As another blanket of snow falls, I’m reminded of how beautiful it is to live in New England. At the same time, having just returned from a few days at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport the prior weekend to attend the PCA Winter Staff meeting, I’m also reminded that the next beautiful New England season is fast approaching.
Perhaps being the easiest airport to get a direct flight to in the US, ATL also boasts being home to the Porsche Experience Center, PECATL. On the northeast perimeter of the airport, this is as close to the runways as the FAA allows. As a bonus, the very pleasant Kimpton Hotel abuts the Porsche facility, the perfect spot for hosting our PCA Winter Staff meeting. While actively working to advance many topics in meeting rooms, the 8th floor observation deck provided the perfect spot to continue conversations at the reception, overlooking the middle of the expanded PECATL driving tracks. Sounds of GT3RS’s circulating below pleasantly echoed as background music, before the sun set. We could almost inspect the rivets on the underside of the constant string of jetliners hanging in the sky as they landed every minute or so. Luckily, jet engines are at reduced “approach idle” settings so as not to interrupt our conversations. With upper 60-degree temperatures and calm wind, it made for a very pleasant evening as it previewed what we can expect in New England a month or two from now.
To stir dreams of spring even more, PCNA treated us all to “chauffeured” hot laps in a 911, around their original track. PECATL’s driving coaches do this all day long so they hold very little back. I assured Kyle, my driver, that with 44+ years of being an AutoX and senior DE Instructor, I am a very “good passenger”. He took the bait and laid down some very fun laps, using everything the Carrera had to offer. Very fun indeed, but as got out of the car I barely had an elevated heart beat because it felt like any other Saturday at a CVR AutoX. The only added excitement was that watching the proximity of the double high Armco guardrail just 3-10 feet away from both sides of the car! It still mystifies me why they built the course that way. I can only guess to prevent any chance of a head-on situation between the multiple cars on the track? Maybe they wanted to intimidate new students to drive well below the limit when they were behind the wheel? Thankfully Kyle had no such reservations and I enjoyed the run and it made me look forward to the next CVR AutoX on May 10th.
Inside the PECATL museum, Linda Goodman (your PCA National Historian) and I soaked up the displays. We enjoyed our conversation with the very knowledgeable docent on duty about the cars and memorabilia. We each added a layer of knowledge to the subject in front of us. For example, I recanted witnessing Al Holbert spin & win in the Lowenbrau Special 962 standing in front of us (reason enough to visit PECATL). It was at a Lime Rock Memorial Day IMSA race. His dive-bombing into Big Bend from 7th place qualifying was too much even for his considerable talent. The cool tires of turn 1 refused to stay on the pavement and he had to sit patiently, 90-degrees to the track while the entire field passed him. That added to his motivation even more, and the ensuing march back to the front to win the race is something I clearly recall decades later. Porsches, just like the seasons, have left wonderful memories in New England.
Before a very nice dinner in Restaurant 356, we also had time to try the Porsche Sim Lab. 6-rigs abreast, we competed head-to-head on the Porsche Driving Experience’s home track, Barber in Alabama. Each in an identical 911RSR, it was a new experience for many of us. Luckily, I had one real-life session at the Barber track last year, after the Porsche Parade, to help offset my lack of Sim experience. That experience helped me beat most of the National Staff that gave it a go, bested only by experienced SIM racers with considerable Barber track time. I could see where SIM racing could become addictive if you wanted to invest in good force feedback equipment. But it made me appreciate real driving at the limit in a safe AutoX setting even more. Hmmm, I guess there is a theme developing here.
The CVR AutoX schedule is as firm as it gets for early March, with the Hartford lot being reserved for CVR. Unless a big concert magically appears in the next few weeks, registration for AutoX #1 on May 10th will open in the next few weeks (late March or early April). That gives you just a little time to be sure your car is out of hibernation and ready to go. Please take a minute to read the updated 2025 Parade Competition Rules (PCR’s) now, while you have the chance. Your National AutoX and PCR Committees have been busy updating those rules, and refining a few car classes, to ensure as level a playing field as practical based on real data from across the country. Most cars have not changed class, however a few have. And of course we have added the latest car models. If you are lucky enough to drive the very fast 4.0 liter Cayman/Boxsters for example, you will notice a bump up to Stock 7 and Production 6. Yes you will join the 911 Turbos, but that is because those models are that FAST! 2025 PCR’s can be found on both the PCA.org website (follow : Events/Parade/Information & More/2025 PCRs) and the CVRPCA.org/AutoX website (AutoX – Connecticut Valley Region PCA), where you will also find the updated 2025 “Medium” sized AutoX Car Class table that CVR uses.
In case you haven’t noticed, I really look forward to seeing you all at the May 10th CVR AutoX. Our AutoX program is a New England gem not to be missed.
