Immediately after purchasing my first Porsche in 1993, I joined the Porsche Club of America and became a member of the Connecticut Valley Region.  A few months later, I attended my first CVR Event, a New Member Sampler, on a sunny, spring day at the Sheraton Hotel in Waterbury.  Lisa Parker hosted the sampler and enlivened it with her usual enthusiasm.  She guided presentations seamlessly throughout the day.  Paul Kudra and his wife, Pam, complemented Lisa’s hospitality by greeting everyone warmly.  After activity-chair presentations, Lisa coordinated a Mini-Porsche Concours in the hotel’s parking lot.  The Kudras set up a miniature autocross course nearby.  The New Member Sampler was an excellent gateway to my future involvement in the club.  It was also an opportunity for me to meet Lisa, Paul, and Pam, all of whom have been an inspiration to me throughout the years.

Although this article is about Paul, it is essential to note that he and Pam were an inseparable team for more than thirty years of club leadership.  Prescott Kelly, past CVR and PCA president, remembers Pam admiringly as an ingredient in Paul’s (and the club’s) success, “… adding her skills, energy, charm, and dedication” to many events.  Paul has continued to be a principal member of the CVR Board and vice president of autocross during the last decade.  Pam remains an ardent club member, but she chooses to be more in the background now.  Nevertheless, you will see her at virtually all CVR autocross events, sitting near the family’s beautiful, multi-use trailer, which is the hub of Team Kudra.  She is there cheerleading faithfully for Paul and their now-grown children, Randy and Sara, both of whom Paul reports        “…have been autocrossing since before they were born.”

Over the years, I have observed Paul at many club activities and have interacted with him frequently since becoming a CVR board member in 2012.  The more I know him, the more I admire his passion for Porsches, vision as club leader, and characteristic kindness.  Prescott Kelly is also a fan and comments, “I’ll always remember Paul for his three uber-skills:  management, autocross, and artistic ability…delivered with his boundless enthusiasm and good humor.  Paul is just a plain great guy.  He’s great fun to hang with, shoot the bull, and talk cars.”

Paul purchased his first Porsche, a 912E that he still owns, upon return from his honeymoon in June 1979 and immediately became a PCA member.   He attended a CVR Monthly Meeting at Ground Round in Glastonbury the next month and subsequently attended many club events that year, including his first autocross in August.  He participated in his first track event at Lime Rock Park the following spring.  Club leaders asked him in the fall of 1980 to take over the CVR Goodie Store, which was then a small display of car badges and club stickers.  He became the official activity chair of the store in 1981 and expanded the number of items for sale by leveraging group buying power.  The resulting bulk purchases of Halon Fire Extinguishers, Escort Radar Detectors and other items established the business model that guided the management of the store’s inventory through successive activity chairs for thirty-five years, until Frank Sena reconceptualized the store to an online enterprise in 2016.

In 1982, Paul became the club’s Wunderkind as elected secretary and board officer at age twenty-six.  During his two-year term, he published a monthly column, “Secretary’s Story,” in Challenge that captured the essence of CVR activities and promoted them to club members, sponsors, and other interested parties.  While serving as secretary, he and Pam, along with Linda Goodman and her husband, Eric Grossman, volunteered to become co-editors of Challenge. They published the magazine from May 1982 to December 1988. They transformed it from a manually-produced, twenty-two-page, black-and-white photocopied pamphlet to a desk-top magazine of up to sixty pages.  Many of the issues required twelve months of planning to create unique covers and captivating content. Over the years, between 400 and 1,000 copies were printed for monthly distribution.

Pam, Paul, Linda, and Eric sat around a kitchen table at the end of every month, applying mailing labels to copies and sorting them by zip code into duffle bags for delivery to the Hartford Post Office.  They usually worked until midnight to meet publication deadlines.  Linda and Eric have fond memories of their work on Challenge:

When we became partners with Paul and Pam, we typed Challenge content on onion skin with a portable typewriter.  We immediately replaced the portable with an electric typewriter.  Paul pushed for further upgrades: an IBM Selectric Typewriter with memory to make corrections with white-out tape, printed layout boards with the club’s logo on each page, and a hot waxer to replace rubber cement.  Ultimately, we purchased a first-generation Mac with floppy drives and a printer, making production more efficient.

Paul was always the art director for our Challenge efforts.  And he was ever the perfectionist.  We might have been too tired to care if a headline wasn’t quite straight or the mailing labels that we stuck on by hand to each printed copy were not quite level, but Paul always cared.  Paul was also in charge of designing the cover for each issue.  The most fun was planning the annual April (Fools) cover in 1983.  We got a dozen club members to put on driving suits and helmets and to bring seat belts and steering wheels to the East Hartford go-kart track.  We all sat on the asphalt at one of the curves and leaned into it!  The resulting cover was terrific.

