Living in the Driver’s Seat – Local Porsche Club Of America Chapter Celebrates 30 Years

 
The local chapter of the Porsche Club of America is celebrating 30 years of community service, longstanding friendships and endless open road this year.  How do they celebrate?  In style, of course!
On April 17, the local chapter will host an open-air concours event featuring 20-25 Porsches of all makes and models on the lawn at College of the Canyons at 10 a.m.  A casual concours, cars will be judged according to their level of cleanliness.  If a car is displayed in traditional full concours, every minute detail will be on display – from the engine to inside the glove box.  Depending on the participants, cars from the 50s to 2015 could be on show.
“We invite the community to come, walk around and enjoy the cars!” said chapter President Lori DeCristo.
Headed up by a local president, the California Inland Region Chapter, which contains the Santa Clarita Valley, runs north to south from Bishop to Palmdale and east to west from the Nevada border to the Pacific Coast Trail.  Today, the club includes 94 active members.
“Several members in our region have been with the club for 30 years,” Lori said proudly.  “Generally people join and stay active for years at a time.”
The good news?  You don’t have to own a Porsche to participate in the club – you just have to love good cars and good people.
“We’re a group of people from all different walks of life who all have an interest in cars.  We also get spouses, friends and family of Porsche lovers, too,” Lori said.
And each member finds his or her own way to the Porsche Club.
“Some people race Porsches; others participate in a concours,” Lori said, “while some members just like to hit the open road or attend road rallies.”
The club’s activities are consistent yet varied, ranging from socials to races.  On a monthly basis, the local chapter holds at least one driving event and social get-together, as well as a breakfast meeting at Margaritas Mexican Grill in Valencia.   The group also participates in car shows, road rallies and other national club events all around the country.  Multiple times a year, members can participate in annual events such as the Porsche Parade, Autocross or PCA Treffen North America, which all offer various ways to drive, compete or just meet other Porsche enthusiasts.  But a meet-up also can be as simple as a call from the open road.
“Sometimes we just pick a place, find some really fun roads to get there and go!” Lori said.  “It usually revolves around good food.”
Though events and club members’ patronage support local communities, club members often look for other ways to show support, as well.  On a semi-regular basis, the Drivers Education program offers teens of club members a chance to learn basic driving safety practices.  What’s the trade-off for spending a whole day practicing safe driving?  The teen gets a shot at driving his or her parents’ Porsche!
“You drive with an instructor and learn how to drive on a track,” Lori said, “so it feels pretty cool for teens.”
And that sentiment is felt throughout the entire group.
“It’s just a cool group,” Lori said brightly.  “You really get what you put in with this group.”
The California Inland Region chapter meets every first Saturday of the month at the Greenhouse Café in Lancaster.  To attend the concours event on April 17, please contact concours@cai.pca.org or visit cai-pca.motorsportsreg.com.  For more information on becoming a member or attending an event, please cai.pca.org or call 661-513-3209.

photos by Joie de Vivre Photographie

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