TREFFEN TOURS READY TO ROLL!!!
der Riesenbaum
Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region

May 2024 Volume 60, Issue 5

Upcoming Calendar

May
25 - Franz Valley Rally Register
26 - Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event – Vintage Oaks, Novato
28 - Board Meeting, Torches in Petaluma

June
23 - Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event – Vintage Oaks, Novato
25 - Board Meeting, Torches in Petaluma
29 - Goat Rock Rally

July
13 - Porsches on the Plaza @ Sonoma Square
20 - Tour to Pech Merle Winery
28 - Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event – Vintage Oaks, Novato
30 - Board Meeting, Torches in Petaluma
PCA / Zone 7 Calendar

May
19 - ZONE 7 Juding Clinic & Judging School @ Shingle Springs.
25 - Diablo's 40th Anniv. Events
26 - Diablo's 40th Anniv. Events
27 - Zone 7 & Diablo Concours @ The Livery in Danville

June
9 - Zone 7 & SVR Concours @ Porsche of Sacramento
9 - 15 - Porsche Parade - Alabama
16 - CCR DE Laguna Seca (92db)
28 - Diablo DE. @ Sonoma Raceway
29 - 30 - GGR DE/CR @ Sonoma Raceway

July
14 - Zone 7 & SNR Concours @ Mormon Station, Nevada 
21 - Zone 7 & MB Concours @ Carmel Valley Park
27 - SVR Tour to Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards (St. Helena)
28 - 8/4 - Treffen at Sea

Non-PCA Events of Interest
First Sunday each month – Marin Cars & Coffee – Vintage Oaks, Novato
5/10 - 5/12 - IMSA Races at Laguna Seca
5/19 - 356 Registry Cars & Coffee – Vintage Oaks, Novato
6/8 - 6/9 NASCAR at Sonoma Raceway
6/16 - 356 Registry Cars & Coffee – Vintage Oaks, Novato
7/21 - 356 Registry Cars & Coffee – Vintage Oaks, Novato
7/26 - 7/28 -NHRA @ Sonoma Raceway
UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS

Sept. 26 – 29 – Third Annual Murphys Ironstone Concours D’Elegance.
This is another overnight in beautiful California Gold Country. After a spirited drive from the Bay Area to Murphys the weekend will include
  • 28th Annual Ironstone Concours D’Elegance.
  • Group BBQ dinner at the Historic Murphys Hote
  • Tours on the twisty roads of Calaveras County
  • In-town wineries, shops, and galleries and more…

Stay tuned for registration information. While the host hotel has been sold out with members from last year, there are many more lodging options in the area!
From the Editor
David Bunch
der Riesenbaum Editor

We're looking for a webmaster to maintain our club's website. If you have experience and would like to join our volunteer team, please reach out to Stacy.

Hope you enjoy this month's der Riesenbaum.
If you have an article you'd like to include in a future issue, please email me.
President's Message
Sharon Neidel
President

By now I’m sure you have noticed this issue is dedicated to Treffen Wine Country and for good reason. This was
a significant event in the history of Redwood Region. For
anyone who is not aware Treffen is a bi-annual national PCA event that Redwood Region was selected to host for the Spring 2024. Planning the event has been a big
commitment for a number of members and it’s hard to believe it is finally over. Needless to say it was a huge success. The participants had a wonderful time in the wine country and PCA is very happy with the effort and results.

There are so many people to thank for this effort. At the top of the list are Vern Rogers
and Jeff Hall who have spent hundreds of hours planning the tours and negotiating with
the venues. Also Craig Steele who laid a lot of the ground work on the route planning
and then on obtaining the radios with Don Magdanz.

We all owe a big than you to all of the volunteers who made Redwood Region shine for
PCA including: Vern Rogers, Jeff Hall, Tom & Wendy Strobel, Tom & Philippa Short,
Craig Steele, Don Nohai, Ruby & Bruce Lawton, Paul & Rona Stefani, Scott &
Cheryl Peterson, Joe Burroughs, Eric Seabrook, Rex Simmons, Karen Sherman, Pat
& Katherine Burke, Kathleen Smith, Rick & Linda Duste, Don Magndanz, Greg
Matsumoto, Ben & Lisa Davoren, Christina & Chuck Perry, Essy & Rosa Fariab,
Sharon Castle-Rogers, Eileen & Paige Gaines, David Bunch, Kurt Fischer, Gil
Ingleheart, Bob Howard, Bill Gibson, Cheryl Spott, John Ellis, Paul & Barbara
Chrisman.

