Race Car Driver David Donohue becomes PCNA's '918 Client Relationship Manager'
06-26-2014, 04:44 AM
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Race Car Driver David Donohue becomes PCNA's '918 Client Relationship Manager'
I attended on June 25th the 'Start the Engines' 918 Spyder Road Show at Infineon/Sears Point race track in Sonoma, CA. To me the biggest surprise of the day was seeing David Donohue as the newly hired '918 Client Relationship Manager' on his second week of his job at PCNA! David is the son of Mark Donohue, the legendary driver who had a very close relationship with Porsche before his untimely death on August 19, 1975 after suffering a crash during a practice run for the Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring!
David is 47 years old and also has a distinguished career in racing! He won the 2009 '24 Hours of Daytona' in a Brumos-sponsored Riley-Porsche and the gt2 class in 1998 at the '24 Heures du Mans' in a Team Oreca Viper! More recently in 2013, David won the GX Class at the '24 Hours of Daytona' driving a Napleton-sponsored Porsche Cayman S!
http://blogs.motortrend.com/porsche-...?__federated=1
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...uto&id=3450490
http://www.westmontporsche.com/2013-...na-victory.htm
http://www.racing-reference.info/driver/David_Donohue
David Donohue has previously worked for PAG & PCNA as a consultant & brand ambassador, usually in a public relations role dealing with automotive media on behalf of Porsche. He will continue to live with his family in West Chester, Pennsylvania and commute to 918 events & PCNA's headquarters in Atlanta. He is the permanent replacement for Daniel Eastman, the former '918 Client Relationship Manager', who left PCNA in March to pursue other interests. Melissa Witek, a 'Personal Design Specialist' with 'Porsche Exclusive' at PCNA, ably filled in for Daniel until his replacement was found. Melissa continues to be the 'Design Specialist' for 918 customers in the US, but now resumes her responsibilities for the full range of other Porsche models that require design expertise via 'Porsche Exclusive'. She will be moving from NY to Atlanta and will be based at PCNA's headquarters.
Because of start-up delays, Porsche now expects 918 production to continue until approximately the summer of 2015, with deliveries scheduled until the Fall of 2015 here in the US. David is expected to continue in his role as '918 Client Relationship Manager' until the 918 production phase is completed at Zuffenhausen and all vehicles are sold & delivered to North American customers! This is all scheduled to take place by year-end 2015. Although not an engineer like his father (Brown, Class of 1959), David is an accomplished driver whose experience in professional racing will resonate with the customers that Porsche has targeted for this very special sports car, perhaps the most daring & technologically advanced vehicle that Porsche has produced to date! We wish David success in this new position at Porsche. And I am sure the 918 clientele in North America will appreciate his involvement with this model & its marketing program in particular!
For additional information on this 918 event at Infineon, please click on the link below to read the thread on the Rennlist 918 Forum:
https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...june-25th.html
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
In the photo, David Donohue is wearing the 918 'Acid Green' Polo Shirt!
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David is 47 years old and also has a distinguished career in racing! He won the 2009 '24 Hours of Daytona' in a Brumos-sponsored Riley-Porsche and the gt2 class in 1998 at the '24 Heures du Mans' in a Team Oreca Viper! More recently in 2013, David won the GX Class at the '24 Hours of Daytona' driving a Napleton-sponsored Porsche Cayman S!
http://blogs.motortrend.com/porsche-...?__federated=1
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...uto&id=3450490
http://www.westmontporsche.com/2013-...na-victory.htm
http://www.racing-reference.info/driver/David_Donohue
David Donohue has previously worked for PAG & PCNA as a consultant & brand ambassador, usually in a public relations role dealing with automotive media on behalf of Porsche. He will continue to live with his family in West Chester, Pennsylvania and commute to 918 events & PCNA's headquarters in Atlanta. He is the permanent replacement for Daniel Eastman, the former '918 Client Relationship Manager', who left PCNA in March to pursue other interests. Melissa Witek, a 'Personal Design Specialist' with 'Porsche Exclusive' at PCNA, ably filled in for Daniel until his replacement was found. Melissa continues to be the 'Design Specialist' for 918 customers in the US, but now resumes her responsibilities for the full range of other Porsche models that require design expertise via 'Porsche Exclusive'. She will be moving from NY to Atlanta and will be based at PCNA's headquarters.
