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Because Dad Thinks It’s a Good Idea

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In November of 2023, I had the privilege of participating in the 2023 GTA Tire Rack Street Survival School. This school teaches students how to handle their vehicles in unpredictable situations. Divided into in-class lessons and in-car sessions, the course was both fun and informative. I recognize how promoting something as “both fun and educational” sounds like a municipal library ad from the 90s, but this course genuinely taught me a lot while also providing a fun experience. 

Driving to the course I wasn’t sure what to expect. Much like many of my counterparts, I had initially heard about this course from my father and had done no research prior to arriving at the event. Showing up to a BMW/Porsche Club event in a 2007 Passat, I thought I’d find myself an outsider of the group. To my pleasant surprise however, many different vehicles were at the event, from RAV4s to an orange VW Golf, to my parent’s plain Jane silver Passat. Upon showing up to the course I got myself a quick cup of complimentary coffee (it was 8 am on a Sunday and nothing beats free coffee) and got my tire pressure and wheelbolt torques checked by an official of the course. From there I was “off to the races” with my warmup coach, Phil. 

Now I must preface this by stating that, at 20 years old, while I’ve had my license for a few years, I rarely drive as I live in the city and don’t own a car. This became quickly apparent in the warmup. One of the activities was to slam on the brakes of your car at a high speed to get a feeling for the ABS. Unfortunately for myself and my driver Phil, I drive slower than a tortoise on acid and it took a few tries for me to get up to speed and finally activate the ABS. Following this, students were put on a single slalom to practice their distance vision and get a feel for how their vehicle reacts in tight radius turns. From there all students were called inside for an official course introduction.

Students were introduced to their formal in-car coaches, given an overview of the course, and were split into groups; one group would go through in-class lessons while the others drove and then the groups would switch. I was put in the first classroom group and headed upstairs for my first in-class lesson. While some of the class was a refresher of what I had previously learned in driving school (gotta keep that insurance down) much of it was new and useful information pertaining to driving in unconventional conditions. Topics such as reducing tire pressure for increased traction, the effects of hydroplaning, and the best methods for driving in winter were informative to a relatively new driver such as myself, and I found it all very educational. Big thanks to my in-class instructors Les and Evan for the classroom sessions!

Following the in-class session, I headed out to the perennial Passat and got onto the driving course with my in-car instructor, Roger. I was assigned to start the course on the skidpad. Covered in feed corn to reduce traction, the skidpad let participants slide their car clockwise or counter-clockwise around one of two skidpads to feel how their vehicles handle in slippery conditions. In the trusty front-wheel drive Passat, getting past my previous inhibitions, I had some good rounds. During the starting few laps there was anticipated oversteer and understeer, but by the end I had the car under my control. This activity really put the handling of the car into perspective, and it was great to be able to carry out this exercise in a controlled environment. Hopefully I won’t have to experience those skids on the road, but I’m grateful I now know what to do if it ever happens. After the skidpad, we ventured to a double slalom (double the width of the warmup single slalom) which was a lot of fun and really allowed drivers to feel the roll of their car. I’ll admit I might have had too much fun on this particular course as I was told to drive with more control and tone down my speed on one of my laps but better to find your limits surrounded by professionals rather than on the road. Following the double slalom we were put on a crash avoidance course to test our reaction timing. I’m not going to spoil what this test entailed, but I’ll say the first few rounds were exhilarating. Take the course and find out for yourself, if nothing else the crash avoidance exercise was worth it. 

In the afternoon, we participated in some further exercises to reinforce the skills learned in the morning, including a figure 8 skidpad and a combined skills exercise. In our last exercise, we tested our texting and driving skills to show how hard it is to text and drive safely. Put on a winding path, the objective was to drive the route while texting without hitting any cones. Students were first given a lead-follow through the course to get a feel for the path without texting, and then they were asked to complete a lap while texting. In all honesty I’m not sure what was worse; my texting or my driving. I hit too many cones to count, and the garbled mess of a text message I wrote would have English teachers rolling in their graves. Students were then given the opportunity to drive the winding course without texting to practice car control and vision. Compared to my previous cone-genocide, I hit far fewer cones while driving without my phone in my hand. Lesson learned: if you’re going to text, text – if you’re going to drive, drive. 

Throughout this endeavour I had the chance to speak with a plethora of students also attending the course, and I didn’t hear a single negative comment on how it was being run. Everyone had a great time learning and practicing survival driving we otherwise would not be able to do in our day-to-day driving. I truly learned a lot both through the in-car and in-class sessions. The key takeaway was to use distance vision – all the time – in order to prevent an emergency. While I hope I won’t have any emergencies that require me to use any of the other skills I learned, I’m a more confident driver knowing I have them in my inventory. I would like to give a big thanks to my in-car coaches, Roger and Phil, as well as my in-class instructors Evan and Les for their great training as well as all the other volunteers who put on this course. It was truly a great experience.

Story By Kieron von Buchstab | Photography by Eshel Zweig

Click here for info on 2024 Street Survival School.

