Copyright © 2000

Porsche Club of America Running In Red January, 2000 Karen Adams Karen930@PorscheNet.com

It’s hard to believe a year has passed since I was actively involved in the Region’s month to month organization. Probably since I attend so many Region events, it didn’t seem like I was uninvolved at all. I am really looking forward to joining the Board again. The addition of three new faces on the Board is also exciting. This is the highest number of new board members joining in one year that I can remember. I look forward to working with Bruce Hauben, Greg Hill and Frank Bruns in addition to the “regulars”.  I’d also like to personally thank Barbara Collazzo-Noonan, my predecesor, for the great job she did over the past two years. Barbara was always there when it counted to keep our activities running smoothly.

Much has happened in this year from a personal perspective. Two new vehicles have joined the Adams family and the beloved 944S2 has found a home with Cal and Ellen Calamari. The S2 was in two accidents within 6 months of each other (after 5 years of incident-free ownership) and at 174k + miles it was time to bid adieu. The car had recently been maintanined by Eurotech and Mike’s Autobody fixed the body damage perfectly so I expect that the Calamari’s will continue to get many good years out of that car. The replacement vehicle was a 99 V6 Passat in Midnight Blue with a Cashmere leather interior. Of course these probably aren’t the Volkswagon colors but since (as many know!) these are the ideal colors for my C2S I yearn for and hope to get eventually, I think of the colors in 911 context. I really enjoy the heated seats and a four door sedan is actually a pleasure from hosting myself out of the S2 in a short skirt. However, since I don’t like to put my computer, lunch, etc. on the beautiful leather seats I use the trunk. I do have to find some solution to the sliding around of this cargo in the trunk. The V6 is actually quite zippy and when I arrive at a clien’t I am usually picking soda cans,water bottles, apples, etc. from all reaches of this rather roomy turnk. Of course the sliding around is not too good for my laptop either! So, any and all suggestions will be considered. Perhaps I shouldn’t have passed up that Jeff Gordon lunch bag at Charlotte Motor Speedway?!

The second eagerly awaited vehicle was “Big Red”, a F350, crew cab, short bed pick up. It’s amazing how easy this vehicle is to drive considering the size. The only problems arise in parking lots and garages and much strategic maneuvering must be done in order to park. One also must be cognisant of garage heights! Considering the luxurious interior of this vehicle, however, I can’t believe they didn’t offer the option of heated seats with leather interiors! I miss that in these cold months! Big Red arrived in August and the car trailer was ordered shortly thereafter. We decided to cut to the chase and skip over many of the trailer steps that our friends have made and order an enclosed trailer right from the start, complete with cabinets and all sorts of racks. The trailer arrived in September and was put to immediate use! I picked it up from the dealer, arrived home at 4 p.m., Doug arrived at 6 p.m., loaded the 930 and we were off to Mt. Tremblant at 8 p.m.! The dealer had someone drive the trialer 18 hours straight from the manufacturing plant to get it to us that day so we could use it for this trip to Mt. Tremblant. Talk about service! As many have heard, the trip to Mt. Tremblant in itself was uneventful but upon arrival we got our first taste of what it’s like to back up a trailer. Having had to deal with a boat and trailer in a prior life we weren’t that unfamiliar with the moves. However, in pooring rain at 3 a.m. it’s another story! The track gate was locked therefore the intent to dump the trailer at the track was postponed.  Those who know the winding, rutted dirt road into the track can appreciate the fact we were able to back the trailer up with absolutely no angry words or raised voices between the two of us. I was quite proud of that accomplishment! Since that trip the truck and trailer have gotten more use and we absolutely love the set up. It makes these trips that much more enjoyable and Doug and I particularly relish the fact we can be in the same vehicle and share conversation and driving. Having a trailer makes the long distance trips that much more enjoyable and feasible.

In the area of Club activities, 2000 will be another year of eagerly awaited driving events, concours, autocrosses and social activities. Motorsports continue to increase in popularity which is good in general but puts an ever increasing premium on the availability of track time. We face incrasing pressures from other groups wanting to use the same tracks as our Region and the sale of Mt. Tremblant puts another wrinkle in the season. We intend to put together an aggressive a program as we have in the past with the objective to serve as many of our region members as possible. Look for upcoming news in the Nor’Easter about the 2000 track program.

I’d like to end with a few words about Eileen Castagna, Russell’s wife who recently passed away. Russ was one of the first people in the club who Doug & I came to know. We then quickly came to know Eileen, Christopher and Gavin as those who know Russ know how much his family means to him. Although Eileen did not participate in driving events, she supported Russ in his Club activitities and attended many of the Region’s social events. I always looked forward to the times when I knew Eileen was going to be there. When we met Eileen it was clear what attracted Russ to her. She had the same wit that Russ has. Besides her dedication to the raising of their two sons, I will remember Eileen for being one funny woman whose family came first and foremost.