PCA thanked the volunteers with a social during Treffen and some very nice prizes.
Congratulations to the three big winners- Lisa Davoren won the Coco Mats, Rick Duste
won a set of Pirelli tires and the Biggest winner of all, Kurt Fischer won the cruise
courtesy of Princess Cruise Lines.
We owe a thanks you to the venues who hosted our lunches, Northwoods Bistro, Martin
Ray Winery, Maxville Winery and Viansa Winery. Viansa was also the staging location
both mornings and for several pre-runs of the routes. When you have the opportunity
please visit and support these venues. Finally, a huge thank you to Porsche Marin for
their support of the planning and the beautiful gift boxes they provided the volunteers
and participants.

Treffen is now a memory and it’s time to focus on Redwood Region again.
I am hard at work planning a 55th anniversary celebration for the best region in PCA.
Questions – email me.
Sharon
Kurt Fischer wins the Treffen Wine Country “Volunteer Grand Prize” of a FREE CRUISE for him and Cris on any of “Princess Cruises USA cruises, PCA’s official cruise vacation partner.

When Redwood Region hosted the very first PCA “Escape to the Wine Country” in 2005, David Bunch was President of Redwood and Kurt was the “Escape” Chairperson and
directed the event.
Congratulations Cris & Kurt!!!!
Congratulations to Rick & Linda Duste on winning a set of Pirelli Tires at the Treffen Volunteer Social the other night.
Rick & Linda lead a group at the Porsche Club of America national PCA Treffen event in Napa wine country.
President Sharon Neidel accepting the PCA Appreciation Award on behalf of the Redwood Region from PCA Treasurer Richard Strahota, PCA Vice President Ron Gordon and PCA Executive Vice President Craig Kugler at the Treffen Closing Dinner.
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE AT TREFFEN WINE COUNTRY.
PORSCHE OF MARIN

Kyle Festog
General Manager
VIANSA WINERY

Chris Sebastiani
MAXVILLE WINERY

Doug Berlogar
MARTIN RAY WINERY

Tyler Head &
Brooke Morella
NORTHWOODS RESTAURANT

Chris Schilling
Link to the PCA National Treffen Photo Gallery.
Photos by Will Anthony, Paige Gaines, Katherine Burke,
Essy Fariab & David Bunch.
Vice-President's Message
Pat Burke
Vice-President

Hello to our Redwood Region members! It’s May and with the big PCA National Treffen event behind us, we’re looking forward to several exciting region events that are on tap
in the coming months!

As this month’s newsletter goes to print, the Club is holding its first ever Weekend in Paso Robles with challenging roads, world class wineries, “Light Shows”, museums and
more! Later this Month, on Saturday, May 25th there is an “entry level” Monte Carlo
style rally. The 50-mile rally starts in Santa Rosa and will end in Windsor. All turns will
be clearly identified, there are no traps and math calculations are not necessary. If you
haven’t participated in a rally before, this is a great, fun run experience. You can register
by following this link. Franz Valley Rally. Keep an eye on our Events Calendar!
As I mentioned above, the National Treffen event was hosted by our Redwood Region.
PCA members from all over the country arrived in Sonoma and participated in 4 days of
events. My wife, Katherine and I were extremely fortunate to be the “lead” car on one of
the four offered driving tours, over 2 days. My “sweep” on both days was Jeff Hall (our
region’s membership director) and his wife Kathleen. We couldn’t have asked for a
better team. Jeff and I stayed in constant radio communication and were able to
navigate to group without a single hiccup! We had 13 Porsches follow us each day on
the “Napa Valley Vineyards, Mountains, and Lake tour.”
Videos of our Tours leaving Viansa Winery Group 1 & Group 2.
My worst nightmare (having a GT3 directly behind my C4S) came true on the first day!
We arrived at the starting location and there it was. A beautiful Miami Blue specimen in
the #1 position. I met the owner, and he told me that he had two, one being his track car
and this one that he was driving that day. He promised to not push me to the limit and
he was right. Over the span of 70 miles, I had to slow down the pace several times to
keep him in my mirror. Nightmare over! As we left Sonoma and made our way into the
Napa Valley, the group was treated to the beautiful scenery of vineyards, mountains with
lake views on a fabulous 80-degree day with our sunroofs open and tops down. Having
driven this route more than 5 times for several months to familiarize myself to all the
turns and angles, it was the first time doing so without rain! It was a wonderful day!
A special thanks to Doug Berlogar and his team at Maxville Winery!
They provided the group with and unforgettable experience including lunch, wine, views and venue. Quite a few attendees purchased wine and joined their wine club!
The Tours would not have been the same without our “bio breaks” at the Turtle Rock
Bar and Café along the route. Yes, those are dollar bills on the ceiling.
Day 2 featured “Gas Can” Gary from Indianapolis!
No one got within ten car lengths of him.
The Treffen "Napa Vineyards, Mountains & Lake Tour" Leads & Sweeps.
L>R. Rick & Linda Duste, Kathleen & Jeff Hall, Katherine & Pat Burke,
Don Magdanz & Greg Matsumoto.
As always, I’m extremely honored to be your Vice President and I look forward to seeing
you at one or more of our future events and, if we haven’t met, please introduce
yourself.
I’d love to meet you! You can always reach out to me directly at email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Thank you!
In the Zone
Zone 7 ... stay connected.

