[Mahler9th]

I hardly ever visit OT... let alone respond. Sure, you can get the same discounts on Porsche and BMW parts without being in the car clubs.

Here is some perspective: I think what something is worth depends on what you compare it to.

I became interested in cars and racing and Porsches in 1983 in engineering graduate school. Studied in the engineering library stacks right near the pile of Car and Driver and Road and Track mags.

I got very interested very quickly. Test drove a 1984 944 for three hours. The Vermont dealer was very friendly and let me go by myself. He trusted me and wanted my business post-grad school. He made me aware of the PCA.

I bought a 944 in 1986 and joined the PCA. South Jersey. I was living alone and working all the time and decided I needed a diversion. So I went to a monthly meeting. The guest speaker was... Bob Akin. There were about 30 of us in attendance. I thought it was pretty cool because I had read about him in the magazines and watched him race at the '85 and '85 IMSA events in Miami. I got to go to them during business trips.

Well, I thought that was a fun meeting so I went to a second one soon after. It was nice to meet folks, but I was a bit of an oddball with my 944. Everyone kept talking about "going to Malibu" at the end of the meeting and asking if I was going. I had no idea what they were talking about until the helmets and driving gloves came out. Everyone got in their cars and drove about a half hour to Malibu Grand Prix. That was fun.

In 1987 I got to go to a DE in my bone stock 944 with the PCA. Lime Rock Park. now that was fun.

Later I moved to Milwaukee and joined the PCA there. Some autocross and DE and lots of great folks.

Then I moved here to Norcal in 1991.

Many of my good friends here I have met through PCA. At least two couples I know of got together because of PCA. There is a strong set of connections between our local PCA groups and Porsche businesses like **********, and Porsche racing teams. Top level mechanics for street cars and race cars. The PCA volunteers were a major contributors to the success of the World Championship racing team that ran Porsche 935's out of Mountain View back in the day (see Porsche 935: Moby and the Warhorse Gang).

Back in 1999 or so, a PCA friend bought a used 993 cab out of Florida. When it arrived it was not as represented so he declined to complete the deal. For example, it showed signs of having had a roll bar installed. He asked if I was interested (at a lower price). All the broker/dealer had was the name and address of the previous owner. So I contacted the PCA region where she lived (via e-mail) to see if they knew her. The president responded immediately. The previous owner had been very active in PCA. She had even driven the car from Florida to a Parade in Portland. I got all of the relevant info on the car and owner. I was even able to look up the Parade review from the year she went in my stash of Pano magazines. On the third page of the article there was a full page picture of her in the cab about to start the rallye. The roll bar was in there because she transported her grandchildren in the back seats from time to time.

Flying Lizards <<<< PCA

The Racer's Group <<<< PCA

Team Lost n' Spaced (won 25 hours at Thunderhill) <<<<< PCA

And on and on.

I feel that being a PCA member has allowed me to make great contacts when I have had technical questions about my cars. Back in 1994 I had some questions about 951 control arms and ball joints, I called OG racing in VA as they sold them. The suggested I call Dave Klym at Fabcar and identify myself as a PCA member with a 951. I spoke directly with him. Gave me as much time as I wanted. In that same year I was back in WI for a business trip. I called Kelly Moss in Madison as I had some questions about 944-series car development for them. It was a Friday. I identified myself as a PCA member and original Wisconsonite now living in CA. They invited me out to their shop for the next day (Saturday). Although the shop was closed, a few folks were working. I spent 3-4 hours with them.

I don't have to be a member to access the PCA tech group, but I feel better being a member when I do (my friend is in charge of that group now). Lot's of valuable information and they work hard on behalf of the PCA.

I started corresponding about Porsches on the internet back in 1994. Before Pelican, Rennlist and all the rest. Early-adopter I guess. Not many of us still around. People ask questions like: "how should I set up my 944 for AX and DE's... what should I do first?" Well these answers have been around since the cars were new. The nswers do not change for the most part.

I quite often see... uninformed responses in these modern forums. Folks seem to have lost touch with the years of experience, information and knowledge that exists on these cars. The PCA is a good place to access that stuff.

I could go into the differences I have seen through the years in driver's skills and knowledge... I always tell people I meet that have Porsches to start with PCA and to keep PCA as a home base for driving. I caught someone on these forums telling a newbbie that you apex later and later as you go faster. That is just wrong. Lots of stuff like that on the internet.

I could go on and on (already have). But to me, it is simple: What something is worth depends on what you compare it to.

To me, my membership in PCA has been and continues to be worth a lot.

- Mike
(Old School type)