MAY SEES THE KICKOFF of the 2023 Driving Tour season, running through till mid-October. These are great events to enjoy on some interesting roads along with camaraderie with your fellow Porsche Club members. We have 15 tours and a gimmick rally on the books as of this writing and hope to add more. A common complaint has been getting into tours, and some of them do sell out quickly, especially early in the season. Registration will be done again via Clubregistration.net this year, and your best bet is to be signed in just prior to registration time to ensure you are ready when the event opens up. Registration for most Driving Tours will open up at 9:00 p.m. EDT on the Sunday closest to four weeks before the event. Note that we will not be taking payment until you are confirmed for a Driving Tour. This worked well last year and avoided a lot of confusion, along with the expense and time of processing refunds.
Last year we did not sell out all the events, with the first half of the year selling out and then August onwards we had an issue with lower registrations not filling up the tours. This represents an opportunity if you miss out on events at the start of the season, since later the tours don’t fill up as fast. The four weeks registration window, new this year, will give us a bit more time to promote the tours via e-blasts. Note that the most up to date information during the season will be on ClubRegistration.net, followed by the website https://pcaucr.org/driving/driving-tours/driving-tours-event-list/ and lastly in Provinz.
We have lost some Driving Tour hosts this year, for a variety of reasons, and have some new ones coming on board, but we are always on the lookout for new volunteers. The Niagara area could use some new hosts, and it would be great to get some Driving Tours organized in southwestern Ontario as well. If you want, please contact us at volunteer@pcaucr.org and we can arrange for help and advice on putting together and running a Driving Tour.
NOTE: Details for events listed below were current as of publication in the April 2023 issue of Provinz. For more up to date information on each event, please refer to the Club Calendar.
Spring Muskoka Driving Tour
Saturday May 6, 2023
Hosted by Matthew Held and John Panikkar
Kicking off the Driving Tour season is our annual Spring Muskoka Driving Tour. This is a chance to see the Muskoka area before the trees are in full leaf, allowing for better visuals into the woods and waterways we travel past. This route will start just north of Orillia, at the Starbucks on Hwy 11 at the pedestrian bridge over the highway. The route details are still being worked out, but the plan is to loop north on the east side of 11, with a bio break in Dorset, then skirting back to Bracebridge, and traveling around Lake Joseph tentatively ending in Port Carling.
Cost Estimate: TBD
Limited to 25 Porsches
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on April 6th at 9 p.m.
Southwestern Counties aka “I’ve Been Everywhere Man” Driving Tour
Saturday June 3rd
Hosted by Gerry Cornwell and Jeff Millman
Join PCA/UCR members on Saturday June 3 for a rural driving tour, touching on some of Southwestern Ontario’s beautiful rural counties. After gathering for registration adjacent to Hwy 403 near Paris, we will tour some of the delightful back-country roads of Brant and North Dumfries. Our first stop will be a local distillery for a gourmet lunch and to visit the distillery shop with their selection of locally-made libations.
After lunch we will head south for a Lake Erie port, passing through parts of Brant, Oxford, and Norfolk counties. Our stop will afford views of the lake, time to peruse local shops and an afternoon snack at a local café. After our port visit, we will then head back to our meeting place just off Hwy 403 in Paris.
Tour participants are encouraged to spend some time in Paris after the completion of the driving tour, visiting local shops and marketplace and taking in one of the wonderful restaurants in Paris for your evening meal. A list of suggested spots to visit in Paris after the tour will be provided. There is ample downtown parking in Paris in the generous lots just off the main street.
Stay tuned as this is all in the planning stages and we will follow up with more details.
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on May 7th at 9 p.m.
Grand River South Driving Tour (Porsches, PASM & Planes)
Saturday June 10, 2022
Hosted by Rob Payne and Aran Matier
The fall Grand River Driving Tour (Porsche Centre KW Grand River Driving Tour) follows the Grand north of the 401, but there are some incredible roads and views along the Grand River south of the 401 also! Join us as we explore some fun twists, curves, and straights on some less well-known roads this June. An exciting route has been planned, departing from west Kitchener and culminating at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, where we’ll park on the tarmac for photos with planes and the hangar as a backdrop! A catered lunch, guided museum tour and a chance to win a gift certificate for a flight on one of the museum’s vintage aircraft are included.
Please note, to offer maximum availability participation will be limited to either the Grand River South or the Grand River North tour.
Cost Estimate: $60 (TBC)
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on May 14th at 9 p.m.
Muskoka Overnight Driving Tour
Thursday June 22 and Friday June 23rd
Hosted by Matthew Held and Mani Fazeli
Come enjoy our annual Muskoka overnight tour, for one day of driving in the Muskokas simply isn’t enough. Especially with some of the not to be missed roads, including one with 153 turns in 22 kilometers that had everyone smiling last year.
Cost: TBD | limited to 20 cars.
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on April 23rd (TBC) at 9 p.m.