2024 Auto Show

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Unveiling Some Truly Special Models – By Christopher Hebert

It’s great to see Porsche back at the Autoshow. Last year’s Porsche tribute by Cobble Beach Concours featured some amazing cars, but having Porsche Cars Canada onsite is another level, and very welcome. The show kicked off with a VIP event, where Porsche Cars Canada President John Cappella introduced five special cars – including the 2025 Taycans (below). The new Taycan Turbo S is the most powerful and quickest Porsche ever, with 938 hp (!) and a 0-100 km/h time of a mere 2.4 seconds. The updated Taycan also recharges much faster. 

As another special reveal, to commemorate the opening of Porsche Experience Centre Toronto, Porsche unveiled a unique 911 GT3 RS. Developed in a partnership between Porsche Cars Canada and the Porsche Sonderwunsch (special request) team in Germany, designer Grant Larson led the design of this Canadian-themed car to show what’s possible through the Porsche Sonderwunsch program.

From eSports to Physical Reality — By Porsche Canada

The Porsche Vision Gran Turismo concept debuted at the auto show. This spectacular vehicle concept was the fruit of a collaboration between Porsche and the Japanese video game studio Polyphony Digital. The ‘Gran Turismo’ game series has featured Porsche sports cars since 2017, including the Taycan Turbo S. The Porsche Vision Gran Turismo is the sports car manufacturer’s first concept study created specifically for use in a computer game. It is available exclusively in Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Freed from the constraints of developing models for series production, the designers were able to put their own ideas for a Gran Turismo concept car into practice. Virtually built around a state-of-the-art carbon monocoque chassis, the cabin is enclosed by a glass dome. Powering the car are dual electric motors that combine to produce 1,098 HP and more than 800 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Vision Gran Turismo features future-oriented versions of familiar Porsche design elements. The concept car exhibits the brand’s typical proportions with a sporty height-to-width ratio, a low-set front hood and very pronounced fenders. The front lights and the integrated air intakes create a visual link to the design language of the Taycan – a nod to the car’s purely electric drive. The rear features a narrow light strip – a further development of the light signature found on the 911 and Taycan models. The embodiment of the brand continues in the interior, with the curved hologram display, which appears to float above the steering wheel. The low seating position underscores the car’s dynamic feel.

Edith Visits Toronto — By Porsche AG

Porsche ended 2023 with a record-breaking exclamation point. On December 2nd, amidst the thin air and freezing temperatures of the Ojos del Salado volcano in Chile, a team of Porsche engineers, support crew, and champion driver Romain Dumas achieved an incredible feat. They piloted a modified Porsche 911 to a jaw-dropping 6,734 meters (22,093 feet) – surpassing the previous altitude record held by Mercedes-Benz Unimogs.

The journey began as a “what if?” among a dedicated group of Porsche engineers. This “Saturday Club” project transformed a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S into “Edith” – an off-road titan ready for the volcano’s brutal slopes. They installed portal axles for exceptional ground clearance and precise low-speed control, tough underbody protection, and even borrowed suspension concepts from remote-controlled off-road toys.

Beyond these rugged mechanical alterations lay a surprising choice: the 911’s engine remained stock – being equipped with the factory-standard turbocharged flat-six engine developing 443 hp and the original seven-speed manual transmission.

To combat the challenges of thin air at extreme altitude, Porsche opted for an interesting choice – cutting-edge, synthetic eFuels. Through its partnership with HIF Global, the 911 ran on these sustainable fuels produced in Chile, proving their capabilities in the harshest conditions.
“It was an extraordinary feeling to drive where no car has gone,” Dumas exclaimed. “The 911 managed to go higher than any other earthbound vehicle – truly the maximum altitude possible. It’s a moment of pride for all of us.”

Dr. Frank Walliser, Vice President Complete Vehicle Architecture at Porsche AG, mirrored the enthusiasm: “This project is a testament to pushing boundaries and learning through exploration.”
AutoShow attendees could get a look at Edith up close, as it was featured in the Porsche Suite. </>

Porsches & Wine Tour

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Mark your calendars! This is a 3-day tour – June 7-9 – but you can make it as many days as you want, including just coming for the Saturday. We will tour wineries, distilleries, breweries, cheese makers, and more. Hotel/B&B bookings will take priority and will be done on an individual basis, but need to be done within the next few weeks as the tour is during a busy time of year. As per last year, this event will be a UCR/Rennsport event, and some meals and activities will be prepaid, so expect a fee of about $200-$300 for the weekend which will require registration and payment on ClubReg once set up.

We will probably all gather in Bloomfield before registering at our respective accommodations, and then enjoy an organized dinner for Friday night. Saturday will begin with an amazing breakfast at the Royal Hotel in Picton, and from there the driving tour will begin with many sites to visit including vineyards, distilleries, breweries, foodie shops, and the historic Perth Airport for photo ops. Dinner will probably be takeout pizza, followed by a BYOB bonfire at Angeline’s Inn. Sunday morning will start with breakfast and a tour of more sites and finish with lunch before everyone heads home.

The following are some booking options. We plan to make Bloomfield ‘Porsche Central’ with Angeline’s being the main spot. The Royal Hotel in Picton is amazing, and we’ll have breakfast there Saturday morning. Note that the Royal is the only place that offers single-night accommodations, but this is a limited-time offer. Please take advantage of these available discounts/promos and book NOW, you can always cancel!

Angeline’s Inn, Walter’s Motel and Cabins, Bloomfield

Rooms range from $289/ night + tax for the motel rooms/ up to $429/ night + tax for Inn suites/ and up to $689/ night + tax for cottages.

