Category: Desert Drives

From Endangered Species to Immortal Legend By Gary Lea

This is a wonderful point to continue our story because 1974 through 1998 is arguably one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of the Porsche 911.

During these twenty-five years, the 911 survived emissions regulations, safety requirements, the oil crisis, repeated predictions of its demise, and finally, the end of the air-cooled era.

By 1998, the 911 had emerged as one of the world’s greatest automotive icons.

If the first decade of the 911 was about proving the concept, the next quarter century was about proving that the concept could survive almost anything.

The Porsche 911 Comes of Age (1974–1998)

By 1974, many people, including some within Porsche, believed the rear-engine, air-cooled sports car had reached the end of its useful life.

They were wrong.

The most [...]

Cool Mountain Roads and Porsche Adventures

Summer is officially here!

That was exactly what I was thinking as Dana and I headed north on I-15, hoping to escape the Las Vegas heat and find some cooler temperatures during the Puffer Lake Day Drive.

The dashboard showed a steady 110 degrees (and no, unfortunately, that was not mph) as we made our way to St. George the day before the event.

After a relaxing dinner with Mark and Trudy Wilson and a good night’s sleep, we joined the other Porsches at the morning meetup, ready for what would become an exceptional day of driving.

Scenic Roads and Historic Stops

Rather than simply heading up the interstate, our route took us through Enterprise and toward Cedar City.

Along the way, we encountered some road construction, but our fearless leader carefully guided [...]

Full Speed Into Summer

Greetings to all our wonderful Porsche family!

June certainly turned into an interesting month.

It started hot, cooled back down, heated up again, and then surprised us during the final week with temperatures dropping below 90 degrees.

Can anyone say “roller coaster month?”

WEBSITE

Our new website is officially up and running, and what an improvement!

We are incredibly excited about the launch and want to thank Farhaad Sheikh for all his hard work throughout this transformation.

As with any major project, it has been time-consuming, and we encountered a few roadblocks along the way. However, the result is a cleaner, improved platform that better represents our club and community.

Check it out at:

http://lasvegasporscheclub.com

We are still experiencing some delays with Desert Drives due to interfacing and hosting challenges, but progress continues. Be sure to visit [...]

Full Throttle into Summer

Greetings to all our wonderful Porsche family!

Just as predicted last month, May followed April in quick succession.

First, my apologies for the delayed newsletter last month. We experienced a few growing pains while implementing several changes at once. As with any project involving multiple moving parts, a few unexpected glitches appeared along the way. Thankfully, things are settling down, and we’re excited about the improvements ahead.

🌐 Website

Our new website has officially launched, and we’re thrilled with the results.

A huge thank-you goes to Farhaad Sheikh, who has done an outstanding job leading this transformation. The process has been time-consuming, and we’ve certainly encountered a few roadblocks, but the effort has been worth it.

While we’re still refining some links and activity pages, you’ll immediately notice a cleaner design, improved navigation, and a much more modern platform.

[...]

This marks the beginning of a monthly series exploring the evolution of the Porsche 911, tracing its origins from the early 356 models through each generation and culminating with today’s 992.2 series cars.

Gary Lea

Part One: THE BATHTUBS

Genesis in Aluminum and Air: The Porsche 356 A, B, (D), and C

Before the numbers became sacred—before the 911 became a silhouette recognized in rearview mirrors across the world—there was something quieter. Lighter. Almost uncertain of itself.

The Porsche 356 wasn’t built to dominate a category. It was built because Ferry Porsche couldn’t find the car he wanted to drive.

So he made one.

And in doing so, he set a pattern Porsche would follow for the next 75 years:
“If the world doesn’t understand it yet, build it anyway.”

My very first time to behind the wheel of a Porsche of any stripe was [...]

By Reid Smith

A few weeks ago, while reading the Sunday Review-Journal, I was pleased to see that Las Vegas Region PCA member Greg McCurdy had been recognized as a 2026 Legacy Park Honoree.

