Hershey Roll Call

[CCM911]

Is everyone ready for Hershey this Saturday? Unfortunately, we may get rain. But, hopefully, it will hold off until the evening. If it is cold, I will leave the Targa at home, as the heat is not working. Bummer.

Hope to meet some of you forum folks in person.

[steve911T]

Latest Acccuweather forecast, 63 degrees is the high and cloudy with rain Sun/Mon/Tuesday, so lets all hope that the rain holds off. Who can believe the weather forecasters anyway? So, bring your foul weather gear and your sunscreen.

[steely]

I like your attitude Steve.

Am hoping to go as well, "weather and authorities permitting".

This would be my first, last year I was still trying to get the fuel lines in.

Chris, I thought you were associated with the PCA group leaving from Plymouth Mtg?

[CCM911]

I am, but I can't stand going in a group. I just like to head out, and run with one or two folks that I may meet up with. Much faster that way.

Hate to bore you all, but here is my account from about two or three years back, that I wrote for the RTR newsletter:

Tales from the Trail
By Christopher Mahalick, RTR


The tasks involved with preparing one’s car for it’s first Spring outing can best be described as “daunting”. “Arduous”? How about “Herculean”?

Whatever the name, there are things that must be done prior to doling out hours of abuse to your beloved sports car. I kind of liken it to either training for a full Iron-Man Triathlon or Racing the Baja 1000.

First comes the spirit-breaking task of searching for the keys. Followed by the grueling process of lifting the trunk and engine lids to make sure that no mice or other unwanted guests are present. And then tense seconds are spent ensuring the proper inflation pressure of the tires. While I generally employ the “eyeball” approach, I have been recently informed of the existence of a specialty diagnostic tool called the “Tire Gauge”. I may have to dip my toe into the waters of technology and give one a try one of these days.

And if those long minutes of toil were not enough, there are still other things to do. The outsides of the windows must be cleaned. This alone can take up to five minutes! And then this year I decided to show off. I really hope I didn’t metaphorically fly too close to the sun this time. Here it comes…I used some Instant Detailer to give the old Targa that Concours look. And it took close to twelve minutes to do so. Jeez, did I buy the car to drive or to pander to?

And at last the car was deemed fit to abuse. So my friend John and I jumped in and headed to the Porsche Swap meet in Hershey. With slightly overcast skies and temperatures in the mid sixties, it was a perfect day for a drive. With cigarette in one hand and coffee in the other we hit the PA Turnpike with a vengeance. If “vengeance” could be described as traveling at a steady seventy-five miles per hour.

There were a few Porsches out there, but most seemed to be lying in wait. For god knows what. Actually, I do know what. They were waiting to travel down in groups. This is a big no-no. Two rules here. You don’t dine out in groups larger than six, and you most certainly do not travel with more than one other car at a time. It just gets too cumbersome, and the logistics begin to overshadow the intent, which is to get to Hershey with a minimum of BS. So instead of linking up on the web, the best idea here is to just hit the road, and then let fate deliver you the ideal traveling companion. I have had more great runs that just started with nothing more than two competent cars and drivers sharing the same stretch of asphalt at the same given point in time. Try it. You’ll like it.

In our case it was a black 997 that appeared right around the Downingtown rest area. Now, I had kind of given up with modern Porsches. I mean, that 996 was just a “design” travesty! Did someone say “bland”? I know I did. So I never even really looked at the 997. Until yesterday. It was like an epiphany. When I saw that back end and rear fenders, I just knew that Porsche was back to making Porsches. They finally got it right. It is most definitely the automotive equivalent of art. Old meets new in a totally seamless integration. Someone in Germany really had his or her thinking cap on while drawing up this one.

And so it began. The beating was on. We traveled with this beautiful car all the way to Hershey. Speeds were pretty moderate, ranging from seventy-five to the occasional one- oh-five. The 997 driver was very competent, so the run was almost too easy. At least for him. He was probably just tapping the gas while listening to the CD player, in complete comfort. Back in the Targa, the gas pedal was held to the floor, while the wind howling through the Targa top just added to the mechanical cacophony. I’ve gotta get a coupe. If only to preserve what is left of my sanity.

At one point in our run, some nut in a 996 came flying by at about a hundred and fifty miles per hour. Through traffic! Oh well, he was having fun.