• 2-night minimum stay.

• Breakfast Bar available weekends for $16 p/p.

Porsche Club members will receive 10% off with the discount code PORSCHE at checkout on our website. This offer will remain in effect until April 15th.
www.angelinesinn.com

Runaway Rooster, Bloomfield

B&B rates range from $225 to $285 per night plus 4% MAT and 13% HST; breakfast included. (The Coop, The Nest are $225 each per night; The Roost, $285 per night)

Guest Cottage is $365 per night + taxes (licensed to
sleep 2 people only); opt-in to breakfast for $20 per person per day.

• Bookings for the Porsche event receive a complimentary bottle of local wine

• 2-night minimum stay.

Call 416-899-7324 and mention you are with the Porsche Club and there will be a local bottle of wine waiting for you. This promotion is good for early booking and available until April 15.

www.runawayrooster.com

The Royal Hotel, Picton

Room rates vary but our website booking platform is always the most accurate. At the moment our Cortland Rooms start at $489/night.

• Currently there is no 2-night minimum set up for that weekend, however, as the weekend books up it is possible they will implement it.

Book online or call in using the promotion code: PORSCHECLUB for a 10% discount that will be available for use until April 15.

www.theroyalhotel.ca

Hope you will join us! </>

By Robert Batsch – ott.social@rennsport.ca

5 Essential Off-season Activities

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Being a member of the PCA UCR DE (Driver Education) program means that as October or November rolls around, you’re likely stowing your car away for a winter’s rest in storage or your garage. Now, halfway through the winter season, many of us are eagerly anticipating the start of the UCR track season come May. Whether you’re a dedicated track enthusiast or an occasional DE participant, the offseason presents a prime opportunity to prepare for the 2024 track season.

1. Develop a Strategy for 2024

Even casual DE participants will find that crafting a season strategy enhances the upcoming season’s value. Establishing objectives is beneficial. Whether Corner 5 has been a challenge, you aspire to join the solo group, or you’re considering becoming an instructor, setting clear targets paves the way to success before the season’s first event. Engage with the track team or an instructor to formulate a plan for achieving your goals. My own experience underscores this: tackling Corner 1 last season had a domino effect, smoothing out Corners 2 through 4. If track food has lost its appeal, why not explore barbecuing during the offseason and plan trackside BBQ lunches with friends?

2. Tinker with Your Car

A dormant car doesn’t mean your hands should be idle. Now is the perfect time for both minor and major projects. Remember to inspect belts, tires, extinguishers, brake pads, and helmets well ahead of your next event to avoid last-minute rushes—recent years suggest that tires and belts may be scarce.

3. Engage in SIM Racing

Keep your racing skills sharp by joining the UCR SIM racing group led by Pete Rothe. With regular offseason sessions, it’s easy to stay connected through the Discord channel. Lacking a setup? The team can offer advice, or you can visit SIM lounges like HIP in Ajax to experience a variety of supercars and international tracks, honing your racing vision.

4. Expand Your Horizons

The UCR region is privileged to have access to a world-class circuit like CTMP (Mosport). While it offers an unparalleled driving experience, exploring other tracks like Shannonville, Tremblant, and Calabogie can broaden your skills and boost confidence.

These experiences will not only enhance your performance at CTMP but also enrich your overall driving prowess. Conversations with paddock veterans often reveal drivers who eagerly share their experiences from both local and distant tracks.

5. Pursue a Race License

PCA’s club racing program is an exciting and safe avenue into racing, accessible even without becoming an instructor. With the CanAm club racing weekend in August, now is the ideal time to start the process of obtaining your race license.

The steps are straightforward: complete some paperwork, undergo a medical evaluation, attend a race school, and you’re set. Curious about racing? Club racers are usually more than willing to share their experiences. Participating in a race weekend, whether by teaming up with a racer, volunteering, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, offers invaluable insights into the capabilities of these cars and the camaraderie within the UCR community.

Before you know it, the season will be upon us—time for a tech inspection, packing up the BBQ, and heading to HWY 57 to reunite with friends who’ve been just as eagerly awaiting the day’s first event. With a bit of offseason preparation, you’re on track for an unforgettable season. </>

