1st Places & Once-In-A-Lifetime Experiences

July 2001 was a very exciting time for Matt and me. Three events kept us busy as well as grateful -- the success WE enjoyed came from a lot of hard work and preparation.

Our first experience was the Porsche Parade, 2001, sponsored by the Porsche Club of America, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The event Matt was most interested in was the Concours d’Elegance, held on Sunday, July the 1st. Cars were judged on Preservation, Restoration and Preparation.

The weather on Friday and Saturday was very warm, but, Saturday night brought rain (our favorite friend!!), and that cooled the temperature. That should have made us happy, but the thought of having to drive Matt’s white 959, from the concourse parking lot to the Lake Michigan site, thru the wet streets of Milwaukee, seemed particularly grim when you consider the time and labor that went into this effort.

While preparing his car for the Parade, he spent MANY hours with “q”-tips, rags, polishing compound, sweat and a little blood. To say his car was spotless was no exaggeration. When the judges showed up wearing their white gloves -- with the intention of examining every spot on the car they could find -- it did make your shutter flutter!!

The Awards presentation dinner, that evening, had everyone “revved”!! Some owners left, knowing their protests (concerning weather, unfair competitors, unfair judging rules, and the like) would fail. We, however, were elated.... Matt won 1st in Class and 1st in Division with his white 959. What could be better than that?

Next, we were on to Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. You can find the story of our July 8th, third place GT finish, under “Bert’s Highlights”, right here on our web site!! Coming away from the Porsche Parade and Road America, with trophies in hand, we then headed to Lime Rock, Connecticut.
This would be our first time at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion. (Ren is the German word for race). This is an annual event sponsored by Porsche for Porsche owners and enthusiasts. What made this reunion very special was the presence of TWO 917/30’s. There were only four manufactured and only three exist today.

One is owned by the Porsche factory, one by a Frenchman and the other by -- guess who!?!? MATT!!!!! I could not find any reference, anywhere, to more than one of these cars being on any track at any one time. So, for Porsche lovers, this was an historical event. Plus, the experience of a life time for Matt, as he met Mr. Roger Penske!!

Roger Penske was here to drive the factory car, just as he had in the early 70’s, as manager of the Sunoco/Porsche Can-Am team. It was quite a sight -- Mr. Penske in the factory car and Matt in his “06” 917/30 -- side by side, on the track at Lime Rock!!!!!! Some kind of misfire left the factory 917/30 in the pit, after only a few laps.

Matt loaned Mr. Penske his car to drive. That was quite an offer, and Mr. Penske graciously accepted. After about 6 laps or so, it was “quiet time” and he had to pit. He thanked Matt for the ride by signing his name on the windshield. Then, Mark Donahue’s son, David, signed his name and then Brian Redman, who is the only other person to drive the car in competition, besides Mark Donahue, signed, too!

What a grand experience!! Meeting Roger Penske, driving with him, he then driving Matt’s car and then signing the windshield, too.... I don’t think I’ll ever be the same again.... Matt was humble and respectful, as always.

To say the month of July 2001 was a dream come true for ‘ole Matt, is too simple… it was a once in a lifetime experience for him. And, in my estimation, he deserved all the accolades he received. He was a gentleman and fine representative of the kind of people Porsche owners are!!!!