As a bonus for using the Club Forum, here is advanced viewing of next months PP copy.
(I'm afraid there is bad news about the intended Nurburgring trip[&o])
Taking Over
With impeccable timing I took over from John as Register Secretary at the beginning of February "" just as I was away on vacation for 2 weeks (and therefore incommunicado). So I must start off this months column by apologising to all those who left calls, and emails whilst I was away. I think I got back to everyone after the jet-lag cleared, but in case I missed you amongst the junk mail then apologies, and please try again"¦
Technical "" Battery (redux)
After last months article about checking the battery fluid, I am reminded to add that some cars may have sealed batteries (mine didn't) and obviously these do not need topping up.
One more thing (pointed out to me by Kent RO Phil Sharland) is that using a mirror to check the level whilst topping up is safer than 1. standing in the boot, 2. spilling the water, 3. shorting the terminals, 4. having the acid explode in your face, and therefore 5. hitting your head on the underside of the bonnet. (Thanks Phil!) But in my defence, that would have meant going back in the house and finding a mirror... What "" Do you think I have a spare 2 minutes to save me getting acid in my eyes and a bump on the head? (Think first folks!)
Region Invites
The register has received invites from Tony and Harriet Shannon to attend the R16,14 and 31 Multi-Regional Concours ""at Bowood on Sunday 22nd May. This sounds a fun event with (as well as the Concours), PCGB and Peter Lovett providing displays, a rolling road (get booked in asap!), a driving challenge, and an Autojumble.
See R16's article in Porsche Post for more details, with latest information on the Club's website and club-forum.
We have also been invited as a Register to attend the Kent Region's "Show and Shine" at Hever Castle, Nr Edenbridge in Kent. As well as the Concours this event will give access to the Castle grounds for the day, and entry to the Castle itself can be purchased at the event itself. The date for this event is 17 July 2005.
Phil and Pearl Sharland (the Kent RO's "" as previously mentioned) are also running a "Romantic Road" tour in Germany in September. Details are in Porsche Post under the Kent Region section. It looks to be fabulous value for a really interesting trip. Pity we used our holiday up in February!
If any Register Member wishes to attend the above events please contact the organisers directly (The Regional Organisers as above). I would appreciate an email or call to let me know you are attending as well. Thanks!
Win a Boxster
Elsewhere in this issue I understand there should be an advert for a competition to win a new Boxster. I'm all for new Boxsters (the more the merrier!) so if having a flutter is your thing, £47 gets you an entry. All the details are in the advert so I leave it for you to decide if it is for you. It would be nice if a Club Member won it though"¦
550 "" How Many?
Register Member Richard Hennessy recently contacted Porsche Cars GB to enquire as to numbers of Boxster 550 Anniversary Edition cars the UK sold. He kindly forwarded me the response, and I quote from it here.
I can confirm that out of a total worldwide production of 1,953 units of this particular model, Porsche Cars Great Britain received an allocation of 304 units. In terms of the split of colour combination/transmission type, the detail is as follows:
Manual "" 249 units
Tiptronic S "" 55 units
Of which:
GT Silver metallic exterior/Cocoa Brown leather interior "" 108 units
GT Silver metallic exterior/Natural Grey leather interior "" 196 units
So that should be useful info for current and future owners "" thanks very much Richard for passing that on.
Nurburgring
Yes I know, the one you are all waiting for"¦ However this is proving very difficult to arrange.
I called my hotel contacts about 5 days after the Nurburgring opening dates were announced, and for the full weekends all rooms are generally booked! Bear in mind you are reading this in the magazine a month after I write it as well"¦
If people are still interested then let me know "" but a large group is evidently out of the question. The prime hotel we were planning to use is booked solid, which does not help. And we would be needing to stay much further away from the track in order to get a block of rooms.
Sorry to be writing this but I hope you understand "" the information age has moved into the immediacy of the internet. As soon as dates are made available everyone knows straight away and bookings are made. I make full use of the internet and I got tripped up! A tricky one"¦
Club Forum
Which I suppose brings me neatly, if not elegantly to the Club Forum. As stated above. Things move fast, and events and trips can be booked before the vast majority are aware they are even happening. I really encourage everyone to make full use of the Club Forum. For example if anything happens the day after I write this, it will be eight or nine weeks before you find out about it in the magazine. The Forum is a great place to find out about events right now, and get answers to questions almost straight away. A great tool the Register can use everyday. You can find the forum at www.porscheclubgbforum.com
-- Mark Bennett
Upcoming Events
Nurburgring Trip, see above.