Provinz March

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  • Because Dad Thinks It’s a Good Idea
    In November of 2023, I had the privilege of participating in the 2023 GTA Tire Rack Street Survival School. This school teaches students how to handle their vehicles in unpredictable situations. Divided into in-class lessons and in-car sessions, the course was both fun and informative. I recognize how promoting something as “both fun and educational” sounds like a municipal library ad from the 90s, but this course genuinely taught me a lot while also providing… Read more: Because Dad Thinks It’s a Good Idea
  • 2024 Auto Show
    Unveiling Some Truly Special Models – By Christopher Hebert It’s great to see Porsche back at the Autoshow. Last year’s Porsche tribute by Cobble Beach Concours featured some amazing cars, but having Porsche Cars Canada onsite is another level, and very welcome. The show kicked off with a VIP event, where Porsche Cars Canada President John Cappella introduced five special cars – including the 2025 Taycans (below). The new Taycan Turbo S is the most powerful… Read more: 2024 Auto Show
  • Porsches & Wine Tour
    Mark your calendars! This is a 3-day tour – June 7-9 – but you can make it as many days as you want, including just coming for the Saturday. We will tour wineries, distilleries, breweries, cheese makers, and more. Hotel/B&B bookings will take priority and will be done on an individual basis, but need to be done within the next few weeks as the tour is during a busy time of year. As per last… Read more: Porsches & Wine Tour
  • 5 Essential Off-season Activities
    Being a member of the PCA UCR DE (Driver Education) program means that as October or November rolls around, you’re likely stowing your car away for a winter’s rest in storage or your garage. Now, halfway through the winter season, many of us are eagerly anticipating the start of the UCR track season come May. Whether you’re a dedicated track enthusiast or an occasional DE participant, the offseason presents a prime opportunity to prepare for… Read more: 5 Essential Off-season Activities
  • Larry’s European Delivery
    This past May, my wife Carmelina and I had the privilege and pleasure of our second European Delivery Experience of a Macan. First off, what are the features of the Porsche European Delivery Program? These include: This is a wonderful program with a lot going for it. We were struck by the first-class treatment by the enthusiastic staff at Porsche. The factory tour gives an excellent opportunity to see behind the scenes and the logistics… Read more: Larry’s European Delivery
  • Hands on the Wheel
    As another season of PCA Driver Education fast approaches, it would be fitting that I take the opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Adam Holland, I am your Track Chairman for the 2024 Driver Education season. I’ve been a PCA member since 2011 and a loyal student of the driver education program since 2012. In fact, my Dad (Grant Holland) and I haven’t missed a lapping weekend since. Some of you equally active members… Read more: Hands on the Wheel
  • February Valentine’s Social
    On Tuesday, February 13, UCR members enjoyed a lovely hearty dinner at the Old Country Inn in beautiful Unionville – which has been famously serving delicious Austrian food since 1978. Photography by Eshel Zweig
  • Lunar NY @ PCM
    On February 10, 2024 Porschephiles celebrated Lunar New Year at Porsche Centre Markham. Photography by Eshel Zweig
  • Review: Special Editions
    Recently it seems Porsche is releasing a Special Edition monthly. Not true of course but Special Editions are a lucrative part of Porsche’s business model. There are so many accomplishments for Porsche to celebrate. There are anniversaries of various model releases as well as many racing achievements which should keep the specials coming. There are a few authors called Matt Stone, but this one has written many automotive related books including ones on Steve McQueen… Read more: Review: Special Editions

Larry’s European Delivery

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This past May, my wife Carmelina and I had the privilege and pleasure of our second European Delivery Experience of a Macan. First off, what are the features of the Porsche European Delivery Program? These include:

  • Delivery at your choice of either Leipzig or Stuttgart
  • One night at a five-star hotel the night prior to delivery
  • Pick up from the hotel to the factory
  • Lunch at Porsche’s top-rated restaurant on the factory premises
  • Factory tour
  • Track session (on/off-road) if at Leipzig
  • Personalized introduction and delivery of your card
  • Up to 16 days of insurance included, with extensions available
  • Shipment of your car to your local Canadian dealer after drop-off at selected sites

This is a wonderful program with a lot going for it. We were struck by the first-class treatment by the enthusiastic staff at Porsche. The factory tour gives an excellent opportunity to see behind the scenes and the logistics involved in bringing a car to your driveway. The chance to drive your car in Europe is an experience not to be missed, with the renowned Autobahn along with the not-to-be-missed secondary roads, most of which have a speed limit of 100 kph, often with an astounding number of curves thrown in, particularly in the south. An added bonus is not renting a car for your vacation.

There are some negatives that need to be mentioned. First is the need to pay in full, about one month before delivery. At this point, the European Value Added Tax, at 19%, needs to be paid, with a refund made after the car is delivered in Canada. However, there are limits of 6,000 km and 6-month limit, after which the car becomes used in the eyes of the EU and no refund on that VAT. This information is often buried in paperwork sent 1-2 months in advance. The confirmation of delivery date is issued only about two months in advance, which can affect things like booking Porsche Museum and Factory tours. This package also included suggestions of where to tour in Germany, but we already had our plans in place and reservations booked. In our experience, the car is typically made two months before delivery. Drop-off of the car for shipment to Canada can be a bittersweet experience when you realize it will probably be a couple of months before you see your car again, and you will never drive your car legally at the German Autobahn speeds again.

Our experience, in both cases started in September, with a May 17th delivery, seven years apart to the day. Since I didn’t want to be on track at Leipzig the day after arriving in Europe, we booked four nights in Munich before travelling to Leipzig. The first snag occurred when riding the train from the airport to downtown Munich, when I noticed a screen talking about a 50-hour railway strike. At the rail station, we confirmed this would interfere with our Munich to Leipzig trip the day before the scheduled delivery. This was a cause for intense concern since Porsche will not guarantee when you can take delivery if you miss the appointment, and all our travel arrangements had been made based on picking up the car. We rented a car for the day, at a stupid price, to ensure we were there for our experience. Porsche put us up at the Steigenberger Grandhotel Handelshof. This is a very large five-star hotel located in central Leipzig. 

