2006 | 2005

Governance Presidents Message April 2006 Hey Springtime Fans, If you did not sign up for Parade yet, please try. At the time I’m writing this the Portland group wasn’t expecting an immediate sell out. We don’t get Parade this close to us very often, and it should be a whole lot of fun! The most current information on Parade is online at http://www.pca.org/parade/2006/. It is difficult to say if we are going to have a month filled with showers, but let’s hope not. The driving season is hitting full force this month and we’ve got plenty of opportunities to get out and appreciate some fine German engineering. Our second Autocross Series event is on the 8th, and if you missed the first event there is still plenty of time to get out there and win. I believe this season each event will be having FIVE runs instead of four. That’s a 25% increase in excitement for the same amount of money. That’s a pretty good deal, nowadays. The first Driver’s Education event is being held on Sunday the 9th. I love going out to the track. The people, the driving, the sounds, the smell of engines, etc. It is always a great time. Our cross-club instructors’ clinic went very well, so all instructors should be raring to go. If you didn’t make the registration deadline for this one, our next one is in June. The “More Smiles to the Miles” tour is on the 22nd. This is an annual favorite. Please come on out and take a drive through some incredibly scenic country. There isn’t anything like 30+ Porsches running down a country road. It just adds to the scenery. On the more social side, we have the casual dinner to honor Past Presidents happening on the 18th. Last year’s dinner allowed me to meet several members whom I’d never even seen before. Please RSVP to join us in an evening with the culmination of PNWR history. Let’s not forget our Technical Education series, which moves out to the Olympic Peninsula this month for a very informative session with Max RPM. We’re told that Alex will be discussing his new dynamometer and Brembo brake upgrades as well as having his “special” BBQ afterwards. As a club, each year we select a “Charity of the Year”. Last year we selected “Anna’s Ride Home” (http://www.annaarmstrongwhite.com/). This is a local charity which helps keep intoxicated people from getting behind the wheel and hurting others. It is time to discuss who the 2006 Charity of the Year will be. If anyone has any suggestions for a new charity, or if you would like to continue with our current charity, please send a note to any PNWR board member. Lastly, I would like to take a moment to recognize some of our sponsors for going above and beyond. Mark Israel at Eurotech Bodywerkes delivered a repaired car to a member who had had a minor mishap with a delivery truck. When the member got the repaired car home, he noticed that the airbag light was on. After a discussion with Mark, it was concluded that the car’s battery had gone dead while in the shop and the computer codes needed to be cleared. Instead of saying “just bring it in”, Mark drove from Kirkland to south Seattle. He picked up the car, had it checked out mechanically, the computer cleared, and returned it within 90 minutes. Great customer service! Squire Tomasie (Squire’s Autowerke) and Marv Engstrom (Magic Customs) worked together to help a member get his car sorted after a Skills Day brush excursion. When two sponsors can put the interests of our members in such high regards, that is very special. The car came out better than before! Huzzah to them both! Barrier Porsche - who has hosted our board meetings for the past few years. This required the after hours use of the showroom and one of their employees to stay late. All I can say is, “thank you”. As the economy has gotten tighter, Barrier has had to ask us to pay for the table and chair rentals. They had been absorbing this cost and we were unaware of it! Thank you again for your generosity. Park Place Motors, who in light of rentals noted above, has graciously offered to host our board meetings free of charge, and supply tables and chairs. Thanks to you too! These sponsors have displayed what I believe is true enthusiasm for Porsches and our club. When looking for services, please remember our sponsors. They rely on us as much as we rely on them. If anyone has more recent stories of our sponsors going above and beyond, please send them to me. My wife and I initially joined PNWR for the cars. But, we have stayed because of all the amazing people and their passion. -Dennis Coplen 2006 PNWR President