Because of start-up delays, Porsche now expects 918 production to continue until approximately the summer of 2015, with deliveries scheduled until the Fall of 2015 here in the US. David is expected to continue in his role as '918 Client Relationship Manager' until the 918 production phase is completed at Zuffenhausen and all vehicles are sold & delivered to North American customers! This is all scheduled to take place by year-end 2015. Although not an engineer like his father (Brown, Class of 1959), David is an accomplished driver whose experience in professional racing will resonate with the customers that Porsche has targeted for this very special sports car, perhaps the most daring & technologically advanced vehicle that Porsche has produced to date! We wish David success in this new position at Porsche. And I am sure the 918 clientele in North America will appreciate his involvement with this model & its marketing program in particular!
For additional information on this 918 event at Infineon, please click on the link below to read the thread on the Rennlist 918 Forum:
https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-...june-25th.html
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
In the photo, David Donohue is wearing the 918 'Acid Green' Polo Shirt!
.
06-26-2014, 12:01 PM
#3
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
re: 'Acid Green' PTS
Yes, it shows being tested in the last PTS list that I have. It has color code 2M8. If for whatever reason that color doesn't pass the fade/coverage tests, Lichtgrün is close enough and has already been approved for several years! Why do you ask?
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
PS 'Porsche Exclusive' representatives at the 918 event told me that there are two more recent PTS 'approved' lists published by PCNA since the one dated 1/23/2014 (which I posted already at Rennlist). They are supposed to email me the latest one and I will post it as soon as I receive it.
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Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
PS 'Porsche Exclusive' representatives at the 918 event told me that there are two more recent PTS 'approved' lists published by PCNA since the one dated 1/23/2014 (which I posted already at Rennlist). They are supposed to email me the latest one and I will post it as soon as I receive it.
.
06-26-2014, 12:22 PM
#5
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
06-26-2014, 12:32 PM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Not born but bred here yes, hence the dry sarcastic sense of humour and we live in semi-detached houses that you guys call garages. We get bald fat short geezers for our PTS while you get ex beauty queen and proper racing drivers. And one more thing, your car & garage wall is driving me crazy, I am yet to take delivery of my 50th and yet I am seriously considering a Targa to add to the stable.
06-26-2014, 01:10 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Yes, it shows being tested in the last PTS list that I have. It has color code 2M8. If for whatever reason that color doesn't pass the fade/coverage tests, Lichtgrün is close enough and has already been approved for several years! Why do you ask?
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
PS 'Porsche Exclusive' representatives at the 918 event told me that there are two more recent PTS 'approved' lists published by PCNA since the one dated 1/23/2014 (which I posted already at Rennlist). They are supposed to email me the latest one and I will post it as soon as I receive it.
.
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
PS 'Porsche Exclusive' representatives at the 918 event told me that there are two more recent PTS 'approved' lists published by PCNA since the one dated 1/23/2014 (which I posted already at Rennlist). They are supposed to email me the latest one and I will post it as soon as I receive it.
.
Trending Topics
06-26-2014, 01:18 PM
#8
Another vote for the new PTS list, Eduardo. I found out yesterday I was able to trade my C4S build for their first PTS build in September and I took it. It's probably going to be Brewster Green over the Espresso/Congac, but I would love to see what has been added before committing.
Thanks as always...
Thanks as always...
06-27-2014, 01:17 PM
#9
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
They at Porsche are always try to keep us in the information loop! 