Porsche had a taxi pick us up at 11:30 the next morning to drive us to the factory, along with some other customers. There were five deliveries this year, with ours being the only Macan. The others were 911’s and a Cayman GT4. Last time there were two other couples taking delivery of Macans with us. Upon arrival we checked in at reception and met our Porsche host, who gave us an outline for our day, and then we were off to the top floor for lunch in their excellent restaurant. We noticed that everyone was more spaced out this time, which cut down on camaraderie. We assumed this was a fallout from Covid. After lunch, which they gave us ample time for, we had time to explore their mini-museum above the restaurant, including a display of significant vehicles, including the Carrera GT, produced at Leipzig. 

At the appointed time, we met our tour guide for the factory tour. They now use radios to make it easier to communicate with the guests, making it easier on the guide’s voice. The tour was not as detailed as last time, with instructions to keep further away from the production lines, and the tour seemed a bit shorter. Part of this could be because they have moved Cayenne production out to make way for the electric Macan, which is already set up but not in the scope of our tour. Our guide also knew which cars we had purchased last time and took care to point out the options “under the skin” that we had ordered. With mainly 911 purchasers this time around that did not apply. Our tour guide did ask us to pass on to anyone thinking of European delivery to check the Leipzig box since they have the test track there.

After the factory tour, it was time for the test track, under the guidance of a Porsche driver. You do not drive your own vehicle, but one similar. This, at least for Macan buyers, usually turns out to be a higher-spec model of what you have bought. In our case, a Macan GTS vs. the base model. This has pros and cons, with more speed but less of a sense of what your own vehicle can do. The track can be configured in multiple ways, with inner and outer portions available. Since they were filming some track activity that day, from the trunk of a Boxster on the outer track, we got the inner track. This includes a replica of the Corkscrew and the Carousel, along with a large skid pad and some straights. 

My goal was to not be passed by 911’s and GT4’s on track, which I was successful in doing. DE experience was a definite help here, and noticed by the instructor, while the others taking delivery had not had track experience. After a few laps, Carmelina, riding in the back seat, was feeling the motion and heat in the car as we were out on the track driving spiritedly without taking time to optimize the AC on a warm day. Evidently this is not uncommon for backseat drivers in a car being driven with spirit. She asked us to stop, and I took the opportunity to take a Cayman S out for a few laps. 

After the track, it was time to go off roading in a Macan. This is an impressive part of the delivery, with the vehicle able to climb impressive hills, creep down them with Hill Descent, go sideways across a hill at a ridiculous angle, and then go for a carwash running through a pool.

Finally, time to meet the new car. Last time, there were three cars in a room, now it is individual delivery bays. You walk in and the car is covered, which they pull off doing a nice reveal, followed by photo ops. This seems similar to how the dealers are now doing new car deliveries. The track instructor then answers any questions and demonstrates features you may not be aware of. It turns out that having owned a ’17 Macan, and having had a few as loaners, we didn’t spend enough time reviewing the details. This became evident when it was time to go. The driver pulls the car out front, you can load your luggage and head out. I had brought a Garmin GPS from Canada for navigation since the car comes loaded with North American maps. Snag one was “Where do I plug it in?” since I could not find the cigarette lighter. It was after 4:30, most people had gone, and reception called somebody who wasn’t able to help. They speculate the cigarette lighter may be part of the smoker’s package, which we didn’t order.

We ended up navigating by Google Maps on a cell phone, with Carmelina interpreting. The next day I realized I could plug the Garmin GPS into the power outlet in the trunk and sit it in the back seat. This was better than being without it, since it dings on speed changes and photo radar traps, but it gives directions that are improved by a visual glance at the screen, not possible from the front seat as it slid around in the back. After a few days of trying to find an adapter and discovering that all the USB plugs in the car are now USB-C, I contacted fellow UCR member Sylvie Neill, owner of a 2022 Macan S, who was able to tell me where the plug is – under the rubber flap at the bottom of the sunglass holder – and were able to get the GPS working, much to Carmelina’s relief. BTW, when the car first messaged us “Low on Fuel – Please Refuel” along with “Would you like to navigate to the nearest service station” I of course said yes. It came up with a list of stations in Newfoundland, some 4K+ kilometers, never mind an ocean, away. As I said, North American maps.

One of my goals on a European delivery is to drive the car to enjoy it on European roads. I can park in a city anywhere! I searched out UNESCO World Heritage sites as a starter to determine what I might want to see and where to go, and we ended up with an itinerary wandering around Germany before heading into Austria, down to Italy and back to Germany. Since was driving a car, and parking is not always available, hotel or nearby parking was a criterion in where we stayed, I did not want to risk overnight street parking. The first day we kept short in anticipation of a late departure from the factory, about 1 ½ hours heading west to Quedlinburg, a town on the UNESCO site for the abundance of half-timber buildings. Dinner that night was in an open-air restaurant, open-air since the roof had burned down a few years ago. From there, we wandered westward, finding wonderfully twisty roads on the way, stopping briefly in Cologne to see the cathedral, which is a must-see site, despite the traffic, and on to Aachen where we stayed the night and visited the Cathedral, which was consecrated in 805 and served as the site for coronation of German kings for almost 600 years. This cathedral is small very ornate with lots of gold leaf and stunning stained glass windows, and laid out in an octagon vs. the more customary layout of Cologne.