Prince Edward County Driving Tour
Saturday June 24, 2024
Hosted by Eric Wang
Enjoy a fun and memorable adventure in picture-perfect Prince Edward County. The driving tour will explore some of the best country roads with twists and turns that PEC has to offer. The tour begins with meeting up with Rennsport – Ottawa Region with breakfast in downtown Picton. Take in the scenery of the Picton Harbour, Lake on the Mountain, as we explore eastern Prince Edward County. We will stop by Waupoos best keep secret: the famous mustard and butter tart stand. We then head to southern county. Treat our taste buds at a distillery in the heart of Prince Edward County. Sample and learn about how they produce their spirits and what makes their craft distilling practices unique. Continue our tour through the central part of Prince Edward County. We will end our tour at the Clearwater Design Canoes & Kayaks, home of the 2015 Canadian Touring Car Championship series winner Clearwater Design Racing team. Relax, unwind, and revel in the company of Ian Crerar and fellow Porsche enthusiasts with a casual family style lunch.
Cost: $90 TBC | Limited to 15 Porsches
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on May 28th at 9 p.m.
Gourmet Niagara Driving Tour
Saturday July 8, 2023
Hosted by Gerry Cornwell and Jeff Millman
Join us on Saturday July 8 for the Second Annual Gourmet Niagara Driving Tour. After the success of last year’s inaugural event, we decided to take things up a notch this year. After gathering for registration adjacent to the QEW, our first stop will be one of the best-kept secrets in the Niagara area, the Painted Ladies of Grimsby Beach, a unique historical landmark. We will then drive through Grimsby and stop for a private tour of three gorgeous prize-winning local gardens, conveniently located adjacent to one another.
Our route features winding back roads, and several passes up and down the Niagara escarpment, with fabulous views of Lake Ontario. We will enjoy a tour of the only cheese maker in the Niagara Peninsula, where you may choose to load up on some gourmet cheeses and baked goods.
Last year’s stop and tour at award-winning Flat Rock Winery proved to be popular, so we are planning to repeat that event. Finally, we will have a gourmet meal at another renowned Niagara winery, where you will have the opportunity for socializing with fellow P-Car owners. You are encouraged to spend the weekend in the area, there are many excellent scenic, culinary and entertainment options.
Stay tuned as this is all in the planning stages and we will follow up with more details.
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on June 11th at 9 p.m.
North Halton Escarpment Driving Tour
Saturday July 15, 2023
Hosted by Rob West
This is a new tour, and will be a half day drive featuring stunning Niagara Escarpment scenery, a visit to a cidery (West Avenue Cidery, to be confirmed) and ending at a craft brewery (Third Moon, to be confirmed).
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on June 18th at 9 p.m.
Forks of the Credit Driving Tour
Saturday July 22, 2023
Hosted by Larry Funnell
This driving tour is designed for a partial day close to the GTA, for those without a lot of time, while still getting out and enjoying some nice country roads. The group meets up at a Tim Hortons near the 401 and Mississauga Road and makes its way north through some interesting back roads including Forks of the Credit. Along Old Base Line Road keep an eye open as we drive past The Cheltenham Badlands, a unique landscape on the left. We will have a short stop in Orangeville, and from there the tour makes its way to the Hockley Valley (keep an eye open for the motel used for Schitt’s Creek), before heading south and ending up in Bolton for refreshments on a patio.
Cost is $15 per person | 25 Porsches
1:00 meet | approx. 140 km | est. 4:45 finish.
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on June 18th at 9 p.m.
Muskoka Craft Brewery Tour
Saturday August 5, 2023
Hosted by David Adams
Do you enjoying driving through cottage country on new routes and discovering new destinations? Do you also enjoy a nice cold beer after a long hot day?
Then why not consider joining this Muskoka Craft Brewery Driving Tour — it’s like a poker run but for Porsches and pints. We drive to six different craft breweries, and, at each stop, we take some photos and each car receives one sealed bottle of its local beer. By the sixth and final craft brewery, you receive the last sealed bottle to complete a unique six-pack. We then enjoy a lunch together and, if your tastebuds are thirsty by then, a well-deserved beer.
Cost TBD | 24 Porsches
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net July 9th at 9 a.m.
Grand River Drive to the South Coast Jazz Festival
Saturday August 12 & Sunday August 13, 2023
Hosted by John Buckingham
This will be the third time this tour has been offered and based on past experience, we expect a strong turnout again from PCA-UCR members! Starting near Milton, we will explore some twisty roads and a sweeper or two on the way to the Ancaster area for a group lunch. Afterwards, we head south along the Grand River, switching sides as we go farther south to get to the north shore of Lake Erie for a leisurely drive among the cottages there.
Once in Norfolk County, we visit a lavender farm for refreshments before heading to our accommodations in and around Port Dover. And then, we attend the festival that evening.