There was proof at the time that Porsche officials were reading Challenge.  Peter Schultz, chief executive officer of Porsche AG, was photographed holding a 1984 issue.  Ed Triola, head of public relations at Porsche Cars North America, asked for additional copies of the April 1988 issue, impressed by Paul’s artistry on the issue’s cover – – a photograph of a Quaker State Oil Indy Car that he fashioned from an oil bottle and placed on a diorama of a track.  The allure and creativity of Challenge were exceptional.  It won the prestigious Paul R. Heinmiller Award as Porsche Club of America’s top news magazine in 1987 and 1988.  Linda and Eric attribute the honor to Paul’s continuous attention to detail.

The annual Photofest is derivative of Paul’s editorship of Challenge.  He conceived the Photofest in 1983 to generate more photos for the magazine.  It continues to thrive as a prominent part of the CVR Annual Meeting.

Paul was elected CVR president in 1992 for a usual two-year term.  During his tenure as president, CVR coordinated with the Metro New York and Northern New Jersey Regions the first PCA race at Lime Rock Park. Paul was one of the Zone 1 leaders who submitted the successful application for the Zone to hold the 1994 PCA Parade at Lake Placid, New York.  It was the first time Zone 1 hosted the Parade.  Paul was its autocross chair.  Also during his tenure as president, Mosport Park, Canada’s first permanent race track, became a venue for club track events, joining Watkins Glen International and Lime Rock Park.  In 1994, Paul chaired the CVR Nominating Committee, bringing on Tom Bobbitt as his successor.  Tom later became PCA president. The club’s financial health was excellent throughout Paul’s term.

Recognizing that initial participation in autocross could be an intimidating undertaking for some drivers, Paul founded AutoX-University to help quantify and refine enjoyable ways to learn and to enhance driving skills.  Maps of autocross courses are published online before the events occur to relieve newcomers’ anxiety about following the prescribed routes.  Paul designs each course to enhance one or two specific driving skills.  Instructions in the basic and finer points of those skills are offered in the AutoX-University session at early-morning meetings.  To further enrich the drivers’ participation in autocross events, Paul began the AutoX-University Drive Thru – – a tent at the end of the course where instructors provide encouragement, including immediate feedback and customized lessons to anyone interested.  To capture the essence of autocross, he coined the motto, “Better Driving…Faster!”  His column, “Pylon Place,” in Challenge has explored appealing facets of the autocross experience for many years.  Given Paul’s passion, it is not surprising that he, himself, is a champion autocross driver.  Recognizing his leadership and organizational skills, national officials announced in the February 2021 issue of Panorama that Paul is the new PCA Autocross Chair.

CVR autocross instructor, Ed Bogue, has known Paul for many years:

Paul has been instrumental in my journey with cars since I first met him at my first AutoX in the 1980s when I was eighteen years old.  His leadership, organization, enthusiasm, precision, and love of driving permeated the event atmosphere and made it a wonderful learning experience for all who attended.  I still remember the driving instructions he gave me at that first event.  I was amazed by the speed he carried through the corners in his stock, modestly-powered 912E.  Back then, Paul and Pam would walk the AutoX course in the morning while pulling their kids around in a little wagon.  Now the whole family sits under the awning of the Kudra trailer between runs; his kids have learned to drive exceptionally well.  After a few years, Paul purchased a 911SC to get a bit more power than the 912E.  The SC has undergone multiple transformations, ultimately having 911RSR-esque styling with performance to match.

When Paul returned to the autocross program in 2010, he revitalized it with terrific new ideas centered around teaching, strengthening healthy competition, and creating strong camaraderie.  He created AutoX-University with a curriculum structured to develop a solid foundation of driving skills.  Seeing a need, he raised the bar for the qualifications needed to be an instructor and provides actionable feedback to the instructors on a regular basis.  Working closely with Hoffman Porsche, Paul founded the Hoffman Cup, an end-of-year competition where the top twenty drivers compete in the same car on an identical course.  The winner’s name is inscribed on a perpetual trophy that is displayed in the dealership’s showroom.  I believe that CVR is the only PCA region to have this type of exceptional event.  It provides incentive throughout the year for the drivers to do their best to qualify among the top twenty drivers.  Yet, even in this most competitive event of the year, drivers try to help one another to go faster, and all cheer a great run.  The friendly, supportive atmosphere is a tribute to Paul’s leadership.  In the inaugural year of the Hoffman Cup, the random draw put Paul running last among all twenty drivers. The competition was tough, but Paul managed to put together a perfect last run, besting everyone’s top time.  It is fitting that Paul Kudra is the first name on the Hoffman Cup.  He is an exceptional instructor, mentor, and, above all, friend.  I am sure that the longtime autocrossers would say the same.

Cindy Jacisin, PCA executive vice president, has worked with Paul on a national level:

I’ve had the honor to work with Paul for several years on the PCA Autocross Committee.  I really think he has orange pylons in his DNA!  His contributions as a committee member and now as chair are inspiring.  With the same enthusiasm he competes for the Hoffman Cup, he’s helping other regions improve, revive or start up their autocross programs.  He wants nothing more than to have people enjoy their cars and the camaraderie that naturally evolves at an event.  He does so much to make certain our members have fun.  Cheers to him for a clean run!

