HPDE is an opportunity to enjoy your car in the safe, controlled environment of a race track. Everyone is driving in the same direction. Everyone has a single purpose and is focused on their driving. There are corner workers that control the track and maintain a safe environment for everyone. Drivers are divided up by skill level and in separate run groups.
ORPCA provides links to organizations or events that provide HPDE. Check out the links on the logos on the bottom of this page.
Clean your car up. Windows, paint, engine compartment. Make sure the brake fluid is fresh. The highest frequency failure we get at the track is boiled brake fluid because it was not fresh. The rain in the Pacific Northwest contributes to this as brake fluid absorbs water and that reduces the boiling point of the fluid. Ensure that your car has a current annual inspection and you have a hard copy to bring with you to the track.
Perform all necessary maintenance. This is not the time to defer maintenance. You are going to be driving your car at the edge of its operating envelope and having it in tip top shape is the best way to ensure you will have a good time free from mechanical failures. This is also a good time to go through your car and remove any articles which will not be required while driving and to secure or remove items like telephones, radar detectors etc. Also make sure your battery, spare tire and jack are secured.
Dress comfortably for the weather. It can be cold or hot, wet or dry. It’s suggested that only cotton (or natural fiber) shirts and pants are appropriate for drivers. Cotton wicks water away from the skin effectively and helps keep you cool in the hot weather. Driving gloves and comfortable rubber soled shoes are recommended. Please no high heels, sandals or heavy soled shoes or boots. You need to be able to feel the pedals through the footwear.
Be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen. For sunny or rainy days, a popup cover is a good item to invest in. A comfortable chair is also a good thing to bring as well as some food. You are there for the day; make sure you keep your energy up!
An extra quart or two of your cars engine oil. A jack, stands, and some basic tools are also advisable, but not necessary. A good quality tire pressure gauge. Get one with a dial or digital readout and a bleeder button to help you reset tire pressures easily. Most of the time you have to let air out of your tires rather than adding. There is usually compressed air available in the paddock.
Something to store the stuff from your car that you want to keep dry is also a good idea. Plastic storage boxes work well.
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Maintaining Momentum
Oregon Region is marching through the year at a steady pace. March turned out 11 events, which may be a record for this time of year. Even though it is still early, we have seen a couple of new events on our calendar including the new dining event, Road and Fork, and an out-of-town tech session in Tacoma. I was thrilled at the number of new faces attending the New Member Orientation. Be sure to check out stories about each of those later in this edition.
I realize now one of the key elements of having so many events on the calendar is maintaining momentum while not over- burdening our volunteers. The processes and procedures are ever- evolving, and while much of it is becoming routine, keeping all the balls in the air at once is challenging. The Drive Team and the Social Committee have been working overtime, and it shows. If you see any of the drive team or social committee members out and about, be sure give them a thumbs up and a smile – they deserve it!
This year ORPCA is celebrating 65 years and PCA is turning 70! The cars, the people, the clubs have a lot to celebrate. Back in 1955 and 1960, there were no 911s, no 914s, 944s, Boxsters, Caymans, Cayennes, Macans, Panameras or Taycans and very few variations on the models that did exist. There were a handful of regional clubs and not many members. Today there are 148 regions under the national umbrella with over 160,000 members participating in over 4,000 events every year.
In the area of Club history and how PCA and Porsche have evolved in 70 years, there are two great things every Porsche owner should check out if you haven’t already. One is the fantastic history of Porsche Club of America found on the PCA website: https://ww2.pca.org/pca- history (login to PCA.org, drop down the “Membership” tab to “PCA History” near the bottom.) This is a long read, but worth it. The other entertaining and education place to spend some time is PCA’s YouTube Channel: If you have not visited the PCA YouTube Channel, be forewarned, it is an addictive spot. https://www.youtube.com/@ PorscheClubofAmerica/featured
With nine more months of this exacting year ahead, I trust I will bump into many of you more than once and that alone makes it worthwhile. As you know, it’s not just the cars, it’s the people.
Let’s Drive! You can reach me at [email protected].
Let’s Drive!
