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2017 Calendar Getting Around with the Las Vegas Region
Note: This is the 2017 Event Calendar for the Las Vegas Region.
Some events are tentative, and are marked with a *.
Board meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday at Gaudin Porsche.
Members' Breakfasts are held at the Red Rock Country Club.
Comments, questions, suggestions regarding this Newsletter may be sent to: lvrnewsletter@gmail.com
More information about the Las Vegas Region may be found at http://www.lasvegaspca.com
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Editor's Thoughts: We lost one of our own.
Last Sunday, in a tragic accident at SpeedVegas, we lost Gil Ben-Kely, an instructor at the track. I'm sure that most of us have read about the accident in the newspaper coverage, which for the very most part has been companssionate and accurate, although there aren't many details available yet.
I knew Gil only slightly. But as the ways things happen, a month ago, when my youngest daughter and family were visiting us here in Las Vegas, I bought her and my 10-year old grandson each a couple of ride-along laps at the track during Cars and Coffee. Gil was the driver for each of them.
Both of my kids raved about the ride Gil gave them, and how he talked to them throughout the ride, telling them about the track, what he was doing, and what the car was doing, explaining everything that was going on. He could not have been nicer to them.
But I understand that was the way he was. He was one of us .... a car guy and a nice guy.
There has been quite a bit of speculation as to exactly what happened. The fact is, not much is known, nor have details been released to the public.
SpeedVegas is, in my opinion, handling this as well as is possible. They closed voluntarily to permit proper investigation. They have hired experts in accident reconstruction and analysis. If there are any feasible changes or improvements identified, I'm sure they will undertake them. They are also one of us.
But don't speculate in advance of the facts. Speculation is, by definition, guessing. And although someone may clearly state that they are speculating, at about the second or third rendition of that speculation the tale begins to assume the appearance of fact. And that can only hurt; there's no way it can help.
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Notices from the Board: The Board welcomes and encourages LVR members to attend Board meetings. The next meeting is March 1, at 6:00 pm at Gaudin Porsche.
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Driver Education Events: Our first event is just a month away.
The entry price is only $350 for both days, or $225 for either single day. That is a $50.00 savings from "at Track" registration costs. We will not be able to accept credit cards at the track.
Track gates open at 7:00am and the MANDATORY Driver's Meeting is at 8:00am.
If you are planning to attend be sure to review the requirements for DE Events and have your car inspected before coming to the track. Detailed information on requirements can be found on the LVRPCA Website:
And you can view and download the Tech Inspection Form at:
We would love to have you join us for a fun time honing your driving skills.
Our second Spring Event will be May 27-28, also at Spring Mountain on the 3.4-mile layout. We are working on Fall dates in September and November.
For further info, contact Brian Schmidt at bschmidtgcw@gmail.com
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February 22 (Wed): We are still looking for volunteers to help on DE events.
Questions: Contact Brian Schmidt at bschmidtgcw@gmail.com
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Now . . . . on to the Coming (or just happened) Events
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February 10: Friday Drive to Breakfast - Redux
Last week we reported that the film in our photographer's camera was expired and we have no pictures to share from the Friday 10 drive to the Dam Hotel in Boulder. After applying some extensive darkroom trickery, photographer John Torrance recovered two great shots:
Check the calendar above in the coming weeks for the date and location for our next Friday morning excursion around and through the Valley for breakfast.
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February 16 (Thursday): Third Thursday Social, 6:30 pm
Last Thursday a group of 13 dedicated socializers arrived at PANCHO'S Restaurant in Summerlin. Befitting the location is was almost like an early summer evening on the Mexican Riviera. The temperature was in the low 70s, winds were nearly calm, and the crowd was hot (but then we were inside!).
Check the calendar above in the coming weeks for the location and date (Ed. note: that would be a Thursday) of our next Third Thursday Social as organized by our Todd Trimble, our Social Chair, who can be contacted at:
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February 18 (Sat) @ 10:00 am: Tech Session - - - "Tips on having fun and enjoying your Porsche safely" or "What to look for before you embark on a long trip, rally, or spirited driving session."
Saturday morning, we had the distinct privilege of hearing from two world-class experts on the subject of "Safety checking your car; what to look for before a long or spirited drive."
