Arizona Region PCA History: 2000-2009

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The post-2000 decade has been characterized by taking what has proven to be successful... and fine tuning it. With the coming of the new millennium, Arizona Region of the PCA began its fifth full decade. As a well-established entity, nothing was needed in the way of organizational change. The continued availability of strong leadership, along with some minor additions and fine tuning, became the hallmarks of the 2000's. That strong leadership was provided by presidents Ken Steel (2000-02), Dale Willis (2003-04), Bruce Martz (2005-06) and Steve Sapareto (2007-08).

Minor additions included the ultra-popular "Sunday Drives." Though first discussed in 1999, the Sunday drives officially began in 2000. Some destinations have been so popular as to become annual events. One case in point is the Wickenburg drive (8 times), always led by Jack and Loretta Aman. In nine years, nearly seventy Sunday drives have taken us to no less than thirty-five different locations. Another minor change in the post-2000 decade was the shifting of locations for our membership meetings. This somewhat subtle change, from car-related venues to restaurants, created a more "wife friendly" atmosphere. Meeting attendance greatly increased, and we still include many of our favorite "car" locations, (Stuttgart SW, Porsche North Scottsdale, Billy Boat Performance Exhaust, Patrick Motorsports and Don Jackson's). All in all, we held meetings at over fifty different locations, thirty of which were eating establishments.

We held six PCA National Club Races (2001-06), and though not always a financial bonanza, we always received high marks for planning, organization and execution (from PCA National and club racers).

Perhaps the most outwardly noticeable changes were those occurring with Going Places. In April 2001, Going Places was published in a new (standard magazine) size. November 2001 featured the first color photo cover. In August 2002, inside color photos were introduced. Color and graphics, as well as the quality of paper, have continued to improve. In 2006, Going Places won the Heinmiller Award as the best club newsletter in the PCA. Barb and Dick Langham began the decade as editors. Jill Beck then used her phenomenal graphic and organizational skills to transform Going Places into a winner. Hugh Starkey continues to produce a newsletter we can all be proud of.

Throughout the decade, our club has been characterized by a full schedule of both driving and social events. We have had forty-six overnight tours to numerous locations. Some of the most popular tours include; Alpine, Flagstaff, Southern Arizona, Southern California and Las Vegas. Other events have included DE's, time trials, dyno days and tech sessions. One of the most popular driving events is the autocross series, and who can forget the infamous Mother's Day, "Men in Drag" AX. Our club participates in the Pavilions and Julio G's car shows. We have had moonlight rallies, garage tours and numerous race-related (LeMans, Sebring, Grand Am, IRL, Indy 500, F1) parties/BBQ's. We have held Christmas parties at Ancala and Moon Valley Country Clubs, as well as Tatum Ranch Golf Club. Phoenix Flights have been held at the Holiday Inn Sun Spree Resort, Old Town Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn/Radisson Crystal Ballroom and Valley Ho Hotel in Scottsdale; as well as the Point at South Mountain in Phoenix and the Sports complex in Peoria. Our charities have included the Foundation for Blind Children, the West Valley Children's Crisis Center and Camp Sunrise.

Our club has been rewarded both regionally and nationally. I have already mentioned the coveted Heinmiller award. Additionally, we were named the Zone 8 "region of the year" in 2002 and 2007. Ken Steele (2003) and Jill Beck (2007) were named the Zone 8 "Enthusiast of the Year." At the 2004 Porsche Parade in Ft. Worth, Bob, Jill and Jack Beck were named the "Family of the Year." Bob was also honored at the same Parade for his fine automotive art.

So....as you can see, Arizona Region PCA has had a good decade. Our national membership topped out at 832 members. After attending Phoenix Flight 26, Jack Bair (former PCNA liaison to the PCA) wrote a letter to the club in which he stated, "The spirit of the Arizona Region is a direct result of its leadership. You can look to each of yourselves and to the other leaders and know that you have done a great job! Thanks for keeping the spirit of Porsche alive and well in Arizona!"

The past few months we have taken much time looking at the history of our club; the growth, the friendship and the little things that hold big things together. It has been important to look back at the fifty years of our history. It should have provided prospective to all, as it relates to the early years of the club. People who were important in the sixties and seventies gave way to those in the eighties and nineties. Just in the ten years I have been a member, I have witnessed a passing of the torch, if you will. People come and people go, but the continuity of the club is maintained, and that is important. It is important that we remember what it is that brings us together. To me, being a member of the Porsche Club of America links me to a history that predates our club. It links me to a time when Porches were built in a glorified garage in Gmund, Austria. It links me to a bright red 917 winning LeMans, in 1970. It links me to millions of people around the world who share a common interest. We all walk out into our respective garages, carefully open the door and slide into our Porsches. We turn the key, and the engine springs to life. If you listen carefully there is much to hear. I am awed by the camaraderie of like-minded enthusiasts brought together by the dreams of Ferdinand and Ferry Porsche. The club means all these things to me; the history, the racing cars, the crest and the people. Being in the club is like being a member of this huge extended family. As we look ahead, perhaps the important issue for us now is not so much where we've been, but where we're going. As has been pointed out, our club has been well cared for and nurtured through its growing pains. It is now up to us, and those who came after, to be good stewards. We must guard against complacency. We must stay active in the club. We must continue to fine tune the product.

By all those that have come and gone, we have been handed a growing, thriving, active car/people club. It is up to us to build upon the first fifty years. There are new challenges and new adventures ahead, and the best is yet to come! I encourage you to help us start the second fifty years, by celebrating and paying tribute to the first fifty years. Please join us at the 50th Anniversary of the Arizona Region of the Porsche Club of America.

See you there!

by Reg Barnes