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
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06-28-2014, 11:43 AM
#10
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Part 1 - 'Start the Engines' event at Sonoma Raceway!
The Porsche 'Start the Engines' 918 Spyder road show at Sonoma Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point and Infineon) on Wednesday June 25th started pretty early. I was there at 7:50 AM and already a group of customers were driving a 918 at the track! Groups arrived by their appointed hour. I was the guest of a deposit holder (Doug & Judy B.) and they had an 8:30 AM appointment. The portable 'Porsche 918 Zentrum' was set up at the base of the permanent 'Audi Sportscar Experience' center, in large garage-like structure which normally houses classes for the various driving schools at the Raceway.
You were greeted by staff that checked your name against the invited guest list and gave you a name tag. A buffet breakfast was available in the back, although I didn't see many taking advantage of it. There was a proto-type 918 Spyder in 'Dark Blue Metallic' on display. It was hooked up to the portable Porsche 'electric' station as a show & tell. The staff member I recognized immediately was Melissa Witek. She is a 'Personal Design Specialist' at PCNA's 'Porsche Exclusive', with specific responsibilities for assisting 918 clients with their custom orders. After the unexpected exit of Daniel Eastman as '918 Spyder Client Relationship Manager' in March, Melissa filled in that key position until a full-time replacement to Daniel could be found. Melissa announced to me that indeed that position had just been filled by race car driver David Donohue, who was on his second week as an employee of PCNA in this new role! His first 918 road show, in fact, had been in COTA last week! David was greeting all arrivals and engaging in conversations with the deposit holders, prospectives buyers and guests, which frankly was all quite appropriate. There were other staff wondering about, but none other than David seem focused on engaging with the customers at the Zentrum*!
At around 8:45 David Donohue approached our party and told us that they were all set for us at the track. He escorted us down to the pit lane where the staff of the Porsche Sport Driving School at Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama was waiting for us. I recognized two of them - John Grooms and Cass Whitehead (Lead Intructor at PSDC & an old acquaintance)! But unlike at The Thermal Club where there was a large number of PSDS instructors at hand, this operation apparently was rather lean - I only saw 6 instructors on 'deck'.
The vehicles at the pit lane consisted of four 911 Turbos and two 918 Spyders. Some of the Turbos appeared not to be S models (e.g. the 'White' one for sure was not an 'S' but the 'Basalt' was an 'S'!). One was even a Cabriolet! A 'blue' Turbo coupe was use to lead a 'silver' Turbo coupe for the guest drivers to get used to the track they would later drive with their 918! That was the first 'exercise'. The two guest drivers (that was the limit of the invitations for deposit holders) would each take turns driving the 'Silver' 911 Turbo, always led in front by the 'Blue' 911 Turbo with an instructor giving driving line tips via a portable 2-way radio. I accompanied the instructor on the passenger seat of the 'blue' Turbo. It was interesting to see him drive the entire two laps of the track-learning 'exercise' at speed with only one hand at the wheel, while holding the 2-way radio with his other forelimb! Pretty darn impressive driving....if you ask me!
End of Part 1.
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
*This is not my first 918 rodeo. And I learned from the first minutes of my last event at The Thermal Club in November that unless you sought out a Porsche rep and engaged him or her in conversation, they were perfectly content with leaving you alone! From a marketing point of view (in my opinion), this is but a missed opportunity and a major 'fail'. PCNA needs to make more effective use in their expensive 'dog & pony shows' to actually engage with the clients & prospects that are attending these special events! This perceived aloof 'attitude' by most of the staff manning these Porsche events is also 'felt' at the elaborate 'Porsche Zentrum' that PCNA puts on at The Quail Lodge during the 'Historic Racing' week in August. I hope there is an 'attitude adjustment' correction in the near future if PCNA hopes to make more effective use of their marketing expenditures and make their guests feel more welcomed & informed! Just my impressions which I hope is taken as constructive criticism...but I'll now get off the soapbox!