Greg’s commemorative placard now stands alongside those honoring past and future leaders of Las Vegas’ Historic Westside, recognizing his lasting impact on both the community and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

According to the article, Undersheriff Andrew Walsh told the large crowd:

“Greg was one of those innovative people who found ways to connect the Police Department to the community.”

Walsh also highlighted Greg’s remarkable work ethic, recalling how he would arrive early to ensure officers’ uniforms were sharp and presentable and that every officer was prepared for the day ahead.

Additional remarks were shared by Las Vegas Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong and Clark County Commission Vice Chairman William McCurdy II, Greg’s nephew, both [...]

Air|Water 2026: A Vegas Crew Rolls Into L.A.

Last month, a strong contingent from the Las Vegas Region PCA made the pilgrimage to one of the most unique gatherings on the Porsche calendar: Air|Water in Los Angeles.

What started as a few cars heading west quickly evolved into a full Vegas caravan. Familiar faces including Dave Sullivan, Radu Muntean, Matt Miller (and his dad), Steve Vitoli, Mario and Marissa, and Chef William all made the trip.

Joining the group were our friends from Gaudin Classic — Steve Thiel, Mikey Patriquin, and Emily Hedwall — along with members of our extended Porsche family from Southern California.

In the end, the weekend became exactly what these events are supposed to be: less about the cars, even though there were plenty of incredible ones, and more about the people.

A Proper Entrance… With a Twist

In true [...]

LAS VEGAS REGION PRESENTS 🏁 Lake Tahoe Tour 2026 🏁 September 7–11, 2026

Join us for an unforgettable five-day, four-night Porsche tour through some of the most scenic roads in the West.

Registration REGISTER AT:

msreg.com/TAHOETOUR2026

Tour Host: Reid Smith

Escape the Heat and Head for the Mountains

Beat the Las Vegas heat, hop into your Porsche, and enjoy an incredible driving adventure to the beautiful Lake Tahoe region.

Our home base for the first three nights will be Carson City, Nevada, followed by a final night near Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite before returning home.

Once registration closes and we have a final headcount, we will coordinate optional group meals along the way.

Tour Requirements

• Tuesday evening’s BBQ dinner is included with your registration fee.
• Participants are responsible for [...]

Two dedicated Las Vegas PCA members recently proved that true Porsche passion knows no borders. JP and Romi Mirza loaded up their air-cooled classics and made the long haul from Las Vegas to Meridian, Idaho, for the second annual Idaho Air event on May 2, 2026.

Romi piloted his hardcore Porsche 934 race car, while JP cruised in his striking Ice Green 1979 Porsche 930. The journey itself was an adventure, covering hundreds of miles through changing landscapes before arriving in the Pacific Northwest for what turned out to be a spectacular celebration of air-cooled Porsches.

A Stunning Display in Meridian

Hosted at the Ten Mile Campus in Meridian, Idaho, just outside Boise, Idaho Air 2026 delivered exactly what enthusiasts crave: more than 120 air-cooled Porsches on display, live music from The Canyon Kids, fresh coffee and bites from local vendors, and a vibrant community atmosphere.

Organizers [...]

Greetings to all our wonderful Porsche family!

Just as predicted last month, April disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Spring is packed with exciting Las Vegas Porsche Club events, from HPDE weekends to scenic drives and coffee gatherings

🏁 HPDE

Our next HPDE event is coming up on May 17th and 18th, and there is still time to sign up for what is always an exciting and rewarding weekend.

If you’ve been considering attending, now is the time to reserve your spot.

HPDE is not about racing. It’s about learning how to drive your Porsche safely and confidently at speed in a controlled environment. Let’s be honest—very few people buy a Porsche without wanting to experience the incredible performance and handling these cars were built to deliver.

This is the perfect venue to do exactly that.

The program includes:

• A [...]