My first Porsche Parade... my thoughts

[unclebilly]

I was at Parade in Spokane for the first few days and then went home early...

I went with my 7 year old son and the activities for father and son are limited due to his age.

The concours was awesome! Way better than I expected. I really enjoyed seeing both 2.7 RS cars and the 959, both cars I had never seen in the flesh before. There were a few Macans , a Cayenne , and Panamera in the concours...

The welcome reception was OK - we got their late (due to me being in the hospital the day before for a farm incident).

My son LOVED the RC car racing. The hospital room vendors were friendly and we enjoyed this part as well.

Wednesday there was little for us to do so we left. We were signed up for the gimmick rally today and the parade on Saturday but decided that with nothing to do on Wednesday and Friday, we would go home and go Kart Racing instead. I guess I somehow expected more between event activities.

I felt 20 years too young for this gathering. I'd estimate that 40-60% of the cars there were newer Boxsters or Caymans, many of these were the 60_ year old owner's first Porsche. Most has no idea what my early Turbo was, nor were they interested in anything aircooled.

If I could see things done differently, I would have more events open to kid participation. There is no reason that my son couldn't have taken part in the TSD rally if he was properly buckled in. Kid events didn't have to be kid only like making arts and crafts. I think instead of pompous buffets, we could have had the Davenport do a $15/head build your own burger dinner or a BBQ of some type.

Waiting around for 5 days to do the parade seemed crazy to me. It seemed like lots of people show up for the first 2-3 days and take off. That is what I would plan to do if I ever attended one of these again... in 20 years... in a boxster.

I'm not complaining, we enjoyed the activities were took part in. Me met some great people and we had fun. There just was a bit too much 'downtime between activities' for my liking.

Maybe I'm just not the demographic these events are designed to cater to.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

Most has no idea what my early Turbo was, nor were they interested in anything aircooled.

Ditto on my last local PCA event.

FWIW, after three years of reading R&T / C&D I finally saw a Turbo Carrera at night in front of my 65 Buick Skylark on some mild twisties going into Chagrin Falls. 1977. He was obeying speed limits.

It was like a movie. Like seeing the Millennium Falcon jump to light speed for the first time. Like the first time latching onto a set of killer sweater puppies. Like a first promotion.

Perhaps I digress.

Too much downtime, eh?

[Porsche-poor]

I went with my 84 year old father. We had fun and enjoyed the cars but also left early. We got there on Sunday and left Tuesday morning. The heat got to him before the walking from place to place did.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I typically feel like I'm not the target demographic at PCA events.....

[Porsche-poor]

Yeah I kind of think that as well. I had to go at least once. I might go again when it comes back out West.

[Jeff Higgins]

Everybody I know that went to Parade came home early. While Porsche as a company may have regained (financial) interest in us (witness Porsche Classic), the PCA is certainly not our gig. The only reason I retain my membership is for their track days.

I ran into the same thing in my HOG days. You get a PCA or HOG membership if you buy a new car or bike. I would imagine other marques have their own corporate sponsored social clubs as well. With HOG, there was no interest in the older flatheads, Knuckles, Pans, etc. - most had no idea of the differences, as they were coming into riding later in life and had chosen Harley as a status thing. Exact same thing with the PCA.

Never fear, though, as the Parts Obsolete Campout is this coming weekend. To hell with Parade, this is gonna be air cooled immersion like no other, with 356's, 911's, Beetles, Busses, and more. Many left Parade early just so they could be at the campout. This is our kind of gig...

[techweenie]

I was somewhat tempted since Spokane is my hometown, but it's a 3000 mile round trip, and I'm employed (first time in a long time) by a tech startup that needs random (and many) hours. So I passed. I remember dropping in on the Parade when it was in San Diego back in the 70s and my impression was that it was more of a big social event with socially-retarded people. Not the best combo.

As for the predominance of newer Porsches, I've seen that at PCA breakfasts, and made an effort to engage the few air-cooled owners who stopped by. I also recently took on editing the region newsletter so I could be sure it was more inclusive.

But consider this: With a 60-year spread in cars and a 60-year spread in owners, you're always going to be struggling to hit the right notes when putting on an event.

[scottmandue]

I miss the German autofest in Ventura CA.

[rattlsnak]

Most of my friends belong to PCA for the track time, not concours events.. Even AX now is all about newer cars. Rare to see anything older than 1995..

[R K T]

Wife and I have been PCA members for 30 years and attended about 15 Parades during that time. Up until 2005. That was the 50th anniversary of PCA and it was the last parade I will ever do. Ever.

PCA is so full of rules it has taken any fun out of what used to be a fun activity. As mentioned above, it's full of new Porsche owners that have no clue as to the history of the early beginnings of Porsche. It's mostly about 'look at what I can afford to buy'.

We took our 1955 356 to the 50th Parade. A 50 year old Porsche built the same year PCA was started. I don't know why I even thought that there would be some recognition of having a somewhat historic car at a somewhat historic event....zero! We trailered the car half way across the country and when we arrived we were told that all trailers were to park in a dirt lot about a half mile away. The fact that there was a huge empty parking lot at the hotel was not to be used except for "vip's". I wanted to unload the 356 before moving the trailer to the dirt lot and was not permitted to do so.

Then it got worse. The concours judges refused to dis-allow a car that was entered in the wrong class that beat our car. It meant something to us then, but now we could not care less.

FUN was replaced by PCA BS.

[1990C4S]

Any transponders on sale there?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a Boxster and an SC, so the new vs old doesn't bother me. It just seems to be more of the wine and cheese status event as opposed to a gathering of car people.

[craig356]

I dropped my PCA membership this year for many of the points being made on this thread. I respect the organization and still know some of the local members, but it simply was no longer for me. I am a long time Porsche enthusiast and own a 356 and 912 which I drive often and enjoy hanging around other "car guys" that simply enjoy cars and the heritage of the brand. PCA, in my opinion, has become almost exclusively newer cars with owners focused on status. I consider myself a true "car guy" and enjoy hanging around other true car people, regardless of the brand. Porsche is near and dear to my heart, but at the Monterey Parade a few years back I was shocked by the snobbery that ouzed out from many in attendance and came to the realization I have nearly nothing in common with the group as a whole. Since I have noticed this even more at various events and simply decided it was time for me to move on...no big deal as my small membership fee will not be missed, but the point is the focus has certainly changed.

[stealthn]

I'd still rather follow your car on twisty roads....

[R K T]

One of the best local region Porsche events of the year that IMO is way better than a Parade......
https://pca-palooza.com/

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by stealthn

I'd still rather follow your car on twisty roads....

Yes, the Gruppe9 guys are definitely more my style.

I did see a few of the gang in Spokane.