Kent Moore (of Premier Sportscar Service) and Tony Mazzagatti (of Carl's Place/ 900 Series Motorsports) held forth on several areas, including fluids, safety walk-around and check, and wheels and tires.
It must have been interesting, because the LVR group of about 32 folks continually peppered them with questions, to the extent that the planned two-hour session lasted three hours. And absolutely no one left early.
Kent and Tony had prepared displays to illustrate their discussions, and had various Porsche models rolled out one-by-one for hands-on show and tell. Every point was explained in non-technical terms, much to the appreciation of most of the audience.
Who knew that the discussion of the various fluids in Porsches (we counted eight of them) could be so critical and interesting. That session alone lasted and hour and fifteen minutes, much of it questions and discussions. Where else could you get such an opportunity? Especially with coffee and bagels, and at no charge. Heck, you'd be hard pressed to even find an opportunity to pay for this kind of advice
(Ed. note: a larger picture of the fluids and labels appears at the end of this article. Feel free to copy and save this to your computer and smartphone. Should you see some strange fluid leaking from your Porsche, this picture can be invaluable in identifying what is leaking).
The "walk around" safety check covered many things that most of us have never thought of. Now we know, to our great advantage.
The discussion of wheels and wheel inspections morphed into tires, tire pressure, valve stems, nitrogen, wheel lug nuts, and on and on. Fascinating.
We plan several more tech sessions, but the possibility of repeating this one exists and the many LVR members who missed this one may want an opportunity to experience it. Let the Board know, and stay tuned to this Newsletter for future sessions.
Upcoming Tech Session on May 20: Everything you wanted to know
about tires (and something you didn't know you wanted to know).
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February 26 (Sunday): Gimmick Rally
The Gimmick Rally is only a week away! We hope you have saved the date on your busy calendar for a few hours of fun. Here's a reminder for the pertinent information:
We'll mostly use lightly-traveled roads, so traffic will not be a concern.
If you are worried about getting lost. No problem. We give you
the end
destination (the last direction) so you can still have lunch with the group.
For those of you that have done some of these..... you know they are simple and fun. For those of you that have not done one of these Rallys..... you need to try. Join us for some fun and lunch at the end. There is no charge for entering the event.
For more info contact Scott Hatcher: shatcher.hcc@earthlink.net
March 1 (Wednesday) 6:00 pm: LVR Board Meeting at Gaudin Porsche
The regular monthly meeting of the LVR Board will be held at 6:00 pm at Gaudin Porsche.
The March meeting will review, and amend if necessary, the 2017 Calendar of LVR Activities and Events, will welcome the new Region Directors and show them where the bathrooms are, and generally attend to business.
All members are welcome to attend and participate. A light dinner will be served. These meetings are informative, entertaining, and little to no gunfire is experienced.
For information, contact Mike Dugan at mduganre@gmail.com or 925-470-7706
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March 5 (Sunday):
Members' Breakfast. 9:00 am at the Red Rock Country Club (w
The monthly breakfast first Sunday of the month. And we continue with savory made-to-order breakfasts, from eggs to omelettes to pancakes and a seemingly endless buffet with just about anything you could imagine including smoked salmon (plus onions and capers and bagels), unlimited bacon and sausages, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, muffins, pastries and CINNAMON BUNS and will once again go on and on.
The cost for the unlimited breakfast is just $14 per person, payable upon entry to the dining room. And, we have our own coffee and juice bar in our part of the dining room.
After breakfast, members are encouraged to stick around for spirited conversations about cars, racing, driving and just about any other topic. As the days begin to warm up, the outdoor patio is likely to be crowded with sun-worshipers and gregarious P-car owners.
We have the entire entry circle for parking to ourselves; it's quite a Porsche show itself. The dining room is spacious and quiet (except for the frequent spirited discussion). The socializing is lots of fun. Sometimes free car magazines are given away on a first-come, first-served basis.
It can't get any better. It's your own fault if you miss it. But, we are there at the good graces of the RRCC, and they would appreciate us dressing for the occasion and location: no cargo shorts, no short shorts, no untucked shirts unless hem is even all around (shirt-tails must be tucked in). No shower clogs. Collared shirts only. And tipping is always welcome, including the valet, who watches over our cars while we're inside.
