Arizona Region PCA History: 1980-1989

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Twenty-five years ago, the Arizona Region of the Porsche Club of America was gearing up for the club's Silver Anniversary. It was the fabulous 80s, and there was a lot to celebrate. The eighties proved to be a time of significant growth in variety and sophistication for the AZPCA. Membership rolls began the decade at around 130 members, and finished 1989 with about 220. Leadership was provided by our Club Presidents: Jon Collins (1980), Bob Kritsberg (1980), Chip Alexander (1981), Marty Motian (1982 and 1987), Jack Aman (1982-83), Cliff Swan (1984), Chuck McKinney (1985), Ken Shahoian (1986), and Jon Lee (1988-89).

Porsches in the racing world did very well in this decade, winning seven Le Mans victories in a row (1981-1987) and several 24-Hours at Daytona races, with Porsche racing models 935, 936, 956, 959, and 962. An important change came along in 1984 when Porsche split from Audi and began to sell Porsches on its own under the banner of Porsche Cars of North America. Changes in the 1980s to consumer models included larger engines (3.6 liter by 1989), better brakes, and the addition of the 964 in 1989, which had a self-adjusting spoiler and 4-wheel drive.

Club members with affection for racing or working on their Porsches found a lot to love about our Club in the 80s. The AZPCA scheduled many events: Slalom races, using Tempe Diablo Stadium and Scottsdale Community College (24 light poles) parking lots; Driver’s Ed for both high performance and beginning racers; Autocross; Open Track at Firebird Raceway; Rallies; and tech sessions. Swap meets and the Going Places “Smokin’ Deal!” listings gave members ways to acquire or divest of equipment and even Porsches themselves. Many events were sponsored by our faithful advertisers and club sponsors. Some, including Don Jackson Enterprises, have been there for the duration. Early Going Places articles encouraged patronage of Club advertisers by our members – still excellent advice today! We could not do much of what we do without their participation.

The Club continued to have many events geared to our theme of “Cars-and-People.” Our current Sunday Drives had their beginnings in the many day, overnight, and weekend drives that blossomed throughout the 80s. The group racked up quite a list over the decade. Overnight and weekend trips included drives to Hannigan Meadow, Lake Havasu and Nevada (with a little casino time thrown in), Flagstaff, Bisbee, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona. One of the trips to Sedona was completey sans Porsches – the group travelled in two motor homes, which provided sleeping quarters as well, and brought a pickup truck to transport groups to hiking and shopping and sightseeing from their camp. One of the weekend trips was a three day Southern California Wine Run, which gave a convenient day in the middle for wine tasting. Day trips to Mormon Lake and Lake Mary gave opportunities for picnics in bucolic settings after exercising the Porsches, even if there was at least one rain out. Drives to Prescott and Wickenburg were followed by restaurant meals of various types, including brunch at Rancho de Los Caballeros, a tradition we still enjoy today (although the price is a little higher than the $12.50 per person in 1989).

The Phoenix Flights really became a fixture of Zone 8 annual activities. Each year drew more participants, and the event gradually expanded from a one-day to a three-day event, and moved from September to late fall. The first and frequent location for Flight was at the Ramada Valley Ho in Scottsdale. The 25th Anniversary celebration for the club was also held there, at $15 per plate! Flight XXX events, in 2007, were again scheduled in this completely renovated venue, now called simply the Valley Ho. Purely social events continued to develop during the 80s. Cocktail parties and pool parties (including a billiards pool party) were held at private homes, potluck style, as were some of the Christmas parties. Progressive dinners, with separate courses at as many as four different homes, gave drivers a chance to fire up the Porsches as they traversed the metro area over an evening. Restaurant dinners out at Grandinettis on 16th St. became a sort of tradition of the Club.

Going Places changed a lot over this decade as well. Starting the decade as an 8 x 11 multipage newsletter, it went to a smaller 7 x 8 format in 1982, and added colored paper with coordinating ink in 1984. The newsletter ended the decade with the smaller size, but with a more substantial cover and improved production quality. The newsletter was used not only for information, but also to encourage members to get involved in the proposed legislation of the day by writing their congresspersons, in repealing the 55 mph speed limit and preventing the passive restraint laws from passing. In 1984, an article outlined the new, tougher Arizona DWI laws. The Going Places of this decade often referenced our current active members Jack and Loretta Aman as they also contributed as editors, tour directors, and event planners and placed in many competitions.

The 80s really cemented us as a club, giving us enough history to be a real force among the regions in Zone 8. They are not to be forgotten, especially since some of us are still driving beloved Porsches that were born in that decade!

by Denise and Charles Brasile