Happy PCA - Chicago Region Year 56!
Now is the time we waited for all winter. The sun shines a little longer each day, I’m trusting the temperature will warm up and my honey-do-list is about as done as it’s going to get until next winter.
I’m starting off with a challenge to you. Please continue to attend your favorite events but I challenge you to attend at least one new event this season. As I always say, what’s the worst that can happen - you drive your Porsche, spend the day in the fresh air, talk to other enthusiasts, make some new friends and avoid chores and emails! Total Win-Win.
A few things to know about this year’s events:
- You asked for more Cars ‘n Coffee so there is one every month from April through September
- Cars ‘n Coffee on June 8 is hosted by our very own David MacNeil, owner of WeatherTech. He’ll be displaying his multi-million dollar Porsche collection so save the date for a once-in-a-lifetime event.
- Potter’s Picnic will again be held on a Saturday - August 3
- One of our driving tours will be July 19-22 to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
- Since we have something every weekend from April through September, you cannot possibly be bored this season. Our calendar includes:
- 1 Autocross School & 5 Autocrosses 1 Concours School & Chili Tasting 1 Concours Judging School 1 Charity Car Show & 5 Concours 1 Rallye School & 5 Rallyes
- 6 Driving Education Events (4 Blackhawk, Autobahn, GingerMan)
- RADE (Road America Drivers Education) TRAC (The Road America Challenge) 3 Tech Sessions 2 Driving Tours
- 2 Mix ‘n Mingles
- 5 Cars ‘n Coffees 2 Socials
- 1 General Membership Meeting
- 12 Board Meetings and Calendar Planning Meeting
Remember - just show up!
I would like to thank our outgoing Secretary Jack Stephensen, Director John Diwik and Coordinators Carl & Carol Armand (Social), Pete Faehnrich (Autocross Tech) and Scott Lynn (GingerMan) for their time and dedication to their respective roles and to the membership.
Welcome to Secretary Chuck LaMantia, Directors Cheryl Lehman Collier and Carl Armand and Coordinators Buz Browne (Autocross Tech), John Diwik (Driving Tours), Pete Faehnrich and Kurt Konrath (GingerMan), Michael Grove (Concours) Jim Ptak (Autocross), Sharon Ptak (Social), Nicki Sangdahl (Buddy Program) and Zone 13 Rep James Jacisin.
Thanks to Keith Clark and Chuck LaMantia for hosting our 55th Dinner Dance and Awards Banquet at Butterfield Country Club. The food was delicious, the decor was beautiful and the prizes were won by many happy members. And thanks to Karen, Brandon and Brittany Clark, Gabi LaMantia and Sue Tobin for their help before and during the event. Your work is greatly appreciated. A great time was had by all.
That evening, I was honored to present to 2 Marines our Chicago Region Charity donation to Toys for Tots in the amount of $20,000! You donated an unprecedented $10,995.75 and the Chicago Region rounded the check up to the $20,000 donation. Thank you for your very generous donations throughout the year. Please read the accompanying article to learn how the Marines use your donations. The highlight of the evening is the awards presentation. Please take a moment to review (elsewhere in this issue) who- won-what and thank the Honorary Award recipients for their dedication.
And now onto 2013!
We started the year with 50+ attendees at our first Mix ‘n Mingle of the season. Thanks to Sharon Ptak who hosted our first downtown Chicago event at Haymarket Brewery & Pub and to John Neurauter for his hospitality at his establishment. It was great to see so many members who can’t always make the events in the suburbs.
Our annual Membership Meeting was held at the new Pinstripes in Oakbrook and received rave reviews. This is a great event that takes a dozen people to be successful. Membership Coordinator Nicki Sangdahl greeted each member and with the help of husband Stanley, son Logan and daughter Karlin performed a skit to introduce the Buddy Program to new members. Cheryl Lehman Collier (Autocross), Steve Rashbaum (Rallye), Michael Grove (Concours) and Kori Kwak (Tech) worked their respective display tables, handed out event information and answered questions in addition to giving presentations on their upcoming events. John Ruther spoke on Drivers Education and Club Racing. Thank you to all. And thanks to the 170+ members who attended. I was thrilled to see so many new members. We wouldn’t do the event if it weren’t for you. Now, I look forward to seeing you at the events!
The Club returned to Napleton Porsche in Westmont for our 23rd Annual Concours School and Chili Tasting. Thanks to Michael Grove for chairing the event and hosting an “Introduction to Concours” class. As usual David Angelus, Ron Bean, James Jacisin, Rich Laurie, Tom Stark, Hank Weil and Pat Yanahan demonstrated their techniques.
Members learned how to care for their car’s interior, exterior, chassis and engine. Given the instructors’ national reputation for excellence, cars will look better than brand new.
Then there was the food! Sixteen chilies prepared by our member chefs fed our 175 hungry members. Prizes were awarded for chili - Beaniest, Hottest, Meatiest, Tomatoiest, and Veggiest. Then my favorite part - desserts. I enjoyed all 4 of them. Thanks to all the chefs and to all judges - well done.
Thanks to Nancy Grove, Beth Diwik, Barb Stark and Karen Morse who worked registration and all who set-up Saturday evening and cleaned-up Sunday afternoon. Great job everyone.
The following Sunday, Napleton Porsche allowed us the rare opportunity to learn exactly what it took to build No. 16 - the Porsche Cayman S that won, in its rookie season, the all-new GX Class at the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona. At their race shop in Hinsdale, Joey Bounsante organized his race crew into 6 rooms, reviewing the technology and strategy that went into building their race car. Thanks to Ron Barnaba and Kerry Terlep for providing a delicious breakfast and luncheon buffet. Your generosity allowed the $1470 proceeds to be donated to our Region’s charity, Toys for Tots. Thanks to Pete Faehnrich and Kori Kwak for organizing the event and to Dan Cubric, Candyce Jones and Heidi Witte for working registration.
Thanks again to Napleton Porsche and Ron Barnaba for allowing us to use both your facilities. And thanks to Kerry Terlep and the Napleton crew who gave up 2 of their Sundays.
Thanks to John and Jeannie Ruther for another successful Spring Tech Session at Northstar Motorsports. Seventy-nine attendees started off their St Patrick’s Day with a safety demonstration by Peter Sygieda and Renee. Then Peter Faehnrich and Kori Kwak used Neil MacDonald’s GT3 for a comedic skit on completing the new tech sheet and learning what to expect when you get to the track. Thanks to Tech Team members John Hamilton, Glenn DeWeirdt and Candyce Jones for working registration. John - thanks for the raffle prizes and for opening your doors on a Sunday.
I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event and remember - we are a volunteer organization. We can always use your help.
Seriously, Life is Good.
Cindy Jacisin