It was time to head south, along the Rhine. Unfortunately, the GPS was not fully supporting us yet due to sitting in the back seat, which led to some missed turns. The drive along the Rhine (again, a UNESCO site) is quite interesting, with a lot of shipping traffic and small towns. We stopped for the night in Mainz, a small town dating to the turn of the first millennia. We had hoped to visit the Guttenberg Museum, where they have a couple of copies of the first Guttenberg Bibles on display, but the timing did not work out for us. Instead, we continued south, stopping in Speyer to see the cathedral there. Another UNESCO site, this one was started in 1030, and first completed in 1106, it was one of the largest buildings of its time, just slightly smaller than Cologne, and all for a town of 500 inhabitants. Of the three cathedrals visited, this is by far the most plain, but it is considered a turning point in European architecture.

We planned to visit Stuttgart on two days, but on our previous tour we had fallen in love with Rothenberg au du Tauber, a wonderful medieval walled town on a hill. This was about an hour and a half from the factory, so two days of commuting and enjoying great German roads seemed like a good idea. The first day, a Monday, we had booked a Taycan factory tour. We left in what we felt was plenty of time, only to arrive in Stuttgart, pull off the highway, and run into one of the worst traffic experiences we have ever had. An hour to travel 0.8 km, often sitting in place through multiple lights at the traffic circle visible ahead, arriving at the Porsche Museum Parking 15 minutes before our tour, only to find it closed on Mondays. We searched for other parking lots, believing the lies about parking spaces available according to the overhead signs, only to find they were for Porsche employees only. Finally, fed up with the traffic, we headed back avoiding the road by the factory. That night I wrote an e-mail to Porsche, expressing our frustration with the situation. 

The next day we headed out, allowing even more time to arrive for our Porsche Museum tour. Traffic once off the highway was heavy but nowhere near as bad as the day before. Just before arriving at the museum parking, we received a call from a representative at Porsche explaining that the Hungarian elections were on, and the consulate was just behind the factory, causing all the traffic chaos. She suggested checking in with guest services when we arrived to see if anything could be done. When we arrived at guest services and vented, they sympathized, saying the traffic had caused just about everyone to miss the tours the day before. It turns out that the museum parking is open on Mondays for those on factory tours, if you press the intercom button. The hostess said she had complained repeatedly that this was not indicated on any signs, or instructions, and the powers that be had said it would be fixed at upcoming renovations of the parking lot. They told us we could get on a tour of the 911/718 factory “right now” if we wanted, just hand over our camera and cell phones and run over to the group, or take a tour of the Taycan factory in the afternoon. We opted for the 911/718 factory tour and did run to catch up. This tour did not include the engine facility, which I had seen in 2016, but was interesting. The striking thing on both tours was how hands-on most of the production is, while the material handling system is highly automated, allowing every car coming down the line to be different, with barcode verification of everything at every step. Again, radios allowed the guide to better communicate with guests. She gave a good tour but struggled with some words. It turned out it was her first ever English tour, having worked only in German before. We told her she did well and gave some suggestions on vocabulary. It turns out some of the tour group were active PCA members, and we compared notes on PCA activities while we were walking on the tour. A bonus when we got back to guest services to collect our camera and cell phones, as well as paying was a discount on the tour for our troubles the previous day. 

To go on the factory tour we had to give up on the guided museum tour, but were able to do the self-guided tour, which is what we preferred, being able to go at our own pace. The Porsche Museum uses electronic devices, which you can key in the exhibit number and get an oral background on what you are looking at. A great advantage is the ability to skip around crowds and circle back to exhibits without missing anything. As always, the museum seemed to be in change mode as they change exhibits and focus.

Leaving Rothenburg ob du Tauber we made our way to Vienna via Bamberg with an overnight in Regensburg, which also dates back to Roman times. There is a bridge there, across the Danube, originally built about 800 years ago, and beside it is a small restaurant that claims to be the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. We had a light dinner there of soup and sausages. Driving into Austria, we were surprised by how much of a non-event crossing borders is, almost missing the sign at the border. We stopped at the first gas station to purchase our highway toll pass required on the highways in Austria. It mounted in the windshield and was good for a week. Carmelina was amazed at how many speed cameras there were once we crossed the border, commenting the Austrians wanted to slow the Germans down to a reasonable 120-130 kmph.

Vienna is a must-see city, where we spent three days, unfortunately not driving. Like most of the cities we visited, it was very walkable and had good public transit. From Vienna, we drove to Innsbruck via Hallstatt (another UNESCO site), a picturesque town on a mountain lake in southern Austria. Hallstatt dates back to Roman times and is known for the scenery and was originally settled for the salt mines. Unfortunately, we had not considered this was a gorgeous Sunday, with lots of locals out enjoying he scenery and taking all the parking. Since the trip, I have read the locals are complaining about the amount of tourism, sometimes over 30,000 people a day to a town of under 1,000. If we were to go again, we would arrange to stay overnight, with parking, as we could not find a place to park driving through the town. After that it was secondary roads, winding and climbing north-west until we picked up the Autobahn into Germany before heading south again. We found Innsbruck very photogenic, nestled in the mountains. 