You were greeted by staff that checked your name against the invited guest list and gave you a name tag. A buffet breakfast was available in the back, although I didn't see many taking advantage of it. There was a proto-type 918 Spyder in 'Dark Blue Metallic' on display. It was hooked up to the portable Porsche 'electric' station as a show & tell. The staff member I recognized immediately was Melissa Witek. She is a 'Personal Design Specialist' at PCNA's 'Porsche Exclusive', with specific responsibilities for assisting 918 clients with their custom orders. After the unexpected exit of Daniel Eastman as '918 Spyder Client Relationship Manager' in March, Melissa filled in that key position until a full-time replacement to Daniel could be found. Melissa announced to me that indeed that position had just been filled by race car driver David Donohue, who was on his second week as an employee of PCNA in this new role! His first 918 road show, in fact, had been in COTA last week! David was greeting all arrivals and engaging in conversations with the deposit holders, prospectives buyers and guests, which frankly was all quite appropriate. There were other staff wondering about, but none other than David seem focused on engaging with the customers at the Zentrum*!
At around 8:45 David Donohue approached our party and told us that they were all set for us at the track. He escorted us down to the pit lane where the staff of the Porsche Sport Driving School at Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama was waiting for us. I recognized two of them - John Grooms and Cass Whitehead (Lead Intructor at PSDC & an old acquaintance)! But unlike at The Thermal Club where there was a large number of PSDS instructors at hand, this operation apparently was rather lean - I only saw 6 instructors on 'deck'.
The vehicles at the pit lane consisted of four 911 Turbos and two 918 Spyders. Some of the Turbos appeared not to be S models (e.g. the 'White' one for sure was not an 'S' but the 'Basalt' was an 'S'!). One was even a Cabriolet! A 'blue' Turbo coupe was use to lead a 'silver' Turbo coupe for the guest drivers to get used to the track they would later drive with their 918! That was the first 'exercise'. The two guest drivers (that was the limit of the invitations for deposit holders) would each take turns driving the 'Silver' 911 Turbo, always led in front by the 'Blue' 911 Turbo with an instructor giving driving line tips via a portable 2-way radio. I accompanied the instructor on the passenger seat of the 'blue' Turbo. It was interesting to see him drive the entire two laps of the track-learning 'exercise' at speed with only one hand at the wheel, while holding the 2-way radio with his other forelimb! Pretty darn impressive driving....if you ask me!
End of Part 1.
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
*This is not my first 918 rodeo. And I learned from the first minutes of my last event at The Thermal Club in November that unless you sought out a Porsche rep and engaged him or her in conversation, they were perfectly content with leaving you alone! From a marketing point of view (in my opinion), this is but a missed opportunity and a major 'fail'. PCNA needs to make more effective use in their expensive 'dog & pony shows' to actually engage with the clients & prospects that are attending these special events! This perceived aloof 'attitude' by most of the staff manning these Porsche events is also 'felt' at the elaborate 'Porsche Zentrum' that PCNA puts on at The Quail Lodge during the 'Historic Racing' week in August. I hope there is an 'attitude adjustment' correction in the near future if PCNA hopes to make more effective use of their marketing expenditures and make their guests feel more welcomed & informed! Just my impressions which I hope is taken as constructive criticism...but I'll now get off the soapbox!
06-30-2014, 11:59 AM
#13
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Part 2a - 'Start the Engines' event at Sonoma Raceway!