This year is the 10th anniversary of the South Coast Jazz Festival, which continues to expand its leadership of Jazz & Blues Festivals in southwestern Ontario. The Porsche Club is a valued participant at the festival, with dedicated, secure parking for our members and VIP reserved seating for dinner and the evening performances on Saturday. Next morning a group brunch is arranged in Port Dover before we head back to the festival, disperse for home or to further explore the area.
Cost TBD | 10:30 AM start Saturday and ‘brunch finish’ at 11:30 AM Sunday | approx. ~180 km | 25 cars or 50 people
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net July 16th at 9 A.m.
Porsche Centre Downtown Driving Tour
Sunday August 20, 2023
Host: To be Determined
This driving tour starts in the early morning in one of the best ways possible — mingling with fellow Porsche enthusiasts and club members, surrounded by the shiniest of the latest and greatest that our favourite automaker has to offer.
Meet in the bright inviting showroom of our host, Porsche Centre Downtown Toronto, at its new location at 259 Lake Shore Boulevard East. If there is a good time to drive in Toronto, it would certainly be early on a Sunday. No worries, however, we aren’t hanging around long — as the heart of the city wakes up and starts beating, we set out east to drive some of the best roads that hug the shores of Lake Ontario, with pit stops into several interesting, picturesque areas, opportunities to take in the magnificent scenery and pose for a couple of photo-ops. Afterwards we wrap up the cruise much the same way as we began, with a delicious meal, compliments of the host, Porsche Centre Downtown Toronto, at a nice east-end eatery.
Cost $15 per person (TBC) | 25 Porsches, 200 kilometres
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net July 23rd at 9 p.m.
Porsche Centre North Toronto Enthusiast Cruise Driving Tour
Sunday August 20, 2023
Hosted by Sylvie & Bill Neill, and John Hume
Meet up at PCNT before heading out of the city to explore the roads and country to the west. Lunch is planned for Canadian Tire Motorsports Park aka Mosport, and then on to Slabtown Cider Co. where the tour will wind up.
Cost: TBD | 25 Porsches
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net July 23rd at 9 p.m.
Barrie and Orillia and North Tour
Friday September 1, 2023
Hosted by Kathrin Menge
This is a new tour, sneaking in just before the Labour Day weekend. Starting out in Barrie, this tour will work its way north to Orillia, with a tentative planned stop at the OPP Museum (to be confirmed), and then onwards through the countryside, ending up in the area of the ski resorts.
Cost: TBD | 25 Porsches
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net August 6th at 9 p.m.
Muskoka Fall Driving Tour
Saturday September 30, 2023
Hosted by Greg Symmes
When the leaves change in the fall, Muskoka comes ablaze with colour. What better time to wind your way through scenic curving roads with a colourful backdrop.
This event begins at 10 a.m. in Washago and meanders up to Carnarvon before heading to Dorset and on to Baysville for lunch at the Cast Iron Restaurant.
Following lunch, we head north through Port Sydney towards Rosseau. From there we will head to Gravenhurst and wrap up our tour at Sawdust City Brewery.
In the following weeks many Porches will be carefully stored for the winter so come join us for a season final run.
Cost: $48 per person | Limited to 20 Porsches
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on September 3rd at 9 p.m.
Porsche Centre Kitchener Waterloo Grand River Driving Tour
Saturday September 30, 2023
Hosted by Rob Payne and Aran Matier
This popular tour exploring twists and curves north of Kitchener-Waterloo returns for its third year, departing from the brand-new Porsche Centre Kitchener-Waterloo dealership! Join fellow enthusiasts for an inspiring fall drive as we explore some of the twists and turns west, north, and east of Waterloo, culminating in a delicious meal at the German-inspired barbecue restaurant Crowsfoot Smokehaus in Conestogo.
The route expands on last year’s with even more amazing country views, corners, sweeping turns, dips, and straights. One of the highlights from past years drives will return, the historic West Montrose Covered Bridge. Built in 1881, it is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places and serves as an opportunity to drive over a unique piece of the region’s history.
Please note, to offer maximum availability participation will be limited to either the Grand River North or the Grand River South tour.
Cost Estimate: $90 (TBC)
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on September 3rd at 9 p.m.
Blue Mountains Fall Colours Gimmick Rally
Sunday October 15, 2023
Hosted by Hazel De Burgh and Martin Tekela
Twenty-five Porsches, each carrying at least a driver and navigator, depart at 30- to 60-second intervals from the quaint town of Clarksburg to the Owen Sound area. The tour discovers lightly travelled back roads and experiences scenic fall-colour foliage and lookouts. After an enjoyable lunch stop, the Fall Colours Gimmick Rally continues through the Beaver Valley and over the top of the Blue Mountains, ending with an awards reception at a private venue with fantastic views overlooking Georgian Bay. The gimmick-rally quiz questions are based on certain colours from the route, the pit stops, and certain other experiences.
Cost $75 | 25 Porsches | 200 kilometres
Registration opens via ClubRegistration.net on September 17th at 9 p.m.
