Greetings Everyone, 

As we chill through this year’s snow and salty winter months, the bright side is our Club activities are picking up the southern jet stream and as it gets warmer we are ramping up our events schedule.

We celebrated the 30^th Anniversary of the Chesapeake Region’s Slot Car Event and Chili Cook Off in early February.  In case you were wondering, chili was served at the first event in 1995 and became a tradition.  The event was a sell out and I was overjoyed by the number of PCA Juniors (20) in attendance. We had a super fun day.  I am certain we all acted like youngsters that day!  My goal this year was to bring more children to the event and we more that doubled that number.  Next year we will need a larger room, a good problem to have.  The track was set up to represent the Autodromo Nazionale Monza track in Italy.  Many thanks to Dan, Danielle, Lucas Zadra and Dennis Zadra, Dan McNally, Terrell Williams for getting the room and track set up and thanks to all of lap counters and track helpers, and I hope I didn’t miss anyone, but I probably did. I apologize.

The Executive Council will have its next Board Meeting on March 12^th at Kecco’s Woodfire Kitchen in Reisterstown.  Doors open at 6PM, meeting starts at 6:30PM. I invite all members to attend and learn about the governance of the Club and consider volunteering for an activity that interests you.  Volunteering is a terrific way to meet new members and contribute to our success.  If you plan to attend please email me at president@pcachs.org and let me know so I can save a seat at the table for you.

Autocross begins their season on March 22^nd with the AX School at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen.  Gain confidence in your driving ability, learn your brake limits, practice correct seating, hand and feet positions, and learn the limits of your car’s handling.  This school is an excellent opportunity to learn from qualified and experienced instructors. April 12^th is the first AX performance driving event.  All Autocross events will be conducted at Ripken Stadium this year.

Our first Tour/Lunch is Travel Back to Horse Country and it is coming up on both March 22^nd and 23^rd. There was such an overwhelming response that our Tour and Rally Chair, Rich Ehrlich, added an additional day for those on the waitlist. Thanks Rich. Click here to register for Saturday

Porsche Silver Spring hosted our first New Member Party of the year and we had 20 new members attend. 50 members met in Porsche Silver Spring for a morning of socializing and learning about the club’s activities from the Event Chairs.  The new members received PCA Chesapeake swag bags loaded with goodies. There were many raffle prizes with the grand prize, a $200 gift certificate to Porsche Silver Spring, won by John Moore, member since 1979.  Congratulations on holding the winning ticket!  Thank you Bruce Kim, General Manager and Tyheshia Butler, Customer Service Manager, for your generous hospitality and assistance getting organized and set up. It is always a pleasure working with you, our valued Sponsor. 

Our upcoming Social dinners will be at Kelsey’s Irish Pub on March 25th, The Lodge on April 15th, and Fisherman’s Inn on the eastern shore on May 13th.

Porsche Annapolis is hosting a Tech Session on March 29^th at 9:30AM. On hand will be a Michelin Tire Engineer.  Your tires are the only contact your car has with the road, so hopefully you will have the opportunity to attend this valuable Tech Talk.  In addition to hosting this event Porsche Annapolis is offering attendees the opportunity to purchase and install Michelin tires at $10 over dealer cost for any vehicle….not just Porsches.  Thank you to our Valued Sponsor, Porsche Annapolis.  Click here to register

Saturday April 5^th we will conduct a Training Class for the development of tour leaders.  Do you want to lead tours or be sweeps or even design your own tour for the members? Our first annual Tour Academy is your opportunity to get comfortable designing, developing and leading members safely through your favorite routes.  Gathering time is 8:30AM and classes start at 9:00AM.  A continental breakfast will be served.  Click here to register

The 2025 Chesapeake Challenge planning has begun under the leadership of Kristen Allen.  Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20^th, at Frey’s Brewing Company in Mt. Airy.  Once Kristen has everything lined up, I’m sure she will be looking for volunteers, so thank you in advance for considering supporting this longest running PCA event (56 years).  

I attended the Zone 2 President’s Meeting in Harrisonburg, VA.  Seven of the ten Region Presidents were in attendance.  Subjects included a recap of 2024, a 70^th Anniversary update, Boardwalk 2025 update, Membership, Insurance, Risk Management, Safety, Bylaws, PCA Juniors and Volunteerism.  It was a terrific day led by Zone 2 Rep Phil Grandfield with PCA Executive Council VP, Ron Gordon in attendance.  There were discussions on helping each other, sharing ideas and working together.  The day was very beneficial and enjoyable meeting and interacting with the other Region Presidents.  

Bogdan Chitimus has generously accepted the position of Patter Editor and is currently working with Henry Becker to transition. Thank you, Bogdan, for volunteering for this very important position in the Club. Please congratulate and support Bogdan in his new role as Patter Editor as he continues to deliver our newsletter to us. Thank you Henry for all your time and effort and skill in producing the best of class magazine to our members.

All Executive Council positions including President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary will be up for election later this year.  Per the Bylaws, the Nominating Committee will be formed and candidates selected not later than August 15^th. 

Thanks to all of you for making Chesapeake Region so much fun! 

It’s the cars that bring us together, but it is the people that make it special.

Be well and safe travels, 

Steve