The exercise to learn the track on 911 Turbos for the deposit holders, prospects and/or guests invited to drive the 918 Spyders at Sonoma Raceway made sense because Porsche had elected to use a 'slower' line in the back straights. From turn 8A, the organizers of this Porsche event selected to use the outside alternate portion of the track which led to a chicane at turn 9a which forced the driver to slow down the vehicle to almost a crawl, prior to resuming the normal track to turn 10 and the big turn at 11, which leads to the front of the grandstands & pit lane! See attached diagram of the track and the overhead photo of the Raceway (1 & 2). This is the first time I have seen the chicane at turn 9a used at any driving school I have ever attended at Sonoma Raceway! Not even the R8's at the 'Audi Sportscar Experience' based here at Sonoma Raceway impose this 'tortuous' route on its participants. But seeing the organizers choose that route gave me, and anyone else familiar with the track, a realization that Porsche objective at this road show was 'Nice & Easy'. They were not going to take any chances with their precious 918's with this field of invited drivers at Sonoma Raceway!
Two 918 Spyders waited at the pit lane for the drivers of the 'Silver' 911 Turbos which by now had completed two laps each learning the track, always with the 'Blue' 911 Turbo with a Porsche Sport Driving School (PSDS) in the lead. The first 918 Spyder was Vin# WP0CA2A16FS800134. This was a production car (#134). It appeared to be 'Liquid Metal Silver' (although I have not yet confirmed its color) and had an attractive 'Mocha Brown - Orange' interior. It was not a Weissach and had standard Spyder wheels. However, it sported the optional roof, rear view mirrors & rear spoiler in exposed 'carbon fiber' - a very nice look!
Correction: David Donohue has informed me today that the exterior color of 918 Spyder #134 is the optional 'Liquid Metal Chrome Blue'.
End of Part 2a
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
Two 918 Spyders waited at the pit lane for the drivers of the 'Silver' 911 Turbos which by now had completed two laps each learning the track, always with the 'Blue' 911 Turbo with a Porsche Sport Driving School (PSDS) in the lead. The first 918 Spyder was Vin# WP0CA2A16FS800134. This was a production car (#134). It appeared to be 'Liquid Metal Silver' (although I have not yet confirmed its color) and had an attractive 'Mocha Brown - Orange' interior. It was not a Weissach and had standard Spyder wheels. However, it sported the optional roof, rear view mirrors & rear spoiler in exposed 'carbon fiber' - a very nice look!
Correction: David Donohue has informed me today that the exterior color of 918 Spyder #134 is the optional 'Liquid Metal Chrome Blue'.
End of Part 2a
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
Last edited by Z356; 07-01-2014 at 02:49 AM.
06-30-2014, 01:15 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Fantastic birds eye view of the car & thanks as always for this great treat. The other pictures I have seen of 'Liquid Metal Silver' are a lot more liquid & darker (& would they use such an expensive option on test cars?) but I don't think any where in such strong sunlight so it could well be, although if it is it would be a shame as it looks like plain silver.
06-30-2014, 01:25 PM
#15
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
Fantastic birds eye view of the car & thanks as always for this great treat. The other pictures I have seen of 'Liquid Metal Silver' are a lot more liquid & darker (& would they use such an expensive option on test cars?) but I don't think any where in such strong sunlight so it could well be, although if it is it would be a shame as it looks like plain silver.
Correction: David Donohue has informed me today that the exterior color of 918 Spyder #134 is the optional 'Liquid Metal Chrome Blue'.
This is the second time I see 'Liquid Metal Chrome Blue', but the first on a production 918 Spyder. The first time was in Carmel when Porsche brought an experimental 918 RSR coupe for display at the 2011 'Historics' week in August (see photo #2). Frankly, I was expecting to see more 'Blue' on this color (see photo #3). I am a big fan of unusual paints, but I can't mentally justify the $63K it would take to order either of these 'Liquid Metal' colors on a 918 if I was a customer for this vehicle. But that is just me.
On the standard 918 model, I would definitely paid the $20+K extra for a beautiful Paint to Sample color such as 'Acid Green', 'Signal Yellow', 'Pastel Orange', 'Signal Green', 'Riviera Blue', etc. And on the Weissach, I would opt for white with a Martini or Salzburg foil wrap!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Carmel
Last edited by Z356; 07-01-2014 at 03:13 AM.