Zone 7 Website Loads of info and links.
Zone 7 Facebook main page
Diablo 40th Jubilaum 

Mark your calendar to join and celebrate the Diablo Regions 40th anniversary
3 days of events!!

Memorial Day weekend will be full of beautiful cars, tours, events, members, and guests. Following is a brief description.
Schedule of events
• 5/25/2024
* 3-Dealer Tour/Poker Rally, or
* Painting with Kelly Telfer
* Hors D'oeuvre Party at Karpark
• 5/26/2024
* 7-Bridges Tour/Gimmick Rally, or
* Livermore Wine and Beer Trolly
* Dinner at the Doubletree
• 5/27/2024 (Monday)
* Annual Car Show (Wash & Shine) @ Danville Livery
* Zone 7 Concours @ Danville Livery
Sacramento Vally Region invites Members of
Zone 7 Regions to join them:
SVR Tour to Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards II, July 27th, 2024.

Registration is OPEN.
What Better Way to Combine a Thrilling Drive in Our Cars with the
Equivalent Experience in the Wine World?
Come join us for a drive to the St. Helena wine region and this unique winery,
world renowned for its vintages.
Sitting on forty acres, this will be a truly unique, highly personal
and educational wine tasting experience.

Meet in West Sacramento (details TBD) @ 8:00 am, driver’s meeting
and departure at 8:30.
A wonderful drive to St. Helena via Lake Berryessa and Pope Valley
Details and Registration at http://msreg.com/ConnValleyWinery2024
2024 PCA and PCNA events