Although Paul has been exceptionally successful as autocross vice president and champion driver, his artistic talent is an equally transcendent trait. His graphics, paintings, and photography are collectively known as Kudra Artwork.  He has designed graphics for custom trophies, unique apparel and innumerable commemorative items, including chairs, umbrellas, drinking glasses, and backpacks.  Recipients of the Frank Carrington Award, the club’s most prestigious recognition, are presented a beautiful, large painting of their car created by Paul.  Similar, smaller paintings by Paul are presented to retiring CVR board members who meet specified leadership criteria.  In addition, leaders who serve on the board for ten or more years receive a photograph taken and framed by Paul that captures the beauty of their Porsches against an artistically-rendered background that has special relevance to the recipient.  Lisa Parker, past CVR president and current membership chair, applauds Paul’s talent; she considers him to be “…the club’s artist for the past thirty years.”  Shelley Krohnengold, CVR executive vice president and former, longtime editor-in-chief of Challenge, is also an admirer:

As an artist and design professional, one of the greatest pleasures during my tenure as Challenge editor was to witness the artistic growth of CVR’s artists and photographers, not the least of whom was Paul Kudra.  His painting technique and aesthetic improved with every new automotive illustration he created.  Paul’s formidable engineering background, combined with his creativity, artistry and keen eye for detail, has propelled his work to truly world class.

After ten years, my retirement from the Challenge editor’s seat was bittersweet in many ways, but the recognition-of-service painting Paul created for me of my Porsche 968 track car was worth the admission.  It will always occupy a place of honor in my home

I agree with Arthur Brisbane, the famous American newspaper editor, who exhorted, “Use a picture.  It’s worth a thousand words!”  Because no amount of my words could capture the breadth of Paul’s artistic talent, I invite you to view some of his artwork directly below; you may click on the images to enlarge them:

People who know Paul are not surprised that he also thrived professionally, expertly balancing work obligations with club pursuits.  After graduating from the University of Connecticut in 1978 with a degree in mechanical engineering, he began a forty-two-year career at Pratt and Whitney.  He designed jet engines, winning patents for innovative turbine blades.  He was a principal member of a design team for the P&W V2500 engine, one of the most successful engines in the company’s history.  Promotion to worldwide responsibilities involved travel to New Zealand, Japan, India, through Europe, and through the Americas.  When asked about his most satisfying professional success, he responded:

I prided myself on inventing and refining designs, tools, and processes that made a lasting difference, including turbo-jet hardware, integrated computer systems, and management procedures.  I’m especially proud that my efforts directly contributed to massive efficiency advances that provide significant environmental improvements to this day.  As an example, jet engines now get an equivalent of eighty miles per gallon of fuel.

During his last decade of work, Paul spent an equivalent of three years out of the country as P&W’s Embraer Manager in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, overseeing the development and certification of the company’s E2 family of regional jets.  On his first trip to Brazil, he noticed a go-kart facility across the street from his hotel.  Paul explained:

The go-kart staff became my adopted family and good friends, which kept my spirits up when I was away from home for two or three weeks at a time.  At first, I was a merely an okay kart driver.  After a few years of dedicated lapping, I was consistently seeing my name on the monthly leaderboard with the fastest times.  The owners of the facility scheduled their annual fifty-driver endurance race when I was in town – – so I smiled all the way through the JFK terminal and ten-hour overnight flight, holding my helmet.  I won the endurance race and even set the record for the fastest lap in the process.  I won a couple more times, befriending the other drivers.  A local television station interviewed me as the “American pilot” who won.  Of course, I always proudly wore my CVR t-shirts.  I did us proud in Brazil.

Forty-two years have passed since Paul stepped up to manage the old Goodie Store.  During the last four decades, he has been our Renaissance man:  Goodie Store chair, secretary, president, board member, newsletter editor, autocross chair, auto cross vice president, DE senior instructor, club artist, member of the nominating committee and national leader.  His accomplishments and contributions have had profound, positive influences on our club.  He and Pam were exceptionally deserving recipients of the Frank Carrington Award in 2013.   However, an article about Paul would be incomplete if it did not describe how he achieved success – – his grace and kindness.  He is a gentleman, an excellent listener and patient mentor.  I have observed his diplomacy in challenging circumstances; he is always respectful, without a trace of condescension or entitlement.   Linda Goodman’s comment below is telling:

Paul was my go-to engineer when I needed assistance last summer, helping me assemble medical equipment and make small renovations that I did not know how to tackle.  He and, of course, Pam were incredibly generous and helpful with their time.  It was fun reconnecting.

Club members already speak reverentially of Paul.  He is prominent in CVR history.  I am honored to know him.

Yours Truly,