Hot temps for the August DE – and hoping for more moderate temps for the rest of the season

CVR DE was back at it on August 14th, at Lime Rock Park, with lots of excited new drivers.  We shared the day with the Lime Rock Drivers Club, alternating hours on the track. With only three rungroups, all of our drivers had plenty of quality track time.

The weather forecast had called for potential rain and/or thunderstorms throughout the day but as it turned out we had a little sprinkle in the morning, and I mean little, and the rest of the day was dry but very hot and humid.  The drivers were told in the morning meeting to make sure that they drank a lot of water during the day.

It’s always impressive to see how many different Porsche models show up for a CVR DE. At the August DE, we had 14 Caymans (GT4’s, S’s, and base models), 8 Boxsters, a whole range of 911’s (from a 1971 911 to a 2021 GTS), 4 944’s, a 968, and a mix of GT3’s and Cup Cars.

We decided that we would not have classroom sessions for the drivers because of the ongoing Covid concerns.  Instead, we planned “group fun sessions” during our alternating off-hours.  Danbury Porsche sponsored CVR DE’s first Cornhole  Competition.  We held multiple rounds, 4 tosses each, for anyone that wanted to play.   The first round was well attended but the heat and humidity played a factor in fewer people showing up for the second round (and it was during lunchtime).  Since there is a strict ‘no drug or alcohol policy” in PCA’s DE Minimum Standards, there was no beer – and many people asked, “how can we play Cornhole without beer?”   Well, we played, even though the heat and humidity were excessive and no beer was allowed, and in the end, we had four winners.

The Cornhole Competition ended with a two-way tie for first place: Michael and Will each received a $50 gift certificate to a future 2021 DE event.   Second place went to Eric and third place went to first-time DE driver Adam.  All winners received a gift from Danbury Porsche – they donated some really nice giveaways to present to the winners.  A big ‘thank you’ to Chris Partelow, the general sales manager, and all of the great people at Danbury Porsche for their continued support of the CVR DE program.

The DE committee wants to thank all of the instructors and especially those instructors who continually sign up as no-car, for coming out in the middle of a summer weekend to help.  Without the help from all of you, we would not be able to put on a quality DE program.  You should all reach around and give yourselves a big pat on the back.  Thank you for your time and instructing skills and dedication to our DE program.

Our club President, Allen Fossbender, volunteered to come to our August DE, just to help out at Pit In.   He knows that with only three rungroups at a DE, the logistics for work assignments are difficult because of the overlap of one group coming off the track and the other group getting set to go out on track.  His help took the pressure off the event organizers.  Next time you see Allen, thank him for helping out at the DE.   For many of you, that meant no work assignment and with the heat, that was a huge bonus.

I also want to thank Aaron Diamond for donating his time to take photographs during the event.   Everyone loves a picture of their car out on track, especially our beginners – what a great souvenir to have to show to family and friends.  Thanks Aaron.

With only three events left in the 2021 CVR DE season, you’ve got to check your calendar to see if you can attend one (or more) before we go into hibernation.  Our next event will be on Saturday, September 11th at Lime Rock Park.   This event will be for all rungroups.   And since a Saturday at Lime Rock is expensive, we need a lot of drivers to register, to cover the track rental cost.  As always, registration is on ClubRegistration.net.

Going into October, our Advanced solo drivers look forward to our Advanced DE at Watkins Glen.  This year the event will be on Monday/Tuesday, October 4 & 5.  This is a very popular two-day event, in the beautiful setting of Lake Seneca.  There will be two rungroups so plenty of track time for all.  We hope to see many of you there.   Again, registration is on ClubRegistration.net.   Register early to make sure that you get a garage spot.

Wrapping up the 2021 season, we will finish at Lime Rock Park on Saturday, November 6th.  This event will be for all rungroups, including instructed students.  Having students back, after not having any in 2020, has opened up the opportunity for so many new people to drive their cars the way they are meant to be driven.   I think I can safely say “we’ve hooked quite a few new track addicts” based on repeat registrations and all of the smiles on the faces of the new drivers.

Please register for one of our remaining 2021 DE events.   You will have fun, you’ll learn what your car can do and you’ll meet a lot of people that love ‘everything Porsche’. 

Stay safe.

Dave