For a list of upcoming PCA events check out pca.org/events/
June 9-16, 2024 - Porsche Parade, Birmingham, AL, - Porsche Parade website
-Registration open.
July 27th, 2024 - SVR invites Members of Zone Z Regions to join them:
SVR Tour - Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards II, Registration opens Feb. 1st, at 8:00 a.m.
What Better Way to Combine a Thrilling Drive in Our Cars with the Equivalent Experience in the Wine World?
Come join us for a drive to the St. Helena wine region and this unique winery, world renowned for its vintages.
Sitting on forty acres, this will be a truly unique, highly personal and educational wine tasting experience. If you are
● Meet in West Sacramento (details TBD) @ 8:00 am, driver’s meeting and departure at 8:30
● A wonderful drive to St. Helena via Lake Berryessa and Pope Valley
Details and Registration
July 28th to August 4th, 2024 - Treffen at Sea - Alaskan Adventure (Alaska Inner Passage) - Seattle departure and return port. Treffen at Sea website.
August 16, 2024 - Werks Reunion, Monterey, - Werks Reunion website
-Registration opens May 22, 2024.
 Porsche Parade, Oklahoma City, OK, 2025
2024 Zone 7 Autocross Series Schedule
Date - Location - Host Region
Sept. 21 @ Thunderhill Raceway AX Pad - Sacramento Valley
Sept. 22 @ Thunderhill Raceway AX Pad - Redwood
Oct. 12 @ Crows Landing Loma Prieta
Oct. 13 @ Crows Landing Golden Gate
Oct. 19 @ Madera Sequoia
2024 Zone 7 Concours Series Schedule
JUDGING SCHOOLS
May 19 Zone Judging School Shingle Springs, Ca.
Date Location Host Region
May 27 (Monday) @ The Livery in Danville Diablo
June 9 @ Porsche of Sacramento Sacramento Valley
July 14 @ Mormon Station, Nevada Sierra Nevada
July 21 @ Carmel Valley Park Monterey Bay
August 4 @ Porsche of Redwood City Golden Gate
September 22 @ Porsche of Fremont Loma Prieta
October 6 @ Sonoma Plaza Redwood
2024 DE/Track/Club Race events
June 16: Central Coast Region DE. @ Laguna Seca (Note: 92 db)
June 28: Diablo Region DE. @ Sonoma Raceway
June 29-30: GGR DE 4 and Club Race 3 @ Sonoma Raceway
Aug. 2: Diablo Region DE. @ Thunderhill Raceway 3 mile
Aug. 3-4 GGR DE 2 and Club Race 1 @ Thunderhill Raceway 3 mile
Oct. 11: Diablo Region DE. @ Thunderhill Raceway 3 mile
Oct. 12-13: GGR DE 6 and Club Race 5 @ Thunderhill Raceway 3 mile

PCA Diablo: Porsche Club of America Diablo Region, click here for general information on PCA Diablo DE events.
PCA - GGR:  Porsche Club of America Golden Gate Region, click here for general information on PCA GGR DE events.
PCA - CCCR: Porsche Club of America California Central Coast Region, click here for general information on PCA CCCR DE events.

Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event
Uncle Ferry
wants you…
to join the
P.O.S.S.E!
May 26,
8 am to 10 am.

What’s this, you ask?
It’s the Porsche Owners Sunday Social Event…

Who’s invited?
Any Porsche owner or driver, regardless of the model they have.

When is it?
Every fourth Sunday of the month from 8 am to 10 am.

Where is it?
In front of Starbucks, at the familiar Vintage Oaks Shopping Center,
in Novato.

How much will it cost?
Nothing, nada, zip, zero.

Why is this happening?
It’s an opportunity for Porsche owners to have an informal get-together, at a North Bay location, before going to brunch, heading to the hills, cruising to the coast… or, wherever one wishes to drive that day. It’s a chance to meet and talk to your fellow Porsche owners. It’s a chance to put names and faces with the cars. It’s a chance to show off your ride!

See you there!
Upcoming Events
My TREFFEN Wine Country Memories
Craig Steele
LEAD2 Coastline-Cinematic Tour

Last year, Redwood Region accepted the challenge of putting on PCA's Treffen Wine Country on April 21-25. These PCA events usually involve over 200 plus Porsche drivers from all over the world. One of the first requirements before Treffen was planning and staffing volunteers to run four Sonoma County driving tours. Vern Rodgers, Jeff Hall, and I were tasked with picking the venues and routes, planning, and negotiating the meals and drinks, and staging the tour with 32 leads, sweeps and navigators.
TREFFEN TOUR Group, CA Coastline-Cinematic.
Ready to start at 8:00am from Viansa Winery.
I loved leading my 26 Treffen guests for two days on some of our the most pristine Sonoma County roads. I was blessed with a great navigator, Don Nohai and a great Sweep car driven by Ruby with navigator, Bruce Lawton. Tom and Wendy Strobel were Lead1 with Tom and Philippa Short as Sweep1, they were the first half of the tour team.
Each tour group seem to attract a following sensing something special by following our leads. During these two days of the touring of covering 92 miles of Sonoma County, we drove two of my favorite coast routes. That’s without pokies or campers; From Bodega Bay to Jenner turnoff north at intersection of CA-1N and CA-116 and heading from Fort Ross south through a set of tight curves to one-way signal light. I usually collected of bunch of smiling faces by the time we stopped for lunch at Northwood Golf Course Restaurant. There were three other tour driving teams of eight members each.
All 32 of us had to commit to two days of touring.

