Blog – 4/4/2022 – Blue Ridge Region

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Welcome to Charles Burton of Lynchburg, VA. He drives a 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Member Stories

From Arthur Silvers

Hi Pete I was just enjoying your recent Blue Ridge Blog with photos from the Zone 2 races. My expectation is there are a lot of BRPCA Porsche owners who dream of either racing on track or, more likely since the race driving is so intimidating, just want to see what their Porsche can do on track. First Settlers PCA has a 3 day HPDE driving school coming up April 29- May 1 at VIR. Great group mostly with their daily drivers just out to learn performance driving. It’s a great, safe and fun way to enjoy what your Porsche was designed for. Motorsport Registration

Thanks Arthur for the email.

I want to share that I have always been a car nut. I started driving competitively in Autocross. We do not do many of these locally but Shenandoah Region up in Charlottesville has them on a regular basis. I learned more about car control with Autocross than any other activities. Click Here

I then progressed to Drivers Education events. Virginia International Raceway in Danville is an excellent track with many events and very good instructors. I think everyone should attend a weekend at the track. You will learn more about driving in that weekend AND have a great time. These events are carefully managed to maintain the safety of the participants and minimize damage to your car. Insurance is available and encouraged. FYI, I drove for over twenty years with no insurance and had no incidents.

Eventually, I became an instructor and also participated in Club Race and Historic Car Racing.

So, you can engage at many levels, with minimal risk and loads of fun and friendships. Just do it!

Activities

Blue Ridge Region PCA Events

Date	Name	Venue
Jan 26	BRR-PCA Holiday Party & Annual Meeting	Hunting Hills Country Club	Register

Visit MotorsportReg.com to register for thousands of autocross, HPDE, race & social events.

Cars and Coffee

April Cars and Coffee

Next Weekend!!!

Last chance to sign up.

Limited seating. Email now if you are interested.

Cars n’ Coffee #3 – April 9, 2022

Alert 1000 Hrs. (ie 10AM, not 9:30AM!)

The Green Goat
802 Wiley Dr SE
Roanoke VA 24015

RSVP by Noon on April 6.

RSVP will be to Gene Reed: Social

They’re opening a bit early for us and will offer the Brunch Buffet. Also they have a full bar, if anyone cares.

We will be parking in the big grass lot next to the road.

As such, if rain is eminent I reserve the right to pull the plug and reschedule.

May Cars and Coffee

May 14 2022

Hale’s Restaurant

7643 Roanoke Rd

Shawsville VA 24162

Beginning at 0930 hrs.

Seating will be limited to 30

RSVP to Social by May 11. Noon

For those so inclined we are invited to tour Duncan Imports a dealer of exotic and bizarre autos nearby. Really worth the trip. Come pick out your own Nissan Figaro!

Third Annual Gary Bell Rally

I almost forgot to mention the upcoming Gary Bell Rally. It is a beautiful time of the year to drive in the Virginia countryside. We have enjoyed the previous rally’s. Last year if I recall, the Durham’s won! Anyways, it is a great event.

The Blue Ridge Region PCA has prepared a rally course of approximately 2456 miles with an estimated drive time of about 11 days +/-. This event will include a mid point break stop south of Austin TX. Awards will be given to the top three finishers based on driving time based on the number of speeding tickets and your score on a bunch of crazy questions. All cars are to arrive at the starting point by 9:00 AM with the first car off at 9:30 AM. Expect cars to be release every 2-3 days.

Starting Location: Somewhere south of Nome, AK.

Ending Location: Well, who knows.

Details are sketchy and subject to change. Be sure to call Reid personally for the latest update. (Or maybe he will get around to posting the details for us!)

More accurate updates on the details can be found at:

Gary Bell Rally

Event requirements

As you register be sure to get to and click on “Complete Registration” on the Confirmation page.

Each car must have at least two individuals. The first is, of course, the driver. The second is the navigator and is responsible for following and communicating the instructions, recording items per the instructions, and being an extra set of eyes ensuring safety. This event will take place on public roads, at posted speed limits, and in a safe manner.

All drivers, navigators, passengers, organizers, … will be required to complete the: PCA Liability Release Waiver. Use of the electronic waiver (SpeedWaivers) is encouraged, however, paper waivers can be signed in-person at the starting point. Both parents of any participant must complete and sign, in-person, the PCA Waiver for Minors.

Reminder – This event is held on pubic roads and must comply with all Virginia Driving Laws and posted signs.

Racing

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid Headed to NASCAR

The recently launched Porsche Panamera S Hybrid is headed to the big time as Porsche has just announced that Jimmy Johnson’s number 48 will start later this year. Click here for more details!

Next Generation Porsche 718 All Electric

The Porsche 718 goes All-Electric in 2025!! Following years of rumors, Porsche has finally confirmed details about the 911 hybrid and, more importantly, that the 718 is going electric. According to the company, the 718EV will launch in 2025, and electric propulsion will be the only powertrain option after the current-gen718 is discontinued. It will be the first Porsche to ride on the PPE platform, and the third electric Porsche after the Taycan and Macan EV.

End of the Road for Porsche 911

Porsches cites the decision on dwindling sales of the flagship sportscar as buyers favour the larger Cayenne and Panamera, especially in the important emerging market of China. “We can no longer rely on the European and North American markets,” claims Porsche spokesperson Avril Sciocco. “Asia is the future and they want large cars over there.”

Development of the all-new 998/991 model, which was due to appear next year, has been shelved and instead the current 997 shall soldier on until 2013. Instead of a final bow-out limited edition 911, Porsche shall produce an ‘Edition 911 50th’ Panamera to celebrate the end of 911 production – further proof that Porsche wants to be seen as a producer of larger cars.

However, 911 fans should not give up hope just yet. A number of parties are interested in taking over production of the iconic sports car, rather like Caterham did with the Lotus Seven. These range from US-based SharksWerks to UK-based Autofarm, and even electric-car maker, Tesla. As yet, though, Porsche has not commented on such plans.

And will this shock news affect Total 911? “Of course not,” says editor Philip Raby. “With 50 years of history, there will always be plenty to write about and, besides, I’m confident that someone out there will take over 911 production. In fact, I’m tempted to do it myself – I could easily build the cars in my garage.”