So we get to the event, and meet our traveling companion, Ed, who turned out to be a really cool person. So of course I had to ask “Did you see that nut fly by in the Blue 996 at about a hundred and fifty?”. And before Ed could answer we hear shouted over our shoulders “I was that nut in the Blue 996. We made it from North Jersey to here at an average speed of ninety-one miles per hour”. And his wife added as an aside “That included two stops, one to pee and one for Vodka”. I kid you not. And then he reaches into the trunk and pulls out a Heineken! At nine in the morning! Now I know that most of you tongue cluckers and tsk-tskers out there will find this to be horrifying. I, on the other hand, find it strangely fascinating. I mean, yes speeds like that are highly illegal and irresponsible. And that’s before you throw in the alcohol. But then again, what a rush. He actually pulled it off. After a run like that what’s left? Maybe heli-skiing on Acid?

All this happened before we even went into the vendor area. And as usual it was great. Due to the agreeable weather, it seemed that the turnout was larger than usual. I bought some tools and artwork, while John bought a fleece, driving shoes, and some tools as well. What a great time.

Once satiated by our purchases, it was time to head over to the car corral. I know, I know, I always write about that darned car corral. But I must. After seeing the prices, I walk away feeling that I must own a twenty-five thousand dollar 3.2 Carrera. Quite the opposite of a humbling experience.

But this time it was different. I walked by what looked like an old Porsche 904 race car. Next to it was a chassis elegantly presented in stainless steel. Turns out that Chuck Beck was there to display his latest creation. So I was talking to the sales manager and happened to mention that I knew the person who had bought his son Randy’s 914 track car. So he said, “why don’t you tell Mr. Beck, he’s standing right there”. So I did. We had a really nice conversation, as we knew a few folks in common. What a cool guy. He gets to make cars for a living. And before I forget, Josette, call Chuck Beck.

Just all around a fantastic day. Maybe this current hiatus from the track won’t be as bad as I thought. There is just so much out there to do. We should all be thankful for that. Since we are situated in the center of a bunch of really big metropolitan areas, opportunities just abound.

So get off that computer and into the Porsche this summer and have a ball. It’s all out there waiting for you. All you have to do is turn the key.

[jrumiano]

I'll be heading up as long as we don't get rain. I've seen several forecasts, some say clouds, some say rain. it's still 5 days away so I guess we'll see as the week progresses (I've got my fingers crossed).

[nineball]

i'll be heading there, just booked a room today. if it's nice the targa will be taken. if it's raining it will stay in the garage.

[mickey356]

I'll be there rain or shine

[kfosburg]

Rain or shine, heading out from Frederick early with one friend in either his 930 or my 71 911. I have my list ready!

Karl

[Bobbi66]

Were going rain or shine. my husband loves it there this will be my first time. Targa is staying in the garage. Taking the SUV so we can buy lots of stuff.

[andyt11]

Flying down from canada. Needless to say rain or shine.

Cant wait. Any cool bars/lounges people can recomend in Harrisburg?

[edgarcia737]

Ill be there, but flying in from Scottsdale AZ. Though it would be fun to drive my '77 Carrera 3.0 on those Pennsylvania roads. But I'm bringing two empty suitcases and a long list.

[wax105]

Driving down from Montreal on Friday for my first event at Hershey!

What kind of parts vendors can I expect?!? Any new parts? Any trades?

I have a few things I dont need, should I bring them with me?

i.e. Steel narrow body quarters
964 p/s pump - ac comp - Harmonic balancer
Complete set of bumpers 80s carrera style
Carrera calipers
Torsion bars
...

I dont want to shlep these around for nothing...

Thanks,
Carl

[WIL84911]

Since there were no takers for my wheels it's looking more like my 3.2's second long trip since I drove her home for the first time 2 years ago (should be a blast!).

[jwasbury]

My plan is to leave early Saturday AM. Anyone from the NYC area care to join? Send me a PM.

[nineball]

i guess i got really lucky. some local friends are driving up in an suv with a uhaul tailer behind, so i can buy anything i want to and it has a ride home waiting, and i still get to drive the 6 hours each way in the 911

[Rich76_911s]

I will be there. Shaun 84 targa and I will be at spots C22 and C23.

Also Unobtanium has a spot or two in row C. THey have free goodie bags! ! !

Feel free to stop by and introduce yourself. And BUY what is left of my SC parts. I need the $$$$ to get the 1969 911E painted this summer!

Look forward to meeting you all.
Rich

[berettafan]

I'm in!

[eauboy]

Wife and kids have been given plenty of advanced notice that I will be heading up to Hershey on Saturday. I also enjoy randomly joining up with fellow travellers for portions of the trip.

[Wolfen]

My wife and I will be heading up early Saturday morning.

[kycarguy 935]

I am leaving Friday morning. It was beautiful last year and hoping for the same this year...haha

We need a way to meet other Pelicans at this event.

I met quite a few last year and saw some long time Porsche friends from the west coast there too.