Based on past tour leading and planning experience, we had one big hurtle to solve. We
could not communicate safety over less than a mile long with our existing two-way walkie
talkie radios. Our tour lead and sweep drivers would be out of range most of the drive. I
commented about my radio communication challenge to my two Porsche pals who are
also radio hams, Don Magdanz, and Jerry Gladstone. I said I needed a more powerful radio,like the one I use on the USS Hornet Museum where I’m a docent twice
a month. Why can’t we have two-way radios like that for Redwood Region. We canvassed
the 2-way radio market and selected the TIDRADIO two-way radio. Don and I purchased
a pair and field tested the radios and were able to communicate 2 to 4 miles. We then put
together a proposal for the Redwood Board to purchase eight pairs of these two-way
radios, So, all leads, sweeps, and navigators can have long range communication. We
included in our proposal; storage units, exterior 1.5-meter antennas, magnet antenna
bases connected to a ten-foot cable, connecting pigtails and linen bootees to protect car
finishes from being scratched.

The boarded voted to accept our proposal and Don and I worked with Vern to train all
Treffen volunteers to install the two-way radios on their cars, as well as communication
protocols to talk with one another. We needed to use the 10-watt setting and came up with
a plan to register 16 volunteers with GMRS FCC licenses to be compliance during our tours.

Vern had several tour route outings where leads and sweeps plus their navigators learned
their routes and used the new radios to communicate. When we were actual doing the
Treffen Tours on MON-TUE, April 22-23. The two-way radio worked flawlessly, delivering
two–four-mile communication performance with minimum battery loss.

Now, the board is considering how to these radios should be used for future Redwood
Region tours. As a result of our experience with the Tre<en tours, we are discussing
outfitting the sweeps with a minimum of safety equipment. Rex Simmons, our Safety
Director, and a small group of Redwood Region members will discuss safety protocols plus select various items to be carried in each sweep car. Included in that safety bags could be; flashlights, collapsible cones flashers, safety vests, flares, flags, first aid kit, etc.
Redwood Region is looking to be the totally fun and safe touring region. Thanks to the
professional talent of our lead, sweeps, and navigator volunteers we made quite an
impression on our Treffen visitors.
My 2011 Cayman S, ‘SUZY’ was Lead2 for Treffen Wine Country Tours.
The Treffen Wine Country California Coastline Cinematic Tour took the groups out through west Sonoma out to the coast, then north to the town of Bodega for a loop around the Potter Schoolhouse from the "Birds" and then the "Bio Break" at the "Inn at the Tides" in Bodega Bay.
After the "Pit Stop" the Groups headed north through the town of Jenner to Meyers Grade Road and over to Fort Ross.
The tours then returned south along the coast with lunch at the Northwood Golf Course/Bistro.
For more pictures of TREFFEN WINE COUNTRY,
please check out Redwood's flickr account.
PCA Sim Racing
Membership Reports and Information
Jeff Hall
Membership Director

On behalf of the entire Redwood Region of the Porsche Club of America I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all our new members and transfers (from other regions) who enrolled in the month of March! If you are new to the club, you will soon be receiving a complimentary Redwood Region name badge. Please wear your badge to our events and meetings.
In the month of April, the Redwood Region celebrated forty-three anniversaries!
Twenty-five members celebrated five plus years and TWO members celebrated being
with the club for twenty-four years!!
Congratulations to all those celebrating anniversaries, but a special mention goes out to Paul Alber and Rhyne Beatty, both of whom are celebrating 24 years with the Region! Congratulations gentlemen for being such dedicated members!
My member quote of the month is from one of our Test Drive members who reached out
to Pat Burke, our VP, “can you and the club help me in my search for a vintage 3-pedal 911”. Of course we can!! If you are a member of our Test Drive program, please reach
out and we can help you look at all the different avenues by which you can acquire your new Porsche – and there are many!!

Keep your eyes on the Calendar of Events as more events are in the works and being added constantly! Keep your eyes out for upcoming tours and rallies! The “Devil is in the Details II Demo, Tour and Lunch will be on May 4th! This event was postponed due to
very inclement weather – it is being rescheduled as this newsletter goes to press.
A Monte Carlo Rally is on May 25 th . There are many other tours, rallies, concours, etc. on the calendar. The “Weekend at the Ironstone Concours” in Murphys is in late September and there will be more information on that soon!!
Once again, Happy Fifty-Fifth Anniversary to the Redwood Region! Special decals commemorating the special event will be handed out at our events and Board meetings! Everyone is welcome to join our Board meetings AND the club picks up your dinner tab.*
*Food only – alcohol is ‘no host.’
We’ve had a lot of new faces lately at these meetings - since the start of 2024 this seems to be the “year of new member involvement”!!!
Let’s keep this trend intact!

