Spiel Magazine 222

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President’s Report

Dear members, what an exciting few weeks we have had with the celebrations of Porsche’s 75th birthday when, with the registering of the first official Porsche sports car, the foundations were laid for the global success the Marque has become today. After the struggle of those post-war early years, in the former sawmill at Gmund, to the move to Stuttgart and the incredible story that has unfolded since.

With the world at a crossroads with options of alternative ‘clean’ energy sources and the always omni-present economic aspects, I suspect the next decade will certainly be one of change and interesting times! 

All four Official Porsche Centre’s celebrated this milestone here in ‘Godzone’ and you will see some wonderful photos that Peter has collated further on in this issue.

We recently closed off the bookings for the upcoming tours of the Porsche Leipzig and Zuffenhausen factories and the Museum which will take place between September 18th and the 21st. After our last day in Zuffenhausen we will be touring the RUF facility in Pfaffenhausen, which will round off what I am sure will be another memorable Club Factory Tour. Some of those joining us on the tour will go on to Rennsport Reunion in California on their way home, a total Porsche overload indeed!

On the home front and despite winter really making its presence felt, the Club is enjoying a varied range of events, with great attendances. I am pleased to say that we have had a number of members answer the call and come forward to help with Northern Region events. You may recall in previous issues we mentioned we were struggling a little for manpower, so thankyou to everyone involved.

The Club’s AGM was once again held, (May 6), at Auckland’s Sails Restaurant, in Westhaven Marina. This was followed, as is tradition, with our annual formal dinner at which we also award the season’s primary racing trophies and the year’s Club trophies. The awards and speeches were kept to a minimum allowing for lots of socialising, one of the best annual dinners in a long time.
It was a pleasure to host the evening, made especially enjoyable with Porsche NZ CEO Greg Clarke and his wife Helen joining us, as well as Ehrin Wardlow from Porsche NZ and representatives from most of the Club’s other sponsors. Thank you all for attending and supporting the Club and congratulations once again to the award recipients!

Now something I need to mention on a less celebratory note, please can I ask all members when participating in Club runs to adhere to the briefings given by your Club representatives/organisers before these events begin. 

Whilst we all enjoy a bit of ‘spirited driving’ in our pride and joys, we have had another complaint in from a member of the public at the speeds groups of PCNZ cars are doing, on some semi-rural roads. Please be responsible and drive with respect to others using the roads. Safety for all is paramount. This is why we hold track days whenever possible.

On the National Committee front I want to thank, on behalf of the National Committee and Club members, Camilla Welch for all her outstanding work representing the Central Region on Committee. Camilla has decided to step down and we wish both her and her husband Rodney our very best. You will be missed Camilla!

Incoming, we welcome Daniel Angus to the National Committee, representing the Race Committee along with Chris Barendregt. Great to have you join the team Daniel!

The National Committee will be holding its annual Strategy Meeting in August, at which we will be analysing the year that has been, and discussing new ideas, areas of challenge and looking at ways we can continue grow, develop and improve both the Club and its membership experience. You will find my annual report to the AGM in this issue, covering off the Club’s activities and regions in more detail. Stay safe on the winter roads; enjoy the best cars in the world with 75 years of constant development and legend behind them!

Best regards
Ash Powell – President

Editor's Report

Porsche celebrates a success story this year.75 years ago on 8 June 1948, Ferry Porsche realised his dream of a sports car when with his team, he produced the Porsche 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster. This became the first automobile bearing the name Porsche to receive its general operating permit. It marked the birth of the Porsche legend inspired and Driven by Dreams.

Here in New Zealand, we are proud of our Porsche Club and its heritage of people sharing and growing our passion and I was pleased to see how many Club members were enthusiastically involved nationwide with driving their sports cars and attending the festivities organised by the four Official Porsche Centres.

My thanks to Caitlin Ryan of Porsche NZ and Katie Alderson of CCS who were energetic with the preparations for the weekend of celebrations. There are also two other big anniversaries to celebrate in the ‘75 years of Porsche Sports Cars’ jubilee year: 60 years of the 911 and 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Every sports car manufacturer dreams of success at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, and Porsche has a particularly close relationship with the French endurance classic: the brand is the most successful at Le Mans, as well as being the only participant to have been represented at the 24-hour race without interruption since 1951. During this time, the company has racked up 110 class and 19 overall victories.

There are almost 900 members so there will be many more tales to be told. Accept my challenge and please flood my inbox. 
spiel@porsche.org.nz