. If you join but don't engage, then it may or may not be a good experience. If you do engage, then there is usually a payoff on the experience.

GeorgeM

Spot on. I've been a member since '92, but most active in the past 5 years or so and am now President of First Settlers Region. Our region was active, but nothing to write home about until ~'08. We went through some tough times in '06-'07, then managed to get a great group on the board; the rest is history. We were awarded Region of the Year in 2012 and have been honored with various other national awards, including Public Service at this year's Parade in MI.

When it comes down to it, it's only the cars that brings the group together and serves as common ground. Beyond that, it's all about the people.

As mentioned, each region has it's own personality, which changes based on membership, or more likely, leadership. The direction of each region is more or less dictated by the Board, so if you want something changed, volunteer. The rewards of having a great club that has fun and accomplishes some service to the community are great.

cobalt

Well said.

Affiliate member since 1977 and full member since 1983 I get my 30 year pin this August. It took me 13 years to get my wife involved and out on the track. They say be careful what you wish for I got my wish by attending more DE's which she goes crazy for but somehow lead to us volunteering our time to one of the largest regions BOG. In 2008 as Charity co-chairs and soon after social co-chairs which we still take seriously today. My wife is now the secretary and what I thought would be a few DE's a year has become a major part of our lives.

Although I was hesitant about getting so deeply involved initially, it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I have met and made friends with some incredible people and although the initial interest is in the cars we always say it is all about the people and some of our best social events have nothing to do with cars at all. Last year we had our 55th summer event and 555 people attended. What a great time everyone had. Live music, swimming, rock climbing games galore and an amazing assortment of Porsche's from every year ranging from the earliest 356's to 959's right up to GT3 4.0's along with a very nice 928 GTS.

I highly recommend attending a meeting or event and see what makes it tick. You might just be amazed and I have been to many other regions and never once was my 928 looked down upon if anything I am always thanked for bringing it.

I don't know about other regions but NNJR is always looking for members and I have been making a special effort to have 928 owners become part of the club. You would be amazed how many Porsche owners we have that have owned a 928 as their first Porsche and are still in love with the cars today. So if any of you want to join let me know. We have had a bunch of new 928 owners start to show up lately and everyone has a wonderful time.

por917

Member since 1998 and a little earlier just didn't renew faithfully then.

Tom in Austin

Interesting thread ... last time I hung out with local PCA was for a PCA-Ferrari joint event where we met the Pres of the Ferrari club, Mike Lambert, and found out he has a '95 GTS daily driver.

I think that may mean something on a karmic level, not sure exactly what at the moment ...

DJF1

Ive been a member for 15 years of so, past VP and Director at Canada West and chair of the 2010 Escape.
I just dont see what some of you guys see with regards to snobs etc. Its a club and like every club it has people who are passionate about a model, it has posers and show offs etc. Some of our 928 brethren here are equally snobbish when it comes to the 911's. What does that say about you?

IMO its a great club with great people. Some you mesh with some you dont. Its a simple as that. Find like minded people and enjoy some really great events. I have made strong friendships through the club and have some fantastic memories from events. In my book its a great club.

Jerry Feather

The way this thread seems to be going, I think, justifies what I am posting here.

We, Bette, Aaren and I, just got back from Denver where we took a 1/189th part in the record setting gathering of Porsches for the Rocky Mountain Region of the PCA. I have been a member of this region of the PCA for nearly as long as the PCA itself, (and I wore my 40 year PCA Membership tag to this event), but have not taken much of a part in the Regional activities mainly because of the 250 mile distance that seperates us from most of it.

However, our very own Sharkster, Erik Behrendsen, (who, together with Richard Lang, put on the OCIC in Denver in 2006, the year that I first became actually involved with the 928), is also the PCA RMR social chairman, and he organized and executed the now largest gathering of Porsches, for who knows what extent, where we had 189 Porsches of probably every ilk all in one place for a social gathering at what I think is Larry Winkler's Man Cave in Arvada, a suburb of Denver.

It was a great party and wonderful to see all the different Porsches there. We had at least 12 Sharks there and a few more represented by members of the Rocky Mountain Sharks who came in one of their other Porsche rides.

The previous record for this event was 182 Porsches about three or four years ago. This year's event beat that record with these 189 that came out for this Gathering.

I would also note that even though the Sharks were in the minority, and not as many of our 50 or more Rocky Mountain Sharks came out as might have, we 928 folks always seem to be well received by the bulk of the RMR Region; and I think that is only partly due to the efforts of Erik Behrendsen. These RMR PCA people are just a great bunch.

Here are some pictures that I took. I didn't get nearly all of the cars in my pictures, (there were literally Porsches stuffed in every nook and cranny at Larry's place), but someone took pictures from the roof of one of the buildings, and Erik is going to try to have one or more of them show up in one of the Porsche related periodicals, prerhaps even on the Cover.

Andy Kay

I've enjoyed 6+ years with dual membership in Lone Star Region (Houston) and Maverick Region (Dallas/Ft. Worth). I became the Concours Chair for the Maverick Region last month. I've been to several Maverick events with my 928 and have always felt welcomed. I think PCA offers something for everyone.

Big Easy Sharkster

PCA member since 1980. Been in the Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans, San Antonio and Tampa chapters. My 928 has always been well received and my only regret is not being more involved with the PCA. However, what I'm gathering from this thread is that we (928'ers) need to be the ambassadors of our model. We don't have to beat them on the track, impress them with our class.