As always, please send any and all questions about membership, email me.
Cheers,
Jeff
Sponsorship Corner
Jeff Hall
Sponsorship Director
Don’t forget to patronize our sponsors and always ask for our PCA membership discount! If you ever have ideas on how to add to, improve or have questions about our Sponsorship Program please don’t hesitate to ask me. Please don’t reach out to the sponsors directly as we may already have discussions in the works about the exact idea you are enthusiastic about. Thank you!

Our sponsors are in the der Riesenbaum monthly and are on our website. They are:
Porsche Marin, Hi Tec Automotive, Auto Sport Detailing, Autobahn Automotive and Santa Rosa Body Shop!

Keep an eye on the calendar for the “rescheduled” event at Auto Sport Detailing (postponed from May 4 due to inclement weather). Autobahn Automotive (July 20th Pech Merle event) and Santa Rosa Auto Body (September 21 Octoberfest Tour) will both welcome us with coffee and pastries at the beginning of our Tour.
PORSCHE MOTORSPORTS NEWS
David Bunch

PORSCHE power continues to do very well in the ABB FORMULA E series. At the end of March in Tokyo, Jake Dennis driving in the ANDRETTI FORMULA E with Porsche 99X Electric Gen3 power took 3rd. The TAG HEUER PORSCHE drivers Antonio Felix Da Costa finished 4th and Pascal Wehrlein came across in 5th place. ANDRETTI's other, driver Norman Nato came across in 6th place.
After five visits to Rome, ABB FORMULA E racing ventured across Italy to land in Misano on the Adriatic coast for rounds 6 & 7 around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli.
In the first race, PORSCHE driver Antonio Felix Da Costa actually finished 1st but was later DQ on a "Technical Infraction". ANDRETTI's Jake Dennis started 18th but moved up to 2nd for the finish. ANDRETTI's Norman Nato came across in 7th place. The other PORSCHE driver Pascal Wehrlein, started 3rd but after contact finished 16th.
In Sunday's race TAG HEUER PORSCHE's Pascal Wehrlein, again started 3rd, became the first double winner in Season 10, when he passed the leader on the very last lap. ANDRETTI's Jake Dennis started 9th but drive great to finished 2nd again.
A couple weeks later, ABB FORMULA E arrived in Monaco, with PORSCHE's Pascal Wehrlein securing "Pole Position" but fell to finish 5th in the race. His teammate Antonio Felix Da Costa crossed the finish in 7th place.
ABB FORMULA E returns to Berlin this weekend for two races on the tough Tempelhof Airport circuit with an all-new layout for Season 10. PORSCHE's Pascal Wehrlein goes into the weekend with a 7 points lead over 2nd place and ANDRETTI's Jake Dennis in
3rd place.
Fanatec GT Races 
Brad Williams

The sun was shining and the skies were blue…. At least they were
on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the Sonoma Raceway round of the SRO Motorsports America race series. On Thursday, it was a different story. Heavy rains that day and serious issues with the newly paved track coming apart created quite a stir in the practice and qualifying schedule, as well as shifting priorities for many of the staff from SRO Motorsports Group, the race organizing body.

Nonetheless, the Redwood Region of the Porsche Club of America turned out to host a Porsche Car Corral, as well as a tent in the fan zone area directly beneath Sonoma Raceway’s grandstand and steps away from the paddock, pit lane and winner’s circle.

All manufacturer’s car corrals were hosted in the same location this year. This was on the hill between Turns 3 and 3A, as it was last year. The location allowed for great views of much of the track and also the surrounding Sonoma countryside, but made for quite a hike to get down to the fan zone and paddock area, if that is where you wished to spend segments of your time.