For information, contact Mike Dugan at
mduganre@gmail.com or 925-470-7706
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March 29 - April 1, 2017 (Thu-Sat): Treffen Hill Country (TEXAS) . . . Registration remains open
The next Treffen North America will be held in the Hill Country west of Austin, Texas. If you went to the first Treffen in Olympic Village at Lake Tahoe, you know what a fantastic event it was. If you missed that event, you will not want to skip this one.
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July 5 - 19: Porsche Parade in Spokane, Washington
Join the Fun
Join your fellow Porsche Club of America members at the 62nd Porsche Parade on July 9-15, 2017. Parade is PCA's annual, weeklong event enjoyed by several thousand of your fellow members, who will gather this year in Spokane, Washington.
Parade participants will enjoy Driving Tours and a Gimmick Rally to explore eastern Washington's mountain vistas and high desert, the Concours at Riverfront Park, an Autocross, and a Time-Speed-Distance Rally to test your competitive spirit.
For more information or to register: Click Here
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Sentimental Sunday:
We continue our review of the historic "Burma Shave" road signs from our distant past:
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Before We Go . . .
Zone 8 Concours'
It's February and Zone 8 has a full-schedule of Concours' set for 2017. If you are into cleaning, detailing, and keeping your Porsche in better than Showroom-new condition, you are a candidate for a Concours. Check out the Zone 8 Concours website for dates and locations around Southern California, Southern Nevada, and Arizona:
Other Events You Might be Interested in. Check this calendar often as it changes frequently with additions and deletions.
Zone 8 Calendar: October - December
Check the Zone 8 website for more information on each event - - Zone 8 PCA
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The Las Vegas Region Board of Directors . . . . 2017
Mike Dugan - President. mduganre@gmail.com 925-470-7706
Phil Reese -Vice-President; Newsletter Co-Editor. philreese356@gmail.com 702-478-6911
Salomon Braun - Past President, Drive Events Chair. sbraun5@cox.net 702-423-2677
Joan Kramer - Secretary. kramerjoan52@gmail.com 702-808-5615
Mike Hill - Past President. myevo8isfast@yahoo.com
Reid Smith - Treasurer. reidhorn@yahoo.com 702-399-4945
Nita Burrows - Membership Chair. nburrows986@gmail.com 702-395-3886
Scott Hatcher - Director; Rallymaster. shatcher.hcc@earthlink.net 702-525-8991
Jim Miller - Newsletter Co-Editor. quais64@me.com 702-835-3298
Brian Schmidt - Track Events Chair. bschmidt@gcwengineering.com 702-655-6883
Scott Mann - Director; Chief Driving Instructor. scott@renegadehybrids.com 805-857-4001
John Burrows - Director; Teen Survival Driving Event Chair. jcb986@aol.com 702-395-3886
Todd Trimble - Social Chair, Social Media Chair. todd@trophylv.com 702-682-1111
Ken Short - Webmaster. ken@ictusinc.com 415-672-1034
Board members at Large:
Linda Reese linandphilabuster@gmail.com 702-478-6911
Barbara Barron barbarabarron@hotmail.com 702-210-5560
Warren Donaldson wd0073@gmail.com 702-406-8945
Board meeting minutes: The Board minutes are posted on the LVR Web Site each month after they are approved by the Board. Or.... you can come to the Board meetings and see the goings-on for yourself.
The Region's web site is www.lasvegaspca.com
Our Facebook page is LVRPCA Facebook
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Name Tags are available
To order your Las Vegas Region, Porsche Club name tag, please print clearly the name you want on each tag. Enclose a check or money order for $10.00 made out to Abbott Trophy with your return address printed clearly. Mail to:
Abbott Trophy
953 Sahara A32
Las Vegas 89104
702-735-4995
Att: Mike Mayer
Mike will send your name tag back to you within 10 days to the address you indicate.
As an alternate, Trophies of Las Vegas has a metallic-material badge available, featuring an attractive brushed metal surface, with your choice of lettering.These cost $10.00 as well. The Club Emblem in cloisonne may be affixed, forming a very attractive name badge. The cloisonne emblems are generally available at each Members' Breakfast or at a Board meeting for $5.00. Contact:
Trophies of Las Vegas
4295 S. Arville St.
Las Vegas
702-362-2233
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