From Innsbruck we dropped south down to Bologna in Italy to visit family. This drive through the Dolomite mountains is breathtaking. It is very different from the Rockies, with much more civilization, and not as rugged. In Bologna, we parted ways, with Carmelina staying on in Italy for three more weeks while I headed back to Leipzig to return the car and then head home. The car could have been returned elsewhere, but it was cheaper to do it at the factory, and the delivery time would probably be reduced since Porsche would route the car through the factory anyway. I had hoped to do the Stelvio pass on my way back, but it was only half open, with that being the first day. If you want to do it, plan for mid-June through September. I did manage to squeeze in the Audi museum while en route though. On the drive, I enjoyed some higher-speed runs on the Autobahn, now having broken the car in. The car cruised comfortably between 150 and 180, and I maxed out at over 200 several times, backing off due to traffic. My experience with the UCR Driver’s Ed program really showed up here, with a much higher confidence level than the last tour. 

One advantage we had this time around was knowing what to expect. On our first visit, we were disappointed with the food, and probably overate at breakfast at the hotels. They do put on amazing spreads for breakfast, but usually at a cost of about $20 Cdn. each. I had talked to fellow club member Matthew Held, who suggested cafes or highway stops would be cheaper, especially if all we were looking for was a pastry and coffee. We found this very helpful and added bakeries to the list. My criteria tended to be did they have a real espresso machine, and not a push button it does-it-all machine. As a result, we found great coffee with a pastry, running $12-13 for both of us vs. $36-40 at the hotels. 

Similarly, on our first trip we ate a lot of schnitzel and French fries. While we enjoy this occasionally, it is not something we want as a steady diet. I did some research on typical German foods, and had a list of foods to try along with a short German-English summary of foods, along with some simple vocabulary on my phone. First off, German breads are amazing! We managed to sample Frischer Spargel (white asparagus, the Germans are crazy about this in the spring) & lachsfilet, Schweinshaxe (pork knuckles, go to a popular place when they are busy so it is fresh), Wurstl Kartoffelsalat, Krustchen vom Sauerbraten, Leberknodel, Schwabenpfanderl (beef and roasted onions), Butterkase (butter cheese), Käsespätzle (a type of egg noodle), and type of pancake for dinner one night. We also had some schnitzel, but enjoyed the breadth of food. Most of our evening meals were at beer gardens or pubs, while lunch was at cafes or bakeries. In Innsbruck we tried Jausenteller, Tyrolean sampler platter.

The other thing I did for this trip was to learn a smidgeon of German, using DuoLingo for about three months before the trip. This was a great help in greeting people, understanding how polite Germans are, and ordering food and tickets off the beaten path. Most of our encounters could be done in English, as long as discussions were kept on the topic, be it the hotel room and service or the food at a restaurant. Venture off the beaten path and trying to discuss a broader range of topics in a small town would invite some blank stares. As with most things in life, preparation helps for a successful trip! </>

Hands on the Wheel

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As another season of PCA Driver Education fast approaches, it would be fitting that I take the opportunity to introduce myself.

My name is Adam Holland, I am your Track Chairman for the 2024 Driver Education season. I’ve been a PCA member since 2011 and a loyal student of the driver education program since 2012. In fact, my Dad (Grant Holland) and I haven’t missed a lapping weekend since. Some of you equally active members of the program will recognize me from being our region’s Tech Chief since 2018 (a role that will now be handled by Scott Brown going forward), or maybe I’ve been in the right seat of your car as instructor.

To say I’ve always been a car guy would be an understatement. When I was first able to walk, I couldn’t leave the house without a Hot Wheels car in each hand, and my first words were engine noises. My desired career in grade school was to become a professional race car driver. This led to an affinity for dirt bikes and a decade of racing motocross all over Ontario in my teens. My parents were always supportive, many Mother’s Days were spent at rainy/muddy motocross races, and my Saturday nights were in the garage working on my dirt bike with my Dad.

I suppose I came by my love of cars honestly – my Dad spent a lot of time camping at Mosport, taking in Formula One and Can-Am races along with various other amateur and endurance races before my time. He always lights up trying to describe what it was like watching Mark Donohue unload 1500hp out of Moss (turn 5) in the Porsche 917/30. I think the fuel crisis and having to drive a mid-70s penalty box Honda Civic paused his interest in Mosport (either that or it was the birth of my older sister). Life happened, marriage, kids, work. Austin Healeys and Datsun coupes departed the driveway in favour of practical country vehicles like Jeep Cherokees and GMC trucks.

My first visit to Mosport wasn’t until my early twenties in 2007 to watch the American Le Mans Series race, now known as IMSA. I’m not sure if that race was the catalyst for what was to come, but the following year I bought a sports car, and we started regularly attending the VARAC Father’s Day weekends and IMSA races annually. The sports car I bought was 10 years my senior, a 1974 Datsun 260Z. I stumbled across a Kijiji ad while trying to show my girlfriend a black Nissan 240SX (which is what I was originally in the market for). I remembered pictures from my parents having owned a 240Z in the early 70s and always thought they were a timeless design, like the 911. The first summer with the car, my parents borrowed it for a couple of weekends, and that gave my Dad the itch to get back into a sports car. I say itch, but it became more like full-blown car eczema. He wanted something more modern and comfortable and ended up settling on a brand new 2009 Nissan 370Z when they first came to market. Many summer and fall drives were had and I think my mom enjoyed the new sports car because it came with onboard GPS so she no longer had to navigate. I think that car strengthened their marriage – or maybe it was just because they stopped arguing over directions.