As for the races themselves, Porsche was well represented in the feature category, Fanatec GT World Challenge America, with two 992 GT3 R’s entered by Wright Motorsports, in the Pro category and GMG Racing in Pro Am. The Wright Motorsports team had a great weekend climbing to the podium’s top step after each of their two races. In the Pirelli GT4 America class six 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports were scattered among four different teams. In race 1 the Caymans were spread between 7th and 26th place while in race 2 they placed from 9th place through 27th. The weekend also included two rounds of the GT America series which features multi-class racing. Here Porsche was represented by GMG Racing’s 911 GT3 R as well as two Cayman Clubsports.

There was a solid representation of Porsches in the Corral as well as scattered throughout the general parking areas. The PCA RR tent in the fan zone turned out to be quite popular as PCA members stopped by to say “Hi” and discuss all things Porsche and PCA. Possibly more important, many non-members stopped in to find out more about Porsche and PCA. We had cool water to hand out to passers by (quite popular) as well as distributing almost all of David Bunch and Sharon Neidel’s quite sizable backlog of Panorama magazines to, hopefully, Porsche converts. We also handed out a large stack of PCA membership forms to persons curious about joining.

Finally, PCA RR and members from throughout Zone 7 were hosted by GMG Racing in their garage area on Sunday morning. The team owner and driver, James Sofranos, logistics coordinator, Joe Foster and drivers, Kyle Washington and Tom Sargent, gathered around their cars and gave a presentation on what a race weekend is like for a Porsche Race team. PCA members were able to listen to the presentation at the same time as the race crew was prepping the car for the upcoming afternoon race. Following the relaxed presentation all four team members stayed to answer questions from our members until all were satisfied. Mini stickers of the brightly colored #32 Ecoboost Porsche were also handed out to all who wanted one. It was definitely a high light of the weekend. Thanks again for the gracious hospitality provided by GMG Racing.

While not perfect, the weekend was a fine start to the 2024 GT racing season. A huge thanks to all of the PCA RR members, as well as Kurt Fischer, Karen Sherman and Dannen Goetze, who assisted in making the weekend the great success that it was.
My Sports Car Journey #9
The Mendocino Rally
Jim Robison

We were stuck in the service area with an overheated coil in the Volvo 142 rally car. Our solution was what came to
be known as “Jim’s water-cooled coil”. We used zip ties to secure wet shop towels around the coil, and applied
more water just before our start time. It worked, and we finished the rally; dead last but finished, DLBF.

With a new coil, we completed many more rallies, but we always had a long drive to get to them. We traveled to Southern California, Oregon, Nevada, and Idaho. There were no stage rallies in Northern California. I decided to rectify that problem.

I remembered my first stage rally in the Mendocino National Forest 35 years earlier
(Story #7) so that was a good place to begin. But I soon learned that racing was no
longer allowed in national parks. However, they told me that the Bureau of Land Management, BLM, would allow racing and, in fact, managed several “off-road vehicle parks”. With a quick search, I found the South Cow Mountain Off-Road Park east of Ukiah in Mendocino County. I visited the BLM office in Ukiah and asked if I could rent the entire park for a day. They agreed if I would provide adequate insurance.

I could get the insurance from Rally America, one of the two performance rally sanctioning bodies, but they wanted to know who my chief of emergency services was. I knew I would need to get an ambulance and EMT team for the event, but I didn’t have anyone lined up yet. Then I thought of a friend who had recently retired as a Battalion Chief with the San Francisco Fire Department. I asked if I could list him in my application and he agreed. We had a venue, insurance, and an emergency chief, now I just needed some money.

Driving up 101, just before entering Ukiah, I noticed a large sign for the Mendocino Brewing Company. A month later, we had a sponsor. The event would be called the Mendocino Red Tail Rally.

It was sanctioned by Rally America and listed in the California Rally Series. I had the dirt and the money, now I needed some advice. I contacted a very active Rallymaster and asked if I could shadow her on her next event. I learned a lot from her, including the requirement for ham radio operators.

I joined the Sonoma County Radio Amateurs, took the classes, passed the test, and got a ham radio license. I also met a ham who was into vintage race cars. With his help, we recruited all the radio operators we would need. I also visited all the Bay Area car clubs I could find promoting the event and soliciting volunteer workers. Each would be provided with lunch and a tee shirt. With a venue, a sponsor, communications, and workers, it was time to promote the event. I needed a web site and email accounts. I bought an entry-level HTML software package and built a web site. I chose GoDaddy.com to host the site because they sponsored Danica Patrick.
We did it. In August of 2010, the Mendocino Red Tail Rally marked the return of stage rallies to Northern California. Entries came from Northern and Southern California, Oregon, Nevada, and Idaho. Between drivers, co-drivers, service crews, volunteer workers, and BLM Rangers, over 200 people were involved.