If people are still interested then let me know
Bowood Concours - Sunday 22 May 2005
Kent Concours "" Sunday 17 July 2005
(I'm afraid there is bad news about the intended Nurburgring trip[&o])
Taking Over
With impeccable timing I took over from John as Register Secretary at the beginning of February "" just as I was away on vacation for 2 weeks (and therefore incommunicado). So I must start off this months column by apologising to all those who left calls, and emails whilst I was away. I think I got back to everyone after the jet-lag cleared, but in case I missed you amongst the junk mail then apologies, and please try again"¦
Technical "" Battery (redux)
After last months article about checking the battery fluid, I am reminded to add that some cars may have sealed batteries (mine didn't) and obviously these do not need topping up.
One more thing (pointed out to me by Kent RO Phil Sharland) is that using a mirror to check the level whilst topping up is safer than 1. standing in the boot, 2. spilling the water, 3. shorting the terminals, 4. having the acid explode in your face, and therefore 5. hitting your head on the underside of the bonnet. (Thanks Phil!) But in my defence, that would have meant going back in the house and finding a mirror... What "" Do you think I have a spare 2 minutes to save me getting acid in my eyes and a bump on the head? (Think first folks!)
Region Invites
The register has received invites from Tony and Harriet Shannon to attend the R16,14 and 31 Multi-Regional Concours ""at Bowood on Sunday 22nd May. This sounds a fun event with (as well as the Concours), PCGB and Peter Lovett providing displays, a rolling road (get booked in asap!), a driving challenge, and an Autojumble.
See R16's article in Porsche Post for more details, with latest information on the Club's website and club-forum.
We have also been invited as a Register to attend the Kent Region's "Show and Shine" at Hever Castle, Nr Edenbridge in Kent. As well as the Concours this event will give access to the Castle grounds for the day, and entry to the Castle itself can be purchased at the event itself. The date for this event is 17 July 2005.
Phil and Pearl Sharland (the Kent RO's "" as previously mentioned) are also running a "Romantic Road" tour in Germany in September. Details are in Porsche Post under the Kent Region section. It looks to be fabulous value for a really interesting trip. Pity we used our holiday up in February!
If any Register Member wishes to attend the above events please contact the organisers directly (The Regional Organisers as above). I would appreciate an email or call to let me know you are attending as well. Thanks!
Win a Boxster
Elsewhere in this issue I understand there should be an advert for a competition to win a new Boxster. I'm all for new Boxsters (the more the merrier!) so if having a flutter is your thing, £47 gets you an entry. All the details are in the advert so I leave it for you to decide if it is for you. It would be nice if a Club Member won it though"¦
550 "" How Many?
Register Member Richard Hennessy recently contacted Porsche Cars GB to enquire as to numbers of Boxster 550 Anniversary Edition cars the UK sold. He kindly forwarded me the response, and I quote from it here.
I can confirm that out of a total worldwide production of 1,953 units of this particular model, Porsche Cars Great Britain received an allocation of 304 units. In terms of the split of colour combination/transmission type, the detail is as follows:
Manual "" 249 units
Tiptronic S "" 55 units
Of which:
GT Silver metallic exterior/Cocoa Brown leather interior "" 108 units
GT Silver metallic exterior/Natural Grey leather interior "" 196 units
So that should be useful info for current and future owners "" thanks very much Richard for passing that on.
Nurburgring
Yes I know, the one you are all waiting for"¦ However this is proving very difficult to arrange.
I called my hotel contacts about 5 days after the Nurburgring opening dates were announced, and for the full weekends all rooms are generally booked! Bear in mind you are reading this in the magazine a month after I write it as well"¦
If people are still interested then let me know "" but a large group is evidently out of the question. The prime hotel we were planning to use is booked solid, which does not help. And we would be needing to stay much further away from the track in order to get a block of rooms.
Sorry to be writing this but I hope you understand "" the information age has moved into the immediacy of the internet. As soon as dates are made available everyone knows straight away and bookings are made. I make full use of the internet and I got tripped up! A tricky one"¦
Club Forum
Which I suppose brings me neatly, if not elegantly to the Club Forum. As stated above. Things move fast, and events and trips can be booked before the vast majority are aware they are even happening. I really encourage everyone to make full use of the Club Forum. For example if anything happens the day after I write this, it will be eight or nine weeks before you find out about it in the magazine. The Forum is a great place to find out about events right now, and get answers to questions almost straight away. A great tool the Register can use everyday. You can find the forum at www.porscheclubgbforum.com
-- Mark Bennett
Upcoming Events
Nurburgring Trip, see above.
If people are still interested then let me know
Bowood Concours - Sunday 22 May 2005
Kent Concours "" Sunday 17 July 2005