The following year Dad stumbled upon his dream car. A beautiful petrol blue 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo. I remember my mom being way less enthusiastic about the Sparco seats, loud exhaust and screamer pipe on the wastegate. I still remember picking that car up – halfway home he offered for me to switch cars and drive the 930. I will never forget hitting the on-ramp in second gear and thinking, “What is the big deal with these cars? This old thing is so sluggish and slow. No wonder they mock them as Beetles.” And then the tach crested past 3500 RPMs and the road started to disappear beneath the haunched front fenders at an alarming rate. The sudden surge of acceleration from an air-cooled Turbo is a unique experience in the automotive world. That was the beginning of what would be many lessons surrounding Porsche 911s for me.

After taking the 930 out to a couple of Driver Education events at Mosport, Dad invited me to try it out for myself the following season. I went into this situation as most 20-something males would – with high expectations of my abilities, and figured it would be easy for a car guy and race fan like me who was no stranger to terms like apex, oversteer, understeer etc. Although I only spent one weekend in the Green run group, I was immediately humbled. I also became a huge believer in the Dunning-Kruger effect – if you’re unfamiliar I suggest looking it up.

The 930 soon gained some race car siblings to take over track duties. A slant nose 930, a 964, and a 996. Working on cars in the shop grew our bond. I’ll never forget the time we removed and re-installed the engine together in one of the track cars in one afternoon. That was a big accomplishment for a couple of self-taught shadetree mechanics. Even to this day, he still lets me hold the flashlight for him while he yells at me for bringing him the wrong wrench.

Performance driving is an art with seemingly never-ending personal growth. I’ve learned so much and grown as a driver and an individual with help from mentors I look up to and consider friends within UCR. Members like Del Bruce, Dave Osborne, Stephen Goodbody and Peter Carroll have all shown me why this club’s driver education program is such a success and set fine examples of how to keep it that way. The wealth of driving ability and knowledge in our volunteer instructor base is staggering. I also owe getting to live out my childhood dream of becoming a race car driver to the club. I was invited by fellow club volunteer Paul Neto a few years ago to form an amateur endurance racing team for the Lucky Dog Canada racing series. We’ve managed a few podiums after grueling 8-hour races in our BMW E30.

Having spent a lot of time helping run the tower next to John Adam as well as running our Advanced Solo Lapping portion of the PCA Club Race weekend last season, I am convinced the club’s slogan is true. It definitely is more than the cars – it really is the people. There are so many moving parts to this club – from socials and sim racing, to concours, charity work, and driver education lapping weekends. Being actively involved is a great way to grow your skills while helping fellow enthusiasts.

I would be remiss if I did not thank Dave Osborne for his selfless dedication to this program and its continued positive growth over his long tenure. Dave’s adherence to core values and acting in the best interest of our Driver Education program has continued to allow us to enjoy this track facility season after season. He has successfully overseen many track team volunteer groups and helped shape the success of our car club. Thank you.

If you haven’t joined us for a weekend of Driver Education at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park you are missing out on your Porsche’s capabilities as well as your own. If you have joined us, thank you for your support of the program.

Keep your eyes forward and your engine behind you. (Unless you’re a 944 driver, then that’s bad advice… Transaxle just doesn’t have the same ring to it). </>

February Valentine’s Social

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On Tuesday, February 13, UCR members enjoyed a lovely hearty dinner at the Old Country Inn in beautiful Unionville – which has been famously serving delicious Austrian food since 1978.

Photography by Eshel Zweig

Lunar NY @ PCM

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On February 10, 2024 Porschephiles celebrated Lunar New Year at Porsche Centre Markham.

Photography by Eshel Zweig

Review: Special Editions

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Recently it seems Porsche is releasing a Special Edition monthly. Not true of course but Special Editions are a lucrative part of Porsche’s business model. There are so many accomplishments for Porsche to celebrate. There are anniversaries of various model releases as well as many racing achievements which should keep the specials coming.

There are a few authors called Matt Stone, but this one has written many automotive related books including ones on Steve McQueen and the IROC Porsches. This book is in large format of over 190 pages with approximately 400 photographs. Chapters include topics such as Factory Specials, Limited Editions and Anniversary Specials. Low volume vehicles by outside companies such as RUF or Emory Motorsport are also highlighted.

This is a book to dip in and out of rather than a cover-to-cover read. Some of the material is straight from Porsche which means it is accurate. While leafing through the book when I first got it, the Turbo-Look Porsche of 1984-1989 really jumped out at me. The 930 Turbo introduced 10 years earlier with a similar body was so dramatic and lust-worthy that it is still inspirational. (Time to bring out the oft-repeated cliché of the Porsche Turbo, White Countach and Farah Fawcett posters that graced many a boy’s bedroom wall back in the day.)

Another thing that jumped out while reading the book was an amusing typo. In the section on the Emory restoration of Porsche’s first class win at Le Mans in 1951, the 1951 Gmund 356SL Coupe is said to have covered 24,841 km which works out to over 1,000 km per hour. Even modern Porsches can’t do that!

I’ve heard that demand for current special editions is so great that most go to long-established customers. According to Road & Track magazine “In an effort to limit the insane prices brought on by American flipping culture, Porsche has decided to limit buyers’ actual ownership of the vehicle for at least a year after the car rolls off of a lot.”

It sounds like in a few years there could be another book on Porsche Special Editions. This one is recommended as a good collection of special editions to the 2022 model years, gathered in one place. </>

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