The Mendocino Rally became an annual event and was included in both the California Rally Series and the Bilstein Southwest Rally Cup Series. We tried different things each year to improve the event, including adding a second venue and a second day.

In addition to Cow Mountain, the Ukiah BLM office also managed Walker Ridge on the border between Lake and Colusa counties. We could use it, but I also wanted to use a short stretch of public road in Colusa County. I got on the docket and presented my request to the Colusa County Board of Supervisors. With their approval, we got the road, plus a Colusa County Sheriff's car to block their end of the road. BLM rangers provided blocks at the other end.

Because rally cars must use public roads to transit between stages, one year, Rally America announced they were going to enforce their rules on loud cars. I approached Flowmaster in Santa Rosa, presented the argument that high performance rally cars need efficient mufflers, and walked away with their sponsorship.

It was so dusty on our roads that we started the cars at two-minute intervals just to let the dust settle. So one year, I sold the dust. I visited K&N Filters in Riverside, showed them pictures of my rally cars emerging from clouds of dust, and drove home with a signed sponsorship agreement.

I formed a committee that met throughout the year to discuss lessons learned and make plans for the next event. Two of the members were past presidents of the California Rally Series, and all members were active rallyists. After five years, at age 70, I relinquished the chair and retired. Unfortunately, forest fires and other problems forced the committee to discontinue the Mendocino Rally in 2017. As I reflect on various things I have accomplished in my life, starting a business, building a house, publishing a book, winning a silver medal for some wine I made, retiring from the army as a lieutenant colonel, earning an MBA and then a doctorate, the thing I am most proud of is the Mendocino Rally.

My website is gone, but here’s a link to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mendocinorally/

A few years ago, I retired from teaching at Sonoma State and gave my vineyard to my neighbor. My wife of 40 years passed away, and my three kids moved out of the house we built in Guerneville overlooking Korbel and the Russian River. I was driving a Kia Optima Turbo, which was a fine car, but I was missing something. I needed a sports car.

To be continued ….
Redwood Region's Photos
Board Meeting Minutes
Eileen Gaines
Secretary

The next Board Meeting will be on Tuesday May 30th from 7 pm. to 9 pm.at Torches in Petaluma at
256 Petaluma Blvd North.

Our monthly Board meetings are open to all Redwood Region Members. The club will buy your dinner; you pay
for your beverage.

If you’re interested in joining the next meeting via Zoom, send me an email and I will forward you the meeting link.  

Redwood Goodie Store
Dress in style and get your Redwood Region branded items in our Goodie Store.
Visit Redwood's on-line Goodie Store here.
der Marktplatz
Classified
Covercraft Custom Fit Car Cover
Block-it Evolution Gray All Weather Fabric from Kimberly-Clark
4-Layer Barrier provides maximum outdoor protection
Will fit all 982 Boxsters and Caymans. Hardly used, like new.
Asking $75
Jerry
707-322-3657
Classified
Earlier 911 Factory Manuals
Purchased all six (6) volumes new when I owned the first of my two 1973 CIS T’s
In excellent original condition.
Pickup locally for $1100.
David J. Neuman
der Sponsors
About der Riesenbaum
der Riesenbaum is the official newsletter of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, encompassing Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. This publication is intended to inform Club members about Club activities and other related matters of interest. 

We encourage letters to the editor, feedback, questions and suggestions about our newsletter and the Redwood Region in general. Want to contribute to the newsletter?Submit photos and articles about Club events or related activities. Please submit your entry by the 5th day of the month for inclusion in that month's newsletter. Articles received after the deadline will be considered for the next month's newsletter. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all materials submitted for publication.

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All written content and images in this publication are protected by copyright. Permission is granted to reprint any original content herein provided credit is given to the author, the der Riesenbaum and to the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region. The opinions expressed in der Riesenbaum are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region, its officers, or its members.
Thanks for supporting our Club!
David Bunch
der Riesenbaum Editor
Porsche Club of America, Redwood Region